Thunderbird Club

[PhR75]

I just bought this one - a Japanese market only (from Japan) 3-pu bass from (year?) that originated in the '90s - made by ESP - the Bass IV (riffing visually and in that tricky numerical turnaround... the early '60s Fender VI)

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'64 Fender VI - the oddball guitar/bass that a few players made good use of, including Jack Bruce before settling in on his Gibson EB.
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Painted by the Fool - currently in the Museum of Modern Art. Looks like a bit of modification w/the bridge pu.
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That Bass IV looks great! Is it a short scale?

Roy Babbington (Nucleus, Michael Gibbs, Soft Machine) used the Bass VI to a good effect. In fact I don't know if he used a 4-string bass at all in the seventies when he played the electric.

Sveinung "Thunder Thumbs" Hovensjø is a long time VI player. I love his playing on Terje Rypdal's albums.

 

[JIO]

That Bass IV looks great! Is it a short scale?

Roy Babbington (Nucleus, Michael Gibbs, Soft Machine) used the Bass VI to a good effect. In fact I don't know if he used a 4-string bass at all in the seventies when he played the electric.

Sveinung "Thunder Thumbs" Hovensjø is a long time VI player. I love his playing on Terje Rypdal's albums.

34"/long scale - I'm a huge Terje Rypdak fan... I'll look up Sveinung "Thunder Thumbs" Hovensjø and his Bass VI playing! (maybe he's on recordings I have)

 

[PhR75]

34"/long scale - I'm a huge Terje Rypdak fan... I'll look up Sveinung "Thunder Thumbs" Hovensjø and his Bass VI playing! (maybe he's on recordings I have)

Damn! And I thought I was G.A.S. -free...I even made the mistake of looking a video of that bass. Sounds absolutely great with all pickuo combinations. I'm not usually a fan of the "all three on" sound but on this that worked too.

Terje's "Waves" (1978) is a superb album and Sveinung is on it. Plays both the VI and a Sting Ray on it. I don't know what his fuzz of choice was but I get similar results with my old Shin-Ei Companion fuzz-wah. (Where do they get these names? Companion who dranks your wine and runs off with your wife...). Anyway, definitely the nastiest bass tone on ECM albums

 

[JIO]

Damn! And I thought I was G.A.S. -free...I even made the mistake of looking a video of that bass. Sounds absolutely great with all pickuo combinations. I'm not usually a fan of the "all three on" sound but on this that worked too.

Terje's "Waves" (1978) is a superb album and Sveinung is on it. Plays both the VI and a Sting Ray on it. I don't know what his fuzz of choice was but I get similar results with my old Shin-Ei Companion fuzz-wah. (Where do they get these names? Companion who dranks your wine and runs off with your wife...). Anyway, definitely the nastiest bass tone on ECM albums

Oh wow - I have Q.E.D. from '93 (him & Borealis Ensemble) and another I can't locate from around the same time but don't have anything that old... but am very familiar with the ECM version of "jazz" from that period. I'll look into it! Thanks for the heads-up!

I watched a few demo vids and I agree - it sounds great!

...was it this one? (2007)

 

[PhR75]

It was from Reverb ad, much more busier player.



The same Guitar Bank though...maybe the player is the same too.

 

[icefly]

Tal rocks!!!

Love her, from here:

 

[JJR58]

@JJR58 Did the cover photography for my last electronic record
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He also did my upcoming one
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.
And so honored to be a part of it all, Mark!

 

[dagrev]

I'm also a long time Ric player and am VERY familiar with Rickenbacker Ministries of Truth also and I always try to point out that the problem just may be the player not the bass..in a nice way of course .
Now those damn half-trick Fenders though, they have so much neck dive that everytime I've let the neck go while I'm playing it's immediately dropped right to the floor and broke the head stock clean off! Spread it around, we need to warn people in every Fender thread, especially if it's a newbie who's thinking of buying one, it's your civic duty!

Much better. The consensus is always correct and it's good that you are back in line. We are very tolerant insofar as you as mindlessly repeat what internet experts believe to be correct. I think you're safe, for now anyway. But let's not have anymore slip-ups any time soon.

 

[dagrev]

I've seen a couple of her solo band videos and she's the real deal, great sound besides being a very accomplished player. To me your sound and how tasteful you play is more important than how fast you are or how acrobatic you can play.

Well said!

 

[dagrev]

Yes. Every time I turn my piano, it need retuning.

Piano's are notoriously bad about getting out of turn, and when you call them out they get all sharp with you.

 

[dagrev]

I have a fun experiment coming up. A super fan had this bass made for me by Robin.
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I like the looks, the feel, the balance…everything. I just don’t love those Rio Grande pickups. Aside from being kinda ugly, they’re crazy hot and just turn to mush when I lean into it. They gotta go. I very nearly put a set of Lollar Tbird pickups in it, but I have 5 basses with ‘Bird pickups already. I’ve been really missing having a Gibson Ripper lately and from what I understand, the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Ripper pickups are spot on, so I got a set to see how they’ll sound in this bass. Fingers crossed

I'm pretty sure Tommy Shannon played one for a while with SRV. Not sure what PUs were in it, but it looked like your bass.

 

[dagrev]

GIBSON THUNDERBIRD TRUSS TIE ROD COVER (BLACK / GOLD) | eBay

but the screws are extra…

I'll sell any Gibson TRC I have for just $500, including the '64. I don't get some people.

 

[dagrev]

Love her, from here:

Great, more humiliation....

 

[GonePlaid]

of course they are...

I haven't smoked since ~82, but I'd like some of what that guy has.

 

[icefly]

Ok @dagrev

Saw this from Nazareth, dubbed, but realized today, there’s a Thnderbird on scene (german or holland tv show)

 

[GonePlaid]

That ship done sailed...or sank.

Although I do sing "Just a Gigolo"(Prima style)in our band.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Had to run an errand earlier. Saw a Mustang coming toward me. Missed me by ~350'(altitude). Rolled down my window and listened to that V12 Merlin. That's the sound of a Thunderbird.

Music to my ears. Haven’t heard one in ages.

 

[PillO]

Piano's are notoriously bad about getting out of turn, and when you call them out they get all sharp with you.

Your joke appears to have fallen flat.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Ah, gotcha.

There used to be initiation rules.
And be chosen by a TBird.

The second counts the most.

Other than that, the ones I know:

• It’s always Thunderbird Thursday
• Don’t post stuff that gets us shut down
• Wear your number in your sig, and on your TC m/c gang vest or leathers

 

[TBird1958]

GIBSON THUNDERBIRD TRUSS TIE ROD COVER (BLACK / GOLD) | eBay

but the screws are extra…

You know, I was looking for a new TRC for my '64, I saw this as well and thought, if you're going to dream, dream big!
I decided that I'll make a new TRC using one of my '76s as a pattern.