• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#118,421
green3101 said:
Hi guys,

Is it safe to use regular long scale bass strings on the T-Bird or do they require extra long? I have regular long scale on mine at the moment, but just want to make sure I'm not causing any damage.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The distance from the back of the nut to the G-string tuning post is identical to my 7enders. No special length requirements.

I think the T-Birds look like a longer scale due to the tighter tuner spacing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PillO, Gaolee, Count Bassie and 5 others
#118,422
green3101 said:
Hi Everyone,

New Thunderbird owner here, a 2008 model. I was pointed in the direction of this awesome thread when I was looking for a case (settled on the Gator Pro) and once again when I put up a thread on the best strings to use on a T-Bird. Therefore, I think it was about time I said hey! I'll get some pictures at somepoint and post them here so hopefully I can become a full member!

Anyway, I'm still looking for string advice and my most recent post from today reads:

Hi everyone,

As the title suggests, just wanted to hear people’s thoughts/experiences on different strings on a Thunderbird.

I recently picked one up, a 2008 model that was strong with EB slinky’s 45-105 which were fine but they were pretty dead and needed changing. I slapped a set of Diaddario Prosteels 45-105s on but so far I’m not really digging them, they seem a bit to mid scooped maybe? They sound fine on my USA 2013 Jazz but they just don’t seem to work on the T-Bird. I’m also not a fan of the gauge and will be returning to a lighter gauge as I prefer the lower tension. Plus my hands are small and it suits me better amongst other things. I sometimes tune down a bit for the odd song or two, but mostly play in standard.

I play rock almost exclusively. I use both a pick and fingers. Looking for a good cutting edge rock tone but not ultra-scooped. Strings need to be bright to cut through.

Would you recommend steel or nickel for this bass? I’ve heard good things about Dunlop Super Brights. I’m just not sure if they will work with the T-Bird?

I have a set of Rotosound Swingbass 66 40-100 that I’m thinking of using. What are these like on a T-Bird? Bit worried about the tension, the roughness and if they will damage my frets? (I play with low action). These seem to be the go to strings for a lot of my favourite bassists though.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

I think in my mind, I may have narrowed it down to the Rotos, the dunlops or a fresh pair of EB slinkys.

If anyone could provide any feedback on each with T-birds i'd be very grateful.

Ohh also, on the gigbag - the Gator is a great case and it's really well built. I was just wondering if anyone who uses it could reassure me on one thing; the lower "wing" where the pickguard is on the bass pushes out against the inside of the case. It fits but it is very snug and when the case is zipped up you can feel/see it pushing out a bit.

p.s. very sorry about the long post!
Click to expand...
Now you're hooked. It only takes one T-Bird! Parents should have warned you...;)

I recently bought a Epi T-Bird case. Really nice and fits all three of them. Not at once, obviously. Look around or call some places and get a better deal than advertised.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, PillO, Gaolee and 5 others
#118,423
JIO said:
It's true - I mostly don't complain because over the hill is usually sunny. Part of living on the West Coast. I lived in Chicago for 10 yrs and when it was grey - it was grey everywhere.
Click to expand...
Chucky Stiletti said:
amazing how well you recognize the area....the pic faces west...the castle would be facing 156..north..
Click to expand...
i used to be a security guard I worked at the middle school on 152 while they were building it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PillO, GBassNorth and Chucky Stiletti
#118,426
TBT... the first time I saw my 'Bird. Ironically, I received it on July 12, 12018... a Thursday! :cool:
upload_2019-6-6_9-28-3.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Engle, Butcherboy, Chucky Stiletti and 14 others
#118,430
BklynKen said:
Well Wetton was certainly no slouch. :)
Click to expand...

I had tickets to see them, sadly Gary passed away before the show, I too really liked his playing and a lot of Uriah Heep's music from that time, Stealin' being an all time fave. That fact that they just let Gary pedal some simple notes for the first third of the song made the whole thing so much more powerful when the rest of the band kicks in, it's certainly Mick Box's signature guitar solo and lyrically has the best lines of any Heep song - ,"Take me across the water, cause I need someplace to hide, I done the rancher's daughter, and I sure did hurt his pride", and later, "Stood on a ridge and shunned religion, thinkin' the world was mine, I made my break and a big mistake, stealin' when I shoulda been buyin'

For me, that's Rock lyrics at it's best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Klondike, RedVee, PillO and 7 others
#118,432
PillO said:
I have that too. The loud music in youth is probably a negligible contributor compared to time around things that go bang in the army. Sometimes that C# is loud, other times it isn't bad. But I need background noise all the time - music, TV, something to distract from the ring.

