Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

Friday night retro movie - 1960 - Jack Nicolson as a juvenile "big man" delinquent hot-rodder. B&W, low budget, chocked with '50s lingo, a bongo's/flute/sax beatnik soundtrack and a moralistic ending.

 

[JIO]

If you remember the 1970s, you probably were not there.

Bands/musicians I saw live in the '70s -

Wishbone Ash
It's A Beautiful Day
Steve Miller Band
Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen (twice)
Dan Hicks and his (original) Hot Licks
Asleep at the Wheel
Grateful Dead (twice)
The Sons of Champlin
The Allman Brothers Band
Van Morrison
Stan Getz
Mercer Ellington's Big Band (shortly after Duke passed)
Max Roach (at an intimate Jazz workshop in KC/MO)
Charles Mingus (shortly before he passed)
Fathead Newman
Cannonball Adderley
Buddy Rich's Killer Force
vibraphonist Gary Burton w/ young Pat Metheny
Jerry Lee "The Killer" Lewis
Muddy Waters
Tom Waits
Eddie Taylor Band
Oregon
Shakti (John McLaughlin)
One Truth Band (John McLaughlin)
Billy Cobham Band
(young) Bonnie Raitt (w/Freebo on bass)
Weather Report (1st w/Alphonso Johnson & 2nd time a year later w/1st tour Jaco P)
Fairport Convention (post Richard Thompson)
Leo Kottke
...and probably others I can't dredge-up from memory...

 

[GonePlaid]

Well, let's see...[in no particular order]
Previously mentioned Chicago (original 7) and ZZ Top/BadCo
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
Led Zeppelin
ELP
Zappa and the Mothers w/ Roland Kirk
Duke Ellington Orchestra
GFR (their first major gig and a couple more times)
Pat Travers band
Tom Jones
George Carlin-didn't sing, but he was one funny mother
The Spinners
James Brown
Three Dog Night
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Blues Image
Max Demian (Miami hard rock band that should've been big.)
Mountain
Jethro Tull

There are a few others I can't think of at the moment, but 70-72 I was in a band touring around FL so I didn't have time to see anyone. Then from 73-80, our band was working 4 to 6 nights a week and there was never anyone I wanted to see that played on our nights off.

Strangely, I never went to the Hollywood (FL) Sportatorium-the main rock concert venue in the area (Chucky knows it).

 

[ectoflanger]

The only thing seemingly between my and insanity at this time- a short story I began a couple of weeks ago called "Faith Enough for Two". Since it's going to be at least twice as long as "Honey Where's My Bass", I'm only going to post the first section. Once I finish it, I'll PM PDF's to whomever of my sci-fi friends who are interested. So without further ado ...

​

Faith Enough for Two​

​

Enoch Monahan scanned the terrain from his vantage point, the summit of a wind-whipped butte in terrain reminiscent of the North American Dakotas. He might have thought he were on Earth if it weren’t for the binary sun setting fast in the chill air.

The desolate terrain matched the desolation he felt inside, having been recently bereaved in circumstances expected but nonetheless devastating. But there was no time to ruminate; he would not last long in his exposed position in the rapidly falling temperatures. Still shivering from the last gust of wind, he donned his rucksack and made his way to a copse of trees at the end of an arroyo running along the base of the butte.

The Nav/Com device in his kit came to life.

“By now you’ve awakened and sought shelter from the elements, at least we will have hoped. And discovered basic supplies for survival with enough food and water to last three days. From then on, you’ll have to fend for yourself until it is deemed safe to allow you passage back to civilization. This being a one-man probe buried somewhere on the planet—don’t waste your time looking for it. Once you’ve demonstrated a will to live, it will come to you, homing in on your signal. So, take good care of that Nav/Com.”

Enoch understood his friends’ rationale given the downward spiral of self-destructive behavior he had pursued since his tragic loss. For a moment he gazed into the night sky to reflect when a shooting star passed over, arcing toward the horizon. He considered making a wish, then did so.

Might as well. What could it hurt?

Next, he assessed the contents of the rucksack. At first glance he discovered the following: a three-liter water bladder, military rations, a one-man tent, a camp shovel, a fire-starting kit, a flashlight, and a med pack. He wasted no time opening the fire-starting kit which included a laser torch.

A quick search with the flashlight revealed a stack of firewood nearby.

At least they did that much for me!

Enoch had always loved a fire, finding solace in the crackle, scent, and shifting shadows of the flames. He considered whether to set up the tent first or make a fire. After some deliberation he decided on the latter. That way he could move the tent within safe proximity of the heat instead of the other way around. Besides he didn’t feel like holing up just yet. The stars overhead were too beautiful.

