DaytonaRik Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Today is a good day - a new to me bass arrives at work and a massive GAS problem addressed. Since I swapped to bass from g****r 3 years ago I have lusted after a Thunderbird, despite being massively disappointed by it's 6-string cousin the Firebird but those weedy mini ceramic hum buckers were to blame! I could never really justify one as I needed to be a bit more flexible tone-wise. However, with the forming of a Lizzy cover band when a straight ahead rock sound is all I need...well...why the hell not! Before anyone says it...I'm NOT getting a black P with a mirror pick guard! Cover, not tribute! Anyway, today a mint vintage sunburst 2010 Thunderbird IV arrives at the office. Ampkit with my Ashdown emulator, cable and headphones are at the ready! Pics in due course, as apparently without them it's all a figment of my over-active imagination! Rik Edited February 5, 2014 by DaytonaRik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Nice one mate! You've been after one for a while, eh? Oh, and you're absolutely right, pics or it didn't happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) The Thunderbird has landed...and meets every expectation. A few teeny tiny marks but maybe that'll mean I'm not overly precious of my new purchase. That's not to say I'll abuse it, just won't be so anal over it! Anyway - introducing the new arrival [attachment=154315:image.jpeg] [attachment=154316:image3.jpeg] [attachment=154317:image2.jpeg] Edited February 5, 2014 by DaytonaRik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omikin Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Have had GAS for one of those since 2009. Can I ask how much that beauty set you back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) [quote name='omikin' timestamp='1391607886' post='2359107'] Have had GAS for one of those since 2009. Can I ask how much that beauty set you back? [/quote] Managed to get this 2010 example for £750 inc. shipping Edited February 5, 2014 by DaytonaRik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 [quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1391608948' post='2359136'] Managed to get this 2010 example for £750 inc. shipping [/quote] A bargain price to boot! I hope the two of you will be very happy together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omikin Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Wow. That's amazing. Well done! I'm sure you will really enjoy that gorgeous instrument. How does she sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) [quote name='omikin' timestamp='1391612218' post='2359205'] Wow. That's amazing. Well done! I'm sure you will really enjoy that gorgeous instrument. How does she sound? [/quote] Really pleased with the price and condition. As for the sound...I don't know yet as it arrived at the office this afternoon. The rig is set up at home and I'll be giving it a run through as soon as I get to the house tonight!!! Edited February 5, 2014 by DaytonaRik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 [u]THROW A SICKIE AND GET HOME[/u] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Ok - I have got home, fired up the Ashdown and plugged in...and its LOVELY!!!! A much wider variety of tones than I would have thought possible and the slimmest of necks...almost like playing a guitar. Both pups in unison create a fat rich sound that can sound mellow or gritty, depending upon the attack. The bridge alone has an edgy bite to it that should cut through most mixes, whilst the neck pup is much more mellow, but again can get dirty when really attacked. I've yet to really play with the amp settings to see just where I can go with it. Ergonomically, it's like a lot of Gibson guitars - it's a fret away from you! Grab a 7th fret E and it's an F! The upper 'non-horn' can feel a little uncomfortable at first but soon becomes 2nd nature. It's a Firebird's bigger brother so I guess I'm used to it...just have to remember how it feels! It definitely needs a tweak to the truss rod - there's very little relief in there and the previous owner has resorted to raising the bridge to get a usable action instead of adjusting the neck...perhaps he wasn't too confident? I'm pretty sure I've not got a hound, and that with a few minutes effort (and know-how) it'll be buzz free and flying...like a 'Bird Thought I'd break the camera out and put some proper photos up so - [attachment=154371:1400205 - Thunderbird - 104.jpg] [attachment=154373:1400205 - Thunderbird - 101.jpg] [attachment=154374:1400205 - Thunderbird - 103.jpg] [attachment=154375:1400205 - Thunderbird - 105.jpg] [attachment=154376:1400205 - Thunderbird - 102.jpg] [attachment=154377:1400205 - Thunderbird - 106.jpg] [attachment=154378:1400205 - Thunderbird - 109.jpg] [attachment=154379:1400205 - Thunderbird - 107.jpg] Edited February 5, 2014 by DaytonaRik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 A sexier looking bass (or guitar for that matter when it comes to the Firebird) is hard to imagine and a great sound they make too (John Entwistle & Martin Turner for me); what a nice score, congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 There's nothing like opening the case of a TBird and taking in that nitro smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omikin Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 A very nice looking T'bird there Rik. only ever-so-slightly jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 See? I told you there were bargains to be had if you waited...and waited. Good one! P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 Thanks for all the comments - don't get to try it in a band setting for a couple of weeks though! Boo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsgbass Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 OH Great! You just had to show off that BEAUTIFUL Gibson! Congrats, and best of playing with it. [b]Super looking T-Bird![/b][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/ioKd4hk.gif[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 But gsgbass you have that lovely Walnut SG! The T'bird is all setup with a new set of Hybrid Slinky's...I managed to drop have the height of the bridge and get the action waaaay down- now to spend a couple of evenings dialing in the Ashdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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