Skiing and kayaking are the times that I reliably get quiet relief.
Click to expand...
Mine's an Ab.:(
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, PillO, Gaolee and 1 other person
#118,433
TBird1958 said:
I had tickets to see them, sadly Gary passed away before the show, I too really liked his playing and a lot of Uriah Heep's music from that time, Stealin' being an all time fave. That fact that they just let Gary pedal some simple notes for the first third of the song made the whole thing so much more powerful when the rest of the band kicks in, it's certainly Mick Box's signature guitar solo and lyrically has the best lines of any Heep song - ,"Take me across the water, cause I need someplace to hide, I done the rancher's daughter, and I sure did hurt his pride", and later, "Stood on a ridge and shunned religion, thinkin' the world was mine, I made my break and a big mistake, stealin' when I shoulda been buyin'

For me, that's Rock lyrics at it's best.
Click to expand...
For some reason, they didn’t get a lot of love in SoCal. Occasionally heard Stealin’ on the two main FM stations. Easy Livin’ (which we played) got the most play. First time I saw them was at the Shrine Auditorium. Thain’s accident happened, I think the year or maybe two before, and they had fired him by the tour I saw. I think he passed away soon after that. Very sad. I saw them again a couple of times after that as openers I think, with short sets. I remember one was was with Tull, the Forum IIRC. It was one of Hensley’s last tours. Neither band was particularly good that night; their heydays were ending. By then I was way into the Clash, Costello, Blondie...

Friday Night In Birmingham! is what pops in my head whenever I think of the Heep. I listened to that live album hundreds of times when I was in high school crusin’ the streets. It may be the best live album ever recorded.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Klondike, RedVee, PillO and 4 others
#118,434
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, MCF, PillO and 3 others
#118,436
KB5 said:
Just found this short Epi VP demo. IMHO this does a great job of capturing the tone of these basses. I would like to know how it was recorded.

Click to expand...


From appearances, looks like it's going through a MarkBass amp that's mic'd.
But take what i say with less then a grain of salt. Great tone he's got going there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, Nocturnal, MCF and 4 others
#118,437
JJR58 said:
Seeing how it's TBird Thursday. I believe this NR would match all of @GonePlaid's requirements. :)

1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV Vintage Bass Guitar Non Reverse Body w/ Case
Click to expand...

A couple things - maybe the pots are original but the cap isn't and it has been soldered sloppily, and the back of the hs-neck area is sprayed tobacco which could mean a repair underneath. (not mentioned or shown in a detail pic) I'm also surprised the control cavity isn't coated with the same silver shielding paint as the Gen1 T-bird. Gibson just decided since they were reversing the design the cavity shielding wasn't needed anymore? Nice finish though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, Klondike, RedVee and 7 others
#118,438
JIO said:
A couple things - maybe the pots are original but the cap isn't and it has been soldered sloppily, and the back of the hs-neck area is sprayed tobacco which could mean a repair underneath. (not mentioned or shown in a detail pic) I'm also surprised the control cavity isn't coated with the same silver shielding paint as the Gen1 T-bird. Gibson just decided since they were reversing the design the cavity shielding wasn't needed anymore? Nice finish though.
Click to expand...

Ah, ok. These are things i didn't notice as i am not so well versed on all of that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, MCF, PillO and 2 others
#118,439
TBird1958 said:
I had tickets to see them, sadly Gary passed away before the show, I too really liked his playing and a lot of Uriah Heep's music from that time, Stealin' being an all time fave. That fact that they just let Gary pedal some simple notes for the first third of the song made the whole thing so much more powerful when the rest of the band kicks in, it's certainly Mick Box's signature guitar solo and lyrically has the best lines of any Heep song - ,"Take me across the water, cause I need someplace to hide, I done the rancher's daughter, and I sure did hurt his pride", and later, "Stood on a ridge and shunned religion, thinkin' the world was mine, I made my break and a big mistake, stealin' when I shoulda been buyin'

For me, that's Rock lyrics at it's best.
Click to expand...
Yep. That's all I got to add.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Butcherboy, PillO, Miles_ONeal and 3 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back