I feel the same way about the black hardware on the pelham blue version. I originally wanted the pelham blue but they were gone by the time I'd saved up, so I went with the white. In retrospect I'm glad I got the white one. I don't exactly dislike the standard plastic pups and black hardware, but the chrome really elevates it and those pickups are some of my favorite.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club thunderbird
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
I think Chuck needs a trip to the PNW to enjoy "The Big Dark", which also includes rain and cold at no extra charge.
Last edited:
can we ride these to Bainbridge?..I think Chuck needs a trip to the PNW so enjoy "The Big Dark", which also includes rain and cold at no extra charge.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Possibly, but we run the risk of being chased and eaten by Killer Whales - there was a story in the local news about a Seal that actually jumped aboard a small boat to escape becoming their dinner.
The CSLE Epiphone basses are a fantastic find in their stock format, no real need to mod them. I went all out on this one just to see how far I could stretch the Tbird envelope. The stock Eppi dual rail pickups sound phenomenal and I would have used them except they aren’t designed for coil splitting, which was necessary for this build. The Bartolini replacements sound very nice but are exceptionally clean and crisp, very hifi, I like a more wooly sound, like the stock pickups have. The Barts will do that but mostly in series mode, not as much in parallel or single coil.
As for what to do with the left over stock CSLE pickups…
I have a very nice Gibson Memphis Gold Top Semi Hollow bass that never sounded quite right to me, but played and felt very nice. I put some magnetic film on the pickups to see how they are structured and was surprised to find out that Gibson actually used relatively weak 6 pole split coil guitar pickups that don’t align with the four string bass spacing very well. Why do that on their top of the line flagship bass, IDK)…
So I’ll be removing the Gibson pickups and installing of all things, the Epiphone CSLE Tbird pickups in their place. I have no doubt it’ll sound much better than it does today. Never underestimate the bang for the buck you can get from Epiphone products, which in some cases outshine their more expensive Gibson counterparts.
I'm very happy with my white CSLE, they're excellent basses. I have a few nitpicks about stock bolt-on Epis and the earlier CSLE's that came with the standard pups and no strap button on the heel, but for the money even a modern E1 is a pretty good instrument.
I find it pretty amusing that Gibson did the guitar pups on a bass thing, which people accused Epiphone of doing with the very same CSLE pickups we're talking about. I'm sure those CSLE pickups will be a huge improvement for that Memphis.
But were they in tune...with anything?
Back when all I had was my 66 EB-3, I really wanted a Ripper. Until I found the 67 NR. Adios Ripper.@Chucky Stiletti check out this Ripper:
For sale 1981 Gibson Ripper - light!
Lightweight Ripper? Yes. Tasteful mods? Yes. Best Ripper ever? I think so.
- LanEvo (+19 /0 /-0)
- Updated
- Views: 2K
- Reaction score: 13
- Comments: 6
- Category: For Sale: Bass Guitars
$2,250.0021 watching
And lots of cool mushrooms to photograph!I think Chuck needs a trip to the PNW to enjoy "The Big Dark", which also includes rain and cold at no extra charge.
A little story about customer service.
I purchased a used GK Fusion 800s from reverb for a fair price. When I got it I found that it would get static-ey (like a dirty pot), and cut out a bit during the first hour of playing at low to moderate volume. I mentioned this to the seller and he refunded me over 1/2 what I paid (awesome guy for doing that). At this point I’m only into for $325. I was considering just dealing with the static/cutting out thing but decided to fill out the GK out of warranty form and see what could happen. I was also worried they might not be able to replicate the symptom.
I have had previous contact with them with a problem with one of the speakers in a new GK Neo IV 4 ohm 212. On that they sent a brand new speaker and told my not to bother sending the questionable one back!
Score one solid for GK customer service.
After that, before I finally sent the 800s in, I had annoying questions about the 3 12ax7’s and what exactly each tube served. They were responsive and clear on each tube’s function in the pre-amp. The first half of V1 is input gain, second half V1 is part of the overdrive circuit, first half of V2 is part of the overdrive circuit, second half of V2 and all of V3 is the equalizer circuit. This all makes sense when viewing the physical layout of the pre-amp board. The website description of the purpose of the tubes indicates that one whole tube is dedicated for the overdrive, so I had hoped all of V3 would be for overdrive, so I could try a lower gain tube, but they said they simplified the website “copy” for the general public. The fact that they clarified my questions (and tolerated my multiple replies) also says a lot!
Score another one solid for GK customer service.
Back to the amp. I sent it in and they were able to replicate the problem but not necessarily isolate it. They replaced everything but the power amp, which they confirmed was working properly. All new current rev pre-amp, connector board and I/O board, all for $333.
Score another solid for GK customer service!
So a virtually brand new 800s for $658. And BTW, I think this is a great sounding amp, even when it was not working at 100%. 3 x 12ax7 preamp, yay!. Class D power, meh, but ok. Light weight and compact, yes. IMO the best compact class D head. I have a Ampeg V7, and it’s a great class D, but I’m selling it. I have a PF800 I’m also porting with, also a great class D, but not exactly compact. I’ve had an SVT7, a Mesa D800, and a couple Orange TB’s (a 1000w v1 and a 500w v2) and while these all sound great, (the SVT 7 and the Mesa were my least favorite) this 800s is the best sounding of the bunch..
