Thunderbird Club

[Mike.C.]

I’ve found that staring at the attractive gal next to her burly, ex-MMA boyfriend works well.

There actually was one and part of why I was asking. Although the ex-MMA seemed to be enjoying the music more than his GF.

 

[GBassNorth]

There actually was one and part of why I was asking. Although the ex-MMA seemed to be enjoying the music more than his GF.

Well then, in that case.... stare at her ex-MMA BF and wink every now and then. Should be great for the tip jar.

 

[TBird1958]

Tell me more about your pickguard. I'm considering going with a metal one and would like the cutout logo like you have. Where did you get yours and will it fit a Gibby?

There was a guy on eBay selling stainless steel Bird guards and truss rod covers years ago. He made models for Epi and Gibson but I bought the Gibson versions. This one fits the Epi fine, but not perfect. It is thicker/heavier than the version I bought on here recently. I believe our Queen had the same guard/TRC on her Sixx Mach II, but those had been chrome plated.

I did have mine chrome plated (it was expensive) and did have it on the N.S. Mk. II but I knew I'd never get the money out of it so I kept it and put the stock PG on it when it was sold.
Here it's laying on top of the stock PG on my '89, it would fit this bass but the pup rout could potentially show and it would require drilling all new holes - Something I don't want to do to this bass. Same story for the '76s, not a match there either.

Well loved backside of a "player" no "relicing".

 

[GBassNorth]

As chucky posits, the pickups should still work, however, I would caution that the size and shape of the magnetic field could be changed and change some character of the pickups. But perhaps there is an easier solution - black nail polish on the pole pieces?

it really depends on the material. the less ferromagnetic the better....pickup covers are usually made with this is in mind....there are people who remove metal covers from their humbuckers and claim favorable results however quantifying this is (as with anything else in music) pretty subjective.....to some, covers may even sound better......could be wrong but polish may chip off..

From previous experience I know it will impact the sound, the question is how much and how bad or good. I'm pretty much set on cans and rings and leaning heavily towards black chrome, maybe on the scratch plate too. The 2015 bird has such a massive tone spectrum, I suspect I'll still be able to dial in about any sound I want.

500ms..

500... 501 whatever it takes.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

From previous experience I know it will impact the sound, the question is how much and how bad or good. I'm pretty much set on cans and rings and leaning heavily towards black chrome, maybe on the scratch plate too. The 2015 bird has such a massive tone spectrum, I suspect I'll still be able to dial in about any sound I want.

why not swap the pickups all together then? it could also be that the pickup manufacturer could provide you with covers that have not been stamped if you really want to hold on to those originals?..

 

[TBird1958]

From previous experience I know it will impact the sound, the question is how much and how bad or good. I'm pretty much set on cans and rings and leaning heavily towards black chrome, maybe on the scratch plate too. The 2015 bird has such a massive tone spectrum, I suspect I'll still be able to dial in about any sound I want.


500... 501 whatever it takes.

That year bass is unique - I'd leave it alone.

 

[BklynKen]

500... 501 whatever it takes.

I'd stick with 220 or 221.

 

[GBassNorth]

why not swap the pickups all together then? it could also be that the pickup manufacturer could provide you with covers that have not been stamped if you really want to hold on to those originals?..

That year bass is unique - I'd leave it alone.

As Veronica noted, it's a unique model so I don't want to do anything that isn't easily reversible. The stock pups are great and really define this beast, so they will stay. Fortunately, Gibby cheaped out on the cover design. The stock pups are held in place inside the cover with just a couple of small dabs of silicone glue. Took all of 2 seconds to remove the cover from the pup, will take 2 seconds to glue them back on if needed. Trim rings would be fitted with fake screw heads and applied lightly with minimal adhesive tape. The new scratch plate screws would have to line up with existing holes, if not it would get the same fake screw head and adhesive tape treatment as the rings.

Still just a lot of pondering on my part. I suspect I'll keep this bass but won't do anything until I get past the Guitar Center return/refund date.

