Thunderbird Club

[Mike.C.]

Hi All: What (if any) % of your sets are songs easily recognizable by the general audience? Trying to put a set list together with the band.

Thx

 

[Gaolee]

All songs by the cover band, most songs by two other bands (covers but often obscure), and only a few by the last band because they are originals. We play covers on request for parties and weddings and the like.

 

[theFixer]

Please...take it away...I want it...and it's £2,167.86 over my budget...it's even short scale...

There, there now... you'll get used to that feeling

 

[theFixer]

Should at least have cut his nails before they start shredding up the fretboard!

I wanna see him try to pick a penny up off the floor

 

[GBassNorth]

Hi All: What (if any) % of your sets are songs easily recognizable by the general audience? Trying to put a set list together with the band.

Thx

I'd say roughly 80% + are easily recognized but you have to play to your audience. What's the make up of your audience? Is it an old folks home or a wedding party or night club or cruise ship or jazz festival or bikers week at Sturgis or what? It makes a pretty big difference.

 

[theFixer]

View attachment 2630337

Nothing special, just your big standard Epi Classic IV, but sure, add me up TBird

Edit: Damn, I didn't realise I caught my badly battered screws on my bridge in the frame. Oh well just needs a new bridge and some new strings...and I need some money.

First of all... "Nothing Special"??? Bite yer tongue lad! It is indeed "special"! It's a Thunderbird, and it has authentic Thunderbird lineage. I'll have you know that there are members of this club who have extensive collections that include some of the finest basses made, who will still select their "nothing special" Epiphone T-bird to fill their needs... live and in studio! You won't find the same holier-than-thou elitist B.S. in the Thunderbird Club, that you find out in GenPop (our word for the general TalkBass population). Hold your head high!

I'm fairly certain that @hillerup would take issue with your choice of terms as well. Hang around for a while & you'll find out why

Second... a black Sharpie marker will make short work of your battered bridge studs

 

[theFixer]

Yeah, I could imagine that headstock as part of the woodwork in the back of a really tacky 1970s van with orange shag carpet on the ceiling and phoneyed up saloon graphics airbrushed on the outside.

Aahhh... those were the days...

 

[Gaolee]

First of all... "Nothing Special"??? Bite yer tongue lad! It is indeed "special"! It's a Thunderbird, and it has authentic Thunderbird lineage. I'll have you know that there are members of this club who have extensive collections that include some of the finest basses made, who will still select their "nothing special" Epiphone T-bird to fill their needs... live and in studio! You won't find the same holier-than-thou elitist B.S. in the Thunderbird Club, that you find out in GenPop (our word for the general TalkBass population). Hold your head high!

I'm fairly certain that @hillerup would take issue with your choice of terms as well. Hang around for a while & you'll find out why

Second... a black Sharpie marker will make short work of your battered bridge studs

I have three Gibson Thunderbirds, but I won't let go of the "lowly" bolt on Epi that has a baseball bat neck. It sounds different from the Gibsons, it feels different from the Gibsons, and it's just a different thing. But it works well for what it does, and it's a fantastic change up when I'm feeling like doing something different but still want to play a 'Bird. It's like riding a motorcycle. If need explanation, you wouldn't understand anyway.

 

[TheIndieKid]

First of all... "Nothing Special"??? Bite yer tongue lad! It is indeed "special"! It's a Thunderbird, and it has authentic Thunderbird lineage. I'll have you know that there are members of this club who have extensive collections that include some of the finest basses made, who will still select their "nothing special" Epiphone T-bird to fill their needs... live and in studio! You won't find the same holier-than-thou elitist B.S. in the Thunderbird Club, that you find out in GenPop (our word for the general TalkBass population). Hold your head high!

I'm fairly certain that @hillerup would take issue with your choice of terms as well. Hang around for a while & you'll find out why

Second... a black Sharpie marker will make short work of your battered bridge studs

You're right I'm thinking about a new bridge actually. Know of any? And I'm definitely after some new Elixirs or...Optimas...this time I won't slack on cleaning

 

[theFixer]

You're right I'm thinking about a new bridge actually. Know of any? And I'm definitely after some new Elixirs or...Optimas...this time I won't slack on cleaning

The ones that are mentioned the most here in the T-bird Club, are by Hipshot, Babicz, Schaller, and this guy right here, which is made by our own @godofthunder59...
Badbird II bridge for post 1989 Gibson and Epiphone Thunderbirds | eBay

The BadBird was designed as a vintage replacement, so unfortunately, it's available only in chrome. The Schaller is the one to get for maximum adjustability. I'm sure I don't have to say anything about the Babicz. I'm personally leaning towards the Hipshot (which is favored by many here). All of these are direct 3 point replacements without mod, except for the BadBird, which still utilizes the 3 point studs, but has a separate "claw" tailpiece.

