Adam's Thunderbird basses

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The Edge15

The Fly
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
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Location
Dublin, Ireland
I was looking at the video for 'The Fly' and saw that Adam is using a non-reverse Thunderbird bass,and decided to find out a bit about it. In the process, I came across pics of him with more Thunderbirds, and I am wondering, did he ever use these live? What songs did he use them on?
It would be cool to see him use them live again.

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images



Regular Thunderbird:

AdamClayton.jpg

Z
 
If you YouTube their show from Smile Jamaica concert (1988?) Adam used the Thunderbird for one of the tunes. (I don't remember which offhand).

The non-reverse Thunderbird is cool. Interesting that he's not used it more.

Also interesting, as they have worked with Lanois so much - and Danny played Firebirds so often - interesting that Edge doesn't play them. Perhaps he owns one that we've not seen?


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Live use?

The only time that I remember the Thunderbird being use was for "Angel of Harlem", "When Love Comes To Town", "All Along The Watchtower" and "Love Rescue Me" -- at the 'Smile Jamaica Benefit Concert', 16 October 1988 (at The Dominion Theatre, London).



ANGEL OF HARLEM:

https://youtu.be/8g8cmW9Yjx8

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER:

https://youtu.be/l16zRFGNK5A?list=PLtiqhmPWdQ5Av1ewnsujdwgtirAI7PjaI

WHEN LOVE COMES TO TOWN:
https://youtu.be/ch56lHbAlqM

LOVE RESCUE ME:
https://youtu.be/8U_v7MkFgfs?list=PLtiqhmPWdQ5Av1ewnsujdwgtirAI7PjaI
 
All of that said, the Gibson RD Artist was another bass that was seen in studio pics dating back to the AB sessions. It finally saw the lights of the stage for "Magnificent" (video, promo shows and 2009 shows)


PROMO CLIP

https://youtu.be/Yi52HjJbwVQ


2010 LIVE CLIP

https://youtu.be/NF-liABwrAo


It seems it later lost favor to the Candy Apple Red Reverso that surfaced for the 2011 shows.

2011 CLIP
https://youtu.be/h_-E95Rqebg
 
All of that said w/ his signature series Fender and Warwick bass guitars getting the bulk of the stage use, it seems unlikely that the Thunderbird or other Gibson bass guitars will see any stage time during the SOI/SOE tours.

Never say never? Certainly! But unlikely seems to be the reality.


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Thanks so much E_O, really interesting to see that Adam used Thunderbirds quite a bit more than I thought. Thunderbirds and Firebirds are some of my favourite guitars and basses.
 
Is there something special about Thunderbird basses in terms of their specs? I know Firebird is special because of....that mini-buckers.


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Very unrelated, but has Edge used Firebird? i know he's used once sporadically but...has he ever own one?

He may have used one of Danny's (in the studio). I've not seen one used during live shows. I don't know if he owns one. Odd that he doesn't.

Here is video of Edge playing Lanois red Firebird (with Danny and Bono) for a TV appearance of "Falling At Her Feet".


Link below:
https://youtu.be/oryzIVsU-Ns
 
I imagine that Edge would like the sound of mini-buckers; I mean, he's liked very trebly sounding himbuckers in his guitars so
 
Similarly, P90's seem to work for Edge.

The Casino has them. The Gibson 330 had them.

But other than The SOI APPLE lunch, not taken to playing a LP Junior or Junior Special (2 P-90's).

I saw one in a guitar rack photo in the U2 Show book.


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Might be that he doesn't like the feel of Firebird? i haven't see that many people use Firebird as their primary instrument. some people say these shapes and uneven weight make them uncomfortable to play?
 
You think Fender Strats with small wimpy headstocks are better looking then the ones with big masculine strong headstocks. That does not exactly fill me with confidence in regards to your choice in guitar aesthetics. :p :D
 
I never said that small headstocks look better. I like bigger headstocks, but not necessarily the super big ones. it also depends on the day; someday i might find 70s headstock beautiful and someday it's just excessive. that's why I'm kinda leaning toward JM/Jag headstock that's bigger than typical strat one but certainly smaller than the CBS strat ones.
 
This thread made me think of this video instantly - here's Adam using a Thunderbird on One, when the guys played it live for TOTP during Zoo TV rehearsals:

 
https://youtu.be/G1ZHXbKD_-U

Adam also used a Thunderbird for 'Desire' in The Point Depot in Dublin during the Rattle And Hum era.

We now know that he has used Thunderbirds during the JT, Rattle And Hum and ZOO TV eras, and also NLOTH.

Thunderbirds could be on a lot more U2 tracks than we realise.


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https://youtu.be/G1ZHXbKD_-U

Adam also used a Thunderbird for 'Desire' in The Point Depot in Dublin during the Rattle And Hum era.

We now know that he has used Thunderbirds during the JT, Rattle And Hum and ZOO TV eras, and also NLOTH.

Thunderbirds could be on a lot more U2 tracks than we realise.


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The Edge used his White Falcon for 'Desire' in Rattle and Hum but... Dallas has stated that the recorded version for the album/single was the LP Custom.

Similarly, this could be the case with any R&H footage of Adam with the Thunderbird.

It could have been used. Could have been changed out for something else on the recording.

I am surprised that the Thunderbird or the reverse Thunderbird haven't seen much stage time. Off of the top of my head, I only remember him using a Thunderbird for the Jamaica Smile show.
 
I mostly associate Thunderbird basses with more punk or rock/metal bassists, weirdly enough


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I stand corrected. Seems the Thunderbird gott some use during Love Town too.

Here’s some Love Town footage I’d not previously seen. This from Opening night of the tour, in Perth.

Streets is interesting, about 11-12 mins into the video.

Edge is playing a red Clapton Strat, which he later signed and gifted to Dallas Schoo, at the end of the tour.

And Adam can be seen playing his Gibson Thunderbird.

https://youtu.be/wJT_8z6--aY







Seems he only used the Thunderbird for that Smile Jamaica show.

Although he did borrow Thunderbird from Ash's bass player when U2 played at Belfast in 1998 with Ash. Edge borrowed Tim Wheeler's Silver Jet


ONE
http://youtu.be/DW8YwnN3K2A


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I stand corrected. Seems the Thunderbird gott some use during Love Town too.



Here’s some Love Town footage I’d not previously seen. This from Opening night of the tour, in Perth.



Streets is interesting, about 11-12 mins into the video.



Edge is playing a red Clapton Strat, which he later signed and gifted to Dallas Schoo, at the end of the tour.



And Adam can be seen playing his Gibson Thunderbird.



https://youtu.be/wJT_8z6--aY



The great Edge Orchestra, wrong? I don't believe it, that video has to be photoshopped
 
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