Isn’t that where we’ll all be bunking?
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
A truly Herculean effort.
If I have to pick, I'll want the bridge (<=edit) pickup every time, because they're typically wound hotter. Ergo, more options with that one.
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Great info! My understanding is that Ceramic or Alnico are just part of the equation - you can't make a blanket statement on how a pickup will sound based on it's magnet type.So, interesting visit with Armstrong Pickups today. Pics to follow, much learned:
Looks like some Greco pups do indeed have ceramic magnets (as was suggested in that Tokai forum thread) as the pair in my IV are -
Neck - 9.89KΩ
Bridge - 9.85KΩ
So not different units, just two of the same but he was taking Gauss readings as well, in order to get more insight into which type of magnet and wire were most likely used:
Neck - 54.7
Bridge - 54.6
Apparently that means that the magnets are most likely ceramic with 42AWG wire. But this is not 100% certain just most likely - only way to tell beyond doubt would be to dissemble the pups.
Also, I asked him to check out the chrome-covered pups on my '22 NR, and they are different units at neck and bridge, so the one on sale on the Gibson site is solely the bridge unit:
Neck - 7.34KΩ
Bridge - 8.37KΩ
Gauss:
Neck - 28
Bridge - 31.2
His thoughts were alnico with 42AWG, I showed him the spec on the site and he was happy to see it listed alnico 5.
The EB pups were:
Neck - 9.98KΩ
Bridge - 15.12KΩ
Both very close to the published data.
Got a little work to do with Tone pros locking bridge/tailpiece studs on my Greco, and some jiggery-pokery with my RexBird and it's newly potted pups - in gold covers . . .
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,587
- 221,942
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I have the extended weekend off with no gigs.
I got shanghaied by my commercial crabber buddy. He needed an extra mate for the day and knew I was hanging around..it’s a workout loading and hauling bushels around the boat.
Didn’t get a chance to talk to them about Thunderbird Basses.
View attachment 5239485 View attachment 5239486 View attachment 5239487
Looks like more fun than a barrel of... crabs!
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,587
- 221,942
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
So, interesting visit with Armstrong Pickups today. Pics to follow, much learned:
Looks like some Greco pups do indeed have ceramic magnets (as was suggested in that Tokai forum thread) as the pair in my IV are -
Neck - 9.89KΩ
Bridge - 9.85KΩ
So not different units, just two of the same but he was taking Gauss readings as well, in order to get more insight into which type of magnet and wire were most likely used:
Neck - 54.7
Bridge - 54.6
Apparently that means that the magnets are most likely ceramic with 42AWG wire. But this is not 100% certain just most likely - only way to tell beyond doubt would be to dissemble the pups.
Also, I asked him to check out the chrome-covered pups on my '22 NR, and they are different units at neck and bridge, so the one on sale on the Gibson site is solely the bridge unit:
Neck - 7.34KΩ
Bridge - 8.37KΩ
Gauss:
Neck - 28
Bridge - 31.2
His thoughts were alnico with 42AWG, I showed him the spec on the site and he was happy to see it listed alnico 5.
The EB pups were:
Neck - 9.98KΩ
Bridge - 15.12KΩ
Both very close to the published data.
Got a little work to do with Tone pros locking bridge/tailpiece studs on my Greco, and some jiggery-pokery with my RexBird and it's newly potted pups - in gold covers . . .
Seems odd that the Greco pu's have a higher output pu in the N position than the B position. Normally that would be reversed.
I actually have RCA “long black plate” tubes in the other Orange AD200 I have, and that one is running some Sylvania 6550’s. I have not played through that amp yet. I also have the RCA long black playe 12ax7’s in my PF20t and PF50t. I immediately noticed the difference when I did that switch from the stock JJ and Ruby tubes that had come in them. Both of the PF’s have old USA 6L6 (pf50) and 6V6 (pf20) power tubes, one pair is RCA and the other may be Sylvania’s. I forget which is in which.
all these tubes cost me a premium, but they were tested and my tech verified them as all really good. Tyler and Chelsea at TCTubes.com were very helpful in finding and testing them all for me.
