Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

That's one of those stories that makes me sick no matter how often I hear it. I do feel for you, but am glad you got something as close as possible.

It's a lifelong story. At the time I was really upset, but within a couple weeks I ended up with my '64 II. (crazy how quickly things seemed to get resolved then) ATC, they just weren't "worth" that much back then. And back then, there was no way of "getting the word out" as this was way pre-internet. I thought, maybe someday I'll see my pg on a T-bird played by some famous bass-player/band in a magazine, or later on MTV. (didn't happen) Once the internet happened, I thought.., maybe I this is a way to uncover it. (no dice) But.., thanks to tb many years later - at least I got my pg back!

I can't imagine still owning that '63 II when (after learning how rare it was) it would be worth ($15,000-$20,000?) today. But I don't "dwell" in the past and I'm more than happy with my '64 II - it's the one bass I will keep, and keep playing until I die. We share a lot of memories.

 

[JIO]

So much detail on cars back then. I could look at that for a long time.

Each era has its own design sensibility.

 

[RedVee]

The Australian Army used Land Rovers for many years (decades). In the late 70s JRA (Jaguar Rover Australia) in Sydney was modifying them into Perentie spec.

They moved onto Unimogs for some things for a while at least. Now I think a mob are putting together a special vehicle in Melbourne for Army use.


This is a real Perentie.

A bloody big monitor (lizard) - bigger than a Goanna, smaller than a Komodo Dragon.

I suggest not getting bitten by one of these suckers.

 

[BklynKen]

It's a lifelong story. At the time I was really upset, but within a couple weeks I ended up with my '64 II. (crazy how quickly things seemed to get resolved then) ATC, they just weren't "worth" that much back then. And back then, there was no way of "getting the word out" as this was way pre-internet. I thought, maybe someday I'll see my pg on a T-bird played by some famous bass-player/band in a magazine, or later on MTV. (didn't happen) Once the internet happened, I thought.., maybe I this is a way to uncover it. (no dice) But.., thanks to tb many years later - at least I got my pg back!

I can't imagine still owning that '63 II when (after learning how rare it was) it would be worth ($15,000-$20,000?) today. But I don't "dwell" in the past and I'm more than happy with my '64 II - it's the one bass I will keep, and keep playing until I die. We share a lot of memories.

View attachment 4533700

I'm sure you've mentioned it, but what's the story with the extra pickup?

 

[KaraQ]

Yeah, has anyone here ever recalled that ever happening? Didn't think so.

I sorta did, once.
Played in a high school gym, several bands there, probably '90-'91? or so.
Had my shiny black Ibanez sr800le & my uncle's Kustom 250 w/2×15 ported cab.....

...folks in the back said all they could hear was the bass

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Great bass tone - definitely played using a pick. Do you know what bass he was using?

exactly…always..one of these .played a P on the earlier stuff…

 

[PhR75]

I wouldn’t want your heating bill.

I rent (a row house) and it's part of that.

 

[PhR75]

exactly…always..one of these .played a P on the earlier stuff…
View attachment 4533735

I believe Andy Rourke mainly used a P bass on later stuff too. The song you posted and the one where he kind of slaps (on that same album, "Barbarism Begins At Home") are BB2000 songs. Must be others also.
What a great player.

 

[JIO]

I'm sure you've mentioned it, but what's the story with the extra pickup?

After getting it, I played it 'as-was' for years in Chicago with the Eddie Taylor Blues Band. Later, I wanted more variety tonally out of it. It was my only bass, and "vintage" worth was something I was aware of but it was no-where as hyper as it is today. It's hard to imagine now, but the thought of buying 'another' bass to fill that want (instead of altering my bass) never occurred to me. It was my bass and I decided to put a bridge bucker in it. I went to a local music store and they had one Seymour Duncan "Hawkbucker" pu in their display-case. (pretty new product in '87) I think it was $80. A friend assisted me in routing the body and I wrote to Seymour Duncan requesting instructions on how to wire it. (snail-mail, as it is called now) SD himself wrote back (hand written letter) with a sketch on how to wire it. Sadly I don't have that letter anymore.

Anyway - I have never regretted altering it as it is an awesome sounding pu and it sounds the way a Thunderbird sounds to my ears. It's not going to be assessed at being worth what a "stock" '64 II is "going for" on todays market... and I could care less. In retrospect I was lucky to have focused on a T-bird when I did and had the stars aliened to buy them. (both the '63 and '64) It was a different time

 

[godofthunder59]

Call Geddy.

Lol

 

[GBassNorth]

Lol

Here’s a potential lead on one that I had my eye on about 6 months ago. Don’t know if it sold or was just de-listed from Reverb. …

Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird II 1960’s | Dan's Boutique | Reverb
Seems like gear located down under is usually priced fairly high, this one looks to be a pretty fair price.

 

[Larry V]

Man. If you lived close, we would be best friends, flipping discs all night long.

 

[godofthunder59]

Here’s a potential lead on one that I had my eye on about 6 months ago. Don’t know if it sold or was just de-listed from Reverb. …
View attachment 4533818
Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird II 1960’s | Dan's Boutique | Reverb
Seems like gear located down under is usually priced fairly high, this one looks to be a pretty fair price.

Usually what I am looking for but right now I am looking for a 64-65 Reverse, though I could be distracted by a nice Nonreverse or EB3.

