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Thunderbird Club

#34,763
I have been getting a real crappy sound from my home practice rig (87 GK 800rb/ genz Benz 2x15). I took it to my tech, the head is ok (whew) so it's a bad speaker. Now I'm bummed. Well, we're driving down the street and my wife says she saw a speaker on the curb round the block. I went back and it was an old Peavey 1820. It looked good, I grabbed it. I got it home, works perfect. Cleaned it up and parked in the corner. It sounds pretty good (never had an 18 ) so I don't have to get a new cab. I don't think the genz speakers are worth fixing. Sounded good but not like my EV 2x15. Love another one of those. I got those reconed when they literally fell apart. So a good day. Can't believe someone tossed it.
 
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#34,764
JJR58 said:
I don't have experience with that unit.
But you can search it, there are threads about it, gets rave reviews.
Click to expand...

Love myt
wolfkeller said:
I have been getting a real crappy sound from my home practice rig (87 GK 800rb/ genz Benz 2x15). I took it to my tech, the head is ok (whew) so it's a bad speaker. Now I'm bummed. Well, we're driving down the street and my wife says she saw a speaker on the curb round the block. I went back and it was an old Peavey 1820. It looked good, I grabbed it. I got it home, works perfect. Cleaned it up and parked in the corner. It sounds pretty good (never had an 18 ) so I don't have to get a new cab. I don't think the genz speakers are worth fixing. Sounded good but not like my EV 2x15. Love another one of those. I got those reconed when they literally fell apart. So a good day. Can't believe someone tossed it.
Click to expand...
Nice score, some people are finding good deals all over
 
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#34,765
theFixer said:
do you run a pre amp into it?
Click to expand...
Nope, not unless I'm playing an acoustic electric bass and that's only because the piezo pickups in those require a bit of massaging to sound the way I like them to sound. The Sans Amp VT21 is my pedal/preamp of choice if I have to use one. But if I'm playing my Bird it plugs directly into the GK Combo, which has all the sound shaping options I need.

For me, the whole idea around the ultralight combo was to keep things as light and compact as possible yet still have decent sound. I went down this path when I blew my right shoulder out and couldn't lift anything with that arm. I also switched to short scale basses (Gibson SG, Squier Jaguar, Squier Bronco and Kala Uke basses to lighten the load). The GK 210 combo does sounds good for the size rig that it is, it punches well above its size. The GK 212 combo even more so, but it also weighs more and starts to creep into my medium size venue rig territory. If I didn't have any other rigs I'd be looking at the GK212 more than the 210 as long as the 10 additional pounds and cost aren't a factor.
 
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#34,766
GBassNorth said:
Nope, not unless I'm playing an acoustic electric bass and that's only because the piezo pickups in those require a bit of massaging to sound the way I like them to sound. The Sans Amp VT21 is my pedal/preamp of choice if I have to use one. But if I'm playing my Bird it plugs directly into the GK Combo, which has all the sound shaping options I need.

For me, the whole idea around the ultralight combo was to keep things as light and compact as possible yet still have decent sound. I went down this path when I blew my right shoulder out and couldn't lift anything with that arm. I also switched to short scale basses (Gibson SG, Squier Jaguar, Squier Bronco and Kala Uke basses to lighten the load). The GK 210 combo does sounds good for the size rig that it is, it punches well above its size. The GK 212 combo even more so, but it also weighs more and starts to creep into my medium size venue rig territory. If I didn't have any other rigs I'd be looking at the GK212 more than the 210 as long as the 10 additional pounds and cost aren't a factor.
Click to expand...

I really like the sound of the GK 12" speakers. Gives a good balance of lows and highs. My old HK 4x10 sounded too thin for my taste. Glad I traded for a GK
 
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#34,767
wolfkeller said:
I have been getting a real crappy sound from my home practice rig (87 GK 800rb/ genz Benz 2x15). I took it to my tech, the head is ok (whew) so it's a bad speaker. Now I'm bummed. Well, we're driving down the street and my wife says she saw a speaker on the curb round the block. I went back and it was an old Peavey 1820. It looked good, I grabbed it. I got it home, works perfect. Cleaned it up and parked in the corner. It sounds pretty good (never had an 18 ) so I don't have to get a new cab. I don't think the genz speakers are worth fixing. Sounded good but not like my EV 2x15. Love another one of those. I got those reconed when they literally fell apart. So a good day. Can't believe someone tossed it.
Click to expand...
... and a tip o' the cap to your wife for havin' a keen eye!:thumbsup:
 
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#34,770
theFixer said:
do you run a pre amp into it?
Click to expand...

