Thunderbird Club

[fasterpussycat]

You’ll get no arguments from me! Maybe ribbon mics aren’t for everyone, but I think they cover more ground than any LDC I’ve ever owned. Not that I’ve owned a U47

I've been in a studio with one. No touching, no smoking, no fun.

 

[dukeorock]

I've been in a studio with one. No touching, no smoking, no fun.

I’ve rented em many times, but I can’t see me wanting to buy one, let alone being able to!

 

[GBassNorth]

That is a decent price if it is truly in excellent condition. Maybe Gbass will be wanting it.

Saw that one when I was buying mine. It's a TB seller and the TB price is even better than the Reverb price and about the same price as mine. I passed on it because it had some through finish nicks in it. Besides, where's the sense of adventure in buying something that you're certain is a TBird.

... will they trade for a susaphone?

Wait a minute, I thought I had a trombone potential in my purchase. I don't have room for a sousaphone, barely have enough room for a bass.

 

[GBassNorth]

Well it's late (almost 1:30am). Earlier I managed to swing by GC just before they closed to pick up my bass (?) delivery. Imagine my surprise when I opened the case...

...Just joshin!


Actually I did end up with a very nice 2015 TBird. It needed a bit of attention to make the cut but looks like it might be a keeper. The previous owner had waaaay too much relief in the neck for my liking, had the bridge pup slammed way down into the body (to the point where the pup cover had separated from the innards), left the babicz spacer under the bridge, neglected to oil the fretboard, and stripped out the bottom strap pin screw.

So I took off the strings, removed the bridge plate, reinstalled the bridge, repaired the bridge pup, oiled the fretboard, put some back bow in the neck, reinstalled the strings, performed a complete setup and got the action reasonably low, toothpicked the strap button, noodled around a bit unplugged, and then plugged in to quietly noodle some more.

Super resonant bass! Unplugged - every note can be heard loud and clear. Plugged in - very nicely voiced on the top end, clear and crisp, no chorus effect or noticeable dead spots (top end is bridge pup on full, neck off, tone dimed, in single coil mode, right hand between the two pups, playing melodies, chords and harmonics on the G and D strings). Near baritone guitar sound! On the bottom end (neck pup full on and in Humbucker mode, bridge off, tone rolled off, Right hand up near the neck, playing root and walking basslines on the E, A and D strings at or near first position) equally nicely voiced on the bottom end! Rich thick, detailed and blooming notes, no dead spots, no wolf notes, minimal finger noise.

Like all my birds, it's a pleasure to play unstrapped while sitting, very comfortable. Couldn't strap it on yet to see how it balances, need to wait for tthe strap pin glue to dry. But no indication of any neck dive and overall weight feels a tad less than my other birds.

Can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when I can give it a full at volume and strapped on workout and see how it sounds in a mix.

 

[RedVee]

Saw that one when I was buying mine. It's a TB seller and the TB price is even better than the Reverb price and about the same price as mine. I passed on it because it had some through finish nicks in it. Besides, where's the sense of adventure in buying something that you're certain is a TBird.


Wait a minute, I thought I had a trombone potential in my purchase. I don't have room for a sousaphone, barely have enough room for a bass.

I wouldn’t mind having a go on a lagerphone Make a Lagerphone

 

[PillO]

I wouldn’t mind having a go on a lagerphone Make a Lagerphone

Looks suspiciously like something used by morris dancers.

 

[PillO]

Well it's late (almost 1:30am). Earlier I managed to swing by GC just before they closed to pick up my bass (?) delivery. Imagine my surprise when I opened the case...
View attachment 3360614
...Just joshin!


Actually I did end up with a very nice 2015 TBird. It needed a bit of attention to make the cut but looks like it might be a keeper. The previous owner had waaaay too much relief in the neck for my liking, had the bridge pup slammed way down into the body (to the point where the pup cover had separated from the innards), left the babicz spacer under the bridge, neglected to oil the fretboard, and stripped out the bottom strap pin screw.

So I took off the strings, removed the bridge plate, reinstalled the bridge, repaired the bridge pup, oiled the fretboard, put some back bow in the neck, reinstalled the strings, performed a complete setup and got the action reasonably low, toothpicked the strap button, noodled around a bit unplugged, and then plugged in to quietly noodle some more.

Super resonant bass! Unplugged - every note can be heard loud and clear. Plugged in - very nicely voiced on the top end, clear and crisp, no chorus effect or noticeable dead spots (top end is bridge pup on full, neck off, tone dimed, in single coil mode, right hand between the two pups, playing melodies, chords and harmonics on the G and D strings). Near baritone guitar sound! On the bottom end (neck pup full on and in Humbucker mode, bridge off, tone rolled off, Right hand up near the neck, playing root and walking basslines on the E, A and D strings at or near first position) equally nicely voiced on the bottom end! Rich thick, detailed and blooming notes, no dead spots, no wolf notes, minimal finger noise.

