Ok no worries I only mentioned the Squire because I have a 62’ RI Jazz & am always looking for a backup I heard great things about the Classic Vibe model & yeah it seems very nice for only $379, RE: the Spector I have had no experience w/ them the SG Bass I’m guessing is 30” scale I would rather have a 34” Tbird then the 30” SG, if you buy a Epip Tbird what can you change? Well the pickguard, maybe better pots, jack, I do keep seeing Epiphone Tbird guts listed on ebay so someone is out there tarting them up w/ new electronics, if you want to drop in new pickups that’s going to cost you much more
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Ok no worries I only mentioned the Squire because I have a 62’ RI Jazz & am always looking for a backup I heard great things about the Classic Vibe model & yeah it seems very nice for only $379, RE: the Spector I have had no experience w/ them the SG Bass I’m guessing is 30” scale I would rather have a 34” Tbird then the 30” SG, if you buy a Epip Tbird what can you change? Well the pickguard, maybe better pots, jack, I do keep seeing Epiphone Tbird guts listed on ebay so someone is out there tarting them up w/ new electronics, if you want to drop in new pickups that’s going to cost you much more
What pots would you recommend? I'm looking to either switch out the tone pot for something a little more defined, or have 2 staked pots with a kill switch so that both pickups have individual volume AND tone.
Does anybody know if lace pickups are any good? i found some guy who's selling his thunderbird. I'm not buying it cause i dont have the money, but does anybody have any experience with lace pickups? here's a link to their website and can someone tell me which one would be a somewhat perfect fit into a thunderbird pickup cavity route in case anyone, including me, would like to switch stock with these thx Lace Music Products | Since 1979 - Lace Sensor electric guitar pickups, Alumitone, bass pickups, California Acoustic pickups - A pickup for any style of music.
I was looking at the Epiphone EB0/EB3 bridge pups, wondering if you guys know if they'd fit in an Epiphone Tbird without too much fuss?
I got dimessions from Phil at Allparts, wasn't sure if the length was too short? (3 11/16ths)
Is there somewhere that sells Epiphone TB Plus pups like the ones that come in custom shop Epi's, like the Silverbird?
I got dimessions from Phil at Allparts, wasn't sure if the length was too short? (3 11/16ths)
Is there somewhere that sells Epiphone TB Plus pups like the ones that come in custom shop Epi's, like the Silverbird?
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,252
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Thanks!It came with D'Addario strings, which really surprised me, thy're still on it, but after I put nickel covers on the pickups I'll change them out to either Ken Smith Rockmasters or DR's. In the clip I'm only using the neck pup and have the treble at 7-8. It's very fun to play live, surprisingly light.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,252
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,252
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Done, welcome here Chumbly you're #238, beautiful Epiphone Pro! Gig shots and questions are always welcome
TBird1958 #1
Godof Thunder59 #2
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lowend1 #69 Mopar or no car!
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finlover #240
Wow... And I thought I was going to be one of the last TB owners to join!
75 new members later the family keeps getting bigger and bigger!
Many thanks to our fearless skirt-wearing heel-rocking leader TBird1958
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
juankidiaz said:Wow... And I thought I was going to be one of the last TB owners to join!
75 new members later the family keeps getting bigger and bigger!
Many thanks to our fearless skirt-wearing heel-rocking leader TBird1958
You know, I was never even considering a T Bird until Mike Lull came out with his T4. Suddenly, I was absolutely intrigued by his pickups and the light weight to go along w Mike's reputation for quality. All the great info from TBird1958 sealed the deal! Now, it is one of my favorite basses I've ever owned!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,252
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Wow... And I thought I was going to be one of the last TB owners to join!
75 new members later the family keeps getting bigger and bigger!
Many thanks to our fearless skirt-wearing heel-rocking leader TBird1958
You're too kind!
It wouldn't be anything without all of you fine folks!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,252
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
A few weekends ago I dropped by my local GC because I was curious about Thunderbirds, which I've always admired but never played because I'd heard they were unwieldy and limited tonally. So I tried out an Epi 'bird and was surprised by how comfortable it was and that it actually sounded pretty good. Shortly thereafter I scored a LE white "Custom Shop" off ebay which felt even nicer than the one I had demo'd and had different pickups that were seriously hot compared to my Jazz basses.
Well it turns out that the Epi was the gateway drug for the real deal! After playing it in a band situation I quickly decided that I just had to have the Gibson. Now the standard tobacco burst is beautiful and classic but the cherry really spoke to me. I've always loved the look of Les Paul Jr.s and SGs with this finish. I got the last one Musician's Friend had.
Right out of the box I was blown away! Even the case is impressive with its lizard grain tolex and white plush interior. The padded leather handle feels like a Rolls Royce steering wheel (I imagine). Upon opening the case a sweet smell wafted out--a friend said it reminded him of a root beer float. Must be the lacquer I guess.
