Thunderbird Club

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Just trying to keep up with our brethren to the south, this helps...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

First time I clicked on it, the word of the day was "one-eyed snake"…

 

[BklynKen]

If this bloke really thinks it's 'different tastes' why spend time slagging the TBird in the first place?

A person could spend all day on here and elsewhere slagging people's J-basses and telling others how hideous their $10000 coffee table basses are etc, but we don't because y'know, different tastes. Obviously that does not preclude tweaking the nose hairs of ignorant, uninformed fanbois when necessary.

Can't fix stupid?

 

[JIO]

It makes me think of this great tune. Aren't these dudes in video 60s mods?

You know it! That Kinks song tells the story!

 

[kat888]

It makes me think of this great Kink's tune. Aren't these dudes in video 60s mods?

At first glance, maybe, but it's geo-blocked, so can't say for sure.

 

[Korladis]

Yeah, but then there'd be a hole, and from an aesthetic standpoint that's just something I won't stand for, so then I'd need to get the route filled, and then get the whole thing refinished, and while I was at it I'd probably want to move the middle pickup to the proper vintage spot ala T-IIs (I believe the new ones have pups in slightly different places? If not disregard that whole step) and put the output jack on the face instead of the side, so, you know, it just seems like a whole lot of work.

Or do the series mod.

Any New Yorkers looking' fer a bird?
Gibson Thunderbird Bass 120th anniversary 2014 walnut

Coolest... "V"... EVER!!!
Gibson V-Bass 1981 Silverburst NOS

Wow!

 

[RedVee]

First time I clicked on it, the word of the day was "one-eyed snake"…

Hahahahaha

 

[kat888]

Back from my luthier trip. The trussrod isn't out of thread, I'm simply too timid with my Allen key wrangling (worried I'll strip the thread). The existing nut is way too high - that will be sorted with the new nut and then he'll tweak the action etc and put some new neoprene under the pickup. He doesn't think a fret dress is required. He's going away for a bit so I don't expect to see it back for a couple of weeks. Happy days.

 

[D.M.N.]

Or do the series mod.

You've mentioned that being quite good, is that with both of the pickups essentially being wired together as a single entity? . I think I've come to terms with just being a single pickup bassist. Maybe it's from playing on the Precision for so long, but I rarely blend two pickups because I loathe the cut in the mids inherent with both pickups on full in a VVT setup. My dominant basses are the Precisions and T-II. With most of my dual pickup basses I either have one pickup on or the other, such as the Rick. I much prefer just running the horseshoe instead of blending in the neck If it's a two pickup bass, I'd rather wire it with each pickup in it's own circuit like I did the jazz bass with two outputs, so they don't interact at all. Maybe that's the solution with the Thunderbird, rip out the tone controls entirely, wire two volume knobs and two output jacks! I've also found I much prefer the pickup combination of a pickup against the neck and a middle pickup position, like the 4001, than the middle and bridge position of a Jazz or Bird. That bridge pickup always sounds too burpy to me. I want roar, not Urkel saying "did I do that?"

 

[D.M.N.]

First time I clicked on it, the word of the day was "one-eyed snake"…

That's a great Ray Charles song!

 

[D.M.N.]

Priceless!


Drag Queens aren't the only ones that love clothes

He's a Mod, if that means anything to you.

I'm not sure what will put me in the poor house first, amplifiers or having everything in multiple colours. I know Entwistle's conundrum.


Speaking of mods, I do need a new suit or three...

 

[Gaolee]

What is it with English spouses eh? I'm married to a Geordie and I'll be pushing it to have 3 basses. All the while he is able to accumulate bespoke suits, vintage clothes, sunglasses and whatever, to the point he's filled his wardrobe and is now taking over mine. Recently jackets have started breeding in the bass section of my wardrobe in the study/music room/library/orifice.

I wouldn't know. My English spouse doesn't have a shoe habit, doesn't spend money gratuitously, puts up with my habits and excess toys, doesn't give me crap unless I richly deserve it. It's hard to live with a perfect human sometimes, because there's less way to justify shaky behavior.

I try not to count the number of bass guitars I have these days, especially not in public. And, I'm sartorially challenged. More visually rocker than mod, but neither, really. Just your basic unaesthetic guy.

 

[RedVee]

Hahahahaha

I suppose I should add that the correct expression, at least as I've always heard it, is One-Eyed Trouser Snake.

 

[TBird1958]

I suppose I should add that the correct expression, at least as I've always heard it, is One-Eyed Trouser Snake.

Slack Salmon in the PNW

 

[Gaolee]

@Nocturnal -'tosser', 'bellend' or 'wanker' usually suffice.

Knob is a good description.

