Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

They are TB+ pickups but in humbucker sized covers. They were used on the LP Standard, Money Bass, The LP Oversized Bass, and even the Epi Elitist Tbird. They are clearer and more aggressive sounding than the regular soapbar style TB+ pickups. I have them in one of my basses (but under chrome covers) and they are fantastic pickups.

This video gives you a good idea of the difference between the two types of TB+ pickups.



This bass has the humbucker sized pickups under the chrome covers.

I like them both. But those LP pickups sound better IMO in that video.

 

[MCF]

Agreed. I thought they were hideous. Sharon's mom bought one and was so happy with it. I metaphorically bit my tongue a lot around her car.

It being a K car, it didn’t last long though did it? “The car that saved Chrysler.” More like the car that saved their dealers because of all the service work those things needed. The turbos were the worst.

 

[BklynKen]

I like them both. But those LP pickups sound better IMO in that video.

I agree, but the Thunderbird there sounds like it has the tone knob at 0 and dead strings. I'd love more info from that video. My Thunderbirds sound more like the Les Paul, but even further in that direction. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[MCF]

Coke (the acid in it) [corrected by PillO and Stealth] is good if your windscreen (for UK friends), has accumulated some road oils. Really cuts through it. I keep RainX on mine and it's not a problem.

I had a friend in college with a beat up VW. The windshield wipers didn’t work. He kept a few potatoes in his car to treat the windows with when it rained.

 

[MCF]

We'll see what we see. I thought Gibson set this Babicz up like a standard 3-point, floating, but I realized one of the ferrules is coming up. This freakin' bass.

What the? The only way that happens is by over torquing the bolts. A Gibson tech did that? Jeez.

 

[BklynKen]

What the? The only way that happens is by over torquing the bolts. A Gibson tech did that? Jeez.

Maybe it just happened on its own?

 

[BklynKen]

What the? The only way that happens is by over torquing the bolts. A Gibson tech did that? Jeez.

 

[MCF]

I'll say no more.

I should also add to always revisit.

By the way while I’m thinking about it, have a safe trip and fun next week. Check in when you can. The most exotic place I ever got sent to for work was Chicago.

 

[BklynKen]

By the way while I’m thinking about it, have a safe trip and fun next week. Check in when you can. The most exotic place I ever got sent to for work was Chicago.

Thanks. Before this year, the most exotic place I was ever sent for work was Texas.

 

[BklynKen]

What the? The only way that happens is by over torquing the bolts. A Gibson tech did that? Jeez.

I should add that when I got it I replaced the black Babicz with a nickel one. That's when I realized that the construction was all weird and I put the black one back on and sent it to Gibson. I only ever hand-tightened it. Never power tools. It looked fine when I sent it away, but either came back like this or it happened when I installed the Rotosounds. It previously had some D'Addarios. I'd really love to have been a fly on the wall when this one was being made in 2017 or 2018. My 2013 is perfect in every way and I've tried so many strings on it.

 

[MCF]

View attachment 4787544

Who did that. Tim Allen? And it’s the ground side to boot. Ugh. If you decide to glue it, make sure the wire is in place in the insert. I would try Titebond first instead of CA or epoxy. Let it dry for several days then reinstall the bridge. I’ve done that with a couple of EPIs and Titebond has held fine.

 

[PillO]

I had a friend in college with a beat up VW. The windshield wipers didn’t work. He kept a few potatoes in his car to treat the windows with when it rained.

I had a 73 fastback. When the windshield wipers started getting slow, it meant that the spare tire needed air. Fill up the spare and the wipers worked properly.

 

[MCF]

I should add that when I got it I replaced the black Babicz with a nickel one. That's when I realized that the construction was all weird and I put the black one back on and sent it to Gibson. I only ever hand-tightened it. Never power tools. It looked fine when I sent it away, but either came back like this or it happened when I installed the Rotosounds. It previously had some D'Addarios. I'd really love to have been a fly on the wall when this one was being made in 2017 or 2018. My 2013 is perfect in every way and I've tried so many strings on it.

All four of my Gibsons are also perfect. At least you have DeCola’s ear and hopefully they’ll do a run of lefties next year. Have you told them about the insert?

 

[MCF]

I had a 73 fastback. When the windshield wipers started getting slow, it meant that the spare tire needed air. Fill up the spare and the wipers worked properly.

Come to think of it, he didn’t have a spare.

 

[dagrev]

There is an fun thread out in Gen Pop

Why use any key besides E??? | TalkBass.com

Many replying missed the /sarcasm tag at the end.

Well you ruined it for me. I was pondering several possible reasons.







[Not serious.]

 

[BklynKen]

Who did that. Tim Allen? And it’s the ground side to boot. Ugh. If you decide to glue it, make sure the wire is in place in the insert. I would try Titebond first instead of CA or epoxy. Let it dry for several days then reinstall the bridge. I’ve done that with a couple of EPIs and Titebond has held fine.

I'm extremely hesitant to put any money into this bass. That's a great point about the ground wire. That explains why the little I was playing it I was getting some hum. Seriously tempted to just throw it in its case and put it away until I can send it back for another.

 

[dagrev]

I don’t like the texture of the Rotos. It will be interesting to find if you hear any difference and if they die quicker than the SITs.

Have you ever tried Dean Markely Blue Steels? They are the least steel feeling string I recall playing. (If you ever wanted a steel that didn't feel like steel. Even new, I don't recall that grippy feel.)

 

[BklynKen]

All four of my Gibsons are also perfect. At least you have DeCola’s ear and hopefully they’ll do a run of lefties next year. Have you told them about the insert?

I did send the pic to my contact there.

 

[dagrev]

We'll see what we see. I thought Gibson set this Babicz up like a standard 3-point, floating, but I realized one of the ferrules is coming up. This freakin' bass.

Ouch! Hate to hear that.

 

[dagrev]

It being a K car, it didn’t last long though did it? “The car that saved Chrysler.” More like the car that saved their dealers because of all the service work those things needed. The turbos were the worst.

The K car's were a big part of it, but I'm not so sure their introducing the minivan which sold like crazy wasn't a bigger part of pulling their chest hairs out of the wringer.