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If they did that, they would actually have to build a lot of Thunderbirds. Because they would sell a lot of them. At least for a few years. At the expense of guitar production. Les Paul guitar buyers would throw a fit. They can make a lot more profit on the guitars. There are a couple dozen Les Pauls at Sweetwater. Many cost well above 5K.
Results of the tap test;
Welcome brother!
Well, cruel would be if I had to find a way to buy a new $2500 bass, but since they did it the way they did it, no problem there. Not to mention ALL my Gibson ‘birds are just the way I want them (except I’d like a 2 point setup on at least one).
That confirms they are in fact humbuckers and operating as such, not single coils. You could still have a wiring or grounding issue on the bass. If possible post a photo of the inside of the control cavity and a close up the bridge stud at the face of the bass closest to the control knobs. That might tell us if it’s a grounding issue or a wiring issue.
I think you’ll enjoy the Bicentennial. Well built. Nice necks. A a bit different sounding. Variety is the spice of life.
I can’t speak for all the bicentennial models out there, but the ‘79 I have is an absolute balls to the wall bird. No lack of volume or clarity, no lack of bottom or top end, perfectly ringing harmonics the full length of the neck, couldn’t be happier with mine. To the best of my knowledge the only non stock feature on mine is a brass nut, so if you get a Bi Bird you might consider that upgrade.
love them from when I first bought my first one in 79....pls don't mind Dave's vocals...
Assuming the wiring is OK, likely the pickups are built with identical coils instead of opposite wound coils - and not canceling noise.
I sometimes just go to the last page and miss whatever I miss. Oh, well. Keeping up can be tough around here sometimes.
This is why I'll build a Pelican case for Thunderbirds if I ever have to fly with a bass. Pelican make a case, probably for rifles, that will work. It also costs more than $200 to buy one, and I don't need one at the moment. So, that's a project that won't even join the pile of incomplete projects for a long time.
As I recall, they are also good sounding pickups. I am happy they are being used.
There must be an internal wiring fault in those specific pickups then. That's all I can think of.
Yes, not an issue for me. The likelihood of me needing a flight case is about the same as me needing a Flemish speaking, one armed gynecologist that hates Belgian chocolate. Or me going on tour. Take your pick.
Dude that's Thomas' bass. Get your own.
