Thunderbird Club

[Chucky Stiletti]

more "Blackfacing"....WT7?!.....apparently worth more than in their original "Silverface" config..

 

[dagrev]

OK, not T-Bird related at all, and I know there's no answer--not even counseling. I realize we can all love different tones, but I hear people talk about getting that "upright tone." Unless one is playing certain Jazz or old school Bluegrass, why would you want to get that sound? I know it's a preference thing, but I must be a heretic because few things sound worse to me than a double bass. (Sticks are another matter.) I've filled in with a friend's Bluegrass band years a go in a pinch and didn't like the sound then either. Fretless I love. Not upright. I feel kind of on an island by thinking they basically sound awful. I'm really not a bad person. Wondering if anyone else has the courage to come out and admit this with me?

 

[BklynKen]

OK, not T-Bird related at all, and I know there's no answer--not even counseling. I realize we can all love different tones, but I hear people talk about getting that "upright tone." Unless one is playing certain Jazz or old school Bluegrass, why would you want to get that sound? I know it's a preference thing, but I must be a heretic because few things sound worse to me than a double bass. (Sticks are another matter.) I've filled in with a friend's Bluegrass band years a go in a pinch and didn't like the sound then either. Fretless I love. Not upright. I feel kind of on an island by thinking they basically sound awful. I'm really not a bad person. Wondering if anyone else has the courage to come out and admit this with me?

I'm not gonna say I hate that sound, but it's certainly no sound I have any interest in playing. That why I like my neck pickup on full, bridge pickup rolled off, and bright, crisp, raw stainless steel strings, and GK amps. Anything approximating that upright thump is an automatic NO for me.

 

[bylar13]

OK, not T-Bird related at all, and I know there's no answer--not even counseling. I realize we can all love different tones, but I hear people talk about getting that "upright tone." Unless one is playing certain Jazz or old school Bluegrass, why would you want to get that sound? I know it's a preference thing, but I must be a heretic because few things sound worse to me than a double bass. (Sticks are another matter.) I've filled in with a friend's Bluegrass band years a go in a pinch and didn't like the sound then either. Fretless I love. Not upright. I feel kind of on an island by thinking they basically sound awful. I'm really not a bad person. Wondering if anyone else has the courage to come out and admit this with me?

Funny but I feel the same way about any flat wound string on a bass. To me, flat wounds are en extension of "copying" of a double bass tone. Different strokes and all that...

 

[dagrev]

Funny but I feel the same way about any flat wound string on a bass. To me, flat wounds are en extension of "copying" of a double bass tone. Different strokes and all that...

I understand what you're saying. The odd thing is I do love flats. Have them on most of my basses (one on a '76 Bird). So to my ear no flats I've experienced ever sounded that much like the dull hollow thud of and upright. But given certain playing styles and EQing I can see people using them to go that direction.

 

[fasterpussycat]

W.T.F.!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just stood around trying not to look at him until he packed up his snare and cymbals. Singer said she nearly cried she was so shocked. Only last week he was going on about the songs being great, the energy, the musicianship, the fact he's allowed to play what he wants, blah blah, this is so great!

 

[fasterpussycat]

There's always a bright side - I'd rather a drummer up and walk away during practice than be a drama queen every time the band is together. Walking out on a gig is a different story, but it sounds like that wasn't the case, so again it could have been worse. Good luck with the new search.

Well we actually missed out on a gig in August as we couldn't contact him this week because it turns out no one had his phone number and it takes him 5 days to respond to emails. I feel less bad about that now, and we should find someone before the one we have booked for October.

 

[JJR58]

We just stood around trying not to look at him until he packed up his snare and cymbals. Singer said she nearly cried she was so shocked. Only last week he was going on about the songs being great, the energy, the musicianship, the fact he's allowed to play what he wants, blah blah, this is so great!

Well, not sure what his trip was, but not cool in my book.

 

[JJR58]

Well we actually missed out on a gig in August as we couldn't contact him this week because it turns out no one had his phone number and it takes him 5 days to respond to emails. I feel less bad about that now, and we should find someone before the one we have booked for October.

Can't like, but, forge on ahead. And you will find someone.

 

[dagrev]

We just stood around trying not to look at him until he packed up his snare and cymbals. Singer said she nearly cried she was so shocked. Only last week he was going on about the songs being great, the energy, the musicianship, the fact he's allowed to play what he wants, blah blah, this is so great!

Hate to hear that. I know it's no fun to play the band member go-round game. I think it's better to get that over with now. It was going to happen sooner or later. He has issues or just needs to grow up. Regardless which one, it's no fun being around such people.

 

[JJR58]

Hate to hear that. I know it's no fun to play the band member go-round game. I think it's better to get that over with now. It was going to happen sooner or later. He has issues or just needs to grow up. Regardless which one, it's no fun being around such people.

The two hardest parts as i see it. Finding someone good enough, and that, as a person. Can blend with the other players/people. But i agree better, it be over with with that person. Too bad.

 

[JIO]

That's a cover, no 'Jamaican' in the original. Meat and potatoes garage band with sax.

No wonder! Yep - that's what I grew up with. I like the other version better!

