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Thunderbird Club

#242,163
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Ok, here are the soundsamples of the TB+ equipped Telecaster (Tele2) and an added bonus comparison to the EY pickups equipped Telecaster (Tele1). The other differences beside the pickup locations are an ash body (TB+) vs. alder (EY).
TB+ Tele has the neck pickup in about the trad. P-bass sweet spot. The bridge pickup is in Epiphone VP location.
 

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#242,166
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#242,171
Thumper said:
  1. I bought a VP and compared the Probuckers to my mahogany body P with roasted maple neck and Chinabuckers. Curious about your take. Mine is difficult because of bolt on vs neck through.
Overall, maybe more lows/low mids on Chinabuckers, slightly more mids/upper mids and slightly more growl on ProBuckers.

The notes seem to jump off the VP, and it is more sensitive/responsive to plucking location, much like P's I've played. The ThunderP is less sensitive to plucking location, which is good because I like to anchor on the neck PUP, and Chinabuckers provide a very vintagey fundamental very well suited to 50s to 70s Classic Rock. The VP really covers 80s and up (think Cult, etc.) Both can do it all though. The VP still retains a little hair in the lows, the Chinabucker can get a little creamier.

This is with about an hour of comparison, and playing Gimme Three Step, Little Devil, and Come Together. All that said, I won't be changing the PUPs in either bass. I traded ProBuckers to another TBer, and am waiting for his input (he has 2 VPs, putting Chinabuckers in 1 of them).
Click to expand...

I am he - the one with the two VPs. I posted a pic a while ago. There are differences between the two - the black one is stock, while the white one came as a husk, and I dropped in a pre-wired harness, as well as the supertone 2 bridge. The white one is about 2 lbs heavier (10 lbs vs 8 lbs) using the bathroom scale method.

That said, I have the 760s in my black VP, and the EY's in the White one. In my humble ears, they are very very close. I think the 760s are slightly more clear sounding - with slightly more treble/upper mid presence. I have only back to backed them for less then half an hour though - more testing is required for sure - my opinion may change. But overall pretty close to my senses.
 
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#242,174
wango55 said:
I am he - the one with the two VPs. I posted a pic a while ago. There are differences between the two - the black one is stock, while the white one came as a husk, and I dropped in a pre-wired harness, as well as the supertone 2 bridge. The white one is about 2 lbs heavier (10 lbs vs 8 lbs) using the bathroom scale method.

That said, I have the 760s in my black VP, and the EY's in the White one. In my humble ears, they are very very close. I think the 760s are slightly more clear sounding - with slightly more treble/upper mid presence. I have only back to backed them for less then half an hour though - more testing is required for sure - my opinion may change. But overall pretty close to my senses.
Click to expand...
Interesting that we both heard roughly the same thing using 3 VPs and a bolt on mahogany P. I'll also continue to compare and post thoughts.
 
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#242,175
I get the idea(s) of building a bass with exactly the features one wants(tonewood, type-and number-of pups, ergonomics, ?), but I don't have the abilities necessary to build one and I'm not all that certain what features I'd want(OK, has to be mahogany, old growth if possible). I also don't have sufficient funds-especially after I pay the I.R.S. here soonly.
So.
I've found a couple of inexpensive mods that work out very well for me. I adjust the knobs-on the bass(es)and the amps. And switch between fingers and pick.:)
 
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#242,176
Gaolee said:
Ah. Bizarre. Why do that?
Click to expand...

Upgrade the sound without the need for power tools? Many people don't own the tools, know how to use the tools, or have access to a luthier?

Stealth57 said:
Sounds like they are saying your can fit a TB+ knock off into a IV without any mods...
Click to expand...

That is what I believe the entire point is. Makes sense to do a small run of those to see if they sell IMO. Plenty of people like to upgrade bass pickups but the Epi's are a non-standard shape so these may be the only drop-in replacement option.
 
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#242,177
Nocturnal said:
Upgrade the sound without the need for power tools? Many people don't own the tools, know how to use the tools, or have access to a luthier?



That is what I believe the entire point is. Makes sense to do a small run of those to see if they sell IMO. Plenty of people like to upgrade bass pickups but the Epi's are a non-standard shape so these may be the only drop-in replacement option.
Click to expand...
On the other hand, nothing wrong with the stock IV pickups. Maybe if that is your only bird and you want more range? I like having all three EPI birds with different strings and pickups. The IV with La Bella black tapes provides a sound that is unique.
 
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#242,178
GonePlaid said:
I get the idea(s) of building a bass with exactly the features one wants(tonewood, type-and number-of pups, ergonomics, ?), but I don't have the abilities necessary to build one and I'm not all that certain what features I'd want(OK, has to be mahogany, old growth if possible). I also don't have sufficient funds-especially after I pay the I.R.S. here soonly.
So.
I've found a couple of inexpensive mods that work out very well for me. I adjust the knobs-on the bass(es)and the amps. And switch between fingers and pick.:)
Click to expand...
tweechy tweechy……:D
 
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#242,179
PhR75 said:
View attachment 5020859 View attachment 5020860 View attachment 5020861

Ok, here are the soundsamples of the TB+ equipped Telecaster (Tele2) and an added bonus comparison to the EY pickups equipped Telecaster (Tele1). The other differences beside the pickup locations are an ash body (TB+) vs. alder (EY).
TB+ Tele has the neck pickup in about the trad. P-bass sweet spot. The bridge pickup is in Epiphone VP location.
Click to expand...

The two are much closer in sound than I was anticipating. Tele2 sounded very slightly warmer and smoother on my iPad, tele1 sounded just a hair more crisp. I would gladly rock either one but just listening to ipad samples I’d lean more towards tele2. I’ll have to plug into my bass cab to see if the difference is more pronounced with a good set of bass speakers and higher volumes.
 
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