Thunderbird Club

[bking0217]

It's unpredictable how a left-handed Thunderbird will respond to them, so he'd better send some over to me, too.

LOL

 

[willsellout]

It's unpredictable how a left-handed Thunderbird will respond to them, so he'd better send some over to me, too.

Yeah they might explode. You never know!

 

[dukeorock]

It's unpredictable how a left-handed Thunderbird will respond to them, so he'd better send some over to me, too.

I’ll mention it

 

[theFixer]

Some of you may remember that I'd received a Music Man StingRay for Christmas, and that I had some issues with it. Well... I'd sent it back, where (much like with car problems) it didn't exhibit the issues I'd experienced. It was set back up to within the shop's specifications, and shipped back to me. Upon re-arrival, I opened the case & found a bass with a back bow that caused every string to buzz like an electric razor on every fret. In my frustration and disappointment... I decided it was cursed, and sent it back to the store, uncertain of what was going to happen next. While in transit, something showed up on the store's website that filled a desire I'd carried with me for years. Back when I was playing guitar... I'd always loved a big orange Gretsch hollowbody electric, but the stars just never aligned.

The neck specs don't line up with what I always look for. I'd never touched a short scaled bass, don't like floating bridges, and to my knowledge, have never heard a Filter Tron pickup in my life... but I needed to do something to conclude this transaction, and a refund was not an option. Dollars and sense, plus my affinity for Gretsch, put this G6119BO "Broadkaster" as the best available option. I am giddy to be able to announce that I am beyond thrilled with this thang!!! It is absolutely SPECTACULAR!!! I could fill pages with commentary about the tones it produces! Absolutely incredible!!! I don't know if it's due to the shorter scale, or the way it hangs, or a combination of elements... but even with a less than tree trunk neck... I can (and have) played this thing for hours without the usual hand and wrist issues that make me stop after only 2 or 3 minutes. The action is effortless!!! @GBassNorth being a short scale guy... I must urge you to do yourself a big favor & check one of these out!

 

[D.M.N.]

Correct! I still have the ‘63. It’s crazy good and I keep waffling on which TB pickup will be permanent in the Cataldo. My favorite P bass pickup ever, possibly

Well if you ever want to sell it, let me know. I'm in the market to change the Greco pup.

What island do, or did, you live on?

San Juan Island, town of Friday Harbor.

 

[theFixer]

You know, it's not every day you encounter a group of such high-quality people. I have the most basic, entry-level made-in-Korea Epiphone Thunderbird, and yet I'm treated as an equal. I'm truly grateful.

HEY!!! Mine's a KoBo (Korean Bolt-on) too!

 

[Gaolee]

But again, Thank You everyone for being so cool. This is the only part of TalkBass I feel I can speak openly.

We will always gravitate back to strings, pickups, bridges, and all that. And off color stuff. So, no problems with a small detour, especially for your grandfather.

 

[Gaolee]

Thank you so much for this. I'm extremely socially awkward and always had a hard time making friends. I guess that's why all my college courses are online and I rarely leave the house. I think the term is "keyboard warrior"?

Ah, perfect for being a bass player!

 

[GBassNorth]

I'm sorry. Now that I've effectively screwed up everyone's good time, can we please go back to the string discussion? Literally like 3 people responded to that.

Strings it is...
50th Anniversary Gibson Thunderbird - Optima Gold round wounds. Love em, but very expensive, thank goodness they last a good long time (about 4 times longer than Chromes). Clear clean (but not brittle) highs, solid mids and increased lows. A punchy string with good looks from a bling standpoint. Smooth, not grabby. Reduced finger noise on slides. Medium tension. Highly recommended for Thunderbirds played finger style. Not sure if Gold plating would hold up well under heavy picking.

FrankenGoth - La Bella Black Tapes, light gage. Love em, for what they are - ultra smooth, incredibly long lasting (10 plus years not uncommon), articulate string. Reduced highs, strong mids, exceptionally strong lows and ultra lows. Capable (with the right EQ and technique) of taking an electric bass towards an upright sound. Super smooth and quiet slides. Medium tension. Highly recommended for Thunderbirds played finger style or with a thumb or felt pick.

