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Thunderbird Club

#35,301
Dr_Feelgoood212 said:
Rub it in why don't ya
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ATC it's also slapping me back into reality because back then it was a 'good deal' but since it was only 11 years old and it was a bit beat-up it wasn't considered a sought after vintage bass. I went in (to this particular loan shop) expecting to buy a Fender P-bass (most likely an early 60's) tipped off by a friend and it was already gone. I 'settled' for the bird. If it's any concession, it was stollen in an apt break-in in '78. Still out in the world somewhere possibly...

Shortly after my '63 was stollen - I read an article in bassplayer magazine on John Entwistle (maybe fall '78) and how when The Who hit towns on their tours of the US he'd go to the local guitar shops and buy any and all T-birds they had. And FTR, I knew mine was a '63 because I sent the serial # to Gibson and got a postcard back confirming the year. Sadly I can't find it at this point so don't have that #.


Hah! You must be readin' my mail Gaolee! ;)
 
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#35,302
I started playing bass when I was 15 or 16 on a very ordinary late 60s / very early 70s MIJ Jazz copy (the ones with the chrome covered pickups), I paid $40 for second hand. Initially, largely self taught. Have had periods of lessons along the way, though.
My "real" bass was when I was about 19- 20- the Ibanez Flying V in my avatar, which I still have.
 
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#35,303
I started when I was 12, 51 now. My first bass was a Sekova 335 looking monstrosity. Had to duct tape the "f" to stop it from feeding back. First amp was a Fender Musicmaster. First "real" bass was/is a 70/71 Precision my dad bought me.

I only took up bass because the local music school didn't have a drum teacher and the guitar/bass teacher talked me into it. Really didn't last there long. Mainly self taught. I keep promising my self that I'll learn to read music one day.
 
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#35,304
Count Bassie said:
Started at 17, instead of getting myself killed or similar, I think. Memphis FSO, $110 US. My mom got it for me, in hopes I would avoid getting myself killed, or similar. It seems to have worked out. :)
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Funny 'cause I was about the same age when I started, with the same Mephis bass and it turns out, we were both in bands, on the same label at the same time (Restless/ Enigma 1986-ish). Small world.
 
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#35,305
kat888 said:
PS - the Embassy sounds marvellous.

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Forgive me if this has already been mentioned but I think that the Embassy is already available here in the states. Epiphone reissued their iconic 60s lines, including the Bird and the Cassady (sp?), along with the flying V and the Embassy. It appears that they cut a deal where the Embassy is only available in U.S. at Zzounds and American Musical supply. When I looked at their sites, they did not appear to be touting the new Epi bird. I didn't see anything on the new 60s Bird, when looking on GC.com or Musicians Friend either.
 
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#35,306
Stevis said:
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned but I thank that the Embassy is already available here in states. Epiphone reissued their iconic 60s, including the Bird and the Cassady, along with the flying V and the Embassy. It appears that they cut a deal where the Embassy is only available in U.S. at Zzounds and American Musical supply. When I looked at their sites, they did not appear to be touting the Bird. I didn't see anything on the new 60s Bird, when looking on GC.com or Musicians Friend either.
Click to expand...
I have seen Sweetwater advertising the Bird, for pre-order only last I checked.
 
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#35,308
JIO said:
ATC it's also slapping me back into reality because back then it was a 'good deal' but since it was only 11 years old and it was a bit beat-up it wasn't considered a sought after vintage bass. I went in (to this particular loan shop) expecting to buy a Fender P-bass (most likely an early 60's) tipped off by a friend and it was already gone. I 'settled' for the bird. If it's any concession, it was stollen in an apt break-in in '78. Still out in the world somewhere possibly...

Shortly after my '63 was stollen - I read an article in bassplayer magazine on John Entwistle (maybe fall '78) and how when The Who hit towns on their tours of the US he'd go to the local guitar shops and buy any and all T-birds they had. And FTR, I knew mine was a '63 because I sent the serial # to Gibson and got a postcard back confirming the year. Sadly I can't find it at this point so don't have that #.


Hah! You must be readin' my mail Gaolee! ;)
Click to expand...

That really sucks man!
Nikki Sixx posted a picture on Instagram a few months ago, of Motley Crue in the 80's. He said he was using an old 70's Thunderbird and Ampeg, and Mick Mars was using a 70's Marshall. Back then it was all they could afford, now it's highly sought after stuff. It's funny, you never know what will be worth something in the future.
 
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#35,312
Dr_Feelgoood212 said:
Don't think they can tell them what they can sell it for, just give them an MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price)
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I was wondering that too, as sites now run these "call for coupon" campaigns, to cut down on price matching (and avoiding advertising low prices). And the article on the guitar biz, posted on here a couple of weeks back, made it sound like it was every man (person) for themselves, with both sides of the industry hemorrhaging money.

There is obviously demand for the 60s bird based on the flock of fans on this site. Although, wouldn't it seem kinda weird to think that there wouldn't be a place for consumers to actually hold one in hand, to actually try one out at bricks and mortar store?
 
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#35,314
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ As of today 7/10/2017 my Sweetwater Rep called and let me know that it will be September before they ship the new Thunderbird.
^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
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#35,315
TBird1958 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ As of today 7/10/2017 my Sweetwater Rep called and let me know that it will be September before they ship the new Thunderbird.
^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Click to expand...
Ouch.
 
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#35,316
TBird1958 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ As of today 7/10/2017 my Sweetwater Rep called and let me know that it will be September before they ship the new Thunderbird.
^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Click to expand...

Right! Time to drown our sorrows then.
 
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#35,317
bylar13 said:
Funny 'cause I was about the same age when I started, with the same Mephis bass and it turns out, we were both in bands, on the same label at the same time (Restless/ Enigma 1986-ish). Small world.
Click to expand...
I wish I could say so, but John Florence was Plan 9's original bass player. Myself, I've never been signed to a label with a band. My path is much more twisted... I did join Plan 9, after answering an ad in a local rag, in '95. I'm sorry! Lol.
 
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#35,318
TBird1958 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ As of today 7/10/2017 my Sweetwater Rep called and let me know that it will be September before they ship the new Thunderbird.
^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Click to expand...

not untypical - kinda' like a press leak... it'll eventually happen :bassist:
 
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#35,319
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#35,320
Well. That's a disappointment.
TBird1958 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ As of today 7/10/2017 my Sweetwater Rep called and let me know that it will be September before they ship the new Thunderbird.
^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Click to expand...
 
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