Thunderbird Club

[WillyW]

OT but I have owned many basses over the years and have found the NR Bird to be the most satisfying bass I've ever owned so far. I love the neck, it's not a thin neck by any means but I LOVE the 12" radius, it makes it very easy and inviting to play all up and down the neck. It's also very even up and down with no dead spots, I love the placement of the neck pickup, very warm and deep but has a lot of presence. Both pickups blend very well too. I've been playing this 90% of the time since I got it and am discovering more and more how to get the best out of it. It also sounds really good with a flannel mute.

Agreed except for egg crate foam mute…

I had intended to have a reverse Gibson as a main player… but didn’t want burst… (got a red Greco now)

When the NR’s showed up in non-poopie colours, I bought one just because if you don’t buy a Gibson when it’s available get ready to pay a premium for used later…

got a deal on the first one, then got a better deal on the second due to a case handle defect…

Added a claw to each.

one has vol/blend/tone (will change the other some day) will experiment with caps later too..

one fretted, one fretless.

I may even make the bridge pickup a dummy on both as per @godofthunder59 mods.

 

[bobyoung53]

Agreed except for egg crate foam mute…

I had intended to have a reverse Gibson as a main player… but didn’t want burst… (got a red Greco now)

When the NR’s showed up in non-poopie colours, I bought one just because if you don’t buy a Gibson when it’s available get ready to pay a premium for used later…

got a deal on the first one, then got a better deal on the second due to a case handle defect…

Added a claw to each.

one has vol/blend/tone (will change the other some day) will experiment with caps later too..

one fretted, one fretless.

I may even make the bridge pickup a dummy on both as per @godofthunder59 mods.

View attachment 4579984

I like flannel because I can roll it to taste and it's soft. I slip it in and out in one second. Foam to me always mutes too much, a lot of times I just like to take the shimmer off the round wounds and maybe cut a little sustain. I do like the neck pickup alone, I don't find a lot of interaction between the two. I like the Rotos because they have a great midrange when muted besides the fact they feel best to my fingers. I like flats too but miss the RW shimmer when I want it.

 

[JIO]

Don't let the deck off its leash. It will get out and cause trouble. And probably beat up the neighbor's patio.

Yah, (wait for it...) keep all hands on deck...

 

[WillyW]

I like flannel because I can roll it to taste and it's soft. I slip it in and out in one second. Foam to me always mutes too much, a lot of times I just like to take the shimmer off the round wounds and maybe cut a little sustain. I do like the neck pickup alone, I don't find a lot of interaction between the two. I like the Rotos because they have a great midrange when mute besides the fact they feel best to my fingers. I like flats too but miss the RW shimmer when I want it.

I trim the thickness of the foam so it just takes out overtones, and doesn’t affect intonation if I remove it.

Pyramid Gold flatworms on fretted

Nickle roundworms on fretless 95-40. (Recently discovered SIT, usually EB extra slinky)

 

[bobyoung53]

I trim the thickness of the foam so it just takes out overtones, and doesn’t affect intonation if I remove it.

Pyramid Gold flatworms on fretted

Nickle roundworms on fretless 95-40. (Recently discovered SIT, usually EB extra slinky)

I use either La Bella DTB or Fender flats for flats and use stainless Rotos Swing Bass on most. I used DR Sunbeam nickels for a long time until I got back into the Rotos. I used Rotos for years until I started getting dead E strings during the 90's, they fixed that problem. I did try Pyramids a few times, I've tried probably most of them out there and always liked the La Bellas the best for flat wounds.

 

[bobyoung53]

I trim the thickness of the foam so it just takes out overtones, and doesn’t affect intonation if I remove it.

Pyramid Gold flatworms on fretted

Nickle roundworms on fretless 95-40. (Recently discovered SIT, usually EB extra slinky)

When you say egg crate foam, what do you mean?

 

[WillyW]

When you say egg crate foam, what do you mean?

that grayish/black foam with the fingers

it’s not super dense, I usually trim off from the finger side

 

[bobyoung53]

that grayish/black foam with the fingers

it’s not super dense, I usually trim off from the finger side

View attachment 4580030

These are what I use:

 

[MCF]

Ditto wasn't enough??

I don't understand why management doesn't have a serious talk with artists to let them know that opening their mouths on politics runs the risk of alienating half of their audience. And once those people stop buying your music, t-shirts, and whatever miscellaneous crap you sell them, your revenue line drops by half while your fixed costs remain the same (just ask the Dixie Chicks). But I suspect that there is a fair bit of hubris on the part of the artist as well thinking that they couldn't be wrong and that they are so inspirational that they will change people's minds.

