Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

It convinced me that everything needs an x-tender. Mission not complete on that count yet, but it's happening slowly.

Ahem.

 

[BklynKen]

I like that it sounds different than my other basses. That’s what I was hoping.

What I was wondering is whether you folks had a common consensus regarding the most Thunderbird-sounding Thunderbird pickup.

Maybe there’s a year or a maker that stands out as having nailed the quintessential T-Bird sound.

Or maybe there’s a year or maker that totally misses the mark.

I just don’t know a lot about the T-Bird culture, and I’m here to learn.

That's kind of a can of worms. I think all that counts is that you like the sound. Everyone hears things differently and has different preferences.

 

[Gaolee]

This translates to lots of stuff. When I was learning race track driving, I was told to treat the shift knob like an egg. At first I'd be too heavy-handed and the shifter wouldn't easily slide into the gate. Once I did it gently, never failed.

That's how clutchless shifting works on a motorcycle. A little preload, blip the throttle, and it almost shifts itself. Learning with a heavy pick has been a good education in letting it do its thing in a similar manner. I am experimenting with lighter weight picks now, but go back to the heavy one regularly just for a tuneup.

 

[Gaolee]

Actually - it looks like something Ed "Big Daddy" Roth would have one of his big-headed creatures driving!

I suppose it could be a little more tastefully done.

 

[PillO]

D'Addario NYXL's 50-105 - they deliver deep, powerful lows, accentuated harmonics, focused punch, unrivaled tuning stability, and endless sustain. (their copy, but true!) Steel core, nickel casing, no silk wind, nice black packaging.

Nigel would love it.

 

[PillO]

I suppose it could be a little more tastefully done.

I keep hoping that fins will come back into style. I recognize that it will probably never happen though.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

G’day all, I may have mentioned that I’m taking lessons at the moment. This involves learning to read, and using a pick.

I feel very clumsy with the pick still (a few weeks), especially when moving down (up?) 2 or 3 strings. (Not allowed to use open strings - except open E - yet).

Am I just a doofus? Or will I get there in the end?

you'll get there...no open strings? says who? start slow, practicing octave runs up and down, ideally on the A and G string...jumping over strings is the hardest a first....the key is to keep your picking hand as relaxed as possible...you can even use the bridge to anchor your palm...beauty of doing it this way is that you can slide up towards the pickups a scoach when you need slight muting and further up when you need more....as with everything....don't rush...easy does it..

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Q: What strings do like to use on your T-Birds and why? I am using Rotosound 66 on my Epi and I really like them, but I am curious about what strings you guys use and why...
Thanks

Roto rounds....nothing comes close IMO..

 

[Gaolee]

I keep hoping that fins will come back into style. I recognize that it will probably never happen though.

Yes.

 

[PillO]

Yes.

Nothing quite like a two-seater with fins!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

this 72 is looking like the next one...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Nothing quite like a two-seater with fins!

without wings works too...sorry JJR...done now..

 

[Larry V]

It'll never happen. Almost all die lines to stamp out high production car panels have been relegated to 4 die lines. A 5th die takes an act of God to get approved these days and we do not have the ability to run high production 6-8 die lines which were used to make car panels like those from the 40's through to the 70's... not efficiently anyways. Also, we've thinned up the material to the point that the shapes we once could stamp are no longer possible. Smoother, rounder and more bland and blah... that's the future.

 

[JJR58]

this 72 is looking like the next one...
View attachment 3416100

Being a lover of Precision's................ i like.

 

[JJR58]

without wings works too...sorry JJR...done now..
View attachment 3416112

all good, i actually like the car posts.

 

[Gaolee]

all good, i actually like the car posts.

Don't tell Kat.

 

[JJR58]

Don't tell Kat.

I'm sure there'll be a flying frying pan or heavy duty rolling pin headed towards my head at some point.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Being a lover of Precision's................ i like.

knew you would..always liked that walnut finish, If not mistaken one of yours is finished the same way right? prolly swap the PG for a white one..

 

[JJR58]

knew you would..always liked that walnut finish, If not mistaken one of yours is finished the same way right? prolly swap the PG for a white one..

My '71 is a 3 tone burst, and the other is CAR.

 

[PillO]

without wings works too...sorry JJR...done now..
View attachment 3416112

Could always down-size to something like this

or

It'll never happen. Almost all die lines to stamp out high production car panels have been relegated to 4 die lines. A 5th die takes an act of God to get approved these days and we do not have the ability to run high production 6-8 die lines which were used to make car panels like those from the 40's through to the 70's... not efficiently anyways. Also, we've thinned up the material to the point that the shapes we once could stamp are no longer possible. Smoother, rounder and more bland and blah... that's the future.

For those interested, we will just have to amuse ourselves with body kits. But that does allow for some interesting retro designs.