I'm with Sartori- tube power section makes the difference for me. I can't remember where I first heard of preamp tubes being called "excuse tubes" but it rings pretty accurate to me, on bass anyway. In a micro head they add a modicum of warmth, but a dimed tube power section is something special.

I love GK gear for its depth and immediacy. I love tube gear for it's huge, deep, low end. Tube pre into GK sounds fizzy to my ear, so try before you buy! I honestly prefer the VT Bass into the GK if you're after a "tube-ier" sound! But I don't think there is really a great tube amp sound without some literal heavy lifting...

Of course I don't own a Thunderbird. But I do own Cataldo number fifty, so I'm in the neighborhood. And it's a glorious neighborhood!
 
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#34,771
wolfkeller said:
I have been getting a real crappy sound from my home practice rig (87 GK 800rb/ genz Benz 2x15). I took it to my tech, the head is ok (whew) so it's a bad speaker. Now I'm bummed. Well, we're driving down the street and my wife says she saw a speaker on the curb round the block. I went back and it was an old Peavey 1820. It looked good, I grabbed it. I got it home, works perfect. Cleaned it up and parked in the corner. It sounds pretty good (never had an 18 ) so I don't have to get a new cab. I don't think the genz speakers are worth fixing. Sounded good but not like my EV 2x15. Love another one of those. I got those reconed when they literally fell apart. So a good day. Can't believe someone tossed it.
Click to expand...


I kind of love that your practice amp is a 2-15.
 
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#34,773
dagrev said:
Don't think I ever posted my '64 IV. I've had it since about 1981 or so. Feels so good. Thunder's so well. Just incredible. It has the PU ring on the bridge PU now. Looks like it's supposed to now.
View attachment 1169254

My '76. This thing weighs a ton. Unlike the '64 which is super light.
View attachment 1169256
Click to expand...

So is that a replacement bridge pu on the '64?
 
#34,774
GBassNorth said:
Nope, not unless I'm playing an acoustic electric bass and that's only because the piezo pickups in those require a bit of massaging to sound the way I like them to sound. The Sans Amp VT21 is my pedal/preamp of choice if I have to use one. But if I'm playing my Bird it plugs directly into the GK Combo, which has all the sound shaping options I need.

For me, the whole idea around the ultralight combo was to keep things as light and compact as possible yet still have decent sound. I went down this path when I blew my right shoulder out and couldn't lift anything with that arm. I also switched to short scale basses (Gibson SG, Squier Jaguar, Squier Bronco and Kala Uke basses to lighten the load). The GK 210 combo does sounds good for the size rig that it is, it punches well above its size. The GK 212 combo even more so, but it also weighs more and starts to creep into my medium size venue rig territory. If I didn't have any other rigs I'd be looking at the GK212 more than the 210 as long as the 10 additional pounds and cost aren't a factor.
Click to expand...
No doubt it's an awesome combo! I can't say anything bad about it. It's just that this 'bird has such rich dark tone, it's begin' for some tube warmth. Replacing the amp isn't on the table. I just wanna find a li'l tube unit to put in front of it. Stompbox, half rack, whatever.

The GC near me has the 2x12 combo your talking about + the 2x12 to go with it. If memory serves, they're askin' $700.00 for it.

You mentioned you have and SG bass. Is it that one with the Babicz on it?
 
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#34,776
rxdiablo said:
I'm with Sartori- tube power section makes the difference for me. I can't remember where I first heard of preamp tubes being called "excuse tubes" but it rings pretty accurate to me, on bass anyway. In a micro head they add a modicum of warmth, but a dimed tube power section is something special.

I love GK gear for its depth and immediacy. I love tube gear for it's huge, deep, low end. Tube pre into GK sounds fizzy to my ear, so try before you buy! I honestly prefer the VT Bass into the GK if you're after a "tube-ier" sound! But I don't think there is really a great tube amp sound without some literal heavy lifting...

Of course I don't own a Thunderbird. But I do own Cataldo number fifty, so I'm in the neighborhood. And it's a glorious neighborhood!
Click to expand...
I'm a pretty realistic dude. On my budget, I ain't expectin' no miracles. I'm not in a pressing situation or anything. If I can find something' cheap that pleases my ear, I'll roll with it. If it does something I don't like, or if it doesn't do what I would like, I'll return it. It don't take long to figger out if it makes ya smile or not!:thumbsup:
 
#34,777
With the grill off (which is in excellent shape)
IMG_20170703_232712.jpg
 
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