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Active Gibson Thunderbird
- Thread starter ndrly
- Start date
Don't. Feed. The. Troll.
If you are lucky enough, and cool enough, to own such a classic piece of guitar/bass design history as a Gibson Thunderbird, you clearly don't need to defend your (obviously) discerning taste in any way, shape or form.
-Mark
An active T Bird is like a solid state Marshall. Completely missing the point.
Do not expect to slap on 'em. It's got nothing to do with the pickups, they just don't swing that way.
And Roscoe can't make you a Thunderbird, they can only make you a Thunderbird shaped bass. Please folks, don't blur the line here.
Do not expect to slap on 'em. It's got nothing to do with the pickups, they just don't swing that way.
And Roscoe can't make you a Thunderbird, they can only make you a Thunderbird shaped bass. Please folks, don't blur the line here.
Fair enough, I am getting a t-brid style roscoe. Haven't gotten any pics of it yet.
and it definitely will be different than a Gibson, very stoked about that.
and it definitely will be different than a Gibson, very stoked about that.
It will have to be very cool! No Roscoe slam, really. What is the plan, will it be neck through? Solid color or figured wood? I look forward to seeing it here.
- Apr 29, 2004
- 1,247
- 37
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses & Cort Basses
I've got a couple of superb Fernandes 'Spector-copy' Thunderbirds (non-reverse) from the early 90's. These are very rare and rock VERY hard! 
The first one is bolt on with passive pickups (about to be upgraded to active EMGs):
The second one is thru neck with a slightly reduced body and active pickups:
The first one is bolt on with passive pickups (about to be upgraded to active EMGs):
The second one is thru neck with a slightly reduced body and active pickups:
I've got no loyalty to Gibson, but there's nothing like a Gibson Thunderbird. Entirely unique sound, matched by none, and those pickups are bloody hot.
My SR5 took a backseat to it, and in fact I just traded (this morning) that SR5 for a Warwick Thumb BO 4, and even after giving that a go, I picked up the 'Bird and was "back home"
Great feeling, fast neck. Comfy weight. Great looks.
I can slap on it no problem, and it sounds better than many "modern" basses.
My SR5 took a backseat to it, and in fact I just traded (this morning) that SR5 for a Warwick Thumb BO 4, and even after giving that a go, I picked up the 'Bird and was "back home"
Great feeling, fast neck. Comfy weight. Great looks.
I can slap on it no problem, and it sounds better than many "modern" basses.
Ok, so this thing is done.
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you can slap on it all day long, and it sounds awesome, and feels like a slapper to. And those are big singles, true single coils, and the grind is serious, tones like the beginning of Dr Feelgood (not really my style, but the growl of certain Tool tunes is there as well).
I prefer this kind of neck, and couldn't really deal with a gibby, but some people don't like wide flat necks, so its all personal prefernce. Except for the fact that Gibson only offers one config, so no way to get what I wanted from them.
THAT is an active T-bird. Slag it for not being a Gibson all you want.
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you can slap on it all day long, and it sounds awesome, and feels like a slapper to. And those are big singles, true single coils, and the grind is serious, tones like the beginning of Dr Feelgood (not really my style, but the growl of certain Tool tunes is there as well).
I prefer this kind of neck, and couldn't really deal with a gibby, but some people don't like wide flat necks, so its all personal prefernce. Except for the fact that Gibson only offers one config, so no way to get what I wanted from them.
THAT is an active T-bird. Slag it for not being a Gibson all you want.
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The title says active, but the description doesn't mention anything of active electronics...
Simply a limited edition wood?
Invalid Link Removed
The title says active, but the description doesn't mention anything of active electronics...
Simply a limited edition wood?
Greetings from the North,
The Gibson Thunderbird is way more than a '1 Trick Pony'. And you don't have to have golden fingers to coax sounds that fit different genres. Just a nice set of rounds or flats. The pick ups don't need the extra juicing from a 9 volt or two. But if you wanna hotrod one...go ahead.
Back in the day I was a popity-pop gunslinger. And I did it with my TBird with no problems at all, and it sounded great. Tbirdbassist does a good demo in his post link to youtube earlier in this thread. If you like that thin brittle type of slap sound then look elsewhere.
Rezdog
The Gibson Thunderbird is way more than a '1 Trick Pony'. And you don't have to have golden fingers to coax sounds that fit different genres. Just a nice set of rounds or flats. The pick ups don't need the extra juicing from a 9 volt or two. But if you wanna hotrod one...go ahead.
Back in the day I was a popity-pop gunslinger. And I did it with my TBird with no problems at all, and it sounded great. Tbirdbassist does a good demo in his post link to youtube earlier in this thread. If you like that thin brittle type of slap sound then look elsewhere.
Rezdog
