Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

I got a set used. Sold them to Jeff. I preferred the TB+.

I like all of the Tbird pickup iterations. I’m a humbucker guy. Nothing else works for me. Tbird+ for the more modern stuff like Nikki’s lines. I’m blessed to be able to have Tbirds with a variety pickup configurations and three distinctly different amps that let me dial in most everything.

I have a few Thunderbirds that need fret work.And the recently acquired ‘15 Epi Classic Pro is a super light great player (200 bucks). The neck is wonderful. But the pickups, which are supposed to be Tbird Pluses, suck compared to to those in the ‘06 Studio, the ‘11 Short Scale, and the ‘13 NR. Not sure why.

 

[BklynKen]

I like all of the Tbird pickup iterations. I’m a humbucker guy. Nothing else works for me. Tbird+ for the more modern stuff like Nikki’s lines. I’m blessed to be able to have Tbirds with a variety pickup configurations and three distinctly different amps that let me dial in most everything.

I have a few Thunderbirds that need fret work.And the recently acquired ‘15 Epi Classic Pro is a super light great player (200 bucks). The neck is wonderful. But the pickups, which are supposed to be Tbird Pluses, suck compared to to those in the ‘06 Studio, the ‘11 Short Scale, and the ‘13 NR. Not sure why.

Bartolini has a new Thunderbird pickup that I'm curious about. They now have two sets. I'd love to hear a comparison. The ideal pickup for me is a TB+ with more punch, clarity, and definition, which is what the 2001s are.

4-String Vintage Gibson Original Series - T4C - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Deep, thick Original voice upgrade for Thunderbird basses. This is the pickup used in the Dean Demonator 4 Classic and Evil D USA Demonator 4 Ultimo Ltd Run - the signature model of Morbid Angel's bass player David "Evil D" Vincent.

bartolini.net

 

[Count Bassie]

...I’m enjoying Brian’s Highfield disc as I type…

Yeah that's a good one too.

 

[MCF]

I’d bet your bet is a safe bet. Gotta believe Lull probably has a proprietary spec their pickups are made to along with a no compete clause for the manufacturer. That doesn’t mean you can’t get very very close to the Lull sound, but when all is said and done it probably won’t be an exact match. At least that’s my gut feel, no data to back that up on.


I have a lot of different purchased Thunderbirds with a lot of different pickups. I also have a tendency towards mad scientist type creations - mixing and matching pickups, control and cap variations, active and passive options, hardware and body and neck variations in my personal builds. My current Thunderbird pickup line-up includes:
Gibson stock 2021 NR cans
Gibson reissue cans
Gibson Bicentennial cans
Gibson 1991 cans
Gibson 2012 plastic cap
Gibson 2015 DeCola plastic cap exposed poles
Lull 4 string cans
Lull 5 string cans
Epiphone VP cans
Epiphone ‘64 reissue cans
Epiphone Goth plastic caps
Epiphone CSLE Les Paul rail cans
ChinaBucker (EY) cans
Greco 1975 cans
Greco 1990 cans
EMG Humbucker plastic cap
Bartolini Humbucker plastic cap
Burny plastic cap
Nordstrand Zen exposed rail plastic caps
Dingwall split coil plastic cap soapbars
Sammick cans
Altec plastic cans
Fender wide range humbucker exposed pole cans

I can record and compare any of those you want but to be honest they’re all in different basses, most have different strings, some are active, some have different cap or pot values, and pickup locations vary widely. All those things combined will unfortunately result in an apples to oranges comparison, but I can note the physical differences so you could directionally account for tone differences in the recording if that helps.

Yep. It’s really hard to do a real comparison to share. Maybe the next GTG we can set aside a couple of hours and try to record several different setups directly. Same line, no preamp coloration, etc. just raw and straight in. But strings will matter a bit, as well tone caps, etc.

 

[Butcherboy]

…back from Rolling Stone Beach Germany 2025…

…old Bass (65 Tbird) on (tiny) stage….

