Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

45 days to decide. Nice tight fit on the Epi case.

View attachment 5137638

Looks good. More pics when you get home please.

 

[MCF]

Are they series/parallel switches? Should be more bright and less powerful in parallel mode.

They are tap switches.

 

[GBassNorth]

For you 2015 types, what is the sound difference with the switches up vs down? I tried with combinations of volume and tone and don’t hear any difference throwing the taps.

You should hear a distinct difference on each pickup when the switch for that pup is flipped. I’m not at home right now so I don’t recall which switch direction does what, but I do know it’s very noticeable, not subtle at all. Probably more pronounced as the pickups get nearer the strings. Try volume at 50%+ and tone at 50%, then flip a switch.

The 2015 controls are unique in the bird world. If you max the volume of a pickup, the tone knob (and maybe the switches) will have very little impact on the tone of the bass.

 

[GBassNorth]

For you 2015 types, what is the sound difference with the switches up vs down? I tried with combinations of volume and tone and don’t hear any difference throwing the taps.

Quick tap function test…
Volume half up on each pickup, tone half up, connected to amp and cab
Lightly tap each of the exposed pole pieces of the neck pickup with a screwdriver - listen for output
Flip the switch for that pickup
Lightly tap each of the exposed pole pieces of the neck pickup with a screwdriver - listen for output

You should have noticed that in one of the switch positions all the exposed pole pieces had output and in the other switch position only one bank of exposed poles had output. If so, it’s working as designed. If not, it’s faulty.

Repeat with the bridge pickup.

 

[Stealth57]

Looks good. More pics when you get home please.

Only a scuff on the top of the headstock. That will polish out fine.

 

[TBird1958]

Interesting how they’re using Babicz bridges on some of the Mod Shop basses.

I like them, they "look" right on that bass.

 

[MCF]

 

[MCF]

I like them, they "look" right on that bass.

Totally agree. As you’ll recall, huge Babicz fanboy here.

 

[MCF]

Only a scuff on the top of the headstock. That will polish out fine.

View attachment 5137777 View attachment 5137778 View attachment 5137779 View attachment 5137781

Wow. That is in excellent condition for an eight year old bass.

 

[TBird1958]

Love the color on that one! Some of these mod birds are very tempting. One of these days I might have to move some gear so I’ll be ready when a neat one hits the block.

That orange is the BOMB!

 

[MCF]

You should hear a distinct difference on each pickup when the switch for that pup is flipped. I’m not at home right now so I don’t recall which switch direction does what, but I do know it’s very noticeable, not subtle at all. Probably more pronounced as the pickups get nearer the strings. Try volume at 50%+ and tone at 50%, then flip a switch.

The 2015 controls are unique in the bird world. If you max the volume of a pickup, the tone knob (and maybe the switches) will have very little impact on the tone of the bass.

Both switches down is full humbucking.

 

[KB5]

My local GC has all Epiphone basses on sale. They have a brand new black VP for $639. It's nice, light, and plays well. There was also a new green Embassy for $399. The store is in Commack, NY if anyone is looking for a deal. Not sure if this sale is at all Guitar Centers.

 

[Stealth57]

I’ll get back to folks on the tap test. Right now it’s bottling day. Hopefully, ready by the GTG.

 

[MCF]

Quick tap function test…
Volume half up on each pickup, tone half up, connected to amp and cab
Lightly tap each of the exposed pole pieces of the neck pickup with a screwdriver - listen for output
Flip the switch for that pickup
Lightly tap each of the exposed pole pieces of the neck pickup with a screwdriver - listen for output

You should have noticed that in one of the switch positions all the exposed pole pieces had output and in the other switch position only one bank of exposed poles had output. If so, it’s working as designed. If not, it’s faulty.

Repeat with the bridge pickup.

Mine’s up at the mountain. I’ve looked everywhere for the article I had that gave a description of how they work. And I can’t find it googling. They are supposedly different from classic coil tapping.

 

[MCF]

Only a scuff on the top of the headstock. That will polish out fine.

View attachment 5137777 View attachment 5137778 View attachment 5137779 View attachment 5137781

What strings are on it, if you can tell? I’m assuming rounds? Hard to tell from the pics. I’d swap out what is on there with stainless rounds.

 

[Roger W]

I'm certain Gibson checks in here for all their good ideas. Seriously!

If they did that, they wouldn’t have discontinued the LP DC Tribute short scale. I managed to snag a used one that came with a Hipshot bridge and nice case for under $1000, but that’s not usual these days.

 

[MCF]

If they did that, they wouldn’t have discontinued the LP DC Tribute short scale. I managed to snag a used one that came with a Hipshot bridge and nice case for under $1000, but that’s not usual these days.

They were on sale for a short few weeks for $699 when they ended production; I think in ‘21. Very nice basses.

 

[MCF]

My local GC has all Epiphone basses on sale. They have a brand new black VP for $639. It's nice, light, and plays well. There was also a new green Embassy for $399. The store is in Commack, NY if anyone is looking for a deal. Not sure if this sale is at all Guitar Centers.

Save one Casady earlier this year, our GC hasn’t had a new Epi since 2016. It’s a terrible GC.

 

[KB5]

Save one Casady earlier this year, our GC hasn’t had a new Epi since 2016. It’s a terrible GC.

They had a blue Cassidy too. I didn't notice the price but it also has the yellow sale tag.

 

[Stealth57]

What strings are on it, if you can tell? I’m assuming rounds? Hard to tell from the pics. I’d swap out what is on there with stainless rounds.

Rounds of some sort. No silks.