Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

Not really frustrating no, but there are a few weird things go on with with post ordering. I think it's just that your new post will show up on the page you are reading, until you refresh it and then it will encorce the 20 post page break and move it to the end. FWIW, I occasionally read TB on a Windows PC and it does the same thing.

I guess the question is how to get back to where you were last reading before you replied. I guess there's that up arrow I just thought of, but it just seems weird to leave you at the bottom of the page.

 

[Off-Beat]

A band I've spent sugnificant time in (Plan 9) got inducted to the RI Music Hall of Fame this weekend. We did a show last night with Throwing Muses and Neutral Nation, which went happily very well.

Ah I meant why it's a single PU bass now.

 

[kat888]

Ah I meant why it's a single PU bass now.

Single pup Birds are angrier.

 

[Nocturnal]

Need some quick help/information from the collective brain trust here. I'm looking at a 2011 Epi T-Bird, white with nickel humbuckers and bridge, supposedly a limited edition model, appears to be good condition low mileage. I can get it at a favorable price, just wondering about the pickups (TB+ in shiny metal covers or something else?) and if in fact this was a limited run bass etc. Been trying to talk myself out of it (I REALLY don't need another one...) but with the bright metal hardware, and if it's actually a special edition model...

Appreciate any information you all can pass along, need to jump soon if I'm jumping at all. N + 1, right?

These were a special edition. Different to the original white special edition that had the regular Epi soapbar pickups and black hardware. The chrome covered humbucker sized pickups in the Epi are not the same as Gibson humbucker sized TB Plus. Some people like the Epi chrome humbuckers but I have never tried them. You can always swap out the pickups to other humbucker sized pickups to experiment if you felt like it. Easy enough to put back to original. I would grab one if I found it at a good price and you might be able to fine real TB Plus to install in it.

 

[EdO.]

These were a special edition. Different to the original white special edition that had the regular Epi soapbar pickups and black hardware. The chrome covered humbucker sized pickups in the Epi are not the same as Gibson humbucker sized TB Plus. Some people like the Epi chrome humbuckers but I have never tried them. You can always swap out the pickups to other humbucker sized pickups to experiment if you felt like it. Easy enough to put back to original. I would grab one if I found it at a good price and you might be able to fine real TB Plus to install in it.

Thanks Nocturnal, appreciate the info. Been digging around a bit, have read that the chrome pickups are guitar pickups so don't know what to expect there. I'm really not interested in having to replace the pickups, would like to hear from some who has some knowledge/experience with them. As long as they're serviceable I could probably EQ them out sufficiently. If they're just wimpy that's another issue. Maybe @TBird1958 knows more being the guru to all things T-Bird?

 

[rodv66]

These were a special edition. Different to the original white special edition that had the regular Epi soapbar pickups and black hardware. The chrome covered humbucker sized pickups in the Epi are not the same as Gibson humbucker sized TB Plus. Some people like the Epi chrome humbuckers but I have never tried them. You can always swap out the pickups to other humbucker sized pickups to experiment if you felt like it. Easy enough to put back to original. I would grab one if I found it at a good price and you might be able to fine real TB Plus to install in it.

I had a silver burst Epiphone and got a set of Gibson pups as a gift. Had to get the Epiphone routed out to fit. Did sound really good though

 

[RedVee]

I have the opportunity to pick up an EB 13. How good are they? I have some gig money that I am holding for when the Epi Vintage TBirds are available (hopefully in a few months).
I know, buy both.

The cream one?
I'm on a self imposed wait until 3Q 17 and all being well I'll get something good. After some internet research I'm pretty set on a 14 or 13 EB. They seem really good and versatile especially for the price, and with a hard case.

Of course there will be none around at the price I like when I'm ready.

 

[BklynKen]

What don't people like about the Gibson TB+ pickups? I think they sound great.

 

[Count Bassie]

Ah I meant why it's a single PU bass now.

