The Last Bass Outpost

Rex Brown posted this on his facebook with this caption:

We're getting really close to July12th!! Standby...more coming soon!

(https://myalbum.com/photo/u4M5ijr8qTtH/360.jpg)

Maybe these are the redesigned T bird pickups that looked like were going to happen on the Gene Bird. Interesting there's a raised center section here but the same Hipshot bridge. Gibson is starting to look more like Fender with the way they keep rehashing the old bird in different flavors. Wonder how different this Rex bird will be. Hope that picture is photo shopped because the bass looks like it's sitting in a muddy puddle  :o

By the look of it those are active EMG pickups, no?

Could be EMGs. They have a direct replacement model for late model 'birds, and I think EMG have been his pickup of choice for years.

Quote from: Basvarken on June 27, 2022, 09:19:46 AM
By the look of it those are active EMG pickups, no?

Beat me to it!  ;D

If you enlarge the pic, they look like normal 90s/00's black TB-pickups and they read R.B.

Rex has a PJ + preamp set with Seymour Duncan, but I don't see any sign of SD.

According to what I've read the pickups are designed by Rex Brown in conjunction with Decola at Gibson. 

Quote from: Chris P. on June 27, 2022, 09:26:03 AM
If you enlarge the pic, they look like normal 90s/00's black TB-pickups and they read R.B.

Rex has a PJ + preamp set with Seymour Duncan, but I don't see any sign of SD.

Do you have more pics then? When I enlarge the picture, all I see is pixels on those pickups. Nothing remotely readable

Nope, I don't know how and why, but it seems smaller here than on my computer. I'll whatsapp you.

Yes, in the picture you sent me the R and B are clearly visible.
In two weeks we'll know more.

Irrespective of what many of us think of active circuit basses, an active TBird would actually make sense within the Gibson palette for someone playing music like Herr Brown.

You think they already have the name TRexBird protected?

 :rimshot:

Quote from: uwe on June 28, 2022, 02:57:16 AM
Irrespective of what many of us think of active circuit basses, an active TBird would actually make sense within the Gibson palette for someone playing music like Herr Brown.

You think they already have the name TRexBird protected?

(https://res.cloudinary.com/teepublic/image/private/s--v6G9HVEG--/t_Resized%20Artwork/c_fit,g_north_west,h_1054,w_1054/co_ffffff,e_outline:53/co_ffffff,e_outline:inner_fill:53/co_bbbbbb,e_outline:3:1000/c_mpad,g_center,h_1260,w_1260/b_rgb:eeeeee/c_limit,f_auto,h_630,q_90,w_630/v1623739932/production/designs/22544564_0.jpg)

Much as I'm digging the tone I'm getting out of my '64, I'm really glad to have a T Bird that's active, there have been countless time that it was the perfect bass for a show. Glad to see Gibson trying new things, this bass likely won't be around for long.

Pointy headstocks are cool too.

  (https://i.imgur.com/FPZXyDh.jpg)

As long as the battery is full, an active bass is a safe bet in a live setting if you know neither the location where or the rig over which you will be playing. You can compensate for most deficiencies and also make a decent stand against a double bass drum.

Quote from: uwe on June 28, 2022, 08:51:26 AM
As long as the battery is full, an active bass is a safe bet in a live setting if you know neither the location where or the rig over which you will be playing. You can compensate for most deficiencies and also make a decent stand against a double bass drum.

I'm quoting you, "it's a razor"

Quote from: uwe on June 28, 2022, 08:51:26 AM
As long as the battery is full, an active bass is a safe bet in a live setting if you know neither the location where or the rig over which you will be playing. You can compensate for most deficiencies and also make a decent stand against a double bass drum.

This is my solution. It's attached to my strap.

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/5625/1510/products/130930375_e58b163e-8439-4ba9-856b-33093cce6c04_grande.jpg?v=1635230615)

My amp has a pre amp.
:popcorn:

Quote from: ilan on June 28, 2022, 10:08:34 AM
This is my solution. It's attached to my strap.

