Thunderbird Club Pt III

[ThaCoast]

I think the single-pickup T-bird II's with only two knobs look so much cooler than the two-pickup IV's - I love the simplicity. Too bad Gibson hasn't made a T-bird II in a reeeeally long time.

Only thing is, if ever gibson reissued it, it wouldn't be the same. I'm pretty sure it'd have black hardware, black single pup, it's be i guess like the burny, minus the stringthrough, the bridge pup and volume knob.

Sound-wise, I had mine rewired so that the neck pickup is always 100% on, and the old neck pickup volume knob is now a master volume. I usually keep the bridge pickup turned about halfway up, but I'm pretty sure I could do without it.

Awesome, so does that mean the neck volume control is useless?

 

[ThaCoast]

Okay well since i'm moving the jack to the bottom of my bass soon just like on a gibson, and i have a telecaster style jack plate (one dug into the body) should i replace the original stock epiphone jack output with a new one or not?

If i do, what should i get? Keep in mind, it's an epiphone and the pots are 500K each.

 

[2nd Wind]

Just got my Christmas present. Long story short, the local store couldn't get Epis anymore (told me after 2 months of having my money) so MF had a $100 off and also for St. Paddy's Day 14% more off and I ordered.

 

[DuoSonicII]

Only thing is, if ever gibson reissued it, it wouldn't be the same. I'm pretty sure it'd have black hardware, black single pup....

Yeah, true. Though I like the black hardware on either a white or black bass. And I love the current black pickups sonically, if not always aesthetically.

Awesome, so does that mean the neck volume control is useless?

Not useless - just repurposed. The three knobs from pickguard side to tail are: master volume, bridge pickup volume, tone. It's like having a blend control, except the neck pickup is always full-on in the blend, and I just control how much bridge pickup to mix in. Make sense?

My main gripe with the standard T-bird/J-bass setup is that you can't just grab one knob and change the overall volume (or mute the bass if necessary) on the fly...this new setup changes that.

 

[juankidiaz]

Just got my Christmas present. Long story short, the local store couldn't get Epis anymore (told me after 2 months of having my money) so MF had a $100 off and also for St. Paddy's Day 14% more off and I ordered.

congrats! you did end up with a better bass in the end

how much did you initially want to spend and how much did you end up spending if you don't mind me asking

 

[ThaCoast]

Yeah, true. Though I like the black hardware on either a white or black bass. And I love the current black pickups sonically, if not always aesthetically.

i have nothing against the black hardware, just like if they did it, it would be cool to have that 2 point bridge/tailpiece combo, i guess, if you want classic look:the larger headstock with the tuning keys clover style, and a pickup ring around. Anyway my two cents on it xd

Not useless - just repurposed. The three knobs from pickguard side to tail are: master volume, bridge pickup volume, tone. It's like having a blend control, except the neck pickup is always full-on in the blend, and I just control how much bridge pickup to mix in. Make sense?

My main gripe with the standard T-bird/J-bass setup is that you can't just grab one knob and change the overall volume (or mute the bass if necessary) on the fly...this new setup changes that.

I get it.

 

[2nd Wind]

congrats! you did end up with a better bass in the end

how much did you initially want to spend and how much did you end up spending if you don't mind me asking

Thanks! I spent more time with it after a cursory setup this noon but it still needs attention.

I was willing to go the $499 normal selling price for the Bird and the $97.90 for the case. I got both shipped for $446, so quite a deal.

I'm just getting used to the dual action truss rod in this. I'm used to Rickenbacker's two rods or Fender's one compression rod.

Got to get a good set of files for the nut slots too - too high from the factory.

 

[TBird1958]

Thanks! I spent more time with it after a cursory setup this noon but it still needs attention.

I was willing to go the $499 normal selling price for the Bird and the $97.90 for the case. I got both shipped for $446, so quite a deal.

I'm just getting used to the dual action truss rod in this. I'm used to Rickenbacker's two rods or Fender's one compression rod.