I've got a design cut out in taped-together graph paper that I want to build, and I'd put a Thunderbird neck on it in a New Yawk minute...
I think they are basically the same value as we're talking 0.04KΩ difference which could be as little as one or two extra winds of copper wire? Gibson often only go to one decimal place in their data so for all I know that might be regarded as the same value on their, or Greco's factory floor.
Erm, I'm not certain but have always thought it was the other way round? That the bridge units are normally the higher output? Certainly that's the case with the EB and the NR sets of data I put on here earlier?
Probuckers and SD Custom Shop too.
I agree - and I reckon (tho I've no proof) that, if they felt so inclined, some clever types could probably make a pickup with either magnet material so that I couldn't hear the difference!! Can't say if it would be a pickup I'd opt for on my instruments, but who knows?
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,587
- 221,942
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Most usually a two pu bass will have a hotter B pu as there is less vibration on the string there, resulting in the need for a higher output pu to balance it with the N pu.
I wouldn’t mind going to that concert, when and where?
Yep. I fixed it, thanks for catching that!
Found out today Armstrong Music (the parts/spares side of Aaron's business) had some of the Tone Pros locking tailpiece studs - so I'm trying them out on the Greco bridge, thinking that if I can get it securely on there it negates the need to put a two point bridge on there, with the extra holes needed. Fingers crossed, I'll give the thing a damn good thrashing tomorrow, see how it holds up!
No Thunderbird content, but an interesting interview with a heck of a bass player. Things got stressed between Bruce and Elvis not too long after this, unfortunately. But thanks for all the great music, Bruce.
1987 Bruce Thomas Interview - Elvis Costello Fan Forum
I read this interview while listening to a Troy Hughes' bass cover of "Peace, Love and Understanding" for at least the 100th time in a row in two days. I'm burning it into my soul before I attempt to learn to play it. I know I picked a good one because I'm not even close to tired of listening.
Y'all know that scene where Sam Wilson says (referring to Steve Rogers), "I do what he does, only slower"? That's loosely me talking about Bruce Thomas. We have the same interest and approaches to things - he's just way better. 8^) [Not referenced in the interview: he's also a bicyclist and author.]
1987 Bruce Thomas Interview - Elvis Costello Fan Forum
I read this interview while listening to a Troy Hughes' bass cover of "Peace, Love and Understanding" for at least the 100th time in a row in two days. I'm burning it into my soul before I attempt to learn to play it. I know I picked a good one because I'm not even close to tired of listening.
Y'all know that scene where Sam Wilson says (referring to Steve Rogers), "I do what he does, only slower"? That's loosely me talking about Bruce Thomas. We have the same interest and approaches to things - he's just way better. 8^) [Not referenced in the interview: he's also a bicyclist and author.]
Nice! I put the locking studs from Philly Luthiers on my Casady. They use an allen key from the top for the height adjustment, but I haven't figured out how to lock it without lowering it.
He's a JKD (Jeet Kun Do) guy as well. I think he wrote a book about Bruce Lee.No Thunderbird content, but an interesting interview with a heck of a bass player. Things got stressed between Bruce and Elvis not too long after this, unfortunately. But thanks for all the great music, Bruce.
1987 Bruce Thomas Interview - Elvis Costello Fan Forum
I read this interview while listening to a Troy Hughes' bass cover of "Peace, Love and Understanding" for at least the 100th time in a row in two days. I'm burning it into my soul before I attempt to learn to play it. I know I picked a good one because I'm not even close to tired of listening.
Y'all know that scene where Sam Wilson says (referring to Steve Rogers), "I do what he does, only slower"? That's loosely me talking about Bruce Thomas. We have the same interest and approaches to things - he's just way better. 8^) [Not referenced in the interview: he's also a bicyclist and author.]
Also one of my favorite bass players to listen to... We're doing "What's so Funny..." too. I'm singing it too, which has, so far, been hilarious...
