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Thunderbird Club

#127,061
dagrev said:
Hummmm. The only effects I use are an EBS Octave and and old MXR Phase 90, and that less than 10% of the time. I use the phase more and typically on slower songs to fill in those more open spaces. Its more noticeable during softer times of songs. The EBS to thicken up when I want to add more bottom or beef up higher played parts. I don't think I ever tried using both at the same time.

I have a Bass Chorus and it just didn't do anything in a live setting. Sounds really pretty at home! I've tried a few other effects, but the one I would never get rid of is the old Phase 90. It's been with me a long time.
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All the modulation effects are subtle with bass, especially a THUNDERBIRD. It is the nature of the low frequencies. Modulation (for the most part) are delay based effects and so with the low frequency (long period) of bass frequencies, the effect is less pronounced than what you get with higher frequency (shorter period) signals (such as guitar). What you can do to make the effect less subtle is add harmonic content - in other words, put in some overdrive/distortion ahead of the modulation.

@Gaolee use of a bit of octave up ahead of the modulation would have a similar effect - modulation less subtle on the up octave.
 
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#127,063
PillO said:
All the modulation effects are subtle with bass, especially a THUNDERBIRD. It is the nature of the low frequencies. Modulation (for the most part) are delay based effects and so with the low frequency (long period) of bass frequencies, the effect is less pronounced than what you get with higher frequency (shorter period) signals (such as guitar). What you can do to make the effect less subtle is add harmonic content - in other words, put in some overdrive/distortion ahead of the modulation.
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True and yes, but I'm not fond of most bass distortion (not any I've achieved anyway). Some power tube compression yes, but that means a fair amount of volume, but I'd have to get even smaller tube amps to do that and not be too loud. Distortion from a box? Not for me. You can always had more bite on the top end, but I prefer it thick. But a pick does accentuate the Phase well. Playing higher helps, but that's just a very occasional thing for me. I've not had any problems with the Phase 90, but the bass chorus is just not worth the hassle of plugging in another box. For those who emphasis the upper frequencies I can see it being less of a problem, but I don't slap or clank.:)
 
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#127,065
GBassNorth said:
I'm getting plenty of sympathy and being waited on hand and foot. I haven't found a NR I want yet but I did run across this and immediately thought, drop a set of Thunderbuckers in it and our Queen could rock it for all she's worth...
View attachment 3534312
Here's thinkin of ya - @TBird1958
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I'm gonna buy that, convert it to left-handed, and see how long it takes to impale myself.
 
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#127,066
PillO said:
All the modulation effects are subtle with bass, especially a THUNDERBIRD. It is the nature of the low frequencies. Modulation (for the most part) are delay based effects and so with the low frequency (long period) of bass frequencies, the effect is less pronounced than what you get with higher frequency (shorter period) signals (such as guitar). What you can do to make the effect less subtle is add harmonic content - in other words, put in some overdrive/distortion ahead of the modulation.

@Gaolee use of a bit of octave up ahead of the modulation would have a similar effect - modulation less subtle on the up octave.
Click to expand...
That is how it is wired. It does not get used much but it sure is fun when it fits.
 
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#127,068
dagrev said:
True and yes, but I'm not fond of most bass distortion (not any I've achieved anyway). Some power tube compression yes, but that means a fair amount of volume, but I'd have to get even smaller tube amps to do that and not be too loud. Distortion from a box? Not for me. You can always had more bite on the top end, but I prefer it thick. But a pick does accentuate the Phase well. Playing higher helps, but that's just a very occasional thing for me. I've not had any problems with the Phase 90, but the bass chorus is just not worth the hassle of plugging in another box. For those who emphasis the upper frequencies I can see it being less of a problem, but I don't slap or clank.:)
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I understand. The pick adds some harmonic content (as does clank). I'm not smart enough to play with a pick, but I do like some clank (ahem).

I struggled with drive. I like a little drive, but too many drives are fizzy. The Geddy drive from Tech 21 is really good. But I found that at half the price, the EHX Hotwax gets me 90% of the way there (and that is enough). One of the critical issues is having a blend knob - It is possible to add more drive and even just have subtle distortion, but retain bottom end with the blend.
 
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#127,070
PillO said:
I understand. The pick adds some harmonic content (as does clank). I'm not smart enough to play with a pick, but I do like some clank (ahem).

I struggled with drive. I like a little drive, but too many drives are fizzy. The Geddy drive from Tech 21 is really good. But I found that at half the price, the EHX Hotwax gets me 90% of the way there (and that is enough). One of the critical issues is having a blend knob - It is possible to add more drive and even just have subtle distortion, but retain bottom end with the blend.
Click to expand...
For me it's a trade off. Thicker or some effects? I go with the former. I have not tired either of those! Something to consider.
 
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#127,071
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#127,072
Dasgre0g said:
ok. I'll join. I tried to resist and failed. Here's mine!View attachment 3534362
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You're killin me man!
All the good NR's get snapped up before I see them.
Beautiful bass. If you're not already a club member the Queen should swoop in soon to Knight you with a number. Until then (and even after) feel free to join the Thunderbird mayhem.
@TBird1958
PS - you might need to buy some watermelons from @PillO
 
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#127,073
PillO said:
I understand. The pick adds some harmonic content (as does clank). I'm not smart enough to play with a pick, but I do like some clank (ahem).

I struggled with drive. I like a little drive, but too many drives are fizzy. The Geddy drive from Tech 21 is really good. But I found that at half the price, the EHX Hotwax gets me 90% of the way there (and that is enough). One of the critical issues is having a blend knob - It is possible to add more drive and even just have subtle distortion, but retain bottom end with the blend.
Click to expand...
Two words... TUBE AMP!
 
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#127,076
Traitor Tuesday

2677F367-7F19-4A2A-B83D-1F082E856D6E.jpeg
 
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#127,079
GBassNorth said:
You're killin me man!
All the good NR's get snapped up before I see them.
Beautiful bass. If you're not already a club member the Queen should swoop in soon to Knight you with a number. Until then (and even after) feel free to join the Thunderbird mayhem.
@TBird1958
PS - you might need to buy some watermelons from @PillO
Click to expand...

Now available in a full face version!
giphy-downsized-large.gif
 
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