Thunderbird Club

[ThaCoast]

The '76 has "Sidewinders" where the coils are sideways instead of what we think of as vertical (apologies if you knew this). They are more tame than the '64 (or the '64 Epi Embassy). Not quite as big or punchy, but still sounds like a Thunderbird. Much more so than the modern Gibsons which are on any recent or current Gibson if you want the original sound. In part, this is due to having the pickups in the original (correct) locations. I've had TIs and Fender flats, which all sounded really good, but a few months ago I but some Roto 66s on it and that's the ticket for me. They at a little punch that is toned down a bit from the '64. Some do not like them at all because they are more polite sounding. If going for angry piano I can see that a little, but there's no reason at all why they can't do it. Maybe this would be the best way to say it: They sound like the 60s version but with the vol and tone set about 5 on each. That may give you the best idea.

As for the VPs: The VPs are brighter than either the '64 Thunderbird or the '64 Epi and the '76, all of those have a bigger sound to them. Whereas the VPs tend to lack a little on the bigness end and the '76 has more depth, but less natural aggressiveness. Meaning the VPs tend to be a little closer to the '60s than the '76 generally speaking. This is also due to the pickups being pretty close to being in the correct or original positions. Something Gibson seems to be unwilling to do to make the perfect modern Thunderbird (reverse or non-reverse).

Bigness: '60s have it. The 76 is kind of close, the VP lacks this a little.

Something special in the mids: 60s have it. The 76 toned down, the VPs have something pretty close to the original, but not exactly.

Highs: None of the above are crazy bright (using warm Ampeg tube heads), but the VPs are likely the brightest naturally, possibly because of the less present lows, maybe.

I hope that helps a little.

Thanks for the informative read! I think i'd still have the 76, if it can get pretty close to the 60's relatively, while still being its own thing.

I had a real problem finding 500K CTS pots with adequately long shafts for a through body application (control plate, no problem). I ended up going with the small Alpha pots which aren’t my favorite but work. The option would have been to forsner drill out half of the body thickness, but I felt that would weaken the pot area too much.
If you’ve found a source for long shaft 500K CTS pots that work with Tbird bodies I’d be very interested in a link.

Only long ones I found are the ones WillyW posted:





... they're huge though, 3/4" shaft; I was concerned about getting the electronics cover back on.

But, I'm hoping the short one will work; I modified the spot where it goes when I was first putting in the electrics a couple of years ago.

I've used these ones for a while now (in a couple of carve top guitars, as well as some home built basses with thicker flat tops). No seller affiliation, just thought i'd chime in my 2 cents. Might not be CTS branded, though they've not failed me thus far, are pretty solid, & the turn is smooth.

 

[PillO]

I like LetterKenny at times. And don’t forget about Kids in the Hall.

There have been good Canadian shows. I exaggerate. I loved KitH - truely innovative absurdist comedy or Super Dave Osbourne was hilarious, but not a scripted sit com or drama. The scripted shows I find to be... weak. But that is just one man's opinion.

 

[PhR75]

Thanks for the informative read! I think i'd still have the 76, if it can get pretty close to the 60's relatively

Pretty close. The neck pickup on those is closer to the neck compared to the 60's reverse. Not much but enough to change the sound even if it had 60's style pickups.

 

[Mike.C.]

I've only got three, but the VP is easily the diviest.

Hi, all. Hope everyone is doing ok in this crazy world.

After having my first-rum VP since what 2018 (?) I noticed that when I turn both volume knobs down I was still getting a tone. I took it to one shop and they said some wires were reversed somewhere but could not figure it out. I drove an hour to leave it with a luthier guru but have not heard back from him yet.

Anyone have this issue with either the VP, or any other bird?

 

[Count Bassie]

I'm pretty sure those are heavy duty KT-88's, same pinout as a 6550, 6L6's would probably burn up fast in that amp although they too have the same pinout.

KT-120s... I don't think 88s would need the extra transformer.

 

[GonePlaid]

Gotta wonder what the neckdive would be like on this. Double Neck Firebird Style Electric Guitar 12+6 Strings Solid Mahogany Body Neck | eBay

Or this:

 

[ThaCoast]

Gotta wonder what the neckdive would be like on this. Double Neck Firebird Style Electric Guitar 12+6 Strings Solid Mahogany Body Neck | eBay

Or this:

I'd imagine if the strap pin was moved to be in between both instruments, it might dive less (for the guitar). Your Firestorm thunderbird combo might be a different story.

 

[GonePlaid]

I'd imagine if the strap pin was moved to be in between both instruments, it might dive less (for the guitar). Your Firestorm thunderbird combo might be a different story.

I know I wouldn't want either one hanging on my somewhat arthritic old shoulder.

 

[Count Bassie]

I know I wouldn't want either one hanging on my somewhat arthritic old shoulder.

...or my worn-down-tendon-having shoulder...

 

[PhR75]

In the very first version of Todd Rundgren's Utopia Tony Sales played a same kind of doubleneck non-reverse. Rundgren used a doubleneck SG.
Could have been the same bass actually, in that pic it belongs to Julian Cope, right?

 

[GonePlaid]

In the very first version of Todd Rundgren's Utopia Tony Sales played a same kind of doubleneck non-reverse. Rundgren used a doubleneck SG.
Could have been the same bass actually, in that pic it belongs to Julian Cope, right?

Yes, and the article mentions/questions if it's the same bass.

 

[PhR75]

Yes, and the article mentions/questions if it's the same bass.

Yes, of course, now I remember. I recall reading that article and then sending them the photo I came across at one Rundgren forum:

 

[PhR75]

Tony has been swapped to Iggy here (just kidding) and the double neck to a normal P -bass (is that a bound transitional Jazz neck?) but what the heck is Todd playing? A doubleneck Flying V?

 

[GonePlaid]

Tony has been swapped to Iggy here (just kidding) and the double neck to a normal P -bass (is that a bound transitional Jazz neck?) but what the heck is Todd playing? A doubleneck Flying V?

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

Ok newbie T'bird owner question...Long Scale or Xtra long scale strings?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

 

[PillO]

Ok newbie T'bird owner question...Long Scale or Xtra long scale strings?

I've always used normal long scale (34") strings

 

[stlrocker]

Ok newbie T'bird owner question...Long Scale or Xtra long scale strings?

plain old long scale does it for me.

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

I've always used normal long scale (34") strings

Good the Rotosounds Nickles only come in Long Scale and I'm going to try those first.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The Hagstrom Swede is solid body LP style short scale while the Super Swede is a hollow body long scale.
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Thaaaat's right. Oops/