Tacoma Thunderhawk – Acoustic Baritone Monster

Sobell Lust

I’ve wanted to get a Sobell guitar for a long time, but have never had the money to get one. At some point, probably in 2004, I found out that Stefan started making a “D Guitar”, that is, a long scale version of his models, designed to be tuned 1-2 steps lower. Well, that sounded very interesting, but still out of reach for a guy with a wonderful wife, a passel of kids and a mortgage. Put it on the backburner.

Tacoma Thunderhawk

Enter Baritone

In the meantime, I sold a bunch of old gear, so I had a little dough available. I was waffling between a Carvin Bolt kit guitar and a cool little Martin (OOO15S), when all of a sudden, the Sobell came to mind.  The word baritone also came to mind, so I did some searching and found that Tacoma (at the time) was making a 29″ scale baritone called the Thunderhawk. Also found that Elderly Instruments had one used for a good price. I decided to try it out. Wow! It is like having a piano sitting in your lap.  Awesome tone, and it goes really LOWWWWW…

I would still really like to get the Sobell, but for now, I am working with what I have.  I find myself playing this thing all the time, and in fact, have been working to get a number of songs recorded with it for a future album.

Alas, Tacoma is out of business, and the Thunderhawk is no longer in production.  It’s a shame, as it was a great option for a moderately priced acoustic baritone.  Sorry, mine is not for sale!

Here are some short improvs of the beast, which will give you a feel for what it sounds like:

[audio:https://www.billvencil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tacoma1.mp3|titles=Improvisation 1]

[audio:https://www.billvencil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tacoma2.mp3|titles=Improvisation 2] [audio:https://www.billvencil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tacoma3.mp3|titles=Improvisation 3] [audio:https://www.billvencil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tacoma4.mp3|titles=Improvisation 4] [audio:https://www.billvencil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tacoma5.mp3|titles=Improvisation 5] [audio:https://www.billvencil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tacoma6.mp3|titles=Improvisation 6] [audio:https://www.billvencil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tacoma7.mp3|titles=Improvisation 7]

2 thoughts on “Tacoma Thunderhawk – Acoustic Baritone Monster”

  1. Dear Bill: Nice playing! I’m trying to find a Thunderhawk as well, somewhat difficult to come by, here in Austria. Trying my luck on Ebay.
    Best regards from Vienna,
    Oliver

  2. Thanks Oliver! I do note that there is one on eBay right now (4/15/2011). Good fortune in your search!

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