• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#265,781
The EDP said:
Aha! Thank you, do they sound very different, the two types of sidewinders? Or does the orientation effectively make them sound similar?
If they do indeed sound quite different are the '70s ones popular amongst the club - or do folk prefer the repro 60s one on the current NRs?
Click to expand...
I think they sound different, but it would be difficult to do an A/B test without putting them in the same position in the same bass. The EBs were (mostly) short scale with the sidewinder pickup right against the fingerboard. Tbirds of the 70's were all long scale with pickups closer to the bridge and I believe their sidewinders were wired in series.
I have a 60's EB sidewinder that I'm thinking of putting in my Jbass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, MCF, Nocturnal and 7 others
#265,783
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Hondapunk, GBassNorth and 3 others
#265,787
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, MCF, JJR58 and 7 others
#265,788
Swan Fams let’s do this!..,,,:bassist:
34F2A466-10E1-4BE4-BD9F-0453E0841C6D.jpeg
532C7CA3-07AA-4BF4-929E-D549BCAA9365.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, MCF, JJR58 and 13 others
#265,789
Tube Saturday.
Just had my AD200B’s gone through and did a big tube swap in both.

One, a 2011 model, which I got about a month ago for just $700, needed the power transformer taps changed as it was a UK/EU model, with no 120 VAC option on the switch, only 220/230. Now it’s only 120, and the switch is disconnected. Also had a “Power Amp In” setup and put in where the “Active” input jack is located. With all the fancy pedal pre-amps, this allows me to play around with these. For example, I have the Ampeg SGT-DI pedal, which has a B15/SVT setting and cabsim switch with 115/410/810 setting, and a preamp out jack. Now it goes right into the power amp in and I get a 200w B15 or SVT!
This one had JJ 6550’s and “PM” 12AX7’s and a 12AT7 (UK branded Chinese tubes I believe). Now it has a matched set of Sylvania 6550’s (Phillips labeled), an RCA 12BH7 in place of the 12AT7, and two RCA “long black plate” 12ax7’s

2011 model:

IMG_5463.jpeg


IMG_5464.jpeg




And in my other AD200B, a set of GE6550’s and a GE 12BH7 in place of the 12AT7. With (for now) some good JJ 12ax7’s under the covers:

IMG_5467.jpeg


IMG_5468.jpeg


So the way I do this is, one of these stays at the rehearsal space with an OBC115, and gets regular, once a week (at most) use. The other is parked at home with an OBC115 and OBC210 cab. When the band has a show, I load up the amp that’s at home, and either one or both of the cabinets. Then after the show, at the next practice, I swap heads and the one that was parked at home and just used at a show will get regular use at the studio. Also nice to not have to go to the rehearsal space and bring an amp and cabs down stairs on a gig night.

It will be interesting to see if I notice a big difference between these heads.

The one with (now) the GE’s is the one I have had for awhile, and it had “PM” 6550’s in it. My tech did a good “cook and burn” test on them when I got it and they checked out strong. When he put the GE’s in yesterday, he had to bias them up quite a bit from where it was with the PM’s, but he got it putting out a solid 169 clean watts. Since no other changes were made, and this was the amp I used at rehearsal on Thursday, I’ll bring this back to the space on Monday and see if I hear a big change.
I probably won’t, but I’m sure I’ll convince myself that it sounds even more awesome with good old USA power tubes! :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, MCF, JJR58 and 8 others
#265,793
Went to see Sir Paul last night. He played the Hofner a lot (as well as a Les Paul, a Martin acoustic, a Ukulele (that George gave him) a mandolin and 2 different pianos - a Yamaha grand and an upright.

Brian Ray played a P bass and a black Epiphone JC bass in the quieter songs. Plus a black Epi SG (stupendous looking and sounding), a Gretsch and a couple others that now escape my mind. All his looked brand new.

They finished with The End, and included the 3 of them doing guitar solos as per the recorded version.

My bass rating on sound was
Epi JCB, Hofner, P bass. But of course Paul’s Hofner remains an icon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, Count Bassie, MCF and 10 others
#265,796
Instagator said:
It’s a Rivoli. Here’s a link to the restoration I did on that one.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/1965-epiphone-rivoli-save-rebuild-pics.774238/#post-10957430
Click to expand...

I remember having seen this thread years ago, i didn't recall this was you :O killer restoration, it really looks stunning! (i would've kept the bass boost switch just for originality tone, but that's me xD) I'd love to find one, though i do need to finish (more like extensive fix before really finishing) my own 32" scale semi hollow bass build. I may also half build, a long scale 335 based on Simon Gallups Dick Knight semi hollow (which was 34" scale, dual emg humbuckers, hardtail fender style/bada$$ bridge). the latter TBD, i've got enough going on right now xD
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF and GBassNorth
#265,798
Insight from the kingdom; should i upgrade the 3 point on my epiphone for the Babicz bridge, or should I find a solid tail piece that i can screw behind the bridge itself (ala orville/greco birds)? I've never had a problem setting up the 3 point bridge (& i've got my 70's grabber copy & built Ripper bass which both sport 3 point bridges). The overall advantage of the babicz is 360 setup (individual string height, intonation, direct body contact), where the tailpiece behind the current bridge would just have the ball ends (& fatter wrap) sit way before the actual saddle for better setup (for at least the E & A strings).
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Roger W and GBassNorth
#265,799
ThaCoast said:
Insight from the kingdom; should i upgrade the 3 point on my epiphone for the Babicz bridge, or should I find a solid tail piece that i can screw behind the bridge itself (ala orville/greco birds)? I've never had a problem setting up the 3 point bridge (& i've got my 70's grabber copy & built Ripper bass which both sport 3 point bridges). The overall advantage of the babicz is 360 setup (individual string height, intonation, direct body contact), where the tailpiece behind the current bridge would just have the ball ends (& fatter wrap) sit way before the actual saddle for better setup (for at least the E & A strings).
Click to expand...
If I pretend to be Marshall, the answer is Babicz. I have no issues with the 3 point save for my CP where the bridge is bottomed out and the string height could be a touch lower.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, GBassNorth, MCF and 3 others
#265,800
Engle said:
I think they sound different, but it would be difficult to do an A/B test without putting them in the same position in the same bass. The EBs were (mostly) short scale with the sidewinder pickup right against the fingerboard. Tbirds of the 70's were all long scale with pickups closer to the bridge and I believe their sidewinders were wired in series.
I have a 60's EB sidewinder that I'm thinking of putting in my Jbass.
Click to expand...

In the late '60s - early '70s, many players installed a mud-bucker on P's and J's near the neck for that big-bottom that was so popular then.

Not a very clear pic, but the Gibson pu is at the neck-heal and there's an extra control knob for it. Rick Laird - Mahavishnu Orchestra circa '72
upload_2023-10-28_17-38-24.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth, MCF, Roger W and 7 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back