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/5625/1510/products/130930375_e58b163e-8439-4ba9-856b-33093cce6c04_grande.jpg?v=1635230615)

I've had a Sadowsky pre on my pedal board for over 15 years. I use it for a tiny bit of low and high boost. They're "boost only" BTW, no cut. Knobs turned all the way counterclockwise = flat. It's great for when I'm switching between passive and active basses.

I don't use a pedalboard, and when the Sadowsky is attached to the strap near the rear button I can adjust the knobs mid-song.

To this day, I've never used a preamp unless it was integrated in something. Not a dogma, it just never occurred to me.

I did bi-amping with two preamp rack components to a stereo power amp for a while in the 80ies and 90ies, if that counts, but never anything like the Sadowsky. I'm indiscriminate as regards amps - as long as it works and is loud enough, I don't care what rig I use (currently I use an Orange Little Terror and a Mark Bass combo side by side, since I have both in the rehearsal space, they might as well both run simultaneously when I play  ;D ). That "I only sound like myself over my own amp" I've always regarded as a guitarist whiney thing.

Quote from: uwe on June 28, 2022, 04:14:17 PM
That "I only sound like myself over my own amp" I've always regarded as a guitarist whiney thing.

I've found that an Ampeg is as important to my sound as whatever bass I might be playing. It is what it is...

My requisite reply to every new Thunderbird that comes out: I assume there will be no left-handed version.

Yes, an Ampeg is the great equalizer, all bassists sound alike over it, very convenient.

Discuss!

PS: Essentially, my bass sound is what you hear when I play an electric bass unplugged (a mix of light touch pick playing with a thin, but stiff pick, forceful left hand fretting and right hand palm muting, just with more volume). A guitarist actually once cracked that as a joke to me: "Uwe, no matter what bass and no matter what amp and speakers, you always sound like your playing unplugged in your living room, just louder." I took that as a compliment then, but perhaps I was mistaken?  :-X

Quote from: BklynKen on June 29, 2022, 09:53:35 AM
My requisite reply to every new Thunderbird that comes out: I assume there will be no left-handed version.

And that ain't right.

Quote from: uwe on June 29, 2022, 10:02:14 AM
And that ain't right.

It's alright.

Yup, in the end that is all that's left.

The pickups, straight from the T-Rex's mouth: https://twitter.com/REJASFROMTEJAS/status/1541165498305351680

Quote from: uwe on June 29, 2022, 10:12:11 AM
Yup, in the end that is all that's left.

It's all pretty sinister.

True, the end is nigh.

Quote from: BklynKen on June 29, 2022, 10:13:03 AM
The pickups, straight from the T-Rex's mouth: https://twitter.com/REJASFROMTEJAS/status/1541165498305351680

Batteries included.

(https://www.u-buy.com.ua/productimg/?image=aHR0cHM6Ly9tLm1lZGlhLWFtYXpvbi5jb20vaW1hZ2VzL0kvODFmbjUrZkV5Q0wuX0FDX1NMMTUwMF8uanBn.jpg)

If the eyes light up, I'm all in.

I knew you would be able to relate to the creature's plight in heartfelt sympathy, claw-impeded as it is.

Mostly because he's left-clawed.  I feel his plight.

Alas! Say, is Buddhism in general a spiritual option for you?

That's my spirit animal.

 :-* :-* :-*

Quote from: BklynKen on June 29, 2022, 11:43:11 AM
That's my spirit animal.

Alternative: feel free to abide with The Dude.   

(https://dudeism.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dude-vinci.png)

If The Dude qualifies as a spirit animal, sign me up.

Are lefties even allowed in bowling halls? There must be some public safety concerns, just like in Nam.

I'm not making this stuff up!!! Thought processes (lefties have them too) and stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDuHsSybIGI

Quote from: BklynKen on June 29, 2022, 01:25:23 PM
If The Dude qualifies as a spirit animal, sign me up.

Nice!!  I'd say he's more of a spirit dude.

Feel free to join me in being ordained by the Church of the Latter-Day Dude.  Abiding encouraged....  https://dudeism.com/

  I played one about a week ago.  ;D

You do have a knack for getting your mitts on stuff .
And I do say that like it's a good thing ...

