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Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: bassvirtuoso on December 05, 2009, 08:22:39 AM

Title: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 05, 2009, 08:22:39 AM: Well, looks like I've gone from no Gibsons to 2 Thunderbirds within a year thanks to George.

I just inherited George's Blackbird, and I have to say that I'm excited. I needed a backup bird for my half-chromed Natural 'bird.

Don't worry Uwe, this Thunderbird won't feel the pain of the chrome assimilation. I'm going to keep this one bone stock, I won't even put a Hipshot bridge on it.

Picks can be found here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8313314&postcount=5 (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8313314&postcount=5)

I'll put up a family portrait soon.
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 05, 2009, 09:31:44 AM: Nice Dave!

I kinda miss mine....................and had tingly spot goin' for that one. But I've already bought one black Thunderbird from George so it's good someone from here got it - It's a family affair ;)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 05, 2009, 09:45:51 AM: Mark,

IIRC, you like the newer Nikki Sixx 'bird better, right?
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 05, 2009, 09:53:01 AM: Yes very much, mine's a great player and I will say the V T killswitch actually helps that bass sound better........A little wiring is good regardless of the finish on the pups ;D
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 05, 2009, 10:07:40 AM: Luckily I'll be using this in a 70's/80's rock cover-band. So I think the tone should work for me, luckily I won't need a huge change in tone with our songs.

I was given the greatest compliment by our 51 year old drummer who's been around the block (he's played with Bruce Kulick from KISS) the other day. We were recording and I brough my Thunderbird and he said: "That's the best bass tone I've ever heard, I love that bass." I asked if he was joking and he replied: "No I'm serious, we hired you because of your tone. You have the best tone I've ever heard from a bassist." So I was a bit humbled and asked the keyboard player for a second opinion (he's a band teacher at the local high school) and he said: "Yeah, besides the fact that you were on time for the audition, you have an amazing tone. It was a major factor in hiring you."

Needless to say, I love my Gibsons!
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 05, 2009, 10:11:34 AM: I think you'll enjoy it a lot, simple control layouts make for a great stage bass, I rarely do anything but dime everything anyway! 8)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Highlander on December 05, 2009, 10:27:09 AM: Quote from: bassvirtuoso on December 05, 2009, 10:07:40 AM
"Yeah, besides the fact that you were on time for the audition..."

;D
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 05, 2009, 11:22:16 AM: Glad someone caught that Kenny ;)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Highlander on December 05, 2009, 12:43:57 PM: All part of the service, David... all part of the service... ;D

As we've discussed your avatar before, and being a big fan of the 1968 movie, if there was an award for having the coolest... :o
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: OldManC on December 05, 2009, 05:48:49 PM: I'm glad my Blackbird is staying in the family. I'll get another one at some point... To get my new business going I'm selling off all but my most cherished basses (which are that way for mostly sentimental reasons). I had such good luck selling the other ones that I was able to do a trade deal for the Blackbird which might allow me to sell another two pieces of gear I wasn't planning on selling, so this works well for me, too.

Dave, great tone is as much in the fingers (if not more-so) as it is in the gear, so even with your prompt arrival (which was a plus ;)), you have a lot to offer a band if you're getting that kind of compliment from seasoned players. I hope you love the bass!
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: uwe on December 06, 2009, 11:12:41 AM: I think a Blackbird has a cut-through characteristic no other TBird has. Leaving all controls away gives those TB Plus pups some ric-ish bite.
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 06, 2009, 07:00:01 PM: Uwe, that's great to hear. It'll come in handy when we start covering Roundabout...
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Highlander on December 07, 2009, 05:08:27 PM: :o
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: OldManC on December 07, 2009, 06:43:43 PM: I'm down to only two Gibson Thunderbirds. That's how many I joined that other place all those years ago! Of course I also have two Bach birds, a Greco II and my old Ibanez (which I also had when I met some of yous guys).

Well, someday I'll find a way to purchase a few more birds. Yeah, I'm talking to you, Uwe! :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on December 07, 2009, 07:26:27 PM: You Birdbrains!!!! lol

I want one! Alas, I'm a lefty. I've got a lefty black Tokai T-bird tho.
Can I be in the Birdbrain Club?
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: uwe on December 08, 2009, 04:29:41 AM: Quote from: OldManC on December 07, 2009, 06:43:43 PM
I'm down to only two Gibson Thunderbirds. That's how many I joined that other place all those years ago! Of course I also have two Bach birds, a Greco II and my old Ibanez (which I also had when I met some of yous guys).

Well, someday I'll find a way to purchase a few more birds. Yeah, I'm talking to you, Uwe! :mrgreen:

I have no recollection of any agreement we ever had whatsoever! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

I know :-\, that single pup one, it's only leased ...
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Highlander on December 08, 2009, 07:46:05 AM: 999 years...? or 666... (add sulphurous reek here...)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 08, 2009, 09:17:34 AM: Quote from: OldManC on December 07, 2009, 06:43:43 PM
I'm down to only two Gibson Thunderbirds. That's how many I joined that other place all those years ago!

