Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

Third practice attempt and at that dangerous point where I think I know what I'm doing.
View attachment 7486884

Width is about where Im wanting. Fade density too, though harder to see on the brown paper than the cardstock.

Debating giving the body one more coat of clear first, for a bit smoother target. And Ive got two spots where the clear disrupted the metallic a bit, but there's not really a correction I can do without risking even uglier outcomes.

All part of the art of "live performance" I guess. The warts are part of the experience.

Hardest part of this will be resisting the urge to make it better by spraying more passes. Exercize in restraint.

Wish my freehand motions were smoother. Age, ugh.

It

Thanks your Grace! I might just show up.

Please let me know if you are.

 

[Count Bassie]

It

Please let me know if you are.

Will do, Irv!

 

[Count Bassie]

Third practice attempt and at that dangerous point where I think I know what I'm doing.
View attachment 7486884

Width is about where Im wanting. Fade density too, though harder to see on the brown paper than the cardstock.

Debating giving the body one more coat of clear first, for a bit smoother target. And Ive got two spots where the clear disrupted the metallic a bit, but there's not really a correction I can do without risking even uglier outcomes.

All part of the art of "live performance" I guess. The warts are part of the experience.

Hardest part of this will be resisting the urge to make it better by spraying more passes. Exercize in restraint.

Wish my freehand motions were smoother. Age, ugh.

Nah yer good.

 

[Count Bassie]

I'd love to learn what the group consensus is on mid-priced T-bird replacement pups. Lulls aren't available, and even if they were they'd exceed my budget. Same for Lollar and Novak.

Going for a vintage look so EMGs and other moderns pups won't do. I need more chrome in my life! The Gibson reissues seem affordable but don't have different values for neck and bridge. Is that common for Thunderbird pups? Gemini Dominators and the Mojo Pickups sets from the UK look great but with shipping and tariffs, they are at the top of my budget.

Any experience with 916 Pickups? I know the owner used to post on TB, but not lately. He's local, so it might be nice to give him my business, but not sure how the neo magnets depart from the traditional T-bird tone.

I'd very much appreciate any additional suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!

I'm going to be tuned in to this convo...

 

[JIO]

Third practice attempt and at that dangerous point where I think I know what I'm doing.
View attachment 7486884

Width is about where Im wanting. Fade density too, though harder to see on the brown paper than the cardstock.

Debating giving the body one more coat of clear first, for a bit smoother target. And Ive got two spots where the clear disrupted the metallic a bit, but there's not really a correction I can do without risking even uglier outcomes.

All part of the art of "live performance" I guess. The warts are part of the experience.

Hardest part of this will be resisting the urge to make it better by spraying more passes. Exercize in restraint.

Wish my freehand motions were smoother. Age, ugh.

I've done two tobacco bursts so far, both free-form. I considered the mask concept which you can do a couple different ways (like you show here and a floating central mask) but just 'winged' it. Just depends on which tact you take.

For this one I mimic'd the way it had its late '60s 'brown-burst'

 

[GonePlaid]

I get it. Do you like Geddy’s voice?

Gail is great in that clip. She’s pretty faithful to George Murray’s line from the album.

At times-kinda depends on my mood.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I've done two tobacco bursts so far, both free-form. I considered the mask concept which you can do a couple different ways (like you show here and a floating central mask) but just 'winged' it. Just depends on which tact you take.

View attachment 7486932
View attachment 7486949
For this one I mimic'd the way it had its late '60s 'brown-burst'
View attachment 7486933
View attachment 7486946 View attachment 7486947

that one on top is gorgeous, what material is the body? do you still have it?

 

[BuddhaFingas]

I've done two tobacco bursts so far, both free-form. I considered the mask concept which you can do a couple different ways (like you show here and a floating central mask) but just 'winged' it. Just depends on which tact you take.

View attachment 7486932
View attachment 7486949
For this one I mimic'd the way it had its late '60s 'brown-burst'
View attachment 7486933
View attachment 7486946 View attachment 7486947

Beautiful!

I didnt use a mask on the practice work. Totally freehand.

I was painting on masking tape/paper, so I could peel and redo.

I fiddled with a floating mask early on but seemed not much benefit if not using rattlecans.

 

[JIO]

that one on top is gorgeous, what material is the body? do you still have it?

Thanks! It's a recent build based on my Coral Deluxe Bass - body is poplar, which the CDB body was made of.

