I didn’t notice a Thunderbird in that video. I guess I’ll need to watch it again and pay closer attention to the instruments.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
I didn’t notice a Thunderbird in that video. I guess I’ll need to watch it again and pay closer attention to the instruments.
Just got my first Thunderbird! Couldn't resist the Inverness Green. I'm still getting used to the ergonomics, but I love the sound. Quick question -- the neck pickup came tilted a little forward, and the bridge pickup a little backward, like so (light wasn't good for photos but I did my best):
It looks like it's on purpose, but I'm not sure. Is this something I should adjust, or is this how T-Birds are typically set up?
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,974
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Watkins WEM Safire (mislabeled as Rapier, the model it eclipsed) If it is vintage (late '60s) that is a very good price.
'67 Watkins WEM Rapier -
Congrats!
It's more like that's how they end up. One of the quirks of Tbirds is the pickups (with 2 screws) tend to tilt. I don't really hear a difference but I try to get them to sit parallel with the strings using various pieces of foam. And I have 3D printed angled pickup ring spacers on a few basses.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,237
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
All pitted out after a 90 minute set at The Abbey in Fremont last night................
It’s just how they lay sometimes. It bugs me a lot, so I use a spacer (with any vintage style t-bird humbucker), and spring foam on all mine, and this will level them out. They make thick and thin spring loaded foams.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,237
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
I like mine to be flat, it's an easy fix. Loosen the strings, remove the pickup screws and check how the foam underneath is laying, feel free to rearrange it, or add a shim of similar dense foam. Then reattach the screws and check for level.
I have the Ember Red one, it came from Sweetwater and I think their set up process caught this problem, I also have a Sparkle Blue one that was from ZZ Sounds and it did have this issue.
BTW Congratulations and let me know if you'd like a club number
Sure, I'd love a club number! I got mine from Sweetwater too -- I guess they missed it, or the pickups shifted during shipping. I'll probably wait until my first string change to address it, it doesn't seem to be affecting the sound too much.I like mine to be flat, it's an easy fix. Loosen the strings, remove the pickup screws and check how the foam underneath is laying, feel free to rearrange it, or add a shim of similar dense foam. Then reattach the screws and check for level.
I have the Ember Red one, it came from Sweetwater and I think their set up process caught this problem, I also have a Sparkle Blue one that was from ZZ Sounds and it did have this issue.
BTW Congratulations and let me know if you'd like a club number
Congratulations are in order! Looks great.
I'm sure others have or will make wise suggestions, but...
Some have a "learning curve" with the ergos at first. Stick with it and you will likely find they may be your most comfortable basses. Some find a little longer strap works well. I do.
Sounds like you need to lift the pickup out and reposition the foam, or add a little for getting it level. Not uncommon.
Don't search the internet, the brain trust of Thunderbirds collectively resides here. Ask anything.
In this relatively recent interview he talks about basses and shows a couple of them - mostly Warmoth bodies and necks with different brands of hardware-
He says the reason he went Fretless is because he tired of the tuning on his ftetted basses not being quite right with the vocals or keyboards in the studio. Going Fretless solved the issue-
He also prefers active electronics-
Regardless, he wrote and sang my all-time favorite Doobie Brothers song “For Someone Soecial” -
I'm planning on my build to install the 916 pickups with the foam located along both long edges, rather than centered; I think that might help with this as well by putting the support where it opposes any tilt.
Going to use J-Bass shaped foam that's 15mm thick, too, as my routs are very deep (19mm) compared to the pickup thickness (11mm). Original routs were for the brick-thick (22mm!) pickups provided with the kit.
I think part of the cause for the tilt is down to how the cable exits the pickups from the rear corner, but most of it is just the screws being centered on the short sides. Creates a fulcrum for pivoting.
When I was last working on my DC Tribute which has a T-Bird pickup, I moved the foam to the pickup corners. Zero tilt issues that way too.
That’s what I do…
so knew you would comment on that one....
Can finally sleep having decided on what to do about the Jazz bass neck issue-
Was thinking about getting the Warmoth neck, but by the time I had all the options I wanted plus a set of tuners it would have been about sixty or so shy of the price of an 2025 open box Fender American Performer neck which has the same frets, finish, and neck profile with the same radius as my 2007.-
Anyhow, after some hemming and hawing, I pulled the trigger at around 3 am-
ebay.us
I will keep the original neck and send it to Warped Necks in Denton Texas to have it heat clamped - hopefully it will take and I’ll have a spare- besides it will have the original serial number if I ever decide to sell it (which I don’t believe I will).
Thanks again everyone who provided advice and commiserations-
Was thinking about getting the Warmoth neck, but by the time I had all the options I wanted plus a set of tuners it would have been about sixty or so shy of the price of an 2025 open box Fender American Performer neck which has the same frets, finish, and neck profile with the same radius as my 2007.-
Anyhow, after some hemming and hawing, I pulled the trigger at around 3 am-
Fender American Performer Jazz Bass NECK & TUNERS, C Shaped Rosewood | eBay
Description: Official Fender American Performer Jazz Bass Neck & Tuners- Maple w/ Rosewood Fingerboard, Satin Finish- Modern "C" Shape- 9.5" Radius (241 mm)- 20 Medium Jumbo Frets- 34" Scale Length (864 mm)- 1.5" Width at Nut (38.1 mm)- Genuine Fender Condition: Mint Serial #: US25016125...ebay.us
I will keep the original neck and send it to Warped Necks in Denton Texas to have it heat clamped - hopefully it will take and I’ll have a spare- besides it will have the original serial number if I ever decide to sell it (which I don’t believe I will).
Thanks again everyone who provided advice and commiserations-
I can relate- about half the time the content isn’t as intense as what the clickbait title implies-
Like this short on Tony Iommi- unlike the title he states that he likes guitarists with an original and distinctive style- he didn’t slag anyone - and the only person he mentions by name was someone he respected- Brian May.