 

[Korladis]

You've mentioned that being quite good, is that with both of the pickups essentially being wired together as a single entity? . I think I've come to terms with just being a single pickup bassist. Maybe it's from playing on the Precision for so long, but I rarely blend two pickups because I loathe the cut in the mids inherent with both pickups on full in a VVT setup. My dominant basses are the Precisions and T-II. With most of my dual pickup basses I either have one pickup on or the other, such as the Rick. I much prefer just running the horseshoe instead of blending in the neck If it's a two pickup bass, I'd rather wire it with each pickup in it's own circuit like I did the jazz bass with two outputs, so they don't interact at all. Maybe that's the solution with the Thunderbird, rip out the tone controls entirely, wire two volume knobs and two output jacks! I've also found I much prefer the pickup combination of a pickup against the neck and a middle pickup position, like the 4001, than the middle and bridge position of a Jazz or Bird. That bridge pickup always sounds too burpy to me. I want roar, not Urkel saying "did I do that?"

Exactly my issue with J basses.

When I play my Rickenbackers, I mostly use the bridge pickup by itself, though as you mention, it's really more in a "middle" position.

The series mod eliminates the mid-scoop, though it does also cut some high end (not an issue for me because most of that "glassy" top end is lost in my setup anyway).

I have mine wired to a push/pull switch on the bridge volume pot. You could also just use a switch, though.

 

[theFixer]

What is it with English spouses eh? I'm married to a Geordie and I'll be pushing it to have 3 basses. All the while he is able to accumulate bespoke suits, vintage clothes, sunglasses and whatever, to the point he's filled his wardrobe and is now taking over mine. Recently jackets have started breeding in the bass section of my wardrobe in the study/music room/library/orifice.

Tell me to piss up a rope if ya like... but that sounds a tad outa balance to me

 

[theFixer]

Thanks, I only had $50 left (plus about $20 in the wallet) after that classic pro purchase. And while taking the female unit to used bookstores to sell books, there was an ibanez rg120 with roadrunner gig bag and a monster cable for $30, I couldn't just leave it there you know! I figured I would flip it and keep the bag, but after hammering down the bridge fulcrum ferrules back all the way in (sound familiar? My pro is about to do the same thing, but I know how to remedy that), the action is super low and it reminded me how much I missed my old purple neon RG550dx from the early 90s, so I decided to keep it.

No wah till after the next gig at least, or perhaps after gub'ment payday on the 4th.

Only issue on the RG, other than the one I fixed, is a small neck pocket crack (common), and the previous owner did a sloppy job of CARVING the note letters into the fretboard. But for a beater player with shred neck, 2H and a trem for $30, how could I not?

View attachment 1188415 , and a monster cable

In what store... in what universe... do you find a playable guitar (with or without case & candy) for $30.00???

Yeah... ya did good...

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

I know that there are purists and there are modders. I fall into both categories. When I mod I try to keep the original factor in the high 70's with subtle but noticeable changes. Ive been holding this neck swap off since one month after I bought the bass. I knew I loved the bass but despised the neck. I tried like hell to like this neck but couldnt but I also could not bring myself to remove that magnificent headstock. I can accept that now. This was the one single most important mod I have ever made, I have been holding back my playing style in fear that I would snap the neck plus my big hands were running out of space and dragging strings off the fret board.......what the hell?. I have been pounding out some serious business riffs for the last hour and this beast feels the greatest ever............ever!. First of all and most importantly its got the comfort and light weight of a Thunderbird and the fret handling of a Precision and a nice bonus is the fair percentage of Rickenbacker tone. I understand you Mr. Entwhistle, thank you Sir

 

[theFixer]

@theFixer .View attachment 1188440 Ok I did it!. I cant believe how easy it was to pull this off, I used a drill,dremel and grinder. Now I can love my Thunderbacker the way I should, it feels natural to me now. I bought a beater lefty P bass off Kijiji for $40 and raided it of all electronics but specifically the neck. This job took me just under one hour to size up the heel, it took me longer to put the strings back on and to intonate it. Hey Fix, this is a quick and easy remedy for large hand syndrome and it wont break the bank. Now I will play it more Very minor aesthetic touch ups still required. Dont you love it when you finish a project and realise you forgot just one thing?. After I strung er up I realized I had a new set of Rickenbacker Sharks Teeth inlay decals.....................................
View attachment 1188441 View attachment 1188444 View attachment 1188445

DOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! Why did you ever hesitate?!?!? THAT... is... AWESOME!!!

 

[theFixer]

You struck a chord with me on this one! I'm a huge Marriott/Small Faces/Humble Pie fan (as evidenced by my left arm)

(reversed cuzza the mirror)