Thunderbird Club

[ubernator]

A bit more clarity. Might be that my strings are dulling. I've had them on 6 months, but I know that have a bit of Zing in them. That's the trouble with a T-Bird. They really don't suit anything but new strings, but of course, your method may vary.

For uncoated strings (and perhaps worn out coateds as well), have you tried soaking old strings in denatured alcohol for 24-72 hours? You might be surprised! Truly the way to go if you can't afford new strings every 2-6 weeks

Unlike boiling you can do it over and over again. I do

 

[theFixer]

I don't know that the Schaller is still in production. Do you have a link where it can be bought? I don't find it on any of the hardware sites. There are many that see no problem with the Gibson 3 point bridge. Others like the Babicz or Hipshot replacements. The question is; what are you looking for that you currently aren't getting?



There are as many opinions on pickups as there are thunderbirds in the club. Again, the better question is what are you looking for that you aren't currently getting?

*Oops* Yer right... I was thinking of this surface mount model...

 

[JIO]

Thanks. Was thinking about the 80/20 rule. Smaller, easy-entry dive bars that don't require you bring at minimum 100+ ppl is the aim. We formed 4 months ago and have been practicing once a week getting to know each other.

Bring in a crowd (network your friends), be nice to the sound person (learn their name and use it to thank them) and don't put any stress on the management (be low maintenance)- club/bar owners like that combination and will welcome you back regardless of the music.

 

[JJR58]

First of all... "Nothing Special"??? Bite yer tongue lad! It is indeed "special"! It's a Thunderbird, and it has authentic Thunderbird lineage. I'll have you know that there are members of this club who have extensive collections that include some of the finest basses made, who will still select their "nothing special" Epiphone T-bird to fill their needs... live and in studio! You won't find the same holier-than-thou elitist B.S. in the Thunderbird Club, that you find out in GenPop (our word for the general TalkBass population). Hold your head high!

I'm fairly certain that @hillerup would take issue with your choice of terms as well. Hang around for a while & you'll find out why

Yup, What Mike said, this is indeed true. I love mine, but i do think i'll be putting on a Hipshot bridge in the near future.

 

[ThunderFox]

First of all... "Nothing Special"??? Bite yer tongue lad! It is indeed "special"! It's a Thunderbird, and it has authentic Thunderbird lineage. I'll have you know that there are members of this club who have extensive collections that include some of the finest basses made, who will still select their "nothing special" Epiphone T-bird to fill their needs... live and in studio! You won't find the same holier-than-thou elitist B.S. in the Thunderbird Club, that you find out in GenPop (our word for the general TalkBass population). Hold your head high!

I'm fairly certain that @hillerup would take issue with your choice of terms as well. Hang around for a while & you'll find out why

Second... a black Sharpie marker will make short work of your battered bridge studs

Never finer words spoke. An Epi T-Bird is a T-bird non the less. I have two of them, both classic pro versions with the Gibson pickups. To my ears, they sound how a T-bird should, the sound isn't second rate. I use them in rehearsal, in the studio, and live.

It may not be American made (apart from the PU's), but why does that matter, a good bass is a good bass. Plus the Epi still has Gibson in its roots. Made to pretty much same spec as the Gibson. Identical to one at least. And at least Epiphone don't take them out of the catalog so no one can get one...GIBSON!!!

 

[kat888]

Thanks for that, Fixer. Is there a replacement for the pickups, or is it not worth it?

There are British pickups as well for something closer to home, but the only TBird with truly bad pickups is the active PRO IV/V which you don't have.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[kat888]

I love mine, but i do think i'll be putting on a Hipshot bridge in the near future.

Does this signal the beginning of a raging chrome or nickel addiction?
SuperTone Gibson® Bass Replacement Bridge

 

[JJR58]

Does this signal the beginning of a raging chrome or nickel addiction?
SuperTone Gibson® Bass Replacement Bridge

Now that is a very good question Kat, toying with the idea with the nickle one, add a little bling and contrast to it.

