Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

And speaking of coated strings...

Has anyone tried the Optima Gold plated strings that JAE used in the later years of his career?

I'm sure they would look really nice on either an Ebony or 50th Anniversary bird...

I have a set on order for my Gold anniversary bird. Should be here in a week or so. I'll post a pic once they're on.
Damn expensive strings but I use them on some of my basses and they last forever (well, 5+ years anyway).

 

[GBassNorth]

I was going to mention the Silver Stars but Michael beat me to it. Will probably try the Silver Stars on my Vintage Pro, or I may use a set of Smith Rock Masters. I love the Black Beauties and have them on several basses. I have the Peacock Blue on my black Hamer Bird and I was given a set of Red Devils for Christmas so I will be able to try those out soon as well. I am a big fan of DR strings..

I've always use Black Beauties to tame my Stingray basses. It didn't dawn on me that Silver Stars were the same thing. They may be perfect for my VP, which is a bit too aggressive with the stock stainless strings. Ok now that's 4 sets of strings I need to try on the VP (Roto Rounds, Roto Jazz flats, KS, DR SS) I'm sure one of them will meet my needs.

 

[GBassNorth]

WHY?!! Why do I get on Reverb at 2am?!!

New Way Huge Pork & Pickle OD/Fuzz pedal is now mine.

I have little to no willpower.

I swear pedals breed! If you only have one it's ok. But just like rabbits, if you have two, better make room for ten!

 

[dukeorock]

I swear pedals breed! If you only have one it's ok. But just like rabbits, if you have two, better make room for ten!

I think that’s true! I was telling some friends last night, I’ve never ‘needed’ a pedal. It won’t put an extra nickel in my pocket with the folks I play for. But for whatever reason, it sounds like fun again. Been through embarrassing amounts of dirt pedals and just don’t seem to hang on to em, but the Gasoline is great. But that led me to want to stack it with something more aggressive, so I got the Dunwich Volt Thrower. Now I want to get spacey and weird, so we’ll see where that leads. Ordered an EHX Canyon last night and spend way too much time on YouTube checking out different things

 

[Larry V]

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This got a bit of discussion a few days ago. Some speculation as to why Gibson is skipping NAMM and went to CES.

 

[MommyPlaysBass]

I think that’s true! I was telling some friends last night, I’ve never ‘needed’ a pedal. It won’t put an extra nickel in my pocket with the folks I play for. But for whatever reason, it sounds like fun again. Been through embarrassing amounts of dirt pedals and just don’t seem to hang on to em, but the Gasoline is great. But that led me to want to stack it with something more aggressive, so I got the Dunwich Volt Thrower. Now I want to get spacey and weird, so we’ll see where that leads. Ordered an EHX Canyon last night and spend way too much time on YouTube checking out different things

Yep, I was all over YouTube & Reverb last night. And the ridiculous thing is... I went from checking out stuff from $50 to $350. AND... the whole time I'm reminding myself... well, this might sound different from the video with each of my basses! In the end, I did what I usually do... bought something in the middle of the price range that seems to have what I'm looking for. And if it doesn't... it'll be sold off and the cycle begins again!

I was just going to get the Pork Loin but the brand new Pork & Pickle combo was the same price. Huh?!! I dunno... but it's mine now.

 

[dukeorock]

Yep, I was all over YouTube & Reverb last night. And the ridiculous thing is... I went from checking out stuff from $50 to $350. AND... the whole time I'm reminding myself... well, this might sound different from the video with each of my basses! In the end, I did what I usually do... bought something in the middle of the price range that seems to have what I'm looking for. And if it doesn't... it'll be sold off and the cycle begins again!

I was just going to get the Pork Loin but the brand new Pork & Pickle combo was the same price. Huh?!! I dunno... but it's mine now.

I had a Pork Loin and they’re really nice, especially the newer ones. Mine was older, but was still pretty cool. The Gasoline does a similar thing a bit better to my ears, but it’s also 3x the price :/ Getting Two pedals in one doesn’t suck! Lots of folks already complaining that it doesn’t do em both at once. While that would be nice, I suppose, I find it amusing how folks on TB will find anything to complain about regarding any piece of gear. Gotta redesign it in their own image. If you don’t like something the way it is, you can always buy something else!

