Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

You need a 360, but that's a different issue.

Yes I do. Plenty of room for it too. One would very likely be the only other amp I’ll add to what I have.

 

[Engle]

Thanks, V! Great info!
Well, not the "just buy both part"!

Just to add: The Orvilles are all mahogany. I believe the Greco has a maple neck.

 

[MCF]

I played a Bongo when I had a SR and SR 5er HH. I hated it. Not just the looks, but the sound. If something sounded great I would gladly play something that looked like a toilet seat.

My SR was beautiful, very comfortable to play, had something like a Pbass neck (love unfinished necks), but didn't love it enough to keep it. Never regretted selling it. Actually thought the 5er sounded better. Did get irritated with EB when the finish lifted off the body by the bridge. The pressure of the bridge caused it to bulge up under the strings. I bought it new and and EB said it was out of warranty (not by much), but they would sell me a new body for $350--if I returned the old one. I protested that this was not an old bass and something from the factory was off--clearly nothing I could have done to cause it. Nope. $350 and my old body. I wasn't impressed and would never by one again for that reason. They make a quality product--but Fender and Gibson as far better warranties and stand behind their work. I got the new body, attached the neck, disclosed it was a new factory body and sold it.

View attachment 7492976

Huh. That kind of surprises me they did that to you. They’re rep is better than that.

 

[dagrev]

Huh. That kind of surprises me they did that to you. They’re rep is better than that.

I was shocked as well and expected them to be shocked that happened to the finish. Also had to pay shipping to them.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Greco are set neck, one or two pickups, 3 point bridge plus a tailpiece the shape is patterned after the original '60s Reverse with a bit of a hump on the upper bout. The pickups are (at least on mine) monstrous, with great lows and mids - they are worth the price of the bass! Slightly shorter scale and a bigger neck, almost P bass.

Orvilles are also set neck, true 34" long scale, 3 point bridge, slim neck like a '76, there are at least two variations of pickups in them, some are TB Plus with chrome covers ( which is what mine had) and another design that I have not heard but understand that they sound quite good. Epiphone's Elitist models are direct descendants of Orvilles.

The two are quite different, I like them both for different reasons, so just buy one of each.
I think Orvilles are overlooked, mine has been a great mod platform.

Also, the Greco scale is 33.5” .

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I played a Bongo when I had a SR and SR 5er HH. I hated it. Not just the looks, but the sound. If something sounded great I would gladly play something that looked like a toilet seat.

My SR was beautiful, very comfortable to play, had something like a Pbass neck (love unfinished necks), but didn't love it enough to keep it. Never regretted selling it. Actually thought the 5er sounded better. Did get irritated with EB when the finish lifted off the body by the bridge. The pressure of the bridge caused it to bulge up under the strings. I bought it new and and EB said it was out of warranty (not by much), but they would sell me a new body for $350--if I returned the old one. I protested that this was not an old bass and something from the factory was off--clearly nothing I could have done to cause it. Nope. $350 and my old body. I wasn't impressed and would never by one again for that reason. They make a quality product--but Fender and Gibson as far better warranties and stand behind their work. I got the new body, attached the neck, disclosed it was a new factory body and sold it.

View attachment 7492976

yeah, pretty goofy looking them bongos...never cared for anything post LF from MM.....ymmv...

 

[TBird1958]

I'm kinda thinkin' about one of these.

Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass 1981 - Neck thru original vintage USA | Reverb

Worldwide Shipping!Original vintage 1981 Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass in excellent playing condition!The SB-1000 was aria’s top of the line, ultimate yacht of a bass guitar, with active electronics, 6 way tone matrix, and fully neck through construction! Very Alembic influenced, and a superior...

reverb.com

 

[dagrev]

I'm kinda thinkin' about one of these.

Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass 1981 - Neck thru original vintage USA | Reverb

Worldwide Shipping!Original vintage 1981 Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass in excellent playing condition!The SB-1000 was aria’s top of the line, ultimate yacht of a bass guitar, with active electronics, 6 way tone matrix, and fully neck through construction! Very Alembic influenced, and a superior...

reverb.com

Yes.
I always liked those, but don't recall ever playing one to hear in person.

 

[Engle]

I've given up worrying about an octave pedal. I tried the Aquilat Octamizer, the T-Rex Quit, and the Boss OC-5. One didn't track well, jumping up and down an octave, one did a bit of that plus sounded a bit synthy, and the third always sounded synthy. I'll be fine without it.

One of the songs yesterday wanted to go down to C, but D standard is as low as my basses tune properly with EBCFs (limited size options never mattered until now). SO I rethought the part I was trying to play. It worked out just fine. While it would have been nice, it was never necessary. I'm glad they work for some of you. I've no idea why they didn't with me. I tried All The Things. (shrug)

Life's too short to stress over it!

