NancyJohnson

I saw an interview in AP with Code Orange Kids (as they were then) a year or so back, so I had a listen. I honestly couldn't believe a nice bunch of kids could create something like that.
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I like the two EB2 styled basses that link off that page. £153? Crazy.

I liked Buddy Holly, but come on, who wouldn't like it? The singles have, by and large, been ok, it's just everything else! There's so much fill on all the albums.

It doesn't help either when the artist disowns some of their output. In a recent interview for Alternative Press, they pretty much said that the last three or four albums were awful. Well I'm sorry, a lot of people bought those (me!). If they're crap, you should know it at the time and don't release them.

Anyhow, that's me done.

Just to steal something from another thread, the purple sparkly job on the right. That's what Gibson need to do on a Thunderbird. I'd be tempted to get my old '97 refinished like that. Lovely.
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[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1409169221' post='2537122']
Just for you Pete here is my friends new pink FU4 next to my purple FB4...shocking pair indeed
[/quote]

The purple sparkly is nice. Gibson should do that finish on a Thunderbird.
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I've been following this band since Blue...20 years of just buying CDs and reissues, Miles Cuomo solo efforts, official bootlegs and video and you know, it's taken until this afternoon for me to actually realise that I don't really like them that much, if at all. Well, maybe a few songs, but then I could say that about Dream Theater.

Oh, I've tried, don't get me wrong; I'm sure there's an [i]all killer, no filla[/i] greatest hits playlist to be had from what they've released to date (including the new one), but they leave me stone cold. For the last hour or so, I've just kept asking myself 'Why?' and 'Why did I persist for so long?'

Bleurgh. Message ends.
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I wouldn't be surprised if the layout works like the old Landmark heads...one input but with current Tech21 stuff behind the facade.

I read - on Talkbass I think - that prices would be comparable to the recent VT Bass head, so you're looking at somewhere south of £2k.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9I2qvIS4bw

dUg Pinnick just posted this on his Facebook page. It's a prototype...no idea what the specs are, but I've been kind of like this since I saw it:

I have a bunch of stuff from projects etc.

Fender MIJ Jazz plate, pots, knobs. The came off a Geddy Lee Jazz, it's gone through a rewire, but will clean up fine. £25
Schaller Strap locks, full set, including screws in black (unused). I also have a pair of Schaller strap lugs in chrome with screws (unused). £10
[s]D'Addario EXL220S Nickelwound 40-95. Short scale strings, full set, unfitted. Ack, too short for through body stringing. I opened the pack, the E was too short, so I put it back in the pack. £10[/s]
Chrome Musicman-style bridge, with fitting bolts and screws. £5
EMG 45HZ pickups...a pair of these. As new in boxes. £40 each? Bargain.
Squier Musicmaster bass bridge £5?

If you need pics etc. shoot me a PM. I haven't done any calculations for shipping...I pack well. Just add say £1.00 for the smaller stuff, £5.00 for the pickups (I'll send these recorded). Pickup is fine (Reading).

I'm having a bit of a clear out, so may add to this list.

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[quote name='Cairobill' timestamp='1412762716' post='2571673']
It's interesting - I've been playing for decades and have never used a Gibson bass apart from once on a weird SG shaped thing (an EBO?) which was a bit odd if I remember correctly. What are the attractions? The Thunderbird is a great shape - what's it like to play?
[/quote]

Mine are dated late 90s on. They all weigh next to nothing, the necks on mine are all pretty skinny, the stock bridge is poop. Tonally, and in all honesty they sound okay straight into an amp, but dreamy when I use a Sansamp as my front end. I really don't see balance issues as a problem. It's all pretty good. If you're local to me (Reading) you're most welcome to pop over and have a go.
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[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB0wi5-5wNU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB0wi5-5wNU[/url]

I just cannot understand how they can just stand there, straight-faced, and say 'Hi...we're from [i]Behold The Octopus[/i] and we're going to play [i]Alcoholocaust[/i] from [i]Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning[/i].' Each to their own.

