Thunderbird Club

[dukeorock]

Maybe trade the Traynor for this?
For Sale/Trade - Weber ab200 all tube head

It’s actually kinda cool looking. Don’t know anything about em, but it looks cool

No that's 'bedroom' tone. You are supposed to have all EQ at 'noon' apart from bass, which you cut.

I’m a bass player. I like bass. It’s right there in my job description

It’s weird when I hear folks say they keep their amps ‘flat.’ In which venue? Which amp? Doesn’t matter, keep em ‘flat.’ Describes the way lots of those folks play. I like my amps set where I feel it sounds nice in THAT particular room, with That particular bass and THOSE particular players I’m working with

 

[dukeorock]

Also...string testing continues. Got a set of Cobalt flats in and a set of Chrome flats are on the way. The Dunlop flats on my Gretsch are pretty much shot, so I may put the Cobalts on that and try the chromes on the ‘14 ‘Bird when they arrive

 

[kat888]

I’m a bass player. I like bass. It’s right there in my job description

There should be a website for people like us.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

There should be a website for people like us.

no treble | the online magazine for bass players

 

[theFixer]

There should be a website for people like us.

I'm likin' that new sig, Kat!

 

[kat888]

hell... if I wanted to sound like that, I'd just get a Jazz bass!

Y'know I was thinking about jazz bassists of my acquaintance the other day -- Garrison, Mingus, Chambers, Carter ... none of them sound remotely like a Jazz bass. Weird huh?

 

[GBassNorth]

I suspected that the neck pickup is farther back on the Vintage Pro than on the Classic Pro. I just measured and confirmed it. The Vintage Pro is 60's spec. 3 1/4" from the base of the fingerboard to the front of the pickup. The Classic Pro is 2 1/2". This pickup location is crucial and a integral part of 60's Thunderbird tone! Epiphone got this bass right on so many levels. View attachment 2875496

And that right there would explain a lot of why I find this bass more aggressive sounding than my Gold Anniversary Bird. Interestingly enough, the VP pup spacing is the same as the Goth as well, which combined with its original pups explains the large mid bump in tone on that bass as well.

 

[dukeorock]

Y'know I was thinking about jazz bassists of my acquaintance the other day -- Garrison, Mingus, Chambers, Carter ... none of them sound remotely like a Jazz bass. Weird huh?

Very strange

Ron Carter is the reason I wanted to play upright. Not to play jazz, just for that sound. Still trying

 

[kat888]

And that right there would explain a lot of why I find this bass more aggressive sounding than my Gold Anniversary Bird. Interestingly enough, the VP pup spacing is the same as the Goth as well, which combined with its original pups explains the large mid bump in tone on that bass as well.

Strangely, considering everything that wasn't right with the Epi TBird PRO IV, the neck pickup position is bang on.

 

[Inky13]

Very strange

Ron Carter is the reason I wanted to play upright. Not to play jazz, just for that sound. Still trying

I was just over at the DB side reading a string thread about Labelle
black nylons that Ron helped design. If I had an extra $150 I'd like to
try a set. Oh well, my ten year old Red Diamonds will just have to
hang in there.

 

[dukeorock]

I was just over at the DB side reading a string thread about Labelle
black nylons that Ron helped design. If I had an extra $150 I'd like to
try a set. Oh well, my ten year old Red Diamonds will just have to
hang in there.

I haven’t tried those strings yet...on my live upright, I change the strings 3-4 times a year sometimes. At least two sets a year, but that’s if I’m lucky. At $340 a set, it hurts

 

[Inky13]

I haven’t tried those strings yet...on my live upright, I change the strings 3-4 times a year sometimes. At least two sets a year, but that’s if I’m lucky. At $340 a set, it hurts

Holy Mother of Pearl! You must be using guts. I think I've changed strings twice since 1988! And that's on three basses! You slap guys are a fun bunch. .

 

[dukeorock]

Holy Mother of Pearl! You must be using guts. I think I've changed strings twice since 1988! And that's on three basses! You slap guys are a fun bunch. .

I use a gut D&G still. Jargar Dolce A and either a Spiro Weich or Jargar medium E. Prices fluctuate, but I never get out for under $225 and that’s if I got lucky

 

[Megaton Aaron]

So... update on my Thunderbird from Sweewater (may be a bit of a long post);

To catch up anyone that may have missed my original posts (or if anyone forgot) I ordered the demo model of the 2018 Bright Cherry Thunderbird, and it arrived with cracks along the fretboard, and had pretty bad fret buzz on the first few frets on the G string;

After a few emails (with pictures) back and forth they offered to replace it with a brand new one, but I had to wait until they got some in stock. In the meantime I was able to hold onto the cracked one to play.