Luthiers Corner thread on it here: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/starting-a-project-with-a-neck-the-mauve-noirstar.1683802/

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Exactly - I started playing bass in '66 and the bass players I was drawn to then were Jack Cassidy, Tim Bogart and Jack Bruce - all prone to solo/extrapolate on bass - a departure from the typical (electric) bass-players role up to that point. So I've always had that in me (phrasing more like a guitarist who switches to bass) and even with a structured bass-line I add subtle flourishes where it works. Not gratuitous or 'busy', more lyrical.

BG plays this song*, based on the Bowie live version with Gail Ann Dorsey on bass - love, love, love her bass work - she has such a languid groove the whole song, but listen to her transitional 'flourish' at 3:13 - that's what I'm talkin' about!



"Wild Is the Wind" is a song written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington for the 1957 film of the same name. Johnny Mathis recorded the song for the film, and it was released as a single in November 1957. His version reached the top 40 on the record charts in Billboard magazine. The songwriters were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song in 1958.

Nina Simone first recorded "Wild Is the Wind" for the 1959 live album Nina Simone at Town Hall. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow described the rendition as a "classic" version. Regarding this recording, Janovitz wrote that "there is a real sense of the Eastern European flavor of the tune. It is a minor-key affair, with a dramatic, sweeping melody." With her approach, "all hope seems lost; she sounds as mournful as she has on almost any of her recordings -- resolved that her lover is gone, yet singing to herself as if he were there."

*David Bowie recorded a version of "Wild Is the Wind" for his 1976 album Station to Station. Bowie was an admirer of Simone's style, and he was inspired to record the song after meeting her in Los Angeles in 1975. He later recalled that Simone's version "really affected [him]...[he] recorded it as an hommage to Nina. Bowie took special care with the arrangement and production of "Wild Is the Wind", committing to an emotional and romantic vocal performance modeled after Simone's which has often been cited as one of his best

did you play guitar before bass?

 

[JIO]

Beautiful!

I didnt use a mask on the practice work. Totally freehand.

I was painting on masking tape/paper, so I could peel and redo.

I fiddled with a floating mask early on but seemed not much benefit if not using rattlecans.

Thanks! I use a circular revolving "lazy Susan" that I found at a thrift store years ago. For the final clear coat I just hang it from a tree with a coat-hanger.

I also use a portable bike work-stand to do my gilding work -

 

[MCF]

I'd love to learn what the group consensus is on mid-priced T-bird replacement pups. Lulls aren't available, and even if they were they'd exceed my budget. Same for Lollar and Novak.

Going for a vintage look so EMGs and other moderns pups won't do. I need more chrome in my life! The Gibson reissues seem affordable but don't have different values for neck and bridge. Is that common for Thunderbird pups? Gemini Dominators and the Mojo Pickups sets from the UK look great but with shipping and tariffs, they are at the top of my budget.

Any experience with 916 Pickups? I know the owner used to post on TB, but not lately. He's local, so it might be nice to give him my business, but not sure how the neo magnets depart from the traditional T-bird tone.

I'd very much appreciate any additional suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!

What are they going in? I assume a modern Gibson with TBird Plusses?

I’m a fan of the Gibson Vintage Reissues. Great value at $129 a piece. But they have become hard to get recently.

 

[CoughSyrup]

What are they going in? I assume a modern Gibson with TBird Plusses?

I’m a fan of the Gibson Vintage Reissues. Great value at $129 a piece. But they have become hard to get recently.

Just an old Mexican P bass I've had for 20 years. Thought she could use a makeover and I've collected too many other P basses since I got her.

You don't find any issues with the Gibson neck and bridge pups having the same output?

 

[TBird1958]

I'd love to learn what the group consensus is on mid-priced T-bird replacement pups. Lulls aren't available, and even if they were they'd exceed my budget. Same for Lollar and Novak.

Going for a vintage look so EMGs and other moderns pups won't do. I need more chrome in my life! The Gibson reissues seem affordable but don't have different values for neck and bridge. Is that common for Thunderbird pups? Gemini Dominators and the Mojo Pickups sets from the UK look great but with shipping and tariffs, they are at the top of my budget.

Any experience with 916 Pickups? I know the owner used to post on TB, but not lately. He's local, so it might be nice to give him my business, but not sure how the neo magnets depart from the traditional T-bird tone.

I'd very much appreciate any additional suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!

Gibson Re-Issues - Were I looking these would be my choice, I am a Lull endorsing artist and I can't get them anymore. I have examples of a lot of different Thunderbird pickups in my collection, for money, right now, Gibson are the best choice,

 

[Thumper]

What are they going in? I assume a modern Gibson with TBird Plusses?

I’m a fan of the Gibson Vintage Reissues. Great value at $129 a piece. But they have become hard to get recently.

