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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
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- club thunderbird
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
They couldn’t be more different! It’s a challenge, but I’m getting decent results these days, I think. But on any given night, one always seems to sound a bit better than the other.
The Berg NV sealed cabs are awesome. I love the NV412 a lot, though they’re all really good. For better or worse, my next big rig (should be here soon) is a Mesa Subway 215 plus a Subway 115. That should do the trick
That should do a lot of tricks!They couldn’t be more different! It’s a challenge, but I’m getting decent results these days, I think. But on any given night, one always seems to sound a bit better than the other.
The Berg NV sealed cabs are awesome. I love the NV412 a lot, though they’re all really good. For better or worse, my next big rig (should be here soon) is a Mesa Subway 215 plus a Subway 115. That should do the trick
For maximum effect place the 215 facing the audience and the 115 facing you as a stage monitor, both cranked way way up. Of course you’ll probably have to fill your upright bass to the gills with urethane spray foam to eliminate feedback, but just think of the smile on your face as that cranked up 115 blasts you in the face. After a little while you won’t be able to hear anything (possibly ever again) but you’ll sure feel every note!
They couldn’t be more different! It’s a challenge, but I’m getting decent results these days, I think. But on any given night, one always seems to sound a bit better than the other.
TheBerg NV sealed cabs are awesome. I love the NV412 a lot, though they’re all really good. For better or worse, my next big rig (should be here soon) is a Mesa Subway 215 plus a Subway 115. That should do the trick
I think one would sound much better with my current cabs, but I can't really see buying one unless it was yard sale cheap. It was really well made from what I could tell and can't help it may have been something to hang on to. It was my first amp with a tube, but wasn't warm sounding. At the time I never liked how it sounded, so I'm likely being nostalgic and would still not be that impressed.
Good catch! And yes they have. The darn thing had no power cord. Go figure.I’d imagine they’ve changed a lot in the last 350 years.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
The big tour coming up has the van packed to the gills with merch, so there’s no way I’d be able to fit three 15’s. It’ll either be just the SW115 or the Berg HDN212. Which leads me to think it’ll be the Berg for this tour.That should do a lot of tricks!
The Berg seemed to do quite well.
You sounded great when I saw/heard you.
And I say this before I knew I was a little, uh…. well, you know.
...poweramp. The cab is rated at 600w, and the 350 is a little on the shy side at 8 ohms.
There. Fixed it.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
It is somewhat blasphemous around here, but I don't feel any urge to have a NR. Reverse 'Birds are my thing for a variety of reasons. I would expect reverse and NR 'Birds to sound similar, if not identical.
Good eye, by the way.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Did a little bit of ‘testing’ with all four of my bird or bird like basses. I’ve been thinking one of em may have to go, but I’m not sure yet.
First ‘issue’ is that through my current rig (TT800/Berg HDN212) the deep lows are sometimes a tad shy for my tastes. So is it the amp or the cab? I hooked up my Mesa M9 and TT800 to the Berg. Set ‘flat’ on both amps, they both sound like Mesa’s, but the M9 has so much low end on tap it’s silly. The cab handled it just fine. The TT800 sounds fantastic, but taking the bass control much past 2 o’clock there’s no noticeable bass increase...it’s just gets muddier. I’ve often said if the M9 was more reliable, I wouldn’t use anything else. The difference in headroom is also comical. No contest. I’m tempted to try inserting an eq into the TT800 fx loop to see if that does the trick to get a bit more low end cushion. I’d love to make the TT work because the two channel thing is so useful to me.
As to which bass may have to go, all I can say is it won’t be the Gibson. I think it’s the best overall of the bunch. It’s all pros and no cons for me.
Cataldo Pros- looks awesome, sounds amazing. The ThunderBucker Ranch ‘66 is a bit wilder than the Lollars in my Gibson, but not VP aggressive. Sits in a recording like a dream for rock and roll stuff.
Cataldo Cons- I prefer reverse bodies for playability by a small margin. I just don’t get on with 1.75” nut width these days. Hopefully the 1.5” neck Carlo sent me will do the trick, but I gotta get off my butt and swap the neck.
Greco Pros- has a nastier sound like the VP’s with a little more cool factor than the VP. I just don’t like the super thick Poly finishes on the VP’s. I don’t like the look and I don’t like the feel of the poly on my left hand or right forearm. The neck shape is a bit nicer on the Greco to me as well.
Greco Cons- it’s the heaviest of those 4 basses by a very noticeable amount. Swapping the bridge and tuners could make a big difference and I do have replacements sitting around. We’ll see.
