Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

You should go back for a visit. LA is awful. San Jose is worse. But over the next few years or so, most of them will move to Austin...

Been there - nice place to visit...

 

[GonePlaid]

Then I'm terminal...

+ or - ?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Then I'm terminal...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

They also have the population of Canada

we know you guys mean well but..

 

[RedVee]

View attachment 3253418 Per recent talk about Goths, I have been drooling over them for a few years now. In looking at the availability on Sweetwater it appears that the fretboards are not being dyed as dark as they used to. Subjective, but to me the light rosewood just doesn’t at all go with the black matte finish. I called Sweetwater about it and they said they believe the fretboard is still Rosewood, but that it’s a cheaper varietal. Bottom right bird if I had to choose, but that one is still too light IMO.

They are pale!

 

[PillO]

The exidous is due in large part to major employers like State Farm, Chevron, Allstate, Liberty Mutual and many others shutting down huge operations here and moving to Texas and Arizona. The sweetheart tax deals and other incentives they’re getting make it a no brainer for them to leave. And a lot of Californians are moving there with them to stay employed. They don’t have a lot of choices these days.

When I lived in SJ, we formed a plan to start moving accounting (AP and AR) to Nebraska. There is no reason to have those operations in California and NB office space was really cheap. If that worked, other functions would be moved as well.

I could't handle LA again. And my sis in law offered for me to come stay with her.

Is that an LA problem or a SiL problem?

I always see your name as "I am G root".

OK, not just me...

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

we know you guys mean well but..
View attachment 3253579

I guess those extra 3 million people really do make a difference

 

[yobtaf]

Well I have to turn in my number. I tried for few months but the Thunderbird just wasnt my thing. So its been sold. I even have a 73 rickenbacker I dont play hahaha. Im just a P bass guy I guess.

 

[GonePlaid]

Well I have to turn in my number. I tried for few months but the Thunderbird just wasnt my thing. So its been sold. I even have a 73 rickenbacker I dont play hahaha. Im just a P bass guy I guess.

You and the right one just haven't met-yet.

 

[JJR58]

When I lived in SJ, we formed a plan to start moving accounting (AP and AR) to Nebraska. There is no reason to have those operations in California and NB office space was really cheap. If that worked, other functions would be moved as well.



Is that an LA problem or a SiL problem?



OK, not just me...

LA, SiL is really cool.

 

[Engle]

View attachment 3253418 Per recent talk about Goths, I have been drooling over them for a few years now. In looking at the availability on Sweetwater it appears that the fretboards are not being dyed as dark as they used to. Subjective, but to me the light rosewood just doesn’t at all go with the black matte finish. I called Sweetwater about it and they said they believe the fretboard is still Rosewood, but that it’s a cheaper varietal. Bottom right bird if I had to choose, but that one is still too light IMO.

I played an Eppi 4 in a store the other day and it had a very light rosewood fingerboard. IMO It did not look good against the mahogany especially at the side where the fingerboard was finished.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

Well I have to turn in my number. I tried for few months but the Thunderbird just wasnt my thing. So its been sold. I even have a 73 rickenbacker I dont play hahaha. Im just a P bass guy I guess.

Im a p bass guy too.Also just got a jazz bass and was suggested at home to sell the T bird cos who needs 3 guitars...I put up such a fight no one dares to mantion it again

For me a T bird is all about playing with a pick,thats where it shines.Also bends,slides and certain riffs sound specialy good with a T bird.

 

[GBassNorth]

The pickups look about mudbucker size. Which means a Dimarzio One ought to work. That would solve pickup weirdness, but it wouldn't help with the ergos any.

I've heard some good reviews on those pups, can't say I've ever tried them in person though.

Really want to hear a model 1 pickup in person...seems neat

Agree.

this dude smokes one....Traynor!....

Help me out, who is this dude and does he have a video clip of the bass in action.

Widerange humbuckers as 7ender calls them. Not exactly the same size as the Gibson Sidewinder/mudbucker.

@GBassNorth: give it a few weeks, if it still hasn't grown on you, part ways & find something that suits you. It is a weird semi hollow. Offset jazz style body, bolt on, I believe it's all maple too (don't quote me on that i'm going by memory & pictures). Sweet basses, but i'm glad i'm building my own semi hollow 335 style & 32" scale

Good advice and spot on with the construction assumptions.

