Thunderbird Club

[Drestakil]

Well after 2 years of full on looking after my mum she is having to go to a nursing home next week as we can no longer give the level of care she needs (getting towards 24 hours a day now). Not a nice feeling letting your mother be taken away despite it being for the best; it will be even stranger being able to do things again without having to find cover for her, going to take a bit of time to readjust.

So after all that there I'll be jobless and skint, we'll have to sell the house and buy somewhere smaller. I'm unlikely to get another job at my age so I will resurrect my tools and get making some stuff again, what will depend on the size of workshop I can get but hopefully furniture of a limited size and a bass or two if I can find any market.

Sorry to hear all that Colin. Talk about getting kicked when you're down.

I remember when we my mom had to go to a nursing home when it was just too much for my sister and her family to take care of. I used to visit her when I could and always took my guitar with me. I'd start playing and she would sing and we'd end up with a whole room full of her neighbors. One one of the ladies that worked in the kitchen came in and sang "Amazing Grace". She had a beautiful voice. My mom called these visits "Singspiration". They were fun.

One of the funniest times for me was when she said, "Play 'In the Garden' again."
Me, "I haven't played 'In the Garden'. I don't think I even know that song.
Her, "Well just play whatever you were playing before and I'll sing it." Not sure what that says about my guitar skills but it's a great memory.

Wishing you all the best, Colin. I'll send prayers your way.

 

[Nocturnal]

I am sorry to hear this Colin. It cannot be an easy decision to make but hopefully best for everyone involved in the long run. Best of luck in whatever direction you go, but remember you always can come here and have a supportive group to vent to.

 

[TBird1958]

Very difficult news Colin, take good care, we are here if you need us.

 

[hairypete1138]

Having almost exclusively played Thunderbirds for the past six years, I'm in a quandary about what my next beast will be. I love the sound of the Epi vintage bird, and if they are released in the UK I would snap one up in a flash. However, there is no sign of that happening in the near future, so I'm starting to think about other options...

I played a Fender Mexican Jaguar (full scale) bass at my local guitar shop a while ago and really liked it - a nice slim neck, not far from my classic pro, and a nice, tight punchy tone. This would cost a tiny bit more than the likely cost of the vintage pro. On the other hand, I've just seen an immaculate Ric 4003s available from a shop not far from here for £1375. This is considerably more than the Epi would likely cost, but it's one of my dream basses and (almost) affordable on 2 year finance. So the big question is do I hold out for the vintage pro, go to Fender world, or live the dream and go for the ric? Both of the second two options would mean me going down to one bird as the boss is very hot on the one-in-one-out policy I agreed with her many years ago, so the Tokai would have to be sold.

What would you guys do?

 

[Christine]

Thanks all, yes it's a crap deal but it really is for the best. The only thing that bugs me is that she does get the occasional good hour or two where she "appears" to be normal and very aware of life but it doesn't last long and then she is very vulnerable again and beyond my care skills but for those short moments it seems a very cruel thing to do. The home she's going to seems very nice and they will let her take her cat which would have been the hardest blow otherwise.

 

[Christine]

Having almost exclusively played Thunderbirds for the past six years, I'm in a quandary about what my next beast will be. I love the sound of the Epi vintage bird, and if they are released in the UK I would snap one up in a flash. However, there is no sign of that happening in the near future, so I'm starting to think about other options...

I played a Fender Mexican Jaguar (full scale) bass at my local guitar shop a while ago and really liked it - a nice slim neck, not far from my classic pro, and a nice, tight punchy tone. This would cost a tiny bit more than the likely cost of the vintage pro. On the other hand, I've just seen an immaculate Ric 4003s available from a shop not far from here for £1375. This is considerably more than the Epi would likely cost, but it's one of my dream basses and (almost) affordable on 2 year finance. So the big question is do I hold out for the vintage pro, go to Fender world, or live the dream and go for the ric? Both of the second two options would mean me going down to one bird as the boss is very hot on the one-in-one-out policy I agreed with her many years ago, so the Tokai would have to be sold.

What would you guys do?

Put Chinabuckers in an Epi Classic pro, stick on a badbird bridge and some Hipshot Lic tuners? You could even put chrome covers on the TB+s

 

[godofthunder59]

Well after 2 years of full on looking after my mum she is having to go to a nursing home next week as we can no longer give the level of care she needs (getting towards 24 hours a day now). Not a nice feeling letting your mother be taken away despite it being for the best; it will be even stranger being able to do things again without having to find cover for her, going to take a bit of time to readjust.

So after all that there I'll be jobless and skint, we'll have to sell the house and buy somewhere smaller. I'm unlikely to get another job at my age so I will resurrect my tools and get making some stuff again, what will depend on the size of workshop I can get but hopefully furniture of a limited size and a bass or two if I can find any market.

 

[godofthunder59]

Very sorry to hear this Colin but you are doing what's best , it just doesn't feel like it. I went through this 20 years ago. Employment wise I also recently found myself and virtually unemployable because of my age so I picked up my tools and haven't looked back I also landed a gig with a Fleetwood mac tribute that tours nationally. I do hope you and your mom's situation improve.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Well after 2 years of full on looking after my mum she is having to go to a nursing home next week as we can no longer give the level of care she needs (getting towards 24 hours a day now). Not a nice feeling letting your mother be taken away despite it being for the best; it will be even stranger being able to do things again without having to find cover for her, going to take a bit of time to readjust.

So after all that there I'll be jobless and skint, we'll have to sell the house and buy somewhere smaller. I'm unlikely to get another job at my age so I will resurrect my tools and get making some stuff again, what will depend on the size of workshop I can get but hopefully furniture of a limited size and a bass or two if I can find any market.

