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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Not tonight... I just need to get through this nightwatch so I can get home and catch 4 hours sleep, before I need to go pack gear and head out for the band's gig tonight. So I'm talking things slow now.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
I live in Copenhagen (Denmark) and have a 2 hour roadtrip to a town called Odense... We need to be there by 5:00 pm the latest for soundcheck. The show how ever will be pretty late.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
After the soundcheck? We'll probably just go out for dinner, and then hang out at the club and watch the other act...
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,906
- 142,340
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
There's usually a few hours or so...
Doors usually opens at 8:00 pm and bands go on somewhere between 9:00 - 10:00 pm, depending on how many bands are performing. Clubs usually close around 2:00 am - But there are variations...
I think we're on at 10:30 tonight, but I'm not totally sure. There are DJ sets before, after and in between bands.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Thanks Mark!
Things are a bit different tonight, as one of our singers has cancelled and we have split his vocals between us.
It's my first show in years with me doing both backup vocals and playing bass/guitar - So it's going to be interesting...
That's not too different to a few clubs we play at as a single band. We have to sound check by 7.30- 8.00. ie load in from around 6.30. I am slow with the PA. They want us on at 9.00 till a bit after 1.00, sometimes we go to 1.30, depending on how it is going. They have a 3.00 am licence but we can load out when we finish. Has a bit to do with the liquor lockout laws and wanting people dancing past 12.00 so they can't relocate. Responsible service of alcohol! Funny thing is the crowd hassles us to start playing after we sound check!
I much prefer the 8.00 to 12.00 gigs.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
So, long-time stalker, 1st time poster. I always find an abundance of helpful info here. I'm hoping to contribute anything that may be useful going forward. My expertise pales in comparison to many here, I'm sure, but maybe my clumsy ramblings will be an inspiration - for better or worse...
I have had the gear bug pretty bad lately, and decided it was time to give fretless a shot. Long story short, I was inspired to defret something rather than buy stock fretless. My guitarist has a board full of awesome homemade pedals, and I guess I am a bit jealous of his diy skills. I've always played jazz bass necks (real or MIJ copies), so I started looking for a Fender. On CL, I stumbled on a cool looking Epi Thunderbird, and after reading a TON of talkbass threads, decided to give it a shot. I don't think I'd ever played a gibson bass, other than an SG - which I hated. But I really loved the way this epi thunderbird felt, that I didn't want to mess it up. But after checking out the assorted Fenderbird's here (tbird1958, namely) I decided to give it a go.
I have had the gear bug pretty bad lately, and decided it was time to give fretless a shot. Long story short, I was inspired to defret something rather than buy stock fretless. My guitarist has a board full of awesome homemade pedals, and I guess I am a bit jealous of his diy skills. I've always played jazz bass necks (real or MIJ copies), so I started looking for a Fender. On CL, I stumbled on a cool looking Epi Thunderbird, and after reading a TON of talkbass threads, decided to give it a shot. I don't think I'd ever played a gibson bass, other than an SG - which I hated. But I really loved the way this epi thunderbird felt, that I didn't want to mess it up. But after checking out the assorted Fenderbird's here (tbird1958, namely) I decided to give it a go.
Attachments
Found a lefty p-bass neck, and ripped out the frets. That part was easy. Decided to shave the neck to fit the pocket rather than vice-versa, so I can put it back to stock if necessary. It wasn't an expensive guitar, but my daughter begged me not to mess it up, because she wants it.
The neck alteration went easier than expected, even while hungover on the couch with a wood chisel, and dremel. I'm stunned that I didn't get impatient and jack it up. I did throw it on a belt sander to thin the neck profile to more closely match the original neck. This worked nicely, but was a bit of a mistake. I didn't check the action height, because I didn't have hardware or strings on the neck. I ended up having to put in a thin shim to get the action remotely close.
The neck alteration went easier than expected, even while hungover on the couch with a wood chisel, and dremel. I'm stunned that I didn't get impatient and jack it up. I did throw it on a belt sander to thin the neck profile to more closely match the original neck. This worked nicely, but was a bit of a mistake. I didn't check the action height, because I didn't have hardware or strings on the neck. I ended up having to put in a thin shim to get the action remotely close.
Affordable used lefty necks don't grow on trees, so I was extra careful. The action is still a bit high, thanks to the fretless conversion. I'm waiting on delivery of a Hipshot Supertone bridge, which I've been told should give more flexibility to get the action lower than the three point epi bridge.
I'm looking, and NOT FINDING ashtrays. I love the ashtray look - I put them on my sunburst Jazz bass, and get tons of compliments. I'm also replacing the round fender string tree thing with a hipshot 3 string retainer. The E string likes popping out of the round one.
I'm not sure what else I'll do for now, if anything. I liked this guitar enough stock that I've got my eye on a sunburst set-neck. I can't spend more on gear than my wife spends on purses and shoes without suffering serious guilt pangs.
I'm looking, and NOT FINDING ashtrays. I love the ashtray look - I put them on my sunburst Jazz bass, and get tons of compliments. I'm also replacing the round fender string tree thing with a hipshot 3 string retainer. The E string likes popping out of the round one.
I'm not sure what else I'll do for now, if anything. I liked this guitar enough stock that I've got my eye on a sunburst set-neck. I can't spend more on gear than my wife spends on purses and shoes without suffering serious guilt pangs.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Nothing beats a fretless 'Bird! Take a look on eBay for ashtrays. There's also a guy here who makes them. I think he goes by godofthunder. I'll get corrected if that's wrong, which is good.
I agree completely that ashtrays look great, and Thunderbirds are addictive. And one last thing - you 'Bird looks fantastic!
I agree completely that ashtrays look great, and Thunderbirds are addictive. And one last thing - you 'Bird looks fantastic!
Gonna take some pics today in order to sell the NR 5 string Tbird. Hands can't handle long scale any more.
It's a Korean 94 with Bart P/Js and trashed OHSC... hopefully local to SoCal.. will post ad later today. In order to stay in the club I grabbed a 4 string reverse with normal Tbird pups just to have around for that tone thing. I can get the 5 string tones on the Traveler. At the end of the "day", I will have an SS, MS, and LS...and I doubt I will change basses again.
Ps - I would always prefer an intermediate and up Epi over a low end Gibby.........but that's me... I've had an Epi of some sort since 1974
It's a Korean 94 with Bart P/Js and trashed OHSC... hopefully local to SoCal.. will post ad later today. In order to stay in the club I grabbed a 4 string reverse with normal Tbird pups just to have around for that tone thing. I can get the 5 string tones on the Traveler. At the end of the "day", I will have an SS, MS, and LS...and I doubt I will change basses again.
Ps - I would always prefer an intermediate and up Epi over a low end Gibby.........but that's me... I've had an Epi of some sort since 1974
I'm in the process of making some ashtrays myself - which may or may not work. I've gone through a few prototypes to try and get the size and profile correct, and think I've got them about right. I had to order a new blade for the old bandsaw, though, so I'm stalled for the time being. Then I need to try and get a vendor i work with to plate them for me, without getting myself fired. There is no good diy substitute for nickel plating that I've found.
I miss playing live. It's been over three years.
Have a great show @hillerup
Have a great show @hillerup
