Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

Man, that was quick. Video already blocked.

It just doesn't want to be embedded. Click the link to open at youtube.

 

[BklynKen]

Actually, here's the exact quote, straight from Angus.

 

[GBassNorth]

Is yours a II? IV? What strings do you have on it?

Mine is a II, I have Ken Smith Rockmaster stainless rounds on it, it RAWRS most agreeably, that single pickup - Whoa!

@Chucky Stiletti FWIW mine is a II also, but with a chrome bridge cover (nickel would look better, I'll flip it out some day). My Greco came used with what appear to be hap hazzardly anciently installed TI Jazz Flats (red silks both ends) that sound so wonderful I'm afraid to replace them with a fresh set.

Veronica and I have pretty much polar opposite sound goals and playing styles. She's at the bridge with a pic through a GK and I'm at the neck with fingers through a much warmer Thunderfunk amp. Says a lot about the capability of the Greco if we both think this thing will rock your socks off.

 

[TBird1958]

Man, that was quick. Video already blocked.

I dropped a different version in there, we'll see if that sticks around.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Man, that was quick. Video already blocked.

No, you just have to click the link to watch it directly on youtube.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I don't think any post '88 Bird even needs that, the neck is already very slim and fast, '76s are only slightly bigger, a VP has noticeably different neck, at least to my hands.

How so? And how does it compare to early birds? Besides less worms.

 

[MCF]

Will be interested to hear your take on the Chromes. I installed a set on my BaCH NR bird and although I'm not fond of the sound soloed, it actually works pretty darn good in a mix. Much more top end than I was expecting from a flat. The color of the string is odd as well, very flat battleship grey vs nickel or silver colored. Texture was very smooth and tension was not overly obnoxious like some flats I've tried.


I currently have Fender 7150's on my VP and love em.


Visual report from my birds:
Eppi VP - slight rolled edge
Eppi Goth - no rolled edge
Gibby Gold Anniversary - no rolled edge
Gibby 2015 - no rolled edge
1977 Greco TBird II - rolled edge
BaCH NR Tbird II - slight rolled edge


Never played one. Kinda pricy but they hold their value very well. My OCD is going into overload looking at that pickguard that overlaps the pup trim rings, I'd have to notch that guard out if I owned it.


Your Luthier is spot on. If you get it and want to part with the pups I'll give you good money for them.

I don't own a vintage 1960's II or IV but I've played a couple and to be honest, the 1977 Greco II I own plays and sounds better than the vintage birds I've played. Admittedly, I have had a very small exposure to both vintage birds and Greco birds but that's my take on the sound of what I've played. The Greco pups are just flat out amazing. The rest of the bass is pretty much smack dab in the middle of a Gibby and an Eppi in build quality, materials of construction, and fit and finish.

I suspect you're gonna love the sound, the reverse body is going to feel completely different than your NR birds, that might be good or bad. I think the scale is a tad less than the Gibby as well (maybe 33" scale) and the neck is a very well blended set neck design. I do have a bridge cover on mine, which I highly recommend (especially in nickel if you can find one). It hides the threepoint and with the exposed hardtail it really completes the vintage look of the bird.

The only knit I can pick with the Greco is that they installed a hardtail (maybe to eliminate the pulled lug potential) but that means nothing is holding the threepoint in place other than downward frictional pressure, the bridge can slide reward out of position screwing up intonation and tuning until you push it back in place.


What a fantastic quote - Gotta love Angus Young!

Re fretboard edges:

2017 Epiphone Vintage Pro - slightly rolled. Comfortable neck.

2015 Gibson Thunderbird - not rolled and no need for it to be. Best neck ever.

2013 Gibson NR Pelham Blue Thunderbird - maybe not technically rolled, but it is likely that a prior owner “softened the edges” or had someone do it. Nice neck.

2010 Epiphone Goth Thunderbird - not rolled. Playable, but not perfect.

2009 Epiphone Limited Edition Custom Shop Silverburst Thunderbird - slightly rolled. Very nice neck

2007 Epiphone Limited Edition Custom Shop Pelham Blue Thunderbird - I’m pretty sure this has been professionally rolled and The frets are immaculate. Wonderful neck.

None of my 3 7enders have rolled boards.

My Peavy Foundation, ‘85 body with ‘93 neck, has a professionally rolled neck. I bought it from the longtime bassist for the Buckaroos (‘69 to present) and that bass is so perfectly set up with amazingly low action I haven’t had to touch it since I got it. It is very close to the ‘15 as far as amazing playability goes.

