Thunderbird Club

[dukeorock]

Totally understood. The changing of the tuners would really be for nothing else other then keeping it better in tune. Otherwise, i'd probably leave just as is.
And perception is a funny thing, isn't it.

It really is. Honestly, I’d prefer all nickel hardware and pickup covers to what I currently have on my ‘Bird. The problem is, I love that bass so much I’m afraid to change anything about it. Which is why I’m thinking a good looking/feeling Epi or similar with Lollars and silver hardware would make more sense. Plus I’d have another ‘Bird

 

[JJR58]

It really is. Honestly, I’d prefer all nickel hardware and pickup covers to what I currently have on my ‘Bird. The problem is, I love that bass so much I’m afraid to change anything about it. Which is why I’m thinking a good looking/feeling Epi or similar with Lollars and silver hardware would make more sense. Plus I’d have another ‘Bird

And that all makes perfectly good sense. Don't fix what aint broke.

 

[TBird1958]

Let's get this thread back on topic. My Vintage Pro arrived late last week but just found some time for pics...View attachment 2841365

Very nice, it seems we have the same (good) taste in basses Sir, shall I add you to our club?

 

[Korladis]

I was watching someone talk about recording drums and they were using a standard Johns 4 mic (57 on the snare) plus another 4 room mics which I thought over the top. Fine if you have loads of mics and plenty of channels to play with.

I think we used at least four mics on drums, maybe a couple room mics. Can't tell for sure from the picture (I wasn't there for drum tracking).

Used four for bass, and three or four on guitars.

 

[Gaolee]

Oh! Yeah, it’s really common to put a piezo contact underneath the fingerboard. My live bass is wired that way, but I disconnected it years ago. It’s part of why I went down the boutique bass cab rabbit hole

My bass already has a piezo in the bridge. I want to put a clicky pickup under the end of the fingerboard somewhere and run both into a preamp I can use to blend them. Some kinds of music need a lot of fingerboard slap. Others, it's not so good. With an onboard preamp attached to the tail, I can blend 'em back and forth as needed, often in the same set. That comes after about a zillion other projects, though.

 

[dukeorock]

I think we used at least four mics on drums, maybe a couple room mics. Can't tell for sure from the picture (I wasn't there for drum tracking).

Used four for bass, and three or four on guitars.

I think it’s more common to use a lot of mics on drums than not to. I just like the simplicity and openness of less mics. Actually, it makes more sense to me to have more mics on guitars especially for getting the right blend come mix time. We all want ‘our sound’ but if it doesn’t blend well in the mix it’s just a big, unfocused mess. “Everything louder than everything else.” In your case, a lot of bass mics makes sense because your band has such a layered, dense sound

 

[dukeorock]

My bass already has a piezo in the bridge. I want to put a clicky pickup under the end of the fingerboard somewhere and run both into a preamp I can use to blend them. Some kinds of music need a lot of fingerboard slap. Others, it's not so good. With an onboard preamp attached to the tail, I can blend 'em back and forth as needed, often in the same set. That comes after about a zillion other projects, though.

Before I got my current live upright, I always used a clickie pickup, but I’ve never been able to get what I want on this current bass. It’s an awesome sounding bass otherwise. Using cabs with 2/3 way parts is my solution and it totally works for me.

 

[Korladis]

I think it’s more common to use a lot of mics on drums than not to. I just like the simplicity and openness of less mics. Actually, it makes more sense to me to have more mics on guitars especially for getting the right blend come mix time. We all want ‘our sound’ but if it doesn’t blend well in the mix it’s just a big, unfocused mess. “Everything louder than everything else.” In your case, a lot of bass mics makes sense because your band has such a layered, dense sound

Partly just gave us a lot of options without having to re-record anything. I think we used mainly the SM7B and the RE20 signals, though.

 

[Korladis]

Before I got my current live upright, I always used a clickie pickup, but I’ve never been able to get what I want on this current bass. It’s an awesome sounding bass otherwise. Using cabs with 2/3 way parts is my solution and it totally works for me.

