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Thunderbird Club

#40,404
Dadagoboi said:
But not a match for covers unless they're also aluminum...which would negatively affect the output .
Before ThunderBuckers I used .020 Al 'toppers' on Duncan SSB soapbars, that was the result.
Click to expand...

Right on... However it would look great with black pickup covers and a matching black bridge with chrome saddles.
 
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#40,406
kat888 said:
Does anyone have experience with a Bird and a Tech21 VT type sansamp device? The VT Bass DI is a capable DI but the emulation tends towars mushy -- so far.

Started out with eq flat, drive @ noon and 'character' @ 9 oclock (ie 'SVT') with speaker sim on and bite (scoop) off. It didn't sound great.

Ended up with something half decent with bass and treble @ 1.30, mid @ 10.30, char @ noon (B15), drive backed off to 10.30 and bite and speaker sim both on, but it still sounds shut in and a bit flat and mushy.

Plugged into the amp, the bass sounds huge, bouncy, dynamic and in yer face.

[update] The VT is going into the computer/headphones, not through the amp at all.
Click to expand...
What DAW are you using? I thought that you had mentioned Garageband a few pages back. I was curious what amp you choose to run it through if using that program? I am going to try it this weekend and I am most likely using GB.

I was also going to suggest that it could be the headphones. A good set of cans makes a big difference. Although, my experience with home recording has been that the bass sounds different (in the mix) through headphones vs. monitors vs. car speakers.
 
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#40,407
@Stevis

What DAW are you using? I thought that you had mentioned Garageband a few pages back. I was curious what amp you choose to run it through if using that program? I am going to try it this weekend and I am most likely using GB.
Click to expand...

It goes TBird >> VT Bass DI (-20dB engaged) >> PreSonus AudioBox iTwo >> Garage Band

At the moment the Garage band channel has no processing or emulation, as I'm trying to get to grips with the VTBDI settings.

It's an either/or thing. Either the amp OR the VT Bass DI, never the VTBDI into the amp.

If I was going to be doing proper recording (as opposed to messing about) I'd use a microphone combined with a DI feed off the Traynor (there's a Sennheiser E902 on my kit list).

IIRC the range of stock amp emulations in GB is quite limited.

I was also going to suggest that it could be the headphones. A good set of cans makes a big difference. Although, my experience with home recording has been that the bass sounds different (in the mix) through headphones vs. monitors vs. car speakers.
Click to expand...

Yes I just ordered some proper enclosed headphones and they should arrive next week. I'll try plugging them into the interface as well, rather than running them through the computer/GB.
 
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#40,410
BklynKen said:
Speaking of Hipshot bridges for the Thunderbird, if anyone's looking for a black one:

Hipshot 3 Point Retrofit Bass Bridge for Gibson Basses 2015 Black Matte
Click to expand...


fullsizeoutput_479.jpeg
 
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#40,414
Gaolee said:
Hmmm... A piezo 'Bird. The mind boggles.
Click to expand...

The PCB for the piezo bits protruded far enough to prevent the bridge sitting flat. PCB was scraped flat and problem solved. Piezo no more.

Gaolee said:
I do numbers. So other people don't have to.
Click to expand...

I was typing on my phone -- that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
 
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#40,415
kat888 said:
@Stevis



It goes TBird >> VT Bass DI (-20dB engaged) >> PreSonus AudioBox iTwo >> Garage Band

At the moment the Garage band channel has no processing or emulation, as I'm trying to get to grips with the VTBDI settings.

It's an either/or thing. Either the amp OR the VT Bass DI, never the VTBDI into the amp.

If I was going to be doing proper recording (as opposed to messing about) I'd use a microphone combined with a DI feed off the Traynor (there's a Sennheiser E902 on my kit list).

IIRC the range of stock amp emulations in GB is quite limited.


Yes I just ordered some proper enclosed headphones and they should arrive next week. I'll try plugging them into the interface as well, rather than running them through the computer/GB.
Click to expand...
I am not much of a Garageband expert. I have messed around mostly with iPad version, where you need to pick an amp or a microphone.

I have a small Scarlett branded unit, which is similar in nature to your Presonus rig. I also have this smaller thing that is an Apogee Jam, which I am also going to try running in same sequence as you describe. I think I might also experiment with this freeware program called Audacity. I have used it on PC ages ago and it is a pretty powerful audio application, given the attractive price of "free". Going to use my MacBook this time.

Given my ADHD attention span and low frustration tolerance, I am going to use the suggested settings that come with the VTBDI pedal (which comes in its own lovely little tin, as tins were a topic on the thread the other day).

This past year, I picked up a pair of AKG 240 headphones that were very affordable. They are comfy and fairly neutral in not giving boomy bass tone.

I will report back once I have taken a stab at using the VTBDI, with above gizmos.
 
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#40,416
JJR58 said:
After a little more adjusting to the 3 point, I've got the action a lot lower. Going to let it rest as is right now before I slightly tighten the neck. But it is way better. And I'm getting that low action growl without any buzzing.

View attachment 1407761 View attachment 1407762
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May I be a pain and ask for the photo between those two, showing the end of the fretboard and part of the neck pickup???

My neck pickup is decidedly lower than the fretboard (and the bridge pickup) but looking at your photos it seems to be almost the same height.
 
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#40,417
RedVee said:
Next as in additional? N+1

I'm keeping my Goth Bird, I'm not really up to modding until I have another in the style of the various neckthru, setneck, custom bolt on style.
Click to expand...
Next as in whatever bass that puts the biggest smile on my face while accommodating my extraordinarily fussy left hand after my Les Paul is sold. From what I've been able to gather thus far... it sounds like, the only chance I'll have at that bass being a 'bird, will be a if I can find a Greco I like (or maybe wunna them Hamer Thunderunicorns). I'm constantly keepin' my eyes peeled for fat-necked smile makers in my price range. The options are few... but I have a list of possible candidates that I need to get my hands on before I can pass 'em or fail 'em.

I have a couple projects for down the road somewhere too. I loved my Goth. I gotta find a fat neck & put it on a Goth body. Of course I also wanna convert a Pro V into a 4 string too. All in good time I suppose.
 
#40,418
theFixer said:
Next as in whatever bass that puts the biggest smile on my face while accommodating my extraordinarily fussy left hand after my Les Paul is sold. From what I've been able to gather thus far... it sounds like, the only chance I'll have at that bass being a 'bird, will be a if I can find a Greco I like (or maybe wunna them Hamer Thunderunicorns). I'm constantly keepin' my eyes peeled for fat-necked smile makers in my price range. The options are few... but I have a list of possible candidates that I need to get my hands on before I can pass 'em or fail 'em.

I have a couple projects for down the road somewhere too. I loved my Goth. I gotta find a fat neck & put it on a Goth body. Of course I also wanna convert a Pro V into a 4 string too. All in good time I suppose.
Click to expand...

If you can't find a Epi 'fat neck', you could always go FenderBird (FenderGoth?) and wack a Precision style neck on a Goth (or any Epi bolt on) body. Though I believe they are not a direct fit and require some modification.
 
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