Hmmm, and now I'm up to two Gibson Thunderbirds. I had zero when I had joined that other place so long ago, but look what you guys have done! I think I see a reversal in roles here, as I gain in the Thunderbird ratio, George is declining...such is life.
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 09, 2009, 09:48:30 AM: Slight problem with the Blackbird that George and I can't figure out. The Blackbird has rusted pickup screws, guess this is common place on some Blackbirds, and the bridge screws have been stripped.

So, what size screws do I need for the TB Plus pickups on the Blackbird? I want to replace all four right away so I don't need to fight with them anymore.

Any ideas? Uwe?
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Nocturnal on December 09, 2009, 10:46:05 AM: My 2001 Bird has rusty pickup screws as well. Must have been a common trait back then. I always think about replacing them but never have gotten around to it (lazy ;D). I'd be interested to know the size also so someday I can replace them.
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: godofthunder on December 09, 2009, 02:33:26 PM: It's that low quality black hardware. ;D
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: uwe on December 09, 2009, 05:03:53 PM: I'm not even ignoring such inane comments by the usual chrome suspects!

I'll take a look at the screws in my Blackbird and how long they are. But I'm in a two day arbitration hearing so I won't be able to do this before Sat. Remind me if I forget!
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 09, 2009, 05:18:24 PM: It is the low quality non-chrome hardware, but since this is a "kollector's" piece, I won't be chroming it so soon...

Thanks Uwe, I appreciate it. I'll send you a reminder PM Saturday in case you forget.
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 09, 2009, 05:22:48 PM: I can check my N.S. Mk II as well, I'd think they'd be the same.
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 09, 2009, 05:44:57 PM: Thanks Mark!
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: drbassman on December 10, 2009, 06:18:23 AM: Thank you for saving me. I was considering it, but I've got to have some self-control once in awhile! :P
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 10, 2009, 07:47:26 AM: Quote from: drbassman on December 10, 2009, 06:18:23 AM
Thank you for saving me.

You know Bill, I think you owe me, maybe sell me back my chrome pickups? ;)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 10, 2009, 11:37:55 AM: I get 1 3/8"ths on mine.............
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 13, 2009, 03:16:56 PM: PAGING HERR MODERATOR!

Do you agree with the Fraulein?
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Hornisse on December 13, 2009, 04:23:07 PM: Quote from: TBird1958 on December 10, 2009, 11:37:55 AM

I get 1 3/8"ths on mine.............

Is that due to the cold weather up there in Seattle? :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 13, 2009, 05:12:00 PM: Quote from: Hörnisse on December 13, 2009, 04:23:07 PM
Is that due to the cold weather up there in Seattle? :mrgreen:

;D

Snappy comeback! On a good day 1 1/2" is more like it.

It is cold (for Seattle) the last week or so........ ;)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Hornisse on December 13, 2009, 05:59:31 PM: Quote from: TBird1958 on December 13, 2009, 05:12:00 PM

;D

Snappy comeback! On a good day 1 1/2" is more like it.

I know better Fräulein!

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Nikki%20Sixx/NikkiSixx016.jpg)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: OldManC on December 13, 2009, 06:13:49 PM: Ha ha, someone's taken my crown! :o
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: Dave W on December 13, 2009, 07:06:10 PM: I thought he was talking about width at the nut.
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: drbassman on December 13, 2009, 09:08:23 PM: Quote from: bassvirtuoso on December 10, 2009, 07:47:26 AM
You know Bill, I think you owe me, maybe sell me back my chrome pickups? ;)

I just saw this! I wish I could return them, but they are very happy in my all-maple NR. Thanks again, they sound great!

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/60s%20Repro%20NR%20TB/100_1288.jpg)
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: uwe on December 14, 2009, 08:04:55 AM: Quote from: TBird1958 on December 10, 2009, 11:37:55 AM

I get 1 3/8"ths on mine.............

I can confirm ze good Fräulein's impressive measurements!
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 14, 2009, 09:34:07 AM: Quote from: uwe on December 14, 2009, 08:04:55 AM
I can confirm ze good Fräulein's impressive measurements!

Uwe!

People will talk ;)

Quote from: Hörnisse on December 13, 2009, 05:59:31 PM
I know better Fräulein!

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Nikki%20Sixx/NikkiSixx016.jpg)

And here I thought nobody caught that pic when I posted it...... :P
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: bassvirtuoso on December 14, 2009, 09:50:08 AM: Ah yes, the inevitable turn for the deep end...

Chrome Fortitude Club:
George
Mark

Any other takers?
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: uwe on December 14, 2009, 01:03:58 PM: Quote from: TBird1958 on December 14, 2009, 09:34:07 AM

Uwe!

People will talk ;)

And here I thought nobody caught that pic when I posted it...... :P

Looks circum(down)cised to me, poor girl. George's original portrait was more naturalistic ... no messing with the unbroken please ...
Title: Re: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
Post by: TBird1958 on December 14, 2009, 03:56:24 PM: Quote from: uwe on December 14, 2009, 01:03:58 PM
Looks circum(down)cised to me, poor girl. George's original portrait was more naturalistic ... no messing with the unbroken please ...

Ummmm......... not like I had any choice in the matter!
But you sure can spot 'em :o