The other day I got a call from their tech support saying they got some in stock and were ready to arrange shipping for the exchange (I was originally told I would have to wait until Feb so it was a pleasant surprise). I told them that I would rather make the 2 hour drive to the store so I could look it over first and also not have to worry about it being damaged during shipping. Went in today and showed it to the salesman. He said "Oh, wow that's bad... that must have happened during shipping." Then, when they brought out the one they were holding for me and took it out of the box, the case didn't seem to be closed all the way. Opened it up, sure enough someone had put it in the case crooked and forced the lid shut. This bass had the exact same cracks as the one I originally got (possibly a bit worse) in the same places.

This time they had no choice to admit that one of their guys screwed up. They said they had one more left in stock that I could look at. At this point I wasn't feeling too optimistic.

They brought out the last one, I looked it over.... and it's perfect. No cracks, no dings, no imperfections at all that I can see;


This bass new is now listed on their site at $2200. I paid nearly $600 less than that. Long story short, Sweetwater took care of everything and I ended up getting a hell of a deal on a brand new Thunderbird. In the end I would say it was worth the trouble and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Dunno if I would ever take the chance of having an instrument shipped again, though.

 

[Shannon]

There should be a website for people like us.

Oh, the HUMANITY!

Y'know I was thinking about jazz bassists of my acquaintance the other day -- Garrison, Mingus, Chambers, Carter ... none of them sound remotely like a Jazz bass. Weird huh?

Well, these sound like a group of stalwart and upright folks then!

 

[TBird1958]

So... update on my Thunderbird from Sweewater (may be a bit of a long post);

To catch up anyone that may have missed my original posts (or if anyone forgot) I ordered the demo model of the 2018 Bright Cherry Thunderbird, and it arrived with cracks along the fretboard, and had pretty bad fret buzz on the first few frets on the G string;
View attachment 2875770
After a few emails (with pictures) back and forth they offered to replace it with a brand new one, but I had to wait until they got some in stock. In the meantime I was able to hold onto the cracked one to play.

The other day I got a call from their tech support saying they got some in stock and were ready to arrange shipping for the exchange (I was originally told I would have to wait until Feb so it was a pleasant surprise). I told them that I would rather make the 2 hour drive to the store so I could look it over first and also not have to worry about it being damaged during shipping. Went in today and showed it to the salesman. He said "Oh, wow that's bad... that must have happened during shipping." Then, when they brought out the one they were holding for me and took it out of the box, the case didn't seem to be closed all the way. Opened it up, sure enough someone had put it in the case crooked and forced the lid shut. This bass had the exact same cracks as the one I originally got (possibly a bit worse) in the same places.

This time they had no choice to admit that one of their guys screwed up. They said they had one more left in stock that I could look at. At this point I wasn't feeling too optimistic.

They brought out the last one, I looked it over.... and it's perfect. No cracks, no dings, no imperfections at all that I can see;
View attachment 2875771 View attachment 2875773

This bass new is now listed on their site at $2200. I paid nearly $600 less than that. Long story short, Sweetwater took care of everything and I ended up getting a hell of a deal on a brand new Thunderbird. In the end I would say it was worth the trouble and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Dunno if I would ever take the chance of having an instrument shipped again, though.

The Red is growing on me, glad Sweetwater took good care of you, they've always been first rate to deal with on my end.

 

[JJR58]

So... update on my Thunderbird from Sweewater (may be a bit of a long post);

To catch up anyone that may have missed my original posts (or if anyone forgot) I ordered the demo model of the 2018 Bright Cherry Thunderbird, and it arrived with cracks along the fretboard, and had pretty bad fret buzz on the first few frets on the G string;
View attachment 2875770
After a few emails (with pictures) back and forth they offered to replace it with a brand new one, but I had to wait until they got some in stock. In the meantime I was able to hold onto the cracked one to play.

The other day I got a call from their tech support saying they got some in stock and were ready to arrange shipping for the exchange (I was originally told I would have to wait until Feb so it was a pleasant surprise). I told them that I would rather make the 2 hour drive to the store so I could look it over first and also not have to worry about it being damaged during shipping. Went in today and showed it to the salesman. He said "Oh, wow that's bad... that must have happened during shipping." Then, when they brought out the one they were holding for me and took it out of the box, the case didn't seem to be closed all the way. Opened it up, sure enough someone had put it in the case crooked and forced the lid shut. This bass had the exact same cracks as the one I originally got (possibly a bit worse) in the same places.

