Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

Then I found this(a little long, but of interest to aviation enthusiasts):
Addendum: A Thunderbird that really roars. Even louder than The Dead's wall of sound.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Did I miss this being posted here?



I haven’t seen this in the wild so have no real opinion on it yet but do think it’s silly to compare this bass’s tone to other Thunderbirds that all have EMGs. While he references other Gibson pickups, he doesn’t have one handy to compare.

 

[Stealth57]

Just found 3 notifications on my email from "Flint Violet". IDK if Kat would want me to post them, so I won't but they're on YT. Notalotta shots of her, but no 'superfluous' pup visible.
EDIT: unfortunately shot from in front of the guitarist so kinda hard to hear her Thunderbird.
Also-completely unrelated-tonight's beverage of choice is Jameson's.

Splurge

 

[ThaCoast]

Did I miss this being posted here?



I haven’t seen this in the wild so have no real opinion on it yet but do think it’s silly to compare this bass’s tone to other Thunderbirds that all have EMGs. While he references other Gibson pickups, he doesn’t have one handy to compare.

Haven't seen it posted here yet, had watched it back when i asked if anyone has played one & their thoughts. & agreed, though he showcases the TB+ factory stock Tbird at the start, everything else after is with the EMGs. Essentially it's a battle of which one feels better to play, & i'd gather that between both pickup options, the EMGs win in clarity over the Decolas, though not far off.

I'd like to try one out, just for the heck of it.

 

[GonePlaid]

Did I miss this being posted here?



I haven’t seen this in the wild so have no real opinion on it yet but do think it’s silly to compare this bass’s tone to other Thunderbirds that all have EMGs. While he references other Gibson pickups, he doesn’t have one handy to compare.

Tweetchie zone.

 

[MCF]

Just did a thing. Played one of these years ago and really liked the pickups and sound, at the time I passed on the purchase because they wanted too much for it, figured I’d just find another one for sale at a better price. Turns out the bass version of these things are fairly rare, so when one popped up on the web at a decent price I bit. We’ll see if that was a good move or not.
Should be here in about a week…
View attachment 7519812
Hey, it’s at Least called a Thunderbird (Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird to be exact). I’m a ZZTop fan, not sure if Dusty ever played one of these but I know Billy did. Should be fun.

I was wondering when you would get one.

 

[MCF]

Did I miss this being posted here?



I haven’t seen this in the wild so have no real opinion on it yet but do think it’s silly to compare this bass’s tone to other Thunderbirds that all have EMGs. While he references other Gibson pickups, he doesn’t have one handy to compare.

I watched a minute of it a couple weeks ago. I’m not a fan of that guy and just forgot it.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Just did a thing. Played one of these years ago and really liked the pickups and sound, at the time I passed on the purchase because they wanted too much for it, figured I’d just find another one for sale at a better price. Turns out the bass version of these things are fairly rare, so when one popped up on the web at a decent price I bit. We’ll see if that was a good move or not.
Should be here in about a week…
View attachment 7519812
Hey, it’s at Least called a Thunderbird (Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird to be exact). I’m a ZZTop fan, not sure if Dusty ever played one of these but I know Billy did. Should be fun.

I really like some of those.

Actually considered buying and flipping one to lefty at one point but strap position looked like it would be a problem, and I only play standing at this point. And the bridge angle would be a challenge too.

Looking forward to your assessment. My Starfire impressed me with Gretch's quality/cost ratio.

 

[MCF]

Splurge

Vons had 750 ML for $14.99 last week.

 

[GonePlaid]

Vons had 750 ML for $14.99 last week.

What's Vons? If it's a booze emporium, it ain't here.

 

[Stealth57]

Anyone need a Rhodes? Not far from me. Good deal if working.

 

[TBird1958]

Did I miss this being posted here?



I haven’t seen this in the wild so have no real opinion on it yet but do think it’s silly to compare this bass’s tone to other Thunderbirds that all have EMGs. While he references other Gibson pickups, he doesn’t have one handy to compare.

Seriously, he replaced the stock Gibson pickups in a new Non Reverse with EMG's? G.T.F.O.

 

[ectoflanger]

Let's go!!..
View attachment 7519892

Great picture Chucky. Is that the Markbass head that you repaired, or is it an alternate? Or am I mis-remembering an issue you never had? I'm curious because I may get something similar someday because of the light weight.

 

[ectoflanger]

Anyone need a Rhodes? Not far from me. Good deal if working.

View attachment 7520012

I love a Rhodes but must content myself with virtual versions at this time.

 

[JIO]

The listing of bands got me to thinking. From about Styx on are from the very early 80s and likely a few more above. If seen twice it’s likely. Those I recall…

Triumph 2x
Marshall Tucker
Climax Blues Band
Alice Cooper
Molly Hatchet 3x?
Wet Willy 2x?
Boston
Eddy Money
Sammy Hagar 2x (after the Red album first time)
Krokus
The Outlaws 2x?
Johnny Van Zant Band
Charlie Daniels
Grand Funk
BTO
Journey 2x
The Baby’s (open for Journey once)
REO (first time in the late 70 when still good) 2x?
Steve Miller Band
Thin Lizzy
Uncle Ted N. 2x
John Waite
.38 Special 2x
Stevie Ray V. 2x
B.B. King 2x
Bobby “Blue” Bland
Albert Collins
Millie Jackson (I will say the things she talked about would have made Sammy Hagar blush!)
Blackfoot 2x
Alabama (it was a date, move on!)
Juice Newton
The Righteous Brothers
Dixie Dregs
Styx
John Cougar M.
ZZ Top 3x
New Grass Revival
John Hartford
Bill Monroe
Starship (formally JSS)
Peter Frampton
Chicago
Bo Diddley
Rossington Collins Band 2x
Point Blank
(No telling how many opening acts I can’t recall.)

