A Thunderbird is a Jazz Bass on Steroids. Discuss...

[Count Bassie]

Yep. Similar layout, and with my Epi Classic Pro it's the same nut width, though the fretboard radius might be a little flatter... But output is way hotter on the 'Bird- stock anyway. Ergos are obviously different.
But essentially they're very similar.
Just for throwing around...

 

[Timmah]

I think that’s a slightly more popular opinion than you might think- Mike Lull has been putting TBird electronics in Jazz basses for years for Jeff Ament, and the IMA4 and IMA5 basses are built on that as well.

I believe some Thunderbird pickups are humbuckers and others are single coils, correct?

 

[Count Bassie]

I think that’s a slightly more popular opinion than you might think- Mike Lull has been putting TBird electronics in Jazz basses for years for Jeff Ament, and the IMA4 and IMA5 basses are built on that as well.

I believe some Thunderbird pickups are humbuckers and others are single coils, correct?

That is an answer I somehow didn't quite expect. But it makes sense to me.
The Thunderbird pickup discussion is a rabbit hole, that's for sure. I think that most of them, the great majority of them are humbuckers. But that's a topic to bring over to the Thunderbird Club, someone there will have, or be, the Encyclopedia Thunderbirdica...

 

[tb-player]

Came here to say “Mike Lull”

…and Bluesman Vintage
…and Fano

 

[J Wilson]

For me, two entirely different animals.

TBirds have a thicker tone, and JB's don't head dive.

 

[Count Bassie]

For me, two entirely different animals.

TBirds have a thicker tone, and JB's don't head dive.

My Bird doesn't dive any more than any Fender I've had. Well, if your top strap button is at the neck heel, where it belongs.

 

[ardgedee]

If you're calling it a Jazz Bass on steroids, it's not really a Jazz Bass any more.

 

[Count Bassie]

If you're calling it a Jazz Bass on steroids, it's not really a Jazz Bass any more.

Well, it's a Thunderbird.

 

[Dynacord]

I think that’s a slightly more popular opinion than you might think- Mike Lull has been putting TBird electronics in Jazz basses for years for Jeff Ament, and the IMA4 and IMA5 basses are built on that as well.

I believe some Thunderbird pickups are humbuckers and others are single coils, correct?

And Entwistle before that doing t-bird pup Fender hybrids (and I did it myself over 20 years ago). Many other builders since now do similar. Tbird pickups changed a lot during the different eras though all were humbuckers of various designs. Legend is the first 60s ones (later 60s tended to be hotter) were repurposed lapsteel pickups. The do have bar magnets. The 70s ones are specific as well being sidewinders.

But, anyway, I tend to agree with OP, a gutsier Jazz Bass. While they have the same nut width as a Jazz Bass, t-birds do have somewhat tighter string spacing at the bridge than a Fender (at least on my '64 t-bird and Embassy - I've not owned the more recent versions).

 

[mambo4]

Came here to say “Mike Lull”

Same

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Tbirds are Tbirds


Jazz Basses are Jazz basses…


Fwiw I enjoy both.

 

[Cadillac_Mike]

I just think of Thunderbirds as having that Uber-woody tone...

 

[micguy]

A dual coil pickup (that senses each string's vibration at two points, not one) can never sound like a single coil - there's an upper mid notch (which can't be eq'd out, as it's different on every string) inherent in a dual coil pickup that takes away articulation - a Jazz will always "outsnap" a T bird when the tone is open.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Yep. Similar layout, and with my Epi Classic Pro it's the same nut width, though the fretboard radius might be a little flatter... But output is way hotter on the 'Bird- stock anyway. Ergos are obviously different.
But essentially they're very similar.
Just for throwing around...

A different take: Well, they both have four strings and two pickups and scale length. That's about where the similarities (intended and unintended) end. Their construction, concept and details could hardly be more different. That their amplified sounds could be compared in a ballpark way seems completely unintentional. Then again, people compare all kinds of things, including Precision Basses to Uprights on some basis of sound- however close or remote.

 

[Ellery]

To me the big difference is the jazz had an upper horn to attach the strap button. The bird does not which makes it less ergonomic for me. Everything else about the bird I love, but that is a biggie to me.

 

[Camaro69]

Tbird pickups in a jazz bass with fender string spacing. Love that

But Tbirds are cooler in every stylistic way

 

[ctmullins]

A dual coil pickup (that senses each string's vibration at two points, not one) can never sound like a single coil - there's an upper mid notch (which can't be eq'd out, as it's different on every string) inherent in a dual coil pickup that takes away articulation - a Jazz will always "outsnap" a T bird when the tone is open.

Well, except for the Thunderbirds equipped with sidewinders.

 

[Engle]

A dual coil pickup (that senses each string's vibration at two points, not one) can never sound like a single coil - there's an upper mid notch (which can't be eq'd out, as it's different on every string) inherent in a dual coil pickup that takes away articulation - a Jazz will always "outsnap" a T bird when the tone is open.

Yes, but I took my Epiphone Tbird Vintage Pro to a jazz jam and with the bridge pickup solo'ed, I managed a surprisingly convincing burpy JB tone.

 

[salmon256]

Someone told me something similar but it was about a dream build I have or some custom makers sell double p-bass pickups in some of their models.

Someone told me "A double p-bass pickups on a bass is like a jazz on some steroids bodybuilding hardcore" - I agree!

 

[ctmullins]

"Jazz on steroids" is a phrase that seems to get tossed around a lot.

One of my favorite "J-O-S" basses is the first-gen Peavey Foundation. A sleeker version of the recognizable F-style body, a 34" scale thin neck, and those fantastic Super Ferrite pickups.