Thunderbird Club

[Bassmike62]

The Back Axe 'guitar case backpack' has arrived. Tried it with the JC and it does what it says on the tin - much easier to lug 1.6km to rehearsal than carrying by the handle (both arms will still be the same length by the time I get there). Later on I'll see how it is with a Thunderbird case.

Didn't know such a thing existed, good to know.
Not sure how a JC + case weighs, but a TBird and its nest are certainly "a tad" heftier... ?

 

[PillO]

Pillo takes it wherever he can get it.

Don't we all...

 

[PillO]

The Back Axe 'guitar case backpack' has arrived. Tried it with the JC and it does what it says on the tin - much easier to lug 1.6km to rehearsal than carrying by the handle (both arms will still be the same length by the time I get there). Later on I'll see how it is with a Thunderbird case.

You need a roadie. One with lots of shoes to choose from.

 

[PillO]

Daleks would predate R2D2 by about a decade; but maybe not in the US?

Though the last decade (approx) has been somewhat aimed at the US. Locations, even a President or 2 have popped up in episodes.

Daleks appeared on PBS in the early 70s. Back when there was a big delay because of conversion from PAL to NTSC

 

[fasterpussycat]

Are you going to carry a Thunderbird by the handle or are you getting a backpack case that fits a Thunderbird?

Drift was clearly drifting in this instance.

Same backpack harness should fit the Bird case -- it's one size fits all. Imagine it may be considerably more awkward but worth trying.

BackAxe Home Page

 

[Gaolee]

Well the first trade fell through, but I found another (with a gig bag) who wants to do the trade. Soon.

Come to the dark side...

 

[fasterpussycat]

Testing complete.

While it's possible to carry the Bird case, it sits low enough that it whacks me in the back of the knees, which is a recipe for falling on my arse. Therefore it's unlikely it will ever be used for Bird transport duties. Maybe by shortening the length straps a little so it sits a few cm higher, although then it may start being a problem for doors.

According to our scale, the JC in case is 8.3kg and the Orville in case is 9.5kg. Add a few cables and what have you in there and it starts to add up.

 

[Gaolee]

Adding can be cumulative. Who knew?

 

[MCF]

All the cool kids are wearing watermelon helmets!
View attachment 3719867

Well, I guess I’m not a cool kid then. Oh well...

 

[TBird1958]

Testing complete.
View attachment 3719903 View attachment 3719904

While it's possible to carry the Bird case, it sits low enough that it whacks me in the back of the knees, which is a recipe for falling on my arse. Therefore it's unlikely it will ever be used for Bird transport duties. Maybe by shortening the length straps a little so it sits a few cm higher, although then it may start being a problem for doors.

According to our scale, the JC in case is 8.3kg and the Orville in case is 9.5kg. Add a few cables and what have you in there and it starts to add up.

Neat case, lovely kitty

 

[JIO]

Here's proof that I'm a hopeless dork playing the upright. As threatened, video of Saturday night. My understanding is that there was more video and other stills taken as well.



The bar didn't have chicken wire up in front of the stage. It kinda had that vibe at first, though. There weren't all that many people in the audience, which was too bad. It's fun anyway. The lead guitarist's wife is from Moscow and had never seen anybody spin an upright before. She said she thought I was dropping it the first time it happened. It's just a habit now.

slappa' da bass

 

[Gaolee]

slappa' da bass

I do slap that one. It is a different slap.

 

[dagrev]

Thank you guys for your welcome. Will visit the Club as often as I can.

Now, here's my take on Epi Thunderbird Vintage PRO.
First of all I have not spend with her as much time as I would love to. Mostly because my 15 months son is keeping me pretty busy. But I like to share my first impression.

Right of the box, fit and finish flawless. Nut setting, fretwork - perfect. Comparing to previously own Sandberg Electra TT4 which had nut coming off on one side, and glue sticking out on the other, this one is perfect. And those Sandbergs have QC in Germany. Few things that required correction were sharp screws on pickup covers which I replaced with new ones and tone knob position was off a little (at least not to my liking). No problem here as I was taking all knobs off anyway to put knob pointers underneath. One more thing. G tuner machine is slightly off alignment with rest of the tuners. It's not like is right in your face but it's off. Normally it would bother me, but I am planning on replacing these machines with Gotoh GB640 in the near future so I will live with that for the time being.
My Epi is quite heavy - 4.7 kg (10 lb 6 oz). I weighted her dozens of times and it just won't go any lower than that.
When I am reading that some of you guys have their around 8 something pounds I am starting to wonder wether weight on mine comes from the wood or thick poly finish .
I like ergonomics of this bass. I really am. And it's not like I am trying to force myself to like it. You have to get used to, and like many said before, you can't play them like you play Fenders or Fender alike basses.
I still caught myself fretting on 14th instead on 12th fret. But it gets better every time I pick it up.
No neck dive, even with my Dunlop nylon strap that I will change anyway for a nice leather one this bass deserves.
The tone of this bass I massive. Having J style bass with single coils previously, you can really hear the difference in sound with humbuckers. Even my wife notice it and say that she likes T-bird better. Not mention that she loves the look.
I like low action, and I manage to get it really low on this bass with no buzzing. 2 mm under E string measured on 12th fret.
I strung mine with Rotos 77 after seeing this video.