 

[TheIndieKid]

For uncoated strings (and perhaps worn out coateds as well), have you tried soaking old strings in denatured alcohol for 24-72 hours? You might be surprised! Truly the way to go if you can't afford new strings every 2-6 weeks

Unlike boiling you can do it over and over again. I do

Now there's a massive problem XD I've been searching high and low for denatured alcohol for a while (or methylated spirits, as I've come to find it more commonly called) and I can only find the purple stuff. I heard the purple dyed stuff can leave a residue on the strings. If anyone knows of a UK supplier of the clear denatured alcohol, I'd be extremely grateful.

 

[veebass]

It changes colour under stage lights. The colours under lights are actually more vivid than these pics show- but you get the idea.
These guitar pickup shaped TB+s......... very good rock pickups.

 

[PillO]

There are British pickups as well for something closer to home, but the only TBird with truly bad pickups is the active PRO IV/V which you don't have.

Invalid Link Removed

I neither agree nor disagree with Katt. The pickups on my Pro-V work. Having said that, it isn't the sound I am looking for and am looking at replacement of both the pickups and the electronics. I am 90% certain that it will get thunderbuckers. I am undecided on electronics so nothing is done yet.

Does this signal the beginning of a raging chrome or nickel addiction?
SuperTone Gibson® Bass Replacement Bridge

Now that is a very good question Kat, toying with the idea with the nickle one, add a little bling and contrast to it.

Personally, on the white Thunderbird, I like the contrasting black. One of the reasons that I am installing Black Beauties (as an experiment, as I have liked the NYXLs) today. If the experiment goes well, the Jack Casady is likely to get Red Devils.

 

[kat888]

Now that is a very good question Kat, toying with the idea with the nickle one, add a little bling and contrast to it.

A little harder to find/more expensive than chrome parts, eg Hipshot 'licensed' $18.50 tuners are not available in nickel, you need the $40 model, etc. Once you start down the shiny metal path, there's no stopping until you're fully blinged.

 

[JJR58]

I neither agree nor disagree with Katt. The pickups on my Pro-V work. Having said that, it isn't the sound I am looking for and am looking at replacement of both the pickups and the electronics. I am 90% certain that it will get thunderbuckers. I am undecided on electronics so nothing is done yet.




Personally, on the white Thunderbird, I like the contrasting black. One of the reasons that I am installing Black Beauties (as an experiment, as I have liked the NYXLs) today. If the experiment goes well, the Jack Casady is likely to get Red Devils.

That's why i'm thinking nickle for the burst Bird.

 

[JJR58]

It changes colour under stage lights. The colours under lights are actually more vivid than these pics show- but you get the idea.
These guitar pickup shaped TB+s......... very good rock pickups.

View attachment 2635323 View attachment 2635324

The LPB that i had was so crunchy sounding, but like a knucklehead, i traded it, i don't even remember what for.

 

[TBird1958]

It changes colour under stage lights. The colours under lights are actually more vivid than these pics show- but you get the idea.
These guitar pickup shaped TB+s......... very good rock pickups.

View attachment 2635323 View attachment 2635324

Love the bass, BTW the new, shorter hair is good on you!

 

[kat888]

I am 90% certain that it will get thunderbuckers. I am undecided on electronics so nothing is done yet.

To tone control or not tone control, that is the question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous orange drops,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of capacitors,
And by opposing end them

 

[JJR58]

To tone control or not tone control, that is the question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous orange drops,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of capacitors,
And by opposing end them

Begone i say, begone.

 

[BklynKen]

Here is some stuff to look at:





and I did some hand held recording (Tascam DR05) of my 2014 Thubderbird with Jason Lollar pick ups:

Login - Dropbox

I just move the pick up and tone selection around and I can't remember the order.

Anyway, the point is there are a number of options available that will improve the tone and output if you are not happy with your current set up. Also, in addition to these listed there are pick up available from Mike Lull, Seymour Duncan and less pricey humbucker from China (referred to as "chinabuckers" here)

Damn that first video is an awful example. For the bridge pickup he plays at the neck pickup for the TB+ and then the bridge pickup for the '63. Then for both pickups, he switches to a pick. So this basically gives you nothing.

 

[TBird1958]

I'm doing that Beer in the backyard thingy, 79 and perfect in Seattle

 

[kat888]

Out, damned FSO! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky!—Fie, my Queen, fie! Tort, and flats? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so many dirt pedals in him.