Thunderbird Club

[Stevis]

I mostly play with 3 drummers. Couple other guys, but mostly these 3 dudes. For the most part, they don’t say much about me trying lots of different gear. But all 3 This week told me my T Bird strung with Black Beauty strings is their favorite bass sound. One of em can even tell me which amp and cab is his favorite (Mesa D800 and 1822), but all three are unanimous about that bass with those strings...just thought that was strange. May try Black Beauty’s on the Cataldo, but right now it’s working too great on these current sessions with the Chrome flats, so they’re staying on for awhile. Black Beauty really are kind of a best of both worlds kinda string and they’re lasting better than any rounds I use, so that’s a bonus

I have never been in a situation where I was playing in different bands and with different drummers (at the same time). So, I have a question for you since you mentioned here about playing with at least three different drummers in your various current musical projects. I was curious as to whether you find it a challenge to transition back and forth, while you work with each of them?

I know that you are all pros at what you do ("Nashville cats, play clean as . . ."). But I was wondering if there are salient differences in their approach to rhythm/keeping time. For example, do you have to remind yourself, "oh yeah, drummer 'x' does it this way and I need to adjust to that, as opposed to gig the other night with drummer "y"? Or is the challenge really more about the different styles of music than meshing with each drummer?

I know that we have other gig'n "cats and chicks" here. So, feel free to chime in on this too.

And while the above might be a really dumb question, there should be no subsequent mention of "marching to the beat of a different drummer"!

 

[bylar13]

I have never been in a situation where I was playing in different bands and with different drummers (at the same time). So, I have a question for you since you mentioned here about playing with at least three different drummers in your various current musical projects. I was curious as to whether you find it a challenge to transition back and forth, while you work with each of them?

I know that you are all pros at what you do ("Nashville cats, play clean as . . ."). But I was wondering if there are salient differences in their approach to rhythm/keeping time. For example, do you have remind yourself, "oh yeah, drummer 'x' does it this way and I need to adjust to that, as opposed to gig the other night with drummer "y"? Or is the challenge really more about the style of music than meshing with the drummer?

I know that we have other gig'n "cats and chicks" here too. So, feel free to chime in on this.

And while this might be a dumb question, there should be no subsequent mention of "marching to the beat of a different drummer"!

I am in two bands and enjoy playing with different style drummers. The first is a really solid time keeper. He can do all of the fancy stuff but is more song oriented mentally, so he plays pretty straight. While I might miss doing some rhythmic or syncopated stuff toghther, he makes up for it by learning songs very quickly, remembers them very accurately and it has taught me to be a better listener. I am able to lock in on more parts and if I do something "fancy" I know he is going to be there, at the right spot, when we meet up.

The second drummer learned to play (self-taught) listening to reggae and African/world music. He also likes most rock type stuff etc. Our band is pretty straight ahead rock but he is more of an improviser and a "feel" drummer. He is great at improvising, finding interesting time signatures and accents that are fun to play with as well as, play off of. He learns in what I call "the whole tunes method" in that he is less aware of versus and chorus etc. and writes his own "part" for the whole song. It can take longer to learn new material but the upside is that the end result is usually end up with something you would not of expected. Playing with him also forces me to listen and ultimately learn, which is what I enjoy when I am playing with different drummers or other musicians.

 

[dukeorock]

I have never been in a situation where I was playing in different bands and with different drummers (at the same time). So, I have a question for you since you mentioned here about playing with at least three different drummers in your various current musical projects. I was curious as to whether you find it a challenge to transition back and forth, while you work with each of them?

I know that you are all pros at what do. But I was wondering if there are salient differences in their approach to rhythm/keeping time. For example, do you have remind yourself, "oh yeah, drummer 'x' does it this way and I need to adjust to that, as opposed to gig the other night with drummer "y"? Or is the challenge really more about the style of music than meshing with the drummer?

I know that we have other gig'n "cats and chicks" here too. So, feel free to chime in on this.

And while this might be a dumb question, there should be no subsequent mention of "marching to the beat of a different drummer"!

Ha!

Well, it’s trickier if you alternate different drummers on the same gig...then, you need to make adjustments and remind yourself of certain things. If it’s different drummers on different gigs, it’s a lot easier. Each band has its own personality, so you just work within that. I’m also lucky that most of the drummers I work with are really good.
But of the main three I work with...

Steve Latanation (Derek Hoke, Mark Collie, sessions)- my best friend in the world and we’ve been playing together for 30 years. Playing with him is one of the easiest things I’m ever going to do. We’ve been around the world together in a bunch of different bands, different styles and have done hundreds of recordings together. We have a good lock after all that experience together.

Bill Van Vleet (Eskimo Brothers)- he came into the band after we’d already made 3 records, so really it was more a matter of him coming to me than the other way around. Good kid and really good drummer. Kinda had to beat him into submission at first, but he took it well

David Burns (Prayer Flags)- he’s a monster. Just caveman, basher type. My kinda drummer. Piece of cake

Lynn Greer- though he’d toured the world at a high level, he took a lot of time off to start a business. He’s the trickiest one to play with, but he’s really good. I work with him more out of friendship than anything else. He’s good, just a bit rusty. We’re working together to help develop a young artist who is talented but needs a leg up. It’s very rewarding to be something of a mentor.

There’s maybe 5 other drummers I’ve worked with in the past 6 months. All but a couple are a breeze to connect with. Even the tougher ones represent a fun challenge to figure out new ways of looking at things. I guess that’s more than 3 drummers, but hopefully that made sense

 

[DanGouge]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.

 

[Nocturnal]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.
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Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!!

 

[TBird1958]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.
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I have the feeling it'll be a great project!

 

[theFixer]

It looks like a skerglankety sitar.

Gold star for you!

 

[theFixer]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.
View attachment 2905598

Looks like a rock waitin' to roll

 

[Gaolee]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.
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That's got some serious coolness potential written all over it. Nothing routine about it. It's a blank canvas!

 

[theFixer]

Spotted this in the classifieds & thought I'd pass it along. Looks like a real sweetheart!

For Sale - 1967 Gibson EB2

 

[dukeorock]

Fun gig tonight. Derek was fantastic. We moved all the set times earlier because All Them Witches wanted to do a late night warm up show before they head out on the Primus tour in a few days. I’m not a stoner rock person as a rule, but man, they’re really good

 

[veebass]

Tracking indicates a EPI VP TBird is in my home State.

 

[dukeorock]

Tracking indicates a EPI VP TBird is in my home State.

Yes! Closer

 

[kat888]

Tracking indicates a EPI VP TBird is in my home State.

Give us the tracking number and we can all keep an eye on it for you!

 

[Shannon]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.
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Oh, the stories that thing could tell...
This ought to be worth watching (gets popcorn)

 

[PillO]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.
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There is a swan in there.

 

[RedVee]

I remember those. What a whacky concept

Based off the original Gibson EB-0. Would be a cool novelty bass to own.

I think they are cool.
I have wondered about whether a EB style post could be fitted to the Epi Viola. It would probably work for me, and be a petit amusement.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

13 more pages!!!

 

[BklynKen]

Hey everyone! I just bought the ugliest, dirtiest bird on the internet. Started life as an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro. Neck pickup remove, as were the electronics. Just a kill switch and then straight to the output. No worries, I have plans for this thing. See below, more pics to follow.
View attachment 2905598

I think that has a ton of charm. If it were I, after fixing all the electronics and such, I'd just finish over the body as-is.

 

[Haji]

I just might. It’s always fun to watch the underdogs have their day

And then set their city on fire.