Basses on the settee

[snorkie635]

1 minute ago, AndyTravis said:

I’m just weighing up how to do an updated photo…don’t think I’ve got enough couch real estate…

'Basses on the Lawn'?

[AndyTravis]

13 minutes ago, snorkie635 said:

'Basses on the Lawn'?

I haven’t got a lawn…I dug it up So Iris could wheel about in a yard…

[MM Stingray 62]

How about bass on a chair Andy

[NancyJohnson]

These were some of my old Thunderbirds.  I still own the Hamer and (to a degree) I wish I'd had been able to hold onto the white one, but hey-ho.

 

[NancyJohnson]

Here's some more (all departed).

 

[NancyJohnson]

[NancyJohnson]

More:

 

[binky_bass]

.

Edited Tuesday at 20:15 by binky_bass

[binky_bass]

38 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

These were some of my old Thunderbirds.  I still own the Hamer and (to a degree) I wish I'd had been able to hold onto the white one, but hey-ho.

 

A storm of Thunderbirds?

[NancyJohnson]

52 minutes ago, binky_bass said:

A storm of Thunderbirds?

 

An Argosy of Thunderbirds.

 

There were others after this, too.  The Lull, the Spector, more Gibsons.  Oh, an Epiphone and another Epiphone that was in bits.  And another Lull. 

 

Damn.

[Stub Mandrel]

2 hours ago, snorkie635 said:

Yo Stubs,

 

A more than impressive collection there. Might I bother you for your thoughts/impressions regards the 60's Fender P? Quite fancy one of those and would value your opinion.

 

Best

Snorks

 

An interesting question. I knew I couldn't afford a 'year of birth' bass. I already had the Squier 40th P as my first 'proper' precision (I won't count the kit), and wanted a more 'authentic' vintage experience. I looked at the Squier CV, then the Fender Vintera. Each step up brought a bit more, as well as ramping the cost. But because a lot of my work was delayed through Covid I had a very good year with some big contracts finishing. I could afford it, so I looked around for a chance to try the AVII. A Strings in Treforest had one in stock and their price was the best I could find in the UK, they are fairly local to me and a great place to go. They let me play with it for ages, it sounded great, and I liked it, but the action was a bit high for me and too much neck relief. Their tech took it away for twenty to thirty minutes and set it up for me. After that, it felt great.

 

Retrospectively, it doesn't sound dramatically different to the Squire 40th; basically both have a great vintage sound. The neck on the Squier with its satin finish is nicer to play. But it is a real experience to play and I do love gigging it. The one thing is the clay dots disappear into the amber varnish and rosewood board under some stage lights, which can be disorienting. My partner has a vinyl cutter and made me loads of tiny 1/16" dots I put over them, and they work brilliantly - I haven't rubbed any off yet either, although they are removable.

Sound: One day I set up my home rig tweaked it for a good, natural sound and did a lot of A/B tests, and I was sceptical the AVII would sound particularly distinctive. Actually, it sounded incredible, which I felt validated my first impressions.

 

Finish: it was (and still is) immaculate, lots of lovely case candy. The attention to detail is great. A steel sheet under the pickguard, not foil. Vintage style electrics. Lots of modern makers marks. Mimicing but not faking 60s style e.g. dated 2022 but in the vintage style. Reverse tuners, hootenany button, thumb rest, bridge and pup covers.

 

Feel: The C neck is big, but not baseball-bat chunky. It is not super light, but neither is it very heavy, and it balances well. The very glossy neck is a bit sticky, and I fight the urge to flat it a bit. It's hard to express, but to me it feels special and it inspires me to play my best, but it's not as easy to play as my Flea Jazz, the Performer or the Hohner B2 - which are three of the easiest playing instruments I've ever played.

 

Looks: it looks like a nice instrument, but I think relatively few people would realise it is in the early 60s style; at a distance it's only the style of the sunburst that marks it out as such.

 

The G&G hardshell case was listed at about £300, so knock that off the price (£1,925) and it felt like a steal compared to anything from the custom shop. The cases are now £389(!!!) and the basses are £2,179 and don't include a case... so not such a deal.

 

Long and short, I gig it a lot, but it's not the bass I choose when I want an easy time of it. I hope I'm able to put some honest wear on it while I am still able to gig it.

[snorkie635]

6 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

An interesting question. I knew I couldn't afford a 'year of birth' bass. I already had the Squier 40th P as my first 'proper' precision (I won't count the kit), and wanted a more 'authentic' vintage experience. I looked at the Squier CV, then the Fender Vintera. Each step up brought a bit more, as well as ramping the cost. But because a lot of my work was delayed through Covid I had a very good year with some big contracts finishing. I could afford it, so I looked around for a chance to try the AVII. A Strings in Treforest had one in stock and their price was the best I could find in the UK, they are fairly local to me and a great place to go. They let me play with it for ages, it sounded great, and I liked it, but the action was a bit high for me and too much neck relief. Their tech took it away for twenty to thirty minutes and set it up for me. After that, it felt great.

