Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

Sooo…y’all were right and this thread is seriously enabling. I was perusing eBay and came across an epi vintage pro that was refurbished. Seller was asking 525 plus shipping, but was accepting offers. I threw an offer of 350 and got it accepted. So now I have two birds. Problem is that the pickups were replaced in the VP - looks like they dropped the pickups from the Pro IV. When both pickup volumes are dimed the output level drops. I am going to have to look at the wiring, but is this an issue where they are out of phase? Oh yeah…pic as evidence of an addiction. View attachment 4782322

The magic is in the pickups as far as I'm concerned. But you still got a good deal and it looks great.

 

[GBassNorth]

not just Europe…Africa, South America…parts of the Sub-Continent….

When traveling on business overseas (outside of the US and Western Europe), company policy was prearranged company limo only, no exceptions. US and western Europe was approved for taxi, limo or rental car use. Travel to certain countries had to be approved by the head of security and the CEO and usually resulted in special limos with armed police escorts. Did that a few times, no fun.

 

[TBird1958]

Sooo…y’all were right and this thread is seriously enabling. I was perusing eBay and came across an epi vintage pro that was refurbished. Seller was asking 525 plus shipping, but was accepting offers. I threw an offer of 350 and got it accepted. So now I have two birds. Problem is that the pickups were replaced in the VP - looks like they dropped the pickups from the Pro IV. When both pickup volumes are dimed the output level drops. I am going to have to look at the wiring, but is this an issue where they are out of phase? Oh yeah…pic as evidence of an addiction. View attachment 4782322

There usually is a slight volume drop if you dime both pickups when wired VVT. You might look at these, they're a set in a better direction.

Thunderbird Bass Pickup Set w/Rings and Screws | eBay

 

[dagrev]

Same. I should have started lower! But I still think it’s a good deal for a VP.

I still think you did alright. VPs are very well made. It may sound really good even with the volume drop. If not, find some good Thunderbird pickups (not the black Gibsons) and you are back up and running if you don't like how it sounds. How much does the volume drop? Every two pickup bass I have has a slight volume drop (mids drop most likely).

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

When traveling on business overseas (outside of the US and Western Europe), company policy was prearranged company limo only, no exceptions. US and western Europe was approved for taxi, limo or rental car use. Travel to certain countries had to be approved by the head of security and the CEO and usually resulted in special limos with armed police escorts. Did that a few times, no fun.

right but they still used Mercs regardless of your travel arrangements….

 

[PaleAngel_90]

There usually is a slight volume drop if you dime both pickups when wired VVT. You might look at these, they're a set in a better direction.

Thunderbird Bass Pickup Set w/Rings and Screws | eBay

Could these be installed in an Epiphone T-bird IV?

 

[wango55]

There usually is a slight volume drop if you dime both pickups when wired VVT. You might look at these, they're a set in a better direction.

Thunderbird Bass Pickup Set w/Rings and Screws | eBay

I was actually looking at those. Also was reading some decent things about the eyguitar pickups as well. Wasn’t sure if either were decent options or if either was better than the other?

 

[icefly]

SIT kindly sent me a replacement string because I stupidly cut one too short. Lesson learned: don't change strings when you're exhausted. Cool padded envelope.

View attachment 4782184

One day I was drinking wine at home, later at night decided to change strings.
I didn't understand why G and D strings weren't tuning, only later I realized that I reversed the strings Then I corrected; good thing there was still enough string.

 

[wango55]

I still think you did alright. VPs are very well made. It may sound really good even with the volume drop. If not, find some good Thunderbird pickups (not the black Gibsons) and you are back up and running if you don't like how it sounds. How much does the volume drop? Every two pickup bass I have has a slight volume drop (mids drop most likely).

It’s a noticeable drop. The neck pickup also seems to be a bit louder than the bridge when solo’ed. I am going to try to find some alternate options for pickups.

 

[TBird1958]

Could these be installed in an Epiphone T-bird IV?

Yes, with a very small amount of work to widen the pickup routs

 

[JIO]

I would as well if going more for a muscle car instead of just a big car. Superbird would be my first and really expensive choice.

And I could apparently get my wife to lay on the fin.
View attachment 4780876

Love that pic! There's an orange Superbird/Road Runner in Pacifica, usually driven by a woman - it's always great seeing it on the road... it's so iconic!

It's all orange (no black vinyl top) like this one

 

[TBird1958]

I was actually looking at those. Also was reading some decent things about the eyguitar pickups as well. Wasn’t sure if either were decent options or if either was better than the other?

They are one and the same.

I did this a couple years ago........Sorry for the long chatty bit about the bass, there's some crappy playing in there somewhere. The bass has the EYGuitars pickups.

 

[PillO]

I still think you did alright. VPs are very well made. It may sound really good even with the volume drop. If not, find some good Thunderbird pickups (not the black Gibsons) and you are back up and running if you don't like how it sounds. How much does the volume drop? Every two pickup bass I have has a slight volume drop (mids drop most likely).

I have no issue with the Gibson Thunderbird + pickups. A good choice in my book. Others are free to differ.

 

[PillO]

right but they still used Mercks regardless of your travel arrangements….

Now I am confused. Merck the drug company?? Or do you mean Mercs. In which case, are we talking automobile or freelance security?

 

[PillO]

One day I was drinking wine at home, later at night decided to change strings.

I was thinking that this story might be going in a different direction...

I am a sophomore at a small mid-west university and I never thought it could happen to me...

 

[Stealth57]

I have no issue with the Gibson Thunderbird + pickups. A good choice in my book. Others are free to differ.

Like them in my CP.

 

[PillO]

Like them in my CP.

As do I like them in my CP. Still pondering swapping the tone pot and output jack...

 

[dagrev]

Love that pic! There's an orange Superbird/Road Runner in Pacifica, usually driven by a woman - it's always great seeing it on the road... it's so iconic!

It's all orange (no black vinyl top) like this one
View attachment 4782344

Lucky you. I haven't seen on on the road for 20 years, maybe more. I've mentioned before there was a guy not too far from may house that collected them. He has six at one point. Even got a 426 from Richard Petty for one. I used to like driving by on the weekends and he would often have one or more out working on them. His garage was bigger than his little house, and a few had to be stored elsewhere. We're talking around 1980 and they were largely just "old cars." Had I known, I would have tried like crazy to buy one from him when they were affordable for the average person.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Now I am confused. Merck the drug company?? Or do you mean Mercs. In which case, are we talking automobile or freelance security?

Mercs…,fixed, missed that k…

 

[GBassNorth]

I have no issue with the Gibson Thunderbird + pickups. A good choice in my book. Others are free to differ.

Like them in my CP.

In the same camp here. The Tbird + pups are a nice warm pup with a good degree of definition. Probably my second favorite, with the stock VP pup being my favorite.