Biggest con is it neck dives like a mofo. If I can’t cure that in a satisfactory way, it may have to move along. I’d prefer to make it work if at all possible. Nocturnal had an interesting solution, but I’d have to go back and find it.
Fano JM4 Pros- lightest of the 4 by a lot. Incredibly well balanced and playable. I quite like the looks too, but it plays like a dream and it’s somewhat unique.
Fano Cons- the Dennis Fano TBird style pickups are like a thicker, punchier J sound. That could be awesome sometimes, and not other times for me. It’s not as thumpy as Lollars, not as aggressive as the Greco or as rock and roll as the TB in the Cataldo. I have an extra Lollar laying around and am tempted to swap out the neck pickup with that. Could be just the ticket...?
First ‘issue’ is that through my current rig (TT800/Berg HDN212) the deep lows are sometimes a tad shy for my tastes. So is it the amp or the cab? I hooked up my Mesa M9 and TT800 to the Berg. Set ‘flat’ on both amps, they both sound like Mesa’s, but the M9 has so much low end on tap it’s silly. The cab handled it just fine. The TT800 sounds fantastic, but taking the bass control much past 2 o’clock there’s no noticeable bass increase...it’s just gets muddier. I’ve often said if the M9 was more reliable, I wouldn’t use anything else. The difference in headroom is also comical. No contest. I’m tempted to try inserting an eq into the TT800 fx loop to see if that does the trick to get a bit more low end cushion. I’d love to make the TT work because the two channel thing is so useful to me.
As to which bass may have to go, all I can say is it won’t be the Gibson. I think it’s the best overall of the bunch. It’s all pros and no cons for me.
Cataldo Pros- looks awesome, sounds amazing. The ThunderBucker Ranch ‘66 is a bit wilder than the Lollars in my Gibson, but not VP aggressive. Sits in a recording like a dream for rock and roll stuff.
Cataldo Cons- I prefer reverse bodies for playability by a small margin. I just don’t get on with 1.75” nut width these days. Hopefully the 1.5” neck Carlo sent me will do the trick, but I gotta get off my butt and swap the neck.
Greco Pros- has a nastier sound like the VP’s with a little more cool factor than the VP. I just don’t like the super thick Poly finishes on the VP’s. I don’t like the look and I don’t like the feel of the poly on my left hand or right forearm. The neck shape is a bit nicer on the Greco to me as well.
Greco Cons- it’s the heaviest of those 4 basses by a very noticeable amount. Swapping the bridge and tuners could make a big difference and I do have replacements sitting around. We’ll see.
Biggest con is it neck dives like a mofo. If I can’t cure that in a satisfactory way, it may have to move along. I’d prefer to make it work if at all possible. Nocturnal had an interesting solution, but I’d have to go back and find it.
Fano JM4 Pros- lightest of the 4 by a lot. Incredibly well balanced and playable. I quite like the looks too, but it plays like a dream and it’s somewhat unique.
Fano Cons- the Dennis Fano TBird style pickups are like a thicker, punchier J sound. That could be awesome sometimes, and not other times for me. It’s not as thumpy as Lollars, not as aggressive as the Greco or as rock and roll as the TB in the Cataldo. I have an extra Lollar laying around and am tempted to swap out the neck pickup with that. Could be just the ticket...?
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- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
The Berg seemed to do quite well.
You sounded great when I saw/heard you.
And I say this before I knew I was a little, uh…. well, you know.
Oh, I know
Listening to some records Ingrid’s brother gave us. A song on The Warriors soundtrack was apparently produced by Joe Walsh!
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whoa!…..some serious tone generating hardware…..
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Looks like I will be playing in early August. It is just a block party and not paid. But it is playing in front of an audience. Probably four kids and a dog. It will feel really good.
oh yeah! That @JIO knows how to get it done!
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,967
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Big thanks to Chucky for making the long journey north to attend our show tonight (and for taking some pics/vids!) - it really means a lot that you were there Chucky! Another surprise was our Kirstin & bo Nick showin' up to support us with their presence. (days away from delivering their daughter!) I love my bandmates! As for Paul, Steve & I - we had fun, brown notes and all! R&R! 
Another surprise was our Kirstin & bo Nick showin' up to support us with their presence. (days away from delivering their daughter!) I love my bandmates! As for Paul, Steve & I - we had fun, brown notes and all! R&R!
more 60’s TBird goodness….Big thanks to Chucky for making the long journey north to attend our show tonight (and for taking some pics/vids!) - it really means a lot that you were there Chucky!
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