Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

Yesterday I got my first gig with my new Thunderbird. I know now why people love this bass so much. I'm not gonna lie, ergonomics is not the best aspect of the bass. However, tone is. Wow. What a monster tone. Everyone in the band loved how I sounded and I did too.

Congratulations on the successful gig!

The only one of my too many Thunderbirds that I don’t get along with so much ergonomically is my ‘17 Vintage Pro, which is essentially the same as an Epi ‘64. And which is why I haven’t bought a ‘64 even though I like the color options and the tone with the revised pickups. It’s just a bit too big for my size. Having said that, I can play it and it isn’t all that bad now that I’m more used to it. I’m sure if I played it more often I’d adapt better to it. My most comfortable Thunderbirds are my ‘15 Gibson, my ‘06 Studio, my 77 Bicentennial, and my BaCH non-reverses. I’m 5’8”, 165 with shorter arms.

Point is, I think with time it’ll become more comfortable for you as you get used to it.

 

[Engle]

Been wanting to put bartolini pickups in my thunderbird. A little confused on the models and sizes. Can anyone advice?

I wanted the classic bartolini sound, like on a 96 modulus quantum i had; I would guess its the "classic" model. I dont know if the bartolini Thunderbird T4CBC model is that different. Would the classic 4 soapbar fit instead? I also noticed that some bart models have one screw on each side, and some have one screw on the right center and two on the left(bottom, top).

I was also planning on putting whatever pickup in a chrome cover, but just for aesthetic reasons, but not sure if that would work. Finally what knobs/layout are you guys using if you added a preamp?...didnt wanna drill new holes, was thinking 2 or 3 band eq.

I have a set of the older Barts. I believe they are T4C7. Two screws on one side, one centered on the other side - which is much more sensible than just one on each side.
They are the same size as Tbird pickups in metal covers, so the chrome/nickel trim rings will fit. They are encased in epoxy - you would have to peel the covers off. I wouldn't attempt it myself.

I don't run a preamp in any of my Tbirds, but I am preamp-curious, so let us know what you end up doing.

 

[javi_bassist]

Point is, I think with time it’ll become more comfortable for you as you get used to it.

Yes! I am sure that I will get used to it. I am loving this bass. It makes play in a different way, but I love it.

 

[MCF]

Yes! I am sure that I will get used to it. I am loving this bass. It makes play in a different way, but I love it.

It’s weird how that works. Thunderbirds and P bass bodies are comfortable for me. J basses not so much. I’ve been gassing for a Ric forever. But every time I play one, it doesn’t fit. I keep thinking I should just get one and get used to it.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Can't go wrong with La Bellas. They have stood the test of time for a reason. Every bass I have them on sounds fantastic. And I may likely never need strings on those basses again.

I think they are LBs (and may have come from you) as they sure feel sound like them, red silks always?

 

[dagrev]

Which LB flats are you using?
I was thinking about trying a set of these on my ‘67 NR…
View attachment 7472605Not exactly.

I like the Low Tensions--but not as much at the DTFs. The LTs sound good on one bass but the rest are DTF. The LT don't sound just like low tension DTFs. Almost more TI feeling and sounding in some ways. They are darker, the lows are less full and punchy. That said, they feel great. But I don't have a problem with the 760 FL (.104) set--and I don't like fighting stiff or high tension strings.

I think people get the regular or higher sets of DTFs and then don't the tension. Get a lighter set instead of what we normally use and the problem is solved. The FL set feel like a .105 set of rounds.
Currently using DTFs on, '64 Reverse, '66 NR, '58 Pbass, '64 Pbass and '62 Jbass.

 

[dagrev]

Yesterday I got my first gig with my new Thunderbird. I know now why people love this bass so much. I'm not gonna lie, ergonomics is not the best aspect of the bass. However, tone is. Wow. What a monster tone. Everyone in the band loved how I sounded and I did too.

That's great to hear. Wait till you buy an old Thunderbird....
Fair point about the ergos on the new NR. Not sure what Gibson was trying to achieve, but it doesn't feel like any of the old Thunderbirds do. The new NR is my least favorite Thunderbird. Always seems odd when I first pick it up.

 

[dagrev]

I think they are LBs (and may have come from you) as they sure feel sound like them, red silks always?

I don't think they came from me. If they did I don't recall.
Yes, red--but a few years they they were almost a dark orange. Maybe 15 yrs ago or so.
The orange years were when they had some QC issues. I had round D and G on couple sets back then.

Roto 77s are red as well. They are more stiff and are lower output.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Rainy Sunday mornings...
Plus: no yardwork duty
Minus: no painting possible as like Lonesome George "I'm outdoors, you know?"

So today was sand and inspect sealer on the body (one more light coat and some touchup spots needed) and color mask the neck and headstock.

Requires "...amazing powers of observation..."

Note to self: cut fingernails AFTER done masking, not before...

Pickups at 2 of 4 planned coats and looking good, so I'm at that dilemma point "try to get another coat out of this can of plasti-dip, or broach the new can to avoid the risk of spluts."

Getting a lil more texture with each coat, which I like. To a point.

