Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

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.

View attachment 7534034

Really nice! Late '80s? My friend Reid has one like it he bought years ago. You know where you can post some pics!

Thread 'SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!'

Nov 5, 2013

OK, before I start, please refrain from posting your opinion of how you feel about distressed finishes right out of the gate. I am so not interested and there are other threads to vent your opinions so please, read on and decide if you would like to contribute.

What I am simply requesting are pics of any bass or guitar that has a distressed finish. It might be your bass or a picture you might have downloaded of a distressed bass or guitar. It can be a real 'time and use' induced distressing, or your own DIY cosmetic "relic" job. I will not judge the DIY finishes and would like posters to...

• JIO
• Replies: 7,329
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

Here's the schematics for it that I drew-out looking at Reids L1K -

 

[Engle]

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.

View attachment 7534034

Beautiful bass!

 

[JIO]

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.

I prefer using my own amp but always take advantage of the 'house' rig if available. The tc electronics BG250 112 works for smaller stages.

 

[Lammchop93]

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.

He has a second location now in Newport. When I called and told them the stuff I liked, he told me to go to that location. It really felt like a museum with price tags. They had one of the extremely rare 50s explorer basses with the single sidewinder pickups. I've only seen those in books!

Really nice! Late '80s? My friend Reid has one like it he bought years ago. You know where you can post some pics!

Thread 'SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!'

Nov 5, 2013

OK, before I start, please refrain from posting your opinion of how you feel about distressed finishes right out of the gate. I am so not interested and there are other threads to vent your opinions so please, read on and decide if you would like to contribute.

What I am simply requesting are pics of any bass or guitar that has a distressed finish. It might be your bass or a picture you might have downloaded of a distressed bass or guitar. It can be a real 'time and use' induced distressing, or your own DIY cosmetic "relic" job. I will not judge the DIY finishes and would like posters to...

• JIO
• Replies: 7,329
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

Here's the schematics for it that I drew-out looking at Reids L1K -

View attachment 7534130

It's an '81. The neck stamp is May 15 1981.

 

[JIO]

So what's up with the "7ender" thing? I've seen that quite a few times on the Warwick Bass Forum-

Luckily I've never had that issue.

 

[JIO]

He has a second location now in Newport. When I called and told them the stuff I liked, he told me to go to that location. It really felt like a museum with price tags. They had one of the extremely rare 50s explorer basses with the single sidewinder pickups. I've only seen those in books!

It's an '81. The neck stamp is May 15 1981.

Score! An early one - how's the neck? I've seen that some of the early ones had neck issues.

 

[Gaolee]

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?

You are on to me.

 

[Lammchop93]

Score! An early one - how's the neck? I've seen that some of the early ones had neck issues.

It's great! It probably does need a fret leveling, but there's no ski jump and the truss rod moves smoothly. I like pretty low action and I got this setup how I like it.

The thing that surprises me is how well it's balanced. It's about 9.5 lbs, but feels more like my 8lb basses on the shoulder. It's really a joy to play.

 

[dagrev]

He has a second location now in Newport. When I called and told them the stuff I liked, he told me to go to that location. It really felt like a museum with price tags. They had one of the extremely rare 50s explorer basses with the single sidewinder pickups. I've only seen those in books!

It's an '81. The neck stamp is May 15 1981.

That's what I figured. Mine's an '81 as well (body Feb, Neck March).

 

[dagrev]

You are on to me.

The kids posted pics online....

The things they said.

 

[JIO]

It's great! It probably does need a fret leveling, but there's no ski jump and the truss rod moves smoothly. I like pretty low action and I got this setup how I like it.

The thing that surprises me is how well it's balanced. It's about 9.5 lbs, but feels more like my 8lb basses on the shoulder. It's really a joy to play.

Leo always factored 'balance' into his basses.

 

[Lammchop93]

That's what I figured. Mine's an '81 as well (body Feb, Neck March).
View attachment 7534181

Beautiful! I'm pretty sure mine is the same finish as yours, but we refinished in black very early on in its life. Not sure if it was factory or aftermarket.

 

[5StringBlues]

That's what I figured. Mine's an '81 as well (body Feb, Neck March).
View attachment 7534181

First active bass I ever played and liked was an '81 1K belonging to an old blues player friend of mine.

Every few years I ask him to sell it to me and he always says no! Even tho he went to a black blocked Jazz years ago. ( "I can see the blocks better" )


Early 1k basses are the biz!

 

[dagrev]

First active bass I ever played and liked was an '81 1K belonging to an old blues player friend of mine.

Every few years I ask him to sell it to me and he always says no! Even tho he went to a black blocked Jazz years ago. ( "I can see the blocks better" )


Early 1k basses are the biz!

Indeed they are. I never used any of my newer L2ks in active. Passive just sounds better to me. But none sounded anywhere near as good as the '81.
Are you sure it was active? I don't recall seeing a very early 80s 1k that was active. I'm thinking the first active Ls were L2ks and 1ks later.

 

[5StringBlues]

Indeed they are. I never used any of my newer L2ks in active. Passive just sounds better to me. But none sounded anywhere near as good as the '81.
Are you sure it was active? I don't recall seeing a very early 80s 1k that was active. I'm thinking the first active Ls were L2ks and 1ks later.

I very well may have the year wrong on this. It was the mid 90s when I played it. But l distinctly remember turning the bass knob up and thinking it was cool to not have to fiddle with the amp to adjust the sound.

 

[5StringBlues]

Well, ya learn something new every day!



A bit of research tells me these basses are indeed passive but have a specific circuit which enables the adding of bass to the sound. So sayeth AI anyway.


No wonder I didn't find the treble harsh, like l usually did with active basses.

 

[JJR58]

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.

Meant to ask what your thoughts are on that Eden 210.

 

[dagrev]

Well, ya learn something new every day!



A bit of research tells me these basses are indeed passive but have a specific circuit which enables the adding of bass to the sound. So sayeth AI anyway.


No wonder I didn't find the treble harsh, like l usually did with active basses.

Who are we mere mortals to argue with ai.
They did have what is called the OMG switch which rolls off some highs. But makes it sound massive--more than just highs rolled off. I often use when I play with a pick or retain hefty low end when needing to play higher strings.

 

[5StringBlues]

Who are we mere mortals to argue with ai.
They did have what is called the OMG switch which rolls off some highs. But makes it sound massive--more than just highs rolled off. I often use when I play with a pick or retain hefty low end when needing to play higher strings.

Yeah, the switches also confused me into thinking active as well.



I was a young ,impressionable 30 year old.

 

[RedVee]

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.

No not really a soccer fan at all.
The Aussies are out of the WC so just looking for a team. Of my heritage nations Ireland & Mauritius didn't make it, basically England and France are left. Norway I have so little connection to - a minuscule amount as it's so long ago.

I saw some of the French goals in a highlight clip and thought "they are good" and "Mbappe is fun to say". Thats about it so I thought I'd jump on to the bandwagon of the favourites for once as there are so few teams left.

I don't support England or France in anything.