Double Thunderbird P Bass Thoughts?

[NKBassman]

I sold that bass 5+ years ago. IIRC it was one of the Gibson ceramics in the bridge and a Thunderbucker in the neck, which I swapped before selling with an Ey Guitar pickup; I recased the Thunderbucker with a black nickle cover and used it in this build:

View attachment 7461977

It looks further forward but pickup is in the P-bass position.

There are many good options on the pickups to choose from now. Still, my favorites of those I've tried are the ones in my '64 t-bird.

Thanks @Dynacord, that makes sense.
This is gorgeous, btw!

 

[Yodhan]

Well, most of the hardware work is done. Going to order a blank pickguard because the stock P pickup hole is peaking out from the ring on this one. Tomorrow I am going to get it wired and strung up.

 

[Bent77]

Anyone who's done this as a retrofit on a Fender, have you noticed any issues with string-to-string balance caused by the radius of the strings over the neck VS the flat-top pickup?

Obvs on a typical split P you can adjust the pickup for each string individually, but I've had issues in the past on Jazz and similar basses where the E and G strings end up being noticeably hotter than the A and D strings due to the flat pickup.

Mine is balanced, maybe a string height thing? Using the eBay special EY pickups. They’re actually pretty decent

 

[silvaquas]

Curious as to why folks are choosing a P over a Jazz for their projects. I’m close to pulling the trigger on an MJT and doing something similar but I feel like the Jazz body makes more sense for the Tbird pickups (size, spacing, VVT knobs, etc.)… Am I off?

 

[Yodhan]

Curious as to why folks are choosing a P over a Jazz for their projects. I’m close to pulling the trigger on an MJT and doing something similar but I feel like the Jazz body makes more sense for the Tbird pickups (size, spacing, VVT knobs, etc.)… Am I off?

I would have done a Jazz bass if I had found a body that I liked. But I found this body and fell in love with it.

 

[Dynacord]

Curious as to why folks are choosing a P over a Jazz for their projects. I’m close to pulling the trigger on an MJT and doing something similar but I feel like the Jazz body makes more sense for the Tbird pickups (size, spacing, VVT knobs, etc.)… Am I off?

I think just personal preference. I used a P for mine as the paisleys were super cheap at the time. Stores couldn't give those away, but I liked them. I favor J's in general but just liked how the P came out better than the J I did. Dave Reimer did a really cool "Thunder Jazz" hybrid; Jazz Bass with mahogany neck and body and t-bird pickups as well as t-bird bridge and tailpiece (which really upped the cool factor IMO) and Gibson reflector knobs.

 

[Yodhan]

Got it wired and strung up. This bass RIPS! I am super happy with it.

 

[silvaquas]

Got it wired and strung up. This bass RIPS! I am super happy with it. View attachment 7467313

Looks great! Nice job.

Let’s hear it!

 

[NKBassman]

Got it wired and strung up. This bass RIPS! I am super happy with it. View attachment 7467313

Nice! I'm sure we'd all love a quick sound bite or video clip, if/when you have the means and opportunity.

 

[jdjk7]

Curious as to why folks are choosing a P over a Jazz for their projects. I’m close to pulling the trigger on an MJT and doing something similar but I feel like the Jazz body makes more sense for the Tbird pickups (size, spacing, VVT knobs, etc.)… Am I off?

I mean... I don't see how it makes any more sense than a P. They're both just pieces of wood in particular shapes. It's just a matter of what you're willing to route the wood for, and drill holes in the pickguard for.

FWIW, I would generally choose a P shape over a J shape because not all instrument stands like offset basses, whereas a P will fit on pretty much anything.

 

[Yodhan]

Nice! I'm sure we'd all love a quick sound bite or video clip, if/when you have the means and opportunity.

I’ll see what I can do. I am not the greatest player and can get a bit self conscious about my playing.

 

[NKBassman]

I’ll see what I can do. I am not the greatest player and can get a bit self conscious about my playing.

No worries, I get that .