Thunderbird Club

[Dadagoboi]

The neck is a set neck on this model for some reason. AFAIK all other Dean Birds have bolt necks.
They have been using this body style for a while now, but before Carlo built the first Max? I wouldn't bet on it. I would imagine that if a guitar designer does any research for a JAE type Bird, Carlo's site would absolutely turn up in the top search results.

I'm getting old, Andy, memory's going! It is the one Dean's been selling years but the Black Satin doesn't have a pick guard. I did the MAX prototype in 2011, predates the Dean but I think it's just a case of two designers independently hitting on the obvious.

Alumatone and earliest version of the Cataldo headstock.

Reworked a few yeas ago, finished in Inverness Green, and sent to Germany.

 

[hillerup]

Like most debates you'll find on TalkBass... there are different schools of thought regarding bridges. First and foremost... folks in the Thunderbird Club are (obviously) passionate about their 'birds. Thunderbirds were originally released with a 2 point bridge with a claw tailpiece. Some will argue that this was the "best" bridge for the Thunderbird. Then Gibson decided to put the 3 point on everything. Since it was a Gibson issuance, is considered "acceptable" by collectors, but it's a love/hate thing for the players. Some consider it an improvement... and some think it's a horrible design. Then there's the Babicz (or other modern high-mass full-contact bridges), which are obviously designed to "improve" tone and sustain while providing superior control over your setup. There are a lotta folks here that respect the instrument's original design, and feel that changing hardware, is fixing a problem that doesn't exist, and steps further away from what it was that made them great. There are also plenty of folks who place a higher value on the features that come with HMFC bridge, than they do about keeping their 'birds all original. Neither approach is "right" or "wrong". I understand and respect both. I personally would take the time to evaluate each bass on an individual basis, and decide whether a change is needed or wanted. To me... the idea of swapping pups or hardware on a bass I haven't even held in my hands yet, just seems a bit like ordering dinner for a blind date who hasn't shown up yet.

The point of my rambling is this... it's important to be respectful and keep an open mind to the perspectives of others. Choosing terms like, "I like this one better", as opposed to "this one is better", is a great way to do that (and avoid confrontation). As a member of this club... you have access a vast amount of knowledge and experience from a fun group of folks who are quite generous with their time. It could be time well spent, to learn what you can from them. Keeping an open mind (even to old ideas), is how we grow as musicians

Damn, you’re good...

Where did all that come from?!

 

[dukeorock]

That's why it's impossible to pick a favorite instrument to play. It's like picking your favorite kid. They are just different, that's all.

I went through a phase where I really liked Cobalt Flats on Thunderbirds. I still like those strings very much. Black Beauties (and the other ones that are the same but different colors) are what I have on most everything for now. They work on everything, not just Thunderbirds. I have red ones (Red Devils?) on the P-Bird. There are clear coated strings that I'll probably put on the chromed out '91 one of these days. It has Cobalt Flats on it, and those sound great. So, it's going to be a while. The '15 has Sunbeams for the time being. Those are the ones I play the most for the time being, so those are the strings I can remember putting on and thinking about.

I’ve got a new set of Chromes as well as Cobalt flats sitting around...thinking of which I want to try next

Well, first off. Just (insert curse word), AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Jeff

 

[dukeorock]

I'm getting old, Andy, memory's going! It is the one Dean's been selling years but the Black Satin doesn't have a pick guard. I did the MAX prototype in 2011, predates the Dean but I think it's just a case of two designers independently hitting on the obvious.

View attachment 2895588
Alumatone and earliest version of the Cataldo headstock.

Reworked a few yeas ago, finished in Inverness Green, and sent to Germany.
View attachment 2895589

Love the Inverness!

 

[hillerup]

Yes I have custom shop 60's spec units in a few basses, this is before Thunderbuckers were available. Go with Thunderbuckers.

That reminds me:

You have a Vintage Pro and a Classic Pro with Chinabuckers - How do those pickups compare to each other?

 

[TBird1958]

I'm getting old, Andy, memory's going! It is the one Dean's been selling years but the Black Satin doesn't have a pick guard. I did the MAX prototype in 2011, predates the Dean but I think it's just a case of two designers independently hitting on the obvious.

View attachment 2895588
Alumatone and earliest version of the Cataldo headstock.

Reworked a few yeas ago, finished in Inverness Green, and sent to Germany.
View attachment 2895589

Did Peter Cook ever do anything quite this radical for JAE? Mostly curious, I'm not familiar with much of his work other than Ken Stewart's.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Love the Inverness!

There's plenty left! It IS a great color, '59 GM

Did Peter Cook ever do anything quite this radical for JAE? Mostly curious, I'm not familiar with much of his work other than Ken Stewart's.

He did a lot of stuff for JAE before the FenderBirds (lightning bolt Jazz for one) but after it was straight on to the ExplorerBirds AFAIK.

 

[hillerup]

I'm loving the Gibson pups on one of my Tbird, problem is I might need something more... fierce I'd say. Often I have to play Sixteenth notes at 180 or even 200 BPM, so If I can get my custom to sound more crushing with Duncan Pups it's awesome, if not I'm actually pretty happy with the Gibson pups already ahah... But you know... If you can take a risk and maybe improve your sound why shouldn't you?
Fact is that playing Prog Black is pretty strange in terms of sound... Should I improve the sound for the black parts or the prog ones? This question is why I'm considering changing my TE (that I adore 100%) for an EBS Fafner II, because I could do more with one amp head then.
It's hard to explain what I want without having you listen to my band, but fact is that we're still in the mixing process,

Sixteenth notes at 180 or even 200 BPM??? Damn that is fast!!!