…one pickup is enough..

 

[Count Bassie]

I like all of the Tbird pickup iterations. I’m a humbucker guy. Nothing else works for me. Tbird+ for the more modern stuff like Nikki’s lines. I’m blessed to be able to have Tbirds with a variety pickup configurations and three distinctly different amps that let me dial in most everything.

I have a few Thunderbirds that need fret work.And the recently acquired ‘15 Epi Classic Pro is a super light great player (200 bucks). The neck is wonderful. But the pickups, which are supposed to be Tbird Pluses, suck compared to to those in the ‘06 Studio, the ‘11 Short Scale, and the ‘13 NR. Not sure why.

You did better than I did stealing that! Interesting about the pickups though. I'm kinda curious to hear what may transpire with that.

 

[Count Bassie]

Bartolini has a new Thunderbird pickup that I'm curious about. They now have two sets. I'd love to hear a comparison. The ideal pickup for me is a TB+ with more punch, clarity, and definition, which is what the 2001s are.

4-String Vintage Gibson Original Series - T4C - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Deep, thick Original voice upgrade for Thunderbird basses. This is the pickup used in the Dean Demonator 4 Classic and Evil D USA Demonator 4 Ultimo Ltd Run - the signature model of Morbid Angel's bass player David "Evil D" Vincent.

bartolini.net

More clarity for the TB+ sounds interesting.

 

[RedVee]

For those with jobs.

I heard on the radio this morning that Canva has jumped Atlassian to become the no. 1 Aussie software house. (Both Sydney companies I think).
I believe they both do a lot of business in the US.

I’ve never used Canva but we had just started with Jira tickets in my last year or so at work. Confluence was implemented in the EPO but I didn’t have anything much to do with it. Atlassian are building a new multi story building in Sydney using wooden frames as part of their eco friendly persona.

Sorry folks just thought it interesting.

 

[Engle]

Bartolini has a new Thunderbird pickup that I'm curious about. They now have two sets. I'd love to hear a comparison. The ideal pickup for me is a TB+ with more punch, clarity, and definition, which is what the 2001s are.

4-String Vintage Gibson Original Series - T4C - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Deep, thick Original voice upgrade for Thunderbird basses. This is the pickup used in the Dean Demonator 4 Classic and Evil D USA Demonator 4 Ultimo Ltd Run - the signature model of Morbid Angel's bass player David "Evil D" Vincent.

bartolini.net

I appreciate that they have 3 mounting screws!
Even though the have plastic covers, the older Barts I have are the same size as most chrome Tbird pickups. Just something to be aware of.

 

[MCF]

Bartolini has a new Thunderbird pickup that I'm curious about. They now have two sets. I'd love to hear a comparison. The ideal pickup for me is a TB+ with more punch, clarity, and definition, which is what the 2001s are.

4-String Vintage Gibson Original Series - T4C - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Deep, thick Original voice upgrade for Thunderbird basses. This is the pickup used in the Dean Demonator 4 Classic and Evil D USA Demonator 4 Ultimo Ltd Run - the signature model of Morbid Angel's bass player David "Evil D" Vincent.

bartolini.net

You did better than I did stealing that! Interesting about the pickups though. I'm kinda curious to hear what may transpire with that.

They will be replaced. Not sure with what.

 

[RedVee]

more for the general mass, we could have it as a pinned post for those interested in choosing bird pickups.



Ah i'm settled with the GIbby RI , I might try GHS boomer strings on the bird. Want to shift some of my basses from D'Addarios to GHS bommers anyway.

There is a wiki with T’bird stuff, including known pickup makers

 

[BassToneHunter]

I installed those (Optima) gold strings on a fretless gilded (Peavey B-Quad) bass with gold hardware (tuners, saddles, strap pegs). They looked the part, and sounded ok. Sold the bass - owner was happy. If having gold strings is the point - they will do.

