Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

Not that I need another project, but my drummer friend gave me a Yamaki 12 string last night. There are several cracks in the top and some loose braces inside. One fret has popped up, but overall the neck looks good.
It also came with a 70s dimarzio soundhole pickup.
View attachment 3650002 View attachment 3650004

Looks to be a rewarding project when you’re done!

 

[MCF]

Is that a 2013 listing?

Here's the current Epiphone website showcasing the Thunderbird Vintage Pro...
Thunderbird Vintage PRO Bass

Thanks. I shouldn’t have clicked it. Seeing the blue Cassidy again might lead me to temptation. I need serious professional counseling.

 

[fasterpussycat]

but also, there is a definite clannishness around brands, particularly Fender and Gibson. While I know players with diverse collections, I also know players who only play Strats and Teles, or Les Pauls and ES335s, or whatever. This extends to bass players, and people who “control” or influence them as well (producers, engineers, idols, etc.)

'Oh, you'll be wanting a P or a J, or maybe (at a stretch) an EBMM.'

Really? And why not a Höfner, or a Guild, or a Gretsch, or Harmony, or an Alembic, a Ric, Warwick, a Steinberger, a Wal, or even dare I ask a Gibson?

 

[fasterpussycat]

When I first heard a thunderbird in a huge hall, it was Simon Jonathon Gallup. I have heard tons of P, J and R basses in major venues and played P and J basses myself. Nothing hit me hard like Gallup did that day. There was no slapping, no bass solos..just a simple line that really works with a huge but subtle presence. Sometimes it is what you don't play. I have grown to appreciate the rare fellow bandmates that let the music breath; who leave space for songs to ebb and flow.

I'm not having a go at those who slap or play solos but that's all pretty antithetical to my personal bass 'philosophy'. My job (in the sort of noirish dark-glam, psychedelic goth stuff I play) is to provide a harmonic ground ('continuo' if you like) as well as rhythm, texture and dynamics.

 

[BklynKen]

'Oh, you'll be wanting a P or a J, or maybe (at a stretch) an EBMM.'

Really? And why not a Höfner, or a Guild, or a Gretsch, or Harmony, or an Alembic, a Ric, Warwick, a Steinberger, a Wal, or even dare I ask a Gibson?

Duh, because they're not seen as often. Therefore, they can't be very good. For anything.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

When I first heard a thunderbird in a huge hall, it was Simon Jonathon Gallup. I have heard tons of P, J and R basses in major venues and played P and J basses myself. Nothing hit me hard like Gallup did that day. There was no slapping, no bass solos..just a simple line that really works with a huge but subtle presence. Sometimes it is what you don't play. I have grown to appreciate the rare fellow bandmates that let the music breath; who leave space for songs to ebb and flow.

One of my favorite players ever. Gallup really gets the importance of just plain sounding cool, both in terms of tone and parts. The riff to Fascination Street may be simple, but damn if it isn’t one of the best sounding bass parts ever committed to tape.

 

[RedVee]

Hard to say having rounds on the CP and flats on the VP. To be honest, I’m pretty much only playing my new Gibson T-Bird Santa brought...love that nitro feel

swap ‘em - try the flats on the CP and the rounds on the VP

 

[dagrev]

I have always treated hollow body basses with a little more paranoia than solid bodies.

I'm with you. All my bass playing life I've looked upon them with a certain level of near disdain (like the Hofner violin bass). However, recently I've slightly started having a little interest in a few. The Hofner is still on the "never" list. I doubt I will ever own one, but I'm not as close to it as I once was.

 

[JJR58]

I'm with you. All my bass playing life I've looked upon them with a certain level of near disdain (like the Hofner violin bass). However, recently I've slightly started having a little interest in a few. The Hofner is still on the "never" list. I doubt I will ever own one, but I'm not as close to it as I once was.

I wouldn't right off a Hofner so quickly. Played a few and one that was an original from way back.
I was always repelled by hollow bodies as well. But not any more. And the JC kicks some serious @$$.
Of course, YMMV as they say.

 

[dagrev]

...they had this very technically skilled bass player for a while who slapped on everything. Why?

Proving yet again that skill doesn't necessitate wisdom and the two are clearly distinct.

 

[dagrev]

wouldn't be my first choice but my 2013 worn high is a decent slapper....i just prefer single coil (if passive) pups for their snap when popping..

Spare the Thunderbird, spoil the child. Or something like that. Keep at it!

 

[dagrev]

A J can sound good. I say awful things about them, partly out of orneriness. But, a J can also be about the worst sounding bass guitar ever made in the wrong hands and with the wrong eq.

That would be me. They give me the greatest challenges in getting a good tone. They can sound down right nasty, and not in a good way. For me the margin of error is thin. I love them in the hands of some other players, but I'm not that great at getting what I want out of one. Thus I play the Thunderbirds way more.

 

[dagrev]

I wouldn't right off a Hofner so quickly. Played a few and one that was an original from way back.
I was always repelled by hollow bodies as well. But not any more. And the JC kicks some serious @$$.
Of course, YMMV as they say.

I honestly don't think I could own/play a Hofner even if it sounded as good as a Thunderbird. It's just me, I know. They are no doubt fine for some things.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Duh, because they're not seen as often. Therefore, they can't be very good. For anything.

Watching a doco about James Brown the other day, and there was plenty of (what looked like an) EB-2 action.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'm with you. All my bass playing life I've looked upon them with a certain level of near disdain (like the Hofner violin bass). However, recently I've slightly started having a little interest in a few. The Hofner is still on the "never" list. I doubt I will ever own one, but I'm not as close to it as I once was.

For whatever reason, I never was interested in Hofners. But... they sure sound great on Beatles records.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

That would be me. They give me the greatest challenges in getting a good tone. They can sound down right nasty, and not in a good way. For me the margin of error is thin. I love them in the hands of some other players, but I'm not that great at getting what I want out of one. Thus I play the Thunderbirds way more.

THIS IS ME.

 

[JJR58]

I honestly don't think I could own/play a Hofner even if it sounded as good as a Thunderbird. It's just me, I know. They are no doubt fine for some things.

Totally cool. And understood.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Weller's current bass player plays a Höfner through a Bassman and gets the job done.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm with you. All my bass playing life I've looked upon them with a certain level of near disdain (like the Hofner violin bass). However, recently I've slightly started having a little interest in a few. The Hofner is still on the "never" list. I doubt I will ever own one, but I'm not as close to it as I once was.

I tried playing one of those and did not get along with it. My CroMagnon fingers need more room. A Thunderbird has about the narrowest string spacing I can handle. It would be different with a pick, perhaps.

 

[Engle]

For whatever reason, I never was interested in Hofners. But... they sure sound great on Beatles records.

What’s funny is some Beatles tunes that I always thought were played with a Hofner, were actually played with a Ric.