I’m guessing you’re not a finger player?

 

[Nocturnal]

I'm getting old, Andy, memory's going! It is the one Dean's been selling years but the Black Satin doesn't have a pick guard. I did the MAX prototype in 2011, predates the Dean but I think it's just a case of two designers independently hitting on the obvious.

View attachment 2895588
Alumatone and earliest version of the Cataldo headstock.

Reworked a few yeas ago, finished in Inverness Green, and sent to Germany.
View attachment 2895589

According to this link you both released them in 2011. Funny that you both did this at the same time. I will cut Dean some slack then and not accuse them of borrowing your idea. Yours looks better anyhow. Their version (at least the one I tried) was clunky and bulky. Yours seems much more streamlined and because of that yours looks much easier to maneuver around on. The black satin Dean looks nicer than the previous versions and the lack of pickguard improves the looks, but the headstock looks pregnant to my eyes.

Gear Watch: Dean Guitars’ John Entwistle Signature Series

Here is a custom shop version that they created a few years ago, I think for NAMM. Looks nice but I think they had it listed for over $2500.....for a Dean.

 

[dukeorock]

According to this link you both released them in 2011. Funny that you both did this at the same time. I will cut Dean some slack then and not accuse them of borrowing your idea. Yours looks better anyhow. Their version (at least the one I tried) was clunky and bulky. Yours seems much more streamlined and because of that yours looks much easier to maneuver around on. The black satin Dean looks nicer than the previous versions and the lack of pickguard improves the looks, but the headstock looks pregnant to my eyes.

Gear Watch: Dean Guitars’ John Entwistle Signature Series

Here is a custom shop version that they created a few years ago, I think for NAMM. Looks nice but I think they had it listed for over $2500.....for a Dean.

View attachment 2895614

What the heck are all them knobs for?! No offense to Dean, but I’ll stick with Cataldo’s

 

[dukeorock]

Nearly done obsessing over pickups and strings for the night, but not quite yet. I’m really surprised in that clip I did, how much the TB ‘63 sounds like a chunkier P bass. Considering I put zero effort into that little test, that’s my takeaway. That, and I need to rip those Sunbeams off the 2014 asap

*also, the recordings of the Gibson’s were neck pickup solo’d and tone wide open. Tone wide open on the Cataldo as well

 

[JJR58]

Nearly done obsessing over pickups and strings for the night, but not quite yet. I’m really surprised in that clip I did, how much the TB ‘63 sounds like a chunkier P bass. Considering I put zero effort into that little test, that’s my takeaway. That, and I need to rip those Sunbeams off the 2014 asap

Best Pbass tone ever!!!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I did not know that.... However, if the inserts match then it shouldn’t be a problem going from a Gibson bridge to a Babicz, and vice versa - as long as the original bolts for that specific bridge goes with it...

I’m sure Gaolee will be able to answer this, having Gibson’s with both the 3-point and a Babicz...

Correct

 

[Dadagoboi]

According to this link you both released them in 2011. Funny that you both did this at the same time. I will cut Dean some slack then and not accuse them of borrowing your idea. Yours looks better anyhow. Their version (at least the one I tried) was clunky and bulky. Yours seems much more streamlined and because of that yours looks much easier to maneuver around on. The black satin Dean looks nicer than the previous versions and the lack of pickguard improves the looks, but the headstock looks pregnant to my eyes.

Gear Watch: Dean Guitars’ John Entwistle Signature Series

Here is a custom shop version that they created a few years ago, I think for NAMM. Looks nice but I think they had it listed for over $2500.....for a Dean.

View attachment 2895614

GC deep discounted that first run of Dean Hybrids, in fact I thought Dean had discontinued them. The run of 25 CS 'Spiders' was also slow moving. Never saw that blue CS Hybrid, nice!

Here's the very first MAX mockup, Dec 23, 2010. I'm relieved!

 

[hillerup]

How could we not? Firefly and Serenity were the best!

Great stuff indeed.... But nothing beats Farscape IMHO...

 

[JJR58]

Great stuff indeed.... But nothing beats Farscape IMHO...

How about Helix?

 

[hillerup]

View attachment 2893904 Hello my brethren, proud owner here!

Nice... But... What’s in the bucket?

 

[hillerup]

WE NEED TO DO A FULL MEDICAL CHECK, STAT!!
IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?! oh... ya.... Present!!

Doctor’s in the house!

 

[kat888]

Doctor’s in the house!

View attachment 2895684

Between @hillerup and @Dr_Feelgoood212 ... I think I'll try Herr Doktor Till Lindeman.

 

[Dadagoboi]

What the heck are all them knobs for?! No offense to Dean, but I’ll stick with Cataldo’s

Entwistle's last basses had lots of knobs, this was the very last design, a Status Buzzard for the punters. Precision meets TBird, same electronics as his carbon fiber Buzzards. Basswood body.

I did a 'restoration' on this one. No trussrod, no relief on the thin CF neck, badly worn frets, and it still played like a dream. Big radius fret board, very little taper from the 1-3/4" nut to the 16mm spacing bridge.

Figured JAE would have approved the gold, guys in the UK Status club did.