This time they had no choice to admit that one of their guys screwed up. They said they had one more left in stock that I could look at. At this point I wasn't feeling too optimistic.

They brought out the last one, I looked it over.... and it's perfect. No cracks, no dings, no imperfections at all that I can see;
View attachment 2875771 View attachment 2875773

This bass new is now listed on their site at $2200. I paid nearly $600 less than that. Long story short, Sweetwater took care of everything and I ended up getting a hell of a deal on a brand new Thunderbird. In the end I would say it was worth the trouble and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Dunno if I would ever take the chance of having an instrument shipped again, though.

Glad it all worked out, great price and beautiful Bird.

 

[dukeorock]

So... update on my Thunderbird from Sweewater (may be a bit of a long post);

To catch up anyone that may have missed my original posts (or if anyone forgot) I ordered the demo model of the 2018 Bright Cherry Thunderbird, and it arrived with cracks along the fretboard, and had pretty bad fret buzz on the first few frets on the G string;
View attachment 2875770
After a few emails (with pictures) back and forth they offered to replace it with a brand new one, but I had to wait until they got some in stock. In the meantime I was able to hold onto the cracked one to play.

The other day I got a call from their tech support saying they got some in stock and were ready to arrange shipping for the exchange (I was originally told I would have to wait until Feb so it was a pleasant surprise). I told them that I would rather make the 2 hour drive to the store so I could look it over first and also not have to worry about it being damaged during shipping. Went in today and showed it to the salesman. He said "Oh, wow that's bad... that must have happened during shipping." Then, when they brought out the one they were holding for me and took it out of the box, the case didn't seem to be closed all the way. Opened it up, sure enough someone had put it in the case crooked and forced the lid shut. This bass had the exact same cracks as the one I originally got (possibly a bit worse) in the same places.

This time they had no choice to admit that one of their guys screwed up. They said they had one more left in stock that I could look at. At this point I wasn't feeling too optimistic.

They brought out the last one, I looked it over.... and it's perfect. No cracks, no dings, no imperfections at all that I can see;
View attachment 2875771 View attachment 2875773

This bass new is now listed on their site at $2200. I paid nearly $600 less than that. Long story short, Sweetwater took care of everything and I ended up getting a hell of a deal on a brand new Thunderbird. In the end I would say it was worth the trouble and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Dunno if I would ever take the chance of having an instrument shipped again, though.

Glad it all worked out! Congrats!

 

[Megaton Aaron]

The Red is growing on me, glad Sweetwater took good care of you, they've always been first rate to deal with on my end.

I absolutely love the finish on it. My only complaint is that every smudge or fingerprint really shows on it. I picked up a bottle of Gibson polish to keep in the case and keep it looking purty.

 

[BklynKen]

So... update on my Thunderbird from Sweewater (may be a bit of a long post);

To catch up anyone that may have missed my original posts (or if anyone forgot) I ordered the demo model of the 2018 Bright Cherry Thunderbird, and it arrived with cracks along the fretboard, and had pretty bad fret buzz on the first few frets on the G string;
View attachment 2875770
After a few emails (with pictures) back and forth they offered to replace it with a brand new one, but I had to wait until they got some in stock. In the meantime I was able to hold onto the cracked one to play.

The other day I got a call from their tech support saying they got some in stock and were ready to arrange shipping for the exchange (I was originally told I would have to wait until Feb so it was a pleasant surprise). I told them that I would rather make the 2 hour drive to the store so I could look it over first and also not have to worry about it being damaged during shipping. Went in today and showed it to the salesman. He said "Oh, wow that's bad... that must have happened during shipping." Then, when they brought out the one they were holding for me and took it out of the box, the case didn't seem to be closed all the way. Opened it up, sure enough someone had put it in the case crooked and forced the lid shut. This bass had the exact same cracks as the one I originally got (possibly a bit worse) in the same places.

This time they had no choice to admit that one of their guys screwed up. They said they had one more left in stock that I could look at. At this point I wasn't feeling too optimistic.

They brought out the last one, I looked it over.... and it's perfect. No cracks, no dings, no imperfections at all that I can see;
View attachment 2875771 View attachment 2875773

This bass new is now listed on their site at $2200. I paid nearly $600 less than that. Long story short, Sweetwater took care of everything and I ended up getting a hell of a deal on a brand new Thunderbird. In the end I would say it was worth the trouble and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Dunno if I would ever take the chance of having an instrument shipped again, though.

Nice one! Sorry to hear about all the stress involved, but glad you’re happy in the end.