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Show me your P Bass with Thunderbird pickups

*Beginner modder here*

What's the difference between T-Bird pickups and "Soapbar" pickups?
or is there a difference . . .

Also worth knowing that t-bird pickups vary pretty drastically. 3 basic categories prior to all the recent remakes (for a long time there were no aftermarket ones with the metal covers - other than Chandler in the 70's - but once these were available, many builders have made various versions).

1960s - these are thin from top to bottom and have 2 screw holes and blade "polepieces". Purportedly repurposed lapsteel pickups initially but hard to know if that's true. Late 60's ones tend to be wound hotter than earlier versions. These are one of my favorite bass pickups ever. Muscular and clear (not muddy or thin as so many other Gibson bass pickups tended to be).

1976-79 - sidewinders with 3 screw holes - fairly low output. Can sound good but different character.

1987 on - back to blade polepieces and 2 screws but totally different design. Much thicker and heavier than the 60's ones and, again, sound quite different. Quite a bit darker IMO.

I prefer the first version by a wide margin - and these are what most of the current aftermarket/boutique ones are based on as well as the Epiphone Vintage Pro/60s reissues.

EDIT: I should also mention that one thing that's nice with the blade design is string alignment with polepieces/string spacing is not an issue so long as the outer strings are still within the pickup's aperture (t-birds had slightly more narrow string spacing at the bridge than Fenders but the pickups will work fine with either - it would be more difficult in reverse).
 
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I did it to this MIM P, should have kept it.

IMG_7723.png
 
Also worth knowing that t-bird pickups vary pretty drastically. 3 basic categories prior to all the recent remakes (for a long time there were no aftermarket ones with the metal covers - other than Chandler in the 70's - but once these were available, many builders have made various versions).

1960s - these are thin from top to bottom and have 2 screw holes and blade "polepieces". Purportedly repurposed lapsteel pickups initially but hard to know if that's true. Late 60's ones tend to be wound hotter than earlier versions. These are one of my favorite bass pickups ever. Muscular and clear (not muddy or thin as so many other Gibson bass pickups tended to be).

1976-79 - sidewinders with 3 screw holes - fairly low output. Can sound good but different character.

1987 on - back to blade polepieces and 2 screws but totally different design. Much thicker and heavier than the 60's ones and, again, sound quite different. Quite a bit darker IMO.

I prefer the first version by a wide margin - and these are what most of the current aftermarket/boutique ones are based on as well as the Epiphone Vintage Pro/60s reissues.

EDIT: I should also mention that one thing that's nice with the blade design is string alignment with polepieces/string spacing is not an issue so long as the outer strings are still within the pickup's aperture (t-birds had slightly more narrow string spacing at the bridge than Fenders but the pickups will work fine with either - it would be more difficult in reverse).
Thanks for that as well :thumbsup:
 
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My Highway 1 is the same look, and that looks excellent!
Does the pickup ring fully cover the P bass route in the PG? Also, are the pickups thin enough that you can surface mount them without routing the body?
First off, that was about ten years ago so my memory is thin.
I found another pic. Looks like I routed the body and the pickup screws to it. The ring screws went into the guard. It was a Thunderbucker Ranch pickup.

IMG_7758.png


https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-mim-precision-with-thunderbucker-pickup.1055512/
 
First off, that was about ten years ago so my memory is thin.
I found another pic. Looks like I routed the body and the pickup screws to it. The ring screws went into the guard. It was a Thunderbucker Ranch pickup.

View attachment 5369115

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-mim-precision-with-thunderbucker-pickup.1055512/
Do you remember if you ordered a custom pickguard, or just mounted the ring over the existing?
I like the look without a pickup ring better, but if it means I don't have to order a custom PG it might be a wash...
Also looks like Thunderbucker Ranch no longer exists. :(
 
Do you remember if you ordered a custom pickguard, or just mounted the ring over the existing?
I like the look without a pickup ring better, but if it means I don't have to order a custom PG it might be a wash...
Also looks like Thunderbucker Ranch no longer exists. :(
In my for sale ad it says I ordered a blank guard and routed it myself.

For pickups, I’d lean towards getting a set of the Epiphone, Vintage pro classic 60’s I forget all the names but the chrome ones not the black ones, which are actually Gibson pickups, I think. I’m sure the Thunderbird club could help you there.
 
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Yes, Thunderbucker Ranch is no more. I have one of the pickups. Really good. Still, many good options now which didn't exist when he started.

The ones from Ey Guitar are crazy cheap and quite good. I think (but don't know for certain) that these are what Epiphone is using.
Thunderbird Bass Pickup Vintage Style for Gibson,Chrome/Nick
 
In my for sale ad it says I ordered a blank guard and routed it myself.

For pickups, I’d lean towards getting a set of the Epiphone, Vintage pro classic 60’s I forget all the names but the chrome ones not the black ones, which are actually Gibson pickups, I think. I’m sure the Thunderbird club could help you there.
Sorry I'll admit I only looked at the pictures :p.
Those Epiphone ones seem well liked, but some have mentioned that the uber cheap EY Pickups are actually really good too.

Edit: lol @Dynacord beat me to it.
 
I have a strat where everything about is tele except the body.
I’d like a strat with two Humbuckers and the standard strat pups too.

This thread is similar.
I love precision bodies and would love one of each with thunderbirds and J’s.

Boooooo offsets. They never stay on stands and add weight!

I like offsets so did the same with a J as well ;)

IMG_6262.JPG
 
I see that EYguitar is having a sale right now, so I might just order a single TB pickup with a ring... should I go for the 9k neck pickup or 10k bridge? :nailbiting:

Has anyone ever had any trouble with string-to-string volume issues using a flat TB pickup on a P? I'm pretty anal about fine tuning my pickup heights to keep things nice and even.
 
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I see that EYguitar is having a sale right now, so I might just order a single TB pickup with a ring... should I go for the 9k neck pickup or 10k bridge? :nailbiting:

Has anyone ever had any trouble with string-to-string volume issues using a flat TB pickup on a P? I'm pretty anal about fine tuning my pickup heights to keep things nice and even.

Just FYI they've been on that sale for the last couple years.
 
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