Thunderbird Club

[wolfkeller]

Yeah... BIG ol' can o' worms here! I shall attempt to tread carefully...

It definitely depends on the kinda music you wanna play, and your choice of basses, playing style, etc. Also, on my personal list of requirements, is the need to be able to transport it easily by myself (and my back's messed up pretty bad). Gallien Krueger caught my ear years ago. I find that they generally do a great job of reproducing whatever you put into them, and they produce a lot of high quality, low weight gear. The 700RB has been referred to was "a great rock amp" (and is our Queen's amp of choice). The 1001RB has been referred to as "bullet proof" (and will likely be my amp of choice when I'm ready for a bigger rig). There are those (myself included) who believe the "best" tone comes from tube amps... but going tube is expensive, large, and heavy. There is much to consider...

All the RB amps are bulletproof. The 700/1001 are probably more than shell ever need. That's why I say 400rb, small, light, killer sound, great power and cheap

 

[JJR58]

6 String Thunderbird in the classifieds....
For Sale/Trade - Rare LowEnd Thunderbird LET 6

That's pretty sweet looking, but even 4 strings is almost to many, but just right.

 

[bylar13]

Alright, can of worms... opened!

I could go over to the Amps side, but I trust you guys. So here we go. I'm a bedroom player with a Fender Rumble. The thing shakes the entire house, but I know it's a 25 watt combo amp for practicing at home. But, what if I'm starting to think about taking it to the next level and trying to find a local band to play small gigs. What rigs can I start looking at and what price range would be for respectable small venue gigging but not too crazy? I have no clue about heads, amps, whatever, except what I've been reading about so I want to get edu-macated and have the proper gear if and when I choose to take the plunge.

Thanks!

Depending on how much you can carry, I would suggest a head & cabinet vs. a combo. I find it easier to transport and pack a few smaller, light-ish pieces of equipment rather than one, large one. I would look for a solid state head that has at least 200w with a tone you like and alike a 1x15 or a 2x12 depending on what you like.

 

[JJR58]

All the RB amps are bulletproof. The 700/1001 are probably more than shell ever need. That's why I say 400rb, small, light, killer sound, great power and cheap

I too will vouch for the 700, most any good cab is a great pairing.

 

[wolfkeller]

Depending on how much you can carry, I would suggest a head & cabinet vs. a combo. I find it easier to transport and pack a few smaller, light-ish pieces of equipment rather than one, large one. I would look for a solid state head that has at least 200w with a tone you like and alike a 1x15 or a 2x12 depending on what you like.

Combo's tend to be heavier for sure plus your then stuck. You can use different cabs with the head if you want

Nope... don't want to buy crap, be unhappy, and then have to sell the crap and start over.
That's why I wanted to ask you guys.

 

[Dadagoboi]

He also builds beautiful basses.

Yes he does, out of real mahogany with set necks..many with ThunderBuckers!

Alright, can of worms... opened!

I could go over to the Amps side, but I trust you guys. So here we go. I'm a bedroom player with a Fender Rumble. The thing shakes the entire house, but I know it's a 25 watt combo amp for practicing at home. But, what if I'm starting to think about taking it to the next level and trying to find a local band to play small gigs. What rigs can I start looking at and what price range would be for respectable small venue gigging but not too crazy? I have no clue about heads, amps, whatever, except what I've been reading about so I want to get edu-macated and have the proper gear if and when I choose to take the plunge.

Thanks!

Set a budget, then buy something used off CraigsList. Maybe this GK in Ft. Lauderdale:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Looks very clean!

 

[dukeorock]

Alright, can of worms... opened!

I could go over to the Amps side, but I trust you guys. So here we go. I'm a bedroom player with a Fender Rumble. The thing shakes the entire house, but I know it's a 25 watt combo amp for practicing at home. But, what if I'm starting to think about taking it to the next level and trying to find a local band to play small gigs. What rigs can I start looking at and what price range would be for respectable small venue gigging but not too crazy? I have no clue about heads, amps, whatever, except what I've been reading about so I want to get edu-macated and have the proper gear if and when I choose to take the plunge.

Thanks!

How do you like your Rumble? Lots of people love em, so perhaps a larger model could be the ticket? What kind of sound are you going for?

Pre judging cabs by speaker size is a well worn myth. To say, “10’s do this, 12’s do that and 15’s do that other thing” is not only untrue, it could keep you away from a dream rig because you went in biased. It really depends on what sort of 10, 12, etc (there are many, all with different design goals) in what enclosure design. Keep an open mind and try as many different amps/cabs as you can. I’ve had this post gig conversation too many times...
(Them) “Man, I love your tone. What are you using?”
(Me) “Thanks! I’m running a sealed 18 with two soft dome mid drivers.”
(Them) “Really? You should try a (blah, blah), because the 12’s (or whatever) really have more of a (blah, blah)...”
(Me) “Umm, ok, but I thought you just said you love my tone?”

