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New 2021 Gibson NR Thunderbird!

#131
MCF said:
How would you compare the Lollars to the pickups in your '18?
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I got a 2018 and put Lollars in it but not because I didn't like the stock pickups I was just sick of black pickups and really like the chrome or whatever they're made out of ones. I actually got the Lollars before the bass arrived so didn't have much time with them but they sounded good, I think the stock pickups had a little more bottom, I kept them just in case. I ordered a sparkling burgundy non-reverse a few weeks ago from Sweetwater. I'm interested to see if they sound the same as the stock 2018 pickups sound.
 
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#134
MCF said:
How would you compare the Lollars to the pickups in your '18?
Click to expand...

I agree with @bobyoung53. I’d add that the Lollars gave me more clarity, extending the top-end to where I get I nice twang out of my Dunlop Super Bright Nickels when new.

Prior to putting them in, I was on a string search from day one. Once I installed the Lollars, I went back to “my strings”, and was happy.

I was constantly swapping between my P and J basses, among others, during gigs. We do a wide-range of classic rock stuff, including Rush. Since that pup swap, I find the TBird covers all the range I need.

And @mrperkolator, it’s my lightest bass at about 8 pounds, and not a neck diver. I do have the HipShot mini-clover leaves, just cause I liked them, which probably adds to the good balance.
 
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#135
Goatrope said:
I reached out to Gibson for intel regarding the pickups. Their reply:

“Hi,

This has ceramic pickups. Thanks!”

I was really hoping for the Alnico pups. I guess I’ll be putting Lollars in this one, too. :help:
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Crap, I was told for months they were alnico humbuckers. I did play play one and it sounded ok but I didn't really think the pickups sounded like alnico humbuckers.
 
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#136
godofthunder59 said:
Crap, I was told for months they were alnico humbuckers. I did play play one and it sounded ok but I didn't really think the pickups sounded like alnico humbuckers.
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Yeah, I heard that too. The guy I called (Vince) didn’t know, and said someone would find out and shoot me an email.

I didn’t get the feeling this was a definitive answer, but it was a bit disappointing. I have no issue swapping pups, but man, it’s a miss for Gibson. I still have hope they’re wrong or it’s still possible. I told them as much.

The one you played, it was this reissue, or the prior (2012?) ?
 
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#137
Goatrope said:
Yeah, I heard that too. The guy I called (Vince) didn’t know, and said someone would find out and shoot me an email.

I didn’t get the feeling this was a definitive answer, but it was a bit disappointing. I have no issue swapping pups, but man, it’s a miss for Gibson. I still have hope they’re wrong or it’s still possible. I told them as much.

The one you played, it was this reissue, or the prior (2012?) ?
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The 2021. Honestly I couldn't reconcile what I was told (alnico himbuckers) with what I was hearing. It perplexed me.
 
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#139
bobyoung53 said:
What's the difference in sound to you?
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Ceramic magnet TB Plus pickups are bass and mid heavy and clean. Alnico Humbuckers (60's spec pickups) have a treble zip and zing with mids and a fundamental but not overbearing low end plus a mild inherent distortion.
 
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