....
That Gretsch bass looks country while looks and feels amazing.

A Gretch is still in the running. The only issue I have with them is they always seem a bit bulky and clunky looking but I've never actually played one. If the Starcaster is a bust I might try a Gretch.

Yeah, I thought about suggesting ditching the 7ender in favour of a JC. I love my JC.

Everyone I know that owns a JC loves their JC. There must be some serious magic in that bugger. Is there a best year for the JC bass?

The whole continent would like to see California dispersed to the winds...

LOL - I get that impression on every political blog I visit. As a California native I remember the days when being a native here was a badge of honor. Of course now days if you mention it you invariably trigger some poor soul looking for a reason to vent.

View attachment 3253418 Per recent talk about Goths, I have been drooling over them for a few years now. In looking at the availability on Sweetwater it appears that the fretboards are not being dyed as dark as they used to. Subjective, but to me the light rosewood just doesn’t at all go with the black matte finish. I called Sweetwater about it and they said they believe the fretboard is still Rosewood, but that it’s a cheaper varietal. Bottom right bird if I had to choose, but that one is still too light IMO.

As a Goth owner I completely agree, the rosewood board has to go. Should be Ebony or at least stained to a black finish. I tried the StewMac fretboard stain to darken mine up and the change was barely noticeable. Good news is @Dadagoboi (Cataldo brand bass builder) has an inexpensive sure fire solution to bring it to full black. I'll be staining mine the Cataldo way soon.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I guess those extra 3 million people really do make a difference

not so sure.....Texas with 28 million...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I lived in San Jose for a couple of years (at the turn of the century). I couldn't take it; too many engineers. And I had no interest in learning telephony protocols just to be able to have a conversation. Traffic was terrible as were house prices and rent. People thought that they were financial geniuses because they had employee stock options in a company that had a webpage garnering views. But I really liked the Faultline Brewery and the Friday night skate in SF.

My dad worked for FMC Corp (off Coleman rd. by the SJ airport) in the early 60's and used to say Cali back then was "the most laid back place on earth"..

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I've heard some good reviews on those pups, can't say I've ever tried them in person though.


Agree.


Help me out, who is this dude and does he have a video clip of the bass in action.


Good advice and spot on with the construction assumptions.


A Gretch is still in the running. The only issue I have with them is they always seem a bit bulky and clunky looking but I've never actually played one. If the Starcaster is a bust I might try a Gretch.


Everyone I know that owns a JC loves their JC. There must be some serious magic in that bugger. Is there a best year for the JC bass?


LOL - I get that impression on every political blog I visit. As a California native I remember the days when being a native here was a badge of honor. Of course now days if you mention it you invariably trigger some poor soul looking for a reason to vent.


As a Goth owner I completely agree, the rosewood board has to go. Should be Ebony or at least stained to a black finish. I tried the StewMac fretboard stain to darken mine up and the change was barely noticeable. Good news is @Dadagoboi (Cataldo brand bass builder) has an inexpensive sure fire solution to bring it to full black. I'll be staining mine the Cataldo way soon.

It's from a documentary that coincidentally came on yesterday about a reunion of The Kashmere Stage Band from Kashmere HS out of the Fifth Ward area in Houston....the kid sounded like an early Jaco..
The SHB Fender and Traynor rig caught my eye..

 

[JIO]

+ or - ?

AC/DC

 

[JIO]

this dude smokes one....Traynor!....

 

[Gaolee]

Honestly, i'm harmless, low maintenance and a cheap date. And i've lived in Cali a bunch. And the PNW. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Gaolee]

The exidous is due in large part to major employers like State Farm, Chevron, Allstate, Liberty Mutual and many others shutting down huge operations here and moving to Texas and Arizona. The sweetheart tax deals and other incentives they’re getting make it a no brainer for them to leave. And a lot of Californians are moving there with them to stay employed. They don’t have a lot of choices these days.

I was in Texas on election night this year. It was amusing to watch the returns come in, because there was inevitably some guy who got interviewed grousing about the Californians moving into Texas and altering "Texas values." I'm not sure what Texas values are and why they are different from California values, because from my perspective, the two most onerous states for the kind of work I do, as far as bureaucracy, are California and Texas. The slant is different, but the result is similar enough to make me especially amused. Fortunately, Thunderbirds are perfectly legal and unregulated in both places.