Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

And some people just type "Thunderbird" into a search engine and use whatever results they find there. "I mean, a Thunderbird's a Thunderbird, right?"

Especially at GC where they have no clue how many different ones there are.

 

[Count Bassie]

As long as we are discussing serial numbers, there seems to be some pretty consistent, but not conclusive, evidence that my EB-2 is actually a 1970, just based on the serial number lists scattered around the internet. The consensus isn't complete, though, and there's some pretty strong indications that it's really from 1968. Supposedly, there were 239 EB-2DC models shipped in 1968 and none in 1970, so that's a pretty good indicator that it isn't a 1970. EB-2DC meaning two pickups, cherry finish. That's based on records published by a source whose serial number decoder says it's a 1970. Go figure. But then, this is Gibson records we are talking about, so who knows when it was really made. It's been bugging me for a long time, as you all know pretty well by now. I'm going with 1968 for now. That's probably as good as anybody will ever get.

I'm going to start telling colorful and outlandish stories about the provenance of my instruments. I'm going to get into living a little. Lol, lying can be fun.

 

[Count Bassie]

All this talk about pickups... I'm still toying with the idea of putting some pups with a little more 'snarl' into my CP. There are offerings between around $100 to $400... Seems such a crapshoot because this is such a subjective area.
Sometimes I'm just totally at home with the Thunderbucker+, and sometimes I feel like they're a little too much output and a bit blurry. Anyone else have a similar experience with their stock CP? Am I the only one willing to violate my Classic Pro (waiting for 'Ahems' and wry wit to come rolling in )?

 

[Stealth57]

All this talk about pickups... I'm still toying with the idea of putting some pups with a little more 'snarl' into my CP. There are offerings between around $100 to $400... Seems such a crapshoot because this is such a subjective area.
Sometimes I'm just totally at home with the Thunderbucker+, and sometimes I feel like they're a little too much output and a bit blurry. Anyone else have a similar experience with their stock CP? Am I the only one willing to violate my Classic Pro (waiting for 'Ahems' and wry wit to come rolling in )?

Tried EBCF?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

II Tuesday...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I don't recall playing one set up that way, but I've seen at least two that were, whose owners were perfectly happy with them - although that still could have been the rationale.

Set up that way when I bought it..

 

[Engle]

All this talk about pickups... I'm still toying with the idea of putting some pups with a little more 'snarl' into my CP. There are offerings between around $100 to $400... Seems such a crapshoot because this is such a subjective area.
Sometimes I'm just totally at home with the Thunderbucker+, and sometimes I feel like they're a little too much output and a bit blurry. Anyone else have a similar experience with their stock CP? Am I the only one willing to violate my Classic Pro (waiting for 'Ahems' and wry wit to come rolling in )?

There are Probucker 760s for $55.90/set on eBay if you're willing to wait for them to come from China:

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[TBird1958]

All this talk about pickups... I'm still toying with the idea of putting some pups with a little more 'snarl' into my CP. There are offerings between around $100 to $400... Seems such a crapshoot because this is such a subjective area.
Sometimes I'm just totally at home with the Thunderbucker+, and sometimes I feel like they're a little too much output and a bit blurry. Anyone else have a similar experience with their stock CP? Am I the only one willing to violate my Classic Pro (waiting for 'Ahems' and wry wit to come rolling in )?

Like Marshall said, Gibson Re Issue, they're fantastic for the $$$.

 

[MCF]

I'm going to start telling colorful and outlandish stories about the provenance of my instruments. I'm going to get into living a little. Lol, lying can be fun.

Sure. For stuff that’s not important. But I never lie. I tell the truth when asked directly. I never volunteer anything that isn’t true.

 

[Count Bassie]

Sure. For stuff that’s not important. But I never lie. I tell the truth when asked directly. I never volunteer anything that isn’t true.

Agreed there. This is just for fun.

