Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

Nice Marshall! Looks like "amp week" for a few of us!

Thanks Geo. Yep. I couldn’t be happier. Between it, my TT800 and the SVT, the world is mine!

 

[MCF]

I’ll do my best. Tricky part is all my ‘birds are a different combination of strings/pickups/tunings. If I get the Gemini, I will put them in the VP that the Novaks will come out of and otherwise the strings and tuning will stay the same, so I should be able to get an idea of the difference between those.

As an example of why this comparison stuff can be a challenge, I had some Lollars in the ‘01 bird, E standard with some old but still bright DM Blue Steels. Sounded great. Took the Lollars out and put them in the ‘03 bird, E standard with new EBCF 45-100. Not diggin’ it. Change to 45-105, and liked that a bit more. Can’t describe what I didn’t/don’t like, it may be the flats. As much as I like EBCF’s, maybe those on a ‘bird with vintage style pickups isn’t for me. The Novaks will go in the ‘03, and I’ll keep the strings and tuning the same, so we’ll see if I notice a difference/improvement with the flats on that.

I have the Gibson Vintage Reissue in the ‘01 with the Blue Steels, and, in my garage space at low and medium volume they sound fantastic. They are going in my black ‘97, and probably with some some Ken Smith Metal Masters 110-50(?) in Eb tuning. Hoping that those strings and those pickups make that black ‘97 sing. It currently has Lollars, some who knows how old EBCF’s 110-50 and tuned to D standard. Sound is nothing to write home about, but I’m guessing the strings are beyond done. Unlike many, I haven’t come to appreciate ancient flats on a bass, at least not for any of the music I’m currently involved in.

I notice the “EBCF” could sound like some odd tuning if someone wasn’t sure what we are talking about.

…has anyone put EBCF’s on a bass and tuned to EBCF…

I gave the EBCFs a long try. On three Thunderbirds. Including the ‘15. They just didn’t do it for me. I ended up giving them to George. I’m a stainless steel rounds guy. That’s all there is to it. Except for the Chromes on my wonderful MIM Pbass….

 

[Stealth57]

I gave the EBCFs a long try. On three Thunderbirds. Including the ‘15. They just didn’t do it for me. I ended up giving them to George. I’m a stainless steel rounds guy. That’s all there is to it. Except for the Chromes on my wonderful MIM Pbass….

Thanks Princess Fingers

 

[JIO]

Thanks Geo. Yep. I couldn’t be happier. Between it, my TT800 and the SVT, the world is mine!

We should all be thankful that we can realize the fulfillment on whatever level we can of our bass-related dreams. I know I am. My new (used) (Ashdown 30watt tube amp) amp is extra special because it's directly related to my friend Chucky and all the T-bird club members/friends like you who I shared the recent GTG jam-day at Daves in August with. Chocked full of great memories every time I'll plug in!

 

[MCF]

Thanks Princess Fingers

They felt fine. No aversion to Cobalt with my fingers. The tone with them just didn’t do it for me.

 

[MCF]

We should all be thankful that we can realize the fulfillment on whatever level we can of our bass-related dreams. I know I am. My new (used) (Ashdown 30watt tube amp) amp is extra special because it's directly related to my friend Chucky and all the T-bird club members/friends like you who I shared the recent GTG jam-day at Daves in August with. Chocked full of great memories every time I'll plug in!

Absolutely. The M6 is coming from a great friend who decided to pass it along. The deal has been in the works for some time now. I’m giving it a great new home where it’ll be for years to come. And our friend has new awesomeness to realize his dreams. Win win.

 

[The EDP]

So with some wheelin'n'dealin' I've had two new 'Birds move in (lucky boy!!)

