Thunderbird Club

[Count Bassie]

Approve this!!
One more, un-obscured by the motorcycle tire strap.

 

[dagrev]

^THIS^

We all play a part in the meandering. And I estimate that about half of us are not in gigging bands. We just play by ourselves - ahem.

I think the number of us in non gigging bands has gone up lately. Those gigging are in the decided minority now for sure. I have no idea when I'll even practice with others.
And I just learned to play just like Geddy Lee......

 

[dagrev]

I hope your one sour incident over at the Luthiers Corner (very rare, but like I said, it only takes one) won't dissuade you from getting advice there. Everyone there (the majority) are very generous with their knowledge and skills. Sometimes something that seems "way beyond" your abilities when illustrated is very doable. Even learning what would be the correct 'fix' is educational so you can deal with a shop with some background. Many people there started at the beginning and most there know what that feels like and so are very helpful. No trolls there also - only worker-bees.

I second JIO's characterization of the Luthier's Corner.

 

[dagrev]

The NS2A is a fine bass, possibly one of Spector's finest sound wise. Did you get it in classic white? It's quite a bit more forward sounding in a mix than most Thunderbirds so it should compliment your bass line up nicely.


Not only am I not currently in a gigging band, I'm not even in any band.
I do jam with the guys on occasion but not that often. My gigging days (and the desire to have them) are long gone. I play pretty much daily with Pandora on random shuffle (never know what song is up next so you gotta be on your toes) or with CDs. The TBird time is split pretty evenly between the Gibby Anniversary and the Eppi VP. Other basses that get a regular workout include an SG supreme, a Fender Starcaster and a Fender Tele modern player.

Note: a total of four Thunderbird references were made in this post. I'm gbassnorth, and I approve this message.

 

[dagrev]

Approve this!!
One more, un-obscured by the motorcycle tire strap.

View attachment 3748081

Better than the first pic!

 

[dagrev]

Let me clarify, I was laughing at the last comment, not the not actively playing part.

 

[MCF]

Before I bought my 67 NR, I had a chance to try another guy's Ric in 70-71. I'd always thought they looked good. I was thoroughly unimpressed. And so the quest to meet my TBird continued for another coupla years 'til we hooked up in 73.

I gave up on wanting a Ric after getting to play several when the SoCal GCs we’re stocking them. Just didn’t suit me. It’ll be primarily Thunderbirds for me the rest of my journey.

 

[MCF]

I've been using this 'open' time to work on my musician skills. Vocal training, circle of 5ths, playing/learning bass parts to disparate styles of music I own - woodshedding basically. Same with my band - learning's new songs, working more from our personalities to create a unique mix... gotta make some awesome lemonade out of all these lemons.

Please post some recordings if not here over in the PM thread.

 

[Gaolee]

The pickups in my Rickenbacker bass are called "Hi-Gain". That is just their name. But they have a high DC resistance (not because of many turns, but mainly because they're wound with smaller diameter wire) and low inductance, and as a result are very much unlike J-bass pickups or 760s. They feel kinda inert. Just how I feel about it.

I bought another, older kind of Ric pickup called a "Toaster" but haven't installed it yet. But judging by some numbers I found for Toasters, and comparing with J and 760 numbers, I think this pickup swap is unlikely to "fix" my Ric. For me personally, either the Hi-Gain or (more likely) the Toaster must probably be rewound with thicker wire.

Easier would be Thunderbuckers or even J-bass pickups in the Ric (it's been done), but I've just about decided that I like the pickup *positions* in J-bass or Tbird/Embassy better too.

My Ric "ownership experience" has been depressing. It isn't the bass's fault. Embarrassed I spent so much.

Got it. I didn't fully understand. I thought you were looking for a Ric pickup sound, which is the opposite of the facts. I had a Ric and liked it enough. It wasn't a Thunderbird, though. I find the sounds a Thunderbird make have an authority to them that's hard to match. Your Embassy probably has a similar authority. I'm not a big fan of the usual J sound, but then I have also heard a J sound fantastic. It depends on the player, the EQ, the strings, and probably a zillion other things besides.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm in a currently non-gigging band(like most). My THUNDERBIRD could use a little work. Shop's closed TFN.

