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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
There was some talk a few weeks back about fixing a loose/lifting bridge post by wrapping the insert with a wrap of metal plumbers tape. I had this problem and got around to trying it out today, and wanted to say thanks for the tip - it worked great.
It was messing with me being able to get the action set right. It's feeling really good now and will probably do a little more fine tuning of the set up. The next problem will be...intonation up the board. Starts getting really noticeable about the 14th fret or so.
It sounds like the BadBird can address this, but I'm not sure I want to drill for it...yet. Mine is a 2013 non-reverse. Any thoughts on whether the Hipshot will help?
It was messing with me being able to get the action set right. It's feeling really good now and will probably do a little more fine tuning of the set up. The next problem will be...intonation up the board. Starts getting really noticeable about the 14th fret or so.
It sounds like the BadBird can address this, but I'm not sure I want to drill for it...yet. Mine is a 2013 non-reverse. Any thoughts on whether the Hipshot will help?
The Hipshot Supertone Turned my NR RI into a stellar instrument. It sounds better and plays way better. The intonation is perfect and I was able to get the action so much lower. Yes I wish it had a traditional two point and may replace it with Scott's bridge when it becomes available or a Thundertone. But the Hipshot kicks the sh*t out of the 3 point.
I tried the Supertone and it really didn't do much for me. Mines for sale here http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f129/hipshot-supertone-feeler-1066619/ if anyones interested.
I just received an undrilled and unbadged PG from him (I ordered it that way). I haven't had time to work on my bass...or even open the package, but after talking with him - I have no doubt I'll be pleased. 'Sides......I have his address and know where to find him
Thanks, hillerup! I made it.
I'm Larry but I can't sell my services in this open forum. I've been warned so I can't even discuss it. Sorry.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm kind of leaning that way. It seems fine intonation wise for any playing I do for money, but would be nice if it were good all the way up.
Thanks for the input and alert that you have one. I may PM you about it later. Still thinking about it. Thanks, all!
I just received an undrilled and unbadged PG from him (I ordered it that way). I haven't had time to work on my bass...or even open the package, but after talking with him - I have no doubt I'll be pleased. 'Sides......I have his address and know where to find him
Thanks, Whitey! Any issues at all and I gotcha covered!
You're welcome. Being able to set individual string height with the Hipshot makes a huge difference if you like low action.
Also string spacing. I love narrow spacing, which I got used to with a Danelectro.
Thanks, Whitey! Any issues at all and I gotcha covered!
Thanks, Larry! I'll work on it in the next day or so - too many honey-do's. I'll give you a holler. I just opened the package and it looks super! I should imagine all will be perfect, and I'll be playing a "looker" with a half twist
Now for some speed knobs...
Yes, I have contacted Hipshot and I bought mini-clover, I'm waiting to receive them...
Too bad they do not sell series with the reference "mini-clover", because I would have liked to do without this surprise !
Well, next step --> the Hipshot bridge. I would have preferred a two pieces bridge but it bothers me to leave a visible hole...
Measured the pickups on my natural '76 Bicentennial and they are 15K full-on, so it's series-wired. The pickups are 9KOHM bridge and 6KOHM neck. The output is really hot and bright and the 2 volumes are reasonably independent. It sounds best with a lower impedance input to the amp than my other basses. Otherwise it can clip a bit.
I am really curious about what it would sound like wired in parallel with it's 100K pots. Anybody experiment with this?
I am really curious about what it would sound like wired in parallel with it's 100K pots. Anybody experiment with this?
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
At least one of the guys on Invalid Link Removed
has done that, you might try the search feature. When my green '76 was finally rebuilt it was wired that way, truthfully, I didn't care for it - but others stated that they liked it quite a bit
Thanks Mark, Wow, now I realize why the 70's birds sound unique. What started me on this- I just changed out the ancient strings that were totally old & dead, and I liked the old ones better than the new ones. It is overdriving my bass trainer preamp. I think I'll leave it be, it sounds sorta like my fender jag right now. I lowered the bridge pickup and that calmed it down a bit.
I'm looking for advice on these. I've read up on both basses, so, I'm not looking for technical information. I'm looking for experiences that you may have. QA/QC, fit and finish, feel, tone differences, and so on.
I am looking for a growly T-bird tone. I have a mix of active and passive basses, so I'm not dead set on an active or passive system. I really like the look of the natural oil finish of the Pro IV, but I'm really attracted to the Gibson pickups (or the idea of them) in the Classic.
I've owned two previous EpiBirds. The first one, a Korean, was a good bass but was traded to make room for my '74 Artia EB3. The second EpiBird was a Chinese model that I never bonded with. It had no life in it and it felt cheap. I sold it to make room for a jazz bass. I'm ready to try another EpiBird. Hopefully one of you can tell me about yours and why you chose it over the other models. I will be playing the bass in a cover band.
I am looking for a growly T-bird tone. I have a mix of active and passive basses, so I'm not dead set on an active or passive system. I really like the look of the natural oil finish of the Pro IV, but I'm really attracted to the Gibson pickups (or the idea of them) in the Classic.
I've owned two previous EpiBirds. The first one, a Korean, was a good bass but was traded to make room for my '74 Artia EB3. The second EpiBird was a Chinese model that I never bonded with. It had no life in it and it felt cheap. I sold it to make room for a jazz bass. I'm ready to try another EpiBird. Hopefully one of you can tell me about yours and why you chose it over the other models. I will be playing the bass in a cover band.
I modded to wiring in my '79 to parallel, but did not change the pots or the cap. It quelled what I thought was an overbearing force of midrange that was difficult to properly EQ and mic live. Changing the wiring alone gave a much more defined separation between the pickups with clearer lows and highs, which made EQ'ing an infinitely easier task.
Keep in mind that tone is an individual thing and that the 70's Thunderbird have a bizarre pickup/wiring configuation that falls into the love/hate category quickly, haha. If you do change to parrallel, keep in mind you'll need to tweak pick up heights and your amp settings a bit because it will respond in a whole new way. Luckily my main live amp is pretty robust and has a versatile EQ, so it worked out well. I don't regret doing it, it works for me.
Thanks Furious_Man77, exactly what I wanted to know. I was guessing that the existing 100K pots would bleed way too much signal off to ground. I think I will give it a go, when I get a chance.
The Gibson guitar company, such rebels! Especially when it comes to bass. I sort of like innovative, often impractical and even odd things they do. That 2007 guitar of the week idea, just unbelievable they pulled that off.
The Gibson guitar company, such rebels! Especially when it comes to bass. I sort of like innovative, often impractical and even odd things they do. That 2007 guitar of the week idea, just unbelievable they pulled that off.
