• 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

#302,241
The Decolas arrived. They're surprisingly small, same size as TB+ pickups.

20240904_172757.jpg


Hmm, I'm tempted. I'm sure there's enough magnetic field between the magnets but if anyone's tried that and can say for sure it won't work it'll save me the trouble.
20240904_173901.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nocturnal, dagrev, Engle and 3 others
#302,243
PhR75 said:
The Decolas arrived. They're surprisingly small, same size as TB+ pickups.

View attachment 7021743

Hmm, I'm tempted. I'm sure there's enough magnetic field between the magnets but if anyone's tried that and can say for sure it won't work it'll save me the trouble.
View attachment 7021746
Click to expand...
They are exceptionally strong. I think @GBassNorth can provide more technical specifics.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagrev, Engle, GBassNorth and 1 other person
#302,244
PhR75 said:
The Decolas arrived. They're surprisingly small, same size as TB+ pickups.

View attachment 7021743

Hmm, I'm tempted. I'm sure there's enough magnetic field between the magnets but if anyone's tried that and can say for sure it won't work it'll save me the trouble.
View attachment 7021746
Click to expand...
The DeCola pickups have incredibly strong magnets, easily the strongest magnetic field of any humbucker I’ve seen. I actually had to drop my 2015 Tbird pickups down pretty low because the magnets were so strong they were pulling the strings out of intonation, never had that problem with any other humbucker.

As far as using a 5 string pup on a 4 string bass - the black plastic covers easily pop off and leave exposed twin single coil bobbins wired together. I would think if you used a ferrous metal pickup cover siliconed in place over the twin bobbins you’d pretty evenly spread that magnetic field out and eliminate any potential hot spots, at the same time it would give you the appearance of a standard Tbird pickup. There are plenty of pickup applications where 6 pole guitar pickups are used on a 4 string bass, but none that I’m aware of with magnets as strong as these.

To be honest I’ve never actually tried this but in theory it should be a slam dunk (assuming you can find a metal pickup cover they’ll fit inside of). Without a metal cover I’d be a bit concerned with hot spots and string to string volume issues.

When I get some time later this morning I’ll post a magnetic field photo of a 5 string DeCola pickup with the outline of a four string layout so you can get a feel for how it lines up. I’ll also post a magnetic field pic of a 6 string guitar humbucker mounted (by Gibson) in one of their top of the line 4 string LP basses, it works just fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nocturnal, MCF, Miles_ONeal and 5 others
#302,254
PhR75 said:
The Decolas arrived. They're surprisingly small, same size as TB+ pickups.

View attachment 7021743

Hmm, I'm tempted. I'm sure there's enough magnetic field between the magnets but if anyone's tried that and can say for sure it won't work it'll save me the trouble.
View attachment 7021746
Click to expand...
Get those pickups too close to the strings and you get a howling chorusy sound out of your amps. I'm pretty sure those magnets could lift a limousine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, JJR58, GBassNorth and 1 other person
#302,256
@Basvarken , @godofthunder59 , @TBird1958 any idea how a partially built Bach could have made its way to the States?

There are no routes or holes on the front. The control cavity is routed, the machine head holes are drilled and the fingerboard is fretted. And it has the waterside decal on the raw wood.
Were some sold unfinished, with a decal included?
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, JJR58, GBassNorth and 4 others
#302,260
Engle said:
@Basvarken , @godofthunder59 , @TBird1958 any idea how a partially built Bach could have made its way to the States?

There are no routes or holes on the front. The control cavity is routed, the machine head holes are drilled and the fingerboard is fretted. And it has the waterside decal on the raw wood.
Were some sold unfinished, with a decal included?
Click to expand...
Engle said:
@Basvarken , @godofthunder59 , @TBird1958 any idea how a partially built Bach could have made its way to the States?

There are no routes or holes on the front. The control cavity is routed, the machine head holes are drilled and the fingerboard is fretted. And it has the waterside decal on the raw wood.
Were some sold unfinished, with a decal included?
Click to expand...
If I remember right Bach towards the end of the NR run offered unfinished blanks. Maybe I'm dreaming but I'm pretty sure they did.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, MCF, Nocturnal and 6 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back