Sorry to hear about that Colin. There isn't much more I can add that hasn't already been said, but I hope all works out well for you and your family.

 

[rodv66]

Well after 2 years of full on looking after my mum she is having to go to a nursing home next week as we can no longer give the level of care she needs (getting towards 24 hours a day now). Not a nice feeling letting your mother be taken away despite it being for the best; it will be even stranger being able to do things again without having to find cover for her, going to take a bit of time to readjust.

So after all that there I'll be jobless and skint, we'll have to sell the house and buy somewhere smaller. I'm unlikely to get another job at my age so I will resurrect my tools and get making some stuff again, what will depend on the size of workshop I can get but hopefully furniture of a limited size and a bass or two if I can find any market.

Jezz, sorry to hear all these terrible things all at once. The last days of parents are some of the most difficult you can imagine

 

[Gaolee]

If I was going to have a dog .. and that's a BIG if ... a Golden Retriever would be high on the list of acceptable breeds. Probably a Whippet or Border Collie would be the winner though.

Whippets are amazing little animals. They are also a little hyper, as you might expect. Greyhounds look like whippets, but they are completely low key. It's like they know how fast they are and don't have any urge to prove it. If my wife was less opposed to animals with more than two legs in the house, a rescue greyhound would be on the list. But, we have enough fuzz that settles on everything as it is, plus she's not a fan of animals. Aside from the Cro-magnon sort, which she tolerates well enough.

 

[Gaolee]

I can't comment on the Chinabuckers as I have never tried them. To my ears none of my 3 Gibson Birds sound as muffled as the one in the clip but when I had an LP Standard bass it sounded like the LP in the video. As with all basses there are nuances that make them all sound different even to their similar siblings.

Exactly. It's the reason the 2001 looks like a garden variety 'Bird, but it's got something I can't describe. It stays stock. I'm happy enough with Chinabuckers in the 1991, but eventually, it's going to have Thunderbuckers. I have to decide which ones. Oh, and find time and cash. Details...

 

[Gaolee]

Well after 2 years of full on looking after my mum she is having to go to a nursing home next week as we can no longer give the level of care she needs (getting towards 24 hours a day now). Not a nice feeling letting your mother be taken away despite it being for the best; it will be even stranger being able to do things again without having to find cover for her, going to take a bit of time to readjust.

So after all that there I'll be jobless and skint, we'll have to sell the house and buy somewhere smaller. I'm unlikely to get another job at my age so I will resurrect my tools and get making some stuff again, what will depend on the size of workshop I can get but hopefully furniture of a limited size and a bass or two if I can find any market.

All the best to you. It's not anything anybody should have to go through, but we all do go through it eventually. We are with you. Unlike usual, I don't have any more words than that, because there aren't any.

 

[RikiP]

a refinished Orville Gibson, looks gorgeous
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Gaolee]

Having almost exclusively played Thunderbirds for the past six years, I'm in a quandary about what my next beast will be. I love the sound of the Epi vintage bird, and if they are released in the UK I would snap one up in a flash. However, there is no sign of that happening in the near future, so I'm starting to think about other options...

I played a Fender Mexican Jaguar (full scale) bass at my local guitar shop a while ago and really liked it - a nice slim neck, not far from my classic pro, and a nice, tight punchy tone. This would cost a tiny bit more than the likely cost of the vintage pro. On the other hand, I've just seen an immaculate Ric 4003s available from a shop not far from here for £1375. This is considerably more than the Epi would likely cost, but it's one of my dream basses and (almost) affordable on 2 year finance. So the big question is do I hold out for the vintage pro, go to Fender world, or live the dream and go for the ric? Both of the second two options would mean me going down to one bird as the boss is very hot on the one-in-one-out policy I agreed with her many years ago, so the Tokai would have to be sold.

What would you guys do?

Keep playing the 'Bird you got isn't an option?

 

[hairypete1138]

I think I need to replace the Tokai. I've loved it for years, but after getting the classic pro, I get grumpy whenever I go back to the massive neck on that particular bird - I just find it difficult to move around quickly enough having had things made so easy by the slim neck on the classic.
I quite like Colin's idea of getting another classic pro and modding it with a bad bird and maybe some chinabuckers (or thunderbuckers if I'm feeling rich).

 

[BklynKen]

Did anyone say Wombat???

Introducing Blixa the Womcat!

View attachment 1166040

Blixa Bargeld?

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Keep playing the 'Bird you got isn't an option?

Thunderbirds=n+1
We're here to encourage the acquisition for more 'birds.

 

[Gaolee]

I think I need to replace the Tokai. I've loved it for years, but after getting the classic pro, I get grumpy whenever I go back to the massive neck on that particular bird - I just find it difficult to move around quickly enough having had things made so easy by the slim neck on the classic.
I quite like Colin's idea of getting another classic pro and modding it with a bad bird and maybe some chinabuckers (or thunderbuckers if I'm feeling rich).

The newer Epis have necks like a Gibson. They are about 1.5" wide and have rounded backs. The only ones I have encountered that have baseball bats are Korean made bolt on versions from the mid-2000s. Another option, if you can find one, is a Pro IV, ditch the active circuit and rewire with the pickups of your choice. Those have slim-taper necks. I can vouch for that, since my fretless started life as a Pro IV. I'm not sure what all this means in mm, but you get the idea. Also, I don't know what the used market is like in Coventry. Probably not as easy to deal with as here in the US, if the usual conditions are in effect.

 

[JJR58]

There's been a lot going on here.
Pretty intense.
I am sorry to hear about Colin and his family.
I know what he's going through.