Who came up with concept of 'Thunk'?

**christianm77** · 05-01-2021, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by waltf

I NEED this

We should do a sleeveless one and send it to Dutchbopper

**TomN805** · 05-01-2021, 10:52 AM

Well there are some hints on the topic in this Interview with John and Bucky Pizzarelly (after abou 3 min.)
John and Bucky Pizzarelli: Father-Son Jazz | Fresh Air Archive: Interviews with Terry Gross .
What ever it is called, Bucky had it (as far as my ears hear)

**citizenk74** · 05-01-2021, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by TomN805

Well there are some hints on the topic in this Interview with John and Bucky Pizzarelly (after abou 3 min.)
John and Bucky Pizzarelli: Father-Son Jazz | Fresh Air Archive: Interviews with Terry Gross .
What ever it is called, Bucky had it (as far as my ears hear)

**waltf** · 05-01-2021, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by christianm77

We should do a sleeveless one and send it to Dutchbopper

haha great idea!!

**Gitterbug** · 05-01-2021, 04:11 PM

As a non-native English speaker, I tend to get lost in translation. No problem with Jack Zucker as the phrase-coiner. But some of the commentary doesn't converge on the admittedly elusive subject matter, and some obviously has been made tongue-in-cheek. A surprise or not, rock'n'roll guys also recognize thunk - all of them as a sensation and many as a word. It's what they feel in their bellies when doing what they do first: hitting the E major or drop D power chord bottom strings on high volume and gain. For them, it's not about the guitar but about the amp, cab and all the dope along the signal chain.

**GNAPPI** · 05-01-2021, 04:52 PM

Easy Melodious thunk. :-)

Melodious Thunk | David Biedenbender

**christianm77** · 05-02-2021, 06:05 AM

Everything I have said has been in deadly earnest.

**jzucker** · 05-02-2021, 08:43 AM

this is the definitive thunk clip IMO...

**Litterick** · 05-02-2021, 09:16 AM

My translation program provided this example of Portuguese to English:

Esse thunk foi feito com uns 45 sons misturados.
That thunk was about 45 sounds put together.

The search for thunk in bossa nova begins.

**Herbie** · 05-02-2021, 10:14 AM

We need a Thunksgiving day!

**John A.** · 05-02-2021, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Gitterbug

As a non-native English speaker, I tend to get lost in translation. No problem with Jack Zucker as the phrase-coiner. But some of the commentary doesn't converge on the admittedly elusive subject matter, and some obviously has been made tongue-in-cheek. A surprise or not, rock'n'roll guys also recognize thunk - all of them as a sensation and many as a word. It's what they feel in their bellies when doing what they do first: hitting the E major or drop D power chord bottom strings on high volume and gain. For them, it's not about the guitar but about the amp, cab and all the dope along the signal chain.

The problem is that "thunk" is onomatopoeia, not an objective description. It's an attempt to coin a word that evokes a sound that isn't speech. In my case (native English speaker), it took me a while to grok what Jack was talking about because "thunk" evokes a deeper pitched noise to me. But when given the clues of Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, Jim Hall, Herb Ellis, I figured out what's similar about their tones. In my mind, that's more of a "thwap", but I can treat "thunk" as a tritone sub for that.

**Stringswinger** · 05-02-2021, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

this is the definitive thunk clip IMO...

IMO, that is as good as jazz guitar tone (and playing) gets.

I believe that was Joe's 1962 ES-175 strung with heavy flats. The Epiphone in the picture is from a much later era. My guess is that the amplifier we hear in this live clip is a pre-blackface Fender or a Gibson or an Ampeg. Does anyone know for sure?

**Herbie** · 05-02-2021, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

IMO, that is as good as jazz guitar tone (and playing) gets.

I believe that was Joe's 1962 ES-175 strung with heavy flats. The Epiphone in the picture is from a much later era. My guess is that the amplifier we hear in this live clip is a pre-blackface Fender or a Gibson or an Ampeg. Does anyone know for sure?

You might have it right, but I thought first ES-175 plus (optimally) worn out flat wound strings thru a Polytone.

There may be several routes to the destination.

**Stringswinger** · 05-02-2021, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Herbie

You might have it right, but I thought first ES-175 plus (optimally) worn out flat wound strings thru a Polytone.

There may be several routes to the destination.

I do not believe Polytone was in existence at the time of this recording.

**Herbie** · 05-02-2021, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I do not believe Polytone was in existence at the time of this recording.

Of course, You are right! It is recorded 1964 and I found this timing about Polytones from internet:

"In 1968, Gumina founded the Polytone Amplifier Company."

