Pretty good deal on some Tbird pickups in the classifieds. No connection, just sharing:
For Sale - Thunderbird pickups
For Sale - Thunderbird pickups
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I've been prepping for tonight's gig, but have spent a little time with this beauty to give some preliminary impressions. First, I was shocked at how huge the headstock is! I couldn't even put it on my wall of basses, it either hit the bass above it or the ceiling. 2nd, this is a well crafted bass, with good Quality Control, no apparent flaws any where, and under 9 lbs, so comfortable to play seated, I haven't played it standing yet. The hardware is of very good quality. Tone? Very nice with what I think are stock strings (Kara?). Much nicer than any of my 3 Embassies (ProBuckers VBT), better overall tone with solid mids, nice highs, and sufficient lows. Even nice growl fingerstyle thanks in part to my SushiBox Slampegg. Gotoh Resolites could get this close to 8.5 lbs.Kara, here's proof of life:
View attachment 5009133
Nice score, Thumper! But changing the neck would require major surgery and likely be very costly. And that’s a pretty rare white one.I've been prepping for tonight's gig, but have spent a little time with this beauty to give some preliminary impressions. First, I was shocked at how huge the headstock is! I couldn't even put it on my wall of basses, it either hit the bass above it or the ceiling. 2nd, this is a well crafted bass, with good Quality Control, no apparent flaws any where, and under 9 lbs, so comfortable to play seated, I haven't played it standing yet. The hardware is of very good quality. Tone? Very nice with what I think are stock strings (Kara?). Much nicer than any of my 3 Embassies (ProBuckers VBT), better overall tone with solid mids, nice highs, and sufficient lows. Even nice growl fingerstyle thanks in part to my SushiBox Slampegg. Gotoh Resolites could get this close to 8.5 lbs.
No real negatives at all, it really reminds me of my '76, with even more response to the tone control. FOR ME, because we cover '60s to 2010 music, I will change the tone cap to a .047uf so I can get a smoother, darker tone with the tone rolled off to get closer to that 60s-70s flats sound, since I don't play flats. But other than that, no changes other than possibly a P neck if prolonged playing causes fretting hand issues. I look forward to gigging with it.
What tone cap does your VP have in it now? Mine came with a .068uf cap which is normally a bit smoother and darker than the .047uf cap.I've been prepping for tonight's gig, but have spent a little time with this beauty to give some preliminary impressions. First, I was shocked at how huge the headstock is! I couldn't even put it on my wall of basses, it either hit the bass above it or the ceiling. 2nd, this is a well crafted bass, with good Quality Control, no apparent flaws any where, and under 9 lbs, so comfortable to play seated, I haven't played it standing yet. The hardware is of very good quality. Tone? Very nice with what I think are stock strings (Kara?). Much nicer than any of my 3 Embassies (ProBuckers VBT), better overall tone with solid mids, nice highs, and sufficient lows. Even nice growl fingerstyle thanks in part to my SushiBox Slampegg. Gotoh Resolites could get this close to 8.5 lbs.
No real negatives at all, it really reminds me of my '76, with even more response to the tone control. FOR ME, because we cover '60s to 2010 music, I will change the tone cap to a .047uf so I can get a smoother, darker tone with the tone rolled off to get closer to that 60s-70s flats sound, since I don't play flats. But other than that, no changes other than possibly a P neck if prolonged playing causes fretting hand issues. I look forward to gigging with it.
Will’s if he and I are ever on the same planet at the same time.Nice score, Thumper! But changing the neck would require major surgery and likely be very costly. And that’s a pretty rare white one.
I sort of assumed when Dave @Stealth57 mentioned something about getting another VP, he was looking to get Kara’s as she isn’t that far from him. Maybe he’s still thinking to get Will’s?
Anyway, congratulations!
Nice score, Thumper! But changing the neck would require major surgery and likely be very costly. And that’s a pretty rare white one.
I sort of assumed when Dave @Stealth57 mentioned something about getting another VP, he was looking to get Kara’s as she isn’t that far from him. Maybe he’s still thinking to get Will’s?
Anyway, congratulations!
I haven't looked, I assumedWhat tone cap does your VP have in it now? Mine came with a .068uf cap which is normally a bit smoother and darker than the .047uf cap.
LOL - the reason I asked is because I made the same assumption you did as I was building my NR VP, had to go back and buy the .068 caps to make it match my Eppi reverse VP.I haven't looked, I assumed![]()
I hope to keep it intact, but skinny necks and flat radius is so hard on my fretting hand that if it wasn't for 7ender vintage profile P necks, I would have had to quit playing a year ago. Besides, my Luthier is extremely reasonably priced, and this neck is currently not being used:
Love the aged pickguard on the Epiphone VP.Glad to join the club with my birds…View attachment 5010552View attachment 5010552
Even years ago, playing my '66J caused cramping. Starting a couple of years ago, the 1.625 neck on my ThunderJ caused pain in the center of my palm. The orthopedic said it was a combination of genetics, overuse (including cell phone typing), and age (71 in May). I tried playing a 1.59 neck on a Warmoth build and got a sharp, stabbing pain in the center of my palm after 30 minutes. I can play my 1.75 NOS CS '59 neck (now on the ThunderJ) for hours and days/months, with no issues other than some swelling. Good luck with your thumb, maybe a thinner (front to back) could helpWhat does skinny necks do to your fretting hand that playing fat neck’s doesn’t? I ask because I’m having trouble with my fretting hand, thumb joint area, and wondering what’s happening. I have and play all profiles at the moment, with no rhyme or reason yet to what’s works better or worse for me.
Glad to join the club with my birds…View attachment 5010552View attachment 5010552