Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

Looks like Fender Friday is here again. Here's a pic of my favorite Fender right now. Probably my favorite because it sounds more like a Gibson than a Fender...

 

[Gaolee]

It feels like we're finally turning a corner. Maybe not thee corner yet, but a major corner no less.

I haven't had the first shot yet, and probably won't for a while. Based on the priority lists, I'm pretty far down, unfortunately. So it goes. Approaching the corner, though.

 

[Gaolee]

I must say, I'm rather surprised I haven't seen more Epi VPs in the classifieds or used on various websites. I'm keeping an eye out for white one since Sweetwater says they won't be back in stock until sometime in March, and haven't seen any land in classifieds and few on other sites like Reverb (or if they do, they almost the same price as a new one so might as well wait). I understand people liking them and keeping them, but given the price I would have figured more people would have bought them to try out and figured they just weren't for them, but I guess I'm wrong!

Why would anybody sell one?

 

[Mr.Fingers]

People are holding on to them, and for quite a good reason.

 

[GBassNorth]

Fantastic! We're still getting 70 and above only here. You sure don't look 70!

In California I think they're determining vaccine availability at the county level. I'm in Ventura county and the cut off is 65 and older. In neighboring Santa Barbara it appears to be 70 and older. Probably driven by the amount of vaccine each county has on hand and the number of people in that county in that age bracket. I'm in no rush to get it, the longer I wait the more data surfaces about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

On a related note, a couple of years ago I got the shingles vaccine. It was a two part injection as well. Son of a gun, that first injection kicked like a mule. I had a Charlie horse in my arm that made it painful to play my Thunderbirds for three days straight (and I have a very high tolerance for pain). Obviously still worth it (I assume, since I haven't had shingles yet). Hopefully the COVID shots are a bit less painful.

 

[GBassNorth]

I must say, I'm rather surprised I haven't seen more Epi VPs in the classifieds or used on various websites. I'm keeping an eye out for white one since Sweetwater says they won't be back in stock until sometime in March, and haven't seen any land in classifieds and few on other sites like Reverb (or if they do, they almost the same price as a new one so might as well wait). I understand people liking them and keeping them, but given the price I would have figured more people would have bought them to try out and figured they just weren't for them, but I guess I'm wrong!

That's exactly what I'm seeing as well. I check all my used bass site feeds a few times a week and it appears that nearly every used VP that comes up is priced within $100 of what I paid for mine when new. If I wanted to spend that kind of money I'd just buy new instead.

What's really interesting is the used Embassy prices. Basically the same bass as the VP bird from a sound standpoint yet you can find those in the $300 to $400 bracket on the used market fairly often. I've considered a used Embassy as a donor bass for one of the gutted VP birds on eBay but at the end of the day you'd still have about $600 in it. For just a couple hundred more you can get a brand new pristine no issues VP in your choice of color and under warranty. I suppose the used VP market might soften a bit if Eppi releases an NR. You might start seeing reverse VP owners wanting to sell their basses to fund an NR purchase.

 

[Bassmike62]

Fender Friday, huh...

2011 Fender American Special, with Hiphsot Kickass bridge and XTender, series/parallel pick-up mod. Came with a black PG, flipped to tort.
That bass made a bassist out of me, allowing me to explore other basses, such as our beloved birds. I know, awful couch.

 

[Instagator]

That's exactly what I'm seeing as well. I check all my used bass site feeds a few times a week and it appears that nearly every used VP that comes up is priced within $100 of what I paid for mine when new. If I wanted to spend that kind of money I'd just buy new instead.

What's really interesting is the used Embassy prices. Basically the same bass as the VP bird from a sound standpoint yet you can find those in the $300 to $400 bracket on the used market fairly often. I've considered a used Embassy as a donor bass for one of the gutted VP birds on eBay but at the end of the day you'd still have about $600 in it. For just a couple hundred more you can get a brand new pristine no issues VP in your choice of color and under warranty. I suppose the used VP market might soften a bit if Eppi releases an NR. You might start seeing reverse VP owners wanting to sell their basses to fund an NR purchase.

Who would do that?

 

[D.M.N.]

Why would anybody sell one?

'Cause plenty of people aren't the freaks we are here. I'm thinking mostly Fender players who figure "Hey, I'll try one out" and then dislike the ergonomics.

That's exactly what I'm seeing as well. I check all my used bass site feeds a few times a week and it appears that nearly every used VP that comes up is priced within $100 of what I paid for mine when new. If I wanted to spend that kind of money I'd just buy new instead.

What's really interesting is the used Embassy prices. Basically the same bass as the VP bird from a sound standpoint yet you can find those in the $300 to $400 bracket on the used market fairly often. I've considered a used Embassy as a donor bass for one of the gutted VP birds on eBay but at the end of the day you'd still have about $600 in it. For just a couple hundred more you can get a brand new pristine no issues VP in your choice of color and under warranty. I suppose the used VP market might soften a bit if Eppi releases an NR. You might start seeing reverse VP owners wanting to sell their basses to fund an NR purchase.

