The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 01:38:27 PM

Title: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 01:38:27 PM
I just found your forum, and had to join. Finding fellow-Gibson bass players, alone, is certainly worth it.
I began playing bass back in the mid-80s, when I purchased a '76 ebony Thunderbird (for $400!) and fell in love with it. But, sadly, not enough to keep it, and it went the way of selling and buying, and buying and selling, basses, which continued for the following decades.
Then, about 4 or 5 years ago, I happened upon an ebony '79 Thunderbird. It was in fantastic shape (no headstock crack) and was reminded why I loved these basses so much. So, I bought it. During this time, I began reading the (possibly apocryphal?) claim that Gibson shipped only 7 ebony Thunderbirds in 1979...at least according to the Fly Guitars website http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/Thunderbird_1976.php (ftp://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/Thunderbird_1976.php) which quoted Larry Meiners' book "Gibson Shipment Totals 1937-1979". Almost exactly a year later, I saw that another was up for bidding on eBay. So, I bought it.
Flash forward to today, and I'm now looking at this ridiculous collection. All ebony. All from 1979. All sound amazing.
(By the way, The Guitar Dater Project webpage was very helpful in determining on what days the basses were produced at the Kalamazoo plant)

cheers!
Andy

(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/kingface66/FullSizeRender-1%202.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/kingface66/IMG_5024.jpg)
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 01:55:37 PM
Willkommen, what took you so long?!


(https://media.giphy.com/media/FqKjtMCOAqEUw/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 02:11:55 PM
I've got no excuse whatsoever!
(hanging head in severe shame)
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Granny Gremlin on November 01, 2016, 02:59:54 PM
very nice murder you have there.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 03:11:55 PM
Aren't they all rather much the same shape and color?  :-X You know, there is a rüle here: Thöü shält nicht köllekt für fins oder Jahre der Produktion!!!

:mrgreen: Lovely herd of Bicents!

(http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.1839920.1401201795!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg)
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Granny Gremlin on November 01, 2016, 03:20:54 PM
(https://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/103920-big_pun_617_409.jpg?quality=90&w=617)

You know noffin, Uwe; tis no herd of lumbering bovine, but a group of elegant and alternately disgregarded or feared bird.  An omnivore and not a strict herbivore.  Adaptable to any situation.

(https://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/ygritte-windmill.jpg?quality=90&w=650&h=400)

(http://www.theearthconnection.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Crows001.jpg)


Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 03:44:03 PM
Until she got shot with that arrow or crossbow, I thought she was kind of hot with her underbite, fur 'n' all. That Night's Watch chastity oath sure is overrated.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: wellREDman on November 01, 2016, 03:50:58 PM
Quote from: uwe on November 01, 2016, 03:44:03 PM
I thought she was kind of hot with her underbite, fur 'n' all.
didn't we all
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 04:05:27 PM
Quote from: wellREDman on November 01, 2016, 03:50:58 PM
didn't we all

(Raising hand) Yup
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: clankenstein on November 01, 2016, 04:16:52 PM
Wow , very nice! What does the engraving on the bridge cover of the top 'bird say?
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 04:28:03 PM
Quote from: clankenstein on November 01, 2016, 04:16:52 PM
Wow , very nice! What does the engraving on the bridge cover of the top 'bird say?

Good eye, man!
That bridge cover was on the most recent one I picked up. It's got the word (name, presumably) "STRIKER" engraved above the ...what else?....Wiccan Rede:
"An it harm none Do what thou wilt"

(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/kingface66/FullSizeRender%20copy.jpg)
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 04:58:15 PM
Ah, you're an Aleister Crowley disciple!

(http://beforeitsnews.com/contributor/upload/172208/images/crowley%202.jpg)

Gentlemen, we have a satanist among us!

(https://media.giphy.com/media/xT9DPKiQqDl9kSVjVe/giphy.gif)

About time too.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 05:02:28 PM
Andy, be truthful, do you by any chance like Led Zeppelin too? Sure enough, a most innocent query ...

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/fb/45/8b/fb458b70638f33d03aff28cce9c4761a.jpg)
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: TBird1958 on November 01, 2016, 05:25:03 PM
Quote from: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 01:38:27 PM
I just found your forum, and had to join. Finding fellow-Gibson bass players, alone, is certainly worth it.
I began playing bass back in the mid-80s, when I purchased a '76 ebony Thunderbird (for $400!) and fell in love with it. But, sadly, not enough to keep it, and it went the way of selling and buying, and buying and selling, basses, which continued for the following decades.
Then, about 4 or 5 years ago, I happened upon an ebony '79 Thunderbird. It was in fantastic shape (no headstock crack) and was reminded why I loved these basses so much. So, I bought it. During this time, I began reading the (possibly apocryphal?) claim that Gibson shipped only 7 ebony Thunderbirds in 1979...at least according to the Fly Guitars website http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/Thunderbird_1976.php (ftp://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/Thunderbird_1976.php) which quoted Larry Meiners' book "Gibson Shipment Totals 1937-1979". Almost exactly a year later, I saw that another was up for bidding on eBay. So, I bought it.
Flash forward to today, and I'm now looking at this ridiculous collection. All ebony. All from 1979. All sound amazing.
(By the way, The Guitar Dater Project webpage was very helpful in determining on what days the basses were produced at the Kalamazoo plant)

cheers!
Andy

(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/kingface66/FullSizeRender-1%202.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/kingface66/IMG_5024.jpg)


Lovely group!

