Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

This explanation (and the one about just repeating the 2012 NR pickup layout, if in fact they are the same) seem most plausible.

Keep in mind, the neck dimension changes, the headstock size changes, the bridge changes and the pickup design changes and you’ll quickly realize it isn’t going to sound exactly like a vintage bird regardless of where Gibby put the pickups. So with that in mind I suspect they just visually placed the pickups on the prototype where they thought they looked nice and balanced, then played it a bit a concluded “good enough”. And from just about all owner reports, the sound of the new NR is in fact “good enough” to be called a Tbird. Only a connoisseur of fine vintage birds will be keen enough to readily hear the difference between the new and vintage NR, and even then probably only if they have a vintage bird they can A/B it with. Those folks are few and far between, but a fair number of them are in this club, hence the difference spotted.

Totally old news I know.

Part of the goodness of old basses that we like so much is that they're old and aged.
Been taken care of, (some of them).
The wood has gone through the years in a good way.
Yes, you can reissue/recreate something. And to good standards.

I just don't think most "reissues" come close enough to really represent an original.

Unless you got some magical one off that really sings.

 

[RedVee]

Still a dummy in the bridge? I did that to my burgundy...

I should measure my DC pickup placement and see where I ended up

shouldn’t you measure before you put the pickup in?

 

[5StringBlues]

I find stainless rounds to have a midscoop. nickles dont.

If you like the SITs on the Jazz, I doubt you'll be disappointed with them on the Thunderbird. Plus they're inexpensive enough to risk it.

But, are you saying rounds are more scooped than flats? I thought it was the opposite. None of the rounds I like to use sound anywhere near scooped.

 

[JIO]

This explanation (and the one about just repeating the 2012 NR pickup layout, if in fact they are the same) seem most plausible.

Keep in mind, the neck dimension changes, the headstock size changes, the bridge changes and the pickup design changes and you’ll quickly realize it isn’t going to sound exactly like a vintage bird regardless of where Gibby put the pickups. So with that in mind I suspect they just visually placed the pickups on the prototype where they thought they looked nice and balanced, then played it a bit and concluded “good enough”. And from just about all owner reports, the sound of the new NR is in fact “good enough” to be called a Tbird. Only a connoisseur of fine vintage birds will be keen enough to readily hear the difference between the new and vintage NR, and even then probably only if they have a vintage bird they can A/B it with. Those folks are few and far between, but a fair number of them are in this club, hence the difference spotted.

When Fender employees bought the company back from CBS in '85 - the had to buy back '50's/'60s vintage basses/guitars to use as guides/examples when producing new product. That was the start of their "retro regurgitation" in the era of '50s nostalgia that was the '80s. It was a smart marketing move and got Fender back on its feet after CBS nearly destroyed their credibility.

 

[BklynKen]

I find stainless rounds to have a midscoop. nickles dont.

I've had a very different experience. Only stainless steel round I remember being very mid-scooped was the D'Addario Pro Steel. Ripped them right off. SIT Power Steel and RS66 I find have plenty of punch in that area.

 

[WillyW]

shouldn’t you measure before you put the pickup in?

It's already where it's gonna be, I just turn knobs on the amp if I don't like how it sounds.

And if Skunk don't like that, I just do what he says.

 

[BklynKen]

This explanation (and the one about just repeating the 2012 NR pickup layout, if in fact they are the same) seem most plausible.

Keep in mind, the neck dimension changes, the headstock size changes, the bridge changes and the pickup design changes and you’ll quickly realize it isn’t going to sound exactly like a vintage bird regardless of where Gibby put the pickups. So with that in mind I suspect they just visually placed the pickups on the prototype where they thought they looked nice and balanced, then played it a bit and concluded “good enough”. And from just about all owner reports, the sound of the new NR is in fact “good enough” to be called a Tbird. Only a connoisseur of fine vintage birds will be keen enough to readily hear the difference between the new and vintage NR, and even then probably only if they have a vintage bird they can A/B it with. Those folks are few and far between, but a fair number of them are in this club, hence the difference spotted.

Check this out.

 

[5StringBlues]

I can only go by my experience of buying a jazz bass back in the 90s and switching out rotosounds for what was on it. played that nite and never found the tone. nickle ever since.

I've had a very different experience. Only stainless steel round I remember being very mid-scooped was the D'Addario Pro Steel. Ripped them right off. SIT Power Steel and RS66 I find have plenty of punch in that area.

 

[5StringBlues]

Thinking back, it wasn't the punch department that was lacking in the mids, it was the fullness. But I think I was fighting a losing battle,scooped cab,2 pickups on on a j bass...

