Thunderbird Club

[Chucky Stiletti]

Normally I don't mind trying new strings from time to time, but on my '64 I just can't bear thinking of trying something else. Every other bass I've had has had various strings over the years. But I've had TI Super Alloy's on the '64 for years. Mostly the same set! Because I don't take it out all that much. But when I do, it just magic. I mean Magic, Magic. The whole time I'm playing I'm thinking, "Holy Cow this thing sounds amazing! Why play something else?" In the '80s I used Rotos on it and was happy, but my tonal tastes have changed or matured and there is literally nothing I would change. My '76 has TI flats and sounds almost as good, but the '64 does have a slight edge. (Not to mention it's light as a feather.) Anyone else have one of those bases and you would never think of changing anything about it?

RS66s on my 68. Always..

 

[JJR58]

Normally I don't mind trying new strings from time to time, but on my '64 I just can't bear thinking of trying something else. Every other bass I've had has had various strings over the years. But I've had TI Super Alloy's on the '64 for years. Mostly the same set! Because I don't take it out all that much. But when I do, it just magic. I mean Magic, Magic. The whole time I'm playing I'm thinking, "Holy Cow this thing sounds amazing! Why play something else?" In the '80s I used Rotos on it and was happy, but my tonal tastes have changed or matured and there is literally nothing I would change. My '76 has TI flats and sounds almost as good, but the '64 does have a slight edge. (Not to mention it's light as a feather.) Anyone else have one of those bases and you would never think of changing anything about it?

Love TI's. What's the tension like on the Super Alloy's compared to the flats? JF344's to be precise, if that's what are on your '76.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Normally I don't mind trying new strings from time to time, but on my '64 I just can't bear thinking of trying something else. Every other bass I've had has had various strings over the years. But I've had TI Super Alloy's on the '64 for years. Mostly the same set! Because I don't take it out all that much. But when I do, it just magic. I mean Magic, Magic. The whole time I'm playing I'm thinking, "Holy Cow this thing sounds amazing! Why play something else?" In the '80s I used Rotos on it and was happy, but my tonal tastes have changed or matured and there is literally nothing I would change. My '76 has TI flats and sounds almost as good, but the '64 does have a slight edge. (Not to mention it's light as a feather.) Anyone else have one of those bases and you would never think of changing anything about it?

I have two '64s, a II and a IV.

The IV has a chunkier neck that I prefer over the II. It has a BadBird bridge because like most 60s Birds it doesn't intonate properly without one. The II intonates with the stock bridge. Both have Ken Smith Bass Burners, round nickels. I also have a white Bicentennial with Burners.

The '64 II is the one I'd take if I were in the path of a CAT 5.

Gigs it's a single pickup (Gibby '64 neck) MAX 41 with flats and a MAX 42 with a ThunderBucker Ranch 63N/66S set and Burners. If they don't cover it, I probably don't want to play it on a TBird.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I have two '64s, a II and a IV.

The IV has a chunkier neck that I prefer over the II. It has a BadBird bridge because like most 60s Birds it doesn't intonate properly without one. The II intonates with the stock bridge. Both have Ken Smith Bass Burners, round nickels. I also have a white Bicentennial with Burners.

The '64 II is the one I'd take if I were in the path of a CAT 5.

Gigs it's a single pickup (Gibby '64 neck) MAX 41 with flats and a MAX 42 with a ThunderBucker Ranch 63N/66S set and Burners. If they don't cover it, I probably don't want to play it on a TBird.

White vintage Thunderbirds drooldrool

 

[dagrev]

Love TI's. What's the tension like on the Super Alloy's compared to the flats? JF344's to be precise, if that's what are on your '76.

I would say it's what you would typically expect for average 105 type set, but maybe a little less stiff for that gauge. I know tension and stiffness are not exactly the same, but there seems to be some relationship and far as how I feel it. I don't like stiff or high tension strings but these feel good. So the SAs don't feel as loose/flexiable at all as the flats, but more of what you would expect (and nowhere near as loose as the Jazz rounds).

 

[dagrev]

I also have a white Bicentennial with Burners.

My Bicentennial is white. Very cool...and very heavy!

 

[JJR58]

I would say it's what you would typically expect for average 105 type set, but maybe a little less stiff for that gauge. I know tension and stiffness are not exactly the same, but there seems to be some relationship and far how I feel it. I don't like stiff or high tension strings but these feel good. So the SAs don't feel as loose/flexaable at all as the flats, but more of what you would expect (and nowhere near as loose as the Jazz rounds).