Like all my birds, it's a pleasure to play unstrapped while sitting, very comfortable. Couldn't strap it on yet to see how it balances, need to wait for tthe strap pin glue to dry. But no indication of any neck dive and overall weight feels a tad less than my other birds.

Can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when I can give it a full at volume and strapped on workout and see how it sounds in a mix.
View attachment 3360615

As happy as I am that you got what appears to be a great bass, I am equally disappointed that you didn't end up with something that would be the subject of an immensely amusing story.

 

[RedVee]

Well it's late (almost 1:30am). Earlier I managed to swing by GC just before they closed to pick up my bass (?) delivery. Imagine my surprise when I opened the case...
View attachment 3360614
...Just joshin!


Actually I did end up with a very nice 2015 TBird. It needed a bit of attention to make the cut but looks like it might be a keeper. The previous owner had waaaay too much relief in the neck for my liking, had the bridge pup slammed way down into the body (to the point where the pup cover had separated from the innards), left the babicz spacer under the bridge, neglected to oil the fretboard, and stripped out the bottom strap pin screw.

So I took off the strings, removed the bridge plate, reinstalled the bridge, repaired the bridge pup, oiled the fretboard, put some back bow in the neck, reinstalled the strings, performed a complete setup and got the action reasonably low, toothpicked the strap button, noodled around a bit unplugged, and then plugged in to quietly noodle some more.

Super resonant bass! Unplugged - every note can be heard loud and clear. Plugged in - very nicely voiced on the top end, clear and crisp, no chorus effect or noticeable dead spots (top end is bridge pup on full, neck off, tone dimed, in single coil mode, right hand between the two pups, playing melodies, chords and harmonics on the G and D strings). Near baritone guitar sound! On the bottom end (neck pup full on and in Humbucker mode, bridge off, tone rolled off, Right hand up near the neck, playing root and walking basslines on the E, A and D strings at or near first position) equally nicely voiced on the bottom end! Rich thick, detailed and blooming notes, no dead spots, no wolf notes, minimal finger noise.

Like all my birds, it's a pleasure to play unstrapped while sitting, very comfortable. Couldn't strap it on yet to see how it balances, need to wait for tthe strap pin glue to dry. But no indication of any neck dive and overall weight feels a tad less than my other birds.

Can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when I can give it a full at volume and strapped on workout and see how it sounds in a mix.
View attachment 3360615

And it’s a bit of a looker as well. Congrats!

I always struggle to remember the 2015. For some reason I always think of the gold bird.

 

[RedVee]

Looks suspiciously like something used by morris dancers.

Well ok, that puts a dampener on that thought


Demo:

 

[bylar13]

Well it's late (almost 1:30am). Earlier I managed to swing by GC just before they closed to pick up my bass (?) delivery. Imagine my surprise when I opened the case...
View attachment 3360614
...Just joshin!


Actually I did end up with a very nice 2015 TBird. It needed a bit of attention to make the cut but looks like it might be a keeper. The previous owner had waaaay too much relief in the neck for my liking, had the bridge pup slammed way down into the body (to the point where the pup cover had separated from the innards), left the babicz spacer under the bridge, neglected to oil the fretboard, and stripped out the bottom strap pin screw.

So I took off the strings, removed the bridge plate, reinstalled the bridge, repaired the bridge pup, oiled the fretboard, put some back bow in the neck, reinstalled the strings, performed a complete setup and got the action reasonably low, toothpicked the strap button, noodled around a bit unplugged, and then plugged in to quietly noodle some more.

Super resonant bass! Unplugged - every note can be heard loud and clear. Plugged in - very nicely voiced on the top end, clear and crisp, no chorus effect or noticeable dead spots (top end is bridge pup on full, neck off, tone dimed, in single coil mode, right hand between the two pups, playing melodies, chords and harmonics on the G and D strings). Near baritone guitar sound! On the bottom end (neck pup full on and in Humbucker mode, bridge off, tone rolled off, Right hand up near the neck, playing root and walking basslines on the E, A and D strings at or near first position) equally nicely voiced on the bottom end! Rich thick, detailed and blooming notes, no dead spots, no wolf notes, minimal finger noise.

Like all my birds, it's a pleasure to play unstrapped while sitting, very comfortable. Couldn't strap it on yet to see how it balances, need to wait for tthe strap pin glue to dry. But no indication of any neck dive and overall weight feels a tad less than my other birds.

Can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when I can give it a full at volume and strapped on workout and see how it sounds in a mix.
View attachment 3360615

Curious why you removed the spacer on the bridge? Inquiring minds and all of that.....

 

[JJR58]

Well it's late (almost 1:30am). Earlier I managed to swing by GC just before they closed to pick up my bass (?) delivery. Imagine my surprise when I opened the case...
View attachment 3360614
...Just joshin!


