Thunderbird Club

[RedVee]

Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm
Mbappe MmmmKay

 

[JIO]

I'm really sensitive to higher frequencies- the last band I rehearsed with, a drummer and guitarist, were really loud but I was the only one wearing earplugs. But they're not hard of hearing and the most recent time was a guitarist who wanted me to join their group but it was just he and I. Same thing- maybe just that I have overly sensitive hearing. Acoustic drum cymbals really get to me as well.

It's a real concern. We should not assume rock music HAS to be loud to be "real" rock. We (band mates) all wear ear protection - I have since the '80s! Cymbals at roughly ear-level for bass-players is a real ear-damage issue. Don't ask me how I know...

 

[MCF]

Too late to correct it but for some reason I keep thinking "Tin Drum" instead of "Tin Machine" with reference to the band. The former was a film I wish I had never seen in the early-80'a , based on the Günter Grass novel of the same title. The book is pretty messed up too.

Pretty dark movie. I've only seen it once, at the Port Theatre in Corona Del Mar. I vividly remember it. Don't plan on watching it again. Although it is very timely now.

 

[MCF]

Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm
Mbappe MmmmKay

Are you a fan? My daughter worked one of the French team charter flights. Suffice it to say she was thoroughly unimpressed by him and his attitude.

 

[GonePlaid]

More worried about Mbappe.

Izzat anything like "MM-bop"?

 

[GonePlaid]

Kinda missed out on the Pbass discussion the other day. Decided to do a 7ender 7riday.
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Sumpin' you'll never see from me.

 

[GonePlaid]

Yes, as you said. Mid/late '90s if I remember correctly. Mesa made an amp that pulled out all the stops around the same time, the 650w Basis M-2000. Essentially two amps in one split down the middle. (TUBE-FET) Many options to dial your sound using one or the other or both together.

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Is there an option to dial in 'lighter'?

 

[GonePlaid]

That's what I'm talking about- an old fashioned flat iron- fun fact is that "sad iron" is an alternate term, which would make it an appropriately-named implemtent for the blues!

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Oddly enuff, I have 2.

 

[roccobass]

It's a real concern. We should not assume rock music HAS to be loud to be "real" rock. We (band mates) all wear ear protection - I have since the '80s! Cymbals at roughly ear-level for bass-players is a real ear-damage issue. Don't ask me how I know...

I'm sure you've experienced this already. Just thought I'd mention it to others.

When I'm seeking a new band and they would send me youtube videos, I'm always scrutinizing the drummer on HOW he plays.
If he's ride cymbal happy, that's a big negatory on that band. Sheesh. I watched one where the drummer was hitting his hi hat like the ride. Heck, and it was a jazz band too. Are these guys deaf?

I do wear good ear protection, but still that cuts through somewhat.

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm sure you've experienced this already. Just thought I'd mention it to others.

When I'm seeking a new band and they would send me youtube videos, I'm always scrutinizing the drummer on HOW he plays.
If he's ride cymbal happy, that's a big negatory on that band. Sheesh. I watched one where the drummer was hitting his hi hat like the ride. Heck, and it was a jazz band too. Are these guys deaf?

I do wear good ear protection, but still that cuts through somewhat.

Our drummer never played too loud. He did sometimes play on the crown of the ride a little too much.

 

[JIO]

Is there an option to dial in 'lighter'?

If you mean weight... no - not light or any way to dial that in... I have a tiny, low weight back-up 250w SS amp for that specific reason.., but I'm an 'old school' (usually heavy) amp guy.

 

[JIO]

I'm sure you've experienced this already. Just thought I'd mention it to others.

When I'm seeking a new band and they would send me youtube videos, I'm always scrutinizing the drummer on HOW he plays.
If he's ride cymbal happy, that's a big negatory on that band. Sheesh. I watched one where the drummer was hitting his hi hat like the ride. Heck, and it was a jazz band too. Are these guys deaf?

I do wear good ear protection, but still that cuts through somewhat.

Drummer's.., can't live without them, can't shoot them... Seriously, I'm a better bass-player playing with a good drummer. Hands down - if the drummer is good... I'm good. That's why it's (ideally) called "the rhythm section"!!!

 

[JIO]

Our drummer never played too loud. He did sometimes play on the crown of the ride a little too much.

~ouch~

 

[ectoflanger]

Glad to see you own/play Fender basses. I like any bass that inspires my playing. I own the smaller Acoustic B20 1x12 and it's a great little combo amp - well worth the $100 I initially paid for it new from Guitar Center SF (a "blow-out"" price)

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My 1st 'real' rig was a (used) '70s Acoustic like this SS 150b - I had two of these cabs! (never used both at the same time!) Bought it all during a major Chicago snow-storm! I was the only person to brave the storm so got it for a song! ($250 for the amp & 2 cabs!)
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I neglected to mention that I bought the B-20 1 x12 from GC at the same blow out price of 99.00. And I wish I still had one- a few years back I wanted to buy another after I loaned the first one to a luthier friend in need, but they no longer make them with a 1 x 12.