There a a ton of ways to get what you’re after and ultimately you’re the only judge of what that is for you. Take your time and have fun!

Just don't get crap equipment. Buy good stuff from the jump or you'll be doing it again.

Another option, if you play in places that have a PA and monitors, you can get a DI (ampeg scrdi, GK Plex, sansamp) and just plug right into the PA, no amp needed.

Where’s the fun in that?!
100% agree to do your homework and get the best rig you can afford, or you’ll just keep swapping out one piece of cheap crap for another and will have spent even more in the end.

 

[MommyPlaysBass]

Yes he does, out of real mahogany with set necks..many with ThunderBuckers!



Set a budget, then buy something used off CraigsList. Maybe this GK in Ft. Lauderdale:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Looks very clean!

Wow.. nice find! Thanks!

 

[JJR58]

There a a ton of ways to get what you’re after and ultimately you’re the only judge of what that is for you. Take your time and have fun!


100% agree to do your homework and get the best rig you can afford, or you’ll just keep swapping out one piece of cheap crap for another and will have spent even more in the end.

These two comments are the bottom line. All of our suggestions will just make your head spin, although they are good starting points.
You are the sole judge of what tone you're after.

 

[dukeorock]

Depending on how much you can carry, I would suggest a head & cabinet vs. a combo. I find it easier to transport and pack a few smaller, light-ish pieces of equipment rather than one, large one. I would look for a solid state head that has at least 200w with a tone you like and alike a 1x15 or a 2x12 depending on what you like.

Personally, I’d never buy a combo either. You get so many better options with separate head and cab purchases. But heck, if you find a combo you like, why not? I’d just never do it

 

[hillerup]

Living in the 80s...much better place to be that's a fact. No tide eating no b@##$ having jokers like today.

Living in the 80’s:

 

[MommyPlaysBass]

These two comments are the bottom line. All of our suggestions will just make your head spin, although they are good starting points.
You are the sole judge of what tone you're after.

Yes, thanks! I just wanted to get an idea of where to start and you guys pointed me in that direction and brought up some important things I should definitely consider. Exactly the info I needed!

 

[dukeorock]

Living in the 80’s:

I bought that record when it came out

 

[JJR58]

Yes, thanks! I just wanted to get an idea of where to start and you guys pointed me in that direction and brought up some important things I should definitely consider. Exactly the info I needed!

Everyone here will point you in the right direction. Most have way more experience then i with this sort of thing.

 

[MommyPlaysBass]

How do you like your Rumble? Lots of people love em, so perhaps a larger model could be the ticket? What kind of sound are you going for?

Pre judging cabs by speaker size is a well worn myth. To say, “10’s do this, 12’s do that and 15’s do that other thing” is not only untrue, it could keep you away from a dream rig because you went in biased. It really depends on what sort of 10, 12, etc (there are many, all with different design goals) in what enclosure design. Keep an open mind and try as many different amps/cabs as you can. I’ve had this post gig conversation too many times...
(Them) “Man, I love your tone. What are you using?”
(Me) “Thanks! I’m running a sealed 18 with two soft dome mid drivers.”
(Them) “Really? You should try a (blah, blah), because the 12’s (or whatever) really have more of a (blah, blah)...”
(Me) “Umm, ok, but I thought you just said you love my tone?”

There a a ton of ways to get what you’re after and ultimately you’re the only judge of what that is for you. Take your time and have fun!



Where’s the fun in that?!
100% agree to do your homework and get the best rig you can afford, or you’ll just keep swapping out one piece of cheap crap for another and will have spent even more in the end.

My Rumble is good, but I don't have much else to compare it to. With your suggestions now I have a starting point of what to look for and try out and then I'll be able to compare them. And I'll definitely try out the bigger Rumble models to compare them too. Thanks!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Get out of bed, walk into the bathroom. The cat tray is pushed out into the middle of the floor -- it's like some alien intelligence is trying to communicate with me. What is it trying to say?

"CLEAN ME"


EDIT: @BklynKen Beat me to it

 

[hillerup]

80s were definitely very uncool. Bandmates told me I'd be sacked if I so much as looked at a Thunderbird 'heavy metal bass'.

Those were the times, eh?

 

[JJR58]

This is what the 80's could have been. Love this album.

 

[dukeorock]

One thing I should never be asked about is pedals. My EHX Cock Fight came in a day early, so I’ve been messing around with that. No idea how to integrate it into anything I’m working on currently, but could be ok for recording. Still need to spend some time with it, but also not sure why I’m even going down this rabbit hole!

 

[hillerup]

I only know real names based on seeing them pop up enough, or PM’s with a few members.

That’s pretty much the same issue for me, but I’m still surprised when someone names a member by name, when it hasn’t been posted anywhere before...