Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

I like a lot of GHS strings, but refuse to try those. Sound like the DA half-rounds. I do really like the GHS Pressurewounds. It's a compromise that actually works. Feel way better than ground or half-wounds too. If I could only have one string, the PWs might be it. Great string that fits many sonic situations. You should maybe consider some at some point.

The Brite flats seemed like a possibly good idea for the Epi EB-0 I bought a few months ago, the thought being to give a little definition to the Mudbucker. It wasn't the most expensive experiment and now I know. Nope.

 

[GonePlaid]

I can’t get on with that Tele-esque HS on a bird…

Yup. That too.

 

[MCF]

Luis,
Your finger style technique is something to envy! I find it interesting that you seem to favor your middle finger over the index, agai, well done!

Yep, he’s great. Watching and listening to him makes me work harder.

 

[MCF]

Let's see...

Mahogany body - nope
Mahogany/walnut laminated neck - nope
Neck through - nope
Humbuckers - nope
Gibson inspired headstock - nope
Three point, two piece, or beefy full contact bridge - nope
Sub $1000 price point - nope
Sexy gloss finish - nope

Looks like I'm passing on this one. I might have taken a second look if the price were closer to $500. At least then I could justify the cost to drop a couple of Humbuckers in it and maybe slap on a Hipshot bridge and still be under $1000.

If it ain’t Mahogany, it’s a nonstarter for me. Pups are SD SJBs. Big nope. And who are they kidding with the price for what is an unimaginative parts bass.

 

[MCF]

So there's this thing...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That poor Goth. I’d take it for a project if they gave it to me.

 

[MCF]

I tried getting a little glue in there over a year ago. Even with no strings it stays together tight, but can be very slightly opened up under the nut with some pressure on the front of the headstock. I was concerned about dong more harm by trying to get some glue in there so I just stopped. Even with pressure, a flat toothpick was too large and wouldn't get beyond the surface (under and long the nut notch). I figured if it's still that tight, it's likely not going anywhere. But may give it another try one day.

You could try using an ultra thin feeler gage.

 

[GonePlaid]

That poor Goth. I’d take it for a project if they gave it to me.

Plus the cost of some really good gloves-if not the Hazmat suit-and a gallon or 2 of Lysol, some hazmat trash bags for the fur and what chemicals you'd use to remove it, a decent belt sander, the paint(s) to refinish it, and some kinda insecticide to kill whatever lives in that[stuff].

 

[MCF]

Went down a Tanya Donnelly rabbit hole last night. Watched this with Gail Greenwood on her Thunderbird!

 

[dagrev]

You could try using an ultra thin feeler gage.

Yes, that would be a good option next time! I'll give that a try. It's scary putting pressure on a headstock like that. Things could go suddenly and unexpectedly wrong then there are bigger issues.

 

[superdick2112]

That perfectly describes mine as well Kara.
View attachment 4256018

When did you first notice the crack?

 

[dagrev]

When did you first notice the crack?

After buying it used (dirt cheap) a couple of years ago. Since then nothing's changed at all.

 

[superdick2112]

KaraQ - how about yours?
Was the neck cracked when you bought it, or did it happen later?

 

[Thumper]

I get better responses when I ask here, so, I love the pick tone on a few songs my Hard Rock Band does, but don't want to put in the time to get pick proficient right now (I've got to get on top of 100-110 songs right now, since the Country Band is rising from the ashes). Is there any effect I can use to get close to that attack/tone? Think Guns & Roses, Knockin' on Heavens Door.

Is it presence, attack, or ? that I'm looking for?

 

[GBassNorth]

I get better responses when I ask here, so, I love the pick tone on a few songs my Hard Rock Band does, but don't want to put in the time to get pick proficient right now (I've got to get on top of 100-110 songs right now, since the Country Band is rising from the ashes). Is there any effect I can use to get close to that attack/tone? Think Guns & Roses, Knockin' on Heavens Door.

Is it presence, attack, or ? that I'm looking for?

Great question, as a competent finger player but no talent pick player I can't wait to see the responses.