He loves it- my consolation is I get to use it whenever he works on one of my basses. It was for a good cause.

 

[Lammchop93]

I was traveling in Ohio this week for work and stopped by Mike's Music in Cincinnati. Holy cow what a bass selection!! It was like a dream where you walk into a store and every vintage bass and amp you ever drooled over in pics on the internet was there in the flesh.

They had a few thunderbirds, a bicentennial, a 60's burst, and a 60's non reverse in what I think was a very aged Pelham blue. I did not get pics unfortunately, and didn't even bother asking the price.

However, this G&L L1k stole my heart and followed me home. Played it at my gig last night, and was in tone heaven!

If you're ever in Cincy, I highly recommend checking out that store.

 

[GonePlaid]

If you mean weight... no - not light or any way to dial that in... I have a tiny, low weight back-up 250w SS amp for that specific reason.., but I'm an 'old school' (usually heavy) amp guy.

I was-until all our gigs were one-niters; show up an hour (+/-) b4 start, set up, play 3-4 hours, and pack quickly so the bar staff can go home. My 100W Rumble weighs 22# and is enuff for anything we do/did.

 

[dagrev]

I forgot to say what happened Wednesday night. The next to last show with the band I'm going to be done with soon. My son and daughter in law just happened to be in town and decided to come. We were playing in a park with a sunshade behind us and real sound guys with a pretty fancy PA system. It was pure luxury to let somebody else set all that up and haul it in and out.

Of course I had a couple personal glitches. I had a cable fail, which made the bass cut in and out in an unfortunate way until I figured it out. And I managed to play a couple things perfectly with my left hand, but my right hand on the wrong string because I still get fouled up by the fifth string. Fortunately, nothing came out, since the wrong string was muted completely. For once, the guitar was not deafening, which is a bit of a blessing. I could hear the drummer just fine, which is what really matters.

The boy and the girl were a blast in the audience. They were giving me a hard time the entire show. They met the band, with the exception of the guitarist who evaporated pretty quickly. They were also funny about him. They were not a fan of his endless guitar wank routine, that his timing was off, and that his solos didn't fit the songs very well. They also said they were amazed that every song had a guitar solo. Every single song. They said the rest of us should find a different guitarist. Zing!

I have gotten used to listening to his timing to make sure I can adjust. I could hear him just well enough to do that. The other funny thing was that he managed to have a couple tuning problems. He sometimes doesn't seem to notice that he's out of tune. Usually he notices right away. I don't know if he's bending strings by accident or something when it goes off. Who knows.

Anyway, I had fun playing with the boy and the girl in the audience. They had fun laughing at me, as they are pretty much required to do. And in a little over a month, I'll be down to one band. That band has been in existence for 17 years now. The drummer and I are the only originals left, but it's showing signs of lasting as long as we do. It's the way a band should be. No egos, lots of fun, everything fits the songs instead of being a backing track for endless guitar solos that all sound pretty much the same.

Laughing at you, you say. You weren't by any chance wearing those David Lee Roth chaps with your .... hanging out the back were you?

 

[dagrev]

That's what I'm talking about- an old fashioned flat iron- fun fact is that "sad iron" is an alternate term, which would make it an appropriately-named implemtent for the blues!

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View attachment 7533871

No, you need bass iron.

 

[dagrev]

I was traveling in Ohio this week for work and stopped by Mike's Music in Cincinnati. Holy cow what a bass selection!! It was like a dream where you walk into a store and every vintage bass and amp you ever drooled over in pics on the internet was there in the flesh.

They had a few thunderbirds, a bicentennial, a 60's burst, and a 60's non reverse in what I think was a very aged Pelham blue. I did not get pics unfortunately, and didn't even bother asking the price.

However, this G&L L1k stole my heart and followed me home. Played it at my gig last night, and was in tone heaven!

If you're ever in Cincy, I highly recommend checking out that store.

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You did well! Those are fantastic. Mine will go after I do. They sound fantastic with La Bellla DTFs. Love the chrome--and dislike the years with the black crinkle finish.

Is Mike's the an old building with and upstairs? One store were were in pre Covid had a lot of interesting stuff. Turn a corner and there would be more things to look at.

 

[JIO]

I neglected to mention that I bought the B-20 1 x12 from GC at the same blow out price of 99.00. And I wish I still had one- a few years back I wanted to buy another after I loaned the first one to a luthier friend in need, but they no longer make them with a 1 x 12.

He loves it- my consolation is I get to use it whenever he works on one of my basses. It was for a good cause.

I just happened to stop by GC to kill some time, wasn't there to buy anything. Saw the sale and walked out with the amp. It's mostly here at home but I've used it for small situations live and it always delivers. I added two "T" pulls on the recessed back to wrap the cord around. They pop-up on eBay now and then.