• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#346,522
GBassNorth said:
The new old bird has landed. It's an '89 Gibby from Nashville, low pitch neck, ebony board. This bird is in mint condition. Sounds great but in dire need of a good setup and nice strings, and a knob replacement.
View attachment 7538455
View attachment 7538457

Open string action at the 12th fret is 1/8" which is a boatload more than I normally set things at, but the neck is good and straight and the frets seem pretty level (maybe a few could be leveled better). The truss rod seems to be working fine, so that's a plus.
View attachment 7538459
The bridge saddles look wonky so I'll be sorting that out today, fortunately I have plenty of black three point spare parts in my parts bins.

Now to decide which strings fit best with early TB+ pickups, any suggestions for a nice deep smooth tone?
Click to expand...
Congrats George!
Looks like flats on it. Do you know what kind?
I like the La Bella Black Nylons. And they look good with the black hardware.
There are other strings I would try but I'm happy with the L B BNs. Would love some DTFs on it but they are on many other basses already. But I do love them on everything I've put them on. The La Bella Low Tension might be a good fit as well. They are a little tighter sounding which might be a good match with a neck PU closer to the neck.
The SIT SS were nice, but not ideal for me. But the Ashdown made the most difference in my '06.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, RedVee, Nocturnal and 5 others
#346,525
Well, I have to admit that I have parted with the Epi 64 purple metal flake, affectionately formerly named Sparklefarts. That bass looked cool, sounded great and played wonderfully, but it's just not a food blister friendly shape. I returned it and traded some stuff to get a Spector Euro RST in Sundown Glow, which is quite a bit more FBF (food blister friendly). I think I'm gonna end up going back to a Dingwall D Roc again at some point, but it's gonna have to be the green (I think they call it awkward Marine or something like that) metal flake. I've already gutted the Aguilar electronics and preamp and replaced them with EMG E4W's and an LHZ-04 pre. Spector has made BSO (Bird Shaped Objects) but I haven't been able to play one yet. That may be an option, too.
1000005402.jpg
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: ectoflanger, Miles_ONeal, dagrev and 5 others
#346,526
TBird1958 said:
90 Minutes starting a 6:00PM on the West Coast, we're traveling to historic Bremerton, WA. (home of Puget Sound Navel Shipyard) for a show at the Kitsap County Fair grounds.


You Really got me
I want you to want me
BBC
Let's go
Der Kommisar
What you need
Words
Desire
The Middle
Whip it
What I like about you
This Time
Everybody wants to rule
Groove
Beds are Burning
Wild West
Hold me now
Don't you forget about me
Let's go crazy
Taint'd love
Should I stay
Friday I'm in love
Sanctuary
Crazy Train


Out as #1 today, the white '89 as backup.

62RuEHy.jpg
Click to expand...
Good set list.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, dagrev, GonePlaid and 5 others
#346,527
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, dagrev, GonePlaid and 3 others
#346,528
Count Bassie said:
It's a good thing!
Nice you were able to square that up without complications. I wonder the reason for single split coil pups? Going to post some clips when you get out how you want it?
Click to expand...
Yeah, once the XL nickel rounds have settled in I'll record a quick bassline showcasing each pickup (huge difference in sound between the two pups). Then I'll record the LaBella Black Tapes on the same bassline so folks that might be tape curious can hear the difference. I'll probably post this sometime in the next couple weeks.

Not sure why Gibby went with split coils on this one, but recall they were coming fresh off the Bicentennial run which had sidewinders, and before that they had alnico humbuckers, the newer TB+ pups might be ceramic IIRC, then there were the 2015 pole humbuckers. Combine all that with varying pup locations. So it kinda looks like Gibson has been experimenting along the way to find what they think is the perfect sound. Great news is, that give us Tbird lovers some great options to choose from that line up with our personal preferences.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, dagrev, RedVee and 7 others
#346,531
GBassNorth said:
Yeah, once the XL nickel rounds have settled in I'll record a quick bassline showcasing each pickup (huge difference in sound between the two pups). Then I'll record the LaBella Black Tapes on the same bassline so folks that might be tape curious can hear the difference. I'll probably post this sometime in the next couple weeks.

Not sure why Gibby went with split coils on this one, but recall they were coming fresh off the Bicentennial run which had sidewinders, and before that they had alnico humbuckers, the newer TB+ pups might be ceramic IIRC, then there were the 2015 pole humbuckers. Combine all that with varying pup locations. So it kinda looks like Gibson has been experimenting along the way to find what they think is the perfect sound. Great news is, that give us Tbird lovers some great options to choose from that line up with our personal preferences.
Click to expand...

Early years of the Re-issue, they hadn't settled on the pickups at all, even after the design went humbuckers there are 4 variations of them over the years they were used. I have seen pics of the split coil set in the plastic shell without the epoxy as well.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, dagrev, RedVee and 4 others
#346,539
Count Bassie said:
Yesterday. View attachment 7537742Gonna be a minute, but it's here waiting for its new home, along with its new mate the Gibson re-issue T Bird pup.
Click to expand...
Turns out this isn't going to fit up against the butt of the neck on the ex-Hecker there's not enough wood there for it... So I either have to install it down closer to the P position or set it into another bass. For my reasons for having this pickup, standard Mudbucker position is where I want to put it. I think I'm going to have to hold on this, continue with the Gibson Thunderbird reissue p'up and just roll that way.
I do want to use this pickup though. So far it's either getting added to the CP, or I'll have to find something inexpensive to drop this into.
O, the mulling...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaolee, Engle, Miles_ONeal and 7 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back