Epiphone Thunderbird or Jazz Bass?

[Zipy139]

Hey guess, sorry if this's already been asked; if it has I haven't found it.

I got a Epi Thunderbird last year as my first decent bass, but I'm finding it's not particularly to my liking, particularly for slap, which is something I'm moving into.

I'm think that trading it for a Fender Jazz might be a good idea, and was wondering what people on here might think.
Does anyone have a preference of the two, and if so, why? If there's anyone who doesn't think switching is a good idea, do you have any advice on adjusting tone on the Thunderbird?
Finally, what sort of model of Jazz bass do people think would be a good swap?

Thanks,
James

 

[1stnamebassist]

Any of the jazz basses would be better for slap. Get whatever one you can afford. The Squier Vintage modified or Classic vibes, a MIM, American. Their all good.

 

[Bassic Playing]

I prefer the Thunderbird but I wouldn't bother with it as a slap bass. A jazz will serve you better.

What is it about the thunderbird tone you dont like?

 

[Zipy139]

I prefer the Thunderbird but I wouldn't bother with it as a slap bass. A jazz will serve you better.

What is it about the thunderbird tone you dont like?

I find it has a very metallic sounding tone, when it comes to slapping that is
I don't mind the tone for basic fingerstyle, but I feel like a jazz could give me a decent tone in that regard as well

 

[Malak the Mad]

I find it has a very metallic sounding tone, when it comes to slapping that is
I don't mind the tone for basic fingerstyle, but I feel like a jazz could give me a decent tone in that regard as well

That could also be a reflection of the strings you're using. Are you currently using stainless steel strings? If so, I'd suggest trying a set of nickels first. Then again, I almost always recommend a string-change before selling/trading a bass. It's one of the least drastic or expensive ways to alter the tone of an instrument. I know it's kept me from selling off an under-performing bass once or twice.

If I may make an alternate suggestion…I'm guessing you want something with more "beefiness", as opposed to a lot of "grind", to it's sound? If I'm wrong, go for a straight-up Jazz. With the right strings, they are growl-machines. But if you want a bit more punch to it, I'd say look into a Fender Blacktop Jazz.

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Basically, it's a Fender Standard Jazz bass, but with a pair of Precision pickups and a high-mass bridge instead. I gotta tell ya, these are beastly instruments…easily the most powerful, passive basses I've ever had the chance to own. And yet, if I want to get a more "mellow" sound, I just roll-off the bridge pickup and adjust the tone.

Here's a sound clip cut by a fellow TB'er. Mind you, he's a pick-player, so the attack is a bit sharper, but you can still get the gist. Oh, and dig that sustain!

 

[Zipy139]

Thanks Malak
The strings I'm currently using are DR Marcus Miller strings; I'll try out some D'Addario Nickel's
I'm thinking that the regular Jazz Bass will be the one for me; that growl's the sort of thing I'm looking for currently, and that slap tone in particular is what I'm after
If you could describe it, how would you expect Nickelwounds to affect the slap/pop tone?

 

[1stnamebassist]

The Sire Marcus Miller is supposed to be a very nice Jazz bass at a very reasonable price you may want to check out also.

 

[Zipy139]

Thanks
I'm thinking that the Fender 70s Jazz Bass might be a good option to consider
anybody got experience with one of these?

 

[Jughead6]

Seems there are about a million different "sub-genres" of slap, using all sorts of basses other than Jazz-style basses. So it might help if you posted examples of the sort of slap tone you are after e.g. Larry Graham, Flea, Vic Wooten, Mark King etc.

For example, I like John Taylor's style and as far as I know he has never played a Jazz bass - I am sure someone will correct me

 

[Zipy139]

Yeah that's a good point, thanks
Flea would be the first influence to come to mind, as he's the first slap player I consciously listened to. I'm aware he also uses Stringrays, but I've always preferred the tone of Jazz Bass to a Stringray.
Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller are probably the two other slap players I listen to most.
The sort of tone I'm imagining is a throaty, woody sort of tone, I think the sound Flea gets on Aeroplane would be the best example.

 

[winterburn69]

Seems there are about a million different "sub-genres" of slap, using all sorts of basses other than Jazz-style basses. So it might help if you posted examples of the sort of slap tone you are after e.g. Larry Graham, Flea, Vic Wooten, Mark King etc.

For example, I like John Taylor's style and as far as I know he has never played a Jazz bass - I am sure someone will correct me

I'm a huge fan of JT, and as far as I know, he's never used a Jazz. The bass solo in The Valley is probably my favorite moment of JT slap.

As for a Jazz; I'd look into finding a MIJ Geddy Lee Jazz. And since you like Marcus Miller, maybe look into a Fender Marcus Miller Jazz bass? they're are apparently also quite good, although I've never played one. Fender Japan made some great instruments.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Thanks Malak
The strings I'm currently using are DR Marcus Miller strings; I'll try out some D'Addario Nickel's
I'm thinking that the regular Jazz Bass will be the one for me; that growl's the sort of thing I'm looking for currently, and that slap tone in particular is what I'm after
If you could describe it, how would you expect Nickelwounds to affect the slap/pop tone?

