Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

The only amp failure at a gig so far was due to a (sealed) water bottle falling on a rocker on/off switch. Aka user error. I had a resistor burn out in a rehearsal once and a cap explode in another rehearsal. That is it. I am feeling lucky. The two real failures were the same ACC 126 combo that I have had for more than 35 years. Not bad, really.

My PF350 failed last night at reggae rehearsal. I was on roadie duty for my daughter’s youth orchestra all afternoon, so I had my gear in the car trunk for about 8 hours and went directly to practice.
The temp was around 2-3 degrees Celsius.
I brought it into the rehearsal space, plugged in and it worked at first. Then it got quieter and I suspected one of the janky 410 cabs was at fault. I rolled in the Mesa 8x10 from the room next door, plugged into that and got intermittent distortion as well as low volume.
I had to use one of the house Traynor heads. I put the PF350 near a heat register when I got home, so it will be dry and warm when I test it today.

 

[GonePlaid]

My PF350 failed last night at reggae rehearsal. I was on roadie duty for my daughter’s youth orchestra all afternoon, so I had my gear in the car trunk for about 8 hours and went directly to practice.
The temp was around 2-3 degrees Celsius.
I brought it into the rehearsal space, plugged in and it worked at first. Then it got quieter and I suspected one of the janky 410 cabs was at fault. I rolled in the Mesa 8x10 from the room next door, plugged into that and got intermittent distortion as well as low volume.
I had to use one of the house Traynor heads. I put the PF350 near a heat register when I got home, so it will be dry and warm when I test it today.

Not sure what 2-3 degrees C. is-and too lazy to do the math-obviously cold. We have the opposite problem here in FL. Except for my backup, the 'working amp'(R40 or 200c)comes in the house from the van after a gig. Even the garage becomes a little too much of an oven.

 

[GonePlaid]

I had the 4x12 built because apparently I am a bit of size queen. I hate all the sound blowing by my knees and the tall cabinet helps alleviate that issue. I do wish it was a lighter.

When I had my SVT/810 rig, I loved the fact I could hear the upper speakers. I was only 4-5' in front of it and we weren't all that loud so I had all kinds of headroom. I always assumed the lower speakers sounded the same as the uppers. Nowadays, using a Rumble 40-or 200c-, I use a stand of some kind to angle that nice, LIGHT cab toward my ears.[the R40 + 200c together weigh less than the SVT head]

 

[jpmcbride]

Pics!

 

[Engle]

Not sure what 2-3 degrees C. is-and too lazy to do the math-obviously cold. We have the opposite problem here in FL. Except for my backup, the 'working amp'(R40 or 200c)comes in the house from the van after a gig. Even the garage becomes a little too much of an oven.

35-37 or so in American. I just plugged it in at home and it works normally...

 

[GonePlaid]

35-37 or so in American. I just plugged it in at home and it works normally...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I had the 4x12 built because apparently I am a bit of size queen. I hate all the sound blowing by my knees and the tall cabinet helps alleviate that issue. I do wish it was a lighter.

35-37 or so in American. I just plugged it in at home and it works normally...

people often overlook crappy old wiring in some venues...
i remember an outdoor gig where a long (60 or 70 feet) extension was used for the stage and the guitarist's Twin Reverb had the pilot lamp almost completely off (very slight dim) but the amp was still functioning..

 

[Gaolee]

This is a unique thread on TB. I can drop in a and read the recent posts and have no idea what you all are talking about

