Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

View attachment 3470476
Picked this up in a pawn shop yesterday. It had silver sharpie along the lines on the body and around the headstock design (came off very easily). Has some chips and dents, but plays and sounds killer! I had a white Tbird years ago and never fell in love with it, so I'm hoping this one is different!

Very sweet! Love a black bird. Happy NTBD

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 3470476
Picked this up in a pawn shop yesterday. It had silver sharpie along the lines on the body and around the headstock design (came off very easily). Has some chips and dents, but plays and sounds killer! I had a white Tbird years ago and never fell in love with it, so I'm hoping this one is different!

Nice score! Hang with it. Real love takes a while, quick love is nothing but degradating chemicals in the brain. If it sounds good now, wait till you get the best match of strings for your sound. It will get even better.

 

[dagrev]

That guy’s going to need a bigger boat.

Or much bigger paddle. Good time to have a Glock handy as well.

 

[Count Bassie]

Nice score! Hang with it. Real love takes a while, quick love is nothing but degradating chemicals in the brain. If it sounds good now, wait till you get the best match of strings for your sound. It will get even better.

It always takes me months (like 4-6) to audition a bass and get the jury back.

 

[dagrev]

It always takes me months (like 4-6) to audition a bass and get the jury back.

I'm like you. There are times when something sounds great initially. But often when that doesn't happen I do the string rotation thing and other tweeks for tone. As far as comfort goes, I can adjust easily it the sound it right (as in my '76, which is the most uncomfortable and heavy--yet still sounds better than most basses). But I let it ride for a 6 months or a year before concluding this one isn't for me.

I have a '64 Pbass that was great to play, but honky sounding. Had '67 PUs in it and I dropped some '62 Klein's in it and Pyramid flats, and it went from the worst sounding bass to one of the best. I'm so glad I didn't give up on it.

 

[PillO]

I'm like you. There are times when something sounds great initially. But often when that doesn't happen I do the string rotation thing and other tweeks for tone. As far as comfort goes, I can adjust easily it the sound it right (as in my '76, which is the most uncomfortable and heavy--yet still sounds better than most basses). But I let it ride for a 6 months or a year before concluding this one isn't for me.

I have a '64 Pbass that was great to play, but honky sounding. Had '67 PUs in it and I dropped some '62 Klein's in it and Pyramid flats and it went from the worst sounding bass to one of the best. I'm so glad I didn't give up on it.

I come at it both ways. Ahem.

If the feel is right, I'll do what is needed to make it sound right. And if the sound is right I will do what I can to make it feel right. Ahem.

But sometimes one or the other isn't there or just too much work. Bit like ex wives...

 

[dagrev]

I come at it both ways. Ahem.

If the feel is right, I'll do what is needed to make it sound right. And if the sound is right I will do what I can to make it feel right. Ahem.

But sometimes one or the other isn't there or just too much work. Bit like ex wives...

I had a Ric for a few years. They sound good with others play them (generally), but not so much for me. And the blasted thing always just felt weird. Wanted to make it work, but traded if for a Regenerate Heritage Plus (very modern take on a '55 Pass). Getting rid of that one was one of my better days. The Regenerate is a keeper.

It's somewhat of a sick feeling when something you thought would work well doesn't, but you cut bait and move on.

 

[PillO]

It's somewhat of a sick feeling when something you thought would work well doesn't, but you cut bait and move on.

Around the age of 26-27 I learned the truth that life is too short to waste time on things that aren't working. Ditch it and move on is an option that should never be taken off the table (only possible exception being your kids).

 

[Engle]

NBD!
2002 Yamaha BEX-BS (Billy Sheehan Signature Model)

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What do y'all think?

Looks pretty sweet! I always expect a semi acoustic to have a set neck, but I like it.

 

[GonePlaid]

not necessary...wasn't asking about his Cubanito.......

Uhhh, that would be Cubanita

 

[Gaolee]

probably my next addition....60's Kay...200 bucks...no brainer...
View attachment 3470925

If you can pick up any functional doghouse for $200, it is a screaming deal.

 

[Gaolee]

I had a Ric for a few years. They sound good with others play them (generally), but not so much for me. And the blasted thing always just felt weird. Wanted to make it work, but traded if for a Regenerate Heritage Plus (very modern take on a '55 Pass). Getting rid of that one was one of my better days. The Regenerate is a keeper.

It's somewhat of a sick feeling when something you thought would work well doesn't, but you cut bait and move on.