Thanks for the input.

 

[JJR58]

My Bicentennial is white. Very cool...and very heavy!

That'll have Vince rolling over.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

That'll have Vince rolling over.

Excuse me while I buy new pants

 

[TBird1958]

My Bicentennial is white. Very cool...and very heavy!

And very lovely...........




It's no secret that the Queen loves white Thunderbirds

 

[TBird1958]

Mine is my second white, first was bought new in '77...the year they were introduced. Here are the production numbers by year and color:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Gibson used that '76' logo into '78 at least. Much heavier than the '64s plus neckdive.

View attachment 3184324

All yummy! Including the one in the middle!

 

[JJR58]

Mine is my second white, first was bought new in '77...the year they were introduced. Here are the production numbers by year and color:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Gibson used that '76' logo into '78 at least. Much heavier than the '64s plus neckdive.

View attachment 3184324

Uh oh.............

Wait!!, what's that hanging in the background, upper left?

One of your builds?

 

[dagrev]

Mine is my second white, first was bought new in '77...the year they were introduced. Here are the production numbers by year and color:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Gibson used that '76' logo into '78 at least. Much heavier than the '64s plus neckdive.

Mine is likely a '77. The reputable, somewhat famous vintage dealer I got it from believes it is a really odd bass because of the serial number. He wonders if the body was a very early second that was likely set aside and put together and sold early in '77. (Thinking the 00 at the beginning of the SN # indicates '76 (like his '76 Firebird), and the rest was likely left off due to it being a second and/or not finished at the time.) It seemed so unusual that it was what intrigued him. And the fact that it was the best looking Polaris White he had ever seen. It's odd whatever it is!

And what a nice collection you have!

 

[Dadagoboi]

Mine is likely a '77. The reputable, somewhat famous vintage dealer I got it from believes it is a really odd bass because of the serial number. He wonders if the body was a very early second that was likely set aside and put together and sold early in '77. (Thinking the 00 at the beginning of the SN # indicates '76 (like his '76 Firebird), and the rest was likely left off due to it being a second and/or not finished at the time.) It seemed so unusual that it was what intrigued him. And the fact that it was the best looking Polaris White he had ever seen. It's odd whatever it is!

And what a nice collection you have!

Does yours have a stamped serial number? Both of mine did. Current one is six digit, starting with 027. The color wasn't called Polaris White for Bicentennials, though I can't remember what it was. Maybe Classic White.

Thanks!

 

[dagrev]

Does yours have a stamped serial number? Both of mine did. Current one is six digit, starting with 027. The color wasn't called Polaris White for Bicentennials, though I can't remember what it was. Maybe Classic White.

Thanks!

Yes, it was stamped (but not the same location and direction as the '64) and not the decal as later. It also has "second" stamped on it as well. I think this is why the dealer thought it was a made in '76 (thus the 00xxxxx serial #), but was held back due to some flaw in the wood and just painted white and shipped out. Speculation of course, but a way to understand why it seems to have a 1976 serial number.

I even talked with a guy at Gibson to see if he could track down anything, but he failed to reply after the initial reply to me. I'm always interested if anyone can shed any light on this bass, but I think it's just an oddball.

 

[Band Mom]

@Band Mom see this ?



My Goth was $200 sans strings. My Ibanez AEB10 was $200 with a stand. But my Feider (looks like 7ender in script) was a gift and my Challenge was also free with OHSC.

First 4 basses for $400 qualify as a bargain ?

Still have them all and they all play fine - granted the Challenge has 6” of action but hey - they did call it a Challenge.

Isn't that the same model as Invalid Link Removed one? I've been curious about that specific model due to the Gibson pups. I had a chance to play the cheapest Epi yesterday, and was surprised that the bass was *much* more comfortable than I remember from my last foray into TBs. My biggest gripe though was the pickups were really boomy and maybe a hair muddy. So, if I could grab the same bass with upgraded pups, I think we might have a winner.

 

[D.M.N.]

Exactly. Someone(BL?)calls a tune and a tempo; 1st-maybe 2nd- chorus is the tune. Then everyone goes ape-doodoo more or less within the chord structure for X number of choruses. 1 or 2 choruses of the tune and out. WT7? All the while the drummer is throwing in random kicks and accents that have nothing to do with what anyone else is playing.

So...Cream?