 

Retrospectively, it doesn't sound dramatically different to the Squire 40th; basically both have a great vintage sound. The neck on the Squier with its satin finish is nicer to play. But it is a real experience to play and I do love gigging it. The one thing is the clay dots disappear into the amber varnish and rosewood board under some stage lights, which can be disorienting. My partner has a vinyl cutter and made me loads of tiny 1/16" dots I put over them, and they work brilliantly - I haven't rubbed any off yet either, although they are removable.

Sound: One day I set up my home rig tweaked it for a good, natural sound and did a lot of A/B tests, and I was sceptical the AVII would sound particularly distinctive. Actually, it sounded incredible, which I felt validated my first impressions.

 

Finish: it was (and still is) immaculate, lots of lovely case candy. The attention to detail is great. A steel sheet under the pickguard, not foil. Vintage style electrics. Lots of modern makers marks. Mimicing but not faking 60s style e.g. dated 2022 but in the vintage style. Reverse tuners, hootenany button, thumb rest, bridge and pup covers.

 

Feel: The C neck is big, but not baseball-bat chunky. It is not super light, but neither is it very heavy, and it balances well. The very glossy neck is a bit sticky, and I fight the urge to flat it a bit. It's hard to express, but to me it feels special and it inspires me to play my best, but it's not as easy to play as my Flea Jazz, the Performer or the Hohner B2 - which are three of the easiest playing instruments I've ever played.

 

Looks: it looks like a nice instrument, but I think relatively few people would realise it is in the early 60s style; at a distance it's only the style of the sunburst that marks it out as such.

 

The G&G hardshell case was listed at about £300, so knock that off the price (£1,925) and it felt like a steal compared to anything from the custom shop. The cases are now £389(!!!) and the basses are £2,179 and don't include a case... so not such a deal.

 

Long and short, I gig it a lot, but it's not the bass I choose when I want an easy time of it. I hope I'm able to put some honest wear on it while I am still able to gig it.

Tremendous response. Thanks so much for such detail. I think I can now blame you for what is likely to be my next purchase. It sounds just the kind of bass I'll love. Will keep you informed. In the promo photos, the black one looks more than tasty to me. 'Dear Santa ...'

[prowla]

Sofa so good with this thread...

[BTops]

On 06/05/2025 at 20:37, NancyJohnson said:

These were some of my old Thunderbirds.  I still own the Hamer and (to a degree) I wish I'd had been able to hold onto the white one, but hey-ho.

 

Go

[mikebass456]

1 hour ago, BTops said:

 

Wait a minute......wasn't Thunderbird 2 green? 🤔🤔

[snorkie635]

On 06/05/2025 at 22:50, Stub Mandrel said:

 

An interesting question. I knew I couldn't afford a 'year of birth' bass. I already had the Squier 40th P as my first 'proper' precision (I won't count the kit), and wanted a more 'authentic' vintage experience. I looked at the Squier CV, then the Fender Vintera. Each step up brought a bit more, as well as ramping the cost. But because a lot of my work was delayed through Covid I had a very good year with some big contracts finishing. I could afford it, so I looked around for a chance to try the AVII. A Strings in Treforest had one in stock and their price was the best I could find in the UK, they are fairly local to me and a great place to go. They let me play with it for ages, it sounded great, and I liked it, but the action was a bit high for me and too much neck relief. Their tech took it away for twenty to thirty minutes and set it up for me. After that, it felt great.

 

Retrospectively, it doesn't sound dramatically different to the Squire 40th; basically both have a great vintage sound. The neck on the Squier with its satin finish is nicer to play. But it is a real experience to play and I do love gigging it. The one thing is the clay dots disappear into the amber varnish and rosewood board under some stage lights, which can be disorienting. My partner has a vinyl cutter and made me loads of tiny 1/16" dots I put over them, and they work brilliantly - I haven't rubbed any off yet either, although they are removable.

Sound: One day I set up my home rig tweaked it for a good, natural sound and did a lot of A/B tests, and I was sceptical the AVII would sound particularly distinctive. Actually, it sounded incredible, which I felt validated my first impressions.

 

Finish: it was (and still is) immaculate, lots of lovely case candy. The attention to detail is great. A steel sheet under the pickguard, not foil. Vintage style electrics. Lots of modern makers marks. Mimicing but not faking 60s style e.g. dated 2022 but in the vintage style. Reverse tuners, hootenany button, thumb rest, bridge and pup covers.

 

Feel: The C neck is big, but not baseball-bat chunky. It is not super light, but neither is it very heavy, and it balances well. The very glossy neck is a bit sticky, and I fight the urge to flat it a bit. It's hard to express, but to me it feels special and it inspires me to play my best, but it's not as easy to play as my Flea Jazz, the Performer or the Hohner B2 - which are three of the easiest playing instruments I've ever played.

 

Looks: it looks like a nice instrument, but I think relatively few people would realise it is in the early 60s style; at a distance it's only the style of the sunburst that marks it out as such.

 

The G&G hardshell case was listed at about £300, so knock that off the price (£1,925) and it felt like a steal compared to anything from the custom shop. The cases are now £389(!!!) and the basses are £2,179 and don't include a case... so not such a deal.

