Thunderbird Club

[KaraQ]

Not Goths, but my Epi Pro V that had so many problems was from a China factory (18). My Korean & Indonesian Epis have all been excellent to perfect.

I've had three Chinese 'birds, surprisingly (apparently), no issues with any of them, other than loose bridge inserts on the '07 Unsung burst that I sold, and the Blackbird, which is an '08 from DaeWon. Not sure which factory the Pro V is from.....


I guess I've really been kind of lucky with all my Thunderbirds - none of them have/have had any issues I would consider significant.

Yet, I guess

 

[dagrev]

Thanks for a headsup.
I managed to find a solution to my "problem" and I found some SS strings in the colour I wanted... Can't wait!

Fantastic!

 

[MCF]

Loved SoundBlaster!

Aren't they still around? It's what I used when I was into PCs. They always worked for me.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Happy short scale Thunderbird Sunday! It got the first real going over since I got it. Fret polish, FB treatment, new strings and a tweaked setup. Action now at my preferred 3/64 to 4/64a at the 17th. Relief is at .010 at then7th; capo on the first.
View attachment 4379282
The strings are these. Silver, gold, silver, gold ball ends G to E. The tapers are the same as Dadario XLs. That might be a clue as to who makes them for Gibson.
View attachment 4379291 View attachment 4379292
My initial impression is that they're way too tame for a Thunderbird. I'll play with pickup height and give them some time, but I think the I need SIT Power Steels or Dunlop stainless Superbrights to get my tone.

Look what I found under the pick guard.
View attachment 4379308
Should it get a clear pickguard? I'm thinking that would make it an even more unique shorty.

It's pretty much maxed out on travel for the E string. It will be getting a Babicz. Just a question of when.

Anyway, time well spent while watching the Dodger game. It plays even better now. The neck is really nice.

I would def go with clear. That's beautiful.

 

[dagrev]

Hmmm....I'm contemplating buying this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Does anyone see any obvious issues with it?

Seems high (to me) given the condition. Maybe not anyone else. I can't help but wonder how about bass has been treated that's not old and looks like this. But that's just me.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Aren't they still around? It's what I used when I was into PCs. They always worked for me.

Haven't needed a new card in a while, i hope so.

 

[dagrev]

Happy short scale Thunderbird Sunday! It got the first real going over since I got it. Fret polish, FB treatment, new strings and a tweaked setup. Action now at my preferred 3/64 to 4/64 at the 17th. Relief is at .010 at the 7th; capo on the first.
View attachment 4379282
The strings are these. Silver, gold, silver, gold ball ends G to E. The tapers are the same as Dadario XLs. That might be a clue as to who makes them for Gibson.
View attachment 4379291 View attachment 4379292
My initial impression is that they're way too tame for a Thunderbird. I'll play with pickup height and give them some time, but I think the I need SIT Power Steels or Dunlop stainless Superbrights to get my tone.

Look what I found under the pick guard.
View attachment 4379308
Should it get a clear pickguard? I'm thinking that would make it an even more unique shorty.

It's pretty much maxed out on travel for the E string. It will be getting a Babicz. Just a question of when.

Anyway, time well spent while watching the Dodger game. It plays even better now. The neck is really nice.

I think it might look really good. Chuck's NR turned out great with a clear pickguard.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

For what?
Bling!

Black Beauties from DR
Unique from Optima

Just putting the look of my bass together.

Sorry. What bass?

 

[KaraQ]

Hmmm....I'm contemplating buying this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Does anyone see any obvious issues with it?

Looks okay from what I can see, might want to verify truss rod function?
Can't comment on the price, but don't immediately notice any obvious issues....

My initial impression is that they're way too tame for a Thunderbird. I'll play with pickup height and give them some time, but I think the I need SIT Power Steels or Dunlop stainless Superbrights to get my tone.

Look what I found under the pick guard.
View attachment 4379308
Should it get a clear pickguard? I'm thinking that would make it an even more unique shorty.

It's pretty much maxed out on travel for the E string. It will be getting a Babicz. Just a question of when.

Anyway, time well spent while watching the Dodger game. It plays even better now. The neck is really nice.

I'd go for a clear pg, w/Thunderbird logo, of course

When you switch strings, it may help your E-string problem - I've had several with the same issue (on all four bridge types I have ), switching strings always at least helped. It's one of the reason I've gotten to like DRs, never had intonation problems with them


Weirdly, some strings that ran out of saddle travel on one bass, worked fine on another

 

[RedVee]

You can probably get a used smoke machine at L&M for cheap.

are they having a fire sale ?

 

[KaraQ]

Seems high (to me) given the condition. Maybe not anyone else. I can't help but wonder how about bass has been treated that's not old and looks like this. But that's just me.