  Overall construction is very similar to the Gene Simmons Thunderbird.  Thicker body, looks like a set neck but there is a raised center section on the top of the body. The neck profile felt like the Gene bass as well.

Darn, when he initially discussed 'Birds in an interview, he mentioned an Epi Non-Reverse. I was excited this might be that, but alas...

Quote from: godofthunder on July 08, 2022, 08:50:31 AM
  Overall construction is very similar to the Gene Simmons Thunderbird.  Thicker body, looks like a set neck but there is a raised center section on the top of the body. The neck profile felt like the Gene bass as well.

Never let anything go to waste, multi-purpose is the new trend. Sustainable design features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2R-cMvXFs

Quote from: Basvarken on July 12, 2022, 06:57:13 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2R-cMvXFs

I was about to post that .

I wonder if it actually comes with the Hipshot Xtender in the video.  But it basically seems to be the G2 Thunderbird with a raised center block and possibly different pickups.

Quote from: BklynKen on July 12, 2022, 07:11:53 AM
I wonder if it actually comes with the Hipshot Xtender in the video.  But it basically seems to be the G2 Thunderbird with a raised center block and possibly different pickups.

and
different inlays,
no bound neck,
Rosewood fingerboard instead of ebony,
and a pre-amp.

So no.
Not a G2.
At all

Quote from: Basvarken on July 12, 2022, 07:44:46 AM
and
different inlays,
no bound neck,
mahogany fingerboard instead of ebony,
and a pre-amp.

So no.
Not a G2.
At all

I didn't notice the preamp. But true.  I was mostly looking at the bridge, set-neck, and tuners.

Quote from: BklynKen on July 12, 2022, 07:11:53 AM
I wonder if it actually comes with the Hipshot Xtender in the video. I had one in my hands about a month ago. But it basically seems to be the G2 Thunderbird with a raised center block and possibly different pickups.

Basically it is a G2 with a raised center section, active pickups and the Hipshot Extender.

That is an extension of the existing TBird line that actually makes sense and should have been done years ago.

Specs are on Gibson.com. The drop tuner is standard and Rob meant to say Rosewood fingerboard. It has a push pull tone pot for active and passive but I wonder what the controls do in active mode?

Quote from: 4stringer77 on July 12, 2022, 08:29:49 AM
Rob meant to say Rosewood fingerboard.

Oops. Yeah. Corrected that. Thanx

I likey!

From what I have heard is that the Bass extender is standard.
I don't quite understand what the pre amp does, since the controls are VVT.

Quote from: Basvarken on July 12, 2022, 09:53:24 AM
From what I have heard is that the Bass extender is standard.
I don't quite understand what the pre amp does, since the controls are VVT.

Maybe they're all push-pull for double functionality?

No, only the tone is push pull. It activates the pre-amp.

I really like the profile drawing of him on the control cavity cover!

With the low D option, the active electronics and the non-intimidating modern bridge (we have grown men in this forum still afraid of it!), I can see this going somewhere. Might attract quite a few people who liked the TBird shape and the Gibson legacy, yet have been put off by some aspects so far.

May the TRexBird conquer the earth!

(https://i.gifer.com/2645.gif)

I would love to see another short scale bird .

Quote from: morrow on July 12, 2022, 06:13:00 PM
I would love to see another short scale bird .

+ 1 and then some....

- 10  :) and therefore as (un)necessary as an extra-long-scale 5 string-Höfner.  :popcorn:

Everything about a short scale TBird looks, feels and sounds wrong. Unless you're petite like her and look good in a leather jump suit (in case you wonder: it's a 70ies Greco)!

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fc/70/ab/fc70abdb72eb341fe4f4e77143586ccc.jpg)

I think there is no bass other than the TBird whose design, visual appearance and sound is as much determined by the long scale ingredient. A short scale neck-thru? Gruesome.

Not trying to spoil the party, but the short scale TBird that Gibson offered for a millisecond a while ago felt and looked underwhelming. It sounded ok as short scale basses go, but not really different to what an LP Junior or SG Bass shorty would offer just as well (and then also look the part!).

