Thunderbird Club

[Larry V]

Did a short side-by-side comparison with the Vintage Pro and the Telebird. Bolt on maple neck and alder body vs. mahogany neck-through*. The pickups are approx. in the same locations and all the recording settings were the same for both (used an Acoustic 301 cab IR). Both have the same kind of D'addario EXL170 strings about the same age.

*of course there are other factors that contribute but let's not get too technical...

View attachment 4498882

They sound identical to me. Am I right or have I played my music too loud for too long?

 

[Justyn Brando]

…or near a ravine in Georgia.


They certainly are a fine group of musicians, but don’t sell yourself short - setting aside the excellent bass playing, if that was your voice I heard as backup and harmony to the lead singer you bring a ton of added value to the band, IMHO the blended vocals are what took the songs from really good to great!

As for a YBA300, those things are monsters! The Ampeg Heritage cabs are the only way to go on Ampeg cabs. I haven’t played bass through a Fender Deluxe, sounds like something I’ll need to try someday.

On the Greco front, it’s been years since I played a Ripper (maybe other Greco owners @TBird1958 or @Chucky Stiletti have more recent Ripper experience) and I haven’t played one side by side thru the same rig with a Greco but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find the Greco as the more dominant of the two.

Much appreciated, Harmonies are always a blast to write!

I only use the guitar cab for added distortion/grit when needed. Since there's no additional noticeable bottom end coming in and out while switching the amp on/off, it just blends well with the Traynor natural tube tone. Nothing worse then when you kick on an overdrive and it sucks all the bottom end out!

I only asked because I used a Ripper for many years prior before switching to a Thunderbird. Huge sounding pickups.

Welcome to the group and really great song writing and playing!

I've been across the Blue Water and the Ambassador bridges a ton of times.

We're neighbors, eh.

Ugh, man I missed crossing these past few years. I love Detroit and the Michigan area. You just stumble into the nearest bar and find yourself listening to amazing musicians. Was a big fan of Le Casa on weekends to enjoy the live Jazz.

 

[PhR75]

They sound identical to me. Am I right or have I played my music too loud for too long?

WHAT!!?

And I agree with you, they have a very similar sound indeed. Of course I like to think there's enough difference to justify the ownership of both...

 

[Justyn Brando]

WHAT!!?

And I agree with you, they have a very similar sound indeed. Of course I like to think there's enough difference to justify the ownership of both...

There's always justification to own both! Love the Tele hybrid you have

 

[Larry V]

Much appreciated, Harmonies are always a blast to write!

I only use the guitar cab for added distortion/grit when needed. Since there's no additional noticeable bottom end coming in and out while switching the amp on/off, it just blends well with the Traynor natural tube tone. Nothing worse then when you kick on an overdrive and it sucks all the bottom end out!

I only asked because I used a Ripper for many years prior before switching to a Thunderbird. Huge sounding pickups.


Ugh, man I missed crossing these past few years. I love Detroit and the Michigan area. You just stumble into the nearest bar and find yourself listening to amazing musicians. Was a big fan of Le Casa on weekends to enjoy the live Jazz.

I use to go to Windsor a ton when I was in my teens and 20's... not so much anymore except to drive the QEW on the way to NY to visit family and friends.

I'm not into jazz at all but Wayne, Oakland and Genessee Counties have very active rock scenes with lots of venues that are really great. The best in Genesee County by far is, The Machine Shop. If you haven't been there, look it up, it's in Flint. Arena acts play there. Just recently got to see Pop Evil and Sevendust do shows there. Zakk Wylde graced us all with his amazing performance as well. Everyone that plays there talks about how amazing a venue it is.

I realize it's a bit of a drive from Windsor to Flint but it would be worth it. Since the Detroit crossing can be a logjam, consider doing Sarnia since I-69 in Port Huron takes you right into Flint and just a couple of miles north of the venue for easy highway access from everywhere. The venue's capacity is only 500 but it gets the best acts, local and national.

 

[PhR75]

There's always justification to own both! Love the Tele hybrid you have

At home: "They are totally different beasts"
At a gig: "You don't hear a difference if I have to swap"

Despite or because of this I still think I will buy another Vintage Pro down the road. Or if Epi decides to make a 60s non-reverse then that.

I do have a non-reverse that was custom made by a friend. I should bring it back to life as it has some grounding problems and the frets feel too high. But it has a different sound. Really has.

 

[KaraQ]

......The best in Genesee County by far is, The Machine Shop. If you haven't been there, look it up, it's in Flint. Arena acts play there. Just recently got to see Pop Evil and Sevendust do shows there. Zakk Wylde graced us all with his amazing performance as well. Everyone that plays there talks about how amazing a venue it is.

I realize it's a bit of a drive from Windsor to Flint but it would be worth it. Since the Detroit crossing can be a logjam, consider doing Sarnia since I-69 in Port Huron takes you right into Flint and just a couple of miles north of the venue for easy highway access from everywhere. The venue's capacity is only 500 but it gets the best acts, local and national.

The Warning are scheduled to play there on 2/4 for their 2022 tour.....I just happened to remember seeing it on their tour poster....

 

[godofthunder59]

The Warning are scheduled to play there on 2/4 for their 2022 tour.....I just happened to remember seeing it on their tour poster....

