Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

That was a big thing many decades ago, pre TV and the ensuing overpowering multi-media distractions that followed. I feel a real sense of loss today compared to how such brought people/families together. No way to 'bring it back' or replicate it - it was part of a different world that we don't live in anymore.

Ok boomer

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Lots of pros and cons to think about in that post. If I had your problem I’d definitely switch necks on the Cataldo, that should make it a keeper, and the Gibby is already a keeper as is.

What’s left is a VP with a poly finish that you’re not keen on, a Fano that feels perfect but lacks a bit in sound, and a Greco that excels in sound but lacks in balance. With that in mind, I’d sell the VP (you’ll probably get what you paid for it or better). Then I’d do a Greco/Fano pup and control swap so that you have those “magic” Greco pups in that “incredibly well balanced and playable” Fano and the Fano pups in the Greco. Then I’d sell the Greco (with full disclosure that it has Fano pups).

That gets you down to a perfect all stock Gibby, a perfect all stock Cataldo, and a modded Fano with Greco guts that’ll eat a P bass for breakfast. That right there is a heck of a line up and puts about $1500 back in your pocket to either bring the M9 reliability up to snuff or to bolster the TT bottom end.

Doesn’t Fano use Thunrbuckers? The guy at the booth told me…

 

[GBassNorth]

Doesn’t Fano use Thunrbuckers? The guy at the booth told me…

No idea. Just going by what Duke said about liking his Cataldo with Thunderbuckers but not as thrilled with his Fano pups which I think he said had a bit of a Jazz sound to them.

All I know is that if I had a Greco bird that I wasn’t that fond of because of weight and balance I’d off it but not without removing those magic pups and pots first. As you know, the Greco pups are near impossible to buy separate and are the single biggest reason to own that bass. I’d keep the pups even if it was just for storage in case I wanted to put them in something later.

 

[JIO]

Ok boomer

Actually pre my generation - I was a young kid when TV first appeared. More the post WW1/depression/WWII generation. Radio was king then and as nostalgic as those old radio shows were, you can hear the tenor of that generation in how it provided a source of togetherness. The thing about nostalgia is that it tends to erase the bad aspects of the past, but it also reflects on what was good that has been lost.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Actually pre my generation - I was a young kid when TV first appeared. More the post WW1/depression/WWII generation. Radio was king then and as nostalgic as those old radio shows were, you can hear the tenor of that generation in how it provided a source of togetherness. The thing about nostalgia is that it tends to erase the bad aspects of the past, but it also reflects on what was good that has been lost.

interesting you say that, was watching Brazil play Argentina for the America cup final, and the commentators were redacting the game….when one would go off on an anecdote the other would cut him off and continued to comment on the game….thinking out aloud I said “lighten up, don’t cut him off, can’t you watch what’s happening?” then my wife reminded me that the majority were probably listening to the game on the good ‘ole RADIO…

 

[JIO]

interesting you say that, was watching Brazil play Argentina for the America cup final, and the commentators were redacting the game….when one would go off on an anecdote the other would cut him off and continued to comment on the game….thinking out aloud I said “lighten up, don’t cut him off, can’t you watch what’s happening?” then my wife reminded me that the majority were probably listening to the game on the good ‘ole RADIO…

It is kinda cool how the radio is still viable and needed. I was walking our dog Mona last night and an Amazon delivery truck across the street had the game on that I could hear as I walked by. It was in Spanish but regardless of language it had that timeless sound - a ball game on the radio. The sound of summer.

 

[Bassmike62]

Thanks, Ken. I hope they both get the chance to take music as far as they want to take it. I'm not sure why you're not hearing the bass... I'm hearing it loud and clear into my ear buds.

How about on this song?

My oldest son, Dominic is going to be a Junior pursuing a BA in Computer Science at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in the Fall and if music doesn't take him to the huge stages across this world, his fallback ain't so bad and he'll always have these experiences to grow with and from. I think he'll always be in local bands and have this in his life if he chooses to and I really love that he loves it too.

Now, onto my youngest son, David. He, in my opinion has the best chance to make music a career. He plays guitar, bass, writes original music and of course excels at drums. I will encourage him to postpone college if he's involved with the right group of people who are also trying to make it to the big leagues. College and the money to go will always be there for him so I want him to chase his dreams and see if he can make it happen.

Beautiful stuff, passion of music shared between parent and children .
Congrats !

 

[PillO]

My Dad just couldn't stand the music I liked, he was a Big Band kind of guy - my music was '70s Glam.

My father too was a musical bigot. If it wasn't Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessel, Count Basie, Duke Ellington... I wasn't worth listening to.

 

[MCF]

It is kinda cool how the radio is still viable and needed. I was walking our dog Mona last night and an Amazon delivery truck across the street had the game on that I could hear as I walked by. It was in Spanish but regardless of language it had that timeless sound - a ball game on the radio. The sound of summer.

I listen to as much baseball as I watch, which is a lot. The Dodger radio team of Rick Monday and Charlie Steiner are way better than the TV guys. It's a great sport to have on in the background while practicing with my Thunderbirds.

 

[dieselman]

There is nothing like a great Play by Play Radio Guy. Being from Portland Or. area the Blazers had Bill Schonely and you could vision the Detail and all that was happening in the Game. So much feeling and better than any TV announcer.

 

[dagrev]

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.
View attachment 4331834

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...?

Great summary and perspective! Hope you figure it all out to your satisfaction, and have confidence you will.

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 4331902 Got the call for a late August gig at a marina! First one on the calendar.

Listening to some records Ingrid’s brother gave us. A song on The Warriors soundtrack was apparently produced by Joe Walsh!

Great! Tear it up!

 

[Larry V]

Beautiful stuff, passion of music shared between parent and children .
Congrats !

Thanks! I've taken these boys to some great concerts as well. Well, great is subjective but we like hard rock and metal...

5FDP, Metallica, Rob Zombie, Judas Priest... the list goes on and on.

 

[dagrev]

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.

Good news! Who cares, playing to a stadium is overrated. But one in your theoretical audience may not like an old Elvis standard. Maybe a Uncle Ted tune may be better.

 

[JIO]

My father too was a musical bigot. If it wasn't Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessel, Count Basie, Duke Ellington... I wasn't worth listening to.

A little hyperbolic at best... we all gravitate to a type/style/genre of music (or a broad spectrum of music) and exclude other 'flavors' for any number of reasons. Those artists mentioned were of great notoriety/appreciation in their generation, like anyone is or was since. Personally I can't slag that.

 

[dagrev]

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!

Cool song and nice playing JIO.

Where's the rest?

 

[JIO]

Cool song and nice playing JIO.

Where's the rest?

Thanks ... the rest?

 

[Gaolee]

It is kinda cool how the radio is still viable and needed. I was walking our dog Mona last night and an Amazon delivery truck across the street had the game on that I could hear as I walked by. It was in Spanish but regardless of language it had that timeless sound - a ball game on the radio. The sound of summer.

I love "watching" baseball on the radio. It's a radio sport. Now that my wife and I have been learning Spanish, we need to find Mariners games in Spanish to listen to.

 

[Engle]

Great! Tear it up!

It’s a jazz gig, so I will likely get to do a few solos...

 

[Engle]

I love "watching" baseball on the radio. It's a radio sport. Now that my wife and I have been learning Spanish, we need to find Mariners games in Spanish to listen to.

I like listening to Mexican radio. It doesn’t matter what they’re talking about, it just sounds so nice.