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Active Gibson Thunderbird

N

ndrly

May 5, 2007
727
3
Melbourne, Australia
#1
Well, the Gibson Thunderbird seems to be the most popular of all Gibson basses. Might have heard the pickups aren't really that good, though.

If there was an active Thunderbird out there, I'd probably give that a go. I think maybe the Rex Brown Spector basses.

Is their anyone here who's upgraded their Thunderbirds with active circuitry?
 
#2
The TB Plus pickups in the Thunderbird IV are excellent, to my ears. I had a '96 one for a while and loved its tone with Rotos in the mix. They sound even better on the LP basses. They are quite hot and while not having the widest frequency of any PUP out there they are really rich in the mids and low mids and very ballsy.

You say 'might have heard' about them- have you actually heard the bass in person?

Why is active circuitry necessarily considered an upgrade?
 
#3
Never had any reason to 'upgrade' my T'bird.

The pick-ups rock, with a good range of sound. I use Rotosound strings too and while I bought this bass to use for Rock, when I am in the mood I'll pick it up and play it for any style.
 
#6
From Wikipedia...

"While the passive humbucker pickups give a deep, rich tone that is suited to rock, this tone is not typically desired for slapping and popping the strings. Although slapping is not used by every bassist, this choice of design causes the bass to lack some versatility."

Anyway, it seems that the Thunderbird is mainly a choice for the show-off musician. I've seen few Thunderbird players outside of the glam rock/shock rock/hair metal genre.
 
#8
ndrly said:
Anyway, it seems that the Thunderbird is mainly a choice for the show-off musician. I've seen few Thunderbird players outside of the glam rock/shock rock/hair metal genre.
Click to expand...

Streuth mate, that's a bit unfair! Sounds like you need a couple of coldies to chill out and stop the slagging! Don't tell me - you must support the Bombers!
 
#11
Mahogany will "slap" darker and be more of a challenge to make sound "proper" for some. It can be done with the right eq, amp, and speakers...oh, and technique.
The EpiBirds are more suited to slap due to their design, materials, and construction.

The slag is similar to someone saying they've never seen a Fender outside of a slap-happy disco freak band. I'M JOKING but also trying to make a point.
 
#15
ndrly said:
Anyway, it seems that the Thunderbird is mainly a choice for the show-off musician. I've seen few Thunderbird players outside of the glam rock/shock rock/hair metal genre.
Click to expand...

I played one of my '76 Bicentennial Tbirds in a country band, and even recorded country with it. I play it now with a hard rock band and a roots rock band. It isn't just a rock bass (although that is where it is at its best). I'm not a "show-off musician" by any means. I'm a middle aged groove player that doesn't jump around or dress flamboyantly at all, and I've had short hair for the last decade. I've never played shock rock, glam rock, or hair metal.

The picture was taken in the studio recording with the country band in 1999.
 
#16
ndrly said:
Anyway, it seems that the Thunderbird is mainly a choice for the show-off musician. I've seen few Thunderbird players outside of the glam rock/shock rock/hair metal genre.
Click to expand...

Where do you get this stuff? It would be insulting if it wasn't so silly, and just plain wrong.

And opinions like the one you quoted from Wikipedia should be taken for what they are: one person's opinion.
 
#19
ndrly said:
What are the Bombers?
Click to expand...

Way off thread, but the Bombers are an Aussie Rules Football team. A bit like the Dallas Cowboys you either love them or its the team you love to hate!

Getting back on thread, it was my response to the 'show off musician' quote from ndrly. Like Showdown I'm no show off musician' by any means! I'm a thirty-something classically trained bassist playing mostly pop rock in a band and my fellow band mates actually 'miss' my T'Bird when I don't bring it to a gig! Foot on the monitor and stuck in your crotch it is a show off, but played normally it is a great bass for setting a monster groove with the drums!
 

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