• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#191,921
TBird1958 said:
Could be one of 3 types at that point, I've seen unpotted '76s, potted '76s, and an early version of the TB Plus in early re issues, mine '89s were originally potted '76s. I think the shallow pitch neck is the real selling point though.
Click to expand...
Hmmm it’s in Kelowna. I have a work trip to Kamloops in early January. If things were normal I could drive up and go a little out of my way to check out the 91. But with all the highway damage from the crazy rainfall a couple of weeks ago, the Coquihalla is closed and the roads that are open are “essential services only”. I’ll have to fly.

First world problems!
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, Larry V, Miles_ONeal and 5 others
#191,922
Close, but still so far away….

11DF56DD-06C2-4E9E-80FE-565322179891.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nocturnal, PillO, Chucky Stiletti and 2 others
#191,924
JJR58 said:
Whuuuuaaaattt???!!! That Alemcbic!!!! Yes!!!
Click to expand...
It’s an Alembic Dragon Wing bass. Commissioned by John Entwhistle to replace his Buzzard bass (which replaced his Thunderbird and Exploiter basses). He unfortunately passed away before Alembic finished it. I think Alembic made a total of about ten of them in different woods and with various options, so they’re very very rare. Mine was built in 2005 and has a beautiful Cocobolo (rosewood) top and Mahogany body with Signature electronics (vs the much more expensive Series electronics) and side LEDs. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is phenomenal, and of course it plays and records wonderfully.
A screen shot of my Dragon Wing before it was finished that shows a control layout option that was being considered. That’s a lot of knobs, fortunately the original owner went with the standard Signature electronics (which already has enough knobs)…
7510257E-BAA1-48B5-AAA9-CE7843D5E55D.jpeg


And for a sense of scale here it is with its distant cousin…
80B8D23D-1A39-4071-A44C-EE67DF08DE62.jpeg

Even if I could talk Alembic into building another one there’s no way I could afford it, so it’s pretty much a home studio Queen these days.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, Larry V, Miles_ONeal and 10 others
#191,926
darren1970 said:
A kind of Thunderbird related post.......

Have done three gigs now with the D-roc 5 string. It's like my Thunderbird, but on steroids LOL.

Still bringing the Gibson along for a few songs
View attachment 4505715
Click to expand...
The D-Roc looks cool. The purple one they had at my local L&M was really cool. I didn't take the time to plug it is to see how it sounds as I don't think I am smart enough to figure out the fanned frets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, Larry V, Rocker47 and 3 others
#191,931
GBassNorth said:
It’s an Alembic Dragon Wing bass. Commissioned by John Entwhistle to replace his Buzzard bass (which replaced his Thunderbird and Exploiter basses). He unfortunately passed away before Alembic finished it. I think Alembic made a total of about ten of them in different woods and with various options, so they’re very very rare. Mine was built in 2005 and has a beautiful Cocobolo (rosewood) top and Mahogany body with Signature electronics (vs the much more expensive Series electronics) and side LEDs. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is phenomenal, and of course it plays and records wonderfully.
A screen shot of my Dragon Wing before it was finished that shows a control layout option that was being considered. That’s a lot of knobs, fortunately the original owner went with the standard Signature electronics (which already has enough knobs)…
View attachment 4506563

And for a sense of scale here it is with its distant cousin…
View attachment 4506562
Even if I could talk Alembic into building another one there’s no way I could afford it, so it’s pretty much a home studio Queen these days.
Click to expand...
That's very cool. An old friend of mine got to play one of Entwistle's Buzzards a year or two ago. He said it was great to play.

IMG_4656.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, Larry V, JJR58 and 9 others
#191,937
TBird1958 said:
Actually 1988 is the first year for reissue Thunderbirds, there were some custom shop Birds built in '86 and '87, they are easily distinguished by their larger headstock.
Click to expand...

Yup! but I've only ever run across (1) '88 and iirc (1) '89 in the wild. Super rare it would seem? Kinda thought the '86 thru '89's where all pretty much a custom shop type deal?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Engle, Gaolee, PillO and 4 others
#191,938
GBassNorth said:
I don’t know about anyone else, but that sure put me in the Holiday Spirit! So many fine birds and so little time.:thumbsup:
And a Merry Christmas to you as well…
View attachment 4506125
Click to expand...

The holoflash finish really plays into the holiday spirit. Kind of like flashing Christmas lights.

Gaolee said:
A late 1980s Seattle band double bill. Cat Butt with Bible Stud. They appeared a lot together. I never saw a show, but the name has amused me ever since.
Click to expand...

A local Phoenix punk transplanted to Seattle played in Cat Butt. They played here at least once that I remember.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Engle, dagrev, Gaolee and 4 others
#191,939
GBassNorth said:
It’s an Alembic Dragon Wing bass. Commissioned by John Entwhistle to replace his Buzzard bass (which replaced his Thunderbird and Exploiter basses). He unfortunately passed away before Alembic finished it. I think Alembic made a total of about ten of them in different woods and with various options, so they’re very very rare. Mine was built in 2005 and has a beautiful Cocobolo (rosewood) top and Mahogany body with Signature electronics (vs the much more expensive Series electronics) and side LEDs. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is phenomenal, and of course it plays and records wonderfully.
A screen shot of my Dragon Wing before it was finished that shows a control layout option that was being considered. That’s a lot of knobs, fortunately the original owner went with the standard Signature electronics (which already has enough knobs)…
View attachment 4506563

And for a sense of scale here it is with its distant cousin…
View attachment 4506562
Even if I could talk Alembic into building another one there’s no way I could afford it, so it’s pretty much a home studio Queen these days.
Click to expand...
Super cool, gorgeous bass.

Id be all over one of those… except for the money part :laugh:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Engle, Chucky Stiletti, dagrev and 7 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back