Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

NBD for me…. Greco SB-850 has landed…..

View attachment 4310889

I'm looking forward to your impressions. It's very different from any other TSO, and I have been intrigued by those for a while. Kara almost landed one, but something happened. It's good that there's one in the club now.

 

[TBird1958]

Fly into DFW and never leave the airport? There are a couple of very large hotels with convention space at the airport; many go there but never see anything but the airport. Disappointing to say the least.

I flew in to Love Field which is small and much more central to Dallas itself, what got me was how spread out it was, Seattle is very compact by comparison, it has to be due to large bodies of water forming boundaries.

 

[MCF]

Finally got a video from the Bemo's show where my 2013 PB NR is being used by Steve the bassist in my kids' band, Katalyst. The sound came out horrible and I've had better audio recording with my iPhone. I'm kicking myself for not recording the show myself.

I was hoping that with it being over a week later I'd have more of their show but I'll ask Jeffro(yes, that's his real name) about more video the next time I see him.

Anyway, my sons are Dom(19) on vocals and rhythm and Dave(15) on drums. Steve(21) on bass and Darren(15) on lead guitar.

Even if you don't like the band, the genre or the song... it's worth watching for Dave's drum playing and Darren's guitar playing. These 15 y/o kids are amazing!

That is so cool! You must be really proud.

 

[Engle]

View attachment 4310918
Do any of you fine gents have one of these (PF-50t)? I came across one for a really good price and am sorely tempted. I want a B15 but can't afford one and don't necessarily want the issues that old (unrestored) amps usually come with. Are these comparable at all to your ears?

(This one has the 2-10 cabinet, but if I get it I may at least try a 15, just to compare.)

I have one, but I’ve never played through a B15.
I usually run 2 x 210AV cabs, but I have also used my 115 and 210 classic cabs. All sound good. Recently I played it through a fridge at a rehearsal space and that also sounded great.

It roars when you crank it and pairs nicely with a VP.

My first one had an intermittent high pitched noise, but Ampeg replaced it with a new one. The new one had the “hum issue”. I waited until the warranty ran out (2 years) and did the humbuster mod myself.(Easy to find, just search it) It’s been perfect since then.

I would go for it, especially if the price is right. It’s surprising how loud it gets with efficient cabs. The only time it felt underpowered was on stage competing with a 412 guitar cab and I was running the 210AVs. The Classic cabs are louder.

 

[MCF]

Hey all,

I just wanted to let the club know I'm selling my VP Pro, but it looks like you guys already figured that out back a page or two...

I'm motivated to sell and am willing to wheel and deal with club members here to send it off to a good home so if anyone here is interested please feel free to hit me up via PM with offers.

I saw the comments on the weight and honestly with the strap button adjustments and my wide strap I don't notice it all in comparison to my other two 9.5# basses, but I know that is all subjective.

Link: For Sale - Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro White

That's a nice VP. I definitely would have been after it had I not already had one. Looks like you may have found a buyer, send them on over to join if they aren't a member here already.

 

[Engle]

Looks cool! "Aunt Peg" (Ampeg) ... Speaking of which... I recently was gifted a 1960 Ampeg Amp Peg. (1960 was Ampeg's first year of production) It was an amplification system for a double bass. I've heard it didn't/doesn't sound that good, but it was the first attempt. It was stored in a cool old (same era) wooden fishing rod box. I'm now the third owner. I had to re-solder it (5th pic - easy) and it works. (basically old-style rotary phone parts with a volume pot!) Also had the original instructions and a copy of an advertisement. A little slice of history.

View attachment 4311032 View attachment 4311035 View attachment 4311050 View attachment 4311054 View attachment 4311056 View attachment 4311058 View attachment 4311060 View attachment 4311061

Wow! That is really cool!

 

[Engle]

I flew in to Love Field which is small and much more central to Dallas itself, what got me was how spread out it was, Seattle is very compact by comparison, it has to be due to large bodies of water forming boundaries.