Got to get a good set of files for the nut slots too - too high from the factory.

Great deal on a beautiful bass!

Let us know what you think as you get it set up. Meantime, welcome here 2nd Wind you're #236.


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[juankidiaz]

Thanks! I spent more time with it after a cursory setup this noon but it still needs attention.

I was willing to go the $499 normal selling price for the Bird and the $97.90 for the case. I got both shipped for $446, so quite a deal.

I'm just getting used to the dual action truss rod in this. I'm used to Rickenbacker's two rods or Fender's one compression rod.

Got to get a good set of files for the nut slots too - too high from the factory.

WOW. That's amazing man! what a deal

Now it's your duty to enjoy it as much as you can

Welcome to the TB family

 

[TBird1958]

Visiting Mike Lull's shop always turns up something cool!
Two JA T4's, one that's Ament's personal bass and another awaiting a PG.

 

[cubanbass]

Lovely, oh how I wish I could drop by the Lull shop!

 

[TBird1958]

Lovely, oh how I wish I could drop by the Lull shop!

It's always a treat! Mike and Paul are great guys. Today I needed to have them get me a couple nickel pup covers and rings for my Burny (I brought it to show them too!) and to have them put together a quote for a new Thundderbird for me based on the Jeff Ament T-4. It's been a god day

Oh yeah, I got to meet a fellow TBer's and Lull devotee too, Bdgotoh (Brad) great guy!

 

[2nd Wind]

Great deal on a beautiful bass!

Let us know what you think as you get it set up. Meantime, welcome here 2nd Wind you're #236.

Thanks TBird!

The nut slots (or whole nut) needs lowering as the strings are too high off the first fret and the action remains quite high and resulting on notes lower on the fretboard being a bit sharp when fretted. I don't have nut files so I tapped at the nut to remove it and low-and-behold it appears to be brass. I didn't have enough time before work to attack the bottom with a flat file so that will have to wait for the weekend.

Other than that I am happy. Great sounds through my SVT-3 Pro and cab with 2 x 12" drivers. Comfortable feeling neck profile that tapers thin at the headstock like a Jazz bass does. It has higher action than I am used to but it is not making it difficult. Gotta keep the rechargeable 9V batteries charged up though. LOL

 

[2nd Wind]

WOW. That's amazing man! what a deal

Now it's your duty to enjoy it as much as you can

Welcome to the TB family

Thanks! That is the plan!

I just found the paper I'd written MF pricing on when I cancelled the order from the local store in early February and it was $509 with 15% off both the bass and the case. The bass was $499 at that time. Glad I hesitated.

 

[snowblinder]

SXSW live shot:

Link Removed

 

[snowblinder]

Super blurry weird live shot #2:

Link Removed

 

[stiles72]

SXSW live shot:

Link Removed

+1 for the curly cord

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Just got my Christmas present. Long story short, the local store couldn't get Epis anymore (told me after 2 months of having my money) so MF had a $100 off and also for St. Paddy's Day 14% more off and I ordered.

I got mine last year for Christmas. Its a 5 string version of what you got. It is one of my 4 birds...

I love this bass, put on the new stainless pickguard, and fret LED's, but otherwise it is stock and sounds awesome. The LED's really help out with my eyes on those dark stages.

 

[cubanbass]

SXSW live shot:

Love that white Tbird! I'm also rockin a curly cable. Here's a vid from one of our SXSW shows. Front pickup solo'd, action on the high side. Epi Silverburst w/ Thundertrons.

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Love that white Tbird! I'm also rockin a curly cable. Here's a vid from one of our SXSW shows. Front pickup solo'd, action on the high side. Epi Silverburst w/ Thundertrons.

My Pet Dragon - Moonshine - SXSW 2012 - Molotov - YouTube

I ran into one of the white T Birds at Guitar Center and just had to have it. So I added it to the Flock.. now its 3 Thunderbirds and a Buzzard...