Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

@TBird1958 I hate that it appears that Gibson has discontinued that color choice for the thunderbirds.


-ScottM

The Reverse isn't in production currently but you don't have to look hard to find them and I think they'll bring them back at some point. Re-Issue Bicentennial anyone?

 

[dagrev]

The Reverse isn't in production currently but you don't have to look hard to find them and I think they'll bring them back at some point. Re-Issue Bicentennial anyone?

But maybe shave off 3lbs or so!

 

[MCF]

@TBird1958 I hate that it appears that Gibson has discontinued that color choice for the thunderbirds.


-ScottM

The classic burst finish will likely return at some point. Maybe as a model with the Reissue pickups instead of the Tbird+ pickups. One never knows with Gibson.

 

[TBird1958]

But maybe shave off 3lbs or so!

They are heavier, my '64 is 8 lbs, the '76s are at least a pound or more, but both of mine have all the original factory metal on them.

 

[KB5]

I haven’t changed any of mine out, curious, what value are they?

Not sure of the values. I'm guessing 500K. I did mod the tone pot into a no-load pot. There's definitely a bit more top end zing available. It's like running no tone pot when you dime the tone, but in all other positions the tone control works as normal. It takes the pot/resistor out of the circuit. Here's a link on how to do it if anyone is interested: How To Make A No Load Tone Pot

Someone asked for a pic with the white TR cover a while back so here that is.

 

[scottm]

The Reverse isn't in production currently but you don't have to look hard to find them and I think they'll bring them back at some point. Re-Issue Bicentennial anyone?

I sure hope so. I’ve owned a few Gibson basses over the years and I have really grown to appreciate them as I’ve gotten older.

I would love for them to come out with a new model.

The classic burst finish will likely return at some point. Maybe as a model with the Reissue pickups instead of the Tbird+ pickups. One never knows with Gibson.

That would be fun.

-ScottM

 

[DJ Bebop]

That looks a bit minimalist.

I was trying to keep it simple to be less obtrusive.

 

[Dark Horse]

So a dumb question for you guys….

I typically participate in the “build offs” they hold in the Luthier section of this forum. Well, because I’m currently in radiation and chemo treatment for stage 4 cancer , I won’t be able to do the typical “scratch build” , but I’m still hoping to participate with a “assembly build”. The plan is to use pretty much parts that I have here already, as finances are so tight, as you can imagine…. A career musician that can’t currently work and has medical bills keeping things tight. Anyway, here’s the plan…. And though it’s not a T-Bird, I could consider it to be “T-Bird adjacent

Precision body - black
Telecaster bass neck - rosewood board
Hipshot vintage ultralight tuners
Badass/omega or vintage style bridge

the pickups are where I have questions….

I have three EMG Thunderbird pickups here. Two of the TBP ones, and one of the TBTW ( I think that’s the model…. Tappable humbucker). I’m sure they’d sound amazing, but I’m kind of feeing that I want to go a “bit” more true to the thunderbird sound with some chrome old school passive t-bird pickups. The caveat is that I’d have to spend a little money (hopefully as little as possible), but I think if I make it through this cancer treatment that I’ll be happier overall with the bass.

So ….. with that in mind, I was wondering what recommendations for pickups that are affordable would you guys have ? I can’t spend much, but I can maybe sell a couple things and get something halfway decent. Orville’s ? Gibson reissues ? The inexpensive EY ones on EBay ? Epiphone ? Or do any of you guys have pickups you would want to sell or trade ?

thanks ….. I appreciate your time !

andy

 

[JIO]

My reggae rig for a minute, two 18s n dere…

View attachment 5482112

True story

That'll rattle the house!

 

[JIO]

I've been having to deal with a lot of key changing latley to accommodate singers, I bought the digi-tech drop pedal to make things easier. Totally worth it, I can stay in standard tunning and with a turn of a knob be where I need to be.

I had no idea there's a pedal that can do that -

 

[JIO]

Watch out for the Blob.

???

 

[JJR58]

So a dumb question for you guys….

I typically participate in the “build offs” they hold in the Luthier section of this forum. Well, because I’m currently in radiation and chemo treatment for stage 4 cancer , I won’t be able to do the typical “scratch build” , but I’m still hoping to participate with a “assembly build”. The plan is to use pretty much parts that I have here already, as finances are so tight, as you can imagine…. A career musician that can’t currently work and has medical bills keeping things tight. Anyway, here’s the plan…. And though it’s not a T-Bird, I could consider it to be “T-Bird adjacent

Precision body - black
Telecaster bass neck - rosewood board
Hipshot vintage ultralight tuners
Badass/omega or vintage style bridge

the pickups are where I have questions….

