Epi T-Bird pickup options

[BlueTalon]

Two or three screw holes - does it matter?

The screws screw into the body wood of the pickup cavity - no one will ever notice the difference...

If the screw mountings are not the same, then it's not a direct or drop-in replacement. The Gibson and Epiphone pickups not only have different mounting arrangements, they are different sizes. They are different pickups. The only thing they have in common is the shape of the bass they come out of (and the parent company, I suppose). If people want replacement pickups, they usually want something they can just plug right in.

Obviously, people are entitled to like whatever they like. If someone has an Epi T-bird with Epi pickups and they want the look of a Gibson T-bird, more power to 'em. But there's quite a bit more involved in making that particular switch than unscrewing & removing a pickup, then screwing in and rewiring the new pickup. And it's disingenuous to say or imply there's no difference in the process.

 

[hillerup]

If the screw mountings are not the same, then it's not a direct or drop-in replacement. The Gibson and Epiphone pickups not only have different mounting arrangements, they are different sizes. They are different pickups. The only thing they have in common is the shape of the bass they come out of (and the parent company, I suppose). If people want replacement pickups, they usually want something they can just plug right in.

Obviously, people are entitled to like whatever they like. If someone has an Epi T-bird with Epi pickups and they want the look of a Gibson T-bird, more power to 'em. But there's quite a bit more involved in making that particular switch than unscrewing & removing a pickup, then screwing in and rewiring the new pickup. And it's disingenuous to say or imply there's no difference in the process.

You know what - let's agree to disagree...

You're entitled to your opinion, and I am to mine, and I'm not here to have a pointless argument over this - I was merely giving suggestions to the question in hand, based on mine and other Thunderbird owners experience from the Thunderbird a Club.

I do very well know the differences between the various Epiphone models and the current Gibson model as I have 12 different Thunderbirds from them - So I don't need to be lectured about the differences.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Thanks folks, lots of good info to consider!

Is there a link to the Thunderbird club?

Btw, what are the differences between Epi T-Bird pickups and Gibsons in terms of magnet type, overall design and resistance?

 

[hillerup]

Thanks folks, lots of good info to consider!

Is there a link to the Thunderbird club?

Btw, what are the differences between Epi T-Bird pickups and Gibsons in terms of magnet type, overall design and resistance?

The link to the Thunderbird Club is here:

http://www.talkbass.com/index.php?threads/Thunderbird-Club.1056205/

The above link is actually part 8 of the club - you can find the other parts of you do some searching on TB.

There is also an old Epiphone Thunderbird Club thread, but that have merged with the current Thunderbird Club where all brands are welcome as long as they are Thunderbirds.

It's a great club with a lot of knowledgeable persons including several builders as well.

I don't know what the specific differences are between the two pickups, other than they look and sound slightly different to each other.

I like the sound of them both, and they're both pretty hot and I think they are both ceramic magnets with bar magnets.

You will able to get more detailed answers if you address your question to the club, though...

 

[Toptube]

FYI the vintage/reproduction pickups are alnico magnets with a somewhat unique overall design, as the final pickup is only like 2/3 inch thick. Yet they they have more balls and punch than anything I have ever tried, without sacrificing growl and clarity.


Also, be nice to each other you guys ok