My old shortscale Squier Badtz Maru Bronco is fast turning into something akin to Trigger's Broom. I just bought a Mustang bridge for it (so at least it will intonate), but it requires through the body stringing...went on evilBay and bought some ferrules for the back of the body, so a question...do I drill the same size hole(s) right through the body to align with the hole in the bridge? Do I need to do anything under the bridge?

Thanks
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[url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/gibson-thunderbird-bass-2012/1082851407"]http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/gibson-thunderbird-bass-2012/1082851407[/url]

I've used Hartke HyDrives for five years or so. Chance meeting with LH in New York and I was offered an artist deal. They sound great.

The only reason I'd change is if I could get the same handling out of a smaller enclosure and less weight.

...as is this limited edition Japan-only blue Thunderbird owned by my mate Crem (from Milan based punksters The Full Treble). And no, he is not Jim Carrey.
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[quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1411906519' post='2563716']
Over recent years it has surprised me why Gibson have made so many different models of what is basically the same 2-3 guitars.
[/quote]

Every manufacturer is sooooooo guilty of rehashing their core models. Fender and Gibson have been doing it for 50+ years. Ultimately the whole guitar gene pool can be broken down into a handful of models/configurations and no one is really doing anything new. It's just shapes and colours. No innovation. Again, as I've posted previously, Gibson are guilty as hell of providing a fraction of the choice to bass players that they do to guitarists and I doubt they really give a damn about that.

I posted a couple of weeks back that I trawl through a lot of forums/ebay/online stores and see nothing that really excites me, and put it down to my overall contentment with the gear I run...in my heart it's the lack of innovation that is at the root of this.
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I'm a recent Ric owner...the strings on mine sit pretty much dead centre of the mute cavities (as PigBass's photo). Do the strings align over the pickup pole pieces?
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Can we just put one persistent complaint to bed here. I (and probably every Thunderbird owner) am sick and tired of the neck-dive complaint. Can we please just stop now. FFS (I'm not swearing Sean, just getting passionate) you play the instrument with two hands, yes? One of these on the neck while doing so, yes? When you're playing it, it is in balance...OK, take both hands off and yes, gravity will take over and the neck will cause the headstock to go south. So what? If you're unhappy, stick with your Fenders, get a wider strap or move the strap lug!

I admit, Thunderbirds are not to everyone's taste, I appreciate that, but as I've posted previously, I am a chubby guy in my late 40s. I strap on one of my TBs and I feel like a skinny 20 year old rock god. These basses make you play and feel better. They sound awesome (well for my purposes they do). They're like magic.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1411830432' post='2563143']
Ahh, Gibson, bless 'em - not giving a flying f hole about what bassists want since 1953
[/quote]

Why doesn't Basschat have a 'like' option?

If you know me, you'll know I've been using Thunderbirds of various guises for a while now. I just checked the Gibson site and the 2015 offerings - basswise - are again fairly underwhelming and pricewise are fast approaching Lull territory.

The Thunderbird is still there, although Gibson have seemingly dropped the EB series pickups in and offered coil-tap/switching option, but the big change is the three point bridge has gone (yay!) and been replaced with a Babicz unit that emulates the three-pointer but does somewhat more. Once these bridges become available, I'll retro-retro fit one and report back.

On the additionally disappointing front, it's only available in vintage sunburst. I mean, effing hell, old Henry has [i]pillaged[/i] the Les Paul heritage left, right and centre with different top/colour combos, what do we get? Vintage Sunburst.

Anyhow that's it. I'm off my soap box and going to get some breakfast.
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Oh my.

I've been fortunate I suppose. Got a few nice basses (several Thunderbirds/a Ric) and a rig that a few years back I would have sold a kidney for, but I just keep looking.

I can't quite put my finger on the feeling. I guess if Gibson stepped outside the box and did some better coloured Thunderbirds I'd feel a little more excited, but now I just feel a little meh.

Edited bit here. I went on eBay the other night and just sorted the bass content by selling price...there's some lovely vintage stuff that (with little fear for my testicles), I could easily buy right now, but I'm like, 'what's the point?'

I spend a lot of time looking at gear online...basses/amps etc. but nothing really excites me at the moment. I suppose to a degree I'm pretty content; I'd like a lightweight amp, but that's pretty much it.