Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

I have spent my time experimenting on different types (brand & construction) of strings figuring out what strings work on each bass (each bass seems to demand it's own particular strings). I haven't spent time experimenting with gauges but my teacher has encouraged me to start that experiment.

Gauges make a pretty big difference. With the exception of my 2015 bird* (jury is still out on the best string for it) I find lighter gauges to be more articulate, cleaner and clearer sounding, much easier to bend and noticeably easier and frequently faster to play on the left or fretting hand. Conversely, I find heavy gauges to generally have a more authoritative sound, more heft, maybe more punch, less definition, longer decay and easier to play with the right hand. YMMV

*i suspect, possibly because of the insanely strong pup magnets, in many areas the 2015 acts opposite of what I would normally expect from a light gauge string. However, I haven't been able to confirm that theory yet with a heavy gauge.

 

[GBassNorth]

Ahem.

...depending on how it feels, it might be even more than six strokes.

 

[BklynKen]

If we weren't meant to eat meat, then why do we have canine teeth?

Apparently they're vestigial in humans, once to do with mating.

https://www.labroots.com/trending/health-and-medicine/14660/why-humans-have-canine-teeth/

Also see nictitating membrane. That's an interesting one.

 

[GBassNorth]

Apparently they're vestigial in humans, once to do with mating.

https://www.labroots.com/trending/health-and-medicine/14660/why-humans-have-canine-teeth/

Also see nictitating membrane. That's an interesting one.

Key quote from the link... "...which offers strong evidence for the proposed theory."
When it becomes a fact I'll believe it. Until then, I'll have a second serving of steak please.

 

[StephnG]

The Flamingo has .110s on it for the time being. They are Bass Burners, and I don't like the way they sound that much so far, but I sure do like the way they feel and the level of definition I get out of them. Maybe it's just the way they sound with Chinabuckers. They had too much dusty brown in the sound to the point the sound almost has a smell like overheated transformer insulation. That's the last thing I need - another weird mental path getting burned into my ear wiring. But, they are beginning to sound better. Maybe they just need to break in. Maybe I'm just getting used to the sound. Either way, they get another month or two before final judgment.

Try DR "Black Beauty Tapered Heavies"
"Geezer" got me thinking about them & they are just AWESOME thus far on my "Boyd"

 

[dukeorock]

Did anyone here wind up getting that 70’s Ibanez lawsuit ‘Bird off Reverb? Kinda kicking myself for not pouncing on it, though I have no idea what it woulda been like. I’ve just not seen many, which made me very curious

 

[TerribleTim68]

Lawsuit bird?

 

[Gaolee]

Did anyone here wind up getting that 70’s Ibanez lawsuit ‘Bird off Reverb? Kinda kicking myself for not pouncing on it, though I have no idea what it woulda been like. I’ve just not seen many, which made me very curious

I don't remember seeing it. But, that doesn't mean much these days. I would have been curious about it, too. I have never seen an Ibanez 'Bird at all in person. Based on other Ibanez guitars over the years, it was probably pretty decent in most ways.

Here's another Japanese made Thunderbird that's causing curiosity. The pickups and pickup locations would make it sound different, but I don't know what that means exactly.

Greco SB-850 Suzi Quattro Thunderbird 1975 sunburst

That one has been on and off Reverb for a while. It is overpriced and in France, so it will probably be there a while longer.

 

[dukeorock]

I don't remember seeing it. But, that doesn't mean much these days. I would have been curious about it, too. I have never seen an Ibanez 'Bird at all in person. Based on other Ibanez guitars over the years, it was probably pretty decent in most ways.

Here's another Japanese made Thunderbird that's causing curiosity. The pickups and pickup locations would make it sound different, but I don't know what that means exactly.

Greco SB-850 Suzi Quattro Thunderbird 1975 sunburst

That one has been on and off Reverb for a while. It is overpriced and in France, so it will probably be there a while longer.

