Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

Wow! Blast from the past...I worked with Paris when Creative Labs bought Ensoniq (they already owned E-mu Systems where I worked) in the late 90’s...

At first it seems like a crazy road to go down, using decades old technology because it has this nice warm sound...

 

[PillO]

At work, we order lamacoids all the time. I’ll talk to my guy.

There are over the counter ointments that can take care of your lamacoids...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Our official position as per @fasterpussycat:

Well you don't need to have touched, let alone seen, a Thunderbird in the flesh to know they are just awful. Their headstocks pop off when you least expect it, they are really badly made, their pickups produce nothing but mud and raw sewage, they all -- without exception -- are so unbalanced they might as well have a block of concrete chained around the neck ... and they only good for metal.

We only love them because we are suckers and gluttons for punishment.

 

[Engle]

Or maybe none...

Well yeah, mine is sans pickguard and I just took off the indicator thing under the chicken head knob. I rarely switch it and when I do, it’s not like the numbers mean anything to me.
Hmmm, might go to black speed knobs next.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

But, but.....The greatest collection of Thunderbirds in the world resides in Germany. You've seen a copy of "The Gibson Bass Book" I hope.

View attachment 3736602

Did Gibson actually make that bird as-is, or was that customized?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

... There's also a bad side.

Someone said the bad side was trying to find a gig bag or case long enough, but that’s why the headstock pops off.

 

[pie_man_25]

Someone said the bad side was trying to find a gig bag or case long enough, but that’s why the headstock pops off.

I couldn't even tell you, tbh, I've got two jazzes, one fiver and a four banger, and no room for another. I just admire the Thunderbird from afar. Especially the limited run they had of grey burst epis a good while back.

I just like basses and the people that play them.

 

[Gaolee]

I have to say that I am really surprised how active the TB scene is in this forum ! I was blown away when I saw 7000+ sides of this thread. TB's are not very common over here, at least you never see them live. After I know how good they sound I can't tell why they seem to be so "unpopular" ? Only because of the handling? Or is the optics too much for the average bassplayer?

Too much negative mythology from people who do not know.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Well yeah, mine is sans pickguard and I just took off the indicator thing under the chicken head knob. I rarely switch it and when I do, it’s not like the numbers mean anything to me.
Hmmm, might go to black speed knobs next.
View attachment 3736755

Black hardware too.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

At first it seems like a crazy road to go down, using decades old technology because it has this nice warm sound...

it really isn’t, there are still folks using VT stuff as well as 2” tape for recording...tape overdrives beautifully...the (very expensive) military grade Burr Brown 20 bit (ADC/DAC) converters we used makes for a very noticeable difference to this day..

 

[Gaolee]

I got a couple billion posts behind...wondering how many smashed headstocks there have been in my absence? I feel bad because I have that rare 2,000’s era Gibson TBird with an intact headstock, great finish and no neck dive. And I don’t even play metal!
Been playing my Fano with ‘Bird pickups a lot lately. Plays and sounds so good

All of my headstocks are intact an none of the 'Birds dive. They are letting down the reputation. I would have a word with them about it, but they might be offended and choose somebody else. So, there you have it.

 

[TBird1958]

Sorry - it is sap running season...

Is that what you're calling it?

 

[TBird1958]

Did Gibson actually make that bird as-is, or was that customized?

Gibson Custom Shop.

 

[Gaolee]

Over in the JC thread the other day, someone was talking about a tort guard. I was extremely well behaved, but between you and me -- oh the humanity!

We are all impressed. The effort you had to put in to behaving was staggering.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Gibson Custom Shop.

Some day I plan to make a Thunderbird rough equivalent of a Firebird VII. I also want one in a true sunburst. Maybe sans PG.

 

[Count Bassie]

it really isn’t, there are still folks using VT stuff as well as 2” tape for recording...tape overdrives beautifully...the (very expensive) military grade Burr Brown 20 bit (ADC/DAC) converters we used makes for a very noticeable difference to this day..

I've got some 40 yr old tape I've been saving to record over. It's even got a little mold on the outside, gotta look about cleaning it up.
Some 1", 1/2 and 1/4".

 

[RedVee]

Over in the JC thread the other day, someone was talking about a tort guard. I was extremely well behaved, but between you and me -- oh the humanity!

I noticed!

 

[BklynKen]

Here's a TRC I had made for the RNR, which should be "ready soon."

 

[fasterpussycat]

Scan of my TRC - the colour didn't come out great on the office multifunction scan, print, teasmade thingummy, but it should be enough to get a vinyl decal made.

 

[TBird1958]

Scan of my TRC - the colour didn't come out great on the office multifunction scan, print, teasmade thingummy, but it should be enough to get a vinyl decal made.

Thanks Kat, I'll see if my vinyl wrap guy can do something with that.