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So I guess since it’s a “conversation,” he won’t be singing so there’s that. It would be fun to hear his stories. Kind of pricey though just to listen to him talk. He’s doing the same thing at the Orpheum in L.A. I think I’ll wait for when a vid is available on streaming platforms.
I've taken my Epiphone Treebird back home from my mom's place (i've keep about half my gear there since moving out because i lack room in my apartment). I wanted to test out having a series/parallel switch & see how useful it is for a thunderbird. The following findings can be translated to other epiphone thunderbirds (mainly the Classic which repoduces the gibson on a budget, the IVs, & others which have the 3 screw big black pickups), & Gibson counterpart thunderbirds of post 88 with the black cover pickups.
I cannot speak for vintage models 63-79, Vintage Pros, Active pre Pro epiphones, Elitist/custom shops with the humbucker sized pickups.
With that said, here's what i've heard: (note, my thunderbird does not sport a volume or tone control. Only a DPDT switch for the operation).
- In series mode, there's a lot of power behind the sound. Volume boost for sure in comparison with Parallel, however it does come a the cost of any clarity (this could probably be remedied having a tone control onboard - don't quote me on this).
- In parallel mode, it's what you'd expect out of a factory built thunderbird. There's a scooped tone, more airy in a sense, less volume to the series mode, but clarity overall. This would be your standard VVT wiring set up tone with everything wide open.
I mainly did this test to see how beneficial it is to have a thunderbird in Parallel (stock config) vs series (like the 76-79 birds of the day). I can find uses in both for sure, however i believe my preference lies with Parallel. To me, the sound of a thunderbird has a clank to it, there's clarity in the notes, & it sounds big in whatever space. Series is too much, & i'll get to why i think it worked for the 76-79 (& could possibly yield different results with the 63-66, Vintage Pros, Elitist/custom shops w/humbucker sized pickups).
The reason why I don't like Series on this, & don't feel it works great without having a tone control onboard (which i can't test without drilling another hole into my bass), is because of the pickup construction/magnets. Usually ceramic magnet equipped pickups (depending on how they're wound & wire components of course), but speaking strictly of Thunderbird bass ceramic magnet pickups - they're too "hot" to be in series. Where it worked on the 76-79 birds due to their pickups being side winder construction. Hence why, perhaps on the 3 model types of True vintage gibsons/vintage pros by epiphone, & humbucker sized equipped thunderbirds of epiphone custom shop/elitist, could yield different results having a series/parallel switch. I'm assuming they have more clarity to start with, so series mode would simply give them a nice volume boost, without perhaps sounding too muffled/woofy in a way.
I did have my treebird wired with an on/off switch because i wanted the simplicity of things. & i believe with that, i've been in permanent series mode. Which while the bass plays great in itself, i felt i had to compensate brightness wise because of this. However, i've only come to this conclusion about my killswitch & how it sounded, after play testing the series/parallel switching. If i find a way to have my thunderbird wired with only the on/off switch but having the parallel config tone when on, I will share it for those who are maybe seeking that open bird tone on a simple on/off switch.
Thanks for reading my Thunderbird TedTalk
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Since you’re the man with those pickups, which strings? Power Steels?
That’s my preference along with Dunlop Marcus Miller Stainless Steel Superbrights
I've often wondered how that mod would work on Thunderbirds, thx for bringing perspective on the subject. I always had my Jazz basses modded that way and now currently own only PJ Jazzes. I don't recall experiencing clank with my Thunderbirds, but I don't use much dirt (only light OD from the VT) and my VVT knobs are usually 100% neck, 80% bridge, tone anywhere between 50-80%, so whatever clank wanted to come out just got strangled in the chain.
Speaking of yours.... I think we saw pics of it earlier this summer, right ? Mind refreshing our memory ?
Cheers
Did you ever get to give the black box Dunlops a workout?
Yup, now I remember. Pretty unique bass, awesome paint job all over, love it
PM’d. They’re still on the white Epi which I’m having the electronics issue with.
I would have thought the pickups would have been more towards the mids to highs given they are guitar pickups, at least that’s what I was told. But, they have tons of low end.
Static. George and I will be looking at it Sunday.
Or just put a strap button there.
I played one of Marshall's Tbirds with those pickups at the GTG and thought they sounded pretty good. I'm looking out for a set for my Dan Armstrong copy.
That would have been the Silverburst you made the PG and TR cover for. UPS says they should come Thursday. They’ll look great with the chrome PUPs. Many thanks for making them.
Many thanks! Red spray paint base coat, & the black tree (roots & branches) is all dollarstore acrylic bottle paint & brush. Just went with it, & love it to death. It's been 12 years since i've purchased it, & i'm happy its in a stable state mod & all. Am Curious to try the Eric Custom epiphone format, but Gibson spec'd pickups (they are inexpensive). & i've just got done wiring it back to on/off only, & i'm pleased to say, after doing a recording test & comparing to the recording i did of it with the series/parallel switch, its currently parallel mode forever! No need for a tone control, or volume on this one for me, a simple on/off works a charm!
Just one thing to do on it, but overall it's complete & ready for years of recording/gigging!