 

[Mike.C.]

I'd say roughly 80% + are easily recognized but you have to play to your audience. What's the make up of your audience? Is it an old folks home or a wedding party or night club or cruise ship or jazz festival or bikers week at Sturgis or what? It makes a pretty big difference.

Thanks. Was thinking about the 80/20 rule. Smaller, easy-entry dive bars that don't require you bring at minimum 100+ ppl is the aim. We formed 4 months ago and have been practicing once a week getting to know each other.

 

[TheIndieKid]

The ones that are mentioned the most here in the T-bird Club, are by Hipshot, Babicz, Schaller, and this guy right here, which is made by our own @godofthunder59...
Badbird II bridge for post 1989 Gibson and Epiphone Thunderbirds | eBay

The BadBird was designed as a vintage replacement, so unfortunately, it's available only in chrome. The Schaller is the one to get for maximum adjustability. I'm sure I don't have to say anything about the Babicz. I'm personally leaning towards the Hipshot (which is favored by many here). All of these are direct 3 point replacements without mod, except for the BadBird, which still utilizes the 3 point studs, but has a separate "claw" tailpiece.

Thanks for that, Fixer. Is there a replacement for the pickups, or is it not worth it?

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks. Was thinking about the 80/20 rule. Smaller, easy-entry dive bars that don't require you bring at minimum 100+ ppl is the aim. We formed 4 months ago and have been practicing once a week getting to know each other.

Dive bars sell more beer when women want to dance. I'm not sure quite why it works that way, but it seems to, and if they sell more beer, you get asked back. Whether anybody recognizes the song or not, if it makes them move, it's good.

 

[theFixer]

Thanks for that, Fixer. Is there a replacement for the pickups, or is it not worth it?

Without knowing anything about your playing style or target sound... it's tough to say what would be best for you. I will encourage you to spend some time with your 'bird, just the way it is. At the behest of @Dadagoboi, I started playing around with my pickup height after getting my first 'bird. I'll recommend the same to you. The pickups seem almost hyper-reactive to subtle changes. The replacement pickup that is most recommended around here, comes from this place:

Link Removed

@Dadagoboi can answer questions about these.

 

[PillO]

The ones that are mentioned the most here in the T-bird Club, are by Hipshot, Babicz, Schaller, and this guy right here, which is made by our own @godofthunder59...
Badbird II bridge for post 1989 Gibson and Epiphone Thunderbirds | eBay

The BadBird was designed as a vintage replacement, so unfortunately, it's available only in chrome. The Schaller is the one to get for maximum adjustability. I'm sure I don't have to say anything about the Babicz. I'm personally leaning towards the Hipshot (which is favored by many here). All of these are direct 3 point replacements without mod, except for the BadBird, which still utilizes the 3 point studs, but has a separate "claw" tailpiece.

I don't know that the Schaller is still in production. Do you have a link where it can be bought? I don't find it on any of the hardware sites. There are many that see no problem with the Gibson 3 point bridge. Others like the Babicz or Hipshot replacements. The question is; what are you looking for that you currently aren't getting?

Thanks for that, Fixer. Is there a replacement for the pickups, or is it not worth it?

There are as many opinions on pickups as there are thunderbirds in the club. Again, the better question is what are you looking for that you aren't currently getting?

 

[ubernator]

First of all... "Nothing Special"??? Bite yer tongue lad! It is indeed "special"! It's a Thunderbird, and it has authentic Thunderbird lineage. I'll have you know that there are members of this club who have extensive collections that include some of the finest basses made, who will still select their "nothing special" Epiphone T-bird to fill their needs... live and in studio! You won't find the same holier-than-thou elitist B.S. in the Thunderbird Club, that you find out in GenPop (our word for the general TalkBass population). Hold your head high!

