Thunderbird Club

[godofthunder59]

A Care Package arrived today! Courtesy of our very own @godofthunder59 Scott Dasson.
It's a really nice House of Guitars hoody ( I'll bring it to the GTG) an HOG button and a great old book about model railroading that was written in '36 - Dark days of the hobby for sure, you had to make everything! Amazing how the love of this bass guitar brings all a bit closer. Best club ever. Thank you, Scott.

My pleasure! If the book said planes not train it would be sitting on my shelf but I instantly thought of you when I saw it! So while I was at it I thought and why not send some HOG swag? Everyone needs a HOG hoodie

 

[TBird1958]

My pleasure! If the book said planes not train it would be sitting on my shelf but I instantly thought of you when I saw it! So while I was at it I thought and why not send some HOG swag? Everyone needs a HOG hoodie

It's going to be a well travelled hoodie - Gets a trip to California next week!

 

[xsnrg27]

Soot Sparkle? Regardless of what they call it - it looks pretty bloody good!

Very Old Special ?

Vintage Original Specification... apparently the Vintage Original Spec (VOS) is Gibson Custom Shop’s passionate tribute to the guitar industry’s golden era. Following the traditional craftsmanship with the aid of modern technology, the Gibson Custom Shop faithfully reproduced the stunning looks, classic performance, and ground-shaking tones of the true vintage Gibson instruments. On this particular I think it has to do with the paint (Nitrocellulose Lacquer VOS [Vintage Patina]) and the 60s pickup placement.

 

[dagrev]

Vintage Original Specification... apparently the Vintage Original Spec (VOS) is Gibson Custom Shop’s passionate tribute to the guitar industry’s golden era. Following the traditional craftsmanship with the aid of modern technology, the Gibson Custom Shop faithfully reproduced the stunning looks, classic performance, and ground-shaking tones of the true vintage Gibson instruments. On this particular I think it has to do with the paint (Nitrocellulose Lacquer VOS [Vintage Patina]) and the 60s pickup placement.

Congrats! This is great and that last part is HUGE! I know I sound like a broken record, but why this isn't done for all for better tone (and it will have better tone like the 60s) is beyond me. Must have had academics come up such a novel bad idea. I will likely move my neck PU to the correct position one day.

 

[BklynKen]

Congrats! This is great and that last part is HUGE! I know I sound like a broken record, but why this isn't done for all for better tone (and it will have better tone like the 60s) is beyond me. Must have had academics come up such a novel bad idea. I will likely move my neck PU to the correct position one day.

But as we've discussed, no one's said Gibson is going for a '60s tone with the current ones. Tone is all subjective.

 

[Stealth57]

I'll have to measure one day and see how the '64 Epi and Thunderbird actually match up. Just looking they seem to be the same.

From GBassNorth
Measurement from 12th fret to the Centerline of each pickup
Gibson 1964 Tbird 10-7/8” and 14-3/8”
Epiphone VP 11” and 14-7/8”

1990 Greco IV 10-7/8” and 14-1/8” (note 33.5” scale)
Gibson 2013 Tbird 10-1/4” and 14-5/8”
BaCH II 10-5/8”
1977 Greco II 11” (note 33.5” scale)
Epiphone Goth 10-3/4” and 14-5/8”
Gibson 2015 Tbird 10-1/4” and 14-1/2”
Spector Rex5 Pro 12-3/8” and 15-3/8” (note 35” scale)
2019 Epiphone CP 10-1/4” and 14-1/2"
1988 Greco TB-70 10-7/8” and 14-3/8”
1960’s Gibson NR 10-11/16" and 14-3/16"

Here are a few others I had collected as well.

2014 Epiphone Classic IV Pro 10 1/8" 14 7/16"
2018 Epiphone Thunderbird IV 10 3/4" 14 5/16"
2013 Epiphone Classic IV Pro 10 15/16" 14 3/4"

 

[GonePlaid]

But as we've discussed, no one's said Gibson is going for a '60s tone with the current ones. Tone is all subjective.

No, Gibson's going for '60s cash.

 

[GBassNorth]

It's going to be a well travelled hoodie - Gets a trip to California next week!

I keep getting a message that I’ve been blocked every time I try to update the pickup measurement list. Not sure why, not even sure this message will post. The one time I’m not doing anything bad and I get put in time out, go figure.

edit: well that posted ok, so it must be some sql code or other issue with the pup spacing list.

