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Thunderbird Club

#34,681
Finally got a chance to try out my Orville 'bird at band practice this weekend after the bass had been patiently awaiting my arrival. First thoughts: thunderous tone but holy neck dive!...Still getting used to how this bass feels and the ergonomics. I think I will go ahead and change the position of the strap button as others have recommended. Growing up playing fenders exclusively this bass has opened up my eyes to something different and I'm digging the tone a lot, not to mention the thing looks badass!
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#34,684
kat888 said:
All passive tone stacks are essentially the same.

2-10-10 (looking at the YBA200 front panel = T-M-B) is treble on 2 (9 oclock) and mid and bass maxed. The starting point is *always* max the mids.
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Yeah, I'm not even sure why the mid knob on my D-180 is even there. 10 is the only useful setting. I had it set there so long, that when I let another bassist use it at a show, and he moved it, when I moved it back to 10, it was all crackly.
 
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#34,686
Mind Eroded said:
Finally got a chance to try out my Orville 'bird at band practice this weekend after the bass had been patiently awaiting my arrival. First thoughts: thunderous tone but holy neck dive!...Still getting used to how this bass feels and the ergonomics. I think I will go ahead and change the position of the strap button as others have recommended. Growing up playing fenders exclusively this bass has opened up my eyes to something different and I'm digging the tone a lot, not to mention the thing looks badass!
View attachment 1168663 View attachment 1168662
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Yeah man! That's a cool 'bird! I dig the aged nickel!:cool::thumbsup:
 
#34,688
Mind Eroded said:
Finally got a chance to try out my Orville 'bird at band practice this weekend after the bass had been patiently awaiting my arrival. First thoughts: thunderous tone but holy neck dive!...Still getting used to how this bass feels and the ergonomics. I think I will go ahead and change the position of the strap button as others have recommended. Growing up playing fenders exclusively this bass has opened up my eyes to something different and I'm digging the tone a lot, not to mention the thing looks badass!
View attachment 1168663 View attachment 1168662
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Nice!
I'd like to suggest trying your strap at a different length, when I started playing 'Birds my main bass was a Rick 4001 and I wore it much lower. I found I liked my 'Bird a bit higher - that's just me, we're all different, but, you might give it a try. Orvilles are a really nice bass, probably closer to a Non Reverse in tone due to the set neck, mine has 3 strap pins, end, upper 'bout and on the neck heel.
 
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#34,693
godofthunder59 said:
Explorer basses have roots to 1958 when Gbison first made them. Enter the 70's and Entwistles Explorerbirds and Alembics. My 76 Ibanez Destroyer was the closest I could get a the time. I don't really equate the Explorer shape with 80's metal. View attachment 1168200
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I usually am not attracted to that style but that one is particularly cool - the pg shape really helps. :thumbsup:
 
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#34,695
theFixer said:
So... who can tell me about short scale basses? In the world of guitars, short scale was primarily viewed as a junior or beginner model kinda thing. In the bass world, that doesn't seem to be the case. Why would a person select a short scale bass over standard 34" or whatever?
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...a few reason - primarily ss basses work better physically for smaller players but isn't necessarily why some players (of any size) choose to play them. They were initially targeted at young beginning players (pre teens) so that would explain why they are smaller. But for any age/size player, they can be easier to maneuver/play (shorter neck) and be of less weight. There's unlimited conjecture of opinion regarding tone etc - but it comes down to the player and what works best for them. There are also 32" scale basses (Kubicki Factor is one) and some players really like that scale also.
 
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#34,696
JIO said:
...a few reason - primarily ss basses work better physically for smaller players but isn't necessarily why some players (of any size) choose to play them. They can be easier to maneuver/play (shorter neck) and be of less weight. There's unlimited conjecture of opinion regarding tone etc - but it comes down to the player and what works best for them. There are also 32" scale basses (Kubicki Factor is one) and some players really like that scale also.
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So, like any bass, it simply comes down to preference...
 
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#34,697
theFixer said:
So, like any bass, it simply comes down to preference...
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Yes, more or less. I'm sure there are some players who feel a ss bass has a specific sonic signature, and they play them because of that. The combination of what the fingers, ears (and shoulder!) translate to the player = preference. :bassist:
 
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#34,698
JIO said:
Yes, more or less. I'm sure there are some players who feel a ss bass has a specific sonic signature, and they play them because of that. The combination of what the fingers, ears (and shoulder!) translate to the player = preference. :bassist:
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Good enough! I've seen guys ogling a given bass, and then instantly lose interest & hang it back on the wall the moment they found out it was a short scale. I thought maybe they all had cooties 'er sup'm...
 
#34,699
theFixer said:
Good enough! I've seen guys ogling a given bass, and then instantly lose interest & hang it back on the wall the moment they found out it was a short scale. I thought maybe they all had cooties 'er sup'm...
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'65 Teisco Del Rey - 30" short-scale neck, but... the overall length is longer than a Jazz bass. (due to mid-body bridge placement and huge hs) It balances well, is light, looks like "full size" 34" scale bass, is fun to play and sounds great! No cooties anywhere in sight.

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#34,700
JIO said:
'65 Teisco Del Rey - 30" short-scale neck, but... the overall length is longer than a Jazz bass. (due to mid-body bridge placement and huge hs) It balances well, is light, looks like "full size" 34" scale bass, is fun to play and sounds great! No cooties anywhere in sight.

View attachment 1168712
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What a cool old piece! I don't see Teiscos in that kinda condition very often!:thumbsup:

What do the toggles do?
 
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