View attachment 7359889

Your bring nice bro. They are strictly for photos. Waste of $$$

 

[MCF]

Bartolini has a new Thunderbird pickup that I'm curious about. They now have two sets. I'd love to hear a comparison. The ideal pickup for me is a TB+ with more punch, clarity, and definition, which is what the 2001s are.

4-String Vintage Gibson Original Series - T4C - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Deep, thick Original voice upgrade for Thunderbird basses. This is the pickup used in the Dean Demonator 4 Classic and Evil D USA Demonator 4 Ultimo Ltd Run - the signature model of Morbid Angel's bass player David "Evil D" Vincent.

bartolini.net

Well, they’re calling it a “vintage,” but they are using ceramic? Interesting.

I have been thinking about replacing the pickups in the Pelham Blue Epi LECS. It’s a perfect Thunderbird except but for the tone. It’s my most gorgeous thunderbird. Adding to my upgrade list. The three screw configuration makes me think they’re more geared to the Epi IV crowd. To which I belong.

…back from Rolling Stone Beach Germany 2025…
View attachment 7374853
…old Bass (65 Tbird) on (tiny) stage….
View attachment 7374872
…one pickup is enough..

Are there any recordings? Looked like a cool event.

 

[MCF]

Your bring nice bro. They are strictly for photos. Waste of $$$

As are the La Bella Gold DTFs. They are the reason I soured on La Bella. They refused to help when one broke after a week.

 

[MCF]

You did better than I did stealing that! Interesting about the pickups though. I'm kinda curious to hear what may transpire with that.

Yeah. GC thought it was a standard Epi IV. It is the lightest Thunderbird I own. Even lighter than the shorty. Super nice player. I have some work to do on it to get it to be its best.

 

[GonePlaid]

what keeps the bass from schlepping around in the bottom one?

The padding on the lid holds the neck in place and there's a pad that goes in the curve of the lower bout-left out for the pic.

 

[GBassNorth]

Your bring nice bro. They are strictly for photos. Waste of $$$

I’ve had good luck with Optima Golds on several basses. To me they offer a tamed top end and solid lows and low mids. They are very pricey (like two or three times the cost of most strings) but mine have all lasted about four times longer, so it’s a wash. But to be honest I don’t put them on every bass, mostly just the ones with gold hardware to complete the look. YMMV

Well, they’re calling it a “vintage,” but they are using ceramic? Interesting.

I have been thinking about replacing the pickups in the Pelham Blue Epi LECS. It’s a perfect Thunderbird except but for the tone. It’s my most gorgeous thunderbird. Adding to my upgrade list. The three screw configuration makes me think they’re more geared to the Epi IV crowd. To which I belong.


Are there any recordings? Looked like a cool event.

I’m not positive Marshall, but I’ve heard the Eppi IV pickups are identical to Goth pickups. If so, I got fantastic results with a quick tone cap change, really opened the pickups up. I don’t recall what cap is in the non LP pickup LECS but we can give it a try when you come over if you want.

As are the La Bella Gold DTFs. They are the reason I soured on La Bella. They refused to help when one broke after a week.

Yikes! I just put a set of those on my 1991 Gibson three pup Custom Shop. They sound ok, pretty mid focused though.

 

[GBassNorth]

The tape option is intriguing.

Drill for screws, then cut the screws and CA just the heads? Or go for the screwless look entirely?

I’m kinda thinking screwless for a nice clean look.

 

[JIO]

Your bring nice bro. They are strictly for photos. Waste of $$$

I didn't own or play them long enough to rate them (installed on a bass to sell) and in that regard it wasn't a waste of my money since it helped sell the bass. Like most things, there are players who use/like them so you know - something for everybody regardless of what you or I think.

 

[JIO]

I’ve had good luck with Optima Golds on several basses. To me they offer a tamed top end and solid lows and low mids. They are very pricey (like two or three times the cost of most strings) but mine have all lasted about four times longer, so it’s a wash. But to be honest I don’t put them on every bass, mostly just the ones with gold hardware to complete the look. YMMV

case in point