I'm one who likes the TB+ PUPs, at least the ones in my 2014. I sold my White VP, which I really miss, it was special, if only they didn't have a headstock the size of a surfboard, I would have just kept it. But it sold and the black VP didn't, and it's plenty nice and a few ozs lighter, so it stays.

The '97 has reissues, and they are quite nice. They don't have as much bottom and low-mids as the TB+, but they have good mids and hi-mids, and are good from the hi-mids on down, and always have a little growl which I love. Can't wait to try it with Fat-Beams.

 

[Ringhammer]

You don't find any issues with the Gibson neck and bridge pups having the same output?

The ‘97 I sold to @Thumper has the re-issues, same neck and bridge and I thought they sounded great. I used a heavier set of strings and tuned 1/2 step flat, so it sounded good and deep.

However, three times now I have purchased sets of re-issues that were taken from a 2021 NR, and the bridge and neck pickup are noted “Lead” and “Ryh”. I just scored a set last week, hasn’t even been delivered yet. One set is in my 2014 Heritage Cherry ‘bird, and the other set is in my 2013 EB.

Keep your eye out on Reverb, they come up every so often.

 

[CoughSyrup]

Thanks! I use a circular revolving "lazy Susan" that I found at a thrift store years ago. For the final clear coat I just hang it from a tree with a coat-hanger.

View attachment 7486968
I also use a portable bike work-stand to do my gilding work -
View attachment 7486973
View attachment 7486974

What kind of leaf is that? Doesn't look like the standard silver, gold, or copper. What kind of clear do you use and does it affect the color or brightness of the leaf?

 

[GBassNorth]

I'd love to learn what the group consensus is on mid-priced T-bird replacement pups. Lulls aren't available, and even if they were they'd exceed my budget. Same for Lollar and Novak.

Going for a vintage look so EMGs and other moderns pups won't do. I need more chrome in my life! The Gibson reissues seem affordable but don't have different values for neck and bridge. Is that common for Thunderbird pups? Gemini Dominators and the Mojo Pickups sets from the UK look great but with shipping and tariffs, they are at the top of my budget.

Any experience with 916 Pickups? I know the owner used to post on TB, but not lately. He's local, so it might be nice to give him my business, but not sure how the neo magnets depart from the traditional T-bird tone.

I'd very much appreciate any additional suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!

EY pickups (some call them ChinaBuckers) are a very nice bargain pickup, usually around $85 a set IIRC. The Gibson Reissues are very nice but might be on back order right now. Reverb always has something interesting for sale in the way of new and used Thunderbird pickups.

 

[MCF]

Just an old Mexican P bass I've had for 20 years. Thought she could use a makeover and I've collected too many other P basses since I got her.

You don't find any issues with the Gibson neck and bridge pups having the same output?

No. But. I installed one in a BaCH Thunderbird Ii that sounds amazing, especially through the Mes M6 Carbine. I have them in a ‘21 NR, but they are slightly different resistance for the neck and bridge pickups. But not so different that I would expect there to be an issue with two volume pots using a pair with the same resistance.

So you’ll be adding a bridge pickup in the P and adding a second volume knob? Or is it a PJ?

I have a Mexican P and a Mexican PJ. Both are great basses, especially for the money.

I'm one who likes the TB+ PUPs, at least the ones in my 2014. I sold my White VP, which I really miss, it was special, if only they didn't have a headstock the size of a surfboard, I would have just kept it. But it sold and the black VP didn't, and it's plenty nice and a few ozs lighter, so it stays.

The '97 has reissues, and they are quite nice. They don't have as much bottom and low-mids as the TB+, but they have good mids and hi-mids, and are good from the hi-mids on down, and always have a little growl which I love. Can't wait to try it with Fat-Beams.

The Plusses in my ‘06 Studio Thunderbird are downright wonderful. With SIT Powersteels,the tone is full and round. Nice growl. It has become one of my favorite Thunderbirds.

 

[CoughSyrup]

No. But. I installed one in a BaCH Thunderbird Ii that sounds amazing, especially through the Mes M6 Carbine. I have them in a ‘21 NR, but they are slightly different resistance for the neck and bridge pickups. But not so different that I would expect there to be an issue with two volume pots using a pair with the same resistance.

So you’ll be adding a bridge pickup in the P and adding a second volume knob? Or is it a PJ?

I have a Mexican P and a Mexican PJ. Both are great basses, especially for the money.
The Plusses in my ‘06 Studio Thunderbird are downright wonderful. With SIT Powersteels,the tone is full and round. Nice growl. It has become one of my favorite Thunderbirds.

It's a P that I'll be adding a bridge pickup to. My preferred layout is a V/B/T but I know many people have strong opinions on how that affects tone.