Nice to have you aboard, I collect for fins too, used have a black '77.


(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Mobile%20Uploads/1472857266_zpszjhbw5en.jpg)




Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 05:28:07 PM
Quote from: uwe on November 01, 2016, 05:02:28 PM
Andy, be truthful, do you by any chance like Led Zeppelin too? Sure enough, a most innocent query ...

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/fb/45/8b/fb458b70638f33d03aff28cce9c4761a.jpg)

Ha!! The engraving was there when I bought the bass! I swear...(on Satan?)

Truthfully, I was kinda bummed at first, but it's such a badass quote, i gotta love it.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 05:33:21 PM
He avoided answering the Led Zep question ... Must I be worried?
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: exiledarchangel on November 01, 2016, 05:45:10 PM
So you dare to walk in here with a Tbird foursome doin' that 69 thing? If so, you are very welcome! ;)
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 06:28:58 PM
I like the way the Greek fruit vendor thinks.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Highlander on November 01, 2016, 06:31:30 PM
Quote from: uwe on November 01, 2016, 05:33:21 PM
He avoided answering the Led Zep question ... Must I be worried?

I thought you got round the "He who shalt not be named" defence rather neatly too, but lets not get too deep... :mrgreen:

Velcum T'Birder... :vader:
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 01, 2016, 06:37:23 PM
I'm already turning Purple in shame & guilt!

:gay:
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Highlander on November 01, 2016, 06:41:32 PM
But I guess you'll always be a soldier of fortune... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: TBird1958 on November 01, 2016, 06:41:44 PM

That's pink  :-*
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Highlander on November 01, 2016, 06:43:11 PM
He's outing the man in black...
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: OldManC on November 01, 2016, 07:07:52 PM
Beautiful birds! You are most welcome here.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 10:44:20 PM
Ok, now after a night out with my cardiologist, drinking scotch and sharing a cigarette (what IS it with doctors and smoking?) I can answer all your questions.

I love Zeppelin. John Paul Jones...well, let's just say, left an impression on me. My very first band, when I had a '63 Jazz Bass (...that I sold a year later for $600....to buy a Guild Pilot bass! (it was 1987. Things were weird back then) I was in my first recording studio and nervous as hell. Ian MacKaye (for anyone who followed DC punk, or has heard of Fugazi) was producing our first record. He, and the engineer, asked what kind of bass tone I was looking for. I, obviously, said, "uh....Led Zeppelin II."
They laughed.
A lot. 
And kept laughing.

But, yes, I love Zeppelin, though I haven't dabbled in the black arts...or, read much Crowley.

That all said, I'm beginning to like this forum a whole lot.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Basvarken on November 02, 2016, 01:00:41 AM
Welcome to the Outpost.
That's a unique collection you got there.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: wellREDman on November 02, 2016, 02:24:00 AM
welcome
to the place where all threads get derailed,
sooner or later you'll also have to fess up an opinion on Deep Purple, world war two aircraft, trains and anal play

nice birds BTW

Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 02, 2016, 05:27:18 AM
I've been vocal in my support for Led Zep and their much deserved success here at all times!

Doctors smoke because they know that all medicine and surgery is ultimately futile. And they tend to rely on statistical survival rates. My dad has been a smoker of 10 to a pack a day since his teenage days, he is 85 now, no matter what he does, cancer won't catch up with him anymore. That's not me advocating smoking, I never did (I would have been allowed to from at home no sweat, so there was no revolutionary point ever starting it). But as a liberal non-smoker, I've ironically been surrounded by smokers all my life. Smoking friends, smoking parents, smoking wives and even smoking kids! My dad, the perennial smoker, raised non-smokers (my brothers don't smoke either) and I, the non-smoker, did the reverse with my kids.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: gearHed289 on November 02, 2016, 09:20:35 AM
Quote from: Kingface66 on November 01, 2016, 10:44:20 PMI had a '63 Jazz Bass (...that I sold a year later for $600....to buy a Guild Pilot bass!

