Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

thanks V….to answer your question, I think those days of the "Club" are gone….that pic was taken in 86 (35 years ago!)
to put things into perspective, I was born in 64… only 19 years after the nukes were dropped on Japan….
the club owners ran a tight ship there (ironically the club was called The Navy Bar in a ritzy marina called Puerto Banus) and no tank tops, sandals or jeans were allowed……the doorman even wore a merchant navy officer's outfit…..

Sounds like a civilized time.

 

[JIO]

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.
View attachment 4379472

I have 3 of those pedals; RC-3, TU-3 and a vintage RAT. Only use the TU-3 these days.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

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.
View attachment 4379472

Yeah, I went back and forth. Had it been in an enclosure large enough for three stomp switches with room, it would have been a no-brainer for me despite the extra cost. I play barefoot, so I can switch things, bit I have to be really careful- and occasionally still botch it.

 

[GBassNorth]

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

Does anyone see any obvious issues with it?

Other than player wear (which the blackbirds were notorious for), the missing truss cover and the high price I don't see any obvious issues.

I might be completely wrong on this, but I think I recall someone in the club here having serious problems keeping their Blackbird in tune while playing outdoor gigs. IIRC the consensus was the neck is a very thin profile (front to back) and was moving a lot with the temperature changes. Again, I may have this all wrong. Maybe worth a quick call to the owner to see what the neck profile dimension is.

 

[MCF]

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

Does anyone see any obvious issues with it?

I would love to own a Blackbird.

Hard to tell from those pics. Obvious player wear. Missing TR cover that will be hard to get an authentic replacement for; they have Gibson And Blackbird embossed on them. Certainly worth checking out.

 

[MCF]

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.

They're pretty rare. I've seen a few lately, all above 2k.

 

[MCF]

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:

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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.

Maybe Irv could help you gat a correct looking TRC for it.

 

[JIO]

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).

For sure - totally agree. But at the end of the day, knowing that our connection is so solid that we can still be/perform as a decent/respectable band with 3hrs a week... pretty acceptable in my book. (we will do 2 rehearsals a week when preparing for an upcoming show/recording session...)

 

[BklynKen]

I would love to own a Blackbird.

Hard to tell from those pics. Obvious player wear. Missing TR cover that will be hard to get an authentic replacement for; they have Gibson And Blackbird embossed on them. Certainly worth checking out.

I don't think it's missing the truss rod cover. Only one of the photos has it missing, maybe to show the cavity.

 

[JIO]

Yeah, I went back and forth. Had it been in an enclosure large enough for three stomp switches with room, it would have been a no-brainer for me despite the extra cost. I play barefoot, so I can switch things, bit I have to be really careful- and occasionally still botch it.

I occasionally play with a mainstay east-bay musician (multi-instrumentalist) who plays barefoot.

 

[MCF]

I don't think it's missing the truss rod cover. Only one of the photos has it missing, maybe to show the cavity.

Your eyes are better (younger) than mine. I can't tell there's a TR cover from the pics. Mind you I'm using an iPad, not a quality monitor.

 

[KaraQ]

Your eyes are better (younger) than mine. I can't tell there's a TR cover from the pics. Mind you I'm using an iPad, not a quality monitor.

I hadn't noticed it either, but looking back, it's clearly seen in the 3rd pic

I'm guessing those had a nitro finish, like other Gibson 'birds? I'd say considering the sort that would normally be interested in a Blackbird (people not too dissimilar from me ), and the kind of music they're often into (generally, the kind I prefer ), it actually looks to be in pretty good condition.
Not a case queen for sure.
Considering I've seen some Epiphone Thunderbirds priced in that range lately, price doesn't seem terrible for a rare-ish "signature edition"? Gibson. (about 3x what I paid for my Epi Blackbird.....)

At least, as long as the neck's not fu.....messed up, and the truss rod is good.

imo

 

[Patrick J]

Yeah. Keep the Siverburst a Thunderbird. They're pretty rare.

I find sunbursts all the time that I can get for $100. I'll use one of them

 

[GonePlaid]

True. I just spent the last week at a jazz workshop and I can definitely notice my chops are better.

Pork or lamb?

 

[GonePlaid]

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.

Yes.

 

[GonePlaid]

are they having a fire sale ?

 

[Nocturnal]

I don't think it's missing the truss rod cover. Only one of the photos has it missing, maybe to show the cavity.

I went back to check and the TRC is obvious in several pics.

I don't feel any difference in the neck between my BlackBird and any other modern Gibson Bird I own (The 77 feels thinner than all of them). The BlackBird neck is 3 piece Mahogany instead of the usual 9 ply Mahogany/Walnut so maybe it's less stable? Mine has super low action and hasn't needed an adjustment in almost 3 years. Of course I haven't played an outdoor show with it so that could be a different story.

 

[GonePlaid]

Born in '45. Whippersnappers. (grumble, mumble, grump, grump)

 

[KaraQ]

Pork or lamb?

Karate?

 

[JIO]

Ok... so here's something for you hardcore Gibson fanatics... envision the RG bass. Now envision the '80s Czech version called the "Disco Bass" ... I just purchased this one. Needs some work.., but, that is no problem.