Burny Thunderbird Review

[timmy66]

It sure looks great in Black!
Congratulations on the new bass, I'd agree with you on the pots and may at some point go ahead and change mine out as well - If nothing else it's a good learning exercise. My only gripe with the PG was that it didn't have a Bird logo of some kind on it, not a big deal but they could do something

Play that thing!

I have a design student friend who is willing to work up a bird graphic for me for the pick guard. It will be something typically Baltimore. I'll share when it's done.
Have you checked to see if the Burny guard matches Gibson or other basses in your collection? I'm curious in case I manage to screw mine up getting the graphic on.
I have every intention of playing that thing. That 'bird will debut Wednesday, the 9th at a signing event for my band.
Your 'bird knowledge was very helpful in getting the Burny. Thanks very much.

 

[TBird1958]

I'll check on the guard dimensions but I doubt there 'll be any crossover between any of the brands - Epi's sure don't fit Gibsons
Easy enough to make a new spare PG from .060 styrene as well, it might serve as a better starting point for your custom one.

BTW happy to hear you like the bass.

 

[timmy66]

Thanks for the tip on the styrene. I'll give it a try.
I finally had a chance to play the Burny-bird through an amp. I was able to test it through an SVT Classic and SVT810 with all of the tone shaping knobs at 12 o'clock.
It sounds modern but throaty. I was able to get a piano-like chime with some real depth and punch. I like a lot of top end "clang" and tight lows and this thing will do it as well as some other very useful tones. I'm sure the all-tube SVT was helpful but I was pleasantly surprised with the stock pickups and guts. No hums or pops to report, either.
I'll get to play through my practice rig tonight, an Ashdown Little Giant and a 2x10. If all goes well I will use it on a gig on Wednesday night through my Ampeg SVT2 and two Eden cabs.
So far, so good.

 

[mellowgerman]

Wow gorgeous bass! Thanks for the review. I was wondering about these. Also, lovin the look of the oversized headstock!

 

[Saint Rik]

I'm going to bump this thread and take me out of lurking. I'm going to take a dive for a white Burny TB-65 but ... I will need to replace the PU-covers for chrome to match the other hardware. Has anyone done this yet? Are the PUs compatible with TB PU-covers from let's say crazyparts.de? All advice greatly welcomed.

Cheers,
Rik

 

[ThaCoast]

I'm going to bump this thread and take me out of lurking. I'm going to take a dive for a white Burny TB-65 but ... I will need to replace the PU-covers for chrome to match the other hardware. Has anyone done this yet? Are the PUs compatible with TB PU-covers from let's say crazyparts.de? All advice greatly welcomed.

Cheers,
Rik

Ask the man himself..Tbird58 that is . he's done it as far as i know. message him or lurk the thunderbird forums. always great help.

 

[TBird1958]

I'm going to bump this thread and take me out of lurking. I'm going to take a dive for a white Burny TB-65 but ... I will need to replace the PU-covers for chrome to match the other hardware. Has anyone done this yet? Are the PUs compatible with TB PU-covers from let's say crazyparts.de? All advice greatly welcomed.

Cheers,
Rik

Here's mine with Mike Lull's Polished Nickel (not chrome) pick up covers, it's an easy project!

 

[Saint Rik]

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for the advice, I'm gonna go for it! Was it easy to strip the plastic from the stock pickups?

Cheers,
Rik

 

[TBird1958]

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for the advice, I'm gonna go for it! Was it easy to strip the plastic from the stock pickups?

Cheers,
Rik

Yes, very easy - about two minutes each with a pair of Xuron cutters. You'll need to drill a new mounting hole thru the pickup too. There's some pics somewhere......

 

[My name is Mudd]

Ya know, thanks to you and your amazing collection of 'birds, I now have GAS for a bass that I had not really thought of before.

 

[TBird1958]

Ya know, thanks to you and your amazing collection of 'birds, I now have GAS for a bass that I had not really thought of before.

Anything I can do to help

Here's some in process shots of the pickups, these are polished nickel ones from Mike Lull - Perfect match for the basses hardware.

 

[RexxRokket]

Anything I can do to help

Here's some in process shots of the pickups, these are polished nickel ones from Mike Lull - Perfect match for the basses hardware.

It looks good!. But could you compare it with a real Gibson?, im intrested about knowing it since you're the expert here =)