Hypercharged axe for a Thunderbird guy?

[tminus10]

Are the Fenderbird necks on Cataldoes and Lulls closer to Gibsons or Fenders? IIRC the first Fenderbirds were created because John entwistle likes the tone of His 'Birds but found their necks too small for Him! FWIW I have a VM J-bass with a pretty immaculate neck too, slightly chunkier (flatter on the back) than the 'Bird but still very fast and comfortable. I'd slightly prefer a more Gibson-like neck though.

I've had a Lullbird and the neck profile on mine was like a 60s Fender Jazz but with a 12" radius.

 

[TBird1958]

Production Gibson Thunderbird necks are very thin, thinner than any others mentioned, just do it right, use Lull pickups and some Hipshot tuners.

Either that, or just get a Lull. take it from someone who knows.

 

[RedVee]

Are the Fenderbird necks on Cataldoes and Lulls closer to Gibsons or Fenders? IIRC the first Fenderbirds were created because John entwistle likes the tone of His 'Birds but found their necks too small for Him! FWIW I have a VM J-bass with a pretty immaculate neck too, slightly chunkier (flatter on the back) than the 'Bird but still very fast and comfortable. I'd slightly prefer a more Gibson-like neck though.

I'm sure you could ask Cataldo if they would do you a J neck or mod something to be to your liking.

or just get a T-bird

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

First of all let me confess I'm a fan of Gibson basses. My main workhorse is a 2006? (Coral Pink edition) SG bass I bought NOS last year.

Spoiler: My long story and points of appeal

I tried a Thunderbird the other day, and immediately fell in love with its tone and, most importantly (though counterintuitive), ergonomics. It didn't neck dive. Hands down the most comfortable bass for sitdown playing I've ever lay my hands on. The fact that John Entwistle played a few of them didn't hurt either. I swore I'd buy it as soon as I saved up enough!
As I'm getting close to the money though I began thinking if I could get some more with the money. As I learn more from John Entwistle's playing I began to feel the limitation of only 20 frets. Admittedly though I mainly can only do a few strummin' on that high position, there's no way I can approach His melodics! But a few more frets to spare would be a good thing in my book.
Preferably I'd have alnico Thunderbuckers in there too. They seem to have a brighter, "angry piano" type of tone compared to the ceramic TB-Pluses. Granted, the Aguilar-Orange combo I played through wasn't the brightest amp in the world, but a J-bass cuts through fine (and no I ain't buying that; not enough midrange complexity or nearly as comfortable for me). My SG Bass has that angry piano bite as well, but at that cost why don't I go the whole hog.
I've gathered a few choices below:

• Epiphone Vintage Pro, probably the best plugged-in tone in a stock modern bass, but I prefer the Gibson wood, the sheer resonance of my SG can be felt as well as heard!;
• That Gibby, with a pair of Thunderbuckers, I can probably sell the original pups at a good price in my place;
• A vintage Gibby, probably cost prohibitive;
• A Cataldo, or Lull, not sure how the Fenderbird neck will feel;
• Sandberg, with the same concern, and not quite Thunderbucker(-compatible).

TL;DR my criteria:

• Lightweight, classic Thunderbird body shape with preferably the centre ridge;
• Absolute paper thin neck profile like the Gibby (THIS IS A MUST);
• Alnico Thunderbuckers (or similar midrange-rich sound, or compatible routing that I can retrofit later);
• Preferably 24-fret with a small cutoff at the treble horn for easy reach.

Thanks for any insights! Keep on rocking

Personally, i'd purchase an EPi ProIV and mod it. Not sure how to get that 24 fret neck without going custom or to a bolt on neck and moving the bridge?

Then there is neck dive.

 

[Guild B301]

I have two of the old 2010-11 Schecter Ultra Basses. I use them, when I don't want to take my vintage Thunderbirds out. They are super thin NeckThrough, center ridge, humbuckers, they feel good, sound good, look pretty good - and are fairly cheap.

 

[Iristone]

Thank you for all the information!
I'm probably gonna check them out in this order:

• Gibson Ripper
• Spector
• Schecter
• Dingwall

The Epiphone requires back order in my country. Lull and Cataldo I'll probably have to order direct. In the unlikely event that all else fails, I can fall back to a stock 'Bird.

 

[jd56hawk]

First of all let me confess I'm a fan of Gibson basses. My main workhorse is a 2006? (Coral Pink edition) SG bass I bought NOS last year.

Spoiler: My long story and points of appeal

I tried a Thunderbird the other day, and immediately fell in love with its tone and, most importantly (though counterintuitive), ergonomics. It didn't neck dive. Hands down the most comfortable bass for sitdown playing I've ever lay my hands on. The fact that John Entwistle played a few of them didn't hurt either. I swore I'd buy it as soon as I saved up enough!
As I'm getting close to the money though I began thinking if I could get some more with the money. As I learn more from John Entwistle's playing I began to feel the limitation of only 20 frets. Admittedly though I mainly can only do a few strummin' on that high position, there's no way I can approach His melodics! But a few more frets to spare would be a good thing in my book.
Preferably I'd have alnico Thunderbuckers in there too. They seem to have a brighter, "angry piano" type of tone compared to the ceramic TB-Pluses. Granted, the Aguilar-Orange combo I played through wasn't the brightest amp in the world, but a J-bass cuts through fine (and no I ain't buying that; not enough midrange complexity or nearly as comfortable for me). My SG Bass has that angry piano bite as well, but at that cost why don't I go the whole hog.
I've gathered a few choices below:

• Epiphone Vintage Pro, probably the best plugged-in tone in a stock modern bass, but I prefer the Gibson wood, the sheer resonance of my SG can be felt as well as heard!;
• That Gibby, with a pair of Thunderbuckers, I can probably sell the original pups at a good price in my place;
• A vintage Gibby, probably cost prohibitive;
• A Cataldo, or Lull, not sure how the Fenderbird neck will feel;
• Sandberg, with the same concern, and not quite Thunderbucker(-compatible).

TL;DR my criteria:

• Lightweight, classic Thunderbird body shape with preferably the centre ridge;
• Absolute paper thin neck profile like the Gibby (THIS IS A MUST);
• Alnico Thunderbuckers (or similar midrange-rich sound, or compatible routing that I can retrofit later);
• Preferably 24-fret with a small cutoff at the treble horn for easy reach.

Thanks for any insights! Keep on rocking

Reverend Thundergun...pretty much forgot all about Thunderbirds after buying this one.
Some of the best stock pickups made.
Looks good, sounds better.
Two new colors this year, too.
Oh yeah, access to those last few frets.

 

[Iristone]

There's a 2015 'Bird somewhere in my country for sale. I remember playing an EB with that pickup at Liverpool Music Experience and IIRC, I LOVED its tone! It's a bit cheaper than the newest model too. Another consideration.