• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#95,362
Engle said:
You're preaching to the converted! When I gig with my main band, I am the band "mom". I have a bag with spare batteries, cords, 3 types of charger cords, tools etc.
This was a sub gig in a very sketchy area so I made sure I could load in and out with one trip each way. I brought my PF350 (a cab was provided), Vintage Pro, cords, spare cords, hearing protection & spare strings.
If I was playing an active bass, there is no way I would go to a gig or rehearsal without a spare battery.
Click to expand...
Yup. It's nice to have an active/passive switch but not always the case...
 
  • Like
Reactions: GonePlaid and GBassNorth
#95,363
Count Bassie said:
Ok another generalized gear query, cause asking you all is better than asking the GP...
A local here has offered to trade his Rumble 500 head and 410 matching cab for my Ampeg 410hlf. I have found the Ampeg cab to be a bit sluggish in a way, and had been looking for a 2x15 or 2x12 to swap for it. But this offer is tempting...
Any of us have experience with the rumble stuff?
Click to expand...

I have no experience with the cab, but I note that new, it is half the price of the Ampeg. It also isn't carried as a stock item at my local L&M. There are items that they can order but don't keep in stock because they have been in the past problems in that there are too many returns for poor function/breakage. So, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with the cab, but I would be cautious about swapping for an Ampeg cab.

I tried a rumble head when I was auditioning heads. I spent abut 5 minutes with it and couldn't get a sound I was happy with - if I can't get it in 5 minutes, either it isn't there or I will spend far too much time trying to get it. The overdrive channel had too much treble for my taste; it sounded fizzy. I didn't care for the contour channel. The only sound close to what I wanted was the vintage channel, but it still wasn't it.

So, if it were me, I would keep the Ampeg cab.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GonePlaid, Nocturnal, Count Bassie and 1 other person
#95,364
PillO said:
I have no experience with the cab, but I note that new, it is half the price of the Ampeg. It also isn't carried as a stock item at my local L&M. There are items that they can order but don't keep in stock because they have been in the past problems in that there are too many returns for poor function/breakage. So, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with the cab, but I would be cautious about swapping for an Ampeg cab.

I tried a rumble head when I was auditioning heads. I spent abut 5 minutes with it and couldn't get a sound I was happy with - if I can't get it in 5 minutes, either it isn't there or I will spend far too much time trying to get it. The overdrive channel had too much treble for my taste; it sounded fizzy. I didn't care for the contour channel. The only sound close to what I wanted was the vintage channel, but it still wasn't it.

So, if it were me, I would keep the Ampeg cab.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the concise and thoughtful reply.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GonePlaid, GBassNorth and PillO
#95,365
Count Bassie said:
Ok another generalized gear query, cause asking you all is better than asking the GP...
A local here has offered to trade his Rumble 500 head and 410 matching cab for my Ampeg 410hlf. I have found the Ampeg cab to be a bit sluggish in a way, and had been looking for a 2x15 or 2x12 to swap for it. But this offer is tempting...
Any of us have experience with the rumble stuff?
Click to expand...
I had a 500 head. Was ok. Its a bit dark in terms of baseline tone. Functioned fine despite a scratchy pot

Sounded better through a Hartle AK410 and a Genz Uber 410 than a HLF

Went to a 15” Ampeg combo in the end
 
  • Like
Reactions: GonePlaid, GBassNorth, PillO and 1 other person
#95,366
Count Bassie said:
Ok another generalized gear query, cause asking you all is better than asking the GP...
A local here has offered to trade his Rumble 500 head and 410 matching cab for my Ampeg 410hlf. I have found the Ampeg cab to be a bit sluggish in a way, and had been looking for a 2x15 or 2x12 to swap for it. But this offer is tempting...
Any of us have experience with the rumble stuff?
Click to expand...
I'm not an Ampeg fan, so I would take the trade. If you don't like the Rumble, you can always sell it. I haven't played through one, but I was seriously considering a used Rumble 500 head for the Tower of Jank before I found the cobbled up Hartke head. That Hartke head sucks, so I may yet buy a Rumble 500 to replace it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ToddOfThunder, GonePlaid, RedVee and 2 others
#95,367
Count Bassie said:
Ok another generalized gear query, cause asking you all is better than asking the GP...
A local here has offered to trade his Rumble 500 head and 410 matching cab for my Ampeg 410hlf. I have found the Ampeg cab to be a bit sluggish in a way, and had been looking for a 2x15 or 2x12 to swap for it. But this offer is tempting...
Any of us have experience with the rumble stuff?
Click to expand...
PillO said:
I have no experience with the cab, but I note that new, it is half the price of the Ampeg. It also isn't carried as a stock item at my local L&M. There are items that they can order but don't keep in stock because they have been in the past problems in that there are too many returns for poor function/breakage. So, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with the cab, but I would be cautious about swapping for an Ampeg cab.