Actually I did end up with a very nice 2015 TBird. It needed a bit of attention to make the cut but looks like it might be a keeper. The previous owner had waaaay too much relief in the neck for my liking, had the bridge pup slammed way down into the body (to the point where the pup cover had separated from the innards), left the babicz spacer under the bridge, neglected to oil the fretboard, and stripped out the bottom strap pin screw.

So I took off the strings, removed the bridge plate, reinstalled the bridge, repaired the bridge pup, oiled the fretboard, put some back bow in the neck, reinstalled the strings, performed a complete setup and got the action reasonably low, toothpicked the strap button, noodled around a bit unplugged, and then plugged in to quietly noodle some more.

Super resonant bass! Unplugged - every note can be heard loud and clear. Plugged in - very nicely voiced on the top end, clear and crisp, no chorus effect or noticeable dead spots (top end is bridge pup on full, neck off, tone dimed, in single coil mode, right hand between the two pups, playing melodies, chords and harmonics on the G and D strings). Near baritone guitar sound! On the bottom end (neck pup full on and in Humbucker mode, bridge off, tone rolled off, Right hand up near the neck, playing root and walking basslines on the E, A and D strings at or near first position) equally nicely voiced on the bottom end! Rich thick, detailed and blooming notes, no dead spots, no wolf notes, minimal finger noise.

Like all my birds, it's a pleasure to play unstrapped while sitting, very comfortable. Couldn't strap it on yet to see how it balances, need to wait for tthe strap pin glue to dry. But no indication of any neck dive and overall weight feels a tad less than my other birds.

Can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when I can give it a full at volume and strapped on workout and see how it sounds in a mix.
View attachment 3360615

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dukeorock]

I’d love to hear a 2015 at some point. Anyone know where a brother can find a decent audio clip?

 

[BklynKen]

Not that I’ve owned a U47

With leather?

 

[Inky13]

I see microphones with these cages around them but I don’t know the what or the why.

Can someone give me the ‘For Dummies’ explanation?

Those are shock mounts. They isolate the mic from vibrations.

 

[Engle]

What was the set list?

We didn’t end up adding anything Irish. We tried With or Without You, but the keyboard/trumpet player declared it boring. I could not argue!
There were Irish Dancers during one of our breaks, so that seemed to fulfil the cultural requirement - that and lots of green beer

 

[Gaolee]

...surfeit of talentless hacks...

Ahhhh, poetry!

 

[Gaolee]

That does seem like a great price, especially with shipping included.

Indeed it is. And, we are here to enable. Somebody needs that one.

 

[Gaolee]

I have been seriously impressed by ribbon recordings I have heard and was once also impressed by ribbon speakers. They're the same price as a locally made condenser, so why the hell not?

No reason not. There are things ribbon mics don't do, but a whole lot more things they do and do really well.

 

[Gaolee]

I see microphones with these cages around them but I don’t know the what or the why.

Can someone give me the ‘For Dummies’ explanation?

Vibration isolation. It's like a shock absorber around the mic's body.

 

[Gaolee]

Well it's late (almost 1:30am). Earlier I managed to swing by GC just before they closed to pick up my bass (?) delivery. Imagine my surprise when I opened the case...
View attachment 3360614
...Just joshin!


Actually I did end up with a very nice 2015 TBird. It needed a bit of attention to make the cut but looks like it might be a keeper. The previous owner had waaaay too much relief in the neck for my liking, had the bridge pup slammed way down into the body (to the point where the pup cover had separated from the innards), left the babicz spacer under the bridge, neglected to oil the fretboard, and stripped out the bottom strap pin screw.

So I took off the strings, removed the bridge plate, reinstalled the bridge, repaired the bridge pup, oiled the fretboard, put some back bow in the neck, reinstalled the strings, performed a complete setup and got the action reasonably low, toothpicked the strap button, noodled around a bit unplugged, and then plugged in to quietly noodle some more.

Super resonant bass! Unplugged - every note can be heard loud and clear. Plugged in - very nicely voiced on the top end, clear and crisp, no chorus effect or noticeable dead spots (top end is bridge pup on full, neck off, tone dimed, in single coil mode, right hand between the two pups, playing melodies, chords and harmonics on the G and D strings). Near baritone guitar sound! On the bottom end (neck pup full on and in Humbucker mode, bridge off, tone rolled off, Right hand up near the neck, playing root and walking basslines on the E, A and D strings at or near first position) equally nicely voiced on the bottom end! Rich thick, detailed and blooming notes, no dead spots, no wolf notes, minimal finger noise.

Like all my birds, it's a pleasure to play unstrapped while sitting, very comfortable. Couldn't strap it on yet to see how it balances, need to wait for tthe strap pin glue to dry. But no indication of any neck dive and overall weight feels a tad less than my other birds.

Can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when I can give it a full at volume and strapped on workout and see how it sounds in a mix.
View attachment 3360615

Congratulations! You will enjoy it a whole lot. I haven't actually checked to see if the spacer is still under the bridge on mine. It could be set up just fine the way it was, which meant that I just left it as-is. I'll have to check next time it gets out to play.