 

[BklynKen]

No, Gibson's going for cash.

Fixed that for you.

 

[GonePlaid]

I keep getting a message that I’ve been blocked every time I try to update the pickup measurement list. Not sure why, not even sure this message will post. The one time I’m not doing anything bad and I get put in time out, go figure.

edit: well that posted ok, so it must be some sql code or other issue with the pup spacing list.

Gibson's looking to sue you.

 

[GonePlaid]

Fixed that for you.

Just meant 60s dollars were worth more-supposedly.

 

[GBassNorth]

….
Measurement from 12th fret to the Centerline of each pickup
1990 Greco IV 10-7/8” and 14-1/8” (note 33.5” scale)
Gibson 2013 Tbird 10-1/4” and 14-5/8”
BaCH II 10-5/8”
1977 Greco II 11” (note 33.5” scale)
Epiphone VP 11” and 14-7/8”
Epiphone Goth 10-3/4” and 14-5/8”
Gibson 1964 Tbird 10-7/8” and 14-3/8”
Gibson 2015 Tbird 10-1/4” and 14-1/2”
Spector Rex5 Pro 12-3/8” and 15-3/8” (note 35” scale)
2019 Epiphone CP 10-1/4” and 14-1/2"
1988 Greco TB-70 10-7/8” and 14-3/8”
1960’s Gibson NR 10-11/16" and 14-3/16"
2014 Epiphone CP 10 1/8" and 14 7/16"
2018 Epiphone IV 10 3/4" and 14 5/16"
2013 Epiphone CP IV 10 15/16" and 14 3/4"

Updated with some Eppi info

 

[BklynKen]

Just meant 60s dollars were worth more-supposedly.

Ah, then agreed. Companies are in business to make money.

 

[GBassNorth]

Gibson's looking to sue you.

LOL - for sharing trade secrets I guess. After all, do you realize just how damaging it would be to their sales for potential customers to find out that pup spacing appears to be completely random on Tbirds.

 

[GBassNorth]

awesome, Thx George!

Bringing @Nocturnal into the discussion, I suspect he’s more current on Spectors than I am.
BTW - if that’s a 34” scale fiver, jump on it. I personally think they sound a bit smoother and warmer than the 35” scale.
Warning - Spector basses are nearly as addictive as Thunderbirds, if you get one, it won’t be the last.

 

[IMMusicRulz]

Not sure anyone brought him up yet, but Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick plays a 1967 Gibson Thunderbird all over the first album.



He eventually moved on to those 12 string basses.

 

[GBassNorth]

Not sure anyone brought him up yet, but Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick plays a 1967 Gibson Thunderbird all over the first album.



He eventually moved on to those 12 string basses.

I’ve bought a lot of gear from Rumbleseat over the years, was bummed to see their Carmel store close. It’s where I got my 2013 Anniversary Tbird, supposedly some celeb back story to it but I haven’t taken the time to do any confirmation work on it. It’s a great player and a real looker.

Tom’s video reminds me that some day I’m gonna need to invest in some serious distortion and other pedals to explore that whole side of the Tbird sound. Up to date, I’m running clean and lovin the sound.

 

[RedVee]

LOL - for sharing trade secrets I guess. After all, do you realize just how damaging it would be to their sales for potential customers to find out that pup spacing appears to be completely random on Tbirds.

I don’t know, but I suspect that the LP and 335 don’t suffer from the floating pickup syndrome

 

[Gaolee]

Remember also that the '64 has the bridge too far back (period correct of course), in VP that is corrected. With that in mind the VP's bridge pickup may look to be more further from the neck pickup than it is. It is closer to the bridge than the original, that is true.
Mostly I'm happy they got the neck pickup placement about right.

I prefer the sound of a modern 'Bird, I guess. Except Veronica's '64 is all it is cracked up to be. Pickups, stings, pickup location or any /all of those just don't seem quite right on the VP. It is a good bass guitar, but I seem to be immune to its spell. It just doesn't have the bottom end the rest of 'em have. Heresy!

 

[TBird1958]

I prefer the sound of a modern 'Bird, I guess. Except Veronica's '64 is all it is cracked up to be. Pickups, stings, pickup location or any /all of those just don't seem quite right on the VP. It is a good bass guitar, but I seem to be immune to its spell. It just doesn't have the bottom end the rest of 'em have. Heresy!

The pickup from Scott's '21 NR cured mine, there's hope!