 

[Gaolee]

OK, not T-Bird related at all, and I know there's no answer--not even counseling. I realize we can all love different tones, but I hear people talk about getting that "upright tone." Unless one is playing certain Jazz or old school Bluegrass, why would you want to get that sound? I know it's a preference thing, but I must be a heretic because few things sound worse to me than a double bass. (Sticks are another matter.) I've filled in with a friend's Bluegrass band years a go in a pinch and didn't like the sound then either. Fretless I love. Not upright. I feel kind of on an island by thinking they basically sound awful. I'm really not a bad person. Wondering if anyone else has the courage to come out and admit this with me?

You are a bad person. Really.

Actually, an upright can sound truly awful in the wrong setting. I am a bad person, even though I play a doghouse more than anything else.

 

[dagrev]

The two hardest parts as i see it. Finding someone good enough, and that, as a person. Can blend with the other players/people. But i agree better, it be over with with that person. Too bad.

I've spent more time with guys that were not great, but we meshed and I'll take that over all the ego trip and walking on eggshells just waiting for the next blow up. I'll take very average but humble people any day. "Attitudes" are like old turds. Serve no useful purpose and need a good flush.

 

[Gaolee]

We just stood around trying not to look at him until he packed up his snare and cymbals. Singer said she nearly cried she was so shocked. Only last week he was going on about the songs being great, the energy, the musicianship, the fact he's allowed to play what he wants, blah blah, this is so great!

Well Crap. Better now than later, but that sucks. I wonder what happened. His other personality leaked out too much.

 

[dagrev]

I wonder what happened. His other personality leaked out too much.

Maybe he had one too many of these...

 

[Gaolee]

Well we actually missed out on a gig in August as we couldn't contact him this week because it turns out no one had his phone number and it takes him 5 days to respond to emails. I feel less bad about that now, and we should find someone before the one we have booked for October.

That is fecaktered. All the best finding a sane drummer. I am currently playing with one in the second band with him. I really like the guy and hope he doesnt turn out insane eventually. So far so good. He is the only one left from the other band that I still play with. That must mean something.

If you need a truly mediocre drummer who can keep time most of the time and have a brazillion bucks for a plane ticket in October, I might be available. The world would tilt, so it is a bad idea. Besides, your band, from what you have put up so far, deserves a real drummer. Not a bass player dabbling as a drummer. But, I might be available if you have money and low standards.

 

[cableguy]

I case anyone is interested. I'm letting my Franken T-Bird AKA Stormtrooper go. Great bass, just not seeing any action from me. I can't justify keeping a bass if I'm not playing it.

For Sale - Franken T-Bird

 

[PillO]

OK, not T-Bird related at all, and I know there's no answer--not even counseling. I realize we can all love different tones, but I hear people talk about getting that "upright tone." Unless one is playing certain Jazz or old school Bluegrass, why would you want to get that sound? I know it's a preference thing, but I must be a heretic because few things sound worse to me than a double bass. (Sticks are another matter.) I've filled in with a friend's Bluegrass band years a go in a pinch and didn't like the sound then either. Fretless I love. Not upright. I feel kind of on an island by thinking they basically sound awful. I'm really not a bad person. Wondering if anyone else has the courage to come out and admit this with me?

I will unpack a little and answer each part.

Why might one want that thumpy upright sound? Well you mention jazz and bluegrass (but omitted rockabilly) and those might be reasons. Others might just be looking for something different/unique. A metal band with an upright would get some notice for it; and all attention is god if you are trying to be recognized (as they say, just make sure you spell my name correctly).

There are lots of tones people get out of basses that I don't care for. But that is their sound and I get it. For instance, my teacher plays ultra-clean. I like to have some hair on my sound. I like the crunchy tone that Geddy and Myung get and I am aiming somewhere in that range. McCartney often had a thumpy sound which may be a combination of string choice and the amps that were available; I don't think it was homage to the upright tone of his contemporaries/predecessors.

I am not smart enough to play fretless. If I were ever to attempt upright, I would be going EUB and running a pedalboard to get some drive in the sound.

My brother and I are doing Stray Cat Strut (which, of course, has an upright in it). I am playing a thunderbird (with drive) for that; we aren't aiming for a true to the original recreation; we are rocking it up.

I guess I fall on the side of - it is OK to not like the sound of upright. That doesn't make you a bad person; but maybe there are other things that make you a bar person?

Yeah, I'm not a fan of upright. I have no desire to play one. I understand that some people have an opinion contrary to mine.

 

[RedVee]

OK, this just induces unclean thoughts about wanting more basses. And I have 15 as I recall.

Glad all is well. Seems like no one was hurt last I heard. We don't get quakes in Ky much. When it does happen, it is unnerving. There is a big fault a little West of us the experts say is going to cut loose one day and cause serious problems. Last time our dog noticed something odd before we noticed the larger moments. Weird feeling to have the bed shaking and it's not
BP.

I hear ya on the KY front. I lived in Northern KY for almost 35 years. Beautiful countryside, wonderful horses and great down to earth people. But if that New Madrid fault ever let's loose it could all be wiped out in an instant. The ground is different there (high water table, clay and shale, lots of Hills and ridges) liquefaction would be devastating, not to mention lack of seismic building codes. We only had a couple of small quakes while I lived there but they actually felt bigger than the same size quake here, not sure why.

Stay safe and enjoy your 4th!

Kentucky hey... how accurate is this ?



(I like the Black Stone Cherry stuff I’ve heard)