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Thunderbird Club

#345,741
Stealth57 said:
@Count Bassie Rog, if you had a choice between one coax and one standard Bag End 15 or a pair of standards, what stack would you choose?
Click to expand...
I'm looking at a 2x standard right now. But I've got the 410 which has the coax, and it's nice that it's there, so honestly I'd say go for the stack w/ the coax. I would.
That whizzer cone relies more on natural acoustics I think- it's the same structure of driver, and the highs seem more consistent with the nature of the other drivers in the cab. They're not sizzly or annoying like the old SWR Foster horns or those bullet tweeters.
I'd do the coax.
 
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#345,742
Count Bassie said:
I'm looking at a 2x standard right now. But I've got the 410 which has the coax, and it's nice that it's there, so honestly I'd say go for the stack w/ the coax. I would.
That whizzer cone relies more on natural acoustics I think- it's the same structure of driver, and the highs seem more consistent with the nature of the other drivers in the cab. They're not sizzly or annoying like the old SWR Foster horns or those bullet tweeters.
I'd do the coax.
Click to expand...
He's trying to coax you into saying that. ;)
 
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#345,743
GBassNorth said:
Interesting. I’ve always felt the TB+ pickups were warmer than the Reissues, which sound cleaner and more defined. Turns out that pretty much holds true throughout the demonstrations.

Kinda makes me want to drop some TB+ pups into cans and put them in my BaCH Bluebird in place of the stock Altec pups.
Click to expand...
From my Macbook Pro only I was torn. The TB+ had more "I'm here" tone and the reissues were "just there." It's one recorded demo with unknown variables (which version of TB+ for one), but I did like the TB+. I don't buy into the idea that ceramic PUs sound harsh, glassy, etc. Leo proved that on the early G&Ls.

I would be interested in trying some TB+ PUs in something. I think my beef with modern Gibsons is more PU location than anything and the TB+ can sound great. I would love to play the Epi or Gibson 2013(?) where the PUs were close to the original location. I bet it would sound great for what I prefer.
 
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#345,746
GBassNorth said:
Interesting. I’ve always felt the TB+ pickups were warmer than the Reissues, which sound cleaner and more defined. Turns out that pretty much holds true throughout the demonstrations.

Kinda makes me want to drop some TB+ pups into cans and put them in my BaCH Bluebird in place of the stock Altec pups.
Click to expand...

I’ve tried a few times to like TB+’s. I had originally intended on leaving them in my ‘95 (my first ‘bird). I left it alone for a few months but ultimately went back to my favorite “double P” basses. I just found that, to me, in the mix with the band they don’t really get the bite I like. Once I put the Lollar’s in the ‘95, I found what I wanted to hear. Later, I even put a pair in my 2013 EB, hoping for something good there, but, meh. Then I put a set of Gibson re-issue’s from a 2023 NR in the 2013 EB, and that made that bass spectacular.

At this point, all my ‘birds have some form of vintage style pickups, from Gibson, Lollar, Novak, Gemini UK and Thunderbucker ‘66. I still have a set of 916 BiCentennial /sidewinders that need to get put in something, and they are likely replacing the Novak’s in my ‘03 white Gibson ‘bird.

In any case I find I like all these vintage style picks better than the TB+. As always, just my opinion and personal taste.
 
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#345,748
dagrev said:
From my Macbook Pro only I was torn. The TB+ had more "I'm here" tone and the reissues were "just there." It's one recorded demo with unknown variables (which version of TB+ for one), but I did like the TB+. I don't buy into the idea that ceramic PUs sound harsh, glassy, etc. Leo proved that on the early G&Ls.

I would be interested in trying some TB+ PUs in something. I think my beef with modern Gibsons is more PU location than anything and the TB+ can sound great. I would love to play the Epi or Gibson 2013(?) where the PUs were close to the original location. I bet it would sound great for what I prefer.
Click to expand...
My 2012 Eppi CP with the TB+ pickups is one of the magic years where the pup spacing was different than the following years of CPs. The neck pickup is about a half pickup width closer to the bridge on the 2012 CP vs later CPs. It’s plenty warm and yet still articulate, nothing harsh sounding with these pups. FWIW the bridge pickup is about 1/2” closer to the bridge on the 2012 CP vs the 2013 Gibson bird.