Clearly spent a lot on concerts. Should have paid for some bass lessons. But wouldn’t change it. I like good live music.

I considered going to see Stevie Ray when he toured w/Jeff Beck in the late '80s. The show was on a Wednesday and involved a long drive. It was a work day so I passed... and shortly thereafter - Stevie Ray passed. I generally don't entertain regret - but that would have been a memorable show.

 

[GBassNorth]

I really like some of those.

Actually considered buying and flipping one to lefty at one point but strap position looked like it would be a problem, and I only play standing at this point. And the bridge angle would be a challenge too.

Looking forward to your assessment. My Starfire impressed me with Gretch's quality/cost ratio.

I’ll post a quick review once I get it. I’ve never owned a Gretch, but most of those that have seem to enjoy them. The Tom Petersson Falcon bass also has my eye and would be a neat addition to my Tom Petersson Lull Tbird.

Seriously, he replaced the stock Gibson pickups in a new Non Reverse with EMG's? G.T.F.O.

I have a number of basses with EMG pickups and some that also have the full on board active preamp. My observation is that darn near everything I have ever played with EMGs sounds about the same. It’s a nice sound but the electronics seem to completely take over the personality of the bass. A little bit of them goes a long way in my book. I personally like variety in my birds so I can pick the best one for a given application.

 

[TBird1958]

I’ll post a quick review once I get it. I’ve never owned a Gretch, but most of those that have seem to enjoy them. The Tom Petersson Falcon bass also has my eye and would be a neat addition to my Tom Petersson Lull Tbird.



I have a number of basses with EMG pickups and some that also have the full on board active preamp. My observation is that darn near everything I have ever played with EMGs sounds about the same. It’s a nice sound but the electronics seem to completely take over the personality of the bass. A little bit of them goes a long way in my book. I personally like variety in my birds so I can pick the best one for a given application.

I would agree about the EMG's, I do actually like them my Jackson has them as the stock pickups, it was the fact that Mr YouTube had replaced the stock Gibson on his 202X NR with them.

 

[JIO]

Did I miss this being posted here?



I haven’t seen this in the wild so have no real opinion on it yet but do think it’s silly to compare this bass’s tone to other Thunderbirds that all have EMGs. While he references other Gibson pickups, he doesn’t have one handy to compare.

Interestingly enough, I just ran across this very cheap sold in China but made in Korea (which could be good as Korean products are superior to China crap) clones of that bass! Of course it has a counterfeit Gibson decal as there are no pics of the hs face. The body shape is slightly different - especially on the controls bout. It doesn't appear to be a set-neck judging from the back pics.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/227280026639?_trkparms=itmf%3D1%26aid%3D1110006%26rkt%3D8%26mech%3D3%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebWithV11WebTrimmedV3VisualRankerWithKnnV3AndUltBRecall%26pmt%3D1%26amclksrc%3DITM%26sd%3D127932794463%26sid%3DAQALAAAAELKE7%2FYGT8QGxMg7%2BhOAoOU%3D%26itm%3D227280026639%26noa%3D1%26plcampt%3D0%3A156384343010%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26brand%3DUnbranded%26asc%3D20251106135231%26ao%3D1%26rk%3D6%26pid%3D102961%26b%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26lsid%3D0%26meid%3D7d70412515a94a5986fd57b21d4cb7b6%26pg%3D3707833&_trksid=p3707833.c102961.m5053&mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m164382.l178272&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=5fb3c6a1114b4618bce7aac2b2a5c137&bu=43125712905&ut=RU&exe=0&ext=0&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20260621042529&segname=11021&recoId=227280026639&recoPos=6

 

[ectoflanger]

I’ll post a quick review once I get it. I’ve never owned a Gretch, but most of those that have seem to enjoy them. The Tom Petersson Falcon bass also has my eye and would be a neat addition to my Tom Petersson Lull Tbird.



I have a number of basses with EMG pickups and some that also have the full on board active preamp. My observation is that darn near everything I have ever played with EMGs sounds about the same. It’s a nice sound but the electronics seem to completely take over the personality of the bass. A little bit of them goes a long way in my book. I personally like variety in my birds so I can pick the best one for a given application.

The only EMG's I've installed were active models to replace the cheap passive EMG Selects that came in my Steinberger Spirit basses. And it made a big difference the most notable being a set of active 35 soap bars in the black XT-25, a J at the neck and a JX-CS at bridge and they sound very rich. The HB-CS model went in both positions on my XT-2DB. Those are configured with a P style staggered split coil under their brushed gold hoods. Very distinctive and very punchy, with some hints of the P bass timbre. Fundamentally mid-range but with soft or sharp edges depending on the tone setting. The more generic of the three pairs were the 35 JX in the neck and and DC humbucker in the bridge of the white XT-25. But it silll was a noticeable improvement.

 

[JIO]

I would agree about the EMG's, I do actually like them my Jackson has them as the stock pickups, it was the fact that Mr YouTube had replaced the stock Gibson on his 202X NR with them.

EMG's are known for being very clean/neutral. It's why shredder guitarists like them because they don't colour their layered effects. I have two basses w/EMG's, one passive & one active and they are very good for recording bass unless you are going for a specific (Fender/Gibson/Ric etc) sound.