Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

My Traynor YBA200 is in need of service. I should have bought a backup head... Add that to the list.

I saw the thread and felt really bad for you. Hope you get it straightened out quickly.

I’m casually researching an amp head and cab setup and am really wanting a tube head. My first real amp was a Bassman 50 that was great in my bedroom, but nowhere else. No volume, but the sound was amazing. The Traynor YBAs intrigues me (if I can ever find a place to try them). Or Ampeg, but I’m not convinced they’re getting back to good stuff even though Yamaha now owns them. Maybe 7ender. The pragmatist in me says don’t do that. Get a Mesa D800+ with matching 4x10 cab and call it a day. But then there’s new Darkglass stuff, Berg Protege’, Aguilar, and the new GK. But at my age, I can probably go all tube and anything that goes wrong will happen immediately while under warranty or not until long after I’m gone.

Seems like class D is in your future to use while the iron is in the shop and have as a backup. You’re much more knowledgeable than I am about how to compensate for non-tube tone, but it seems to be easy enough. I’m interested in hearing what you do.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My capo has been sitting atop the entertainment center in the living room for several years. People who don’t know I used to play guitar ask why I have one.
I finally found a use for bass! Practicing for tomorrow with youtube clips in different keys than we’ll be playing, I want to get the fingering down. Capo to the rescue!

If they change keys tomorrow, I’ll cope. But it made learning songs much easier when fingering matched the chord charts.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Fly me down. I’ll take care of it!

It started humming yesterday and when I looked at the 6550s, one was bright orange. The amp was made with an autobias circuit, which removed by a previous owner sometime between 2004 and 2016, when it came to me. Hoping it's only a duff resistor or capacitor, or at worst a single 6550 needing replacement.

 

[MCF]

Pretty chuffed. Filling in somewhere new tomorrow. I’ve had links and tabs all week for practice, but won’t meet the band to rehearse until two hours before go live time. This is a first for me, and I’m chuffed. Similar situation Monday, but no rehearsal time there, so winging it. Another first. I don’t think I ever had the confidence in the past to do something like this!
I’m only taking the new VP tomorrow, still with the RS66s on it. My fingers aren’t thrilled, but neither are they screaming at me.

It will make you stronger. You’ll get through it, it will be fine and only you will know about the clams. When you’re done, you’ll have that adrenaline rush that no chemical can replace. HAVE FUN!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It started humming yesterday and when I looked at the 6550s, one was bright orange. The amp was made with an autobias circuit, which removed by a previous owner sometime between 2004 and 2016, when it came to me. Hoping it's only a duff resistor or capacitor, or at worst a single 6550 needing replacement.

I just read through the thread. There’s an excellent chance it’s a resistor, cap, or bad connection. There’s a low chance it’s the tube or socket. Just being one tube, it’s almost certainly not the OT or an impedance mismatch.
If it only did this briefly, the tube might still be ok. Was the plate definitely glowing? Or might it have been the screen grid (wires wrapped around posts inside the plate?
If you do need to replace it, make sure they provide a tube matched reasonably close to the rest. This isn’t hifi, so you don’t need them all closely matched, but it’s best not to have one way off from the rest.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It will make you stronger. You’ll get through it, it will be fine and only you will know about the clams. When you’re done, you’ll have that adrenaline rush that no chemical can replace. HAVE FUN!

Thanks! I plan to!

 

[fasterpussycat]

I saw the thread and felt really bad for you. Hope you get it straightened out quickly.

I’m casually researching an amp head and cab setup and am really wanting a tube head. My first real amp was a Bassman 50 that was great in my bedroom, but nowhere else. No volume, but the sound was amazing. The Traynor YBAs intrigues me (if I can ever find a place to try them). Or Ampeg, but I’m not convinced they’re getting back to good stuff even though Yamaha now owns them. Maybe 7ender. The pragmatist in me says don’t do that. Get a Mesa D800+ with matching 4x10 cab and call it a day. But then there’s new Darkglass stuff, Berg Protege’, Aguilar, and the new GK. But at my age, I can probably go all tube and anything that goes wrong will happen immediately while under warranty or not until long after I’m gone.

Seems like class D is in your future to use while the iron is in the shop and have as a backup. You’re much more knowledgeable than I am about how to compensate for non-tube tone, but it seems to be easy enough. I’m interested in hearing what you do.

No need to feel bad for me, these things happen. It's 16 years old and there's no way of telling when it was last serviced. The only painful part is it comes at a time when there are plenty of other bills to be paid, as if there's ever a 'good' time.

If I had spare cash money, was buying new and wanted something 'roadworthy', I'd be looking at Orange or Mesa ... or another Traynor. I liked the look of the the Bassman 100Ts but heard they can be temperamental. Ampeg is not my thing.

Class D head or micro combo? The combo would be cheaper, but I already have a fine cab and the head would have more utility. The TC Elf has increased in price since it was on my radar. TC make a 200W microhead which might do the job.

 

[RedVee]

How old is this guy?? ??