 

[godofthunder59]

So I had one of these 90s Epiphone Nonreverse Thunderbirds in the early 2000s, in reality they are a Nonreverse shaped 7ender and the neck profile sort of hurt my hand so I eventually sold it. One has been languishing for months locally on Facebook Market place for a steal so I made a deal and I am picking it up tomorrow morning. It's in excellent shape with OHSC. I don't really need it but it’s cool piece of Thunderbird history. I can't believe it's 30 years old.

 

[GBassNorth]

So I had one of these 90s Epiphone Nonreverse Thunderbirds in the early 2000s, in reality they are a Nonreverse shaped 7ender and the neck profile sort of hurt my hand so I eventually sold it. One has been languishing for months locally on Facebook Market place for a steal so I made a deal and I am picking it up tomorrow morning. It's in excellent shape with OHSC. I don't really need it but it’s cool piece of Thunderbird history. I can't believe it's 30 years old. View attachment 7473109View attachment 7473110View attachment 7473109

Scott - some time back I dropped a set of passive Geezer Butler pickups in my 1990’s Eppi NR and couldn’t be happier. Really brought the Fenderish Bird to life and gave it a gritty more agressive personality.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

rain's not all that bad.....

 

[godofthunder59]

Scott - some time back I dropped a set of passive Geezer Butler pickups in my 1990’s Eppi NR and couldn’t be happier. Really brought the Fenderish Bird to life and gave it a gritty more agressive personality.

Geezers are on my short list of replacements, I think I'll give them a try.

 

[JIO]

Scott - some time back I dropped a set of passive Geezer Butler pickups in my 1990’s Eppi NR and couldn’t be happier. Really brought the Fenderish Bird to life and gave it a gritty more agressive personality.

I have the P-pu in my Glam P/HB (Meteoric) -

 

[Dark Horse]

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, the BroncoBird will be alive sometime in the next week.

It’s a project I started a couple years back, but my cancer fight has kept me from completing it. I have an infusion tomorrow morning so I’ll feel crappy for a few days, but after that, the plan is to start assembling this little beast.

Not sure if it qualifies for this thread, but I thought y’all might dig it.

Bronco body
Bronco neck
EY Thunderbird pickups
Albridge bridge (these are FANTASTIC!)
3 way Gibson style switch
CTS pots
PIO cap
Hipshot tuners

Here’s a quick mockup ….

 

[dagrev]

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, the BroncoBird will be alive sometime in the next week.

It’s a project I started a couple years back, but my cancer fight has kept me from completing it. I have an infusion tomorrow morning so I’ll feel crappy for a few days, but after that, the plan is to start assembling this little beast.

Not sure if it qualifies for this thread, but I thought y’all might dig it.

Bronco body
Bronco neck
EY Thunderbird pickups
Albridge bridge (these are FANTASTIC!)
3 way Gibson style switch
CTS pots
PIO cap
Hipshot tuners

Here’s a quick mockup ….


View attachment 7473225

It's going to be nice. Hope it all goes well and the sucky days pass quickly and you can get on it.

 

[JIO]

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, the BroncoBird will be alive sometime in the next week.

It’s a project I started a couple years back, but my cancer fight has kept me from completing it. I have an infusion tomorrow morning so I’ll feel crappy for a few days, but after that, the plan is to start assembling this little beast.

Not sure if it qualifies for this thread, but I thought y’all might dig it.

Bronco body
Bronco neck
EY Thunderbird pickups
Albridge bridge (these are FANTASTIC!)
3 way Gibson style switch
CTS pots
PIO cap
Hipshot tuners

Here’s a quick mockup ….


View attachment 7473225

It's gunna' rock! What are the sculpted paddle tuners on it now? Hope you feel better soon -

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I don't think they came from me. If they did I don't recall.
Yes, red--but a few years they they were almost a dark orange. Maybe 15 yrs ago or so.
The orange years were when they had some QC issues. I had round D and G on couple sets back then.

Roto 77s are red as well. They are more stiff and are lower output.

Did they not change to red, white, and blue like the RS66s?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, the BroncoBird will be alive sometime in the next week.

It’s a project I started a couple years back, but my cancer fight has kept me from completing it. I have an infusion tomorrow morning so I’ll feel crappy for a few days, but after that, the plan is to start assembling this little beast.

Not sure if it qualifies for this thread, but I thought y’all might dig it.

Bronco body
Bronco neck
EY Thunderbird pickups
Albridge bridge (these are FANTASTIC!)
3 way Gibson style switch
CTS pots
PIO cap
Hipshot tuners

Here’s a quick mockup ….


View attachment 7473225

Thunderbird pickups qualify it!

 

[MCF]

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, the BroncoBird will be alive sometime in the next week.

It’s a project I started a couple years back, but my cancer fight has kept me from completing it. I have an infusion tomorrow morning so I’ll feel crappy for a few days, but after that, the plan is to start assembling this little beast.

Not sure if it qualifies for this thread, but I thought y’all might dig it.

Bronco body
Bronco neck
EY Thunderbird pickups
Albridge bridge (these are FANTASTIC!)
3 way Gibson style switch
CTS pots
PIO cap
Hipshot tuners

Here’s a quick mockup ….


View attachment 7473225

Best wishes and prayers for a full recovery.