I'm fairly certain that @hillerup would take issue with your choice of terms as well. Hang around for a while & you'll find out why

Second... a black Sharpie marker will make short work of your battered bridge studs

I'll second that, as a guy who used to have money, and tends to hold onto things as long as possible, I have american standard Jazz and P bass, CIJ geddy Lee jazz and 3 Warwick FNAs. I traded an ibanez SR500 for a goth Thunderbird and $100 because I wanted to "look the part" for a system of a down tribute. I wound up really liking the "cheap" bass and later bought another bolt on bird so my backup could also be a bird. That 2nd one got upgraded to a classic pro and I couldn't be happier. Epiphone Thunderbird are fully gig worthy, and even the epi pickups are fine. The Gibson pickups on the classic pro have extra sauce to them, and itts nice to know they are the same pickups used on modern Gibson thunderbirds (except the 2015)

You're right I'm thinking about a new bridge actually. Know of any? And I'm definitely after some new Elixirs or...Optimas...this time I won't slack on cleaning

Be careful! Cleaning coated strings is not recommend! Just wipe them with a soft cloth. I once used a Lysol wipe (bad idea) on a new set of cleartones after a sweaty session, and they immediately turned into year old rounds. Surely the extra crap in the Lysol wipe had something to do with o
It, but there are warnings against using alcohol or other string cleaners. Check with the manufacturer. Clean your hands, not coated strings.

Thanks for that, Fixer. Is there a replacement for the pickups, or is it not worth it?

on a classic Pro?! Unless you are going for 62 authenticity, I say stick with those USA Gibson tb+ pickups.

I'm probably not even going to.change the pickups on my goth.

 

[bylar13]

Thanks for that, Fixer. Is there a replacement for the pickups, or is it not worth it?

Here is some stuff to look at:





and I did some hand held recording (Tascam DR05) of my 2014 Thubderbird with Jason Lollar pick ups:

Login - Dropbox

I just move the pick up and tone selection around and I can't remember the order.

Anyway, the point is there are a number of options available that will improve the tone and output if you are not happy with your current set up. Also, in addition to these listed there are pick up available from Mike Lull, Seymour Duncan and less pricey humbucker from China (referred to as "chinabuckers" here)

 

[TheIndieKid]

I'll second that, as a guy who used to have money, and tends to hold onto things as long as possible, I have american standard Jazz and P bass, CIJ geddy Lee jazz and 3 Warwick FNAs. I traded an ibanez SR500 for a goth Thunderbird and $100 because I wanted to "look the part" for a system of a down tribute. I wound up really liking the "cheap" bass and later bought another bolt on bird so my backup could also be a bird. That 2nd one got upgraded to a classic pro and I couldn't be happier. Epiphone Thunderbird are fully gig worthy, and even the epi pickups are fine. The Gibson pickups on the classic pro have extra sauce to them, and itts nice to know they are the same pickups used on modern Gibson thunderbirds (except the 2015)


Be careful! Cleaning coated strings is not recommend! Just wipe them with a soft cloth. I once used a Lysol wipe (bad idea) on a new set of cleartones after a sweaty session, and they immediately turned into year old rounds. Surely the extra crap in the Lysol wipe had something to do with o
It, but there are warnings against using alcohol or other string cleaners. Check with the manufacturer. Clean your hands, not coated strings.

on a classic Pro?! Unless you are going for 62 authenticity, I say stick with those USA Gibson tb+ pickups.

I'm probably not even going to.change the pickups on my goth.

Thanks for the advice. With cleaning, I did mean with just a cloth. I got a bit lax on wiping down after playing

 

[TheIndieKid]

I don't know that the Schaller is still in production. Do you have a link where it can be bought? I don't find it on any of the hardware sites. There are many that see no problem with the Gibson 3 point bridge. Others like the Babicz or Hipshot replacements. The question is; what are you looking for that you currently aren't getting?



There are as many opinions on pickups as there are thunderbirds in the club. Again, the better question is what are you looking for that you aren't currently getting?

A bit more clarity. Might be that my strings are dulling. I've had them on 6 months, but I know that have a bit of Zing in them. That's the trouble with a T-Bird. They really don't suit anything but new strings, but of course, your method may vary.

 

[veebass]

Last night's office.