The mahogany through the transparent red is just gorgeous. The only finish flaw is some orange peel in the crease where the raised center part of the body meets the "wings". Our lead guitarist who works at Collings, a builder of really high-end guitars, said he could have it finish sanded and buffed out in these areas but it doesn't really bother me that much.
Some descriptions of this model list "casca preciosa", a type of South American rosewood, as the fingerboard wood, but the Gibson website says it's baked maple, which I had never heard of. Apparently Gibson has gotten into hot water recently over the supposedly illegal importation of Indian rosewood and has started using maple that has been heat treated. The resulting wood is very hard like ebony but lacks the open pores (and pretty grain) of rosewood. In any case it's dark brown and doesn't call attention to itself.
Being a retro guy, I was dead set on replacing the black hardware with nickel, but IMO the black is a nice complement to the cherry and matches the (admittedly ugly) pickups. Also I had planned to switch out the pickguard with a black one but I think the white offers a contrast to the dark finish.
One of my favorite things about this bass is its light weight--just a skosh under 8 lbs. This and the contour on the back of the body make it super comfortable strapped on. Thanks to the strap button on the neck heel the balance is perfect too.
Last night I tried the T-Bird out on a three hour vintage country gig and the whole band was floored, not only by its dramatic look but its incredible tone. I felt like I was playing a 9 pound sledge hammer with a velvet handle! The sound is HUGE with full, round notes and instant attack. Strung with flats there is a focus on the fundamental that I haven't experienced before. Despite the gloss finish, the neck is really fast and a little narrower than a J bass.
After 20 years of playing and owning some really nice basses I feel like I've finally found "the one". Aside from a few finish flaws I love everything about this bass. Okay, enough of my rambling, here are the pix. In honor of Mark and his Subaru, here are a few shots in front of my '59 Olds plus one with the rig, an Ampeg SVT-7 Pro and Pro Neo 410. Enjoy!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot--could I have a number?
Well it turns out that the Epi was the gateway drug for the real deal! After playing it in a band situation I quickly decided that I just had to have the Gibson. Now the standard tobacco burst is beautiful and classic but the cherry really spoke to me. I've always loved the look of Les Paul Jr.s and SGs with this finish. I got the last one Musician's Friend had.
Right out of the box I was blown away! Even the case is impressive with its lizard grain tolex and white plush interior. The padded leather handle feels like a Rolls Royce steering wheel (I imagine). Upon opening the case a sweet smell wafted out--a friend said it reminded him of a root beer float. Must be the lacquer I guess.
The mahogany through the transparent red is just gorgeous. The only finish flaw is some orange peel in the crease where the raised center part of the body meets the "wings". Our lead guitarist who works at Collings, a builder of really high-end guitars, said he could have it finish sanded and buffed out in these areas but it doesn't really bother me that much.
Some descriptions of this model list "casca preciosa", a type of South American rosewood, as the fingerboard wood, but the Gibson website says it's baked maple, which I had never heard of. Apparently Gibson has gotten into hot water recently over the supposedly illegal importation of Indian rosewood and has started using maple that has been heat treated. The resulting wood is very hard like ebony but lacks the open pores (and pretty grain) of rosewood. In any case it's dark brown and doesn't call attention to itself.
Being a retro guy, I was dead set on replacing the black hardware with nickel, but IMO the black is a nice complement to the cherry and matches the (admittedly ugly) pickups. Also I had planned to switch out the pickguard with a black one but I think the white offers a contrast to the dark finish.
One of my favorite things about this bass is its light weight--just a skosh under 8 lbs. This and the contour on the back of the body make it super comfortable strapped on. Thanks to the strap button on the neck heel the balance is perfect too.
Last night I tried the T-Bird out on a three hour vintage country gig and the whole band was floored, not only by its dramatic look but its incredible tone. I felt like I was playing a 9 pound sledge hammer with a velvet handle! The sound is HUGE with full, round notes and instant attack. Strung with flats there is a focus on the fundamental that I haven't experienced before. Despite the gloss finish, the neck is really fast and a little narrower than a J bass.
After 20 years of playing and owning some really nice basses I feel like I've finally found "the one". Aside from a few finish flaws I love everything about this bass. Okay, enough of my rambling, here are the pix. In honor of Mark and his Subaru, here are a few shots in front of my '59 Olds plus one with the rig, an Ampeg SVT-7 Pro and Pro Neo 410. Enjoy!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot--could I have a number?
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,252
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
WoW!!!!!
Thanks for letting me be a positive influence Greg!
Great to read your expieriences with both the Epi and Gibson, an open mind to trying something new takes you to a new place! I love the smell of a new Gibson bass as well, kind of like truffels to me.
Love the car, I used to have an old Cadillac myself.
#240 is all yours, thank you!
Thanks for letting me be a positive influence Greg!
Great to read your expieriences with both the Epi and Gibson, an open mind to trying something new takes you to a new place! I love the smell of a new Gibson bass as well, kind of like truffels to me.
Love the car, I used to have an old Cadillac myself.
#240 is all yours, thank you!
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