Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

Do you have a video of it in action ?

Not currently, but a good idea for the future. I'm in the serious consideration phase of this development as in, if I really commit - it could get loud. This is a crude prototype - I have much more sophisticated designs in the works based on it. I just don't think the 'need' would justify the level (mostly financially/legally) I'd need to get on to produce it. As in... "cool idea - would love having that freedom - but..." It's the 'but' part that sinks you (financially) in the end. I most likely will develop it further, but in a more personally manageable way.


Engaging my capo design only requires one simple thumb 'shift' - even while playing. Phil Kubicki's capo requires two articulations and only between playing notes; off=lift the capo, shift the string to the side / on=lift the capo, let the string return and drop the capo. Not slagging PK's awesome design -I was just was challenged to make a more "user friendly" version. The double bass version is very sophisticated - articulated like a flute or sax. I wanted to riff off of that design/ease of articulation.


Capo (off) floating above the string and out of the way of fretting and lowering the lowest string by two extra frets.

Capo (on) returning to open E tuning.

 

[GBassNorth]

Not currently, but a good idea for the future. I'm in the serious consideration phase of this development as in, if I really commit - it could get loud. This is a crude prototype - I have much more sophisticated designs in the works based on it. I just don't think the 'need' would justify the level (mostly financially/legally) I'd need to get on to produce it. As in... "cool idea - would love having that freedom - but..." It's the 'but' part that sinks you (financially) in the end. I most likely will develop it further, but in a more personally manageable way.


Engaging my capo design only requires one simple thumb 'shift' - even while playing. Phil Kubicki's capo requires two articulations and only between playing notes; off=lift the capo, shift the string to the side / on=lift the capo, let the string return and drop the capo. Not slagging PK's awesome design -I was just was challenged to make a more "user friendly" version. The double bass version is very sophisticated - articulated like a flute or sax. I wanted to riff off of that design/ease of articulation.


Capo (off) floating above the string and out of the way of fretting and lowering the lowest string by two extra frets.
View attachment 4060756
Capo (on) returning to open E tuning.
View attachment 4060757

Very cool design!

 

[JIO]

Very cool design!

Thanks! My 'next step' is to design and find someone to produce a carbon-fiber neck with an ebony fb that incorporates/integrates my concept more fluently. Totally possible - and I have some leads.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

No BEAD bass yet. I’ve been holding off ordering a new bridge, and found the B string won’t fit through the slot at the foot on the three point. Yeehah.

 

[GBassNorth]

No BEAD bass yet. I’ve been holding off ordering a new bridge, and found the B string won’t fit through the slot at the foot on the three point. Yeehah.

Have you tried "crushing" the overwinding portion of the B string. We Warwick 5 string owners do this on a regular basis. Put the overwinding section in a vice or use some large smooth pliers and Crush away, just be sure not to crush more than an inch or less of the string at the ball end. I've even used a ball peen hammer to flatten the string.

 

[JIO]

Have you tried "crushing" the overwinding portion of the B string. We Warwick 5 string owners do this on a regular basis. Put the overwinding section in a vice or use some large smooth pliers and Crush away, just be sure not to crush more than an inch or less of the string at the ball end. I've even used a ball peen hammer to flatten the string.
View attachment 4060809

It is wire after all...

 

[RedVee]

Not currently, but a good idea for the future. I'm in the serious consideration phase of this development as in, if I really commit - it could get loud. This is a crude prototype - I have much more sophisticated designs in the works based on it. I just don't think the 'need' would justify the level (mostly financially/legally) I'd need to get on to produce it. As in... "cool idea - would love having that freedom - but..." It's the 'but' part that sinks you (financially) in the end. I most likely will develop it further, but in a more personally manageable way.


Engaging my capo design only requires one simple thumb 'shift' - even while playing. Phil Kubicki's capo requires two articulations and only between playing notes; off=lift the capo, shift the string to the side / on=lift the capo, let the string return and drop the capo. Not slagging PK's awesome design -I was just was challenged to make a more "user friendly" version. The double bass version is very sophisticated - articulated like a flute or sax. I wanted to riff off of that design/ease of articulation.


Capo (off) floating above the string and out of the way of fretting and lowering the lowest string by two extra frets.
View attachment 4060756
Capo (on) returning to open E tuning.
View attachment 4060757

That’s really neat

 

[PillO]

Yep, I know it’s ugly.... but I kinda like them.
Like a VW or maybe a

Mazda Bongo Van

You're right. That is ugly. Never seen one before. It would be OK if it didn't have the recessed headlights.

I like the old VW type 2 vans. Not fast, particularly roomy, or even comfortable but perhaps one day I might buy one.

 

[PillO]

That was exactly where it came from - as a matter of fact, I recently developed my own D extension mechanism which works much more directly and easily than Phil Kubicki's capo. I call it the XD (X-tended D) - the beauty of this system is that there is no need to transcribe on-the-fly like with a Hipshot Drop-D tuner mechanism. Once the capo is open - the fretboard notes stay put. Much better concept.