Same with Vancouver. There’s no place for the sprawl.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I have one, but I’ve never played through a B15.
I usually run 2 x 210AV cabs, but I have also used my 115 and 210 classic cabs. All sound good. Recently I played it through a fridge at a rehearsal space and that also sounded great.

It roars when you crank it and pairs nicely with a VP.

My first one had an intermittent high pitched noise, but Ampeg replaced it with a new one. The new one had the “hum issue”. I waited until the warranty ran out (2 years) and did the humbuster mod myself.(Easy to find, just search it) It’s been perfect since then.

I would go for it, especially if the price is right. It’s surprising how loud it gets with efficient cabs. The only time it felt underpowered was on stage competing with a 412 guitar cab and I was running the 210AVs. The Classic cabs are louder.

is it all tube?

 

[GonePlaid]

I flew in to Love Field which is small and much more central to Dallas itself, what got me was how spread out it was, Seattle is very compact by comparison, it has to be due to large bodies of water forming boundaries.

Yep. Kinda like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, et al, expand to the west 'cos it gets real damp to the east.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Ok gang. Thought I'd share that we are not the only club that gets off track. The Mesa club did at least four pages about steak and condiments today. We're not alone.

Rumble Club, too.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I flew in to Love Field which is small and much more central to Dallas itself, what got me was how spread out it was, Seattle is very compact by comparison, it has to be due to large bodies of water forming boundaries.

I like compact…

 

[Miles_ONeal]

ALERT!! White Epi VP in the classifieds:

For Sale - Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro White

On hold pending payment - who?

 

[69'Vette]

I have one, but I’ve never played through a B15.
I usually run 2 x 210AV cabs, but I have also used my 115 and 210 classic cabs. All sound good. Recently I played it through a fridge at a rehearsal space and that also sounded great.

It roars when you crank it and pairs nicely with a VP.

My first one had an intermittent high pitched noise, but Ampeg replaced it with a new one. The new one had the “hum issue”. I waited until the warranty ran out (2 years) and did the humbuster mod myself.(Easy to find, just search it) It’s been perfect since then.

I would go for it, especially if the price is right. It’s surprising how loud it gets with efficient cabs. The only time it felt underpowered was on stage competing with a 412 guitar cab and I was running the 210AVs. The Classic cabs are louder.

Thank you. I picked it up tonight. The owner bought it new and it never left his rehearsal studio (converted garage). It looks mint and sounds great. I can't wait to put it to work.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I did say "about" when I justifiably could have said I'm as good a SIL as they could have hoped for. I am pretty great. At being a SIL, not playing bass.

I’m sure you are both a pretty great bass player AND sister in law.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

You have A/C anyway. It's going to have record highs here, and nobody has A/C. There's a few days every year that it would be nice to have, but most of the time, we just don't need it. This summer may be different. It's supposed to be Junuary this month, not the end of August.

Oh, I know. People die in Chicago from lack of a/c. I just have an El Paso desert rat idea of hot.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Stunt liver!

I'll actually be in Texas on Saturday. Speaking of overheated places.

Not around Austin, tho.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Dodging Texas is always a smart move.

Hey, now.

 

[GonePlaid]

Hey, now.

I spent in entire day crossing TX in a Greydog coming home on leave in 1966. Effing airlines were on strike. Good thing it settled while I was home or I'd still be AWOL.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I spent in entire day crossing TX in a Greydog coming home on leave in 1966. Effing airlines were on strike. Good thing it settled while I was home or I'd still be AWOL.

The sun is riz
The sun is set
And still we is
in Texas yet.

A saying from before the interstate highway system was complete. El Paso to anywhere on the eastern border (or vice versa) was a REALLY long hall back then. Still a long day’s drive but at least there are interstates and west Texas is 80mph. Just don’t hit DFW at rush hour.

 

[GonePlaid]

Two Texans are talkin'. First guy says "I could start my car, pull outta my driveway, and 4 hours later I'd still be on MY property". Second guy says "yeah, I had a car like that once."