 

[MCF]

All this talk about pickups... I'm still toying with the idea of putting some pups with a little more 'snarl' into my CP. There are offerings between around $100 to $400... Seems such a crapshoot because this is such a subjective area.
Sometimes I'm just totally at home with the Thunderbucker+, and sometimes I feel like they're a little too much output and a bit blurry. Anyone else have a similar experience with their stock CP? Am I the only one willing to violate my Classic Pro (waiting for 'Ahems' and wry wit to come rolling in )?

Hey Rog. It’s all so subjective.

I love my Tbird+ Thunderbirds. I have an ‘05 Studio, an ‘11 Short Scale, and a ‘13 NR with them. I do not have a CP. They all sound different. They’re not necessarily vintage sounding; ceramic vs. Alnico V and all that. But they snarl. Just maybe not the way you want to hear it? A lot depends on the amp. And pedals if you are into that (I’m not, with a couple exceptions for certain stuff).

The best is my ‘05 Studio. It can really bring it snarl wise. Yet it can be dialed back. Very versatile tone.

I think the best advice I can give you is give @BklynKen a call and talk Tbird+ pickups with him. Or have him invite you and hop on the train for a Saturday visit. He has two ‘13s with them, a Reverse and a Non-reverse. They are likely the same generation as what is in your CP. I wouldn’t give up on them just yet.

But you need a TBird with Alnico V’s too. Start looking for a recent NR with the amazing Vintage Reissues. Or get an Epi bolt-on, buy a pair, and play around with that.

FWIW, I like each of my Thunderbirds to sound a bit different.

And final note. IMO, Tbird Plus pickups sound best with stainless rounds. For the I don’t know how many times I’ve said this. SIT Powersteels or Dunlop Marcus Miller Stainless Superbrights. The SITs have a barely imperceptible bit more bottom. The Superbrights excel in the mids. My preference is round, not scooped, tone.

 

[MCF]

There are Probucker 760s for $55.90/set on eBay if you're willing to wait for them to come from China:

Pardon Our Interruption...

You know? They’re fine. A lot of players swear by them. Maybe it’s my hearing. Probably is. But IMO, the Gibson Vintage Reissues are fuller sounding. YMMV. That’s a great price!

 

[BklynKen]

Hey Rog. It’s all so subjective.

I love my Tbird+ Thunderbirds. I have an ‘05 Studio, an ‘11 Short Scale, and a ‘13 NR with them. I do not have a CP. They all sound different. They’re not necessarily vintage sounding; ceramic vs. Alnico V and all that. But they snarl. Just maybe not the way you want to hear it? A lot depends on the amp. And pedals if you are into that (I’m not, with a couple exceptions for certain stuff).

The best is my ‘05 Studio. It can really bring it snarl wise. Yet it can be dialed back. Very versatile tone.

I think the best advice I can give you is give @BklynKen a call and talk Tbird+ pickups with him. Or have him invite you and hop on the train for a Saturday visit. He has two ‘13s with them, a Reverse and a Non-reverse. They are likely the same generation as what is in your CP. I wouldn’t give up on them just yet.

But you need a TBird with Alnico V’s too. Start looking for a recent NR with the amazing Vintage Reissues. Or get an Epi bolt-on, buy a pair, and play around with that.

FWIW, I like each of my Thunderbirds to sound a bit different.

And final note. IMO, Tbird Plus pickups sound best with stainless rounds. For the I don’t know how many times I’ve said this. SIT Powersteels or Dunlop Marcus Miller Stainless Superbrights. The SITs have a barely imperceptible bit more bottom. The Superbrights excel in the mids. My preference is round, not scooped, tone.

Right. The whole "vintage" thing holds no value to me. If you're cool with effect pedals, one very effective (no pun intended) way to sharpen up those TB+ is an EHX Steel Leather pedal. What I have in my 2013 Reverse right now is a set of 2001 TB+ I bought from Ringhammer. They sound amazing, but had a lot of inherent hum, so I went overboard and had someone do some surgery on them to remove and reverse the magnets. My RNR has Will's old 1991 TB+. Pretty good. But I like all TB+. I just like to try whatever variety I can. Playing left-handed, I don't have the luxury of trying all different era Thunderbirds. And I happen to love black hardware. That partly stems from my BMW racing days. The "M" and sport series BMWs have black window molding and such. The "regular" BMWs have chrome.

