Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

totally concur sir….tone’s not in the cap….
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but in the flip-flops…
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See, I knew it! If you say it, I believe it.

 

[dagrev]

Technically talented kids are mimic monkeys ... not a criticism, more of an observation.

I understand what you are saying and it's not negative at all. Kind of like with languages. They can almost just absorb them whereas adults really have to work at then. The brain is just wired to learn better when young in many ways. Not that some work isn't required.

 

[Gaolee]

totally concur sir….tone’s not in the cap….
View attachment 5092696
but in the flip-flops…
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That explains everything.

 

[Gaolee]

Technically talented kids are mimic monkeys ... not a criticism, more of an observation.

I am an untalented mimic monkey.

 

[dagrev]

Anybody could play that song on that bass. Just try it on a Tbird, it ain’t gonna work.

Our Tbirds are one trick pony’s not capable of playing that genre of music. That’s why I don’t even attempt to play songs like that. Who knows, if played on a Tbird I don’t doubt that it would rip the headstock right off the neck! Besides, note that her bass neck is clearly pointing up at about the 2:00 position, just try that bass line with the neck pointed at the floor in the 5:00 position, much more difficult to play. Yeah, she’s ok I guess, but obviously not handicapped with an inferior product.

That’s my excuse for being completely outclassed by a 12 year old prodigy that has more talent in her tiny little pinkie finger than I do in both meathook hands.


E1 is the new name for the IV.
Epiphone makes some darn nice Tbird shaped basses for the price. Any CP (especially the 2012 close pup model), the VP any year (especially the much harder to find white model) and the Goth (especially the wide neck 2010 model) are all standouts that are even a step up on the already great E1.
If you can define what aspects you recall you liked most about the bass you tried, this club could probably steer you in the direction of the best model for your tastes.


Then I wanna be a mimic monkey! …not a possibility, more of a wish.

I could likely pull it off, but...

 

[Stealth57]

the big question for me - same pickups? i know most people aren't crazy about them, but every time i played one in a GC, i really liked what i heard.

3 screw pickups on all the IVs. I don’t know anyone that opened one up to check the contents.

 

[GBassNorth]

the big question for me - same pickups? i know most people aren't crazy about them, but every time i played one in a GC, i really liked what i heard.

The pickups are unchanged. I like them with the correct tone cap installed. .022uf is the magic cap for those pickups.

 

[Stealth57]

The pickups are unchanged. I like them with the correct tone cap installed. .022uf is the magic cap for those pickups.

And what did you notice tone-wise compared to stock?

 

[Ringhammer]

All this talk about caps, does anyone know what the stock pot and cap values are in a new VP?

 

[Engle]

the big question for me - same pickups? i know most people aren't crazy about them, but every time i played one in a GC, i really liked what i heard.

Probably the same pickups. If you liked what you heard that is the most important factor.

 

[GBassNorth]

And what did you notice tone-wise compared to stock?

The stock cap in a Goth is up around .687uf and completely chokes the sound of the pickups, making them overly dark and muddy (and this is coming from a guy who likes deep dark bass tone). The .022 cap opens the pickups up for a much better defined note on every stroke and yet still retains most of its bottom end. I made the change on a Tbird IV as well with similar but very slightly less pronounced results, still a big improvement over stock.

 

[Stealth57]

All this talk about caps, does anyone know what the stock pot and cap values are in a new VP?

Don’t know the cap value but the pots are all 500k linear taper.

 

[GBassNorth]

All this talk about caps, does anyone know what the stock pot and cap values are in a new VP?

Yes, much to my surprise the VP uses a .687uf tone cap.

 

[Ringhammer]

I’m considering going 250k audio taper for volume and a .033 or .047 for a cap on a 500k audio taper for tone. Also thinking about V/B/T, with a MN250k blend.

 

[JIO]

I understand what you are saying and it's not negative at all. Kind of like with languages. They can almost just absorb them whereas adults really have to work at then. The brain is just wired to learn better when young in many ways. Not that some work isn't required.

That's correct. And it takes a kid who is into absorbing whatever input that is, and more importantly - has such opportunity available. I saw Charles Mingus in the summer of '78, shortly before he passed away (Jan '79) at a free (!) concert in a park in KC/MO. It was a part of a "Summer in the City" Parks & Rec thing. We we all sitting on the grass (close to the truck-bed stage) digging 'the man', who was on crutches at his point. Anyway, during the break a white guy brought his young son up to speak w/Mingus. His son was an aspiring drummer (8-10yrs old?) and asked if he could 'sit in' for one song. (!) It was a very casual Sunday afternoon gig, so Mingus agreed. When they started - the kid was on drums and did a great job. (can't recall the tune) As the kid left the stage, Mingus turned to a few black boys of similar age who were leaning on the front of the stage. He said "what are you going to do about that sh-t?" He wasn't smiling - like, get motivated to do something extraordinary like that kid! (or something like that)

Is not a simple equation, especially a kid with extraordinary talent. It takes opportunity and wanting to develop natural talent.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

That's correct. And it takes a kid who is into absorbing whatever input that is, and more importantly - has such opportunity available. I saw Charles Mingus in the summer of '78, shortly before he passed away (Jan '79) at a free (!) concert in a park in KC/MO. It was a part of a "Summer in the City" Parks & Rec thing. We we all sitting on the grass (close to the truck-bed stage) digging 'the man', who was on crutches at his point. Anyway, during the break a white guy brought his young son up to speak w/Mingus. His son was an aspiring drummer (8-10yrs old?) and asked if he could 'sit in' for one song. (!) It was a very casual Sunday afternoon gig, so Mingus agreed. When they started - the kid was on drums and did a great job. (can't recall the tune) As the kid left the stage, Mingus turned to a few black boys of similar age who were leaning on the front of the stage. He said "what are you going to do about that sh-t?" He wasn't smiling - like, get motivated to do something extraordinary like that kid! (or something like that)

Is not a simple equation, especially a kid with extraordinary talent. It takes opportunity and wanting to develop natural talent.

and then Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll happens….

 

[WillyW]

I’m considering going 250k audio taper for volume and a .033 or .047 for a cap on a 500k audio taper for tone. Also thinking about V/B/T, with a MN250k blend.

I'd use 500k everything and tune it with the cap, .047 could be mud city, I'm usually .033 or .022 with humburglers.

caps are cheap enuff and super fast to change out.

 

[JIO]

The stock cap in a Goth is up around .687uf and completely chokes the sound of the pickups, making them overly dark and muddy (and this is coming from a guy who likes deep dark bass tone). The .022 cap opens the pickups up for a much better defined note on every stroke and yet still retains most of its bottom end. I made the change on a Tbird IV as well with similar but very slightly less pronounced results, still a big improvement over stock.

The cap in my '21 MIK (Korean pots) VP is marked 2A683J. So is that .683uf? If so, It doesn't sound dark or muddy to my ears. Have yet to A/B it with my '64 II but it sounds Thunderbird familiar.

 

[JIO]

and then Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll happens….

...or if a jazzer of Mingus's era, heroin...

 

[TBird1958]

and then Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll happens….

Not necessarily in that order for me, but yeah, all three happened