The woodpile consisted of pieces ranging from small twigs to branches as big as a man’s wrist. Though he would have preferred larger pieces, he decided to make do until the next day.

He was sorting through the wood when he heard a clatter, then saw what looked like berries spill across the ground. Behind the woodpile he spied a stone shelf and a large wooden bowl tilted with about half the content spilled out. He picked up one of the berries which had the look and texture of a raspberry. He sniffed it, then took a tentative bite.

“Hmm, not bad.”

Enoch grabbed a few more and popped them in his mouth, tears welling up in his eyes at the thoughtfulness of his friends.

But it was getting colder, so he arranged the firewood pieces from small to large and lit them with the torch. Right off he was taken by the multihued flames—red, green, gold and sapphire—and the camphorous aroma that filled the air. Hungry, he got up to rummage for a military ration but decided on the berries instead.

Enoch leaned forward, occasionally popping a berry into his mouth, as odd and varied visions began to manifest in the fire. Initially vague and innocuous they became vivid and disturbing as his head began to spin.

The fumes!!

He lurched upward then fell toward the fire, burning his hands in an attempt to fend himself off. Screaming, he bolted into the darkness, tripping on uneven ground until stepping into nothingness. He fell for what seemed like an eternity, flailing until he impacted some sort of web, screaming as the mesh cut into his hands.

For a moment he lay inert, head swimming as he tried to make sense of his predicament. Then the webbing gave partially away, sending him tumbling headlong until a section of it caught his left ankle, arresting his fall but dislodging his NavCom in the process. Enoch listened in despair as it clattered and fell to the bottom of the pit. Not long after, he groaned as nausea and intense cramps assaulted his GI tract, both ends erupting in solidarity as the berries’ toxins did their handiwork. Exhausted and sick he hung, barely conscious, arms dangling down, unable to move.

The web began to vibrate, then it stopped. Then it started again, and so on, until Enoch felt something sharp and horny pierce his left calf. He let out a weak cry, then closed his eyes as a tingling numbness spread up his leg, unconsciousness ensuing shortly thereafter.

 

[GBassNorth]

Sold. Anybody here get it?

Looked at it, liked it, added it to my watch list but I already have so many great playing tbird basses I never pulled the trigger. I’m sure that who ever bought it will be very pleased with the deal, it’s a beautifully aged bass.

I’m still on the hunt for a truly unique looking and sounding Thunderbird. I think I’ve found one but doing a bit of research before making any offer on it. If I pull the trigger I’ll post something here.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Well, let's see...[in no particular order]
Previously mentioned Chicago (original 7) and ZZ Top/BadCo
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
Led Zeppelin
ELP
Zappa and the Mothers w/ Roland Kirk
Duke Ellington Orchestra
GFR (their first major gig and a couple more times)
Pat Travers band
Tom Jones
George Carlin-didn't sing, but he was one funny mother
The Spinners
James Brown
Three Dog Night
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Blues Image
Max Demian (Miami hard rock band that should've been big.)
Mountain
Jethro Tull

There are a few others I can't think of at the moment, but 70-72 I was in a band touring around FL so I didn't have time to see anyone. Then from 73-80, our band was working 4 to 6 nights a week and there was never anyone I wanted to see that played on our nights off.

Strangely, I never went to the Hollywood (FL) Sportatorium-the main rock concert venue in the area (Chucky knows it).

Dixie Grit
Hydra
Dixie Dregs
Tucky Buzzard
Earth, Wind, & Fire
Uriah Heep (2x???)
Lynyrd Skynyrd (2x)
The Who (2x)
ELP
Blue Oyster Cult (2x)
Marshall Tucker
Allman Brothers Band
Jethro Tull
Edgar Winter (w/ Rick Derringer)
Johnny Winter
Steve Martin & Martin Mull
Triumvirat
Fleetwood Mac (pre-Nicks/Buckingham)
Jefferson Starship
Toots & the Maytals
Kansas
PFM
Fleetwood Mac (w/ Nicks/Buckingham)
Mark Heard
Heart

And a few I don’t recall at all. Not that I recall all of these that well. And local-ish bands only Atlantans would know. And I’m pretty sure I saw Mother’s Finest, but also pretty sure I didn’t.

Also, 1977-79, several Christian rockers most of you never heard of, though I’m happy to list if anyone cares.

