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Thunderbird Club

#339,642
Thumper said:
Thanks for the info! Just outta curiosity, people took them out of NRs and replaced them with what?
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This has probably only happened a few times in the five years they’ve been around. Scott once traded a set with V for Probuckers. To each their own. I can’t imagine ever doing such a thing. I suppose a misguided soul or two may have swapped them for a set of (god forbid) EMGs or something. About the only way I would do a swap is if a set of Thunderbuckers magically appeared. But if that ever happened, the Reissues would find their way into one of my other Thunderbirds.
 
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#339,643
Thumper said:
I know George likes a deep bass sound. I'm looking for more of a balanced sound with good mids and highs as well. How would you describe these?

BTW, my TB+ equipped 2014 Thunderbird has good deep bass and decent low mids. My VPs give good high mids/highs. I don't want to give that up for another bass/low mid toned bass.
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I describe them as ballsy. Pretty well balanced; I don’t find them lacking in mids/highs at all. But I prefer stainless rounds and usually have the tone knob up. I also usually push mids and highs with amp settings. George and I are way different in our tone preferences. Part of it could well be because my ears are shot.
 
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#339,644
GBassNorth said:
Marshall, is that the same shop we visited, where you dropped the TV Silver Eppi off for some work? If so, do you want me to swing by in person and rattle someone’s cage?
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Yeah. If you’re going over to TO and don’t mind that would be great. I’ve left voice messages and texted to the number he gave me on the work tickets.
 
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#339,646
RedVee said:
Just putting it out into the universe.

What is it 10? 12? years since the SS?
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2011. Only 400 made. They’re not for everyone. But I love mine and feel fortunate to have it. It’s my compact travel bass. And a very comfortable player. I don’t see Gibson under the current management ever doing them again.

Frankly, I think Epi could do one with the ‘64/Embassy/Newport hardware in their various colors and have a minor hit with it. But that makes too much sense. Could you imagine being a kid and getting one for Christmas? Or even getting one as an old man? $699.00 with a bag.
 
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#339,647
Miles_ONeal said:
I guess they figure you can lower the rhythm pickup to balance outputs. Or maybe they just Gibsoned things.
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I remember when I ordered the first 2 direct from Gibson, (can’t say a set, just quantity of 2) I was wondering why they weren’t a “Set”, since I’d guess most people would be installing 2. I did in fact order just 1 another time that went into my LP DC tribute short scale.

…man they really are good pickups!



Thumper said:
Thanks for the info! Just outta curiosity, people took them out of NRs and replaced them with what?
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I have no idea. Maybe the NRs got damaged?

BTW, the ‘97 I put mine in is being sold:

sfbay.craigslist.org

Gibson Thunderbird Bass 1997 - musical instruments - by owner - sale - craigslist

This is a 1997 Gibson Thunderbird. The tuners have been upgraded to HipShot USA ultra-lites. The bridge has been upgraded to a Chrome Babicz, and the pick ups are genuine Gibson vintage reissues....
sfbay.craigslist.org sfbay.craigslist.org
 
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#339,648
GBassNorth said:
The reissues sound darn good, especially for the price.

As far as a used Reverse Gibson Tbird goes, it’s pretty hard to get one under $1200 and it would most likely have TB+ pups, which I wouldn’t replace with Epiphone 760ProBuckers, but I would replace with Reissues. A used reissue NonReverse might be around $1300 but it would already have the reissue pups, so it might be a hair cheaper overall.

If you’re looking for the ultimate “Bang for the Buck” used Tbird it’s hard to beat a capped Goth for under $400 (one if my best sounding birds) or a mismarked Eppi CP for around $500 (which you could drop your ProBuckers into). Then there’s the very occasional Greco on fire sale for $800, which is perfect as is.
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As always, sound advice.

As to bang for the buck, not an issue in this case. I really love my Thunderbirds and EB3s and really only want to play them anymore, other than some time here and there on my 2 Dingwalls (SJ5XXX AND SJ4XXX). So I really want another Bird with Gibson on the headstock. I'm in the one bass in, 1 bass out phase of ownership.
 
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#339,649
Miles_ONeal said:
Yeah, drummers especially tend to dress for comfort.
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1774107510770.png
 
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#339,658
bylar13 said:
Anyone near Napa California and need a great deal on a 200 watt tube amp?

Orange AD200B MK3 with cover
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Wow. Two years and it hasn’t moved. Decent price from what I can tell. It will still be a decent price if he’ll change his mind and ship it to you. What, about 60 pounds? A feather weight compared to my SVT…
 
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