Thunderbird Club

[bylar13]

So is this a deal if you like Acoustic bass amps?

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or this?

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[BklynKen]

Anyone here know the band The Walkmen? This is the amp I played through tonight.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Anyone here know the band The Walkmen? This is the amp I played through tonight.

View attachment 2780529

I thought Sony was the brand and it was Walkman…

 

[Korladis]

That Lowlander bass is cool, but jeez, that's expensive.

 

[Count Bassie]

ThunderBucker 66S (but you were expecting me to say that).

I'm looking this way, think I can get there by moving a couple things... discovering what recent acquisitions work, which I'm not using.
So, yeah, I'll get there.

 

[lowend1]

Test...
<a href=""><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vnMzIa2.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[theFixer]

Interesting........That PG shape though.

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"Interesting" you say? I'll go along with that. I stared at this one for a while before officially deciding I don't like it. What bugs me more than the pick guard, is those "horns" (for lack of a better term). The sexiness of the Thunderbird, largely comes from it's flowing curvaceous lines. those cutaways and points make it look more like a Teisco than a $3,000.00 master-piece. I'm certain it truly is a well made fiddle. I like the various neck/headstock reinforcements... and I love the large trapezoidal center block... but that's where it ends for me. The thing I find most attractive about Cataldo, is Carlo's sense of style. The way the curves, lines, & colors all work together to create the overall look of the bass. The Lowlander falls way short in that department. It's like those Chevy Impalas from the mid - late '90's. The front end doesn't match the back end... and that pick guard... though not unattractive by itself, it doesn't really seem to have anything to do with the rest of the bass. The main thing that keeps me from buying it, is the price tag. The thing that keeps me from wanting it is the design (Wuddya know! Two elements about this bass that work well together).

 

[Instagator]

For you guys waiting for the Vintage Pro Thunderbird to arrive..I'm going to use my Embassy at the gig this weekend.I haven't used it "live" with the band yet.Ill let you all know what I think of those Pro Buckers through a 70s SVT and a pair of Bergantino NV115's

 

[theFixer]

View attachment 2780706 View attachment 2780706 For you guys waiting for the Vintage Pro Thunderbird to arrive..I'm going to use my Embassy at the gig this weekend.I haven't used it "live" with the band yet.Ill let you all know what I think of those Pro Buckets through a 70s SVT and a pair of Bergantino NV115's

Nice! When did yours arrive?

 

[redstrand]

View attachment 2780706 View attachment 2780706 For you guys waiting for the Vintage Pro Thunderbird to arrive..I'm going to use my Embassy at the gig this weekend.I haven't used it "live" with the band yet.Ill let you all know what I think of those Pro Buckets through a 70s SVT and a pair of Bergantino NV115's

Massive drool, please do fill us in. Might spring for one after Xmas

 

[Instagator]

Nice! When did yours arrive?

I got it on October 3..first delivery attempt was Sept 30...I had to sign for it.

 

[JJR58]

He does kinda have a "OH! I just can't decide" kinda look on his face!

Actually, he just saw a Thunderbird.

 

[Instagator]

New Epiphone basses

A short review of what might be expected when the T-Bird Vintage Pro arrives..Post #205

 

[BklynKen]

New Epiphone basses

A short review of what might be expected when the T-Bird Vintage Pro arrives..Post #205

Great stuff. I wish they made them left-handed.

 

[TBird1958]

"Interesting" you say? I'll go along with that. I stared at this one for a while before officially deciding I don't like it. What bugs me more than the pick guard, is those "horns" (for lack of a better term). The sexiness of the Thunderbird, largely comes from it's flowing curvaceous lines. those cutaways and points make it look more like a Teisco than a $3,000.00 master-piece. I'm certain it truly is a well made fiddle. I like the various neck/headstock reinforcements... and I love the large trapezoidal center block... but that's where it ends for me. The thing I find most attractive about Cataldo, is Carlo's sense of style. The way the curves, lines, & colors all work together to create the overall look of the bass. The Lowlander falls way short in that department. It's like those Chevy Impalas from the mid - late '90's. The front end doesn't match the back end... and that pick guard... though not unattractive by itself, it doesn't really seem to have anything to do with the rest of the bass. The main thing that keeps me from buying it, is the price tag. The thing that keeps me from wanting it is the design (Wuddya know! Two elements about this bass that work well together).

I do agree on the aesthetics, PG aside I don't usually care for re-designs of a shape that I consider to be the best out there, this one just isn't "right" to my eye. I do like the shape of the center block tho, and the builder is faithful to the original Thunderbird in terms of concept, that is, a multi-ply laminated through neck bass with a very specific type of pickup(s). So this isn't going to be an inexpensive bass to build, especially at the boutique level as opposed to mass production, I don't think his pricing is out of line but, I'm still not biting on one either

 

[Gaolee]

So is this a deal if you like Acoustic bass amps?

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or this?

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Both are excellent amps as far as they go. They are big and heavy for 125 watt combos, but you would not think they were underpowered in anything but the most raucuous setting. I have a 126, the second one, and have had it since 1981. It has been in for repairs exactly twice. The first time was when I had it for a month or so, and the big capacitor blew up. That got repaired under warranty, even thought I got it used. The second time was a few years ago when a resistor failed. Not bad for 35 years of use and abuse.

I have seen them go for a whole lot more than those asking prices. If you can negotiate with the sellers, you will get a screaming deal if those are in good shape. Even if they are stuck on the price, I think those are pretty cheap for either one of those. I'm hardly up to date on Acoustic Control prices, especially the combos since I'm not in the market for one. Meaning take what I say with that in mind.

 

[BklynKen]

The drummer quit last night. Not entirely unexpected since he was a ticking time bomb, but it's as stressful as it's a relief, since we now have to find another drummer.

 

[Gaolee]

I don't mind the shape oddities DeGier put into his build all that much. It's not a Gibson or Epi, so I'll give him a pass. He appears to have thought it through, but I will agree that some of his aesthetic choices seem like what happens when a designer has too many ideas and tries to use them all. That never turns out well.

As far as balance, I had the '91 out to play last night, and it did what it does. Say put wherever you want it to be. No need for DeGier's update. It felt a bit heavy. I guess being used to the '15 makes it heavy by comparison. It reminded me why I like Cobalt Flats. It can tawang, snarl, growl, and whatever else you want it to do. Making it behave like a tame animal is a bit of work. It's a keeper, too. Actually, I'm not convinced there's such a thing as a 'Bird that isn't a keeper under normal circumstances.

 

[TBird1958]

The drummer quit last night. Not entirely unexpected since he was a ticking time bomb, but it's as stressful as it's a relief, since we now have to find another drummer.

I feel your pain!


I'm interviewing a possible candidate this Monday eve - wish me luck!

 

[D.M.N.]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the fretboard material is on the new Epi birds? It's not listed on the specs sheet, and someone in the Epiphone bass thread was speculating it was a composite of some sort.