 

[Gaolee]

Will be interested to hear your take on the Chromes. I installed a set on my BaCH NR bird and although I'm not fond of the sound soloed, it actually works pretty darn good in a mix. Much more top end than I was expecting from a flat. The color of the string is odd as well, very flat battleship grey vs nickel or silver colored. Texture was very smooth and tension was not overly obnoxious like some flats I've tried.


I currently have Fender 7150's on my VP and love em.


Visual report from my birds:
Eppi VP - slight rolled edge
Eppi Goth - no rolled edge
Gibby Gold Anniversary - no rolled edge
Gibby 2015 - no rolled edge
1977 Greco TBird II - rolled edge
BaCH NR Tbird II - slight rolled edge


Never played one. Kinda pricy but they hold their value very well. My OCD is going into overload looking at that pickguard that overlaps the pup trim rings, I'd have to notch that guard out if I owned it.


Your Luthier is spot on. If you get it and want to part with the pups I'll give you good money for them.

I don't own a vintage 1960's II or IV but I've played a couple and to be honest, the 1977 Greco II I own plays and sounds better than the vintage birds I've played. Admittedly, I have had a very small exposure to both vintage birds and Greco birds but that's my take on the sound of what I've played. The Greco pups are just flat out amazing. The rest of the bass is pretty much smack dab in the middle of a Gibby and an Eppi in build quality, materials of construction, and fit and finish.

I suspect you're gonna love the sound, the reverse body is going to feel completely different than your NR birds, that might be good or bad. I think the scale is a tad less than the Gibby as well (maybe 33" scale) and the neck is a very well blended set neck design. I do have a bridge cover on mine, which I highly recommend (especially in nickel if you can find one). It hides the threepoint and with the exposed hardtail it really completes the vintage look of the bird.

The only knit I can pick with the Greco is that they installed a hardtail (maybe to eliminate the pulled lug potential) but that means nothing is holding the threepoint in place other than downward frictional pressure, the bridge can slide reward out of position screwing up intonation and tuning until you push it back in place.


What a fantastic quote - Gotta love Angus Young!

The Flamingo is a '91 with a whole lot of miles on it. The fret edges feel rolled and polished, but when you go up around the 18th or 20th fret, they start feeling a whole lot less rolled. In other words, lots of play wear. Funny thing is that the frets are fine. No need for refretting or crowning or anything else.

The only bass I own with factory rolled edges is the Road Worn P. The P-Bird's frets are rolled, but that's not a factory anything.

 

[jd56hawk]

Will be interested to hear your take on the Chromes. I installed a set on my BaCH NR bird and although I'm not fond of the sound soloed, it actually works pretty darn good in a mix. Much more top end than I was expecting from a flat. The color of the string is odd as well, very flat battleship grey vs nickel or silver colored. Texture was very smooth and tension was not overly obnoxious like some flats I've tried.


I currently have Fender 7150's on my VP and love em.

I went with the hard to find Fender 9050 Custom Lights.
They should arrive in a few days.

 

[Flying B]

Okay, T-bird enthusiasts, does the new Vintage Pro have rolled fretboard edges?
(I've read that you can only expect it with more expensive basses.)
View attachment 4022948

I've never understood why a rolled fret board edge seems to be associated with high end instruments, it seems like a pretty easy thing to do?

 

[JJR58]

King Crimson?

Was wondering if someone would pick up on that.

 

[jd56hawk]

I've never understood why a rolled fret board edge seems to be associated with high end instruments, it seems like a pretty easy thing to do?

It must be easy...I've done it myself, once, and I didn't even have the proper tools.

 

[RedVee]

This makes me happy, I don't care how simple it is - it's simply brilliant. Thank you ACDC, 2020 does not completely suck now.

]

It makes me happy

 

[PillO]

Will be interested to hear your take on the Chromes. I installed a set on my BaCH NR bird and although I'm not fond of the sound soloed, it actually works pretty darn good in a mix. Much more top end than I was expecting from a flat. The color of the string is odd as well, very flat battleship grey vs nickel or silver colored. Texture was very smooth and tension was not overly obnoxious like some flats I've tried.

I agree with all that. I will add that initially, they feel like there is some sort of residue on the string when I first put them on. After a couple of plays, I wiped the strings down and they were better.

No princess fingers issues... Unlike cobalt flats...

 

[dagrev]

Do you have a Standard P? A match made in heaven IMO. But I think we’ve pretty much determined that you and I have different tone tastes (or ears anyway).