Early 70s about 73-74yo

 

[MCF]

My capo has been sitting atop the entertainment center in the living room for several years. People who don’t know I used to play guitar ask why I have one.
I finally found a use for bass! Practicing for tomorrow with youtube clips in different keys than we’ll be playing, I want to get the fingering down. Capo to the rescue!

If they change keys tomorrow, I’ll cope. But it made learning songs much easier when fingering matched the chord charts.

Still play guitar and still use a capo. I’m a total hack. No pride here. And when I do my bass setups, I need one. My daughter stole my good one when she was home recently so I’ve got to get a new one.

Back in the day when I played out, there were four singers I worked with, depending on the band/show. Keys changed depending on who was singing. And yep (gasp), a capo was occasionally used on a bass. Didn’t bother me then, and would bother me less now. You do what ya’ gotta do. Only a bassist would know the difference.

 

[fasterpussycat]

I just read through the thread. There’s an excellent chance it’s a resistor, cap, or bad connection. There’s a low chance it’s the tube or socket. Just being one tube, it’s almost certainly not the OT or an impedance mismatch.
If it only did this briefly, the tube might still be ok. Was the plate definitely glowing? Or might it have been the screen grid (wires wrapped around posts inside the plate?
If you do need to replace it, make sure they provide a tube matched reasonably close to the rest. This isn’t hifi, so you don’t need them all closely matched, but it’s best not to have one way off from the rest.

It the whole plate was glowing orangey-red. I'm not game to switch it on again, will leave it someone qualified.

 

[Gaolee]

I’ve been looking to see if they still make Epiphone Non-Reverse 5-string Thunderbirds and it seems like they don’t anymore. I’d like to get one to go with my reverse ‘93 4-string.

They don't, but they come up for sale periodically.

 

[Gaolee]

It started humming yesterday and when I looked at the 6550s, one was bright orange. The amp was made with an autobias circuit, which removed by a previous owner sometime between 2004 and 2016, when it came to me. Hoping it's only a duff resistor or capacitor, or at worst a single 6550 needing replacement.

Best of luck with it.

 

[Butcherboy]

....attack of the medium scale birds...

Cataldo NR4132 vs Lull w/squier japan p medium scale neck....

 

[Keith Rawlings]

They don't, but they come up for sale periodically.

I’ll keep a look out for one. Thanks.

 

[dagrev]

Pretty chuffed. Filling in somewhere new tomorrow. I’ve had links and tabs all week for practice, but won’t meet the band to rehearse until two hours before go live time. This is a first for me, and I’m chuffed. Similar situation Monday, but no rehearsal time there, so winging it. Another first. I don’t think I ever had the confidence in the past to do something like this!
I’m only taking the new VP tomorrow, still with the RS66s on it. My fingers aren’t thrilled, but neither are they screaming at me.

The glorious sound of a Thunderbird can cover a multitude of sins. But bring those tabs anyway!

 

[MCF]

....attack of the medium scale birds...

View attachment 3726456

Cataldo NR4132 vs Lull w/squier japan p medium scale neck....

Your Cataldo is the bomb. And blue. I love that bass. Someday...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Still play guitar and still use a capo. I’m a total hack. No pride here. And when I do my bass setups, I need one. My daughter stole my good one when she was home recently so I’ve got to get a new one.

Back in the day when I played out, there were four singers I worked with, depending on the band/show. Keys changed depending on who was singing. And yep (gasp), a capo was occasionally used on a bass. Didn’t bother me then, and would bother me less now. You do what ya’ gotta do. Only a bassist would know the difference.

this capo is marginal on my basses.

 

[dagrev]

I saw the thread and felt really bad for you. Hope you get it straightened out quickly.

I’m casually researching an amp head and cab setup and am really wanting a tube head. My first real amp was a Bassman 50 that was great in my bedroom, but nowhere else. No volume, but the sound was amazing. The Traynor YBAs intrigues me (if I can ever find a place to try them). Or Ampeg, but I’m not convinced they’re getting back to good stuff even though Yamaha now owns them. Maybe 7ender. The pragmatist in me says don’t do that. Get a Mesa D800+ with matching 4x10 cab and call it a day. But then there’s new Darkglass stuff, Berg Protege’, Aguilar, and the new GK. But at my age, I can probably go all tube and anything that goes wrong will happen immediately while under warranty or not until long after I’m gone.

I must say I love my Ampegs. V4-BH (I have two of these) and the newer V-4B.
The BH's are big and smooth. The recent V-4Bs are more aggressive and LOUD.

I will say the Sanamp VT pedal is a must with a SS head as far as I'm concerned.

I would like the smaller PF 50w version.

Just pics, not mine. This BH has weird knobs.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It the whole plate was glowing orangey-red. I'm not game to switch it on again, will leave it someone qualified.

View attachment 3726447

I wasn’t suggesting you turn it on. Glad you know better.

 

[fasterpussycat]

I will say the Sanamp VT pedal is a must with a SS head as far as I'm concerned.

After considerable time spent trying to get a tone I didn't hate out of a VT pedal ... and having been underwhelmed by the PF500 (when it was running), I realised the bass tone 'gold standard' just isn't for me, what I want is a big and dirty Bassman.