Gibson Blackbirds were made 2001-'03 (allegedly); the s/n checks as an '01, which means it's 20 years old....almost old enough to buy alcohol

 

[Katoosie]

Sorry. What bass?

A thunde- a spector.
*whistle*

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I know. Chuck is my wife's age, but she looks better. Even if he's wearing his wig. Sorry Chuck!

sorry….

 

[dagrev]

Gibson Blackbirds were made 2001-'03 (allegedly); the s/n checks as an '01, which means it's 20 years old....almost old enough to buy alcohol

Understood, but I've got many basses way older, some by decades, that look way newer. Shoot, my '64 Thunderbird and '64 Epi Embassy look new compared to that one. I'm one of those that can have a bass and use it for decades and it still look almost new. But I realize everybody isn't that particular. I don't mind honest wear and that wouldn't automatically turn me off, but it would make me more cautious because wear can at times be indicative of lack of care. It would also limit what I would be willing to pay.

Those being more scarce may demand more $$$--I'm ignorant about them in that respect (and a lot of things), and am just looking at it as a general Thunderbird.

 

[JIO]

It's interesting how we compare ourselves to pro musicians. I'm no Geddy Lee, but I'm sure I could do a lot more if I played full time and didn't have a day job.

I felt this way today at our rehearsal. I thought that if we rehearsed a few times a week instead of 3hs once a week, that we would be really good. I mean that seriously, as we have what it takes to do that if it were possible. It's ok, we do pretty good ATC and are consistent when it comes to a live show and/or a recording session - we're all game-day players and I can count on our dedication to the joint effort to deliver the goods when needed.

 

[TBird1958]

Hmmm....I'm contemplating buying this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Does anyone see any obvious issues with it?

As he says it's a player. The finish on those was not great, pretty thin matte black that took on a shine at any point of wear, so consequently they could look pretty tatty quickly. it look like the TRC is missing, I'd sure check the function of said truss rod. He may be a little high on price, but it was a limited production bass.

 

[dagrev]

I felt this way today at our rehearsal. I thought that if we rehearsed a few times a week instead of 3hs once a week, that we would be really good. I mean that seriously, as we have what it takes to do that if it were possible. It's ok, we do pretty good ATC and are consistent when it comes to a live show and/or a recording session - we're all game-day players and I can count on our dedication to the joint effort to deliver the goods when needed.

I have to admit I miss the days of practicing three evenings a week. I just play better and more naturally with songs that are ingrained, and I enjoy playing more when I don't have to think about what I'm playing (as much).

 

[Nocturnal]

Hmmm....I'm contemplating buying this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Does anyone see any obvious issues with it?

Seems high (to me) given the condition. Maybe not anyone else. I can't help but wonder how about bass has been treated that's not old and looks like this. But that's just me.

Given the Thunderbird market of late, the price is okay if its fully functional. Hell, this one is STILL listed at $1700 despite not being original:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You would have a problem finding the correct TRC, but you can buy a Gibson TRC with chrome foil so it would still look close enough.

 

[dagrev]

Used my MXR Phase 95 today. Difficult to get a great feel for it with a quick run through then during church service, but I was not put off by anything. I used the '55 Pbass and it has it's own sound, so that may not have been the best test. Next week--Thunderbird. I was not thinking "This thing has got to go back" by any means, but it does sound different from my old Phase 90, even in the 90 setting. I'm used to hearing the old block 90, so that sound is stuck in my head. It had the same slight volume boost as the 90 and may have been noisy, but that was likely due to the single coil PU as anything.

I may be able to get closer to the 90 sound given the 95 is pretty flexible. I found myself at times leaving the 45 setting on all the time and clicking the 90 setting when I really wanted to notice the phasing. I do like the various options. A lot. The size could be a little problematic in that it's about as tall as it is wide and could want to try to rotate a little if not Velcroed. It's also not real easy to change other settings like 45 to 90 or adding the Script setting since the buttons are so little, but can be done. For now I think it's a keeper. I didn't have a "Oh man, this is it" experience, but I'm thinking I will be happy with it. I could just get a new 90, but it may sound like the 90 setting on the 95, and at least the 95 has several nice options.

Not my board, but just to see how small this is.

 

[dagrev]

Given the Thunderbird market of late, the price is okay if its fully functional. Hell, this one is STILL listed at $1700 despite not being original:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You would have a problem finding the correct TRC, but you can buy a Gibson TRC with chrome foil so it would still look close enough.

They (Musicgoround) can't be serious can they? Might see if I can sell my mint '06 for $2k! (Which I paid $1k and split shipping from AZ maybe two years ago.)