Epiphone Thunderbird VP - DR Silver Stars. Like em, but still in a trial phase. Essentially Black Beauties but with a Silver coating. Should last 2 or 3 times longer than Chromes. Tame top end, balanced mids and smooth lows. Low tension, great for bends, not great for heavy handed players or drop tuning.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

It's unpredictable how a left-handed Thunderbird will respond to them, so he'd better send some over to me, too.

They might act different in Canada too, you know, cause the igloos and stuff. Mark, I think it's in your pal's best interest to send me a set too.

 

[bking0217]

Strings it is...
50th Anniversary Gibson Thunderbird - Optima Gold round wounds. Love em, but very expensive, thank goodness they last a good long time (about 4 times longer than Chromes). Clear clean (but not brittle) highs, solid mids and increased lows. A punchy string with good looks from a bling standpoint. Smooth, not grabby. Reduced finger noise on slides. Medium tension. Highly recommended for Thunderbirds played finger style. Not sure if Gold plating would hold up well under heavy picking.

FrankenGoth - La Bella Black Tapes, light gage. Love em, for what they are - ultra smooth, incredibly long lasting (10 plus years not uncommon), articulate string. Reduced highs, strong mids, exceptionally strong lows and ultra lows. Capable (with the right EQ and technique) of taking an electric bass towards an upright sound. Super smooth and quiet slides. Medium tension. Highly recommended for Thunderbirds played finger style or with a thumb or felt pick.

Epiphone Thunderbird VP - DR Silver Stars. Like em, but still in a trial phase. Essentially Black Beauties but with a Silver coating. Should last 2 or 3 times longer than Chromes. Tame top end, balanced mids and smooth lows. Low tension, great for bends, not great for heavy handed players or drop tuning.

Cool. I've never heard of the Silver Stars but I'm not new to DR. I currently have a set of Pure Blues on my Squier P. My only experience with La Bella is the flatwounds on my MIM Jazz Bass, which I like a lot for that particular bass. Optima is a new one to me.

 

[GBassNorth]

It's unpredictable how a left-handed Thunderbird will respond to them, so he'd better send some over to me, too.

Oh yeah, and don't forget to try some protos in a black bass too, just in case the color effects the sound. I just so happen to have a black Eppi that I'd be willing to volunteer for the ordeal if I must.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Some of you may remember that I'd received a Music Man StingRay for Christmas, and that I had some issues with it. Well... I'd sent it back, where (much like with car problems) it didn't exhibit the issues I'd experienced. It was set back up to within the shop's specifications, and shipped back to me. Upon re-arrival, I opened the case & found a bass with a back bow that caused every string to buzz like an electric razor on every fret. In my frustration and disappointment... I decided it was cursed, and sent it back to the store, uncertain of what was going to happen next. While in transit, something showed up on the store's website that filled a desire I'd carried with me for years. Back when I was playing guitar... I'd always loved a big orange Gretsch hollowbody electric, but the stars just never aligned.

View attachment 2933314 View attachment 2933315 View attachment 2933316 View attachment 2933317

The neck specs don't line up with what I always look for. I'd never touched a short scaled bass, don't like floating bridges, and to my knowledge, have never heard a Filter Tron pickup in my life... but I needed to do something to conclude this transaction, and a refund was not an option. Dollars and sense, plus my affinity for Gretsch, put this G6119BO "Broadkaster" as the best available option. I am giddy to be able to announce that I am beyond thrilled with this thang!!! It is absolutely SPECTACULAR!!! I could fill pages with commentary about the tones it produces! Absolutely incredible!!! I don't know if it's due to the shorter scale, or the way it hangs, or a combination of elements... but even with a less than tree trunk neck... I can (and have) played this thing for hours without the usual hand and wrist issues that make me stop after only 2 or 3 minutes. The action is effortless!!! @GBassNorth being a short scale guy... I must urge you to do yourself a big favor & check one of these out!

THAT THING LOOKS SWEET!

 

[theFixer]

Dang near forgot about the string thing

I have DR Hi-Beams (.45-.105) on the BlueBird. I like the zingy top end and easy playability

The new Gretsch is strung with EB Cobalt flats (.45-.105). Not being familiar with the bass OR the strings previous to ownership, I can't really comment on the effects of the strings specifically... but I love everything about this bass just the way it is, and have no desire to change anything! I can say that I find them remarkably easy to play on, and love, love, LOVE the tone!!!

