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Thunderbird Club

#342,461
Miles_ONeal said:
I’ve been practicing this week’s set with two basses, the CP for the first two songs (all low end) and either the Thunderbucker VP or a Greco for the rest, where I wanted a fuller range.
Last night I realized the point I’d swap basses was between two songs that segue, so I practiced the set with just the ‘64, kicking on the eq pedal the first two songs to get just low end. Man, did things sound good, at home and with the band today.
If I had to cut back to just one bass, it would be that one, hands down. Why Gibson does everything except reproduce this bass boggles my mind. Thank you to all the people who kept nudging me to get one!
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I certainly get it. You can imagine me owning one since '81/82 and then hearing other versions of Thunderbirds and often not being impressed. Of my Thunderbirds I'm not sure but think the VPs are very (not exactly), close to accurate. The NR I "restored" is right there as with the VPs in closeness, yet a little different. More so than even the '64 Embassy with the same pups--and the other Thunderbirds--are what I would say "go in the Thunderbird direction" to my ears. I'm picky and know it.
 
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#342,463
Gaolee said:
I am a big fan of 2001 TB+ pickups. They sound every bit as good as Thunderbuckers when compared with the same strings. Strings make a big difference.
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My birds strung with sit nickels 50-105 & they sound good. I am planning on restringing most of my gear with GHS boomers, & the bird might be one of them. 45-105 though, but i can live with that.
 
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#342,466
dagrev said:
But when you "don't need it" anymore, it will be worth more and she can cash in and reap the benefits.
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I don’t think she worries about what they may be worth. She’ll probably turn liquidation over to our daughter (who’s ruthless) and let her keep whatever money there may be. As she says, we have plenty of more important needs now. I don’t look at them as any type of investment.
 
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#342,467
DJ Bebop said:
I have been smitten by the non-reverse body shape and have been listening to the discussions about pickup types, years, and positioning.

Earlier on I was eyeing those Embassies
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You are being stalked by a 'Bird, no doubt. It will find you, choose you, and then you will have no choice but to be adopted by it.
 
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#342,469
Miles_ONeal said:
All my birds have EBCFs. The Thunderbuckers in my VP sound different (better for most things) than the 2017 (?) TB+ in my CP. the TB+ are still good pickups.
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I did a comparison of the two with Ken Smith Bass Burners on both. The strings have orange silks, so I'm pretty sure other strings will sound better because purple tone silks sound better than orange tone silks.
 
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#342,470
GBassNorth said:
I’ve been a neck agnostic for quite a while. Fat neck, thin neck, 4 string, 5 string - it’s all pretty much non noticeable to me unless I think about it. Not so with the Gibby NR reissue. The second I picked up my 2021 NR I thought - what the heck did they do to the neck. It’s a very rounded full C shape, thick front to back, relatively normal side to side. Still comfortable to play and plenty fast. I actually like the feel, it’s just not what I expected.
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I'm much happier with a skinny neck. Hopefully I can find enough time to get my Bach finished this summer.
The Gene Simmons model hanging beside the NR had a nice neck!
 
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#342,472
dagrev said:
I certainly get it. You can imagine me owning one since '81/82 and then hearing other versions of Thunderbirds and often not being impressed. Of my Thunderbirds I'm not sure but think the VPs are very (not exactly), close to accurate. The NR I "restored" is right there as with the VPs in closeness, yet a little different. More so than even the '64 Embassy with the same pups--and the other Thunderbirds--are what I would say "go in the Thunderbird direction" to my ears. I'm picky and know it.
Click to expand...
It's odd how many little things go into how a bass sounds. I didn't believe that wood had all that much effect until got a 2013 EB and a 2015 Thunderbird. They have the exact same pickups and Babicz bridges from the factory. The EB is ash with a maple set neck and the Thunderbird is built like a reverse Thunderbird should be built out of mahogany and some walnut veneers. The EB is just a little brighter and, for lack of a better term, harder sounding. The Thunderbird has just a little more blue-green in the sound and the EB has just a little more pale yellow. Both sound great, but they are different. In a mix, I don't think anybody could tell them apart. It's just when they are alone that it matters much, if at all. Maybe the shape matters? Unlikely.
 
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#342,473
As many of you know, I’ve been doing a slow roll house search over the last couple years trying to find the perfect house in the perfect location for the perfect price. I’ve narrowed it down to Prescott AZ, Fort Collins CO or San Antonio TX as the best locations for my needs. Still looking for the perfect house, but this one is a must see for all music lovers! Freaking unbelievable!
It’s well under my budget and in the right location so it’s on the short list. If I buy it (doubt that I will but who knows) I promise a GTG at some point in time.
 
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#342,474
GBassNorth said:
As many of you know, I’ve been doing a slow roll house search over the last couple years trying to find the perfect house in the perfect location for the perfect price. I’ve narrowed it down to Prescott AZ, Fort Collins CO or San Antonio TX as the best locations for my needs. Still looking for the perfect house, but this one is a must see for all music lovers! Freaking unbelievable!
It’s well under my budget and in the right location so it’s on the short list. If I buy it (doubt that I will but who knows) I promise a GTG at some point in time.
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Better budget a maid at almost 6,000 ft^2.
 
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#342,475
GBassNorth said:
As many of you know, I’ve been doing a slow roll house search over the last couple years trying to find the perfect house in the perfect location for the perfect price. I’ve narrowed it down to Prescott AZ, Fort Collins CO or San Antonio TX as the best locations for my needs. Still looking for the perfect house, but this one is a must see for all music lovers! Freaking unbelievable!
It’s well under my budget and in the right location so it’s on the short list. If I buy it (doubt that I will but who knows) I promise a GTG at some point in time.
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5800 sqft - I'd need to trail bread crumbs if I went to the bathroom. :woot:
 
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#342,476
MCF said:
I think your wife had more to do with you getting it than anyone here. Just an observation. I’m still catching flak over what I paid to get the ‘77. Some just don’t understand….
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She’s a jewel but just encourages me in general. We’d never have discussed it if it weren’t for some of you here.
 
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