Thunderbird Club

[fleahead]

One of my buds playing my '99 Gibby. At that time I was into my old P-bass, and was playing "Rick" in a Cheap Trick Tribute outside of Chicago. So, my bassist played either my short scale Hamer 12ver or this. I had access to some '76 nickel pups

A few years back I bought a Dean import Entwistle Sig bass, replaced the neck, some hardware and re-did the electronics..... then before I could replace the pups, the body dropped and chipped and dented a bit... so I took the bowling ball finish off, sanded down and re-contoured the body and painting it a nice DuPont fire engine red.

 

[Engle]

@Engle, several pages have gone by, so it's probably still timely to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAN!!

Thank you!

 

[dagrev]

Yah, SM is a very talented guy. He first hit the performing scene in the '70s doing multi-entertainment (comedy, banjo) during The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's stage breaks. Although he wrote for the Smothers Brothers in the late '60s, SNL provided his springboard into a broader TV audience and the rest is history. It's cool that he's more known now as a consummate banjo player. (been playing since he was 17)

Steep Canyon Rangers I like!

 

[fleahead]

In the meantime, I dig this bass. Have a friend with a natural '76 and it goes toe-to-toe with it

 

[Engle]

A surf rock band from... Minneapolis

Well CCR wasn't from anywhere close to the Bayou...

 

[dagrev]

I find the DR coated strings a little too sticky for playing fast stuff.

That slightly tacky feeling is what gets me at times, fast or otherwise. If I like the sound, I might try a little silicone on them. But it might eat the coating, so I might need to think on that.

 

[dagrev]

In the meantime, I dig this bass. Have a friend with a natural '76 and it goes toe-to-toe with it
View attachment 3909262

Can't go wrong with a VP. Closest thing to a 60s version without paying way over a grand or two or three or.....

 

[RayWithFlats]

In the meantime, I dig this bass. Have a friend with a natural '76 and it goes toe-to-toe with it
View attachment 3909262

Nice! Looks just like the first Thunderbird I ever saw in person, played by Gail Greenwood from Belly in '93/94-ish, she had matching white jeans, too. Showbiz!

She's still playing a white 'bird nowadays but I don't know if it's the same one.

 

[dagrev]

Well CCR wasn't from anywhere close to the Bayou...

They had to adapt. Born on the Baja just sounded weird.

 

[GonePlaid]

They had to adapt. Born on the Baja just sounded weird.

Yeah. Wrong accent.

 

[fleahead]

Can't go wrong with a VP. Closest thing to a 60s version without paying way over a grand or two or three or.....

True that. I worked at Gibson (not in the guitar divisions), and I always used to give the Product Manager poopie (lovingly) about "when are you going to do it right?".... and then Epi did (once again) what Gibson USA refused to do, lol....

 

[Engle]

That slightly tacky feeling is what gets me at times, fast or otherwise. If I like the sound, I might try a little silicone on them. But it might eat the coating, so I might need to think on that.

I used to put the DR Red Devils on my SB600, but I think they were an earlier formula. They didn't seem as sticky, but the colour wore off a lot quicker. Or maybe I was just used to them...

 

[MCF]

Yah, SM is a very talented guy. He first hit the performing scene in the '70s doing multi-entertainment (comedy, banjo) during The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's stage breaks. Although he wrote for the Smothers Brothers in the late '60s, SNL provided his springboard into a broader TV audience and the rest is history. It's cool that he's more known now as a consummate banjo player. (been playing since he was 17)

When I was really young, my parents took us to a Smothers Brothers concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego. I actually have recollection of it. They were funny, but their playing was the main attraction. Probably one reason I grew up loving music.

 

[JIO]

When I was really young, my parents took us to a Smothers Brothers concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego. I actually have recollection of it. They were funny, but their playing was the main attraction. Probably one reason I grew up loving music.

Back when acting out a stuttering, slightly 'slow' brother who mom didn't like as much was considered funny. But then, Daffy Duck spoke with a lisp and Porky Pig stuttered...

 

[Engle]

That's a seriously strange song and even stranger video...

I always liked the Ramones version:

Live, Joey would obviously trash his voice, but they knew how to deliver:

 

[BklynKen]

Not that I've ever seen. I'm not so sure binding on the body wouldn't look good under certain circumstances and finishes. I like the neck as is.

But Thunderbirds need inlays. The Cadillac of Gibson basses needs more than dots. Anyone at Gibson listening?

Here's a Gibson Custom Shop one.....The only one.
View attachment 3908839

As cool as the Thunderbird looks with block inlays, I think it can also look too busy. If I had my choice, I'd pick no inlays at all.

 

[TBird1958]

In the meantime, I dig this bass. Have a friend with a natural '76 and it goes toe-to-toe with it
View attachment 3909262

Lovely basses all. That Rick brings back some fond memories for me. Happy to add you to the club if you like.

 

[dagrev]

As cool as the Thunderbird looks with block inlays, I think it can also look too busy. If I had my choice, I'd pick no inlays at all.

I fully agree--if the blocks are big and square (no offense to anyone). Something smaller and more tasteful with something nice at the 12th fret maybe. Not really thinking like the birds on Paul Reed Smiths either. Just something Gibson should experiment with, but it may never work. Shoot, even just something cool at the 12th fret might be enough.

 

[dagrev]

Two new versions of the Miles' Pick. I'm thinking one hole might do it.

Have you ever tried drilling a pick while having to hold it? If this works well, I'm going to need to find a better way to hang onto them. Sidecutters or something maybe.

 

[BklynKen]

I fully agree--if the blocks are big and square (no offense to anyone). Something smaller and more tasteful with something nice at the 12th fret maybe. Not really thinking like the birds on Paul Reed Smiths either. Just something Gibson should experiment with, but it may never work. Shoot, even just something cool at the 12th fret might be enough.

I'm really fond of the trapezoids some Les Pauls and the current SG Bass have.