Thunderbird Club

[godofthunder59]

Same here.
Funny thing, Scott - awhile back, on "another" forum, we briefly discussed a guy I had met who had a beat up, black '76 Thunderbird with an enlarged neck pup cavity that allegedly had a Gene connection. You suggested that I try and document it. At the time, I had no idea where he was, but I think I may have located him - and just this morning, fired off an e-mail. Hopefully he still owns it. I'll post what I find out.

Very cool!

 

[JJR58]

You guys rock! Yeah tonight's the night . Epiphone vintage tbird can't wait hope it's lively and sports the angry piano tone!

New Bird and a change of avatar already, Welcome to the club!

 

[BklynKen]

Can someone please explain this piano/angry piano tone that's often spoken about with bass strings? I really have no idea what that means.

 

[Fab Superlative]

Hey, here's another Thunderbird sighting report: featuring our very own @Johnny Crab!
There's not only one T-Bird but two! with a a Flying V, leading the flock!! in front of an awesome couple of amps!!!
Doesn't get much more classy & classic than that!

From: Acoustic 371 Rig!

 

[megatapper]

It might take a few rounds of string experiments to find the exact sound you want. We have all been doing those experiments for a while.

Rotosounds . But the light ones stainless steel I think 39 to 95s they sound great on my other t birds but I may just go with the typical swing 66 .45 to .105s has anyone checked out how gnarly those new Dunlop stainless Marcus Miller strings sound? I'm home they even more gnarly sounding than rotos.

 

[megatapper]

New Bird and a change of avatar already, Welcome to the club!

Can't help it I get bored easily

 

[megatapper]

Rotosounds . But the light ones stainless steel I think 39 to 95s they sound great on my other t birds but I may just go with the typical swing 66 .45 to .105s has anyone checked out how gnarly those new Dunlop stainless Marcus Miller strings sound? I'm home they even more gnarly sounding than rotos.

The I'm home quote was my phone thinking for me again I was saying in my humble opinion.

 

[megatapper]

Can someone please explain this piano/angry piano tone that's often spoken about with bass strings? I really have no idea what that means.

Imagine a springy boing sound with intense attitude and you've got it.

 

[Gaolee]

Can someone please explain this piano/angry piano tone that's often spoken about with bass strings? I really have no idea what that means.

If your sound is similar to the sound a hard struck piano makes below middle C, that's getting toward the angry piano sound. I don't know how to describe it any other way. The proof, for me, was when I played a riff that doubled the riff a piano player was doing with his left hand. The Thunderbird sounded very similar, but more aggressive. The piano sound was a little less peppery.

 

[BklynKen]

Rotosounds . But the light ones stainless steel I think 39 to 95s they sound great on my other t birds but I may just go with the typical swing 66 .45 to .105s has anyone checked out how gnarly those new Dunlop stainless Marcus Miller strings sound? I'm home they even more gnarly sounding than rotos.

Dammit, now I have to try another string. Have you tried them or just heard them?

Imagine a springy boing sound with intense attitude and you've got it.

If your sound is similar to the sound a hard struck piano makes below middle C, that's getting toward the angry piano sound. I don't know how to describe it any other way. The proof, for me, was when I played a riff that doubled the riff a piano player was doing with his left hand. The Thunderbird sounded very similar, but more aggressive. The piano sound was a little less peppery.

Any chance you could find some example of what you're talking about? Still not really getting it.

 

[Fab Superlative]

Ok, who bought it?

SOLD - Epiphone Vintage Pro Thunderbird -Alpine White

 

[PillO]

Can someone please explain this piano/angry piano tone that's often spoken about with bass strings? I really have no idea what that means.

I'm sure @Gaolee can give you a Pantone reference.

 

[BklynKen]

I'm sure @Gaolee can give you a Pantone reference.

That's what I'm afraid of.

 

[Gaolee]

That's what I'm afraid of.

I'm trying to avoid saying it sounds like what ground black pepper looks like. Ah, it just leaked out. Sorry. But, really, that's what it sounds like. Having a normally functioning brain is overrated.

 

[PillO]

I'm trying to avoid saying it sounds like what ground black pepper looks like. Ah, it just leaked out. Sorry. But, really, that's what it sounds like. Having a normally functioning brain is overrated.

coarse or fine grind?

 

[TBird1958]

Can someone please explain this piano/angry piano tone that's often spoken about with bass strings? I really have no idea what that means.

Ken,

I think some of Mark's (@dukeorock) recent clips have the "Angry Piano" tone down really well. The ones where he was comparing the stock Gibson, Thunderbucker and Lollar pups.

 

[dukeorock]

Gene Simmons caption;

“Instrument cable? Nah, I just use my Talisman”

 

[PillO]

Although


I dunno, I just never got all hot and bothered over single pickup basses, even Thunderbirds - probably because I anchor my thumb on the bridge pickup also. I play with my fingers probably about 75% of the time, although I initially learned with a pick. Sometimes I switch back and forth within the song. Even with a pick, I'm usually on top of the bridge pickup or between the two anyway.
Speaking of pick players with Thunderbirds...
View attachment 2939164

Hey Ace - blue angels!

 

[BklynKen]

Ken,

I think some of Mark's (@dukeorock) recent clips have the "Angry Piano" tone down really well. The ones where he was comparing the stock Gibson, Thunderbucker and Lollar pups.

Ah, thanks. Which do you think most embodies that sound?

 

[GBassNorth]

..... The piano sound was a little less peppery.

Would that be black pepper or red pepper?

Seriously, I find what I assume that sound is by simply playing along note for note with a solo piano recording. It really is amazing how close you can get to the sound of the piano. The angry part kicks in if you dig in hard or EQ your bass for more grit and grind.

For the most part I get a smooth piano tone by soloing the neck pup with my right hand between the the pup and neck with the tone knob half up. Stay down between the 7th and 14th frets on the A and E strings and anywhere on the G and D strings. To get an angry tone just bring in the bridge pup, move your right hand back to the bridge pup and max the tone knob - you'll get more grind.

Note - my VP isn't as good at this as my 50th anniversary or FrankenGoth. The ability to split the coils on my Goth makes it the best of the bunch at the smooth piano tone, single coil clarity makes a difference. My VP has so much grind it's kinda over the top on the angry part. Still looking for the best strings on this beast.