Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

Sounds like he is a 'Bird person. They work for you or they don't.

The first time I saw one, at least to know what it was(1970), a guy was trying one at Manny's, NYC. I asked if I could see it. As soon as I had it in my hands, I knew I had to have one. It took 2 1/2 years until I found my 67. It'll go when I go.

 

[MCF]

A little recovery news...

I had my first follow up with the surgeon this week. Now that the surgical pain is done, it is time to start working on passive range of motion. Just some gentle stretches several times a day trying to restore range of motion to work out stiffness and make sure I don't end up with troublesome surgical adhesions.

Out of curiosity, I picked up the couch bass and put it on my lap this afternon. Not much I can do yet - fretting is as much/more a shoulder action as a forearm/hand thing. And external rotation is still limited, so reaching the 7th fret is a stretch too much. In time I'll get there, but I will have to try regularly to see where I am.

[edit]
And I am still typing one handed. So, please read everything I post slowly.

So a SS should be easier. What better excuse to pick up a LP Junior Tribute. Just sayin’.

 

[ajkula66]

Preconceptions are funny. I'm only about 5'6" and the Thunderbird works great for me.

I'm not so sure that it's just preconceptions. I'm 5' 10" and could never get comfortable with a Bird. It always felt like the headstock - along with first five frets - was in a different zip code. Meanwhile I was fine with the RD. Go figure.

 

[MCF]

Just got myself Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage PRO in ebony and figured I stop by the Club and share some pics with you.

And who knows, maybe I get a number???

Enjoy

Yes! And welcome. Our queen will check in and assign a number when she’s back from her weekend out of town gig..

 

[BklynKen]

I'm not so sure that it's just preconceptions. I'm 5' 10" and could never get comfortable with a Bird. It always felt like the headstock - along with first five frets - was in a different zip code. Meanwhile I was fine with the RD. Go figure.

Interesting. The way mine sits, the first fret is about 2 frets closer to me than my Carvin I played until Gibson allowed me to have a left-handed Thunderbird.

 

[MCF]

I tried one once. Like fretting worms. Not for me.

Uh, no. Shoot me if I ever go there.

 

[ajkula66]

Interesting. The way mine sits, the first fret is about 2 frets closer to me than my Carvin I played until Gibson allowed me to have a left-handed Thunderbird.

I was watching my son - who is the same height as myself but definitely has longer arms already - play that VP and realized that I would never be able to position it the manner that he did and actually play. It's about one's habits and comfort, IMO/IME.

 

[RedVee]

And the sad trombone is a timeless classic.

Don’t know why but this makes me think of a sad cyberman playing a sad trombone.

can’t see a trombone but he doesn’t seem too pleased with the violin

 

[BklynKen]

Don’t know why but this makes me think of a sad cyberman playing a sad trombone.

can’t see a trombone but he doesn’t seem too pleased with the violin

Doesn't look like he's pleased with much of anything.

 

[MCF]

I had both hands done a while back. My travelogue of that is somewhere in the thread a few pages back*.

I got both done about 2 weeks apart. Not the best plan, but I managed. Have a plastic surgeon do it. The scars are barely visible (so it won't look like a suicide attempt) and they do the prettiest stitches.

* standard thunderbird club definition of a few pages being about a thousand

A miracle of modern medicine.

 

[RedVee]

I was watching my son - who is the same height as myself but definitely has longer arms already - play that VP and realized that I would never be able to position it the manner that he did and actually play. It's about one's habits and comfort, IMO/IME.

I’m a shorty and only took a short time to get used to my Goth. At first, all the frets were 2 higher than I expected.

hung it a litter lower and angled it a little higher.... and sweet !

 

[bylar13]

I was watching my son - who is the same height as myself but definitely has longer arms already - play that VP and realized that I would never be able to position it the manner that he did and actually play. It's about one's habits and comfort, IMO/IME.

Yeah, very true. I played a Fender Jazz for 20+ years and it was the only bass I owned. When I switched to a T-Bird a few years ago it took some reprogramming.

Where the fender neck was held relatively straight parallel with the ground, the T-bird neck has to be angled up a bit (for me) and it brigs the first couple of frets closer.

If and when you get the VP, give it a try and see if it makes any difference. It did for me.

 

[GonePlaid]

Yeah, very true. I played a Fender Jazz for 20+ years and it was the only bass I owned. When I switched to a T-Bird a few years ago it took some reprogramming.

Where the fender neck was held relatively straight parallel with the ground, the T-bird neck has to be angled up a bit (for me) and it brigs the first couple of frets closer.

If and when you get the VP, give it a try and see if it makes any difference. It did for me.

I went straight from a Gibby EB-3(ss)to the TBird. Prolly the fact I always 'slung' my bass low, I had no problems.

 

[DonovanJM]

Anyone looking for a non-reverse epiphone T-Bird? There is one for sale in my local CL. They are asking $550. I don't know if that's a good price or not.
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[GBassNorth]

I'm not so sure that it's just preconceptions. I'm 5' 10" and could never get comfortable with a Bird. It always felt like the headstock - along with first five frets - was in a different zip code. Meanwhile I was fine with the RD. Go figure.

Up until just a few years ago I was mostly a Fender/Spector guy and hung my basses with the neck relatively close to the 3:00 position. I find the bird works best with the neck at the 1:00 or 2:00 position, it's actually a shorter and more comfortable reach than my Jazz. Most TBird players also hang their bass a bit lower than other basses, just feels better that way.

Not trying to convert you, but if you ever get a chance to spend some time with the VP give the low slung tilted neck position a try, it might feel more natural.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Uh, no. Shoot me if I ever go there.

Great. Now we need someone armed monitoring the MCFCam 24/7. Bucky?

 

[ajkula66]

Not trying to convert you, but if you ever get a chance to spend some time with the VP give the low slung tilted neck position a try, it might feel more natural.

I wouldn't mind being (partially) converted, but I only play seated nowadays and the way I position the instrument(s) just doesn't work with the Bird. TBT, I presume that I'll be playing mostly short scale basses for the rest of my days. A SS Bird would be a welcome addition, but they don't pop up for sale all that often.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I wouldn't mind being (partially) converted, but I only play seated nowadays and the way I position the instrument(s) just doesn't work with the Bird. TBT, I presume that I'll be playing mostly short scale basses for the rest of my days. A SS Bird would be a welcome addition, but they don't pop up for sale all that often.

Interesting. I mostly stand, but seated works for me.

 

[GonePlaid]

Interesting. I mostly stand, but seated works for me.

I stood for years. Now, due to barely functional knees, I prop my fazaza on a stool. The 'Bird's not quite as low as I prefer, but I'm getting used to it.

 

[GonePlaid]

Anyone looking for a non-reverse epiphone T-Bird? There is one for sale in my local CL. They are asking $550. I don't know if that's a good price or not.
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Decent price, esp. w/HSC and Badass bridge. But.[there's always a "but"] It's alder, not mahogany, and it has P/J pickups, not 'Bird pups.