I want to get a magnetic pickup for my upright. The piezo is just too prone to feedback for live use.

 

[dukeorock]

I want to get a magnetic pickup for my upright. The piezo is just too prone to feedback for live use.

Depends on the bass and what you’re going for. At one time Legendary ShackShakers were brutally loud and I always used piezo pickups. It can be done, most of the time, but it ain’t easy! I can’t use mag pickups because I use gut strings on my D&G. Mags also take away from the acoustic sound, but at high volume, you sacrifice that anyway

 

[Korladis]

Depends on the bass and what you’re going for. At one time Legendary ShackShakers were brutally loud and I always used piezo pickups. It can be done, most of the time, but it ain’t easy! I can’t use mag pickups because I use gut strings on my D&G. Mags also take away from the acoustic sound, but at high volume, you sacrifice that anyway

It already has a piezo pickup, which I use for recording. Mainly trying to get a live sound that won't feed back through an amp.

 

[Gaolee]

I want to get a magnetic pickup for my upright. The piezo is just too prone to feedback for live use.

It sure is. A good sound man and relatively low stage volumes makes a big difference. I stand between the bass and the amp whenever possible and sometimes even go to the side of the stage away from the amp. Kinds odd looking, but if you have to do it to avoid the howls, it's what you do. I also use a HPF and Tonehammer to dial out rumble and feedback. The Tonehammer can work as a limited notch filter if necessary. Same with the Variamp on the 360 and the parametric EQ on the Carvin. There's lots of things - none of 'em foolproof and all a pain in the butt to figure out on the fly when it all starts to go haywire.

The issue for me with a magnetic pickup is string choice. I use Evah Pirastros, which are wound synthetic for E and A, and gut for D and G. A magnetic wouldn't pick that signal up because there's no metal at all in two strings and not so much in the other two. I could switch strings, but those last so long and sound so good that I don't want to. Plus they are really easy on the fingers in a way that steelies aren't. I thought about putting Spiros on it. My brother has Spiros on his, and they sounded great for a while. Then they didn't any more. The strings I have still sound about the same as they did 18 months ago when I put them on. If anything, they sound better now and they are certainly more stable.

Who would have thought discussions of 'Birds would have evolved into microphones and clicky pickups! I guess people who play Thunderbirds don't get hung up on convention or protocol and get their fingers into all kinds of other things. Who would have thought?

 

[JJR58]

I sure wish i had an upright . I learned to play one in High School. But it has been a long time, point is, i'd love to pick it up again.
I think trying to play an upright in my apartment might be an issue though. And coming up with the dough for one as well.

 

[Korladis]

It sure is. A good sound man and relatively low stage volumes makes a big difference. I stand between the bass and the amp whenever possible and sometimes even go to the side of the stage away from the amp. Kinds odd looking, but if you have to do it to avoid the howls, it's what you do. I also use a HPF and Tonehammer to dial out rumble and feedback. The Tonehammer can work as a limited notch filter if necessary. Same with the Variamp on the 360 and the parametric EQ on the Carvin. There's lots of things - none of 'em foolproof and all a pain in the butt to figure out on the fly when it all starts to go haywire.

The issue for me with a magnetic pickup is string choice. I use Evah Pirastros, which are wound synthetic for E and A, and gut for D and G. A magnetic wouldn't pick that signal up because there's no metal at all in two strings and not so much in the other two. I could switch strings, but those last so long and sound so good that I don't want to. Plus they are really easy on the fingers in a way that steelies aren't. I thought about putting Spiros on it. My brother has Spiros on his, and they sounded great for a while. Then they didn't any more. The strings I have still sound about the same as they did 18 months ago when I put them on. If anything, they sound better now and they are certainly more stable.

Who would have thought discussions of 'Birds would have evolved into microphones and clicky pickups! I guess people who play Thunderbirds don't get hung up on convention or protocol and get their fingers into all kinds of other things. Who would have thought?

I don't use gut strings, so not an issue for me. Not sure what strings are on it right now, same ones that have been on it for decades.