Coincidentally, the 2012 CP pup spacing is identical to the 2019 Eppi VP and the 2025 Eppi 64 birds. I know my CP is darker sounding than my VP, but I’m not sure I’ve ever done a side by side with the CP and the ‘64. I know the ‘64 has a darker tone than the VP, I wonder how it compares to the CP. I’ll do a side by side of those two today to find out. Stay tuned.
 
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#345,750
 
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#345,751
GBassNorth said:
Interesting. I’ve always felt the TB+ pickups were warmer than the Reissues, which sound cleaner and more defined. Turns out that pretty much holds true throughout the demonstrations.

Kinda makes me want to drop some TB+ pups into cans and put them in my BaCH Bluebird in place of the stock Altec pups.
Click to expand...
I have been a fan of TB+ pickups for pretty much ever. They don't get the credit they deserve.
 
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#345,752
 
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#345,753
Ringhammer said:
I’ve tried a few times to like TB+’s. I had originally intended on leaving them in my ‘95 (my first ‘bird). I left it alone for a few months but ultimately went back to my favorite “double P” basses. I just found that, to me, in the mix with the band they don’t really get the bite I like. Once I put the Lollar’s in the ‘95, I found what I wanted to hear. Later, I even put a pair in my 2013 EB, hoping for something good there, but, meh. Then I put a set of Gibson re-issue’s from a 2023 NR in the 2013 EB, and that made that bass spectacular.

At this point, all my ‘birds have some form of vintage style pickups, from Gibson, Lollar, Novak, Gemini UK and Thunderbucker ‘66. I still have a set of 916 BiCentennial /sidewinders that need to get put in something, and they are likely replacing the Novak’s in my ‘03 white Gibson ‘bird.

In any case I find I like all these vintage style picks better than the TB+. As always, just my opinion and personal taste.
Click to expand...
I’d pretty much agree with your observations. The Gibby NR Reissue pickups do have more bite or attack than my TB+ pickups, both are about equally warm to my ears, maybe a slight warmth edge to the TB+ pups. The 2017 VP has even more bite than the Reissues but lacks a bit on the warm and full end. I haven’t done an Eppi ‘64 vs Gibby NR Reissue side by side but it would be an interesting match up. I’m thinking the ‘64 might sound very close to the Reissue pups but might have even more bite. I’ll test that today if I get a chance.
 
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#345,754
Work from home does offer the chance to enjoy a bit music.................

I'll never tire of this song, Fraser is still a teenager, so much "air" in this song and a brilliant bass solo, pure Gibson EB-3 bliss.

 
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#345,756
GBassNorth said:
My 2012 Eppi CP with the TB+ pickups is one of the magic years where the pup spacing was different than the following years of CPs. The neck pickup is about a half pickup width closer to the bridge on the 2012 CP vs later CPs. It’s plenty warm and yet still articulate, nothing harsh sounding with these pups. FWIW the bridge pickup is about 1/2” closer to the bridge on the 2012 CP vs the 2013 Gibson bird.

Coincidentally, the 2012 CP pup spacing is identical to the 2019 Eppi VP and the 2025 Eppi 64 birds. I know my CP is darker sounding than my VP, but I’m not sure I’ve ever done a side by side with the CP and the ‘64. I know the ‘64 has a darker tone than the VP, I wonder how it compares to the CP. I’ll do a side by side of those two today to find out. Stay tuned.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the clarification on those years. Wonder how many years had that PU location? Those also had the Gibson Pus, correct?
 
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#345,757
 
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#345,760
dagrev said:
"Its 2 original pickups sound like a Jazz Bass." No. No they don't. He's a bass player and knows this.
I think mine is 8.7lbs. But without covers.
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I didn't read the copy. My '64 II w/OHSC was that clean when I bought it in '78 for $750. It doesn't sound like a Jazz bass either. :)
 
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