Thunderbird Club

[KaraQ]

Silent operation? I wonder why that would be an attractive feature.

Not really sure. I like the other upgrades they've made, so I just check that it's latched securely, & try not to let it bother me too much (which isn't necessarily easy - it always seems to be little things, that don't matter too much, that bother me the most )

 

[BklynKen]

yeah, I got those LOXX on a couple of basses and their dedicated straps basically never come off....aren’t they now discontinued?

Is what discontinued? Their strap locks? Not that I'm aware of.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Is what discontinued? Their strap locks? Not that I'm aware of.

yeah their strap locks... last time I picked up a set at GC they seemed under stocked in the display case....figured they discontinued for the practical reasons we were discussing...also, thought I read somewhere they were somewhat reliable (coming undone) but never had problems with mine..

 

[Engle]

I tend to feel this way also. I've still occasionally play my '64 T-bird and '66 P-bass out (gigs/jam-sessions/rehearsals) and just keep in mind and eye-sight of where it is at all times while in public. The P-bass is a tank so I know even if it gets knocked over it'll be ok, and my bird has a few battle scars from sliding down a wall where it was propped and being knocked over once by a lumbering cable TV producer many years ago. "er... oh.., sorry" ~ It's not made of crystal china but it does have a track record for neck-surgery. Just avoid swinging the bass into poles/pillars on a small stage... (most likely one of causes of hs separation)

Have posted this pic before - the last show I played the bird.
View attachment 4227104

Cool shirt!

 

[GonePlaid]

Lucky for us you can now bring a VP to gigs.

But you still play your 67 TBird. Even if you had another one that had never been broken, you might not gig with it, but I’m pretty sure you would use it as as a musical instrument and play it.

There are a few venues where it don't go. That's why there's a backup(Epi EB-0)and just might be an Epiphone Embassy PRO in my future.

 

[GonePlaid]

I love the old ZZTop!

 

[GonePlaid]

Good thing it makes no difference since you're never getting rid of it anyway!

True.

 

[GonePlaid]

I tend to feel this way also. I've still occasionally play my '64 T-bird and '66 P-bass out (gigs/jam-sessions/rehearsals) and just keep in mind and eye-sight of where it is at all times while in public. The P-bass is a tank so I know even if it gets knocked over it'll be ok, and my bird has a few battle scars from sliding down a wall where it was propped and being knocked over once by a lumbering cable TV producer many years ago. "er... oh.., sorry" ~ It's not made of crystal china but it does have a track record for neck-surgery. Just avoid swinging the bass into poles/pillars on a small stage... (most likely one of causes of hs separation)

Have posted this pic before - the last show I played the bird.
View attachment 4227104

Drummers, however, are fair game(and PITA lead singers).

 

[JIO]

Cool shirt!

It is cool isn't it? It's made by a friend in Pacifica who does underwater/sea creature illustrations for books. He's also a musician/bass-player and so is his wife. (two different bands) Very fitting for Pacifica - the show was at Winters, a couple blocks east of the Pacific Ocean.

 

[GonePlaid]

My first experience with locks was the Dunlops, which were already on my Carvin. They work fine. I find that connecting them is kinda vague, so on occasion it would come apart right away since it never caught.

The LOXX I initially chose for my Thunderbird in 2013 because they seemed to be the lowest-profile of all of them. They also work really really well. Super happy with them. Only downside is you're screwed if you forget your strap. But that just taught me to keep a strap in my gig bag that stays in there, and a second for home use. Never a problem since.

I use a slightly different method: 4 basses, 4 straps that stay on.

 

[GonePlaid]

Lucky for us you can now bring a VP to gigs.

But you still play your 67 TBird. Even if you had another one that had never been broken, you might not gig with it, but I’m pretty sure you would use it as as a musical instrument and play it.

Actually, I don't right now. But when I get it outta the shop...

 

[JIO]

Drummers, however, are fair game(and PITA lead singers).

Never 'accidentally' hit a drummer (or singer) with the hs, but have hit the drummers cymbals with the hs more than once. Had a close call at a jam session where a cymbal fell over and sliced my instrument cable in two mid-song. Was lucky it wasn't my foot!

 

[GonePlaid]

Never 'accidentally' hit a drummer (or singer) with the hs, but have hit the drummers cymbals with the hs more than once. Had a close call at a jam session where a cymbal fell over and sliced my instrument cable in two mid-song. Was lucky it wasn't my foot!