 

[ectoflanger]

Friday night retro movie - 1960 - Jack Nicolson as a juvenile "big man" delinquent hot-rodder. B&W, low budget, chocked with '50s lingo, a bongo's/flute/sax beatnik soundtrack and a moralistic ending.

Have you seen Nicholson as a young French army officer in "The Terror", a 1963 low-budget but well-done Roger Corman horror/mystery with Boris Karloff-

 

[JIO]

Well, let's see...[in no particular order]
Previously mentioned Chicago (original 7) and ZZ Top/BadCo
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
Led Zeppelin
ELP
Zappa and the Mothers w/ Roland Kirk
Duke Ellington Orchestra
GFR (their first major gig and a couple more times)
Pat Travers band
Tom Jones
George Carlin-didn't sing, but he was one funny mother
The Spinners
James Brown
Three Dog Night
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Blues Image
Max Demian (Miami hard rock band that should've been big.)
Mountain
Jethro Tull

There are a few others I can't think of at the moment, but 70-72 I was in a band touring around FL so I didn't have time to see anyone. Then from 73-80, our band was working 4 to 6 nights a week and there was never anyone I wanted to see that played on our nights off.

Strangely, I never went to the Hollywood (FL) Sportatorium-the main rock concert venue in the area (Chucky knows it).

I saw Three Dog Night & Paul Revere & the Raiders in the late '60s, and James Brown in the '80s. Wow, you saw The Crazy World of Arthur Brown!

 

[JIO]

Have you seen Nicholson as a young French army officer in "The Terror", a 1963 low-budget but well-done Roger Corman horror/mystery with Boris Karloff-

Not yet! I'll watch it this weekend! Also from 1960 - "Little Shop of Horrors"

 

[GonePlaid]

I saw Three Dog Night & Paul Revere & the Raiders in the late '60s, and James Brown in the '80s. Wow, you saw The Crazy World of Arthur Brown!

Yeah-it was crazy. It was just him-and some effects-performing to a track. Coulda been last week considering how some big name acts are doing shows.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I'm rushing out the door to a show, I wanted to say congratulations on your beautiful new Thunderbird! I will requote you and bring the list forward with your club number tomorrow

Rock it V!!!!!

 

[BuddhaFingas]

How is HorseWynd not a band name?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Tom Jones song about where to bury him, was that Green Green Grass of Home ?
Plus I guess Never Gonna Fall in Love Again might fit as well?

look what was driving around town yesterday....

sumthin' bout orange on muscle cars....

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Tom Jones song about where to bury him, was that Green Green Grass of Home ?
Plus I guess Never Gonna Fall in Love Again might fit as well?

look what was driving around town yesterday....
View attachment 7519442
View attachment 7519443

sumthin bout orange on muscle cars....

Congrats! La Bella DTFs worked wonders on my NR. It was nice sounding until I put the La Bellas on it. Really love playing it now.

Regardless of what others say here, the Burgundy NRs sound better.

1964, '21 NR. Both have DTFs.
View attachment 7519076

'66 NR DTFs
View attachment 7519077

Both NRs
View attachment 7519078

Epi VP...GHS Precision Flats
View attachment 7519079

'06 with La Bella Black Nylons.
View attachment 7519080


So yes, flats can sound fantastic on Thunderbirds. Many here love Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats and use them.

chromes working out nice here....such neutral flats.....and yes, burgundy for the tonal win....

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

tonight's set....

 

[dagrev]

I did this to a ‘78 P Bass body:

View attachment 7519187
Lots of wood removed. Ended up being 1 even pound.

Still a heavy ‘70’s body, just over 6 lbs.
View attachment 7519188


But it was over 7 lbs.
View attachment 7519189

All assembled with a lightweight bridge and it’s still 11 lbs 5 oz. Over 1/2 lb heavier than my next heaviest bas which is 10 lb 13 oz.

Nothing I think I’d use live. So, it’s set up to be in Black Sabbath tuning 1 1/2 steps flat with some heavy GHS Boomers.

Thanks. Notice any/much difference in tone?

 

[dagrev]

Contemplating colors. Don't think this could ever be wrong.

 

[JIO]

Yeah-it was crazy. It was just him-and some effects-performing to a track. Coulda been last week considering how some big name acts are doing shows.

Great song - don't think I've ever heard another from him.

 

[JIO]

look what was driving around town yesterday....
View attachment 7519442
View attachment 7519443

sumthin' bout orange on muscle cars....
View attachment 7519444

is that the same orange?

 

[Engle]

tonight's set....
View attachment 7519491

I always need to refresh my brain on Crazy Little Thing Called Love. I don't like to hack through such a nice bass line