In this (rare) case I'm an originalist (Dave will rejoice!): A TBird is based on the original Raymond Dietrich reverse design (and not what Gibson did to it later, simply tackering the established name Thunderbird on to it), meaning ...

- it's long scale,

- offers a neck-thru construction &

- is made of maho.

Other ingredients and characteristics are open to discussion, those three are not.

Yeah, I can't see another short scale Thunderbird, even for Suzi Q.

I played Uwe's a bit before sending of to Ze Collection, hadn't given it much thought until playing this custom painted on a recent visit to California.

(https://i.imgur.com/J2hwMQG.jpg)

I'm around six feet , medium sized hands and never had any problems with 34 in basses , but after getting used to short scales I really do prefer them . I 'd expect to feel somewhat awkward in a leather jump suit , but you never know ... The long scale I play the most is an old Stingray , but it feels strange now . It used to feel like home .
So I doubt that I'd spend much time on a long scale Tbird , although it's a classic bass that I've never owned . And that's why I'd love to see the mini version , although I'd hope it would be neck through , with the raised center section  , classic brown burst and hopefully a vintage style two part bridge .
So I'm not really expecting Gibson to release one , and understand why the aficionados would take umbrage to the thought . And for the present I have two Gibson , and two Epi shorties .
Still...

Short scales are great on the D and G string, the E string and sometimes the A string are the issue. Long scales are great on E and A, it's D and G where the issues are.

For certain types of music a short scale is fine and even better (in my Stones tribute for instance), more expressive than a long scale. But if a foundation building on playing a lot of tense E and A string notes (that also offer a lot of rebound) is your thing, then you're better served with a long scale. I agree though that a short scale is very often just more fun to play. And even gifted players such as Macca, Jack Bruce, Andy Fraser and Jim Lea never sounded as idiosyncratic playing long scales as they did with their shorties. It also disciplines you to not lean on the E string sound too much (always an easy and convenient/lazy solution, nobody will complain to you about that choice), you tend to go to higher registers where a short scale is more warm and vibrant than a long scale.

And if it's not a TBird sound and feel you're looking for, but just a TBird look, then of course a short scale TBird can be just as effective as an SG Bass.

The long scale rev TBird with its neck-thru construction and center block has this cello effect in the upper registers (no one in this forum seems to care about except me), less attack, but the notes sing. You can get close with it to a short scale high register tone like you never could on a P Bass or Stingray. It's why I like it so much.

Quote from: TBird1958 on July 13, 2022, 08:32:57 AM

(https://i.imgur.com/J2hwMQG.jpg)

Do I detect a beginning elementary school teacher look/aura, Miss/Fräulein Feld?  :-X

Somehow that Tbird looks very different on Mark than it did on Suzy.

On Suzy it looked like it was as long as she is tall, so she is kinda dwarfed by the bass...but Mark is a tall guy girl!!

Uwe's LGBTQ-woke edit!

Mark is also holding a short scale.
Is it just me or does this thing have way more clarity, sizzle and grind compared to regular TB+ equipped birds or the Gene bird for that matter?
Going by this demo, I'm hearing a sound closer to what a modernized version of the old sardine can pickups should be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gQOXg5Tass

I'd love to build a short scale Thunderbird with nine ply neck-through and tapered wings.
Just everything the same as the real sixties T-birds, except the scale.
That would be wicked!

Quote from: uwe on July 13, 2022, 10:29:29 AM
Do I detect a beginning elementary school teacher look/aura, Miss/Fräulein Feld?  :-X

Hot for Teacher!  :-*

I'm aging rather disgracefully!  :P 

Was trying to be comfy as we had travelled to California and I needed to be dressed all day long, not easy!

 Even comfy, you still ooze class, no worries!  :-*

Time for afternoon detention with Miss Feld, kiddies!

A little something to make detention more pleasant.

(https://i.imgur.com/X4p0Jt8.jpg)

Way to go, Fräulein Rommel bridging the West Coast - East Coast gap!

I guess we've all seen the news Pantera will tour again, so we might actually see this Bird in action!

Quote from: uwe on July 13, 2022, 05:44:38 AM
A short scale neck-thru? Gruesome.