Normally I don't mind trying new strings from time to time, but on my '64 I just can't bear thinking of trying something else. Every other bass I've had has had various strings over the years. But I've had TI Super Alloy's on the '64 for years. Mostly the same set! Because I don't take it out all that much. But when I do, it just magic. I mean Magic, Magic. The whole time I'm playing I'm thinking, "Holy Cow this thing sounds amazing! Why play something else?" In the '80s I used Rotos on it and was happy, but my tonal tastes have changed or matured and there is literally nothing I would change. My '76 has TI flats and sounds almost as good, but the '64 does have a slight edge. (Not to mention it's light as a feather.) Anyone else have one of those bases and you would never think of changing anything about it?

My '62 AVRI Precision. It's only worn Swing 66s since I got it, and the only thing I changed on it was the pickguard (anodized gold, never cared for the tort), and I doubt I'll ever change a thing about it, it's my benchmark bass.The Frankenstein precision has also now reached that territory after switching pickups to the same ones as in the '62, and will also primarily wear Swing 66s, thoughI sort of bought it as a test bed so there may be more tweaking and string experiments down the line.

Interestingly enough, I just changed thee strings on my Greco II. My basses almost universally wear Rotos, but a couple years back I bought a set of Fender 9050 flats to try on my Precision. Played one set with them, went out back and swapped back to the Rotos for the 2nd set, hated the flats. Ended up trying them on my Jazz and they felt better there, but still not as good as Rotos, but it allowed for some variety in case a song or band called for flats. Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to switch the flats over to the Greco, and I must say, I actually like them on the 'bird. There's something about the voicing of the bass and strings that really complements one another, and they're much brighter and more defined than the dead rotos I took off it. I think I'm going to leave them for the time being, test them out in rehearsal and try them on an upcoming gig (the band leader has asked me to be a little less bright, and the recordings were done with flats, so...). Dunno if I prefer them as much as fresh Rotos, but I can now see them having a place and me actually using flats on the 'bird.

 

[JJR58]

So...Cream?



My '62 AVRI Precision. It's only worn Swing 66s since I got it, and the only thing I changed on it was the pickguard (anodized gold, never cared for the tort), and I doubt I'll ever change a thing about it, it's my benchmark bass.The Frankenstein precision has also now reached that territory after switching pickups to the same ones as in the '62, and will also primarily wear Swing 66s, thoughI sort of bought it as a test bed so there may be more tweaking and string experiments down the line.

Interestingly enough, I just changed thee strings on my Greco II. My basses almost universally wear Rotos, but a couple years back I bought a set of Fender 9050 flats to try on my Precision. Played one set with them, went out back and swapped back to the Rotos for the 2nd set, hated the flats. Ended up trying them on my Jazz and they felt better there, but still not as good as Rotos, but it allowed for some variety in case a song or band called for flats. Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to switch the flats over to the Greco, and I must say, I actually like them on the 'bird. There's something about the voicing of the bass and strings that really complements one another, and they're much brighter and more defined than the dead rotos I took off it. I think I'm going to leave them for the time being, test them out in rehearsal and try them on an upcoming gig (the band leader has asked me to be a little less bright, and the recordings were done with flats, so...). Dunno if I prefer them as much as fresh Rotos, but I can now see them having a place and me actually using flats on the 'bird.

That most recent vid you posted a while back, after you got back from your European tour. What bass, and i presume flats since you stated that in this post), were used to record that song with? Was just an incredible tone.

Really dig your playing.

 

[D.M.N.]

That most recent vid you posted a while back, after you got back from your European tour. What bass, 9and i presume flats since you stated that in this post), were used to record that song with? Was just an incredible tone.

Really dig your playing.

If you're referring to the Fly Johnson track, I think the final take was the '62 Precision with Swing 66s, I took a Rick and Jazz as well, but I don't think those tracks were used. Recorded straight in, not sure what they did with it afterwards, but I agree it came out sounding very good, very punchy. The one you liked in the FS: Sunn 1200s thread is the '62 Precision with Swing 66s.

 

[JJR58]

If you're referring to the Fly Johnson track, I think the final take was the '62 Precision with Swing 66s, I took a Rick and Jazz as well, but I don't think those tracks were used. Recorded straight in, not sure what they did with it afterwards, but I agree it came out sounding very good, very punchy. The one you liked in the FS: Sunn 1200s thread is the '62 Precision with Swing 66s.

Cool, thanks man.