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I saw this 2000's Longhorn re-issue and it's probably a fairly accurate rendition but look at this bridge. I micro-adjust my EB bridges as close as I can but this thing has a chunk of wood! How would you even adjust this?
I always wanted one but never got around to really checking them out. Maybe close really is good enough? Sweet looking bass!
I always wanted one but never got around to really checking them out. Maybe close really is good enough? Sweet looking bass!
- Jul 1, 2005
- 4,292
- 21,946
- 80
- Disclosures
- CataldoBasses: Designer/Builder ThunderBuckerPickups:Consultant
Made in Illinois, USA 1970s S.D. Curlee Ser #2800.
S. D. Curlee - Wikipedia
1/8" solid brass bridge and back plates.
Body influenced by the '59-60 EB 0. I did a major restoration on when I bought it about 12 years ago. Clear Nitro over Honduras Mahogany. Original DiMarzio P with a series parallel switch. 32.5" 24 fret scale. Pickup location gets that Mr. Big tone. Flats.
Before:
S. D. Curlee - Wikipedia
1/8" solid brass bridge and back plates.
Body influenced by the '59-60 EB 0. I did a major restoration on when I bought it about 12 years ago. Clear Nitro over Honduras Mahogany. Original DiMarzio P with a series parallel switch. 32.5" 24 fret scale. Pickup location gets that Mr. Big tone. Flats.
Before:
Awesome bass and refinish! What does the large back plate do? Is that a bolt on neck?Made in Illinois, USA 1970s S.D. Curlee Ser #2800.
S. D. Curlee - Wikipedia
1/8" solid brass bridge and back plates.
Body influenced by the '59-60 EB 0. I did a major restoration on when I bought it about 12 years ago. Clear Nitro over Honduras Mahogany. Original DiMarzio P with a series parallel switch. 32.5" 24 fret scale. Pickup location gets that Mr. Big tone. Flats.
Before:
- Jul 1, 2005
- 4,292
- 21,946
- 80
- Disclosures
- CataldoBasses: Designer/Builder ThunderBuckerPickups:Consultant
Thanks! Yes, bolt on. Neck extends almost to the end of the bridge.
Good point! Probably how the original bridges were adjusted. I'm so used to turning a few screws - I'm spoiled!
Anyone ever put a Thunderbird pickup into an EB? Aren't the pickups on SG basses basically TB pickups anyways?
I'm still mulling over what I want to do with neck pickup in my EB project. One option is putting another standard size humbucker in there. I started a thread over here about that.
looking for advice on pickup conversion
But I was also thinking of putting a Thunderbird pickup in there. I've looked at the measurements, and the pickup and ring would cover the mudbucker hole completely. It would require some routing, which of course is a non-reversible modification. So there's that.
But what do you guys think? Crazy? Or not crazy enough?
I'm still mulling over what I want to do with neck pickup in my EB project. One option is putting another standard size humbucker in there. I started a thread over here about that.
looking for advice on pickup conversion
But I was also thinking of putting a Thunderbird pickup in there. I've looked at the measurements, and the pickup and ring would cover the mudbucker hole completely. It would require some routing, which of course is a non-reversible modification. So there's that.
But what do you guys think? Crazy? Or not crazy enough?
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Anyone ever put a Thunderbird pickup into an EB?
I'm still mulling over what I want to do with neck pickup in my EB project. One option is putting another standard size humbucker in there. I started a thread over here about that.
looking for advice on pickup conversion
But I was also thinking of putting a Thunderbird pickup in there. I've looked at the measurements, and the pickup and ring would cover the mudbucker hole completely. It would require some routing, which of course is a non-reversible modification. So there's that.
But what do you guys think? Crazy? Or not crazy enough?
I have no doubt that you could pull that off and create a nice bass with that T-Bird pickup. I personally try to enjoy my efforts before I plow into changing anything unless I'm dissatisfied with the original results.
Sometimes you don't really know what you are trying to achieve until you do your 1st modification. I have a project car I'm restoring, and I had some mods I did and then stepped back and reviewed my original plans and proceeded to change the concept because it wasn't what I really wanted.