 

Long and short, I gig it a lot, but it's not the bass I choose when I want an easy time of it. I hope I'm able to put some honest wear on it while I am still able to gig it.

Afternoon Sir,

 

Bass should be with me by tomorrow. Irate wife is currently outside your front door with a sawn-off shotgun.  Will keep you informed. 
 

As ever, 

 

S.

[simisker]

5 hours ago, mikebass456 said:

Wait a minute......wasn't Thunderbird 2 green? 🤔🤔

Oh god... surely, SURELY someone must have done this to a collection of Thunderbirds! 🤞

 

EDIT: "4" would have to be a uke bass or an Ashbory or something, obviously 😁

Edited 12 hours ago by simisker

[mikebass456]

8 minutes ago, simisker said:

Oh god... surely, SURELY someone must have done this to a collection of Thunderbirds! 🤞

 

EDIT: "4" would have to be a uke bass or an Ashbory or something, obviously 😁

Oooh - you've given me an idea now.......🤔😉

[NancyJohnson]

3 hours ago, simisker said:

Oh god... surely, SURELY someone must have done this to a collection of Thunderbirds! 🤞

 

EDIT: "4" would have to be a uke bass or an Ashbory or something, obviously 😁

 

Mine did have the names.  Scott was the white, Virgil the Hamer, the black/white Alan, and so on.  

[Stub Mandrel]

8 hours ago, snorkie635 said:

Afternoon Sir,

 

Bass should be with me by tomorrow. Irate wife is currently outside your front door with a sawn-off shotgun.  Will keep you informed. 
 

As ever, 

 

S.

 

Best of British, Snorks.

 

It was nice knowing you...

[Stub Mandrel]

Chatgpt... so near and yet so far. I even told it the number of strings and tuners should be four.

 

 

Thunderbird 2-Inspired Bass Guitar Design
Body Shape:

    Form: Sleek, asymmetrical body echoing the curved, aircraft-like lines of Thunderbird 2.

    Inspiration: The body mimics the green fuselage with a forward-leaning, aerodynamic front horn and a shorter, angled lower horn reminiscent of the craft’s landing gear pods.

    Material: Swamp ash or alder for weight balance, with a matte olive green finish and subtle panel lines etched in for a metallic look.

Color Scheme:

    Primary: Military green (Pantone-matched to Thunderbird 2)

    Accents: Yellow striping around the edges, black detailing (like warning markings), and "2" decal near the lower bout.

Neck:

    Construction: Bolt-on or neck-through maple neck with a matching green headstock.

    Fingerboard: Rosewood or ebony with dot inlays shaped like tiny landing pods or retro-futuristic circles.

Headstock:

    Design: Shaped like the cockpit of Thunderbird 2, with curves and a visor-like top edge.

    Tuners: Four chrome or black tuners (2 per side or 4-in-line, depending on balance), styled with angular gear housings inspired by VTOL jet nozzles.

Pickups & Electronics:

    Configuration: P/J or dual humbuckers for punch and clarity.

    Controls: Knurled metal knobs for volume/tone, with toggle switches that look like control levers from the show.

Bridge:

    Chunky, aircraft-inspired design—possibly custom-machined aluminum with industrial-looking vents or gear-like detail.

Special Touches:

    LED edge lights under the pickguard or body perimeter (subtle, green glow).

    Engraved serial plaque on the back: "International Rescue Equipment Division."

 

 

Thunderbird 2-Inspired Bass Guitar Design

Body Shape:

Form: Sleek, asymmetrical body echoing the curved, aircraft-like lines of Thunderbird 2.

Inspiration: The body mimics the green fuselage with a forward-leaning, aerodynamic front horn and a shorter, angled lower horn reminiscent of the craft’s landing gear pods.

Material: Swamp ash or alder for weight balance, with a matte olive green finish and subtle panel lines etched in for a metallic look.

Color Scheme:

Primary: Military green (Pantone-matched to Thunderbird 2)

Accents: Yellow striping around the edges, black detailing (like warning markings), and "2" decal near the lower bout.

Neck:

Construction: Bolt-on or neck-through maple neck with a matching green headstock.

Fingerboard: Rosewood or ebony with dot inlays shaped like tiny landing pods or retro-futuristic circles.

Headstock:

Design: Shaped like the cockpit of Thunderbird 2, with curves and a visor-like top edge.

Tuners: Four chrome or black tuners (2 per side or 4-in-line, depending on balance), styled with angular gear housings inspired by VTOL jet nozzles.

Pickups & Electronics:

Configuration: P/J or dual humbuckers for punch and clarity.

Controls: Knurled metal knobs for volume/tone, with toggle switches that look like control levers from the show.

Bridge:

Chunky, aircraft-inspired design—possibly custom-machined aluminum with industrial-looking vents or gear-like detail.

Special Touches:

LED edge lights under the pickguard or body perimeter (subtle, green glow).

Engraved serial plaque on the back: "International Rescue Equipment Division."

 

[LowB_FTW]

43 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Chatgpt... so near and yet so far.

There's still a lot to like about the final output.

 

Mark