I’m trying to avoid as much of the Neil discussion as I can because he is, along with Bowie and the Boss, one of the reasons I love music so much. His writing helped me along the road of my life more times than I can count. In his case, he doesn’t care what others think, except his loyal base. He’s living out his final years with his movie star wife and enjoying himself. He’ll keep writing, playing and yes, singing, “until he can’t.”

To each their own and I respect those who don’t share my opinion. I just don’t agree. I love the guy. Happy Friday!

 

[WillyW]

These are what I use:

View attachment 4580039

View attachment 4580038

 

[WillyW]

I’m trying to avoid as much of the Neil discussion as I can because he is, along with Bowie and the Boss, one of the reasons I love music so much. His writing helped me along the road of my life more times than I can count. In his case, he doesn’t care what others think, except his loyal base. He’s living out his final years with his movie star wife and enjoying himself. He’ll keep writing, playing and yes, singing, “until he can’t.”

To each their own and I respect those who don’t share my opinion. I just don’t agree. I love the guy. Happy Friday!
View attachment 4580042

dude! I wore out a couple “live rust” albums on CD. vinyl and tapes several times prior…

 

[JJR58]

Oh one more thing, the neck and fretwork is so good I'm able to really lower the action using 105 Rotos with virtually no fret buzz and I'm not a light player. The neck is almost set flat too with just a hair of relief. I'm very happy with this bass.

When you get tired of your Ric.
A good home is waiting for it.

 

[WillyW]

When you get tired of your Ric.
A good home is waiting for it.

Conan, what is best in life?

Ric’s and Birds muthashager!

 

[bobyoung53]

When you get tired of your Ric.
A good home is waiting for it.

We go back a long way together .

 

[MCF]

dude! I wore out a couple “live rust” albums on CD. vinyl and tapes several times prior…

Part of my tinnitus is due to back to back nights at the Forum on that tour. On one of the nights, I don’t recall which, he found out that his house in Malibu Canyon was burning down. He never missed a note. Great shows. I’ve seen him at least a dozen times. Probably a lot more. It’s always been about the music for him.

 

[gunlak]

Hello

New to the club and I need some help.

Just got this Nikki Sixx Signature and I have no idea what brand it is. Possible a Fernandes but they usually come with the Spector inlays, gold hardware, and the logo. Mine has non of those and dot inlays!

Anyone have any idea what I have? here’s also a NBD thread i made.
NBD: Unique Nikki Sixx Thunderbird

 

[WillyW]

Hello

New to the club and I need some help.

Just got this Nikki Sixx Signature and I have no idea what brand it is. Possible a Fernandes but they usually come with the Spector inlays, gold hardware, and the logo. Mine has non of those and dot inlays! View attachment 4580076

Anyone have any idea what I have? here’s also a NBD thread i made.
NBD: Unique Nikki Sixx Thunderbird

looks like a Fernandez

 

[JIO]

I’m trying to avoid as much of the Neil discussion as I can because he is, along with Bowie and the Boss, one of the reasons I love music so much. His writing helped me along the road of my life more times than I can count. In his case, he doesn’t care what others think, except his loyal base. He’s living out his final years with his movie star wife and enjoying himself. He’ll keep writing, playing and yes, singing, “until he can’t.”

To each their own and I respect those who don’t share my opinion. I just don’t agree. I love the guy. Happy Friday!
View attachment 4580042

I'm with you Marshal. I try not to bash artists or music I don't particularly listen to. In the case of the few I could, I just; 1) don't listen to them/their music, and 2) enjoy the artists/music I listen to, including Neil Young.

Kenny G is fair game though...

 

[GonePlaid]

OT but I have owned many basses over the years and have found the NR Bird to be the most satisfying bass I've ever owned so far. I love the neck, it's not a thin neck by any means but I LOVE the 12" radius, it makes it very easy and inviting to play all up and down the neck. It's also very even up and down with no dead spots, I love the placement of the neck pickup, very warm and deep but has a lot of presence. Both pickups blend very well too. I've been playing this 90% of the time since I got it and am discovering more and more how to get the best out of it. It also sounds really good with a flannel mute.

STOP IT! I want one-badly-and can't at this time justify the expense.(I still have the Italian condition: mufunzalo)

 

[JIO]

Just added a cool poster to my office/music room