I tried a rumble head when I was auditioning heads. I spent abut 5 minutes with it and couldn't get a sound I was happy with - if I can't get it in 5 minutes, either it isn't there or I will spend far too much time trying to get it. The overdrive channel had too much treble for my taste; it sounded fizzy. I didn't care for the contour channel. The only sound close to what I wanted was the vintage channel, but it still wasn't it.

So, if it were me, I would keep the Ampeg cab.
Click to expand...
Bent77 said:
I had a 500 head. Was ok. Its a bit dark in terms of baseline tone. Functioned fine despite a scratchy pot

Sounded better through a Hartle AK410 and a Genz Uber 410 than a HLF

Went to a 15” Ampeg combo in the end
Click to expand...
Gaolee said:
I'm not an Ampeg fan, so I would take the trade. If you don't like the Rumble, you can always sell it. I haven't played through one, but I was seriously considering a used Rumble 500 head for the Tower of Jank before I found the cobbled up Hartke head. That Hartke head sucks, so I may yet buy a Rumble 500 to replace it.
Click to expand...


We should take this out to GP to incite the Ampeg vs Fender religious war.;)


:roflmao::thumbsup::roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Gaolee, GonePlaid and 8 others
#95,368
Count Bassie said:
Ok another generalized gear query, cause asking you all is better than asking the GP...
A local here has offered to trade his Rumble 500 head and 410 matching cab for my Ampeg 410hlf. I have found the Ampeg cab to be a bit sluggish in a way, and had been looking for a 2x15 or 2x12 to swap for it. But this offer is tempting...
Any of us have experience with the rumble stuff?
Click to expand...


212's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GonePlaid, Count Bassie and Dr_Feelgoood212
#95,370
GBassNorth said:
Love that bass Carlo!
I know you make a JAE Bird. But of all the builds you've ever done what's the closest you've ever come to duplicating one of John's Fender Birds? Any pics? I assume a vintage neck and vintage pups would be the stumbling block in recreating one of his birds. Love to hear your thoughts and see your work if you've gone down that route before.
Click to expand...

JAEbird is the FenderBird. I could use the guts from my '67 Embassy and a 70s P neck to make a perfect clone. That NR is an anomaly.

Here's the full JAEbird story: Project JAEbird

6SiWQFu.jpg


Sorry for the delay in response, LAX to FLL Tuesday redeye and some time in S. Fla before getting back to the swamp tonight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Larry V, TBird1958 and 6 others
#95,372
Gaolee said:
I'm not an Ampeg fan, so I would take the trade. If you don't like the Rumble, you can always sell it. I haven't played through one, but I was seriously considering a used Rumble 500 head for the Tower of Jank before I found the cobbled up Hartke head. That Hartke head sucks, so I may yet buy a Rumble 500 to replace it.
Click to expand...
Now I've run into an SWR Big Bertha 215, not for trade but for sale. A friend of mine wants the Ampeg, so I could turn it into a 215... that Bertha doesn't get the A+ buzz though, generally.

May have to advance to the rear and regroup...
 
  • Like
Reactions: theFixer, Dadagoboi, Gaolee and 5 others
#95,376
Chucky Stiletti said:
Ha! Knew you would comment lol! It's the Hollister House around the corner from the Ale House. Watsonville huh? Where in the Midwest are you now?
Click to expand...
Oh cool, don’t think I’ve been there. I’m in Minnesota close to the twin cities. Unfortunately my band is there in Santa Cruz.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Chucky Stiletti, GBassNorth and 1 other person
#95,379
ToddOfThunder said:
Thank you, yes that helps. I may try that in the future. I really like the look of an RD artist so that wouldn’t be a problem ( I would love love love to have one as well! ) Wow Theatre Of Pain! I had that cassette and wore it out! The Hamer TBIV? I’ve never seen one but since it’s a bird I’m sure I’ll want one. Oh yeah and the weight and size are not an issue.
Click to expand...

If you watch the videos for Home Sweet Home or Smokin' in the boys room you can see a couple of the Hamer Birds in action. I was incredibly lucky to find 2 of them. The black is the stock version that was available in stores and the burst is a custom ordered version that has a different size neck, electronics are laid out different, and it's a transparent finish (supposedly one of 2 that exist with a transparent finish). The black is one of my absolute favorite basses ever. LOVE that thing!!!

WJxld04.jpg

l36wLsE.jpg

vtxtQ8u.jpg


Andii Syckz said:
Pretty cool review, xD TBH, i never really liked the schecter sig hes got. Looks cool & all, but i felt he could've gone with Spector & just have his true Bird from the Girls/feelgood days. Those were birds i'd definitely play! I based my Tigerbird build around his spector body wise & made a BC Rich reverse headstock like his warlocks. Which, i actually have to modify my tigerbird slightly, just a few adjustments & it's good as new :p
Click to expand...

The Schecter is not my favorite bass but I like it and the looks have grown on me. I was hoping he was going to go to Spector as well but didn't happen. The Schecter is a quality bass for sure, but it hasn't become my new number 1.

Chucky Stiletti said:
2X12s rule.
Click to expand...

I agree wholeheartedly!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dadagoboi, ThaCoast, JJR58 and 10 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back