Pickups epi thunderbird don't fit

[Gonzalo Sanchez]

Hey guys,

I was trying to upgrade pickups on an epi thunderbird I bought. I got the EMG TBCS/TBDC.

Took original pickups out, and went to put new in to find out they don't fit :/

Old pickup dimensions: 3.83 * 1.47
TB pickup: 3.75 * 1.64
(Measured with my e-caliper)

I look at the 35 (3.5 * 1.5) and 40 (4 * 1.5) series and seems they wouldn't fit either.

Any thoughts on what's going on? Are these epi pickups custom size? Is my only option to route the cavity? I guess the 35's would fit but not great, would probably need a ring...

 

[J Wilson]

This is why (IF you want a direct, unsolder/solder drop-in replacement), you must measure what's in there now, and compare it to what you are considering as a replacement, and you must measure length, width, height (how thick they are top to bottom), and where the mounting screws are located. And the mounting method: Wood screws, mounting ring with springs, whatever is in there originally. Can the replacements mount the same way, use the existing mounting method?

If you're a handy woodworker, or have a trusted repair person who can do it, then 'almost' can be made to work.

EMG publishes detailed dimensions for all of their pickups. Did you do a comparison as above ?

 

[Gonzalo Sanchez]

I don't mind going with regular soldered pickups. I went with EMGs because of the TB specific measures.

What other options are there?

 

[Gonzalo Sanchez]

I didn't measure before. I can return them to EMG.
But I have measured now and posting sizes now

 

[MCF]

Hey guys,

I was trying to upgrade pickups on an epi thunderbird I bought. I got the EMG TBCS/TBDC.

Took original pickups out, and went to put new in to find out they don't fit :/

Old pickup dimensions: 3.83 * 1.47
TB pickup: 3.75 * 1.64
(Measured with my e-caliper)

I look at the 35 (3.5 * 1.5) and 40 (4 * 1.5) series and seems they wouldn't fit either.

Any thoughts on what's going on? Are these epi pickups custom size? Is my only option to route the cavity? I guess the 35's would fit but not great, would probably need a ring...

Which Epi Thunderbird? A picture would help.

If it’s a standard IV:

 

[Gonzalo Sanchez]

It's this one. Epiphonee thunderbird E1

Thunderbird E1 Bass Guitar - Vintage Sunburst - Sweetwater

 

[Gonzalo Sanchez]

Thanks. Seems these shims would do the trick

Which Epi Thunderbird? A picture would help.

If it’s a standard IV:

 

[Dominic D]

I’ve got an Epi Explorer with the same pickups. I can confirm that they aren’t the same size as Gibson Thunderbird pickups. I haven’t found anyone who makes a direct replacement for them.

 

[Engle]

Yes, the Epi pickups in the Tbird E1 are an odd size.
These are a direct fit:
Thunderbird Bass for Original Epiphone,With Gibson Thunderbi
But I don't know if anybody in the Thunderbird Club has tried them.

 

[Gonzalo Sanchez]

Thanks. I've decided I'll go the 35csx and 35dcx route. I measured and they should fit in the cavity, albeit a bit too small. I found (and measured) I can use 8 string humbucker pickup rings as the inside matches the 35s. We'll see how it goes. Added benefit I can now get the x series.

The shims shared above I was worried that the pickup would end up too tall. Current pickup peaks by 0.4 inches and EMGs are 0.85 tall. I think those are thinner. Also you have no height adjustment.

 

[LHbassist]

I'd keep the EMG's and have the routs enlarged by a competent Luthier. I have a lefty Gibson Thunderbird, and I put in EMG TBJ pickups with a master volume, blend, and a BTC control. The bass sounds SO much better than stock, its amazing.

 

[Gonzalo Sanchez]

Yeah. I'm still going emg. But I'll put the 35dcx instead of the tbdc. It's small enough to fit in current route, a bit too small, so I found a ring to cover the excess. This way I don't have to route the bass and can have the upgrade x preamp