(http://www.vintageguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/STANLEY_CLARKE_01.jpg)

But Stanley C. may do anything he wants! The 'manliest' jazz rock player there is, even with a short scale. He can do no wrong.

Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi!!!

I once shook his hand. He's a giant. He plays his upright bass like a ukulele.

Here he is with another shorter-than-34" neck-thru. Gruesome? I think not.

(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/5b/61/2a/5b612a9b33c9417795bef7ae66001bd4.jpg)

Let's see: Given the inherent limitations of that particular niche brand of undersized bass guitar, anybody getting a proper sound out of it truly deserves to be lauded.

(https://bizarrocentral.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/legend-satan-laughing-o.gif?w=590)

PS: I find Stanley's bass playing extremely physical and muscular. I can marvel watching him while Jaco - no doubt a brilliant player - leaves me cold. Weather Report is nice to hear plus airy and all that, but Return to Forever is 'heavy jazz rock' that connects with me.

PPS: Together with the TBird, the Ric 4001/4003 is the artisiest, purest, most idiosyncratic & complete plus prettiest bass design ever. Nuff said.

Quote from: uwe on July 21, 2022, 09:00:08 AM
Let's see: Given the inherent limitations of that particular niche brand of undersized bass guitar, anybody getting a proper sound out of it truly deserves to be lauded.

Well thank you Uwe!

Quote from: uwe on July 21, 2022, 09:00:08 AMPS: I find Stanley's bass playing extremely physical and muscular. I can marvel watching him while Jaco - no doubt a brilliant player - leaves me cold. Weather Report is nice to hear plus airy and all that, but Return to Forever is 'heavy jazz rock' that connects with me.

Likewise.

Quote from: uwe on July 21, 2022, 09:00:08 AMPPS: Together with the TBird, the Ric 4001/4003 is the artisiest, purest, most idiosyncratic & complete plus prettiest bass design ever. Nuff said.

No argument here!

Well that was a nice thread derailment.

I picked up a 4000 after using a 4001 for years and was quite surprised to find I did not miss the neck pickup and the extra knobs one bit .
In fact , the simplicity of just two knobs is nice .
Great sounding bass .

Quote from: ilan on July 22, 2022, 08:21:55 AM
Well that was a nice thread derailment.

You have a habit of doing that, Ilan, really. It drives me nuts.  :-X

Quote from: ilan on July 21, 2022, 08:12:18 AM
I once shook his hand. He's a giant. He plays his upright bass like a ukulele.

Here he is with another shorter-than-34" neck-thru. Gruesome? I think not.

(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/5b/61/2a/5b612a9b33c9417795bef7ae66001bd4.jpg)

That might well be a set neck .

I've never heard a Stanley Clarke bass tone that has approached pleasing.

Quote from: Alanko on July 22, 2022, 02:31:59 PM
I've never heard a Stanley Clarke bass tone that has approached pleasing.

Didn't he use an EB-2 on the first RTF album?
I must admit though, the only RTF albums to get my attention was no mystery and hymn of the 7th galaxy.
I spent a few hours learning the title cut of the latter back in the day, so I guess he was some kind of early influence - but I admit that his tone was not really spongeworthy.

Quote from: amptech on July 23, 2022, 01:42:23 AM
Didn't he use an EB-2 on the first RTF album?

From Vintage Guitar Magazine interview, January 2015 issue (https://www.vintageguitar.com/21549/stanley-clarke/):

My first electric bass was a Kent. I think it cost $20 [...] After that, I got a Gibson EB-O with black strings on it, I don't know what they were, but they sounded dull, man. I played it in early Return to Forever, too, until Rick Turner came to a gig in San Francisco and politely said, "You're a really good player, but your sound sucks." Said it just like that! [...] and he went to his car and brought back one of the first Alembic basses. I played that thing, and it was like night and day. [...] On Return to Forever's Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, I used a Gibson except on one tune, "Theme to the Mother Ship."

I think his early bass guitar tone stems from him being first an upright bass player.

If Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy was recorded with an EB-0, then it's the best use of an EB-0 I've heard. But on another interview he said, "Before the Alembic I was playing a Gibson EB-0, and it's a nasty-sounding bass. It looked like a Chet Atkins guitar." Huh? Maybe he had an EB-2 or an EB-2D? I've never seen a picture of him with a Gibson (other than one with a black G3).

Quote from: morrow on July 22, 2022, 08:50:14 AM
I picked up a 4000 after using a 4001 for years and was quite surprised to find I did not miss the neck pickup and the extra knobs one bit .
In fact , the simplicity of just two knobs is nice .
Great sounding bass .

I had a 4000 in the early 80's,   est Ric I ever owned! I sold it to finance my move to Boston in '83 to become a Rockstar.

Quote from: ilan on July 23, 2022, 03:12:46 AM

If Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy was recorded with an EB-0, then it's the best use of an EB-0 I've heard. But on another interview he said, "Before the Alembic I was playing a Gibson EB-0, and it's a nasty-sounding bass. It looked like a Chet Atkins guitar." Huh? Maybe he had an EB-2 or an EB-2D? I've never seen a picture of him with a Gibson (other than one with a black G3).

This calls for investigation :)
I believe I read about the EB-2 in a Turner interview.
In a bass player column or something.
Maybe I have to dig out those RTF albums too!

Quote from: amptech on July 23, 2022, 01:42:23 AM
Didn't he use an EB-2 on the first RTF album?
I must admit though, the only RTF albums to get my attention was no mystery and hymn of the 7th galaxy.
I spent a few hours learning the title cut of the latter back in the day, so I guess he was some kind of early influence - but I admit that his tone was not really spongeworthy.

I can't fault his playing. The speed and technique he achieved on The Romantic Warrior is very impressive. It's the plastic-y ultra treble and low action scuzz that I don't really like in his tone.

Quote from: Alanko on July 23, 2022, 02:13:55 PM
I can't fault his playing. The speed and technique he achieved on The Romantic Warrior is very impressive. It's the plastic-y ultra treble and low action scuzz that I don't really like in his tone.

It's an upright with a typical 70s piezo tone.

I've heard about that EB-2 again and again, but never seen a pic.

I'm pretty sure it was an EB-2 or 2D.

Quote from: gearHed289 on July 25, 2022, 08:20:09 AM
I'm pretty sure it was an EB-2 or 2D.

When Steve Swallow switched from upright to BG he also went with an EB2D. He said in an old interview that he felt weird with a solid body bass.

Quote from: ilan on July 25, 2022, 08:37:58 AM
When Steve Swallow switched from upright to BG he also went with an EB2D. He said in an old interview that he felt weird with a solid body bass.

He got a nice sound out of it too. Didn't he put a mudbucker in bridge position?

Quote from: amptech on July 26, 2022, 01:14:25 AM
He got a nice sound out of it too. Didn't he put a mudbucker in bridge position?

He had two. A stock Sparkling Burgundy and a sunburst that he had modded.

"The instrument was completely un-modified. It was the first electric instrument I ever picked up, at the precursor to the NAMM show, in Chicago in 1969.  [...] At some point – I'm not sure of the year but it was after I'd played with Eberhard Weber – I bought another EB2, this one in sunburst finish, and gave it to Peter Coura, the luthier who made Eberhard's classic hybrid instrument, who put his pickups and electronics into it. I've still got my original red EB2, but I sold the second one for a song a few years ago."

(https://i0.wp.com/musicaficionado.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/steve-swallow.jpg)(https://knowyourbassplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SteveSwallowGearSpotlight_opt.png)

Solo and close-ups starting at 3:05.

https://youtu.be/CL6CcAbDSBQ

They're like the Polyphia of the sixties but cooler, especially because of the fringed leather.  8)
Wonder how  Steve managed to dial in the tone he's getting and what happened to the pole pieces on the neck pickup?

So someone in the TalkBass Thunderbird group got a Rex Brown Thunderbird and repotted the pickups into gold covers.  They seem to be the same as the 2015 DeCola pickups under the covers.

Good pups then! That DeCola TBird sounded great. More refined, but still TBirdish enough.