 

[RedVee]

Sure. For stuff that’s not important. But I never lie. I tell the truth when asked directly. I never volunteer anything that isn’t true.

Sounds like an Audit.
“Only answer the question they ask” is the advice.

 

[Count Bassie]

Hey Rog. It’s all so subjective.

I love my Tbird+ Thunderbirds. I have an ‘05 Studio, an ‘11 Short Scale, and a ‘13 NR with them. I do not have a CP. They all sound different. They’re not necessarily vintage sounding; ceramic vs. Alnico V and all that. But they snarl. Just maybe not the way you want to hear it? A lot depends on the amp. And pedals if you are into that (I’m not, with a couple exceptions for certain stuff).

The best is my ‘05 Studio. It can really bring it snarl wise. Yet it can be dialed back. Very versatile tone.

I think the best advice I can give you is give @BklynKen a call and talk Tbird+ pickups with him. Or have him invite you and hop on the train for a Saturday visit. He has two ‘13s with them, a Reverse and a Non-reverse. They are likely the same generation as what is in your CP. I wouldn’t give up on them just yet.

But you need a TBird with Alnico V’s too. Start looking for a recent NR with the amazing Vintage Reissues. Or get an Epi bolt-on, buy a pair, and play around with that.

FWIW, I like each of my Thunderbirds to sound a bit different.

And final note. IMO, Tbird Plus pickups sound best with stainless rounds. For the I don’t know how many times I’ve said this. SIT Powersteels or Dunlop Marcus Miller Stainless Superbrights. The SITs have a barely imperceptible bit more bottom. The Superbrights excel in the mids. My preference is round, not scooped, tone.

I'll try some strings first, that's pretty good advice. Thanks Marshall.

 

[Count Bassie]

Right. The whole "vintage" thing holds no value to me. If you're cool with effect pedals, one very effective (no pun intended) way to sharpen up those TB+ is an EHX Steel Leather pedal. What I have in my 2013 Reverse right now is a set of 2001 TB+ I bought from Ringhammer. They sound amazing, but had a lot of inherent hum, so I went overboard and had someone do some surgery on them to remove and reverse the magnets. My RNR has Will's old 1991 TB+. Pretty good. But I like all TB+. I just like to try whatever variety I can. Playing left-handed, I don't have the luxury of trying all different era Thunderbirds. And I happen to love black hardware. That partly stems from my BMW racing days. The "M" and sport series BMWs have black window molding and such. The "regular" BMWs have chrome.

I don't really even know what vintage sounds like for a Thunderbird. And I do dig some punch in the lower register, and I haven't been unhappy with my sound. Sometimes I'm trying to get a little less "round" and a little more gravel.
I'm going to try those SIT Powersteels, maybe strings are enough to bring out what I'm after.

 

[Count Bassie]

Thanks everybody!

 

[Gaolee]

Is there something wrong with it?

Wrong? Nope. Only that I can't crank it. I have the Grexa reissue that lives upstairs for the occasional show that warrants it.

 

[MCF]

Sounds like an Audit.
“Only answer the question they ask” is the advice.

My two main instructions to clients. Tell the truth. Don’t volunteer anything they don’t ask.

 

[BklynKen]

I don't really even know what vintage sounds like for a Thunderbird. And I do dig some punch in the lower register, and I haven't been unhappy with my sound. Sometimes I'm trying to get a little less "round" and a little more gravel.
I'm going to try those SIT Powersteels, maybe strings are enough to bring out what I'm after.

What strings are you currently using? I find the TB+ love really bright, aggressive stainless steel strings. At least for my taste.