My first gig on bass(a Filipino Beatle bass copy made of-I think-balsa), the drummer called my name, I turned and caught him upside the head. Oops!
I was just thinking about him today-he loved jazz, hated rock'n'roll, so naturally his nickname became 'Rock'.

 

[dagrev]

A fool and his money are soon partying...

That's very, very true. But with classic, vintage and very limited supply of instruments such as a Thunderbird, they will likely not face much reduction if any, in price or demand. Not a great retirement plan, but something that can't be said of items with huge and often immediate depreciation, like new cars. Thunderbirds can generally be sold for what was paid, if not more. Generally. And the owner has been able to enjoy it for some period of time. Like using something for free. Kind of like buying a used Corvette at the going rate. One of the few car purchases where you can generally sell it for nearly what you paid for it and use it in the mean time. Can't be said for things like food and drink, which I refuse to pay a lot of money for, enjoy for an hour or so, then it literally turns into pee and fecal matter. That just doesn't make sense to me. But such things are subjectively in the eyes of the beholder and I don't mind if others do and find enjoyment in them.

 

[dagrev]

Come on over to the Kool Kids table. I think there are at least six here committed to getting one at release. Likely more who haven’t said anything.

Oh, if it weren't for moving, then buying a couple acres on top of that, I would pull the trigger, even if I had to sell a few Non-Thunderbird basses. I like to think I'm on the delayed plan and will pick one up later after someone decides the neck dive and dangers of flying headstocks are just too great and let's one go. I really, really want one, and am very happy for each one here who is able to bring one home.

 

[dagrev]

I occasionally take simple bass lines and play them in the style of Steve Harris. Sometimes it works, sometimes it is hilariously bad.

I can understand why you would say it's sometimes hilariously bad......

 

[Blazer]

Not a T-bird but that white Flying V bass that Terry Lewis is playing here is just as sharp and Morris Day's suit.


Yeah I know that Prince wrote and played every instrument here but BOY this S#!t is so GOOD!

 

[GonePlaid]

That's very, very true. But with classic, vintage and very limited supply of instruments such as a Thunderbird, they will likely not face much reduction, if any in price or demand. Not a great retirement plan, but something that can't be said of items with huge and often immediate depreciation, like new cars. Thunderbirds can generally be sold for what was paid, if not more. Generally. And the owner has been able to enjoy it for some period of time. Like using something for free. Kind of like buying a used Corvette at the going rate. One of the few car purchases where you can generally sell it for nearly what you paid for it and use it in the mean time. Can't be said for things like food and drink, which I refuse to pay a lot of money for, enjoy for an hour or so, then it literally turns into pee and fecal matter. That just doesn't make sense to me. But such things are subjectively in the eyes of the beholder and I don't mind if others do and find enjoyment in them.

I mostly agree, but every so often, I'll treat myself to a 'more expensive than usual' meal. Particularly if it's something I really wanna try and it isn't gonna mean I miss a car payment. That said, it's been quite a while-maybe 3 years since I sorta splurged on something edible. I do, however, remember exactly what it was: A Kobe Beef burger, medium rare, skip the cheese, hold the 'rabbit food'-I wanna taste the beef. And a micro brew(don't remember it). Worth.Every.Cent. Need to do it again. Very special restaurant, and we get a discount(YAY!). Gots to get some dental issues taken care of first.
Meanwhile, waiting for SW to get a new shipment of Embassy PRO's so I can semi-retire the 1967 NR THUNDERBIRD.

 

[dagrev]

The wedding reception where mine got knocked over should have been OK. Problem was that the temporary "stage" that was set up for us was too small so we were on the floor. The little hellions were bored so they decided to play tag which included running through the band 'area'. I didn't even get an apology from the little bastard's parents. At the time, the 67 TBird was my only bass so it kinda narrowed down my choice(s). Also, this was in ~74 b4 parents became as permissive as they did later.

Makes me sick every time I here or are reminded of your story. My mom would have made me pay for it. Twice. Once with money...... But then again my mom was an adult raising a child, not a child (in a big body) raising a child.

 

[dagrev]

I’m not saying a 60’s bass needs to be taken out to gigs, but it’s a shame if they are never even played.

I've always played mine....when I could reasonably keep it safe.