After a new set of strings on the Greco it sounds and feels fab - and yeah, those pups have got a big, fat arse! Lovely!
And this Inverness Green NR sounds/feels great with the stock strings and setup.
Playing with the setup of the Greco has proven that I can keep the bridge dead flat with a separate tailpiece. Which has lead me to conclude it's worth getting a few of the locking posts (and some extra slugs) from Philly Luths. I have a drill press and a load of forstner bits!!
I've got a set of these pups: neck 345/bridge 346 - I bought them as being Gibson T'Bird pups like the ones used in the 2013 Les Paul Bass, and the Epihones that have the Chrome versions.
I wondered if anyone stateside would be up for trading "presents" - these in exchange for a modest basket from Philly Luths? More pics available if anybody is interested (message me)?

 

[MCF]

So with some wheelin'n'dealin' I've had two new 'Birds move in (lucky boy!!)
View attachment 5224729 View attachment 5224730 After a new set of strings on the Greco it sounds and feels fab - and yeah, those pups have got a big, fat arse! Lovely!
And this Inverness Green NR sounds/feels great with the stock strings and setup.
Playing with the setup of the Greco has proven that I can keep the bridge dead flat with a separate tailpiece. Which has lead me to conclude it's worth getting a few of the locking posts (and some extra slugs) from Philly Luths. I have a drill press and a load of forstner bits!!
I've got a set of these pups: neck 345/bridge 346 - I bought them as being Gibson T'Bird pups like the ones used in the 2013 Les Paul Bass, and the Epihones that have the Chrome versions.
I wondered if anyone stateside would be up for trading "presents" - these in exchange for a modest basket from Philly Luths? More pics available if anybody is interested (message me)?
View attachment 5224732 View attachment 5224733

I think @GBassNorth is very interested. PM him.

BTW. Wonderful new Thinderbirds!

 

[TBird1958]

Thursday it is..................
It's def a funky bass, having a good time with it.

 

[MCF]

Thursday it is..................
It's def a funky bass, having a good time with it.

In that pic, the body looks tiny. And very comfortable to play. Need a Thunderbird decal.

 

[TBird1958]

So with some wheelin'n'dealin' I've had two new 'Birds move in (lucky boy!!)
View attachment 5224729 View attachment 5224730 After a new set of strings on the Greco it sounds and feels fab - and yeah, those pups have got a big, fat arse! Lovely!
And this Inverness Green NR sounds/feels great with the stock strings and setup.
Playing with the setup of the Greco has proven that I can keep the bridge dead flat with a separate tailpiece. Which has lead me to conclude it's worth getting a few of the locking posts (and some extra slugs) from Philly Luths. I have a drill press and a load of forstner bits!!
I've got a set of these pups: neck 345/bridge 346 - I bought them as being Gibson T'Bird pups like the ones used in the 2013 Les Paul Bass, and the Epihones that have the Chrome versions.
I wondered if anyone stateside would be up for trading "presents" - these in exchange for a modest basket from Philly Luths? More pics available if anybody is interested (message me)?
View attachment 5224732 View attachment 5224733

Great score on the basses, both are really nice Thunderbirds!

 

[JIO]

Thursday it is..................
It's def a funky bass, having a good time with it.

That's a very smart outfit!

 

[JIO]

Signed, sealed and delivered ... can anyone smile any bigger?

 

[Engle]

So with some wheelin'n'dealin' I've had two new 'Birds move in (lucky boy!!)
View attachment 5224729 View attachment 5224730 After a new set of strings on the Greco it sounds and feels fab - and yeah, those pups have got a big, fat arse! Lovely!
And this Inverness Green NR sounds/feels great with the stock strings and setup.
Playing with the setup of the Greco has proven that I can keep the bridge dead flat with a separate tailpiece. Which has lead me to conclude it's worth getting a few of the locking posts (and some extra slugs) from Philly Luths. I have a drill press and a load of forstner bits!!
I've got a set of these pups: neck 345/bridge 346 - I bought them as being Gibson T'Bird pups like the ones used in the 2013 Les Paul Bass, and the Epihones that have the Chrome versions.
I wondered if anyone stateside would be up for trading "presents" - these in exchange for a modest basket from Philly Luths? More pics available if anybody is interested (message me)?
View attachment 5224732 View attachment 5224733

Beautiful mahogany on that Greco!
What are you using the drill press/forstner bits for?

