Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

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)...

I only play for my own amusement. I will never get paid to play not do I want to. My reasoning for taking up playing was actually to forestall the ravages of arthritis.

 

[PillO]

(Lifted off Wikipedia)

1st line up change in 50 years.
Further down, they mention a touring bassist in 2021. Didn't know that.


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Didn't know about a touring bassist.

For me, it is like Queen without Freddy Mercury or Rush without Neil Peart. Just not the same band. Might be really good players, but not the band.

On the other hand, there are some bands that I accept replacement players; I will claim that I saw Deep Purple even though it was 60% of the members of mark II...

 

[RedVee]

Indeed. And great bass line player should be seen not just heard. I've seen a good number of bands in recent years have an extra guitar player(s) but have them stand off stage almost or are in the very back as if they aren't contributing anything. I know people came to see that band, but if that band thinks they need another guitar player to make that band sound good, then that band should recognize the contributions of that player instead of acting like they don't exist. I know the person gets a paycheck, but most people still like to be recognized and not stuffed in a closet. It's a business arrangement for sure, but as members of the band, they should understand that. It's almost as if they don't want to admit they need a little help or share a little lime light.

When I saw Rival Sons, they had a curtained off area to the side with a keyboard player behind the curtain. Of course everyone sitting on the side I was could see the poor bloke plain as day

 

[dasherf17]

(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.


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In the former members category was the band called ZZ Top or Moving Sidewalks, then?

 

[Bassmike62]

(...) For me, it is like Queen without Freddy Mercury or Rush without Neil Peart. Just not the same band. Might be really good players, but not the band.

On the other hand, there are some bands that I accept replacement players (...)

Totally agree.
I read somewhere very recently that Eliminator was almost at 100% the Reverend hisself, supported by various studio gizmos and that DH and FB had practically nothing to do with it. So the guys gave themselves space... necessary, if you want a working 50-year marriage, I guess.

 

[RedVee]

Metal don't need no stinkin' keyboard.

but sometimes enjoys a big ol’ organ

 

[Bassmike62]

In the former members category was the band called ZZ Top or Moving Sidewalks, then?

ZZ Top, according to this.
ZZ Top - Wikipedia

 

[dasherf17]

Didn't know about a touring bassist.

For me, it is like Queen without Freddy Mercury or Rush without Neil Peart. Just not the same band. Might be really good players, but not the band.

On the other hand, there are some bands that I accept replacement players; I will claim that I saw Deep Purple even though it was 60% of the members of mark II...

...the Last Goodbye Tour? We were the last stop on the tour...they sounded great!
Check out the Mpls Armory YouTube video...it's a keeper for me..

 

[PillO]

but sometimes enjoys a big ol’ organ

ahem.

 

[D.M.N.]

(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.


View attachment 4349679View attachment 4349680

Didn't know about a touring bassist.

For me, it is like Queen without Freddy Mercury or Rush without Neil Peart. Just not the same band. Might be really good players, but not the band.

On the other hand, there are some bands that I accept replacement players; I will claim that I saw Deep Purple even though it was 60% of the members of mark II...

I saw a post the other day that Dusty was taking a few days off tour for some medical treatment back in Texas and was expected to rejoin late this week/early next week I believe. They had their long time guitar/bass tech fill in for him until he returned, though now, obviously he isn't returning. Not sure if they're going to continue with him as the fill in, might just complete the tour if anything, I guess we'll see.

 

[GonePlaid]

Didn't know about a touring bassist.

For me, it is like Queen without Freddy Mercury or Rush without Neil Peart. Just not the same band. Might be really good players, but not the band.

On the other hand, there are some bands that I accept replacement players; I will claim that I saw Deep Purple even though it was 60% of the members of mark II...

I have been a Chicago fan since I first heard them(69)and have accepted the numerous lineup changes, but the best configuration was the original with Kath and Cetera. There's now 3 originals left: Robert Lamm-keys, Lee Loughnane-trumpet, James Pankow-trombone.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Hip issue…….wasn’t Tom Petty dealing with a similar ailment?…

 

[Bassmike62]

Just another Dusty reminder. RIP
buddy. I don’t think he played one, but I’m sure he probably drank some!

He played a not-so-distant cousin, for a short period.

 

[KaraQ]

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?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

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

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.
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I'm in agreement with the "pass" opinions. Been rode hard, gutted of the unique pickups, and they weren't upfront about what are fairly obvious mods? What else are they not being honest about?

No way.

Unless I could get it for the price I paid for my Epi Blackbird (which is in much better shape).

 

[dagrev]

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.

Amazing.

I agree with this statement above. Certainly all true of me as well. Except the mind and dexterity part.

 

[dagrev]

Also one the most famous "bass lines" is also done on keyboard: the Seinfeld theme.

Isn't there a famous song about stairs from some brits that has no bass? At least not live anyway.

 

[dagrev]

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...

Their early stuff is just crazy and amazing.

 

[dagrev]

Yeah Mike’s NR needed a visible bird

And it looks great Irv!

 

[MCF]

I only play for my own amusement. I will never get paid to play not do I want to. My reasoning for taking up playing was actually to forestall the ravages of arthritis.

And for brain exercise.

 

[dagrev]

Just might have to play this Sunday in honor of Dusty and his influence.

(Old pic with the wrong decal, which I have since corrected.)