Thunderbird Club

[Bassmike62]

 

[PillO]

When I questioned the store they are now admitting that it was modified but they think that it is priced fairly even if it has been modified

But, what do you think?? If it were me (and it isn't) I would pass.

 

[rodv66]

Pass

 

[MCF]

That has EMG pickups. I don't think the Nikki Sixx Blackbird had those.

Hard to tell about the headstock, but I believe that is the wrong TR cover.

 

[GBassNorth]

So sad to hear about Dusty. The world lost a legend today. :-(


I have a question for the group. This 2021 NR bird is the first NR thunderbird I've ever owned and played for extended periods of time. This bass is killing my shoulder after 30 minutes of playing. I currently own 2 reverse tbirds (and have played other reverse tbirds) and do not ever get this kind of shoulder pain with them despite the fact that they are heavier. My Greco is 9.5 lbs, my bicentennial Gibby is also around 9.5 lbs, and this NR bird is around 8.6 lbs. I seem to have to reach more for the 1st fret with the NR bird because of where the strap button is relative to the fretboard. Both the Greco and the bicentennial have strap buttons at the heel of the neck that line up around the 15th fret, whereas the NR bird has a strap button on the horn that seems to line up closer to the 17th fret. I believe this difference is causing me to extend my arm more to play the positions I frequently play with my band (usually north of the 7th fret) and is causing shoulder pain because my shoulder is not in a relaxed position like it is with other basses.

I'm wondering what your opinions are on this? Would changing the strap button location to the heel of the neck help? (It looks like the strap button would continue to line up with the 17th fret if I moved it so I have my doubts)

I'm 6'3" so I did not think that this would be a problem… but here we are. My only rule with the basses I own is that I have to be able to gig with them - and I don't gig sitting down. If I can't fix this issue then I'm afraid I will have to return the instrument to the store. :-(

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First of all - RIP Dusty. A true rocker and solid player. Will be missed by many, but his music will live on.

As for the NR bird. I have a BaCH NR and I find it’s more comfortable to play when the body of the bird is resting more on my hip vs my belt buckle. This brings the left arm a lot closer to the body. I also have a tendency to play all my strapped on birds with the neck at about the 1:00 or 2:00 position vs closer to 3:00 for my Fenders. My BaCH has the strap button where yours is but I suspect it would help if it were moved to the neck heel.

 

[Engle]

You sir, are a credit to our club. Not to mention a great player and all around good guy.

Thanks Marshall!

 

[PillO]

The dirty blues as party music that made ZZ Top the band that they are


What made us notice ZZ Top


Made us all want fuzzy guitars/basses


Showing us that they have a great sense of humour


Great collaborators

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Duśy would have been even more Badazz (if that’s possible) playing Gibson Thunderbirds…..100% convinced…….

Was asked to go over this one for tonight’s gig;

with this setup (think I’ll use the reverse)….

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It was like this right out of the box. I just opened it about 30 minutes ago.

I've now seen pics of two in the wild. The other had them arranged like on the web site. Qu'elle bizarre.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

You know the only logical choice is get all three. Then you'll ll be covered for whatever your mood is.

You need all six (3 colors x 2 control layouts).

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I’ll never forget going to Seattle on a business trip about 15 years ago to do some benchmarking work with Boeing. The Boeing execs treated us to a dinner cruise with live band (don’t recall the band name unfortunately). I was sitting at the table with my back to the stage heavily engaged in some business discussions while the band was setting up. When the band kicked in, the first song sounded fantastic, possibly the best bass playing and sound I had ever heard live. I turned to see the band, only to find it was the darn keyboard player doing double duty. Not a bass to be found anywhere on stage.

I was crushed. Musically speaking, that was the first time in my life that I seriously thought - why am I even playing this instrument when a guy with a keyboard can do my job (just as good if not better) and his at the same time (and yes, the under achiever also sang backup). The experience was a complete game changer for me.

When I got back home, I looked at my basses and decided right then, that I wasn’t playing bass so I could be a great bass player - I was playing bass because I liked it, it was good stress relief and it helped keep my mind and dexterity sharp.

All of those for me, including wanting to be a great bass player. But that's for me first, just because I always want to be better. And not for the limelight (no idea what I'd do if green light started following me around)...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Damn! I was just listening to Rio Grande Mud the other night and loving the overdriven tones he was getting. I guess that was recorded 50 years ago...

I still remember when Martin drug me to his house to hear this new album he'd bought... knocked us on our butts real quick.

 

[Nocturnal]

Hey all looking at this Gibson Nikki Sixx blackbird and it looks off, no kill switch and the front of the headstock looks off. Any opinions?

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Hard to tell about the headstock, but I believe that is the wrong TR cover.

The pickguard is right for a BlackBird, but the truss rod cover is not. The correct TRC has a silver Gibson logo and says BlackBird on it. This looks like a legit BlackBird with a replaced TRC, EMG's, and the controls modified. I'm sure it's legit but overpriced IMO considering its modified and clearly has been played.

 

[MCF]

All of those for me, including wanting to be a great bass player. But that's for me first, just because I always want to be better. And not for the limelight (no idea what I'd do if green light started following me around)...

Exactly.

 

[MCF]

You need all six (3 colors x 2 control layouts).

Three with different flats, three with different rounds. Completely logical.

 

[dasherf17]

Thought this was funny - a local artist did a cartoon of the cover band I play with... Blackbird and all!

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Awesome! Absolutely awesome!

 

[dagrev]

Hell, just heard Dusty Hill passed.

Just jot a text about that an hour ago. Hate to hear that. They were really good early on. Got to see them a 2-3 times.

 

[GonePlaid]

Just jot a text about that an hour ago. Hate to hear that. They were really good early on. Got to see them a 2-3 times.

Only saw them once . They opened for Bad Company. Kicked BadCo's @$$.

ADDENDUM: They had some interesting amps labeled "Rio Grande". After a few minutes I realized they were repainted(?), relabeled Marshalls. Funny.

 

[Bassmike62]

(Lifted off Wikipedia)

1st line up change in 50 years. Always a bit of a shock when I see something like this, I had the same reaction when EVH passed.

Further down, they mention a touring bassist in 2021. Didn't know that.

 

[RedVee]

Here's a quick video I made. Little over driven on the mic, but you can hear it pretty good. And I apologize for all the noodling around E

Thanks for that!