View attachment 4060737 View attachment 4060738

I think this is a better de-tuner system. My problem with drop D is that notes (at least the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and octave) are in the wrong places. I much prefer playing in D standard to drop D

 

[MCF]

That was exactly where it came from - as a matter of fact, I recently developed my own D extension mechanism which works much more directly and easily than Phil Kubicki's capo. I call it the XD (X-tended D) - the beauty of this system is that there is no need to transcribe on-the-fly like with a Hipshot Drop-D tuner mechanism. Once the capo is open - the fretboard notes stay put. Much better concept.

View attachment 4060737 View attachment 4060738

Wow. That is pretty ingenious.

 

[MCF]

Ha, gotta love early 70s prices.

Did you guys call that the Bongo Van as well ?

I do not recall us having that. I recall a Datsun/Nissan that was originally designed as a Japanese ambulance. It was ugly.

 

[MCF]

Thanks! My 'next step' is to design and find someone to produce a carbon-fiber neck with an ebony fb that incorporates/integrates my concept more fluently. Totally possible - and I have some leads.

Being in the cycling community helps, I’m sure.

 

[Mvf]

My band done did released a music video today:



No Thunderbird, but it's Gibson, and older than Thunderbirds!

Very nice, my kind of 60:s music with nice vocal harmonies and melodical playing.
What year is your EB3, I’d guess 65 or older (I have a 66, and it has the tighter control layout)

 

[Engle]

Not currently, but a good idea for the future. I'm in the serious consideration phase of this development as in, if I really commit - it could get loud. This is a crude prototype - I have much more sophisticated designs in the works based on it. I just don't think the 'need' would justify the level (mostly financially/legally) I'd need to get on to produce it. As in... "cool idea - would love having that freedom - but..." It's the 'but' part that sinks you (financially) in the end. I most likely will develop it further, but in a more personally manageable way.


Engaging my capo design only requires one simple thumb 'shift' - even while playing. Phil Kubicki's capo requires two articulations and only between playing notes; off=lift the capo, shift the string to the side / on=lift the capo, let the string return and drop the capo. Not slagging PK's awesome design -I was just was challenged to make a more "user friendly" version. The double bass version is very sophisticated - articulated like a flute or sax. I wanted to riff off of that design/ease of articulation.


Capo (off) floating above the string and out of the way of fretting and lowering the lowest string by two extra frets.
View attachment 4060756
Capo (on) returning to open E tuning.
View attachment 4060757

I was going to say the next step would be to incorporate it into the headstock design, but you are already on it. Very cool!

 

[Mvf]

Outstanding song and video!

Mellow and moody at times and upbeat and driving at other times with perfect transitions and fills, all very tight. All in all, as good as any world touring band I've heard in the last 40 years. The band also does a great job of maximizing a three piece team, sounding much bigger and fuller than most 3 member bands. I really love the style and quality of music you guys put out. Keep it coming!

A unique and interesting observation on this clip that I don't recall seeing on your other clips and may be part of the magic in this song - is your guitarist frequently playing in the fret 1 to 9 area of the neck while you're playing around frets 9 to 14 on bass. It really brings in a neat harmonic blend vs the more typical bass around first position and guitar at the 12 fret and higher.

For the record, I've never been a fan of the telecaster ice pick in the eardrum sound that most Tele players love to showcase by picking in the super high registers of the neck. Your guitarist didn't go there on this song, in fact I'd say he's got the best telecaster sound that I've ever heard bar none! Yes better than Clapton, who sounds awesome on a strat but tries to play the Tele the same way, and for me it just doesn't work.

The drummer was super tight as well, absolutely perfect feel for all the changing moods of the song. And of course the bass playing was phenomenal, the EB really worked well in that setting. Add to that - excellent showmanship by each band member, perfect mixing by your sound man, and a simple but very effective video production. If you guys aren't on tour, hitting the late nite shows and promoting an album you should be!

You said it all, I completely agree!

 

[Engle]

I think this is a better de-tuner system. My problem with drop D is that notes (at least the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and octave) are in the wrong places. I much prefer playing in D standard to drop D

I like D standard, but I’ve come up with some bass lines in drop D that probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Try some octave runs/riffs using the two D strings.

 

[JIO]

I think this is a better de-tuner system. My problem with drop D is that notes (at least the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and octave) are in the wrong places. I much prefer playing in D standard to drop D

Yep, that's why the Ex-Factor in in a class of its own.

This recent vid gives a good impression of how a Factor sounds. The rotary switch is as follows; full clockwise=off (best kept off when not playing for battery longevity), click 1=active treble boost, click 2=active boost, click 3=passive (which he didn't demonstrate). That is for a Fender/Kubicki 9v system. A Kubicki/Kubicki is 18v and has one more passive setting. I have the Fender/Kubicki 9v system in 2 basses and they both sound like a Factor. Great basses.

 

[JIO]

Being in the cycling community helps, I’m sure.

Actually there are people over in the Luthiers Corner who work with carbon fiber. I personally don't know anyone in the cycling community (who works with CF) but I own a CF bike and know lots of riders who also ride them. Pretty much the best material out there for a bike.

 

[Thumper]

Show me Saturday, I now have EVERYTHING for the ThunderP except the neck which is 5-6 weeks or less out:

 

[JIO]

I was going to say the next step would be to incorporate it into the headstock design, but you are already on it. Very cool!

Yes, an integrated hs/capo system.