I can only go by my experience of buying a jazz bass back in the 90s and switching out rotosounds for what was on it. played that nite and never found the tone. nickle ever since.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Miss a couple days and there is a mountain to climb. Please point me to anything that's a must read, otherwise I'm not going to try to get caught up. It's been an exhausting two days. We were getting ready for church and my wife's sister called and said their mother was in cardiac arrest at home. I met them at the hospital, but there was nothing that could be done to save her after 20-30 minutes or so. It was unexpected and which adds to the shock. I feel so badly for Sandra and can't do a thing really. I told her I don't think I ever felt so helpless. All this as we were approaching the first anniversary of her dad's passing in June. I got along great with my MIL, so there's no regrets or bad blood there as is often the case. (Please no need to comment, we all know such things are a real challenge and feel for others who go through such a time. Pick up a Thunderbird and enjoy life while you can.)

I loved my in-laws as well. At least we knew their deaths were coming. We had only a couple weeks realization mom was going fast. That one was tougher. We got out there within a few days of hearing the news, spent a week, came home, and went back the next weekend for the funeral. Still better than completely unexpected.

After date night (qualifies as enjoying life!) I definitely will play a bird or two and think of y'all.

Commenters gotta comment.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Of course, I could always take an inch or two offa the HS. Or break it off completely...again.

Just put a hinge where the original break occurred.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The new and improved Shelby GT.

Theoretically distantly related to Shelby Cobras, the 1979 Mustang coupe is a perfect example of "new and deproved". Aside from the badge and the taillight concept (if not the implementation), there was nothing Mustang about it.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

...
I enjoy thinking about the thinking process (how a person--company in this case), arrives at a given conclusion. That's interesting...even fascinating, and at times completely baffling. I know with my work when I or someone mentions a change, I ask things like: "Why? For what purpose? What problem are we addressing? Is it a problem or a preference? Is it a fix or just a different or favored way or doing something?"...

This. This this this this.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I don't think there will ever be a truly accurate re-issue of any '60s Bird. They are beautiful instruments, but to expect them to recreate the frail headstock, the dodgy bridge etc........Won't happen.

Agreed, but ... you can improve what are clearly design defects without changing other things.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

When Fender employees bought the company back from CBS in '85 - the had to buy back '50's/'60s vintage basses/guitars to use as guides/examples when producing new product. That was the start of their "retro regurgitation" in the era of '50s nostalgia that was the '80s. It was a smart marketing move and got Fender back on its feet after CBS nearly destroyed their credibility.

I'm sure Gibson could borrow from the Gibson Garage if necessary.

 

[GBassNorth]

When Fender employees bought the company back from CBS in '85 - the had to buy back '50's/'60s vintage basses/guitars to use as guides/examples when producing new product. That was the start of their "retro regurgitation" in the era of '50s nostalgia that was the '80s. It was a smart marketing move and got Fender back on its feet after CBS nearly destroyed their credibility.

Interesting, I had never heard that before.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Not to change the subject, but speaking of weaknesses, one problem I have with my VP is with the bridge. The middle strings sit much higher than the outer strings, which means they are noticeably farther from the pickups and therefore noticeably quieter. I could file the saddles. Or swap the bridge (for what?) Or sell it as "RARE!" on ebay for a few grand, and then buy an early Bird (except for the fact I have no desire to be a conman.)

 

[dagrev]

If you like the SITs on the Jazz, I doubt you'll be disappointed with them on the Thunderbird. Plus they're inexpensive enough to risk it.

But, are you saying rounds are more scooped than flats? I thought it was the opposite. None of the rounds I like to use sound anywhere near scooped.

To me most flats sound more even in the freqs across the spectrum (not Chromes). Maybe that's a better way of putting it. To my ear, most rounds have lows, a specific mid freq that stands out (Boomers= Low mids, Rotos= mid to upper mids), but are not consistently full across the mids. It's really noticeable on a bass like a NR or modern Reverse or my 55 Pbass. Flats just seem to fill in better whereas most rounds seem to have big lows and something in the upper mids and highs. At least thats what I tend to hear. I'd love to use a good spectrum analyzer to have it visually represented what's going on.

 

[dagrev]

I've had a very different experience. Only stainless steel round I remember being very mid-scooped was the D'Addario Pro Steel. Ripped them right off. SIT Power Steel and RS66 I find have plenty of punch in that area.

My NR had D'As SS of some kind and they disappeared in a live setting. Confirming why I have never liked anything from D'A. I couldn't wait to get home and get those strings off. Can you please stop talking up the SITs? It's hard enough to keep a few of their options in a Reverb cart without clicking "Buy"! I think I'm going to have to at some point to satisfy my curiosity with more SS or even some NPS .

 

[dagrev]

Check this out.

This it going to be good with headphones!