 

[The EDP]

Beautiful mahogany on that Greco!
What are you using the drill press/forstner bits for?

I'm going to drill holes and press/glue the tailpiece post inserts in to my 2013 BlueBird and this Greco. If the locking posts give the little extra solidity and security I'm after for the 3 points in conjunction with the tailpieces I'll just go that route when I get Birds in future. I have these bars with holes drilled that sit under/at the back of the 3 points that ensure the string wrap doesn't sit in the saddle grooves but I like the fact I have adjusted the Greco bridge absolutely flat and with the tailpiece on that bass I've got a great break angle and lovely tension on the strings. Am only thinking to replace that tailpiece as I had a tunematic type one on my Les Paul Bass and that thing had incredible tone.

 

[ThaCoast]

I’ll do my best. Tricky part is all my ‘birds are a different combination of strings/pickups/tunings. If I get the Gemini, I will put them in the VP that the Novaks will come out of and otherwise the strings and tuning will stay the same, so I should be able to get an idea of the difference between those.

As an example of why this comparison stuff can be a challenge, I had some Lollars in the ‘01 bird, E standard with some old but still bright DM Blue Steels. Sounded great. Took the Lollars out and put them in the ‘03 bird, E standard with new EBCF 45-100. Not diggin’ it. Change to 45-105, and liked that a bit more. Can’t describe what I didn’t/don’t like, it may be the flats. As much as I like EBCF’s, maybe those on a ‘bird with vintage style pickups isn’t for me. The Novaks will go in the ‘03, and I’ll keep the strings and tuning the same, so we’ll see if I notice a difference/improvement with the flats on that

For sure it'll be a tricky thing to have a comparison. & your differences might be down to the weight/wood density of each bass. I've learned a lot working & building instruments, wood weight does a difference.

 

[Stealth57]

I'm going to drill holes and press/glue the tailpiece post inserts in to my 2013 BlueBird and this Greco. If the locking posts give the little extra solidity and security I'm after for the 3 points in conjunction with the tailpieces I'll just go that route when I get Birds in future. I have these bars with holes drilled that sit under/at the back of the 3 points that ensure the string wrap doesn't sit in the saddle grooves but I like the fact I have adjusted the Greco bridge absolutely flat and with the tailpiece on that bass I've got a great break angle and lovely tension on the strings. Am only thinking to replace that tailpiece as I had a tunematic type one on my Les Paul Bass and that thing had incredible tone.

I have mod-bars on two Epis that have silks. Works great but don’t think I’ll buy more since the price now is $45 each delivered. I got two delivered for $30 last time.

GIBSON® EPIPHONE® BASS BRIDGE 3-POINT (MOD-BAR!) | eBay

 

[Ringhammer]

I gave the EBCFs a long try. On three Thunderbirds. Including the ‘15. They just didn’t do it for me. I ended up giving them to George. I’m a stainless steel rounds guy. That’s all there is to it. Except for the Chromes on my wonderful MIM Pbass….

I absolutely love the EBCF’s on a few of my P-basses, in progressively heavier gauges for all three tunings I use. Each of the P’s in question are double P layout.

On the other hand, not so much on the Jazz I have a set of EBCF’s on.

 

[MCF]

I absolutely love the EBCF’s on a few of my P-basses, in progressively heavier gauges for all three tunings I use. Each of the P’s in question are double P layout.

On the other hand, not so much on the Jazz I have a set of EBCF’s on.

I have 2 Pbasses. One with Chromes and one with Power Steels. No reason to change. They’re dialed in the way I like them. I liked the feel of the EBCFs. And they’re very forgiving about finger noise. But at the end of the day, not for me. I like what I like. As it is with you. I have a new amp coming. There will not be any string experiments for some time now.

 

[MCF]

I have mod-bars on two Epis that have silks. Works great but don’t think I’ll buy more since the price now is $45 each delivered. I got two delivered for $30 last time.

GIBSON® EPIPHONE® BASS BRIDGE 3-POINT (MOD-BAR!) | eBay

Heck. You could make some and sell them here for pin money.