Thunderbird Club Pt 6

[Dave W]

Somewhere in Pt 3 or 4 there's a shot of one guy's S/B finish that he chromed out with Thunderbuckers, a new 3 point and either Hipshot or Resolite tuners....

If anybody has spare time and feels like looking for it, it would be well appreciated! I'll be looking myself too...

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it. Here is the post (or at least a post with a chromed out SB finish):
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/thunderbird-club-pt-iii-836816/index4.html#post11950732

It looks awesome. I like it better with the chrome hardware vs. the black.

 

[BklynKen]

Wow, Manic Street Preachers. All I have from them is the Faster EP but it's awesome.

 

[TBird1958]

If anybody has spare time and feels like looking for it, it would be well appreciated! I'll be looking myself too...

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it. Here is the post (or at least a post with a chromed out SB finish):
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/thunderbird-club-pt-iii-836816/index4.html#post11950732

It looks awesome. I like it better with the chrome hardware vs. the black.

Yep, that's the one is was thinking of - modern bass with vintage looking/sounding parts, very cool.

 

[lomo]

For all bird fans, my brand new, 8.5 lb Lull T5 with no neck dive is FS:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/...rdseye-maple-white-guard-990142/#post14429483

 

[sigmundklaus]

My Thunderdog and my Thunderbird

This is my first T-Bird - and I am selling my other two basses to replace them with other T-Birds

it is Korean made with EMG 35DC pickups tuned to BEAD

....and there's my club membership number on the belly of the bird

 

[BklynKen]

What are are the specs on the volume/tone pots for replacement knobs? How many splines, etc. I'd like to find solid black metal ones if I can. I find the stock ones cheesy.

Thanks.

 

[Dave W]

So, what kind of tonal differences could I expect between the stock Gibby T Bird pickups vs. the Lull or Thunderbuckers? I don't have any complaints of the stock pickups yet, but I still may want to switch to all chrome HW. I don't really want to cut up the housing of the stock pickups to put a chrome cover on either.

 

[Scott Sauna]

I have an Epi T Bird and was wondering if getting new tuners would be a good idea? How much of an effect would this have on the neckdive if at all? Thanks!

 

[TBird1958]

So, what kind of tonal differences could I expect between the stock Gibby T Bird pickups vs. the Lull or Thunderbuckers? I don't have any complaints of the stock pickups yet, but I still may want to switch to all chrome HW. I don't really want to cut up the housing of the stock pickups to put a chrome cover on either.

Lulls and Thunderbuckers are both warm, growly pickups with a lot warmth in their tone. The terms "vintage" and "modern" come to mind. I like the stock Gibson pickups for tone - that's never been a problem, I just don't care for black hardware on what I think is a "classic" bass.

 

[Dadagoboi]

ThunderBuckers in a Thunderbird at Wembley Stadium, London. Summer 2013

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Dave W]

Lulls and Thunderbuckers are both warm, growly pickups with a lot warmth in their tone. The terms "vintage" and "modern" come to mind. I like the stock Gibson pickups for tone - that's never been a problem, I just don't care for black hardware on what I think is a "classic" bass.

So, somewhat similar to the stock Gibsons? I'm in the same boat, I don't particularly care for the black hardware on this bass. I mean...I like it (and usually prefer black to anything), but the chrome just looks sweet on these!

 

[Dave W]

And my last question...I think

If I went with Hipshot Ultralites on a Gibson T Bird, the clover style, are they a drop in replacement? Which size?

 

[BklynKen]

I finally got to play the Thunderbird with a band last night, what now seems to be my new band. Sounds awesome with my Darkglass B3K. And really fun to play. The guys loved the sound. I got blisters on my fingers, though, since it's been a while and I get a little aggressive. Ack.

 

[TBird1958]

And my last question...I think

If I went with Hipshot Ultralites on a Gibson T Bird, the clover style, are they a drop in replacement? Which size?

Yes and no

I've forgotten what dimension these were, IIRC I had to open up the holes for them tho. The more important thing is that when the tuners are all in a line they can slightly touch each other - not a common thing but, it does happen.

 

[RonChase]

Count me in just got a new one,it is my second one,I owned one about 7 years ago it was a 5 string with a P-bass and a J bass pickup.This new one has 2 Humbucker styled pickups and 4 strings.Oh I think it weighs over 100Lbs but its cool

 

[Dave W]

Yes and no

I've forgotten what dimension these were, IIRC I had to open up the holes for them tho. The more important thing is that when the tuners are all in a line they can slightly touch each other - not a common thing but, it does happen.

Yeah, I did read that. It seems like an easy enough fix with staggering them slightly on an arc.

 

[TBird1958]

Count me in just got a new one,it is my second one,I owned one about 7 years ago it was a 5 string with a P-bass and a J bass pickup.This new one has 2 Humbucker styled pickups and 4 strings.Oh I think it weighs over 100Lbs but its cool

Pics, we want pics!

 

[hillerup]

Just bought an additional used Epi Goth T-bird today, that I want to convert to a fretless...

The "new" bass is a real beater with a huge ding on the back and in need of a thorough cleaning.

What really strikes me about this bass and my other Goth T-bird,
is how different the build of these basses can be, even though they're only a few months apart and come from the same factory (jan. '09 & may '09).

The "new" bass is from may '09, and appears to have a slightly thinner neck at the first five frets - not something you can see, but it definitely feels different.

Also the "old" bird has a well defined beveled edge around the headstock, whereas the "new" bird has almost no beveled edge.

But the biggest difference is actually the weight difference:

"Old" bird weighs 4,4 kg / 9,7 pounds
"New bird weighs 3,7 kg / 8,16 pounds

Last but not least: even the pickguard and the TRC don't have screwholes that line up with each other.

 

[JonDark]

I've never owned a Thunderbird and always wanted one so when the classic IV came out with the neck-through/Gibson TB+ PU and in white, I couldn't resist

Although I'm having a vol output issue (go figure on my first bird)
I still love it and the build quality can't be beat at this price point.

Once I get this issue solved, I can't wait to blaze it's thunder at a gig. May i please have a number?

~Jon

 

[Nocturnal]

Just got this back from the shop about a week ago. Mid-90's Epi NR Tbird formerly in sunburst. The previous finish had huge chunks out of it and major dents. Had it refinished in bright white and had a black pearl pickguard made for it. I had already installed a Dimarzio Model P pickup and added an ABM type bridge. Need to switch out the knobs with some refelector top knobs and it will be finished. Plays and sounds great