I was about to recommend you try out a set of Ernie Ball Cobalts to get some serious growl, but then you posted this…

Thanks
I'm thinking that the Fender 70s Jazz Bass might be a good option to consider
anybody got experience with one of these?

…which makes me ask the question, "You mean like this one I scored a couple of years ago?".

So instead, I'll make an alternate suggestion on the "strings-front", give a little hands-on experience and then thank you mightily!

1. Strings: D'Addario FlexSteels! On the pic above, I have a set of DR Black Beauties on it…not just because I had a set laying around, but they look Cool as Hell! (not too bad a string-set either, but anyway…) I think they might be D'Addario's answer to EB's Cobalts. They aren't as shiny-lookin' as most strings and they kick the "aggressive tone" up a notch. Plus, their inherent lower-tension makes them excellent for slappin' & poppin…or at least, they do for me.
2. Hands-On Experience: My Fender Classic Series '70s Jazz was a fantastic bass. Quality-wise, it's near the top of the MIM food chain. Mine hit all three of my main criterium…looked great, felt great and sounded great! Fun little fact; they use the same bodies as the MIM Geddy Lee-sigs. The differences between the two are the neck, bridge and possibly the pickups. Sadly, I had to sell some gear earlier this year, so the body went "bye-bye", but I insisted on keeping that oh-so-awesome neck (it's ergonomics and esthetics were the big selling point for me). Which leads to…
3. My Daily Dose of Irony!: What's ironic and funny is that right after I recommended the Blacktop Jazz, you brought up the '70s Classic Jazz. One other bit o' gear I sold around the same time was the neck from my BT-J. Now they live "so happy together" as my "Classic '70s Blacktop Jazz". So, thank you for that delicious dose of unexpected irony!

 

[Osztertag2112]

Thanks
I'm thinking that the Fender 70s Jazz Bass might be a good option to consider
anybody got experience with one of these?

Yup they are the perfect slap bass. With a set of rounds on it, it gets that perfect slap sound. I dont slap much and I've got flats on mine and I love it. Fit and finish is great. You cant go wrong with one of these!

 

[Malak the Mad]

Yup they are the perfect slap bass. With a set of rounds on it, it gets that perfect slap sound. I dont slap much and I've got flats on mine and I love it. Fit and finish is great. You cant go wrong with one of these!

Hey, Big-O! Long time, no see.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of flats are you using? My first-ever strings were D'Addario Chromes (ECB81's, .45-.100). I could do a fair bit of slappin' da baahs on them, but I get the impression that not all are very good for it.

 

[Zipy139]

nice to hear that's a good bass; got such a lovely look that I knew I'd end up with one eventually
any sort of strings that anyone might recommend?
Perhaps, DR High Beams or Marcus Miller's?
Or those nickel ones that somebody else suggested?
I reckon the Aguilar 4J-70's would give that bass an amazing sound, thoughts?

 

[Malak the Mad]

nice to hear that's a good bass; got such a lovely look that I knew I'd end up with one eventually
any sort of strings that anyone might recommend?
Perhaps, DR High Beams or Marcus Miller's?
Or those nickel ones that somebody else suggested?
I reckon the Aguilar 4J-70's would give that bass an amazing sound, thoughts?

I've already made my string-based suggestions, but I just remembered a set of Elixir Coated Lights (.45-.100…do I see a trend here? ). I tried them out based a recommendation by my local guitar tech. They sounded great on a Classic Vibe Jazz I had and were quite capable of running the gamut from "mellow" to "growly".

As far as pickups go, if you get a stock '70s Classic, don't rush into replacing them. I believe they're an up-tick from the MIM Standard pups, and you just might be surprised by their qualities.

I'm gonna send you a Personal Message. I have a line on a used Classic '70s Jazz that's going for $500.

 

[Osztertag2112]

Hey, Big-O! Long time, no see.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of flats are you using? My first-ever strings were D'Addario Chromes (ECB81's, .45-.100). I could do a fair bit of slappin' da baahs on them, but I get the impression that not all are very good for it.

Hey! They are a set of La Bellas now (which I love). They arnt the best for slap, I jad some daddarios on before on those were better. I've also replaced the pickups with some diamarzios which are great. I little more mids and punch

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hey! They are a set of La Bellas now (which I love). They arnt the best for slap, I jad some daddarios on before on those were better. I've also replaced the pickups with some diamarzios which are great. I little more mids and punch

I agree. In fact, just last night I put a new set on my travel/beater bass. Sure enough, just enough "twang" to get a bit of slappin' going…way better at it than the DR "Legends" flats they previously had.