Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

No, you aren't the only one. The '01 is all stock, which means something like TB+ pickups, and it is the magic pixie dust bass.

Cool. Only considerable upgrade I did was the Hipshot bridge, mostly for their string spacing adjustment that no one else has.

 

[Gaolee]

I like the stock TB+ on the four string. I am looking to makes changes on the Pro-V. Something in it ain't right and I waffle between it being the pickups and the preamp. This week, I am thinking that perhaps changing out/eliminating the preamp is all I need to do. I have also thought about changing out both pickups and preamp (but then I would never know what the weak spot is). Still thinking; at some point a course of action will become obvious.

Those are not TB+ pickups. They are lousy pickups. The preamp is no better. The obvious course of action is to rescue a great bass from awfulness by replacing both or just the pickups and going passive with it. It is an internationally recognized thing to do.

 

[kat888]

Another avatar, did you change your ........... nevermind.

We don’t really want to know.

 

[PillO]

Those are not TB+ pickups. They are lousy pickups. The preamp is no better. The obvious course of action is to rescue a great bass from awfulness by replacing both or just the pickups and going passive with it. It is an internationally recognized thing to do.

I know that something in it ain't right. I'm just trying to work out what to do to fix it.

To put Thunderbuckers in, it looks like a very small amount of routing is needed - like 0.1". As much as it is almost nothing, it will cost to get that done. So, I'm still thinking through options.

 

[kat888]

And that's before tax and shipping. It's gonna run north of $400 all said and done. That's more than the cost of a nice Epi to put it in.

After market parts have cost me as much — probably slightly more — as the Epi PRO IV, but that was still less than the sticker price and also still less than the price of a classic pro.

 

[kat888]

So happy I got the deal I did on mine. In the shop now. Waiting for an estimate on one or two simple mods.

??

Disconnect tone pot and?

 

[kat888]

I like the stock TB+ on the four string. I am looking to makes changes on the Pro-V. Something in it ain't right and I waffle between it being the pickups and the preamp. This week, I am thinking that perhaps changing out/eliminating the preamp is all I need to do. I have also thought about changing out both pickups and preamp (but then I would never know what the weak spot is). Still thinking; at some point a course of action will become obvious.

Both — pickups and preamp. Trust me, I know whereof I yap.

To put Thunderbuckers in, it looks like a very small amount of routing is needed - like 0.1". As much as it is almost nothing, it will cost to get that done. So, I'm still thinking through options

Dremel and masking tape?

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Dremel and masking tape?

Are we talking about modifying a bass or a new initiation?

 

[kat888]

Just my opinion and 1/2 a cent. But most custom made Bird p/up's cost. It's all just personal preference and matter of choice. I would only gripe myself if something didn't sound good, there's a lot of price points. Long as you feel you are getting what you paid for.....

Oh, I understand that... but if I have 400bux in my pocket , lookin' to buy T-bird pups, and have a choice of going to a company that does a good job on a bunch of different pups, or a company is passionate about Thunderbirds and specializes in Thunderbird pickups exclusively (as well as being favorably reviewed by everyone I know that uses them)... well... the choice seems obvious

Am I the only one who actually really likes the stock TB+ pickups?

Having no experience of the TB+s it’s impossible to say. Certainly there are many options available, but it’s an expensive business. I am very enamoured of the Thunderbucker 66S in the NR41, so a second one for the Epi seemed a prudent choice, plus Steve is a mate of Carlo and Carlo is a top bloke.

I have no intention of modding anything on the forthcoming Vintage Pro ... except for abalone speed knobs.

 

[PillO]

Are we talking about modifying a bass or a new initiation?

Both...

 

[kat888]

@PillO — the other thing to note is it doesn’t matter what pups you put in the PRO-V, you will still need to rout. The stock pups are titchier than any soapbar pup I have checked the specs on. After routing for Chinabuckers, the 66S dropped right in.

Also you’ll need replacement (500kΩ) pots and these will need a longer thread shaft than standard CTSs, as I discovered. I bought a couple of LP pots and used nuts, washers and nail polish inside the control cavity to get the length correct.

 

[Off-Beat]

I made a thread in the GP.

Kept the wording as safe as possible.

 

[JJR58]

Having no experience of the TB+s it’s impossible to say. Certainly there are many options available, but it’s an expensive business. I am very enamoured of the Thunderbucker 66S in the NR41, so a second one for the Epi seemed a prudent choice, plus Steve is a mate of Carlo and Carlo is a top bloke.

I have no intention of modding anything on the forthcoming Vintage Pro ... except for abalone speed knobs.

Same here on The Vintage Pro.

 

[kat888]

Same here on The Vintage Pro.

What? Abalone speed knobs? C’mon, ya knows ya wants to.

 

[JJR58]

??

Disconnect tone pot and?

Series/Parallel switch in its place.

 

[JJR58]

What? Abalone speed knobs? C’mon, ya knows ya wants to.

Maybe. But I really like the gold top hats.

 

[redstrand]

Series/Parallel switch in its place.

I did that

 

[kat888]

Maybe. But I really like the gold top hats.

You would be the third person here to have them — time for an abalone speed knobs club...

 

[JJR58]

You would be the third person here tomhave them — time for an abalone speed knobs club...

I can be talked into it.

 

[JJR58]

Granted... "Powerage" deserves a lengthier time in service... but MAN... I'm just can't get enough Cactus lately! Tim Bogert is my new hero!!!

Or are you just fickle.