**Stringswinger** · 05-03-2021, 12:59 PM

Here is a current ad from the Bay Area, California Craigslist:

Gibson ES-175 - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Notice that "thunk" is used in the ad. Either the seller is a member here, or Jack Zucker's word creation has crept into the jazz guitar lexicon at large.

The guitar for sale is a 2017 ES-175 figured which were part of the Gibson blowout in 2017. I have a blonde one like the one on offer and can attest that it is a great guitar. IIRC, I paid just under $2300 for it brand new from CME. Looking at the asking (and selling) prices of these guitars recently, my only regret is that I did not buy 20 of them!

**Doctor Jeff** · 05-03-2021, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Here is a current ad from the Bay Area, California Craigslist:

Gibson ES-175 - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Notice that "thunk" is used in the ad. Either the seller is a member here, or Jack Zucker's word creation has crept into the jazz guitar lexicon at large.

The guitar for sale is a 2017 ES-175 figured which were part of the Gibson blowout in 2017. I have a blonde one like the one on offer and can attest that it is a great guitar. IIRC, I paid just under $2300 for it brand new from CME. Looking at the asking (and selling) prices of these guitars recently, my only regret is that I did not buy 20 of them!

That is still a good price for that guitar, especially in blonde. Beautiful guitar.

**mad dog** · 05-04-2021, 09:27 AM

I like the idea of "thunk" as much as I do the sound itself.

**John A.** · 05-04-2021, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Here is a current ad from the Bay Area, California Craigslist:

Gibson ES-175 - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Notice that "thunk" is used in the ad. Either the seller is a member here, or Jack Zucker's word creation has crept into the jazz guitar lexicon at large.

The guitar for sale is a 2017 ES-175 figured which were part of the Gibson blowout in 2017. I have a blonde one like the one on offer and can attest that it is a great guitar. IIRC, I paid just under $2300 for it brand new from CME. Looking at the asking (and selling) prices of these guitars recently, my only regret is that I did not buy 20 of them!

Oh, no one told you? Cleveland has annexed the Bay area.

**Stringswinger** · 05-04-2021, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by John A.

Oh, no one told you? Cleveland has annexed the Bay area.

The Bay Area is so whacked out these days that I might welcome that.

They say California is like a bowl of cereal. Why? Because if you take out the fruits and the nuts, all that is left are the flakes.

**Stringswinger** · 05-04-2021, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

That is still a good price for that guitar, especially in blonde. Beautiful guitar.

It seems to be priced right. And whoever gets it, will most likely be well pleased. I sure won't be selling mine.

**citizenk74** · 05-04-2021, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Here is a current ad from the Bay Area, California Craigslist:

Gibson ES-175 - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Notice that "thunk" is used in the ad. Either the seller is a member here, or Jack Zucker's word creation has crept into the jazz guitar lexicon at large.

The guitar for sale is a 2017 ES-175 figured which were part of the Gibson blowout in 2017. I have a blonde one like the one on offer and can attest that it is a great guitar. IIRC, I paid just under $2300 for it brand new from CME. Looking at the asking (and selling) prices of these guitars recently, my only regret is that I did not buy 20 of them!

I bought my '04 in '06 for $2,600.00 (list: $4.99.99). That seemed to be the going price at the time. Seems the venerable ES-175 has appreciated over time. I know I appreciate mine! Which, BTW, is ringer for the one in the ad. It's a sweet little thing!

**wzpgsr** · 05-04-2021, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

The Bay Area is so whacked out these days that I might welcome that.

They say California is like a bowl of cereal. Why? Because if you take out the fruits and the nuts, all that is left are the flakes.

“These days”? You must be a glutton for self-punishment, sacrificing all your freedoms to stick it to the libs in the Bay Area all these years. It’s working—keep at it!

**Stringswinger** · 05-04-2021, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by wzpgsr

“These days”? You must be a glutton for self-punishment, sacrificing all your freedoms to stick it to the libs in the Bay Area all these years. It’s working—keep at it!

Great weather, great food and my wife's high paying job keeps me here. When she retires, who knows what we will do. But for now, the benefits outweigh the freedoms lost.

When I moved to San Francisco in 1976, it was the most tolerant city in America (if not the world). Now it has become a very intolerant place. Things change, and not always for the better.

**wzpgsr** · 05-04-2021, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Great weather, great food and my wife's high paying job keeps me here. When she retires, who knows what we will do. But for now, the benefits outweigh the freedoms lost.

When I moved to San Francisco in 1976, it was the most tolerant city in America (if not the world). Now it has become a very intolerant place. Things change, and not always for the better.

I was being sarcastic. I guess if that’s what it takes to be in agreement, so be it!