Affordable five-string Thunderbird alternative

Cataldo basses.

From what I understand they are built amazingly well. I use the thunderbucker pickups in my thunderbird and they nail the 66 tbird tone.

IMO the eb5 sounds nothing like a thunderbird

 

The Lulls come up used from time to time, I have an average of $2,000 into the two I have.

 

I don't mean to be a dick, but it says in your profile that you are a Mike Lull endorsing artist. Do you actually get anything from him? What is the use of an endorsement, if you don't see any benefit?

As to Cataldo, there are a couple of users here on TB, who will give you an honest opinion. Check the Thunderbird thread. I have a 2000 Gibson Thunderbird Studio V. I got mine for $800. After a bit of upgrading this thing kills it! They come up every so often, but you gotta jump because they don't last.

 

$800 is a great price on a Studio V. How long ago was that? I have seen them selling for a lot more recently.
But even at the price they are selling for (if you can find one) they are a lot less than a Lull.

 

$800 is a great price on a Studio V. How long ago was that? I have seen them selling for a lot more recently.
But even at the price they are selling for (if you can find one) they are a lot less than a Lull.

I got my Thunderbird in 2010, I think. I thought $800 was a great deal, as well. It is a high-miler, however. I've not seen one for less than $1500 since I got mine. I've been offered $1500 or more on several occasions, but have passed. Since, I've added Thunderbucker Ranch '66 5 string pickups and an Aguilar OBP-1 preamp. It still retains the signature T-Bird sound, but I can dial up some pretty cool sounds with a twist of a knob.

 

How much are you looking to spend? Is used an option?

 

find five string bass which feels great to play and then insert thunderbucker ranch 5 string pickups here

 

I have both a 50th anniversary Thunderbird and a Spector Rex5 Pro. They sound very similar and the Rex does have the Tbird type shape as well. From a sound standpoint, the Rex sounds slightly fuller/richer and has hotter pickups but so far I've been able to easily adjust the Rex to sound like the Tbird. Both can go from deep dub to glassy sheen or from creamy smooth to full on growl with a twist of the tone and pickup knobs. My Tbird is a 4 string and the Rex is a fiver so the Rex weighs more but I suspect if they were both 5 string basses they would be within a pound of each other. My bird doesn't neck dive at all, the Rex likes to balance at around a 2:00 position but its not much of a diver.

I just got my 50th anniversary TBird a few weeks ago for about $1200 in mint condition. So there are plenty of bird options out there if you can go used. If you can't find a bird you like in your price range I'd suggest picking up a used Spector Rex 5 Pro for about $600. For that price you get a relatively thin lightening fast neck, 3 ply maple neck through, solid maple body wings, EMG HZ pickups, EMG BT preamp, impeccable build quality and the best customer service in the industry.

Here's a pic of each one...
Tbird in Gold Bullion finish


Rex 5 Pro in Holoflash finish

 

I would look on the thunderbird club forum here for what you wanna hear. The whole shop seems to have skyrocketed in the past two years with better pickups and hardware.

 

^ FWIW, I prefer the Warwick Streamer STD basses. A bit older, and German made. You can usually find one for not much more than a rockbass. 5'ers are a bit harder to come by though, but if you can find one for under $600 it's a better bass.