Yep - you're better off playing a note an octave higher than using a pedal that doesn't track.
I've played lots of tunes in Eb and D without tuning down. Nobody ever complains

 

[Engle]

I'm kinda thinkin' about one of these.

Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass 1981 - Neck thru original vintage USA | Reverb

Worldwide Shipping!Original vintage 1981 Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass in excellent playing condition!The SB-1000 was aria’s top of the line, ultimate yacht of a bass guitar, with active electronics, 6 way tone matrix, and fully neck through construction! Very Alembic influenced, and a superior...

reverb.com

I’ve got an SB600 - got it when I was 16 IIRC. Same body shape, but set neck and passive pickup with a series/parallel switch.
It’s a big, solid feeling bass with a chunky neck that doesn’t taper a lot.
The string spacing is very narrow, like a Ric.

It’s too heavy (for me) for a 45 minute set, but if I just have a few tunes to play I’ll bring it out.
I also used it recently to overdub a solo that felt like it needed a cleaner clear tone.
And it’s a looker!

 

[RedVee]

Eurovision is on atm. Our contestant this year is Delta Goodrem - she is very good, so hopefully she will go far.
Semifinals on in a couple of days and she is still in the competition so

 

[MCF]

yeah, pretty goofy looking them bongos...never cared for anything post LF from MM.....ymmv...

Color me strange. I kinda like the styling. And I’ve played Sterling version (in a stunning purple) in a store. I found it comfortable for the limited time I spent with it. I would need more time before spending money on one though.

 

[GBassNorth]

But like V says, there will likely be some ghosting, depending on how long it has been there. Which is why I suspect the shop left it on. Could be a negotiating point. But I’m just not wanting to add anything to the family at this point. Maybe after I’m done with my slowly progressing project to get all I have be the best they can be, I’ll be open to another one. And I’m still Bongo curios. Being from the Central Coast where I lived my formative years, I should probably get a legit Music Man at some point.

A legit MusicMan, 1979 Pre Ernie Ball Stingray with rare highly figured maple neck. Star Wars was still a hot movie in the theaters so many folks referred to the black ones as Darth Vader basses. 100% Original and sounds fantastic. I do plan on selling it someday, let me know if you’re interested…

 

[MCF]

I'm kinda thinkin' about one of these.

Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass 1981 - Neck thru original vintage USA | Reverb

Worldwide Shipping!Original vintage 1981 Aria Pro II SB-1000 Super Bass in excellent playing condition!The SB-1000 was aria’s top of the line, ultimate yacht of a bass guitar, with active electronics, 6 way tone matrix, and fully neck through construction! Very Alembic influenced, and a superior...

reverb.com

Do it! Vintage Aria’s are great instruments.

 

[MCF]

A legit MusicMan, 1979 Pre Ernie Ball Stingray with rare highly figured maple neck. Star Wars was still a hot movie in the theaters so many folks referred to the black ones as Darth Vader basses. 100% Original and sounds fantastic. I do plan on selling it someday, let me know if you’re interested…
View attachment 7493211

If you don’t want to take it when you move, let’s discuss. I don’t think you have shown that one to me before.

 

[GBassNorth]

If you don’t want to take it when you move, let’s discuss. I don’t think you have shown that one to me before.

I’ll PM you

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I’ve got an SB600 - got it when I was 16 IIRC. Same body shape, but set neck and passive pickup with a series/parallel switch.
It’s a big, solid feeling bass with a chunky neck that doesn’t taper a lot.
The string spacing is very narrow, like a Ric.

It’s too heavy (for me) for a 45 minute set, but if I just have a few tunes to play I’ll bring it out.
I also used it recently to overdub a solo that felt like it needed a cleaner clear tone.
And it’s a looker!
View attachment 7493196

the construction quality of those is hard to match....not a big fan of the styling (headstock) but boy, are they nice bass guitars...

 

[dagrev]

I’ve got an SB600 - got it when I was 16 IIRC. Same body shape, but set neck and passive pickup with a series/parallel switch.
It’s a big, solid feeling bass with a chunky neck that doesn’t taper a lot.
The string spacing is very narrow, like a Ric.

It’s too heavy (for me) for a 45 minute set, but if I just have a few tunes to play I’ll bring it out.
I also used it recently to overdub a solo that felt like it needed a cleaner clear tone.
And it’s a looker!
View attachment 7493196

Sure is a pretty bass.

 

[TBird1958]

Looks like I'm working this weekend, day trip out to Pt. Angeles on Thursday, coming back Sunday. 3, 60 minute sets on Saturday night.

 

[Mvf]

Yep - you're better off playing a note an octave higher than using a pedal that doesn't track.
I've played lots of tunes in Eb and D without tuning down. Nobody ever complains

Right! Same here. I never tune down, and have never had any complaints. Not even from the drummer...