Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

Something tells me there won’t be a ‘make offer’ button for awhile on these
They do look cool though. I kinda like the big (graphic) sliders. Could make things easier/faster live

Absolutely. I wonder what those will go for and whether one of those might be a better option than the ToneHammer. Not that the ToneHammer doesn't do its job just fine. But, shiny box changes just because changes.

 

[Gaolee]

Unless there were examples of both in 1964, the dark fades at the neck heal and nut area suggest a repair. My '64 II is devoid of those dark fades.

It was all hand done, so there's probably plenty of variation. Kinda like the infamous Ric Bozo-Glo.

 

[dukeorock]

Absolutely. I wonder what those will go for and whether one of those might be a better option than the ToneHammer. Not that the ToneHammer doesn't do its job just fine. But, shiny box changes just because changes.

I have no idea if it will be an improvement on the Tone Hammer or not. Certainly looks more versatile. I have a Tone Hammer DI and it sounds pretty good to me, but the distortion section is useless live. A little surprised they never updated that box

 

[Dadagoboi]

That’s some well thought out stuff. Looks very promising!

I guess they finally ran out of space for knobs.

Checked tracking on my Cataldo. Was supposed to arrive yesterday, but didn’t. Not the end of the world. Checked tracking again today and it said, “label created by not yet in the system.” The shipping gods aren’t my friends lately...still pretty sure I’ll get the bass today though

I ran the number, says it's out for delivery as of 07.55

 

[dukeorock]

I guess they finally ran out of space for knobs.

I ran the number, says it's out for delivery as of 07.55

That sounds very realistic!

 

[Dadagoboi]

Unless there were examples of both in 1964, the dark fades at the neck heal and nut area suggest a repair. My '64 II is devoid of those dark fades.

It was all hand done, so there's probably plenty of variation. Kinda like the infamous Ric Bozo-Glo.

It says there's a neck repair but doesn't mention the heel.

No shading of any kind on the back of mine, either...except from the brutal belt rash. I'll refrain from showing that because, you know, the children.

 

[BklynKen]

Checked tracking on my Cataldo. Was supposed to arrive yesterday, but didn’t. Not the end of the world. Checked tracking again today and it said, “label created by not yet in the system.” The shipping gods aren’t my friends lately...still pretty sure I’ll get the bass today though

You'll probably get the notice that it's shipped AFTER you receive it.

 

[dukeorock]

You'll probably get the notice that it's shipped AFTER you receive it.

That does happen a lot!

 

[dukeorock]

I always bite my nails when I ship cabs out. Easy to imagine what can happen out there. Whenever I ship or receive a bass, obviously I want it as quick as possible because it’s one less day that it’s sitting in a truck getting jostled around

 

[Dadagoboi]

Billy Sheehan can play anything, and it seems he often does, all at the same time. But I can't imagine anyone has put more thought into his gear. No secrets here!

 

[JIO]

It says there's a neck repair but doesn't mention the heel.

No shading of any kind on the back of mine, either...except from the brutal belt rash. I'll refrain from showing that because, you know, the children.

Well that explains the neck shading - maybe they did the heal shading to visually balance/relate the neck shading. Stranger things have happened...

 

[JJR58]

Billy Sheehan can play anything, and it seems he often does, all at the same time. But I can't imagine anyone has put more thought into his gear. No secrets here!

He truly is amazing. He does it so effortlessly.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Well that explains the neck shading - maybe they did the heal shading to visually balance/relate the neck shading. Stranger things have happened...

Was the heel strap button removed?

 

[Gaolee]

I have no idea if it will be an improvement on the Tone Hammer or not. Certainly looks more versatile. I have a Tone Hammer DI and it sounds pretty good to me, but the distortion section is useless live. A little surprised they never updated that box

The distortion section is one of those things that has to be always on or always off. I mostly use the ToneHammer for impedance matching and feedback control. Since I don't use dirt, there's no reason to replace the ToneHammer. But, shiny boxes.

 

[JIO]

Was the heel strap button removed?

if basses could talk...

 

[dukeorock]

Billy Sheehan can play anything, and it seems he often does, all at the same time. But I can't imagine anyone has put more thought into his gear. No secrets here!

Wow, that’s a pretty elaborate setup!

 

[dukeorock]

The distortion section is one of those things that has to be always on or always off. I mostly use the ToneHammer for impedance matching and feedback control. Since I don't use dirt, there's no reason to replace the ToneHammer. But, shiny boxes.

You’re preaching to the choir

 

[Dadagoboi]

Wow, that’s a pretty elaborate setup!

I think he does one of those vids every year or so. In the last one I saw he was using 4-10 (bass) and 1-15 (treble) Hartke sealed cabs, paper cone speakers. Same bass and amps and similar outboard gear but less of them. No synth.

Anyone I know who's met him says he's a great guy. I liked his aside about Rotosounds. The last time I used them was during the period he said they'd had problems. Have to give them another shot.

 

[BklynKen]

I think he does one of those vids every year or so. In the last one I saw he was using 4-10 (bass) and 1-15 (treble) Hartke sealed cabs, paper cone speakers. Same bass and amps and similar outboard gear but less of them. No synth.

Anyone I know who's met him says he's a great guy. I liked his aside about Rotosounds. The last time I used them was during the period he said they'd had problems. Have to give them another shot.

Thanks for posting that. I always love watching Billy. He really does seem like a great guy. Never a reason to be a dick.

 

[veebass]

Only worth that price with an intact head stock IMO.



Damaged input jack area, almost as common as broken head stocks.

View attachment 2888432

Judging from the evidence the original Carter jack on mine must have gone bad and a previous owner or his 'luthier' thinned out the underside to install a standard Switchcraft jack instead of a long one resulting in the top cracking when stressed. I removed the football jack plate that was on it, stole a Carter from my '67 Embassy and added a minimal fender washer made of pick guard stock. Yes, fender washer is a thing.

Luthier is in quotes for a reason....as @godofthunder59 knows, the first rule of repair is 'do no harm'. That's why I'm glad there's no head stock repair on mine . You never know how good a job was done until it breaks again.

I never tire of pics of that bass.