 

[dagrev]

I sorta did, once.
Played in a high school gym, several bands there, probably '90-'91? or so.
Had my shiny black Ibanez sr800le & my uncle's Kustom 250 w/2×15 ported cab.....

...folks in the back said all they could hear was the bass

I'm missing something. Where was the problem? Sounded like mission accomplished to me.

May be a lesson in how the tones we shoot for play a role. Not meaning you at all, but hopefully it will be clear by the end. Leon Wilkeson was the loudest bass I've ever heard (before kicks through subs got crazy). Literally the floor seemed to shake. This had been his thing even before getting famous. Never experienced anything like it. He was competing with drums, keyboard/piano/organ, three guitars and vocals. He was that loud and everything else could be heard just fine. Reason being...he wasn't trying to "cut through" anything. ("Cut through" often is knowingly/unknowingly code for "I want to sound kind of like a guitar or take up the same sonic space.") He was surrounding everything. Hence my "Bass--the original surround sound" tag. He was what everything else sat in. For a ZZ Top or that great trio from Canada, Triumph, that likely might not work. Though Mike from Triumph had some big thick bass going on. My point it that bass can be really loud, it just has to sound like bass in that it's not competing for the same sonic territory as other instruments and vocals.

 

[Gaolee]

Thinking of this one, calling tomorrow. 1965 Gibson Thunderbird Reverse https://reverb.com/item/27397331-19...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=27397331

That looks like a good one. No TRC or covers, but it would check a lot of boxes for me. I am no competition since it is way out of my price range even if I was in the market for another bass guitar. Let us know the details when you have them. And of course, pictures if you land it. Let us live vicariously.

 

[KaraQ]

I'm missing something. Where was the problem? Sounded like mission accomplished to me.

May be a lesson in how the tones we shoot for play a role. Not meaning you at all, but hopefully it will be clear by the end. Leon Wilkeson was the loudest bass I've ever heard (before kicks through subs got crazy). Literally the floor seemed to shake. This had been his thing even before getting famous. Never experienced anything like it. He was competing with drums, keyboard/piano/organ, three guitars and vocals. He was that loud and everything else could be heard just fine. Reason being...he wasn't trying to "cut through" anything. ("Cut through" often is knowingly/unknowingly code for "I want to sound kind of like a guitar or take up the same sonic space.") He was surrounding everything. Hence my "Bass--the original surround sound" tag. He was what everything else sat in. For a ZZ Top or that great trio from Canada, Triumph, that likely might not work. Though Mike from Triumph had some big thick bass going on. My point it that bass can be really loud, it just has to sound like bass in that it's not competing for the same sonic territory as other instruments and vocals.

Yes, there was no problem




Except maybe, that I didn't turn the amp up past 3 or so

 

[dagrev]

I bought a Thunderbird a long time ago. Even a white '76 several years back and others since. I've got the right bass but I didn't end up with that kind of house.... Must of done something wrong.... (But good for him! I'm not envious when people do well.)

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm missing something. Where was the problem? Sounded like mission accomplished to me.

May be a lesson in how the tones we shoot for play a role. Not meaning you at all, but hopefully it will be clear by the end. Leon Wilkeson was the loudest bass I've ever heard (before kicks through subs got crazy). Literally the floor seemed to shake. This had been his thing even before getting famous. Never experienced anything like it. He was competing with drums, keyboard/piano/organ, three guitars and vocals. He was that loud and everything else could be heard just fine. Reason being...he wasn't trying to "cut through" anything. ("Cut through" often is knowingly/unknowingly code for "I want to sound kind of like a guitar or take up the same sonic space.") He was surrounding everything. Hence my "Bass--the original surround sound" tag. He was what everything else sat in. For a ZZ Top or that great trio from Canada, Triumph, that likely might not work. Though Mike from Triumph had some big thick bass going on. My point it that bass can be really loud, it just has to sound like bass in that it's not competing for the same sonic territory as other instruments and vocals.

When I started playing in 3 or 4 piece rock bands, ~1969, all I had was a 40-50W '63 7ender Bassman(Volume ~4-5, treble also ~4-5, Bass 10, Presence 10 [1-10 scale]) and a '66 EB-3(Volume and tone full), on which I used the neck pup only (Mudbucker). "Cut through" wasn't a thing. Fat, full bottom was. Even with that rather low(tube)wattage, I filled some pretty good sized rooms with, as you say, surround sound. At that time, local bar bands were not-or expected to be-LOUD. I've consciously chosen to maintain a full sound though with some added mids for a bit more clarity. And I leave the upper range to the guitar player(s). My preferences, YMMV. The Thunderbird-neck pup only, 'superfluous' pup @0-plus EBCFs gives me all the tonal range I want/need.

 

[JIO]

I bought a Thunderbird a long time ago. Even a white '76 several years back and others since. I've got the right bass but I didn't end up with that kind of house.... Must of done something wrong.... (But good for him! I'm not envious when people do well.)
View attachment 4533978

Yah, I could never justify the price for my '64 II if it was for sale today at todays going prices. The most I ever paid for a bass was for my '66 P about 8yrs ago. Worth every penny.

 

[Engle]

I don't know if this has been posted already (and forgive me if it has) but this was an interesting article.

Gibson’s ’Birds of a Feather, Flocked Together

That’s cool! Shouldn’t the guitars have Firebirds on their pickguards? Or did the cheapest models not come with them?