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Thunderbird Club

#9,521
AEAbass said:
Funny you mention that. I'm contemplating getting a demeter vtbp-m-800d for smaller gigs. Our gigs I just want to bring a light rig. Getting lazy in my old age haha
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It uses the same pre as my original 201. I've seen nothing but good reviews and judging by your current setup it would be the right class D for you. I'm very happy with my Genz 900 Streamliner but I'd buy the 800-D if I was in the market for a new amp. Jim makes nothing but top quality gear.
 
#9,522
AEAbass said:
Hell yea!

It's awesome through the reeves live but for recording I use a dr504 clone that I built. Something about the mids in the original hiwatt circuit. But the bottom end of the reeves is magnificent.

They work well together too!

23787E9F-479D-4333-A2A6-E3AF9CA87641.jpg
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Now THAT, is a RIG......... AWESOME!
 
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#9,523
tomshepp said:
Thought I'd try to post my amp. Jule Monique preamp into a Jule M700 into a Bergantino 4x10. Killer sounding rig! Wonderfully producing the THUNDER from my Bird.View attachment 696416
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Beautiful T-Bird! Modern-era bird? If so, are those the original pickups with chrome covers or did you swap 'em out for something else? I'm picking up my new (used) Thunderbird today and I want to (eventually) chrome-ify it like that.
 
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#9,524
Dadagoboi said:
It uses the same pre as my original 201. I've seen nothing but good reviews and judging by your current setup it would be the right class D for you. I'm very happy with my Genz 900 Streamliner but I'd buy the 800-D if I was in the market for a new amp. Jim makes nothing but top quality gear.
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I've been umming and ahhhing over a lot of different options especially since the aus$ is so bad at the moment. I keep coming back to the 800d. Just seems to be right up my Alley.

Now back to Thunderbirds. Anyone else prefer the single pickups? I'm sure I'm in the minority...
 
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#9,525
D.M.N. said:
Any of you guys have much experience buying vintage basses from GC? I'm looking at a Gibson (though, not the 'bird variety), but haven't much dealt with GC ever.
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I have never bought a vintage bass from GC but I have bought a couple of basses from them online. So far have only had positive experiences with them. You can have the bass shipped to your closest GC location so you can check it out before taking it home. If you are unhappy with it, they refund your money.
 
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#9,526
AEAbass said:
Now back to Thunderbirds. Anyone else prefer the single pickups? I'm sure I'm in the minority...
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I sure like mine a lot, there's a simplicity factor when you're playing live. I really wish Gibson would pay some attention to this as an option, one pickup mounted in the sweet spot is way different than winding off the volume of the bridge pup........
My Lull and my Greco sound very similar, the former being easier for me to play ( I have small hands), the basses I'd really like to own would be an early '60s Thunderbird II like Carlo's and the very rare '86 custom shop one - only 7 were made.
 
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#9,527
Nocturnal said:
I have never bought a vintage bass from GC but I have bought a couple of basses from them online. So far have only had positive experiences with them. You can have the bass shipped to your closest GC location so you can check it out before taking it home. If you are unhappy with it, they refund your money.
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Do you remember if you paid tax for the state you pick it up from the store in? I'm going to be down in Oregon and am thinking of picking it up there to avoid WA sales tax if that's how it works.
 
#9,529
rockdude4492 said:
Beautiful T-Bird! Modern-era bird? If so, are those the original pickups with chrome covers or did you swap 'em out for something else? I'm picking up my new (used) Thunderbird today and I want to (eventually) chrome-ify it like that.
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It's a 2013 Gibson. I have modified it with ThunderBuckers, Hipshot tuners, Chrome 3 point bridge, pearl pick guard and gold knobs.
 
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#9,530
tomshepp said:
It's a 2013 Gibson. I have modified it with ThunderBuckers, Hipshot tuners, Chrome 3 point bridge, pearl pick guard and gold knobs.
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Very nice! Did you have to rout the pickup cavity at all to get the Thunderbuckers to fit? I'm interested in those for my new 'bird.

Speaking of which, picked my new bird up this morning. A 1994 Thunderbird in excellent condition. All original at the moment. Ebony fretboard too. Pics to come!
 
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#9,532
TBird1958 said:
I sure like mine a lot, there's a simplicity factor when you're playing live. I really wish Gibson would pay some attention to this as an option, one pickup mounted in the sweet spot is way different than winding off the volume of the bridge pup........
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Yes exactly.
The single pickup Greco is very similar to gigging my old go to bass, a 73 P Bass- very similar neck to 7ender B width, same simple controls, similar sound but more so but looks way cooler.
 
#9,534
AEAbass said:
I've been umming and ahhhing over a lot of different options especially since the aus$ is so bad at the moment. I keep coming back to the 800d. Just seems to be right up my Alley.

Now back to Thunderbirds. Anyone else prefer the single pickups? I'm sure I'm in the minority...
Click to expand...

This:
1964, unbroken.
1964%20TBird%20II_zpsknleit3l.jpg



And this, Cataldo's Cataldo (my first name)

7lbs, 4 oz. ThunderBucker 63 ( that IS the TBird sweet spot BTW), Noscru pickup ring, modern P width neck with ebony board, Hipshots, electrosocket side jack, Ken Smith BassBurners, Cataldo bridge, and Scott -God of Thunder- Dasson's BadBird tailpiece.

Cataldo%20CAT_zpsqgfs4ce3.jpg


I gotta find time to paint it, maybe throw a pickguard on it. No neck dive...ever!
 
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#9,536
Haji said:
See how much better Cataldo's headstocks look than the current cheese knife versions from Gibby and Epi? Matches the lines of the body much better.
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Especially when the paint is half sanded off!:D
 
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#9,540
D.M.N. said:
Do you remember if you paid tax for the state you pick it up from the store in? I'm going to be down in Oregon and am thinking of picking it up there to avoid WA sales tax if that's how it works.
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I had to pay tax because there are GC stores in my state. Not sure how it would work for you in your situation.
 

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