Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

Yes my bass has no truss rod. It does, however, have a truss rod cover.

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Don't leave home without it!

 

[Stealth57]

Yes my bass has no truss rod. It does, however, have a truss rod cover.

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Sure that’s not a pick holder

 

[MCF]

Greetings.....

Has anyone done a comparison or review of Thunderbird pickups currently available on the market and if so where it can be found?

Thanks in advance.

Rezdog

Here’s an old thread discussing Lulls, Seymour Duncan’s, Lollars, Thunderbuckers (now out of business).
Lull, Lollar or Thunderbucker for Gibson Thunderbird?
There are a lot out there. Curtis Novak, EY chinabuckers, Alternate Dimension, Bartolini, EMG, Mojo, Haeussel Bassbar…
I think Lindy Fralin made some, at least at one time.

There are probably more that I don’t know about or have forgotten.

 

[MCF]

Anyone recognize this bass?

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My ‘70 Silvertone has the same pickups and ashtray. It has a wonky two saddle bridge…I haven’t played it in forever.

 

[RedVee]

My ‘70 Silvertone has the same pickups and ashtray.

Are they Silvertone Pickups?

 

[MCF]

Are they Silvertone Pickups?

They’re silver and they make a tone. They were common in Japanese basses of that era. They actually don’t sound half bad. I have a set of old stainless steel Rotos on it. Someday I’ll ask Geo for some advice to get it playable again.

 

[JIO]

Asking $200. If he responds I might pull the trigger.

I'm scanning eBay and there are many similar ss basses in this price range there right now. Best to see what is available for comparison.

Here's one -

Vintage Mayfair Japan Jazz 4 String Bass Guitar 1960s 1970's | eBay

 

[Stealth57]

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[Stealth57]

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Not too many nice things said about Teisco on TB. Microphonic pickups, hard to setup, were entry level at best when new.

 

[TBird1958]

Here’s an old thread discussing Lulls, Seymour Duncan’s, Lollars, Thunderbuckers (now out of business).
Lull, Lollar or Thunderbucker for Gibson Thunderbird?
There are a lot out there. Curtis Novak, EY chinabuckers, Alternate Dimension, Bartolini, EMG, Mojo, Haeussel Bassbar…
I think Lindy Fralin made some, at least at one time.

There are probably more that I don’t know about or have forgotten.

AFAIK you can still get Lull's, tho I would call them them to be certain, Seymour Duncan would be very high on the list for me as they eventually took on some of Mike's production when TV Jones couldn't keep up.

 

[MCF]

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Mine has the same (dilapidated) cardboard case.

 

[JIO]

Not too many nice things said about Teisco on TB. Microphonic pickups, hard to setup, were entry level at best when new.

Yes, but if you get any of these entry-level ss '60s vintage basses in playable condition - they are very playable instruments. You have to ask a lot of questions to the seller and not assume anything. You know what Al Frankin sez'; "assuming makes a fool out of you and Uma Thurman..."

My two mid '60s Teisco Del Rey ss basses. Both play great, sound great and look great. Don't listen to the nay-sayers as they will always paint a WCS picture of these '60s gems. Make sure the neck is straight, frets are good, electronics work as they should and the price is right for you. These basses single-coils are really good sounding, '60s vintage tone pu's. I can get a James Jamerson tone out of the brown one w/old flats. (on the bass when I bought it) These Del Reys come up often on eBay & Reverb.

 

[MCF]

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Our Thrifty Drug store had them in an aisle near the ice cream counter.

 

[JIO]

AFAIK you can still get Lull's, tho I would call them them to be certain, Seymour Duncan would be very high on the list for me as they eventually took on some of Mike's production when TV Jones couldn't keep up.

If they sound like their "Hawk-bucker" that I installed in my '64 II - I highly recommend them. Jeff installed one in his '70s Fender P also. You played it Mark so you know what I'm talking about.

 

[JIO]

Our Thrifty Drug store had them in an aisle near the ice cream counter.

I bought my 1st MIJ bass in Woolworths.

 

[Stealth57]

Our Thrifty Drug store had them in an aisle near the ice cream counter.

So you remember the price per scoop and the unusual scooper?

 

[PillO]

So you remember the price per scoop and the unusual scooper?

 

[Engle]

Not too many nice things said about Teisco on TB. Microphonic pickups, hard to setup, were entry level at best when new.

As @JIO said, it’s very dependent on the neck. Earlier Japanese guitars and basses varied in quality. Sometimes it’s like they were working off a blurry photo.
I’ve seen poor fretwork, side markers that look like the guy was drunk when he drilled the holes, a bridge saddle made of thin stamped tin, bolt on necks glued in because the pocket is so loose, bridges/pickups with completely wrong string spacing, really goofy neck carves….I could go on.
Sometimes you can find them with a decent neck, replace the frets and the bridge, reshape the neck, and get a playable instrument. Other times you just get a funky body shape and maybe an interesting pickguard.
Once you get into the 70’s there are some really nice MIJ instruments.

 

[BklynKen]

Tonight's practice rig. The mighty GK MB150S/112-III is at the practice space because of the upcoming small gig (we're now playing two sets because one band got COVID). Borrowed this from my neighbor's kid. Sounds pretty good!

 

[GBassNorth]

The guy in the white shirt looks like the kid from the Gentle Ben TV series. I think he was also in the movie Airplane.