• 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

#9,601
g4string said:
Hey guys/girls.....I'm soliciting some advice on whom you'd have do a T-Bird build. Im really not interested in buying a Gibson or Gibson'esqe copy as I'm wanting a bolt-on neck. My wish list is this

1) bolt-on neck
2) 1/4 sawn neck
3) ability to pick my fret wire size
4) ability to customize/tweak neck specs a bit (want a 10"r, 1.6 nut, ability to customize the rear profile)
5) still want mahagony body, but want someone who'll focus on keeping weight down...so someone who'll get some light billets.
6) want quality fret work
7) my budget is $2k(ish)

So far I've looked briefly at Cataldo. However I really haven't done much aside from window shopping thier website. I spoke with John Scott from Bluesman Vintage today. I feel really good about him doing such a build. Aside from the two builders I've mentioned, is there anybody else you T-Bird gurus can think of worthy enough to build such an instrument. I'd opt for Lull, however his bass would price out at well over $3 given my specs.
Click to expand...
Cataldo basses are extremely beautiful and Carlo, who is Cataldo basses, posts here often. I would start conversing with him.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dadagoboi, hillerup and Nocturnal
#9,602
Snakeman1066 said:
question may have been asked before...but what about non Gibson/Epi birds? I own an Epi but as of late have been considering this:

xlarge.png
Click to expand...


I LIKE it!!!!
 
#9,603
I have always preferred those Greco birds over any others as far as the best look, for me. As always, NOT an option for us lefty scum, lol. If I could, I would have a bird that mimics those early versions. Then again, I'd also kill for a '73 P bass (firing squad)
 
  • Like
Reactions: hillerup
#9,604
Snakeman1066 said:
question may have been asked before...but what about non Gibson/Epi birds? I own an Epi but as of late have been considering this:

xlarge.png
Click to expand...

I love these and really want the white one however its a guitar center exclusive and I live in the uk.... I'll be in Nashville in a couple years so I'll maybe have to pick it up then if its still available unless the white is no longer exclusive
 
#9,605
BassmanMetzger56 said:
Soooo, I may or may not have bought a pair of 'birds within the past month or so. Both a 2013 Reverse IV and a 2012 Non-Reverse IV. Does this qualify me? Both play and sound quite awesome and I can't wait to use either/or (both) live! View attachment 700159
Click to expand...

What a nice pair! - Thankfully this is a safe place to say that... ;)

Oh, and also a pair of Lollar Thunderbird pickups in chrome which are going in the Reverse as soon as the rest of my chrome parts come in. View attachment 700160
I swear I didn't have a problem until I started frequenting this thread... :laugh:
Click to expand...

Problem?! What problem...?! ;)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BassmanMetzger56
#9,609
g4string said:
would you guys recommend Cataldo over Bluesman Vintage? If so, what sets them apart? Thx for the help!!!!!
Click to expand...
I have never seen either brand. However Carlo(Dadagoboi) is here and I have seen his build threads as well as heard other peoples praises of his work. The other brand I have never heard of. I am confidently willing to recommend Cataldo on that alone. One day I will even own one, or two.

I'm certain others will chime in as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hillerup
#9,613
Klondike said:
You live in Nome?
Click to expand...
No, not quite. Nome is quite a bit farther, and you can get there without swimming, but you have to cross Canada. That's hostile territory, eh! They do things like drink beers and play hockey, eh! And, worse than that, they are polite and peaceful. So, I should have said as far as you can go without swimming or risking encounters with Canadians on their home turf.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Klondike
#9,614
This one's for Steve Soar of ThunderBucker Ranch who reverse engineered and builds ThunderBucker Pickups. G8R body, J width rosewood, single '63 ThunderBucker, Cataldo bridge and tailpiece, Hipshots. Weighs 7lb 6 oz. Going to be Gretsch 'Cadillac Green'.

@g4string I'd be happy to discuss a build, you can email me at jaebird@cataldobasses. I've built over 70 Tbird style basses. About 25% of my customers own more than one Cataldo.

P1090004P_zpsvf3i2vty.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: tomshepp, Nocturnal, Klondike and 7 others
#9,615
hillerup said:
For the love of God, stop slapping da bass, man!!!

A Thunderbird is NOT - i repeat NOT made for slapping!!!!

Finger-style I get, but why do they always review/demo Thunderbirds without a pick, which is what they're really made for? ;)
Click to expand...

Cause within any bass review/demo, never any pick use. Just finger (which is good to an extent it sounds to mellow when they do it, i like digging in & having that extra attack with a pick :P ) & slap.
 
#9,616
wolfkeller said:
I have always preferred those Greco birds over any others as far as the best look, for me. As always, NOT an option for us lefty scum, lol. If I could, I would have a bird that mimics those early versions. Then again, I'd also kill for a '73 P bass (firing squad)
Click to expand...

Left handedness does limit the options a bit unfortunately.
My recently acquired Greco Bird has replaced my old faithful 73 P in the starting lineup.
Very similar neck to a 70s P Bass and the pickup is just a killer. Mind you my 73P will be staying with me, it is a great bass as well.
Why a 73 P specifically?
 
  • Like
Reactions: hillerup
#9,618
wolfkeller said:
I have always preferred those Greco birds over any others as far as the best look, for me. As always, NOT an option for us lefty scum, lol. If I could, I would have a bird that mimics those early versions. Then again, I'd also kill for a '73 P bass (firing squad)
Click to expand...

That is the bummer of being left handed (i wouldn't know first hand but a friend of mine has right handed gear & flips them just like Hendrix Or McCartney. & i'd get a 75-77 pbass (or i'll just build my own xD
 
#9,619
veebass said:
Left handedness does limit the options a bit unfortunately.
My recently acquired Greco Bird has replaced my old faithful 73 P in the starting lineup.
Very similar neck to a 70s P Bass and the pickup is just a killer. Mind you my 73P will be staying with me, it is a great bass as well.
Why a 73 P specifically?
Click to expand...
Just because I dig the old P basses and I was born in '73 so it would be cool to have and pass down
 
  • Like
Reactions: hillerup and Larry V
#9,620
wolfkeller said:
Just because I dig the old P basses and I was born in '73 so it would be cool to have and pass down
Click to expand...

Yep, makes sense, there a few of my old basses that my son, who plays guitar in our band but also plays bass, has asked not to be sold under any circumstances. :)
He particularly loves my 73 P and the 56. He also loves the Ripper, RD Standard, 69 Tele Bass and the 82 Fullerton 57 P RI.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wolfkeller, Larry V, mistergoats and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back