Thunderbird Club

[Count Bassie]

Having a change of heart about the G&L.I think it's going onto the Mutant Hamer

 

[depalm]

in action with my Lull TBird. Nice sounding pickups.

 

[KB5]

If I remember correctly this '64 belongs to Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick. Drooled over it at the R&R Hall of Fame a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Count Bassie]

If I remember correctly this '64 belongs to Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick. Drooled over it at the R&R Hall of Fame a couple of weeks ago.View attachment 1001884

Nice. That's an interesting Travis Bean 8...

 

[veebass]

Thunderpeople, what are the 5 string TBird Studios like?
How is the B? Do the 5 string pickups sound much the same as the 4 string ones. What is the string spacing like- I play finger style.

 

[KB5]

Nice. That's an interesting Travis Bean 8...

That is a 12 string from Electrical Guitar Company. I only remember because I thought it was a Hamer and was surprised it wasn't.

 

[DerekW]

Lots of Gibson fans here, so I thought it was a good place to ask...

Wth is this? An EB with some creative woodworking?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[JIO]

Lots of Gibson fans here, so I thought it was a good place to ask...

Wth is this? An EB with some creative woodworking?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Looks like it - and fairly well executed, definitely have seen worse.

 

[Nocturnal]

Thunderpeople, what are the 5 string TBird Studios like?
How is the B? Do the 5 string pickups sound much the same as the 4 string ones. What is the string spacing like- I play finger style.

Uwe, who's basses make almost all of the new Gibson bass book has always said that the B string on the Studio 5 was one of the mightiest B strings he ever encountered. I can't tell you what the spacing is like because I have never encountered one in the wild, but Uwe referred to the fretboard as like a aircraft carrier. I think LarryV might have one of these and can give us his impression?

 

[veebass]

Uwe, who's basses make almost all of the new Gibson bass book has always said that the B string on the Studio 5 was one of the mightiest B strings he ever encountered. I can't tell you what the spacing is like because I have never encountered one in the wild, but Uwe referred to the fretboard as like a aircraft carrier. I think LarryV might have one of these and can give us his impression?

Thanks for your info. I am after a good strong B and the ability to play finger style comfortably. There is one in the wild nearby but not close enough to try out. I'll also ask on LBO. You guys are the best!

 

[Korladis]

Thunderpeople, what are the 5 string TBird Studios like?
How is the B? Do the 5 string pickups sound much the same as the 4 string ones. What is the string spacing like- I play finger style.

Just string a 4-string T-bird BEAD.

 

[veebass]

Just string a 4-string T-bird BEAD.

Been looking to put a fiver in the kit bag for a while.

 

[Christine]

Been looking to put a fiver in the kit bag for a while.

The studio would be a nice bass to own too

 

[Count Bassie]

That is a 12 string from Electrical Guitar Company. I only remember because I thought it was a Hamer and was surprised it wasn't.

It was too late to actually count anything.

drool

 

[Count Bassie]

Having a change of heart about the G&L.I think it's going onto the Mutant Hamer

View attachment 1001810

I decided I had to leave the Bird in its natural state, I actually do like the sound of those Deep Sixx pups. And the look is kinda working for me. Why screw with something's own perfection?

 

[Larry V]

Thunderpeople, what are the 5 string TBird Studios like?
How is the B? Do the 5 string pickups sound much the same as the 4 string ones. What is the string spacing like- I play finger style.

Uwe, who's basses make almost all of the new Gibson bass book has always said that the B string on the Studio 5 was one of the mightiest B strings he ever encountered. I can't tell you what the spacing is like because I have never encountered one in the wild, but Uwe referred to the fretboard as like a aircraft carrier. I think LarryV might have one of these and can give us his impression?

The B, from what I heard and have experienced can be hit and miss on the Studio V.

On the first one I owned with the cherry finish, it was a bit weak. I sold that bass and instantly regretted it so I went searching for another and found an ebony model. Much to my delight, the B was super strong and played clear.

Have to warn you though, these basses are not light. 10 lbs. plus and then add in the weight of your oversized padded strap and you're really holding onto an anchor.

There's one on eBay right now or it was as of yesterday. It's ebony and looks to be in good shape.

 

[veebass]

The B, from what I heard and have experienced can be hit and miss on the Studio V.

On the first one I owned with the cherry finish, it was a bit weak. I sold that bass and instantly regretted it so I went searching for another and found an ebony model. Much to my delight, the B was super strong and played clear.

Have to warn you though, these basses are not light. 10 lbs. plus and then add in the weight of your oversized padded strap and you're really holding onto an anchor.

There's one on eBay right now or it was as of yesterday. It's ebony and looks to be in good shape.

Thanks, Larry.
The black one on eBay in Australia is the one I am considering. I see a few bids have gone on it over night.

 

[EdO.]

FWIW I have the Epiphone version (Pvo V). Initially I felt the B was a bit weak. Needed a pro setup anyway so asked my luthier to address it while he had it. Somehow tweaked the stock pickups by adding a neodymium magnet to them, it's now every bit as strong as the others and really didn't charge me much for doing it so I assume it wasn't too hard to do.

 

[Bent77]

I decided I had to leave the Bird in its natural state, I actually do like the sound of those Deep Sixx pups. And the look is kinda working for me. Why screw with something's own perfection?

Kinda feeling the same way. Bought this to fit parts into a hand made bird body. This is the best growl of any bass I've owned. I might even keep it

 

[TBird1958]

I'm not a T-Bird user, but I'm very intriguing what's the different between T-Bird Classic Pro and T-Bird Elitist? From what I see both are neck thru and have Gibson PU. What's the differences (if any)? Which one's better?

The Elitist is similar to an Orville, set neck and a larger traditional size headstock, actually very close in proportions to an original '63 Gibson. I have an Orville, it's a very nice Thunderbird - Go for it!
Mine is a re fin with a two point, like no other!

Sort of a new bass day. WARNING - Non Thunderbird content.

View attachment 1001488

So, the long story is that at the beginning of November, I picked up a Gibson Midtown. I have been wanting that late 60s sound and a semi-hollow body with flats gives me that, and the Gibson Midtown sounds fantastic. I haven't wanted black, white or grey, but seeing this one, with the prismatic finish was great. I took it in for a set up and they found that it couldn't be done; the neck couldn't be adjusted. So, to their credit, Long & McQuade returned the bass and found me another. I picked it up today. It is fully set up with new cobalt flats installed. It sounds great.

The picture does not do justice to the prismatic finish, but gives some hint of the rainbow sparkle.

I picked one of those up for Uwe (Uwe of The Gibson Bass Book) and had it at my house for 6 months or so before shipping it to Germany. As I recall there was some discussion regarding shimming the E string side of the neck pickup a little bit.