Rics are an odd thing. I had one that was a keeper until it wasn't. It sounded good, felt good, was easy to play, and the band always loved it. But I do not miss it. I did miss the bolt-on Thunderbird I let go enough to replace it. It turned into a flock. Guess I have to let them go to know if they need to come back.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

About to do a trade with a guy. My ‘94 Blues Deluxe amp (which is in need of a new speaker) for his Epi IV T-Bird. Pics of it look great. Said he hardly has played it. He was going to get into a band that just happened to fall through. He’s played guitar for 20 years and now has no need for the bass. He also has a Gator hardshell case which is brand new and fits that bass. Going to speak with him on the phone tomorrow. He was asking $350 for the bass and the case. I asked if he would be down with the previously mentioned trade... he said “yes”. Just wondering if anyone out there has one of these basses and your thoughts about the craftsmanship and playability. This bass has received many positive reviews. Just wanted some TBers input. I understand that this bass is a bit prone to neck dive... but I believe I can remedy that by relocating the strap button. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[gaffster]

Rics are an odd thing. I had one that was a keeper until it wasn't. It sounded good, felt good, was easy to play, and the band always loved it. But I do not miss it. I did miss the bolt-on Thunderbird I let go enough to replace it. It turned into a flock. Guess I have to let them go to know if they need to come back.

The original bolt on epi's from Korea were very nicely made. I dropped in some Seymour Duncan SSB-4s.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

If you can pick up any functional doghouse for $200, it is a screaming deal.

totally agree and i don't even play the confounded things..

 

[TBird1958]

About to do a trade with a guy. My ‘94 Blues Deluxe amp (which is in need of a new speaker) for his Epi IV T-Bird. Pics of it look great. Said he hardly has played it. He was going to get into a band that just happened to fall through. He’s played guitar for 20 years and now has no need for the bass. He also has a Gator hardshell case which is brand new and fits that bass. Going to speak with him on the phone tomorrow. He was asking $350 for the bass and the case. I asked if he would be down with the previously mentioned trade... he said “yes”. Just wondering if anyone out there has one of these basses and your thoughts about the craftsmanship and playability. This bass has received many positive reviews. Just wanted some TBers input. I understand that this bass is a bit prone to neck dive... but I believe I can remedy that by relocating the strap button. Any input would be greatly appreciated!View attachment 3471162 View attachment 3471164

The price is "ok", my best advice is to really try it out, much as I love Thunderbirds, this basic model was difficult for me to get along with - the neck and to a lesser degree the pickups being the issues for me. There are others here that really like these, so my experience may not be typical.

 

[Gaolee]

About to do a trade with a guy. My ‘94 Blues Deluxe amp (which is in need of a new speaker) for his Epi IV T-Bird. Pics of it look great. Said he hardly has played it. He was going to get into a band that just happened to fall through. He’s played guitar for 20 years and now has no need for the bass. He also has a Gator hardshell case which is brand new and fits that bass. Going to speak with him on the phone tomorrow. He was asking $350 for the bass and the case. I asked if he would be down with the previously mentioned trade... he said “yes”. Just wondering if anyone out there has one of these basses and your thoughts about the craftsmanship and playability. This bass has received many positive reviews. Just wanted some TBers input. I understand that this bass is a bit prone to neck dive... but I believe I can remedy that by relocating the strap button. Any input would be greatly appreciated!View attachment 3471162 View attachment 3471164

Bolt-ons are their own thing. I like them a lot and play one on occasion even though I have other Thunderbirds with a more exalted pedigree. Depending on the year and specific bass, it may have a big round bat of a neck. That is one of the reasons I love mine. Later ones had slimmer necks and had the upper strap button already at the neck heel where it belongs.

I do not know the value of the amp, so no comment on the economics of the trade. The case is good for more than just the bolt-on, should you find yourself with a flock or another Epi neck through in the future.

Play it and see what you think. It may choose you and you will have to take it home. Sounds like it did not choose its current owner. They do that, y'know.

 

[fasterpussycat]

About to do a trade with a guy. My ‘94 Blues Deluxe amp (which is in need of a new speaker) for his Epi IV T-Bird. Pics of it look great. Said he hardly has played it. He was going to get into a band that just happened to fall through. He’s played guitar for 20 years and now has no need for the bass. He also has a Gator hardshell case which is brand new and fits that bass. Going to speak with him on the phone tomorrow. He was asking $350 for the bass and the case. I asked if he would be down with the previously mentioned trade... he said “yes”. Just wondering if anyone out there has one of these basses and your thoughts about the craftsmanship and playability. This bass has received many positive reviews. Just wanted some TBers input. I understand that this bass is a bit prone to neck dive... but I believe I can remedy that by relocating the strap button. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Move the strap button to the neck heel (they were designed to hang that way) and if it is still a little unbalanced, consider a set of these (or similar):

TK-7567 Single Lightweight Wide Post Bass Key

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Sharks explore things by biting them. Even if the shark decides it isn't interested, it is going to be a really bad day.

Ya I hate finding out my food is plastic the hard way too!

 

[Count Bassie]

Ya I hate finding out my food is plastic the hard way too!

Sometimes the plastic is just a wrapper.