Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

So I guess we should expect the supposed 2018s in 2020?

Well, i would think since they're being made in the US, that should shave off a year.

 

[theFixer]

So I guess we should expect the supposed 2018s in 2020?

Nah... I'm sure they would've scrapped the plan altogether by that time.

 

[kat888]

Everthing sounds better without the scoop. So bite....

So many OD/'distortion' boxes seem to clank-fizz-scoop. OD sounds more organic with the scoop gone. And getting it to that point trashes two of the iron laws of TalkBass -- your EQ knobs must be at noon and ... never add bass.

 

[kat888]

Well, i would think since they're being made in the US, that should shave off a year.

Slow barge from Nashville?

 

[JIO]

So many OD/'distortion' boxes seem to clank-fizz-scoop. OD sounds more organic with the scoop gone. And getting it to that point trashes two of the iron laws of TalkBass -- your EQ knobs must be at noon and ... never add bass.

The only 'rules' I follow are never unplug the bass with the amp V on and turn off the amp volume before turning off the amp. Are their really others?

 

[kat888]

The only 'rules' I follow are never unplug the bass with the amp V on and turn off the amp volume before turning off the amp. Are their really others?

I used to hang out in the Amps & Cabs forum for a bit until I landed here and burned my ships. There are all sorts of rules.

 

[theFixer]

So many OD/'distortion' boxes seem to clank-fizz-scoop. OD sounds more organic with the scoop gone. And getting it to that point trashes two of the iron laws of TalkBass -- your EQ knobs must be at noon and ... never add bass.

I'm going to assume that pedals in bass world, aren't all that different from pedals in guitar world. If my assumption is correct... i would recommend avoiding anything that calls itself a "distortion" effect. Distortion is typically very non-organic, thin, and buzzy. Overdrive is typically more natural, and makes better use of the sonic spectrum. The problem is... many manufacturers make distortion pedals, and put the word "overdrive" on them (especially on the low end of the price spectrum). Your best bet is to try before you buy, unless you're already familiar with the manufacturer, it comes recommended by a friend who knows what you're looking for, or they do one helluva job of convincing you with their presentation, that theirs is a true overdrive. Many valve units that claim to be overdrives, can sound buzzy and unnatural. They typically come loaded with a 12AX7 (ECC83), which frequently provides gritty "electric razor" tone. A guy over in the amp/preamp forum clued me in to the idea of swapping the stock 12AX7 for a quality 12AU7 for more clean boost before distortion, and a more natural and controllable distortion. I'm anxious to play around with that when I have a little play money in my pocket

 

[theFixer]

The only 'rules' I follow are never unplug the bass with the amp V on and turn off the amp volume before turning off the amp. Are their really others?

I got one. Never unplug the load to your amp before making sure the amp is OFF!

 

[kat888]

I'm going to assume that pedals in bass world, aren't all that different from pedals in guitar world. If my assumption is correct... i would recommend avoiding anything that calls itself a "distortion" effect. Distortion is typically very non-organic, thin, and buzzy. Overdrive is typically more natural, and makes better use of the sonic spectrum. The problem is... many manufacturers make distortion pedals, and put the word "overdrive" on them (especially on the low end of the price spectrum). Your best bet is to try before you buy, unless you're already familiar with the manufacturer, it comes recommended by a friend who knows what you're looking for, or they do one helluva job of convincing you with their presentation, that theirs is a true overdrive. Many valve units that claim to be overdrives, can sound buzzy and unnatural. They typically come loaded with a 12AX7 (ECC83), which frequently provides gritty "electric razor" tone. A guy over in the amp/preamp forum clued me in to the idea of swapping the stock 12AX7 for a quality 12AU7 for more clean boost before distortion, and a more natural and controllable distortion. I'm anxious to play around with that when I have a little play money in my pocket

I am familiar with the electric razor effect ... and swapping in a 12AU7 didn’t help a lot. You are probably better off looking for a good SS emulation. I went down the valve OD into class D amp path and it was IME a waste of time and money. Definitely try before you buy.

Back in the day SS ODs were pretty nasty and they have improved markedly, but the line between good and fizzy is pretty narrow ... and they’re just not the same.