I do, an 05. It has LaBella Low Tension flats, which sound great. My '58 has GHS Precision flats, the '64 Pyramid Golds, and a '00 Factory Hotrod that has GHS Pressurewounds. I really want to find a used set to give them a try again one day. My rigs have changed since I tried them (several times) last, so they may work with what I have. But I'm not buying a new set to find out! I'm really happy with the flats I have on various basses, but if I run across a used set, will definitely give them an another chance.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Will be interested to hear your take on the Chromes. I installed a set on my BaCH NR bird and although I'm not fond of the sound soloed, it actually works pretty darn good in a mix. Much more top end than I was expecting from a flat. The color of the string is odd as well, very flat battleship grey vs nickel or silver colored. Texture was very smooth and tension was not overly obnoxious like some flats I've tried.


I currently have Fender 7150's on my VP and love em.


Visual report from my birds:
Eppi VP - slight rolled edge
Eppi Goth - no rolled edge
Gibby Gold Anniversary - no rolled edge
Gibby 2015 - no rolled edge
1977 Greco TBird II - rolled edge
BaCH NR Tbird II - slight rolled edge


Never played one. Kinda pricy but they hold their value very well. My OCD is going into overload looking at that pickguard that overlaps the pup trim rings, I'd have to notch that guard out if I owned it.


Your Luthier is spot on. If you get it and want to part with the pups I'll give you good money for them.

I don't own a vintage 1960's II or IV but I've played a couple and to be honest, the 1977 Greco II I own plays and sounds better than the vintage birds I've played. Admittedly, I have had a very small exposure to both vintage birds and Greco birds but that's my take on the sound of what I've played. The Greco pups are just flat out amazing. The rest of the bass is pretty much smack dab in the middle of a Gibby and an Eppi in build quality, materials of construction, and fit and finish.

I suspect you're gonna love the sound, the reverse body is going to feel completely different than your NR birds, that might be good or bad. I think the scale is a tad less than the Gibby as well (maybe 33" scale) and the neck is a very well blended set neck design. I do have a bridge cover on mine, which I highly recommend (especially in nickel if you can find one). It hides the threepoint and with the exposed hardtail it really completes the vintage look of the bird.

The only knit I can pick with the Greco is that they installed a hardtail (maybe to eliminate the pulled lug potential) but that means nothing is holding the threepoint in place other than downward frictional pressure, the bridge can slide reward out of position screwing up intonation and tuning until you push it back in place.


What a fantastic quote - Gotta love Angus Young!

my first Bird was a Gibson bicen model (natural) I bought brand new in 80/81(?)...I suspect this Greco will feel (not sound) similar but could be totally wrong, in fact, JIO and I are trying to setup some time to do an A/B with his 64 among other things. that said, I am very fond of NR ergos.....how do you find your BaCH compares to you reverses in this respect?

 

[dagrev]

my first Bird was a Gibson bicen model (natural) I bought brand new in 80/81(?)...I suspect this Greco will feel (not sound) similar but could be totally wrong, in fact, JIO and I are trying to setup some time to do an A/B with his 64 among other things. that said, I am very fond of NR ergos.....how do you find your BaCH compares to you reverses in this respect?

Sounds like a fantastic video!!!

 

[GBassNorth]

my first Bird was a Gibson bicen model (natural) I bought brand new in 80/81(?)...I suspect this Greco will feel (not sound) similar but could be totally wrong, in fact, JIO and I are trying to setup some time to do an A/B with his 64 among other things. that said, I am very fond of NR ergos.....how do you find your BaCH compares to you reverses in this respect?

Not gigging anymore so I mostly play seated. Huge difference between the NR and Reverse when seated. I mostly play up near the neck, so the upper horn scoop out of the Reverse body style is a perfect place to rest my wrist and the large body bump by the bridge is perfect for a forearm or elbow rest. The Reverse also rests on my right thigh perfectly. The NR feels more awkward when seated. Both are about the same when standing with a strap on, kind of like a P bass and Jazz are similar with a strap on. Reach is about the same for both, I just find the Reverse TBird to be very sit down friendly.

 

[GBassNorth]

Sounds like a fantastic video!!!

Absolutely, a quick jam clip of the dynamic duo would be a great thing to see!

 

[MCF]

Not gigging anymore so I mostly play seated. Huge difference between the NR and Reverse when seated. I mostly play up near the neck, so the upper horn scoop out of the Reverse body style is a perfect place to rest my wrist and the large body bump by the bridge is perfect for a forearm or elbow rest. The Reverse also rests on my right thigh perfectly. The NR feels more awkward when seated. Both are about the same when standing with a strap on, kind of like a P bass and Jazz are similar with a strap on. Reach is about the same for both, I just find the Reverse TBird to be very sit down friendly.

I’m adapting to the NR when sitting. The Reverse shapes is what I’m used to, but the NR is becoming more natural the more time I’m in the shed with it.