Thunderbird Club

[dukeorock]

I have a set as well, to put on the BC Rich. It's a lot darker than the Thunderbirds. I have Ken Smith Rock Masters on it right now, and with the frequency I play it, I might not change strings for quite a while. Very interested to hear your impressions of them on a darker bass.

I wish I could put em on my Andrew Drake bass, which is probably my darkest sounding bass. But it's a 35" scale, so I run 50-110 on that bass, usually Stainless Lo-Riders

 

[PillO]

Need some advice... I cannot find a 5 strings that I really like, but I sometimes needs low D or low C for some songs. I'm wandering should I tune my Epi T-Bird Pro EABD, put a Hipshpot Extender, or simply keep on searching?

I currently have a bass tuned BEAD and another DGCF. I then avoid drop tuning that puts notes in the wrong places. The BEAD bass gets little use so I am thinking it may go to DGCF. String choice becomes important with down-tuning. You may want to increase gauge to overcome some floppiness.

 

[Gaolee]

As promised a demo of my '78 Marshall Super Lead MK II. Shameless self promotion, please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

That amp does sound fantastic with a Thunderbird.

 

[GonePlaid]

I currently have a bass tuned BEAD and another DGCF. I then avoid drop tuning that puts notes in the wrong places. The BEAD bass gets little use so I am thinking it may go to DGCF. String choice becomes important with down-tuning. You may want to increase gauge to overcome some floppiness.

I tried the DGCF tuning but because I often hafta read charts(or at least 'roadmaps'), it got too confusing and there's really not time or room to have 2 basses to f---* with on a gig.

*ool

 

[GonePlaid]

I tried the DGCF tuning but because I often hafta read charts(or at least 'roadmaps'), it got too confusing and there's really not time or room to have 2 basses to f---* with on a gig.

*ool

IF we went by a 'written in stone' set list, I could use 2 basses at some places. But we don't. We start off with a list and after ~4 songs, we 'read the room' and any list goes out the window.
EDIT: 'Course I could use the 5er.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I like the extender, because I can still do my normal range, and I do venture up for quick trips to the wank frets (nod to @fasterpussycat , lol) for the different texture of the near-whistling upper register. I like the changes in envelope you get going high to low, especially...
You learn a few songs with the extender and you get a good hang of it.

are the extenders "one size fits all"?

 

[GonePlaid]

are the extenders "one size fits all"?

AHEM!

 

[dagrev]

This bass has a Hipshot Extender. One day I might use it on a song. Makes a great roach clip, however.

Just kidding, just kidding. That kind of thing was a long time ago. And my neck isn't that long.

 

[TBird1958]

are the extenders "one size fits all"?

They fits on a VP, @Instagator knows all

 

[Jebberz]

Just tried BEAD with a 5 strings set without using the G. So far so good, I will go through our setlist this way to see if I miss the high G on songs I used the bird. If I really like it I will hit my tech for a good set-up with this tuning.

 

[Instagator]

They fits on a VP, @Instagator knows all

View attachment 4288863

First generation VP has the wider tuner plate which you see in the Queens Bass..that's the BT 2..The newer generation VP has the smaller plate tuner which is the BT 1.
I have four VPs..two with the BT 1 and two with the BT 2..If you use the BT 1 you will have to drill two small holes on the upper part of the headstock to accommodate the new screw pattern.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

my first TBird after 12 years of having my newly purchased 70's stolen in Europe in 2004...I know.....
should not have waited that long....

 

[TBird1958]

my first TBird after 12 years of having my newly purchased 70's stolen in Europe in 2004...I know.....
should not have waited that long....
View attachment 4288879

You're smiling

 

[dagrev]

You're smiling

Maybe...almost! He was on the inside for sure!

 

[Tooned]

First generation VP has the wider tuner plate which you see in the Queens Bass..that's the BT 2..The newer generation VP has the smaller plate tuner which is the BT 1.
I have four VPs..two with the BT 1 and two with the BT 2..If you use the BT 1 you will have to drill two small holes on the upper part of the headstock to accommodate the new screw pattern.

View attachment 4288876

Do those Hipshot extenders add a lot of weight over the stock Wilkinsons? Don't know if they are made out of lighter metal. Mine has the larger tuners like your white one.
My bird is a bit light (8lb 6oz) and almost a little neck heavy. Don't want to add much weight to the tuners but also would like an extender.

 

[Instagator]

Do those Hipshot extenders add a lot of weight over the stock Wilkinsons? Don't know if they are made out of lighter metal. Mine has the larger tuners like your white one.
My bird is a bit light (8lb 6oz) and almost a little neck heavy. Don't want to add much weight to the tuners but also would like an extender.

I don't worry about a little extra weight...Thunderbirds aren't really known for their neck dive.

 

[Jebberz]

I guess I would need a smallet XTender than yours

But so far, BEAD seems to do the trick for most of the songs. And since we plan ahead each gig, I guess I can mimimize bass changes to avoid slowing the pacing of the show.

 

[dukeorock]

Have a 4 hour gig tonight, so I started pondering basses. Don't like the Chromes on the Gibson 'Bird, strings on the Cataldo are shot, gotta figure out how to get less neck dive on the Greco 'Bird (and the strings are shot), so I had an idea. Chromes, like Cobalt flats, are pretty high tension. 50-105 pull the Gibson neck too much, but since the Andrew Drake is a 35" scale and a bit dark sounding I decided to put the Chromes on it. I typically run 50-110 on the Drake, so maybe the lighter gauge Chromes with the added tension might be the ticket. Lighter gauges often sound a bit brighter to me, which could benefit the Drake. So far it sounds good. A bit of buzz on the second fret of the G string, but I can work around it for one show, I think. If it sounds good, I'll get some Cobalts and sort out the buzz issue next week. Only have two gigs this week anyway
@JIO made the Drake look less fancy pants and I like it

 

[Gaolee]

are the extenders "one size fits all"?

Hipshot makes lots of different ones to fit different headstocks and look like different stock tuners. If that's what you were asking.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Maybe...almost! He was on the inside for sure!

lol, hey hey! don't recall ever seeing the Ox smiling..