I have three EMG Thunderbird pickups here. Two of the TBP ones, and one of the TBTW ( I think that’s the model…. Tappable humbucker). I’m sure they’d sound amazing, but I’m kind of feeing that I want to go a “bit” more true to the thunderbird sound with some chrome old school passive t-bird pickups. The caveat is that I’d have to spend a little money (hopefully as little as possible), but I think if I make it through this cancer treatment that I’ll be happier overall with the bass.

So ….. with that in mind, I was wondering what recommendations for pickups that are affordable would you guys have ? I can’t spend much, but I can maybe sell a couple things and get something halfway decent. Orville’s ? Gibson reissues ? The inexpensive EY ones on EBay ? Epiphone ? Or do any of you guys have pickups you would want to sell or trade ?

thanks ….. I appreciate your time !

andy

Oh wow! Build, build, build as best you can.
And hang in there with the treatment.
Sending nothing but good vibes.

 

[Gaolee]

II Tuesday!

They don't make 'em like that any more. The TV antenna, of course. What did you think I meant?

 

[TBird1958]

So a dumb question for you guys….

I typically participate in the “build offs” they hold in the Luthier section of this forum. Well, because I’m currently in radiation and chemo treatment for stage 4 cancer , I won’t be able to do the typical “scratch build” , but I’m still hoping to participate with a “assembly build”. The plan is to use pretty much parts that I have here already, as finances are so tight, as you can imagine…. A career musician that can’t currently work and has medical bills keeping things tight. Anyway, here’s the plan…. And though it’s not a T-Bird, I could consider it to be “T-Bird adjacent

Precision body - black
Telecaster bass neck - rosewood board
Hipshot vintage ultralight tuners
Badass/omega or vintage style bridge

the pickups are where I have questions….

I have three EMG Thunderbird pickups here. Two of the TBP ones, and one of the TBTW ( I think that’s the model…. Tappable humbucker). I’m sure they’d sound amazing, but I’m kind of feeing that I want to go a “bit” more true to the thunderbird sound with some chrome old school passive t-bird pickups. The caveat is that I’d have to spend a little money (hopefully as little as possible), but I think if I make it through this cancer treatment that I’ll be happier overall with the bass.

So ….. with that in mind, I was wondering what recommendations for pickups that are affordable would you guys have ? I can’t spend much, but I can maybe sell a couple things and get something halfway decent. Orville’s ? Gibson reissues ? The inexpensive EY ones on EBay ? Epiphone ? Or do any of you guys have pickups you would want to sell or trade ?

thanks ….. I appreciate your time !

andy

Wish you the very best for your treatment.

Regarding the pickups I think very highly of the Gibson Re Issues, for the money they're fantastic sounding,
they are the stock pickup in the current Non Reverse Bird.

They sound like this:

 

[Gaolee]

@TBird1958 I hate that it appears that Gibson has discontinued that color choice for the thunderbirds.


-ScottM

They aren't even making reverse Thunderbirds much these days. They should, but they don't. And lots of colors.

 

[TBird1958]

I sure hope so. I’ve owned a few Gibson basses over the years and I have really grown to appreciate them as I’ve gotten older.

I would love for them to come out with a new model.


That would be fun.

-ScottM

Last year they did a Custom Shop Thunderbird II as a one off in the Burst, with a two point bridge, I hope they make it a production model.

 

[Stealth57]

???

The slime pool on the right of the photo. Reference the movie, The Blob.

 

[Dark Horse]

Wish you the very best for your treatment.

Regarding the pickups I think very highly of the Gibson Re Issues, for the money they're fantastic sounding,
they are the stock pickup in the current Non Reverse Bird.

They sound like this:

I think there’s a set in the classifieds …. I know that you definitely know your T-Bird sounds, so maybe I’ll see if I can strike a deal on them ! They’re over my budget but maybe I can make it work ….Thanks ….

 

[Gaolee]

Last year they did a Custom Shop Thunderbird II as a one off in the Burst, with a two point bridge, I hope they make it a production model.

They did? Was it a reverse or NR? If it was an NR, then that's probably why I missed it.

 

[JIO]

The slime pool on the right of the photo. Reference the movie, The Blob.

Yes, very familiar with Steve McQueens debut movie -