Ouch! Late 81/early 82 I sold my 79 Ric to buy an aluminum neck Kramer. Which was eventually replaced by a Guild Pilot. Which was eventually replaced by a Ric.  ;D

Welcome Kingface!
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 02, 2016, 09:25:54 AM
Quote from: wellREDman on November 02, 2016, 02:24:00 AM
welcome
to the place where all threads get derailed,
sooner or later you'll also have to fess up an opinion on Deep Purple, world war two aircraft, trains and anal play

nice birds BTW

Ok. Let's see:
- I love Deep Purple, but am not crazy at all about Rickenbacker basses. I still play Machine Head at least every few weeks.
- In order of personal favorites: Spitfire Mk Vb, F4U-4 Corsair (I grew up watching "Baa Baa Blacksheep"), Bf 109k, and the MiG3, (just 'cause the winter white camo with the red arrow on its fuselage was so cool-looking).
- Not a train guy. Nothing against them, just never got into them.
- Gonna hold-off on that last one.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 02, 2016, 09:28:52 AM
Quote from: gearHed289 on November 02, 2016, 09:20:35 AM
Ouch! Late 81/early 82 I sold my 79 Ric to buy an aluminum neck Kramer. Which was eventually replaced by a Guild Pilot. Which was eventually replaced by a Ric.  ;D

Welcome Kingface!

There was an electric blue aluminum neck Kramer floating around a group of friends back in the day! It was bought by someone's girlfriend, but co-opted by the dude's brother, who then traded it to the brother (the one w the girlfriend) for a bunch of X-Men comics....including X-Men #1. During that time, every one of us used it at least once or twice.
That thing weighed a TON.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: BTL on November 02, 2016, 10:11:48 AM
Welcome!

I understand about half of what is going on in this thread.

Par for the course for me here, I'm afraid.

:mrgreen:
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Pilgrim on November 02, 2016, 10:13:19 AM
Refer to earlier WWII threads, the Tom Brady dildo thread, and see miscellaneous T-bird worship throughout the forum.

That's all the context you need.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: TBird1958 on November 02, 2016, 11:41:09 AM
Quote from: Kingface66 on November 02, 2016, 09:25:54 AM
Ok. Let's see:
- I love Deep Purple, but am not crazy at all about Rickenbacker basses. I still play Machine Head at least every few weeks.
- In order of personal favorites: Spitfire Mk Vb, F4U-4 Corsair (I grew up watching "Baa Baa Blacksheep"), Bf 109k, and the MiG3, (just 'cause the winter white camo with the red arrow on its fuselage was so cool-looking).
- Not a train guy. Nothing against them, just never got into them.
- Gonna hold-off on that last one.

Corsairs are cool (It's helpful to be able to recognize them vs. a Hellcat, ask Kenny!) and as the resident model train and provocateur of "the love that dare not speak it's name" I can only say that it's never too late to try something new  :-*
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Highlander on November 02, 2016, 01:38:52 PM
Ah yes... the "Hellcat Incident..."  :mrgreen:

Do your research, Mr K66, or ensure your resilience in the face of a frontal assault, or a posterial... :vader:
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: uwe on November 02, 2016, 04:00:46 PM
"I still play Machine Head at least every few weeks."

Ok, I think we have something to work with then.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: OldManC on November 02, 2016, 07:27:42 PM
You already fit in just fine (no pun intended). Glad to add another to our ranks!
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: godofthunder on November 02, 2016, 08:13:18 PM
   NICE collection ! I have a black 77 in the herd.
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 02, 2016, 08:18:02 PM
Quote from: godofthunder on November 02, 2016, 08:13:18 PM
   NICE collection ! I have a black 77 in the herd.

Why is it always so great seeing one out in the wild??
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: godofthunder on November 02, 2016, 08:26:56 PM
   My first Thunderbird was a 76 I bought new, then a year or so later I discovered nonrevese Thunderbirds. Sadly I sold the 76 in '84. I found the black 77 on GCs  website about 5 years ago. It  filled the void nicely.  One of my NRs  😉
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: godofthunder on November 02, 2016, 08:34:44 PM
  Oh  yeah, welcome!
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Kingface66 on November 02, 2016, 08:39:58 PM
Quote from: godofthunder on November 02, 2016, 08:34:44 PM
  OH yeah, welcome!

Thank you, man! Good to be here!
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: Nocturnal on November 02, 2016, 10:07:51 PM
Great collection!! Nice to see another Andy with a fetish for black Thunderbirds  8)  Welcome to the Outpost!!
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: 66Atlas on November 03, 2016, 04:52:13 PM
Nice looking quartet!
Title: Re: Just joined, and wanted to say hello...with a flock of '79 T-Birds
Post by: exiledarchangel on November 03, 2016, 07:08:38 PM
Quote from: uwe on November 02, 2016, 05:27:18 AM
I've been vocal in my support for Led Zep and their much deserved success here at all times!

Doctors smoke because they know that all medicine and surgery is ultimately futile. And they tend to rely on statistical survival rates. My dad has been a smoker of 10 to a pack a day since his teenage days, he is 85 now, no matter what he does, cancer won't catch up with him anymore. That's not me advocating smoking, I never did (I would have been allowed to from at home no sweat, so there was no revolutionary point ever starting it). But as a liberal non-smoker, I've ironically been surrounded by smokers all my life. Smoking friends, smoking parents, smoking wives and even smoking kids! My dad, the perennial smoker, raised non-smokers (my brothers don't smoke either) and I, the non-smoker, did the reverse with my kids.

We've got a saying for this, "a priests son is devils grandson". My father smokes like a chimney, almost 2 packs a day, my brother and me both hate it. Lets see what happens with the little one...