Lol! Sorry... I wanted to try it is all, I was intrigued with the simpler, more limited approach to a sound.

 

[Count Bassie]

What don't people like about the Gibson TB+ pickups? I think they sound great.

I've heard more good than bad about them, no experience though. I'd like to try one..

 

[willsellout]

What don't people like about the Gibson TB+ pickups? I think they sound great.

I have nothing bad to say about them. They sound great. They don't sound as good as the Lull's do though. I'd be perfectly happy keeping my bass stock and would happily rock it anywhere and any time.

 

[wolfkeller]

My advice is to not screw around and try to save a few bucks. If you get anything less than the Lulls at this point you'll always have the thought in the back of your head wondering whether you made the right choice and wishing you'd have spent the extra few bucks to have gotten exactly what you wanted in the first place. I've only made that mistake in my youth... buy what you want, life is short.



This is what really happened. Fess up, Roger.





See video above.

Do you have a set of those?

 

[BklynKen]

I have nothing bad to say about them. They sound great. They don't sound as good as the Lull's do though. I'd be perfectly happy keeping my bass stock and would happily rock it anywhere and any time.

Ah, cool. Always something better out there. Only things I've changed are the bridge to Hipshot to get closer string spacing and the black knobs that go to 11, as you see in my avatar.

 

[TBird1958]

What don't people like about the Gibson TB+ pickups? I think they sound great.

I had them in my '89 and the Nikki Sixx Mk.II and liked them as they were.................Then I discovered chrome and good repro pickups became available when Mike Lull had TV Jones build them for him. I figured the way to get close to a '63 Thunderbird IV was to gut my '89 and use Mike's pickups since they're based specifically on a pair he deconstructed that came out of a black '63 that had a great set in it. I like them a lot, they're warm, and a bit growly, not overdriven.

 

[TBird1958]

Yours truly with Will @Gaolee today for the Seattle are GTG

And with Louis @catcauphonic

 

[BklynKen]

I had them in my '89 and the Nikki Sixx Mk.II and liked them as they were.................Then I discovered chrome and good repro pickups became available when Mike Lull had TV Jones build them for him. I figured the way to get close to a '63 Thunderbird IV was to gut my '89 and use Mike's pickups since they're based specifically on a pair he deconstructed that came out of a black '63 that had a great set in it. I like them a lot, they're warm, and a bit growly, not overdriven.

Thanks. That makes sense. I understand the chrome thing. I like that, but I love black hardware.

 

[TBird1958]

Thanks. That makes sense. I understand the chrome thing. I like that, but I love black hardware.

I kinda worship the chrome gods.
It happened after I got a '76.........then I had to have chrome, lots of chrome.

 

[BklynKen]

Yours truly with Will @Gaolee today for the Seattle are GTG

And with Louis @catcauphonic

Love it! Waiting for stories.

 

[veebass]

The cream one?
I'm on a self imposed wait until 3Q 17 and all being well I'll get something good. After some internet research I'm pretty set on a 14 or 13 EB. They seem really good and versatile especially for the price, and with a hard case.

Of course there will be none around at the price I like when I'm ready.

Yes, but I am still only thinking about it. If you want it I'll definitely stand back.

 

[GBassNorth]

The cream one?
I'm on a self imposed wait until 3Q 17 and all being well I'll get something good. After some internet research I'm pretty set on a 14 or 13 EB. They seem really good and versatile especially for the price, and with a hard case.

Of course there will be none around at the price I like when I'm ready.

You'll love the EB when you get it. There are some minor differences between the 13 and 14. The 13 has a front pickguard mounted Jack vs the side mount on the 14. I personally like the 13 best since I typically sit when practicing and don't need to worry about the cord getting in the way. The 13 also had a tort guard, which I would never put on any other Gibby but with the Fenderish looks of the EB it works. I think the only other difference might be the level of sheen on the finish, with the 13 being more of a matt finish and the 14 being closer to a satin IIRC.