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Thunderbird Club

View attachment 3824765 Well... the smartass in me wants to say "Right hand technique? Thumb more or less on the center of the neck, with my fingers as perpendicular as possible to the fretboard". But, I won't...
View attachment 3824764 View attachment 3824762 My T-birds, like these two, are among a large number of basses (out of 24) that I almost always play with a pick. With the Ricks, the heel of my left hand rests on the bridge p/u cover, and I wind up playing between the pickups. On the P-Bass, it rests on the bridge cover (and, yes, there's a mute in there) and I play just behind the p/u cover. Or, occasionally, I move my hand up to the p/u cover, and play just behind the neck. With the T-Birds? I do like Sir Paul does; the heel of my left hand rests on the bridge. Which puts the pick just behind the bridge p/u. On the rare occasions I don't use a pick, or when I play one of my other, '"non-pick" basses? I anchor my thumb on something - usually a pickup; the thumb rest on the P-Bass; or whatever. It depends on the bass. On the T-birds, it's the raised center section edge. But, I very,very seldom do that; IMO, T-Birds need picks to really strut their stuff...:cool:
Already have you covered.

#151684
 
Hey man, I do recommend you going for the regular Sub n' Up, mainly because of the two octaves up function. For me, the mini works just okay tho.
Got one, but it's not showing up in the TonePrint software and in stock form isn't giving me enough. Not a good start. I have a support request submitted to them. We'll see if I hear back. I'll just return it if not.
 
So, the early 18 series Embassy's had the bridges mis-drilled by 3/8", looking at mine, seems it could be removed, plugged, and re-drilled, and not be easily noticed without up close scrutiny. Why not have it done?
That’s mind-boggling. Had a similar problem with my Pro. I plugged and drilled, but that was all wood under the bridge, so no paint touchup necessary as old and new bridges were big, full contact rectangles.
 
A brief amp update:

The switch - the last discrete component that might have failed - is good. So, the only recourse now is to replace the mainboard (because things aren't built to be serviced). The tech's repair estimate is C$300 for an amp with a current new price of C$470.

As a result, I will follow a multi-staged repair.
1. Buy a used Traynor small block head for immediate needs.
2. Buy a Traynor YBA100 when they are available.
3. At some point buy the replacement board for the PF-350 and replace it myself (estimated cost C$200).
Have you tried the MB200/500
 
Have you tried the MB200/500
I haven't. The Traynor is small and inexpensive (and made just down the QEW from here). I got a very good deal on a used one from L&M.

It is a stop gap until the YBA 100 is available. Then it can live at my brother's place with my spare cab. Less to pack up for jam sessions.
 
I had their lightest set, was still too much for me.
It's too bad cause i love the tone of them.
That is a shame to find a nice string but it won't work for some reason. I have tried a fair number of flats and I can't think of any that I would say are close to the fender's. Some would say chromes are but I would disagree. There are some similarities but there are also some significant differences. And they may be just a stiff. It's been along time since I've played them. Come to think of it, I'm not so sure the Cobalt Flats aren't the next closest thing to fender's in an approximate way.
 
That is a shame to find a nice string but it won't work for some reason. I have tried a fair number of flats and I can't think of any that I would say are close to the fender's. Some would say chromes are but I would disagree. There are some similarities but there are also some significant differences. And they may be just a stiff. It's been along time since I've played them. Come to think of it, I'm not so sure the Cobalt Flats aren't the next closest thing to fender's in an approximate way.

Happen to agree with you on all points.
 
I finally received my Chinabuckers, I have everything needed for my luthier to mod/assemble the Thunderjazz, gonna call him to schedule pick-up today.
20200511_114813.jpg
 
That would be cool!
We can be found at c130band.com and we're on FB as well.
(no shows currently on the agenda for obvious reasons, lol)
Whereabouts you from? Involved in any projects?
I live in Joliet. Being an Operating Engineer(local 150) I get around all over the place so can usually find places pretty easy.
 
That would be cool!
We can be found at c130band.com and we're on FB as well.
(no shows currently on the agenda for obvious reasons, lol)
Whereabouts you from? Involved in any projects?
should be able to get the wife and I out for a show after all this junk is cleared up and looking start again. I'm often pretty busy in the summer/fall months but a Friday or Saturday might be the ticket, especially if you guys can get dow ford the south end of town.
 
I'm not much for practicing by myself, but have been attempting to play the THUNDERBIRD along with one of our live gig cd's. I bore easily but I gots to keep the calluses somehow. I s'pose I should do more. Maybe tomorrow. Or the next day. Or not.
View attachment 3824296

I share your exact plight!
 
I share your exact plight!

I almost never get tired of practicing, I kinda get off on it (ahem). And if I am not feeling it, I work on vocals. The song I'm currently working on is For Whom The Bell Tolls/Metallica. A lot of fun, I've never had to go above the 14th fret before, this one goes to the 20th on the G. I'm looking forward to the Thunderjazz, better access (those of you with an Embassy know what I mean).
 
I almost never get tired of practicing, I kinda get off on it (ahem). And if I am not feeling it, I work on vocals. The song I'm currently working on is For Whom The Bell Tolls/Metallica. A lot of fun, I've never had to go above the 14th fret before, this one goes to the 20th on the G. I'm looking forward to the Thunderjazz, better access (those of you with an Embassy know what I mean).
within band, no jam sessions and limited ability.... oh look..... a squirrel!
 
View attachment 3824988 So, the early 18 series Embassy's had the bridges mis-drilled by 3/8", looking at mine, seems it could be removed, plugged, and re-drilled, and not be easily noticed without up close scrutiny. Why not have it done?
that off white finish with a a white pg combo always looks sooo good...
 
View attachment 3824765 Well... the smartass in me wants to say "Right hand technique? Thumb more or less on the center of the neck, with my fingers as perpendicular as possible to the fretboard". But, I won't...
View attachment 3824764 View attachment 3824762 My T-birds, along with these two, are among a large number of basses (out of 24) that I almost always play with a pick. With the Ricks, the heel of my left hand rests on the bridge p/u cover, and I wind up playing between the pickups. On the P-Bass, it rests on the bridge cover (and, yes, there's a mute in there) and I play just behind the p/u cover. Or, occasionally, I move my hand up to the p/u cover, and play just behind the neck. With the T-Birds? I do like Sir Paul does; the heel of my left hand rests on the bridge. Which puts the pick just behind the bridge p/u. On the rare occasions I don't use a pick, or when I play one of my other, '"non-pick" basses? I anchor my thumb on something - usually a pickup; the thumb rest on the P-Bass; or whatever. It depends on the bass. On the T-birds, it's the raised center section edge. But, I very,very seldom do that; IMO, T-Birds need picks to really strut their stuff...:cool:
Has anybody mentioned that your bass guitars are backwards? Smartass? Nah. We don't have those around here.
 
I almost never get tired of practicing, I kinda get off on it (ahem). And if I am not feeling it, I work on vocals. The song I'm currently working on is For Whom The Bell Tolls/Metallica. A lot of fun, I've never had to go above the 14th fret before, this one goes to the 20th on the G. I'm looking forward to the Thunderjazz, better access (those of you with an Embassy know what I mean).
Funny thing is that I can play drums for hours by myself. Playing bass alone isn't as much fun. For me. So, I have been playing a lot more drums and a lot less bass lately. That's got to change. Or I'm gonna suck even worse than before. That's really bad!