For the next month or so, there is no such thing as a gigging band. Oh, well. At least band practice hasn't been cancelled. Well, not all band practices have been cancelled. I'll be playing drums tonight, and probably the FenderBird tomorrow night. At band practices. All gigs have been cancelled and nothing is on the horizon for any of the bands I play with.

 

[JJR58]

Speaking of pick-ups. When i can afford it, going to replace the ChinaBuckers in my white Epi with those SD HawkBuckers, like the one i have in my 7ender.

 

[Thumper]

No, this was the 5th worst in our history, worst since 1992, but we are on a major fault line, the Wasatch Front

We've had a 4.4 and just had a 4.6 aftershock, makes me contemplate putting my ThunderThings (what else should I call my T5 and Embassy's?) into hard cases.

Regarding the Spectors, I'm sure they are mid-forward, but I don't think anything could be more mid-forward than my series/parallel wired Embassy. And I do have a Fender JPJ and a Dingwall SJ5XXX wired series/parallel along with my Roscoe SKB 3005, so I do have a decent basis for comparison.

 

[Gaolee]

The Bay Area/Peninsula haven't had many tremors in the last few years which makes us all a bit wary. We did have a couple last year, but I've lived here since '90 and there usually are a number of small tremors every now and then. I live a half block from the PO so an off-shore quake wouldn't be good for my area. (to say the least)

We get a good one about every 20 to 30 years. The last good rumbler was in 2001 or 2002. We are getting on toward due for one. I have the house bolted to the foundation now, and most of the foundation cracks are epoxied up with the exception of one. I'm concerned about the upright falling over, but all the Thunderbirds live in cases or on secure stands, so I'm not worried about Thunderbird carnage if the ground moves.

 

[Gaolee]

I can still remove some wood from the center section (from the back) working around the pu cavities but I probably would only lose a few ounces, so not sure it's worth it. I'm currently restoring a '63 Burns of London Vista Sonic bass with a heavy sycamore body and large scratchplate. I filled the body with forstner-bit holes under the plate and lost 1lb. It should come in at 8lbs/6oz when assembled. (at the finisher now)

I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. That's perfect for Bond music. It's the right age and national origin. If it is wearing a tux, even better. Unless it's a Bond girl, and then it has to be wearing a bikini under a flight suit.

 

[JIO]

I gave up on wanting a Ric after getting to play several when the SoCal GCs we’re stocking them. Just didn’t suit me. It’ll be primarily Thunderbirds for me the rest of my journey.

I had a very nice Fireglo '85 4003 - the one with the 2 piece pg, reversed entry tr (at the neck heal) and 2 screws (from the factory) to keep the bridge plate from curling up. (great solution JH...) Very pretty maple flaming, sounded really good actually and I have always liked the way they look. Just never warmed up to it. (sold it after about a year) Maybe it's the same for Thunderbirds but I wouldn't know as I've always liked mine.

 

[Gaolee]

I think the number of us in non gigging bands has gone up lately. Those gigging are in the decided minority now for sure. I have no idea when I'll even practice with others.
And I just learned to play just like Geddy Lee......

I did too! But then I forgot. It sucks when that happens.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I do mention Thunderbirds

Awesome! Thanks GOT. Love JDs, bought a used Mark King model in Denmark street when living in London almost 30 years ago! Is that model a 9 or 18 Volt?

 

[PillO]

The NS2A is a fine bass, possibly one of Spector's finest sound wise. Did you get it in classic white? It's quite a bit more forward sounding in a mix than most Thunderbirds so it should compliment your bass line up nicely.


Not only am I not currently in a gigging band, I'm not even in any band.
I do jam with the guys on occasion but not that often. My gigging days (and the desire to have them) are long gone. I play pretty much daily with Pandora on random shuffle (never know what song is up next so you gotta be on your toes) or with CDs. The TBird time is split pretty evenly between the Gibby Anniversary and the Eppi VP. Other basses that get a regular workout include an SG supreme, a Fender Starcaster and a Fender Tele modern player.

Note: a total of four Thunderbird references were made in this post. I'm gbassnorth, and I approve this message.

You running for office? Royal consort or something?

 

[PillO]

Approve this!!
One more, un-obscured by the motorcycle tire strap.

View attachment 3748081

I like the strap. Maybe we need one of the strap unobscured by the Thunderbird.

 

[Count Bassie]

I like the strap. Maybe we need one of the strap unobscured by the Thunderbird.

I'll get that taken care of here soon.