This video actually helped me to pull the trigger on the T-bird. The tone that our fellow member netohugo got on this song is sick. That is the tone I am after. I know that he plays Gibson T-bird which has different pickups and plays through Ampeg SVT. But still if I can get close or close enough to his tone with my Epi and Rumble 500 I'll be super happy.
Any suggestions on pickup and amp EQ for starting point to get this tone will be appreciated.

Can't wait to try my Epi with the band. Hope my bandmates like it.

Wish I have more time for her.

Sorry you have to read this.

Nice first impression! If you think it sounds good alone--wait till a band or live setting! It gets better. I don't want that Roto sound, but I'm sure the VP does it very well. Mine are both 9.3 lbs if I recall correctly. One tuner if a little rough on one VP, but does what is is supposed to do--tune and hold tune, so I have intention to change them. So glad you love it. The problem is, you will become addicted and one won't be enough!

As for EQ: Just start flat or your normal settings and see how it goes, an adjust as needed. It's all personal preference. One of the few times/areas where being a relativist is actually logical.

 

[Engle]

What I won't do is stand on it or let somebody else stand on it.

I hear you! I’m pretty sure the stunt basses are reinforced.

 

[Engle]

Testing complete.
View attachment 3719903 View attachment 3719904

While it's possible to carry the Bird case, it sits low enough that it whacks me in the back of the knees, which is a recipe for falling on my arse. Therefore it's unlikely it will ever be used for Bird transport duties. Maybe by shortening the length straps a little so it sits a few cm higher, although then it may start being a problem for doors.

According to our scale, the JC in case is 8.3kg and the Orville in case is 9.5kg. Add a few cables and what have you in there and it starts to add up.

I always have trouble with using the backpack straps on gigbags. I can’t get through doorways. It’s like they are positioned for shorter folks.
My old Levis gigbag had the strap attachment up high, so it worked for me. But the zipper broke and it’s probably 20 years old so not worth fixing.

 

[Engle]

I do slap that one. It is a different slap.

That’s pretty much how I slap electric basses.

 

[dagrev]

Here's proof that I'm a hopeless dork playing the upright. As threatened, video of Saturday night. My understanding is that there was more video and other stills taken as well.



The bar didn't have chicken wire up in front of the stage. It kinda had that vibe at first, though. There weren't all that many people in the audience, which was too bad. It's fun anyway. The lead guitarist's wife is from Moscow and had never seen anybody spin an upright before. She said she thought I was dropping it the first time it happened. It's just a habit now.

Gig rules: Always bring a set of strings or extra bass, and always bring your own chicken wire. Both are "just in case" contingencies.

 

[FlyingPigSound]

If you're in the market for an Epi T-Bird Classic Pro in sunburst that's in very lightly used / mint condition, I have one for sale on Reverb, and I'll list it here on TB later tonight...

Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV Pro Vintage Sunburst | DW | Reverb

 

[fasterpussycat]

I always have trouble with using the backpack straps on gigbags. I can’t get through doorways. It’s like they are positioned for shorter folks.
My old Levis gigbag had the strap attachment up high, so it worked for me. But the zipper broke and it’s probably 20 years old so not worth fixing.

No problems with doors here. After putting the harness on the Bird case it took a while to get it tightened back up on the JC case. Decision made for me. Definitely worth it if you want to take a HSC case out and you don't have transport. Between that and the Warwick Rockbag all eventualities are covered.

 

[GBassNorth]

No problems with doors here. After putting the harness on the Bird case it took a while to get it tightened back up on the JC case. Decision made for me. Definitely worth it if you want to take a HSC case out and you don't have transport. Between that and the Warwick Rockbag all eventualities are covered.

Would something like this work for transporting a loaded bass case?
Bass Buggie Two Wheel Carrier