I've been paying my TBird a lot lately. I was using my P-Bass for a while, then recently a short-scale Mustang, but I just keep going back to the TBird and one of the reasons is the "reach". I've seen comments before (usually negative) about how the shape of the body moves the neck out further than on other basses, and how long the stretch is to play the lower frets. I'm actually finding this to be a positive. I play a lot of blues and one key in particular that is problematic is F. I prefer not to use open strings if possible - to me fretted notes sound better and are more controllable. In the key of F my choices are way down at fret 1 using some open notes, or up the neck at the 8th fret on the A string. I much prefer the sound at the 8th fret. But on a a standard bass, I'm having trouble getting my fretting hand to cover 4 frets at the 8th fret because my hand is so close to my body? Does that make sense? With my fretting hand that close to my body, I can't easily get underneath the neck to properly fret the notes, one finger per fret, and end up having to not use the pinky, and have to shift to get the notes the pinky would normally handle. I could raise my bass higher, but I prefer it to hang mid to lowish. The TBird moves those notes out away from my body so I can get around them easily. As far as the stretch to the lower frets being a problem, it doesn't seem to bother me. I fond myself shifting the Bird over on my right hip when making that long reach. It just happens naturally without any thought.

Did I mention the sound of this bass is amazing?

Yes to all of the above. Clearly, you have been chosen by that 'Bird. That is how we all became Thunderbird players.

 

[Gaolee]

I woulda figured a wireless setup would allow for more movement on stage.

it does. That is a very good thing.

 

[Gaolee]

Not sure what 2-3 degrees C. is-and too lazy to do the math-obviously cold. We have the opposite problem here in FL. Except for my backup, the 'working amp'(R40 or 200c)comes in the house from the van after a gig. Even the garage becomes a little too much of an oven.

It is above freezing and shouldn't be an issue in my opinion.

 

[GBassNorth]

This is a unique thread on TB. I can drop in a and read the recent posts and have no idea what you all are talking about

I've been paying my TBird a lot lately. I was using my P-Bass for a while, then recently a short-scale Mustang, but I just keep going back to the TBird and one of the reasons is the "reach". I've seen comments before (usually negative) about how the shape of the body moves the neck out further than on other basses, and how long the stretch is to play the lower frets. I'm actually finding this to be a positive. I play a lot of blues and one key in particular that is problematic is F. I prefer not to use open strings if possible - to me fretted notes sound better and are more controllable. In the key of F my choices are way down at fret 1 using some open notes, or up the neck at the 8th fret on the A string. I much prefer the sound at the 8th fret. But on a a standard bass, I'm having trouble getting my fretting hand to cover 4 frets at the 8th fret because my hand is so close to my body? Does that make sense? With my fretting hand that close to my body, I can't easily get underneath the neck to properly fret the notes, one finger per fret, and end up having to not use the pinky, and have to shift to get the notes the pinky would normally handle. I could raise my bass higher, but I prefer it to hang mid to lowish. The TBird moves those notes out away from my body so I can get around them easily. As far as the stretch to the lower frets being a problem, it doesn't seem to bother me. I fond myself shifting the Bird over on my right hip when making that long reach. It just happens naturally without any thought.

Did I mention the sound of this bass is amazing?

Makes perfect sense to me.
I spend a lot of time on short scale basses and have to admit that things can get a bit cramped down close to the 12th fret. Elbow room is a good thing to have when playing a bass. When standing I also have a tendency to gravitate towards the headstock end of the neck when ever possible. What's odd is that when sitting I seem to do the exact opposite and frequently hover in the 5 to 12 territory. Go figure.

 

[PillO]

It is above freezing and shouldn't be an issue in my opinion.

From just above freezing to a warm room, I would be concerned with condensation. I suspect that is the direction that @Engle is thinking.

 

[PillO]

My PF350 failed last night at reggae rehearsal. I was on roadie duty for my daughter’s youth orchestra all afternoon, so I had my gear in the car trunk for about 8 hours and went directly to practice.
The temp was around 2-3 degrees Celsius.
I brought it into the rehearsal space, plugged in and it worked at first. Then it got quieter and I suspected one of the janky 410 cabs was at fault. I rolled in the Mesa 8x10 from the room next door, plugged into that and got intermittent distortion as well as low volume.
I had to use one of the house Traynor heads. I put the PF350 near a heat register when I got home, so it will be dry and warm when I test it today.

Nothing wrong with Traynor...

I saw Sloan Saturday evening (for the non-Canadians, a successful band in the Canadian market). Interesting that one of the guitar players was using 2 Traynor 15W heads with 2 Traynor 4x12 cabs and the bass player was using a Traynor YBA300 with a Traynor 810.