 

[BklynKen]

Didn’t know that!!! I prefer silver, as our lord intended

Come on, man, you need some of those day glo ones!

Funny, I couldn’t sleep last night and wound up buying a pedal




So far I’m totally loving Black Beauty’s on the ‘14 ‘Bird. Searched out Silver Stars. A little tougher to find and more expensive once I did. I got nothing against the black, but not my preference on everything. Big fan of DR’s too. Love Lo-Riders on some of my basses

Being round core, and nickel-plated, you found the Black Beauties less bright and floppies than the Lo-Riders? Still looking forward to checking out the set of Lo-Riders I have here, but I’ve been stuck in a cycle of Rotosounds for the show coming up. After next week I can relax and start messing around again. But not until the new set I just put on on Monday are more worn out.

 

[dukeorock]

Come on, man, you need some of those day glo ones!


Being round core, and nickel-plated, you found the Black Beauties less bright and floppies than the Lo-Riders? Still looking forward to checking out the set of Lo-Riders I have here, but I’ve been stuck in a cycle of Rotosounds for the show coming up. After next week I can relax and start messing around again. But not until the new set I just put on on Monday are more worn out.

I didn’t notice any huge tension difference between Lo-Riders and BB’s, but I’m not real sensitive about either. For the more roots oriented gigs, I find the ‘14 has a nice muscular low end thing I like, but with Lo-Riders, it’s a bit too growly and gets a bit lost in the mix when I’m playing certain signature parts in some tunes. The BB’s have less growl/grain and more clarity. Playing my first gig on em tonight, so we’ll see!

 

[BklynKen]

I didn’t notice any huge tension difference between Lo-Riders and BB’s, but I’m not real sensitive about either. For the more roots oriented gigs, I find the ‘14 has a nice muscular low end thing I like, but with Lo-Riders, it’s a bit too growly and gets a bit lost in the mix when I’m playing certain signature parts in some tunes. The BB’s have less growl/grain and more clarity. Playing my first gig on em tonight, so we’ll see!

Cool. It’ll be interesting trying the Lo-Riders after the RS66.

 

[dukeorock]

Cool. It’ll be interesting trying the Lo-Riders after the RS66.

Haven’t run RS66’s in years, but have been meaning to!

 

[BklynKen]

Haven’t run RS66’s in years, but have been meaning to!

Well then take one for the team and try them out so we can get some good comparison data!

 

[BklynKen]

It IS interesting that what sounds good at home by yourself can not translate at all well in a band situation/mix. What works there can sound downright harsh and unpleasant on its own.

 

[dukeorock]

Well then take one for the team and try them out so we can get some good comparison data!

I am a team player, so...

It IS interesting that what sounds good at home by yourself can not translate at all well in a band situation/mix. Why works there can sound downright harsh and unpleasant on its own.

Truth!

 

[GIBrat51]

Did they just use a righty neck, and glued the wings on backwards?

Yeah, pretty much. They occasionally get a wild hair, and do it right - like my '01 COY 4003... to tell the truth, I kinda like it the other way round...

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

View attachment 2874642 Yeah, pretty much. They occasionally get a wild hair, and do it right - like my '01 COY 4003... to tell the truth, I kinda like it the other way round...

That is weird to look at, side by side!!

 

[BklynKen]

View attachment 2874642 Yeah, pretty much. They occasionally get a wild hair, and do it right - like my '01 COY 4003... to tell the truth, I kinda like it the other way round...

That's cool, but they still won't do the inlays the right way.

 

[crikker]

Do any of you have any pointers on how to pack a Thunderbird without a case? I tried a search in this thread without much luck. I want to sell mine but I'm worried about shipping it. I'm off to Google it also, but thought I'd ask the pros first. Thanks.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Do any of you have any pointers on how to pack a Thunderbird without a case? I tried a search in this thread without much luck. I want to sell mine but I'm worried about shipping it. I'm off to Google it also, but thought I'd ask the pros first. Thanks.

I've never shipped a bass before, but I if I were you, I'd bite the bullet and buy an Epiphone Thunderbird case.

 

[crikker]

I've never shipped a bass before, but I if I were you, I'd bite the bullet and buy an Epiphone Thunderbird case.

I think I might have to. It seems to be the safest way.