Probably not close to the answer you're looking for but... although I've never invested the time to learn how to play with a pick I have tried some creative options that made pic playing easier for me. A soft leather pick feels more natural in my hand than any other style of loose pick. And one of those metal or plastic slip on fingertip picks also makes the transition a little easier since you're still using your fingers to play with plus you get that solid pick attack.

My biggest problem with pick playing is the level of arthritis in my right hand. I have big hands and sausage fingers, combined with arthritis, holding a dainty little piece of plastic between two fingers works for about 30 seconds before the pain starts (actually the way I play a pick the pain starts even sooner than that in my ears LOL) and the pick slips out of position and drops to the floor.

 

[BklynKen]

I get better responses when I ask here, so, I love the pick tone on a few songs my Hard Rock Band does, but don't want to put in the time to get pick proficient right now (I've got to get on top of 100-110 songs right now, since the Country Band is rising from the ashes). Is there any effect I can use to get close to that attack/tone? Think Guns & Roses, Knockin' on Heavens Door.

Is it presence, attack, or ? that I'm looking for?

Maybe use very bright strings and play by the bridge?

 

[superdick2112]

I get better responses when I ask here, so, I love the pick tone on a few songs my Hard Rock Band does, but don't want to put in the time to get pick proficient right now (I've got to get on top of 100-110 songs right now, since the Country Band is rising from the ashes). Is there any effect I can use to get close to that attack/tone? Think Guns & Roses, Knockin' on Heavens Door.

Is it presence, attack, or ? that I'm looking for?

A fresh set of roundwounds, all controls set to 10 & a fairly heavy right hand attack gets me the tone you're describing.

 

[TBird1958]

3 Years ago today, I visited this unassuming office building in Frankfurt, Germany.

Uwe Hornung, the nicest, most down to earth, cool guy that owns all these Gibson basses.

Some views around the office - were it mine, no work would be getting done, I'd still be a painfully mediocre bass player though

 

[dagrev]

3 Years ago today, I visited this unassuming office building in Frankfurt, Germany.
View attachment 4256428

Uwe Hornung, the nicest, most down to earth, cool guy that owns all these Gibson basses.
View attachment 4256429

Some views around the office - were it mine, no work would be getting done, I'd still be a painfully mediocre bass player though


View attachment 4256432
View attachment 4256433
View attachment 4256434
View attachment 4256435
View attachment 4256436
View attachment 4256437
View attachment 4256438
View attachment 4256439
View attachment 4256440
View attachment 4256441
View attachment 4256442
View attachment 4256443
View attachment 4256445
View attachment 4256446
View attachment 4256449

Oh, good. The FBC building was not the Federal Bureau of Corrections, but something better!

Great pics! Go back and take more please!

 

[MCF]

Great question, as a competent finger player but no talent pick player I can't wait to see the responses.

Probably not close to the answer you're looking for but... although I've never invested the time to learn how to play with a pick I have tried some creative options that made pic playing easier for me. A soft leather pick feels more natural in my hand than any other style of loose pick. And one of those metal or plastic slip on fingertip picks also makes the transition a little easier since you're still using your fingers to play with plus you get that solid pick attack.

My biggest problem with pick playing is the level of arthritis in my right hand. I have big hands and sausage fingers, combined with arthritis, holding a dainty little piece of plastic between two fingers works for about 30 seconds before the pain starts (actually the way I play a pick the pain starts even sooner than that in my ears LOL) and the pick slips out of position and drops to the floor.

I can’t help either. But I’m using these some to practice picking.
HERCO HEAVY THUMBPICKS

 

[BklynKen]

3 Years ago today, I visited this unassuming office building in Frankfurt, Germany.
View attachment 4256428

Uwe Hornung, the nicest, most down to earth, cool guy that owns all these Gibson basses.
View attachment 4256429

Some views around the office - were it mine, no work would be getting done, I'd still be a painfully mediocre bass player though


View attachment 4256432
View attachment 4256433
View attachment 4256434
View attachment 4256435
View attachment 4256436
View attachment 4256437
View attachment 4256438
View attachment 4256439
View attachment 4256440
View attachment 4256441
View attachment 4256442
View attachment 4256443
View attachment 4256445
View attachment 4256446
View attachment 4256449

Crazy cool stuff. Uwe also happens to be a very funny person. What's the modern Thunderbird (black hardware) with the front jack?