 

[RikiP]

Ok, so trying to stay on topic, and i'm guilty as all get out for not......................
This might ruffle some feathers. I took the rings off, just to see what it would look like. And i personally like it. With that steaming heap of a bridge.......................The bass just looks more balanced, look wise.
Yeah, i'm vain.

View attachment 2841401

nice.
what strings do you use?

 

[dukeorock]

It already has a piezo pickup, which I use for recording. Mainly trying to get a live sound that won't feed back through an amp.

The easiest solution lots of loud upright players use, is adding a second soundpost, one on each underside of the bridge feet. Works great and can sound better than you’d think

It sure is. A good sound man and relatively low stage volumes makes a big difference. I stand between the bass and the amp whenever possible and sometimes even go to the side of the stage away from the amp. Kinds odd looking, but if you have to do it to avoid the howls, it's what you do. I also use a HPF and Tonehammer to dial out rumble and feedback. The Tonehammer can work as a limited notch filter if necessary. Same with the Variamp on the 360 and the parametric EQ on the Carvin. There's lots of things - none of 'em foolproof and all a pain in the butt to figure out on the fly when it all starts to go haywire.

The issue for me with a magnetic pickup is string choice. I use Evah Pirastros, which are wound synthetic for E and A, and gut for D and G. A magnetic wouldn't pick that signal up because there's no metal at all in two strings and not so much in the other two. I could switch strings, but those last so long and sound so good that I don't want to. Plus they are really easy on the fingers in a way that steelies aren't. I thought about putting Spiros on it. My brother has Spiros on his, and they sounded great for a while. Then they didn't any more. The strings I have still sound about the same as they did 18 months ago when I put them on. If anything, they sound better now and they are certainly more stable.

Who would have thought discussions of 'Birds would have evolved into microphones and clicky pickups! I guess people who play Thunderbirds don't get hung up on convention or protocol and get their fingers into all kinds of other things. Who would have thought?

I love all things bass. Sorry I derail too much!

I thought Pirastros were metal wrapped over gut? I used to use em for E&A, but aside from being ungodly expensive these days, I wasn’t getting enough longevity out of em. Jargar Dolces For E&A. Solo gauge steels. They sound good, aren’t terribly expensive and don’t tear up your fingers as bad as some strings. Every upright I’ve ever owned has blood on it. Loud, slap upright is brutal on my hands, but I love it!

I sure wish i had an upright . I learned to play one in High School. But it has been a long time, point is, i'd love to pick it up again.
I think trying to play an upright in my apartment might be an issue though. And coming up with the dough for one as well.

Everything about upright is an expensive pain in the butt! I sure do love em though

 

[JJR58]

nice.
what strings do you use?

Colbalt flats.

 

[dukeorock]

Colbalt flats.

Been meaning to try those

 

[dukeorock]

Doing a gig with Derek Hoke tonight. He’s amazing. Kind of a mash up of classic country, blues and 60’s soul. Insane guitar player. I’ve found my Gretsch w/ flats to be the best bass for that gig (or often times, upright), but I showed him my new ‘Bird and asked if I could bring that. Thankfully, he was all about it! He has a really cool Fano NR that he sometimes plays. First gig with the new ‘Bird!

 

[Gaolee]

Everything about upright is an expensive pain in the butt! I sure do love em though

Truth. Plus, they hurt. Slap hurts, you get snagged and wrenched all the time by obstacles while carrying it. Maneuvering it can be a challenge. The bag I carry mine in cost more than a used bolt-on Epi. There's a level of paranoia every time I put a bow on mine, especially in front of an audience because some awful noise is so easy to get by mistake. I have no choice but to have a big, hollow tin can for a vehicle, because the bass won't fit in much of anything else, let alone the bass and anything else.

It's what I play most these days. It's worth every pain, pain in the butt, and expense.

I'm trying to figure out an excuse to play a gig where I can play the upright for a set and then pull out a 'Bird. Maybe the fretless 'Bird, just for orneriness sake.