 

[theFixer]

I am familiar with the electric razor effect ... and swapping in a 12AU7 didn’t help a lot. You are probably better off looking for a good SS emulation. I went down the valve OD into class D amp path and it was IME a waste of time and money. Definitely try before you buy.

What valve unit did you try out (just so I know which one to not waste my time on)?

Back in the day SS ODs were pretty nasty and they have improved markedly, but the line between good and fizzy is pretty narrow ... and they’re just not the same.

You said it, Sister!

 

[kat888]

What valve unit did you try out (just so I know which one to not waste my time on)?


You said it, Sister!

PM sent

 

[hillerup]

Which leads me to wonder... if I were to crack somebody's skull with my Thunderbird... would it be considered an Epi-dural?

I believe so...

As a safety net... you could try Carlo's "ebonizing" technique prior to shipping

Could be worth a try...

No stranger than shipping a vintage Gibson from Japan to the U.S.

You got a point there, Fix!

In the thread that the member posted about that situation, someone replied about it, and mentioned the wood type used as something else, but i don't think it was Bubinga.
But according to a search i did, Rickenbacker confirms your statement Fix.
Wish i could find the thread to see what he had mentioned.
Caribbean Rosewood was mentioned by the seller, not restricted.

This one..:?

Ebay Restricted item?

 

[Gaolee]

If the containers are on the water its gonna be at least 6 weeks out to get to a dock, then its gotta go to distribution then to dealers, we are looking at December...ugh...

Better on the water than in the water.

 

[PillO]

We don't know yet, its not out for general consumption. Epiphone has pushed the release date back several times, I should probably call my Sweetwater Rep and have him look into it - On the other hand I have plenty of basses to play and not enough time already so............. Maybe tomorrow

My Sam Ash guy, who's one of the managers told me, that Sam Ash has reduced their orders on how many they will actually be getting.
They now have an expected date of 12/15, so i was told.

so you will get it in -8 days.

 

[Gaolee]

The only 'rules' I follow are never unplug the bass with the amp V on and turn off the amp volume before turning off the amp. Are their really others?

I have a slightly different set of rules for discharging the enormous capacitors in ACC noise making machinery. I turn off the amp, then play for a bit until the sound fades out in an awful, staticy, scratchy wimper. Then I unplug. It's unaesthetic, but at least you aren't carrying around 150 lbs of electric shock looking for a place to happen that way. Probably unnecessary, but it's what I do.

 

[PillO]

I am familiar with the electric razor effect ... and swapping in a 12AU7 didn’t help a lot. You are probably better off looking for a good SS emulation. I went down the valve OD into class D amp path and it was IME a waste of time and money. Definitely try before you buy.

Back in the day SS ODs were pretty nasty and they have improved markedly, but the line between good and fizzy is pretty narrow ... and they’re just not the same.

The tube units rarely sound good because the distortion is a result of plate starving. switching out the tubes wont help.

 

[Gaolee]

As far as shiny boxes, I don't use OD much, but I find that the little bit the ToneHammer can have is enough for the minimal grit I sometimes want. The fuzz circuit built into the 360 is fun to play with, but I hardly use it.

 

[Gaolee]

The tube units rarely sound good because the distortion is a result of plate starving. switching out the tubes wont help.

Another thing is that a 12AX7 is a more powerful tube than a 12AU7, if I'm not mistaken. That means you will get more clean headroom with the 12AX7. I'll occasionally put a 12AU7 into a small tube amp to get more drive at a lower volume. I wouldn't put one into anything I wanted to get more clean headroom out of.

 

[PillO]

So, I am back from surgery. the good; it's done. the bad it was the worse hand, so the surgery was more difficult and I knew what was coming. we had some good laughs in the OR because it helps me relive the tension.

but the worst is that I have type left handed! I now have sympathy for all the lefties. how do you manage using this hand?

 

[PillO]

Another thing is that a 12AX7 is a more powerful tube than a 12AU7, if I'm not mistaken. That means you will get more clean headroom with the 12AX7. I'll occasionally put a 12AU7 into a small tube amp to get more drive at a lower volume. I wouldn't put one into anything I wanted to get more clean headroom out of.

yep; a higher gain tube.