Shove some foam under the strings!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club thunderbird
Happy Thunderbird Thursday to everyone!
My 55 yr old gold standard of basses...
55-year-old doesn't sound so bad either!
My 55 yr old gold standard of basses...
55-year-old doesn't sound so bad either!
Nice! Are those Eppis mahogany?
Thanks! Yes, but has a glued in neck. Outside of that, the shape is the only difference from a Thunderbird. Aesthetically they did have chrome instead of nickel. But as far as I know the pickups are identical. Since the later 60s non-reverses had chrome, I suppose it's possible that the pickups may be closer to those, which are said to be a little hotter or a tad more aggressive sounding. (But the Epi doesn't seem any more aggressive than the TBird, so I lean towards them being the same. In fact it might be a tad more mellow.) But this is getting out my depth on exactly what pickups were used when. I would think that they are identical other than the chrome cans.
Notice on the 64 Thunderbird the bridge pickup is chrome. It was that way when I bought it in 81 or 82. It looks the same underneath as the other one and Scott told me he thought it was possibly can from a later 60s non-reverse. It's possible that the pick up is from a NR. Whatever it is, it sounds phenomenal and I wouldn't change it if I could. It's staying as is. I thought about driving over to RS Guitar Works changing the can into a nickel to match, but other than that I have no intention of doing anything to it. If I do, the chrome can on it now is going to Scott.
sounds like they are closer to NRs....glued neck....no raised center....nickel h/w...hotter wound pups...really liking those....how does the balance compare to the Bird?
Last edited:
A Thursday without a Bird, is like a day without sunshine. 
Si!!!
It's an oldie, but it's a goodie!Figured since I'm on a weird schedule on this Thunderbird Thursday, I'd post a new pic of one of my Thunderbirds before I head off to bed.
Unfortunately, I don't have any new ones, so I'm just gonna put this older one in...
View attachment 3880510
One of these days I'm going to have to try out a Bicentennial Bird. Never played one before but hear they do have their own unique sound.
Love the looks of those Dingwal Birds. I think I heard they are now a thing of the past, if so, hang on to that puppy it might get hard to replace.
Proof that growing old has its advantages!
Nice!
(Don't step on that alligator clip)
Looks more like a binder clip. You've been retired to long. You don't recognize common office supplies anymore.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
My contribution to Thunderbird Thursday.
I hate to say it but but it worse. However, I'm currently not using a suede backed strap with it like the Tbirds. So I have to hang on to it with a little more. Resting your right forearm helps, so it's not a big deal. I'm picky and it doesn't bother me. When I'm playing I never think about it, except when I stop between songs and move around. It plays with the neck more perpendicular to the body, whereas other basses have more of an upward angle. Plays great and sounds so good I'm thinking about how great it sounds than anything like neck dive.
They do. Some don't like them because they don't sound exactly like the 60s versions. Sidewinders are different, but I think they still sound great. Not 60s great, but a whole lot better than the modern Gibson PUs. I will say the my 06 seems to be of better quality. And it's lighter!