Traynor gear is tough to survive the road, sounds good, and (in Canada anyway) inexpensive.

 

[JJR58]

Does anybody like/have an opinion on Eden heads?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

This is a unique thread on TB. I can drop in a and read the recent posts and have no idea what you all are talking about

I've been paying my TBird a lot lately. I was using my P-Bass for a while, then recently a short-scale Mustang, but I just keep going back to the TBird and one of the reasons is the "reach". I've seen comments before (usually negative) about how the shape of the body moves the neck out further than on other basses, and how long the stretch is to play the lower frets. I'm actually finding this to be a positive. I play a lot of blues and one key in particular that is problematic is F. I prefer not to use open strings if possible - to me fretted notes sound better and are more controllable. In the key of F my choices are way down at fret 1 using some open notes, or up the neck at the 8th fret on the A string. I much prefer the sound at the 8th fret. But on a a standard bass, I'm having trouble getting my fretting hand to cover 4 frets at the 8th fret because my hand is so close to my body? Does that make sense? With my fretting hand that close to my body, I can't easily get underneath the neck to properly fret the notes, one finger per fret, and end up having to not use the pinky, and have to shift to get the notes the pinky would normally handle. I could raise my bass higher, but I prefer it to hang mid to lowish. The TBird moves those notes out away from my body so I can get around them easily. As far as the stretch to the lower frets being a problem, it doesn't seem to bother me. I fond myself shifting the Bird over on my right hip when making that long reach. It just happens naturally without any thought.

Did I mention the sound of this bass is amazing?

Everyone's physiology is different, and I can see how this would be a thing.

You're paying your bird a lot lately? What do you pay it with?

 

[ThaCoast]

the Goliath helps beaucoup..

When i bought it, there was one speaker frozen. Still needs a recone, & that's the reason i got for dirt cheap. But 4x10s are glorious, just enough punch & definition all while keeping everything tight & focused. I'd be down to build my own 4x10 in a taller box, off set speakers, & keep the back port. IT's a future possible build. Right now i'm good with the one cab

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

When i bought it, there was one speaker frozen. Still needs a recone, & that's the reason i got for dirt cheap. But 4x10s are glorious, just enough punch & definition all while keeping everything tight & focused.

those speakers are very desirable in the second hand market. i bought a used Goliath 2X10 in the early 90's and sold it for almost 400 dollars less than three years ago..
don't care much for SWR heads but those drivers.....they also cost a fortune to recone..

 

[GBassNorth]

Does anybody like/have an opinion on Eden heads?

All the Eden heads I've played through had a noticeably dark sound to them. Similar experiences with Ashdown. Kind of at the opposite end of the sound spectrum from an Epifani or Phil Jones amp.

If you're looking for a very transparent non colored tone it may not be the head for you, but if you like a deep dark rich tone I think you'll be happy with one. Can't speak for reliability but I don't recall any specific watchouts with Eden WT heads. I personally like them but for the same used price I like the Thunderfunk 420 or 550 better.

 

[Markamb1]

Have the svt4pro and an 810...I want two 15s as well or a 15 and an 18... couldn’t even hook it up but two 810s a 15 and an 18. Ridiculous.

 

[JJR58]

All the Eden heads I've played through had a noticeably dark sound to them. Similar experiences with Ashdown. Kind of at the opposite end of the sound spectrum from an Epifani or Phil Jones amp.

If you're looking for a very transparent non colored tone it may not be the head for you, but if you like a deep dark rich tone I think you'll be happy with one. Can't speak for reliability but I don't recall any specific watchouts with Eden WT heads. I personally like them but for the same used price I like the Thunderfunk 420 or 550 better.

Thanks G, i tend to go for a more open transparent tone. Not necessarily looking at anything right now, was just curious.
Played through someones rig years ago, was one of the Eden heads through some Bergantino cabs. I liked the tone of it at that time. But i'm guessing the cabs played a big role in what i was hearing as well.