So this morning, on the GK club forum, one of the members asked about when the new GK Legacy heads would be available. They have had one on order at Sweetwater for a while and Sweetwater hasn’t been able to provide a date or a reason for the delay. So this morning at 8am, I figured I’d throw the question to the guys I have been in touch with. And I got a thorough and detailed answer to the question back common him within minutes! On a Sunday morning!
Score another big one for GK customer service!
I purchased a used GK Fusion 800s from reverb for a fair price. When I got it I found that it would get static-ey (like a dirty pot), and cut out a bit during the first hour of playing at low to moderate volume. I mentioned this to the seller and he refunded me over 1/2 what I paid (awesome guy for doing that). At this point I’m only into for $325. I was considering just dealing with the static/cutting out thing but decided to fill out the GK out of warranty form and see what could happen. I was also worried they might not be able to replicate the symptom.
I have had previous contact with them with a problem with one of the speakers in a new GK Neo IV 4 ohm 212. On that they sent a brand new speaker and told my not to bother sending the questionable one back!
Score one solid for GK customer service.
After that, before I finally sent the 800s in, I had annoying questions about the 3 12ax7’s and what exactly each tube served. They were responsive and clear on each tube’s function in the pre-amp. The first half of V1 is input gain, second half V1 is part of the overdrive circuit, first half of V2 is part of the overdrive circuit, second half of V2 and all of V3 is the equalizer circuit. This all makes sense when viewing the physical layout of the pre-amp board. The website description of the purpose of the tubes indicates that one whole tube is dedicated for the overdrive, so I had hoped all of V3 would be for overdrive, so I could try a lower gain tube, but they said they simplified the website “copy” for the general public. The fact that they clarified my questions (and tolerated my multiple replies) also says a lot!
Score another one solid for GK customer service.
Back to the amp. I sent it in and they were able to replicate the problem but not necessarily isolate it. They replaced everything but the power amp, which they confirmed was working properly. All new current rev pre-amp, connector board and I/O board, all for $333.
Score another solid for GK customer service!
So a virtually brand new 800s for $658. And BTW, I think this is a great sounding amp, even when it was not working at 100%. 3 x 12ax7 preamp, yay!. Class D power, meh, but ok. Light weight and compact, yes. IMO the best compact class D head. I have a Ampeg V7, and it’s a great class D, but I’m selling it. I have a PF800 I’m also porting with, also a great class D, but not exactly compact. I’ve had an SVT7, a Mesa D800, and a couple Orange TB’s (a 1000w v1 and a 500w v2) and while these all sound great, (the SVT 7 and the Mesa were my least favorite) this 800s is the best sounding of the bunch..
So this morning, on the GK club forum, one of the members asked about when the new GK Legacy heads would be available. They have had one on order at Sweetwater for a while and Sweetwater hasn’t been able to provide a date or a reason for the delay. So this morning at 8am, I figured I’d throw the question to the guys I have been in touch with. And I got a thorough and detailed answer to the question back common him within minutes! On a Sunday morning!
Score another big one for GK customer service!
They are in the Silverburst, White, TVSilver, and one of the couple Ebony runs they did. They are different and add a bit of variety to any flock. I really like them.
That is fantastic!
We are so fortunate as bass enthusiasts to have many companies that support the quest. GK, Berg, Mesa, Genzler, and I’ve seen comments about others, like Ashdown, that go above and beyond. It’s like being part f a family.
The red ones are lovely with some subtle sparkle. The one I have is a second with a crack in the finish below the neck pickup. Fortunately, you have to look for it to know it’s there. I run the Black Beauties on it that @KaraQ installed on it before passing it on to me. I really like it.
I keep an eye out for a minty one, but I haven’t seen one for the last three years. If I do find one at some point, I’ll willingly pass my current one on to you or one of the others here so it stays in the group. It’s a special Thunderbird.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,963
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
No ill effects from the clams, they looked good. As a youngster we would go clamming with my Dad, we'd have them steamed. I ate too many one time and the result was not so pleasant, haven't been able to eat them since, but the prep you showed looked very good, you could have talked me into trying them
Some of my favorite pickups. I'd kinda like to try putting them on one of those old through-neck Washburns you can sometines find around $500. Also curious about comparing them side by side to some of the Seymour Duncan rail pups that are in a PAF sized package.
I've had an eye out for an ebony or a TV silver, but the TV silvers seem to be yellowing in a way that just makes them look perpetually grimey...
Had similar experiences as when we were kids and they were more plentiful (and safer back then) at Pismo. Last time we tried to get some some (it’s been years) we couldn’t find any that met the allowed size. We primarily just deep fried them.No ill effects from the clams, they looked good. As a youngster we would go clamming with my Dad, we'd have them steamed. I ate too many one time and the result was not so pleasant, haven't been able to eat them since, but the prep you showed looked very good, you could have talked me into trying them
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I didn't need it but I bought it anyway new (to me) cab day...- Latest: bigdaddybass12
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