 

[JJR58]

I’ll mention it

What?, so the design doesn't explode on a left handed Thunderbird. Yeah, i got nothin.

Hey BKing, a warm welcome to you.

 

[dukeorock]

Some of you may remember that I'd received a Music Man StingRay for Christmas, and that I had some issues with it. Well... I'd sent it back, where (much like with car problems) it didn't exhibit the issues I'd experienced. It was set back up to within the shop's specifications, and shipped back to me. Upon re-arrival, I opened the case & found a bass with a back bow that caused every string to buzz like an electric razor on every fret. In my frustration and disappointment... I decided it was cursed, and sent it back to the store, uncertain of what was going to happen next. While in transit, something showed up on the store's website that filled a desire I'd carried with me for years. Back when I was playing guitar... I'd always loved a big orange Gretsch hollowbody electric, but the stars just never aligned.

View attachment 2933314 View attachment 2933315 View attachment 2933316 View attachment 2933317

The neck specs don't line up with what I always look for. I'd never touched a short scaled bass, don't like floating bridges, and to my knowledge, have never heard a Filter Tron pickup in my life... but I needed to do something to conclude this transaction, and a refund was not an option. Dollars and sense, plus my affinity for Gretsch, put this G6119BO "Broadkaster" as the best available option. I am giddy to be able to announce that I am beyond thrilled with this thang!!! It is absolutely SPECTACULAR!!! I could fill pages with commentary about the tones it produces! Absolutely incredible!!! I don't know if it's due to the shorter scale, or the way it hangs, or a combination of elements... but even with a less than tree trunk neck... I can (and have) played this thing for hours without the usual hand and wrist issues that make me stop after only 2 or 3 minutes. The action is effortless!!! @GBassNorth being a short scale guy... I must urge you to do yourself a big favor & check one of these out!

That’s so cool, congrats!!!

Oh yeah, and don't forget to try some protos in a black bass too, just in case the color effects the sound. I just so happen to have a black Eppi that I'd be willing to volunteer for the ordeal if I must.

Are you sure color would make a difference? I mean the lefty thing makes perfect sense and of course, igloos, lets just say, but your story ain’t quite adding up

 

[theFixer]

THAT THING LOOKS SWEET!

Thanks man!

Somehow, it sounds even better than it looks!!!

 

[JJR58]

Hey Mark @dukeorock, i see the Enabling Ratbags are trying to work you over for those possible new pick ups.
Just humor them all.

 

[JJR58]

Some of you may remember that I'd received a Music Man StingRay for Christmas, and that I had some issues with it. Well... I'd sent it back, where (much like with car problems) it didn't exhibit the issues I'd experienced. It was set back up to within the shop's specifications, and shipped back to me. Upon re-arrival, I opened the case & found a bass with a back bow that caused every string to buzz like an electric razor on every fret. In my frustration and disappointment... I decided it was cursed, and sent it back to the store, uncertain of what was going to happen next. While in transit, something showed up on the store's website that filled a desire I'd carried with me for years. Back when I was playing guitar... I'd always loved a big orange Gretsch hollowbody electric, but the stars just never aligned.

View attachment 2933314 View attachment 2933315 View attachment 2933316 View attachment 2933317

The neck specs don't line up with what I always look for. I'd never touched a short scaled bass, don't like floating bridges, and to my knowledge, have never heard a Filter Tron pickup in my life... but I needed to do something to conclude this transaction, and a refund was not an option. Dollars and sense, plus my affinity for Gretsch, put this G6119BO "Broadkaster" as the best available option. I am giddy to be able to announce that I am beyond thrilled with this thang!!! It is absolutely SPECTACULAR!!! I could fill pages with commentary about the tones it produces! Absolutely incredible!!! I don't know if it's due to the shorter scale, or the way it hangs, or a combination of elements... but even with a less than tree trunk neck... I can (and have) played this thing for hours without the usual hand and wrist issues that make me stop after only 2 or 3 minutes. The action is effortless!!! @GBassNorth being a short scale guy... I must urge you to do yourself a big favor & check one of these out!

That Gretsch looks impressive Mike. Bet it sounds really good. Nice score brother.

 

[dukeorock]

I can say that I find them remarkably easy to play on, and love, love, LOVE the tone!!!

Yeah, but you’re always nice to Vince, which makes me question your taste about everything else