Exactly, might as well buy a new one. Fingers crossed they give us a NR

 

[TBird1958]

In California I think they're determining vaccine availability at the county level. I'm in Ventura county and the cut off is 65 and older. In neighboring Santa Barbara it appears to be 70 and older. Probably driven by the amount of vaccine each county has on hand and the number of people in that county in that age bracket. I'm in no rush to get it, the longer I wait the more data surfaces about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

On a related note, a couple of years ago I got the shingles vaccine. It was a two part injection as well. Son of a gun, that first injection kicked like a mule. I had a Charlie horse in my arm that made it painful to play my Thunderbirds for three days straight (and I have a very high tolerance for pain). Obviously still worth it (I assume, since I haven't had shingles yet). Hopefully the COVID shots are a bit less painful.

Sore arm for me, both times, a little worse the second. Some advil made it no problem. Frank (Hubby) felt a little under the weather after his second shot, gone after a day.

It has 7enders and it's Friday.......

 

[MCF]

'Cause plenty of people aren't the freaks we are here. I'm thinking mostly Fender players who figure "Hey, I'll try one out" and then dislike the ergonomics.



Exactly, might as well buy a new one. Fingers crossed they give us a NR

Yeah, but the ergos are great. More comfortable at the “waist” because there’s less wood between the top edge and the PUPs. Frankly, that and the tone surprises a lot of people who try them.

 

[JJR58]

There is no doubt that you would be happy with the TT800 and your new cab..at least you can move it by your self. Here’s your new rigs grandfather.

View attachment 4164971

I really want that TT800.
But i also have to seriously consider a new camera since my poor old Fuji is on the fritz.

 

[JJR58]

I haven't had the first shot yet, and probably won't for a while. Based on the priority lists, I'm pretty far down, unfortunately. So it goes. Approaching the corner, though.

Same here. Seems i'm not broken down enough for one yet.

 

[JJR58]

Looks like Fender Friday is here again. Here's a pic of my favorite Fender right now. Probably my favorite because it sounds more like a Gibson than a Fender...
View attachment 4165066

I’m particularly fond of this 7ender.
It can sound like a lot of things.
A Gibson, not so much.

 

[Gaolee]

In California I think they're determining vaccine availability at the county level. I'm in Ventura county and the cut off is 65 and older. In neighboring Santa Barbara it appears to be 70 and older. Probably driven by the amount of vaccine each county has on hand and the number of people in that county in that age bracket. I'm in no rush to get it, the longer I wait the more data surfaces about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

On a related note, a couple of years ago I got the shingles vaccine. It was a two part injection as well. Son of a gun, that first injection kicked like a mule. I had a Charlie horse in my arm that made it painful to play my Thunderbirds for three days straight (and I have a very high tolerance for pain). Obviously still worth it (I assume, since I haven't had shingles yet). Hopefully the COVID shots are a bit less painful.

The shingles vaccine gave me a rash on the opposite arm after the first shot. It was like a bad case of poison ivy. Go figure. The second one did nothing noticeable except a bit of a sore spot where the shot was. I have had shingles. The vaccine was a piece of cake by comparison.

As far as the COVID vaccine goes, I'll go for it just as soon as it's available for me. I have to travel for work, which means airplanes, which means who knows who I'll end up around. Alaska Airlines is doing their best to make their planes a safe place to be, but airports sure are an adventure. So, I want the vaccine as soon as it's available for a person like me who is under 65 and doesn't have anything too awful wrong with him.

 

[Gaolee]

'Cause plenty of people aren't the freaks we are here. I'm thinking mostly Fender players who figure "Hey, I'll try one out" and then dislike the ergonomics.



Exactly, might as well buy a new one. Fingers crossed they give us a NR

I have been holding off hoping there will be used ones for a lower price. That's probably never going to happen.

 

[Engle]

That's exactly what I'm seeing as well. I check all my used bass site feeds a few times a week and it appears that nearly every used VP that comes up is priced within $100 of what I paid for mine when new. If I wanted to spend that kind of money I'd just buy new instead.

What's really interesting is the used Embassy prices. Basically the same bass as the VP bird from a sound standpoint yet you can find those in the $300 to $400 bracket on the used market fairly often. I've considered a used Embassy as a donor bass for one of the gutted VP birds on eBay but at the end of the day you'd still have about $600 in it. For just a couple hundred more you can get a brand new pristine no issues VP in your choice of color and under warranty. I suppose the used VP market might soften a bit if Eppi releases an NR. You might start seeing reverse VP owners wanting to sell their basses to fund an NR purchase.

Before I bought my VP I was looking at buying a CP and putting on chrome parts. It wasn’t worth it when I could buy a used VP.

 

[BklynKen]

I really want that TT800.
But i also have to seriously consider a new camera since my poor old Fuji is on the fritz.

I thought you were in love with your big honkin' Carbine.

 

[JJR58]

I thought you were in love with your big honkin' Carbine.

Don't get me wrong, i am. But that TT has got some serious tone.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

FF!..