View attachment 4498903

I've seen that name somewhere around 1979 lol. The Warning Cleveland Ohio, I was associated with them for a brief period.

 

[Larry V]

The Warning are scheduled to play there on 2/4 for their 2022 tour.....I just happened to remember seeing it on their tour poster....

View attachment 4498903

I'll have to look them up. I'm not sure if I've ever heard anything they do. Thanks for the heads up.

edit: listening to their latest playlist on YouTube.

I've heard this song a ton on Sirius Octane just never paid any attention to the band's name.

I'll keep listening. I might want to snag some tickets for that February show! Thanks, Kara!

 

[dagrev]

I have a couple of PR-410HLFs that are probably similar in design to yours except they're ugly that I will use with an SVT head here and there, they go real low and sound great for blues. They weigh a ton though, just as heavy as flatback SVT cabs and are more of a PITA to move, they could probably fall out of a plane though without getting hurt too much.

from the web:
View attachment 4498716

I've not played one of those, but the Heritage is nothing like any Ampeg 410 I ever played. It's a Hog as well.

 

[dagrev]

Perfect balance. Like a dumbbell.

No worries Mate. I've been called worse.....

 

[dagrev]

Did a short side-by-side comparison with the Vintage Pro and the Telebird. Bolt on maple neck and alder body vs. mahogany neck-through*. The pickups are approx. in the same locations and all the recording settings were the same for both (used an Acoustic 301 cab IR). Both have the same kind of D'addario EXL170 strings about the same age.

*of course there are other factors that contribute but let's not get too technical...

View attachment 4498882

With a just quick listen both sounded great! The Tele seemed a tad brighter, possibly the maple FB as well as other things going on. Now I'm rethinking D'A strings which I have hated for years. Might need to pull a set out and give them a try.

 

[dagrev]

WHAT!!?

And I agree with you, they have a very similar sound indeed. Of course I like to think there's enough difference to justify the ownership of both...

Well said!

 

[tyohars]

This is my first gig in about a year! And this is the first time I use my Thunderbird! No neck dive, no overweight, great sound!

You can hear the sound of her (I named her Olivia) on my EP

 

[WillyW]

I know of him but don't listen to the bands he played with, but I like him - he seems very genuine and he's a monster player. What he said about his 2 signals into different drivers (4x10/1x15) makes perfect sense to me not using two signals but wanting the relatively similar result. For me it further illustrates that if you are open to hear what a serious pro has to say - you always will learn something. Thanks for posting this Ken!

Same here, he seems like he would be cool to hang out with.

 

[Justyn Brando]

I use to go to Windsor a ton when I was in my teens and 20's... not so much anymore except to drive the QEW on the way to NY to visit family and friends.

I'm not into jazz at all but Wayne, Oakland and Genessee Counties have very active rock scenes with lots of venues that are really great. The best in Genesee County by far is, The Machine Shop. If you haven't been there, look it up, it's in Flint. Arena acts play there. Just recently got to see Pop Evil and Sevendust do shows there. Zakk Wylde graced us all with his amazing performance as well. Everyone that plays there talks about how amazing a venue it is.

I realize it's a bit of a drive from Windsor to Flint but it would be worth it. Since the Detroit crossing can be a logjam, consider doing Sarnia since I-69 in Port Huron takes you right into Flint and just a couple of miles north of the venue for easy highway access from everywhere. The venue's capacity is only 500 but it gets the best acts, local and national.

I'll have to touch base with you later on when we're starting to look at possibilities for shows in Michigan. We're in the visa process now.
Either way, I've heard Flint has a roaring scene.
We'd be driving 4hrs to play in Toronto, so Michigan isn't really a drive to us lol.

At home: "They are totally different beasts"
At a gig: "You don't hear a difference if I have to swap"

Despite or because of this I still think I will buy another Vintage Pro down the road. Or if Epi decides to make a 60s non-reverse then that.

I do have a non-reverse that was custom made by a friend. I should bring it back to life as it has some grounding problems and the frets feel too high. But it has a different sound. Really has.

I am already planning on grabbing a black 60s version and then swapping the pickguard for a black (3ply w/Gold Bird). I've been lazy and haven't measured yet, but it looks as though these pickguards are your typical 8-hole? Hopefully I can just grab a standard replacement

 

[Larry V]

I'll have to touch base with you later on when we're starting to look at possibilities for shows in Michigan. We're in the visa process now.
Either way, I've heard Flint has a roaring scene.
We'd be driving 4hrs to play in Toronto, so Michigan isn't really a drive to us lol.

Sure thing! Hit me up when you're ready.

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 4498981 View attachment 4498982 View attachment 4498983 View attachment 4498984
This is my first gig in about a year! And this is the first time I use my Thunderbird! No neck dive, no overweight, great sound!

You can hear the sound of her (I named her Olivia) on my EP

Cool!

 

[WillyW]

Headstock Thursday!!!

 

[GonePlaid]

well I think I just found my new favourite place to hang out!! So many beautiful vintage instruments here...
I don't have any good pictures of my 2018 Thunderbird Vintage Pro - White, but I did use it to record our last album (with a few Hollow body sections):




Happy to join the club!