So to me it really boils down to are you happy and satisfied with your current mods? If not then change away!
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I know what you mean. My Starfire in my profile pic has undergone about 4 major phases of mods. Now it's perfect.
I'm VERY happy with the mods. It's the stuff I haven't modded yet that's the problem.
The neck pickup is the last piece of the puzzle. I've grown to hate the one in there now. I need to find an alternative for this project to approach final completion. That's where I'm at now.
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There is a sweet spot for the bridge where the intonation is fine. Even with a two octave neck. Many Dano enthusiasts prefer the wooden bridges to the adjustable metal bridges , they sound better. I replaced the adjustable bridge on my short scale DC bass with a wooden one.
The modern TB pickup is the pickup in the SG bass (under a mudbucker-sized cover). Accordingly, you could go to a store and try an SG bass and see how you like it. Me, I wasn't a fan at all of that pickup — I'm not big on ceramic pickups in general. For me, the sound was too smooth and too deep (I generally like a deep sound, but that pickup goes deeper than what seemed to sit right in the mix with other instruments to me). On the other hand, a number of guys here like the SG bass as is, and some even particularly cite that pickup as a positive, so it's clearly a matter of opinion. Gotta try it for yourself to knowAnyone ever put a Thunderbird pickup into an EB? Aren't the pickups on SG basses basically TB pickups anyways?
I'm still mulling over what I want to do with neck pickup in my EB project. One option is putting another standard size humbucker in there. I started a thread over here about that.
looking for advice on pickup conversion
But I was also thinking of putting a Thunderbird pickup in there. I've looked at the measurements, and the pickup and ring would cover the mudbucker hole completely. It would require some routing, which of course is a non-reversible modification. So there's that.
But what do you guys think? Crazy? Or not crazy enough?
It sounds to me like you would like a Pro 760(Epi)pup.Anyone ever put a Thunderbird pickup into an EB? Aren't the pickups on SG basses basically TB pickups anyways?
I'm still mulling over what I want to do with neck pickup in my EB project. One option is putting another standard size humbucker in there. I started a thread over here about that.
looking for advice on pickup conversion
But I was also thinking of putting a Thunderbird pickup in there. I've looked at the measurements, and the pickup and ring would cover the mudbucker hole completely. It would require some routing, which of course is a non-reversible modification. So there's that.
But what do you guys think? Crazy? Or not crazy enough?
Never too crazy when it comes to modding.Anyone ever put a Thunderbird pickup into an EB? Aren't the pickups on SG basses basically TB pickups anyways?
I'm still mulling over what I want to do with neck pickup in my EB project. One option is putting another standard size humbucker in there. I started a thread over here about that.
looking for advice on pickup conversion
But I was also thinking of putting a Thunderbird pickup in there. I've looked at the measurements, and the pickup and ring would cover the mudbucker hole completely. It would require some routing, which of course is a non-reversible modification. So there's that.
But what do you guys think? Crazy? Or not crazy enough?
Okay, I'm sure it's just me - but these 'Witch Basses' are so beautiful... I really want a dark VS600B to pair with my blond VS650B.
I have a bad case of Gas for a fretless one. And an SG style bass and a ...... And a .... But I have had the law layed down about buying stuff. I've had to turn into a tight @ss overnight
There's a screw on the underside of the wooden bridge so it can slide forward and back, as well as twist to find the "goldilocks" spot for intonation. IME you can get very close to dead-on intonation with that bridge, actually.
The problem isn't intonation - over time, because there isn't a support in the middle of the bridge, they sag toward the body and develop a sort of "reverse radius". I had a 90s Longhorn RI and I flattened the bridge plate by clamping it to my work bench for about a week, then reinstalled it with a block of wood supporting it to prevent it sagging again.
I didn't realize how adjustable these Longhorns really are but good to know about the body sag and adding a block to stabilize. I have a 70's 335 Univox with a wood/bone saddle bridge and you slide the bridge to intonate and twist the position slightly to dial it in. The old designs are pretty amazing in simplicity but they really do work.
Not this one but similar
Not this one but similar
Wow- I have never seen a Mudbucker in the mid position... is this a short run?... mid 70's?