I won’t be going near that one, but I have gigged a friends 70’s style Greco and it was fantastic. Hope to grab one at some point. The Quattro ‘Bird is a little too wacky for me

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Lawsuit bird?

looks pretty nice....
Ibanez Lawsuit Era Thunderbird Bass 1976 | TechEx

 

[GBassNorth]

Did anyone here wind up getting that 70’s Ibanez lawsuit ‘Bird off Reverb? Kinda kicking myself for not pouncing on it, though I have no idea what it woulda been like. I’ve just not seen many, which made me very curious

Saw it, thought about getting it but passed it up to get a BaCH NR TBird II. Ended up incapacitated and missed out on the BaCH. Just wasn't meant to be I guess. There will be other BaCHs but another Ibby might be a very long wait unless you have a contact in Japan where I suspect more exist.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The Flamingo has .110s on it for the time being. They are Bass Burners, and I don't like the way they sound that much so far, but I sure do like the way they feel and the level of definition I get out of them. Maybe it's just the way they sound with Chinabuckers. They had too much dusty brown in the sound to the point the sound almost has a smell like overheated transformer insulation. That's the last thing I need - another weird mental path getting burned into my ear wiring. But, they are beginning to sound better. Maybe they just need to break in. Maybe I'm just getting used to the sound. Either way, they get another month or two before final judgment.

No, I think you grok the name.

 

[dukeorock]

Lawsuit bird?

Yeah, every 70’s lawsuit Ibanez I’ve ever tried was awesome and right up there with the Gibson’s of that time, so I should’ve grabbed that T Bird when the price dropped to $600. Shipping was quite high as I recall. My Gibson and Cataldo ‘Birds are plenty though, when I’m honest

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I really feel like my string game is fairly weak now. I've never actually tried different gauge strings or rounds vs flats and having rarely ever replaced strings with new ones I really don't even notice the difference between the sound of old vs new. So apparently my string game is rather mediocre too. Or maybe I should look up that "crappy bass player with expensive gear" club..........

Or if you’re happy, don’t sweat it. The only strings I have tried on my THUNDERBIRDS other than what came on them are Cobalt flats. So far, a few months in, I still love them. So I’m good.

 

[JJR58]

Is this really an Elitist model? I recall them having the Elitist logo on the back lower portion of the headstock.
But what do i know.

Epiphone Thunderbird Elitist Pro IV Neck-Through Made in Japan

 

[Klondike]

I have spent my time experimenting on different types (brand & construction) of strings figuring out what strings work on each bass (each bass seems to demand it's own particular strings). I haven't spent time experimenting with gauges but my teacher has encouraged me to start that experiment.

Does he own stock?

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Apparently they're vestigial in humans, once to do with mating.

https://www.labroots.com/trending/health-and-medicine/14660/why-humans-have-canine-teeth/

Also see nictitating membrane. That's an interesting one.

This might be true, but humans are omnivores, based on the fact that they can DIGEST both plants AND animal meats. Herbivores can NOT digest meat. Bring on the burgers!

 

[Klondike]

Did anyone here wind up getting that 70’s Ibanez lawsuit ‘Bird off Reverb? Kinda kicking myself for not pouncing on it, though I have no idea what it woulda been like. I’ve just not seen many, which made me very curious

I never even saw that one, constant'y looking for those and others, Jackson, Carver etc.

 

[PillO]

Does he own stock?

He's a musician. Know any musicians who own stocks?

 

[TBird1958]

Did anyone here wind up getting that 70’s Ibanez lawsuit ‘Bird off Reverb? Kinda kicking myself for not pouncing on it, though I have no idea what it woulda been like. I’ve just not seen many, which made me very curious

I used to have an "70s Ibanez Lawsuit Bird, it's kinship to my Greco was obvious, however, there are a couple different versions of Ibanez Birds out there. Mine was a bolt on neck with Maxson pickups, there are set neck ones as well, likely made in a different factory, they're longer scale too. I sold mine to a fellow TBer, as I recall it's in Brazil now.