 

[GBassNorth]

I'd stick with 220 or 221.

Unless I really wanted to kill it, then I'd use a 45... or 46, whatever it takes.

Edit: Mrs Mom actually used a 38 or 39, whatever it took.

 

[JJR58]

it really depends on the material. the less ferromagnetic the better....pickup covers are usually made with this is in mind....there are people who remove metal covers from their humbuckers and claim favorable results however quantifying this is (as with anything else in music) pretty subjective.....to some, covers may even sound better......could be wrong but polish may chip off..

Coated in alien sweat, the ultimate protection.

 

[PillO]

Nice. When you are looking out into the crowd trying to engage them how long do you typically keep eye contact with one individual? I ask b/c we're playing an open mic night every other week and the crowd is sparse. Only a handful of people to engage with anyway, and I don't want to come off creepy! Well, creepier than I already am I suppose...

I would suggest picking one person per song and staring at them intensely throughout the song. Without blinking if possible. If there is a bass solo, get as close to them as you can for the solo. If there is no bass solo, add one.*




*All advice is for my amusement only.**




**Do I really need a disclaimer?

 

[BklynKen]

**Do I really need a disclaimer?

I think you're a living disclaimer.

 

[PillO]

it really depends on the material. the less ferromagnetic the better....pickup covers are usually made with this is in mind....there are people who remove metal covers from their humbuckers and claim favorable results however quantifying this is (as with anything else in music) pretty subjective.....to some, covers may even sound better......could be wrong but polish may chip off..

I was aiming to avoid big words, but yes. If nail polish chips off, it can be re-applied. Buy the large economy size bottle - 30mL (1 fl oz for those sticking to measures not divisible by 10)

 

[PillO]

Well loved backside of a "player" no "relicing".

Ahem!

 

[dukeorock]

OK, been playing for 6 years and I have not seen an explanation on this. Why is it that some 'thumb' rests are on the far side of the G string? Please help, thx.

No such thing as a bad picture of a bird!

Nice. When you are looking out into the crowd trying to engage them how long do you typically keep eye contact with one individual? I ask b/c we're playing an open mic night every other week and the crowd is sparse. Only a handful of people to engage with anyway, and I don't want to come off creepy! Well, creepier than I already am I suppose...

Haha! Just be yourself. Staring at folks ain’t good, but staring at your shoes ain’t either

cool...what's them miked amps to the right of the kick? they part of his guitar setup along with the tweed amp on the other side? the pedal steel sounds great through that silverface twin..

Derek uses two Swart amps for stereo. Amazing sounding amps!

Duke, with his Devil-may-care attitude, throws caution to the wind and wears a red shirt!

It was clean. Those are my favorite shirts

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Well then, in that case.... stare at her ex-MMA BF and wink every now and then. Should be great for the tip jar.

or get you one of these.....

I'll just stick to glancing at the crowd in 500ms intervals...

 

[PillO]

I think you're a living disclaimer.

I have tried to lead an exemplary life. A living example of what not to do...

 

[BklynKen]

Haha! Just be yourself. Staring at folks ain’t good, but staring at your shoes ain’t either

There's a whole genre for that!

 

[Nocturnal]

I did have mine chrome plated (it was expensive) and did have it on the N.S. Mk. II but I knew I'd never get the money out of it so I kept it and put the stock PG on it when it was sold.
Here it's laying on top of the stock PG on my '89, it would fit this bass but the pup rout could potentially show and it would require drilling all new holes - Something I don't want to do to this bass. Same story for the '76s, not a match there either.

Well loved backside of a "player" no "relicing".

I wish I had been smart enough to buy the BlackBird version he offered as well. Hindsight and all.......

 

[Thumper]

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare a maple board Lull T4 or T5 to a rosewood equipped one? Or maybe the difference is subtle enough that it doesn't matter? Still miss my '76 Tbird (sold in 2000), just not the neck dive.