Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

Those are cool! I wish they'd do cool stuff like that with Top Hats...

You can find all that in tophats as well.

 

[JJR58]

Anything actually known yet about the ProBucker 760s, except for a couple of youtube videos which don’t feature the clean sound?

There is only a short discription of them on the so called "specs" on the Epiphone site.
Not much of a discription though.

 

[BklynKen]

You can find all that in tophats as well.

I’m quite fond of my 0-11 knobs, bit always open to other options.

 

[EdO.]

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

I like 'em well enough that I don't see the point of investing in anything different. I'm probably not the most discerning at splitting hairs tonally as much as others here seem to be capable of. I get sounds I like live and to date I haven't recorded with it so for no issues. Sounds good out front, sounds good on stage, I'm good with it.

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.

I think we've touched on this before @PillO. Let me know what you end up doing, I have a Pro V as well that seems like it could use something. I actually like generally the sounds I get out of it but IMO that's due as much to amp as it is ax. I'm thinking replace the preamp, but really no clue what to replace it with. Really don't want to go to the expense of changing the pickups, don't really have a good idea of what would be gained with different pups or really what I'd even put in it. So I'll be interested to hear what you ultimately find as the fix for you.

Oh, ok. I thought that meant that you didn’t like them. Yeah, not referring to anyone here, but a lot of people get caught up with upgrading and modifying without really experiencing what they already have.

What he said. I really need to quantify what the gain would be before sinking $$$ in it and IMO a lot of people don't do that, they just tweak for the sake of tweaking. I've always been a bit antsy to do that with pickups understanding that I don't know what I don't know on that subject. Bridges, tuners, no problem, that differences/gains are pretty obvious. But pickups, for me anyway... I'm open to opinions and (reasonable) suggestions though.

 

[hillerup]

I am now officially a Fender-free household. Just sold the Jazz Bass.

Good for you!

 

[PillO]

I think we've touched on this before @PillO. Let me know what you end up doing, I have a Pro V as well that seems like it could use something. I actually like generally the sounds I get out of it but IMO that's due as much to amp as it is ax. I'm thinking replace the preamp, but really no clue what to replace it with. Really don't want to go to the expense of changing the pickups, don't really have a good idea of what would be gained with different pups or really what I'd even put in it. So I'll be interested to hear what you ultimately find as the fix for you.

I'm still thinking. I have found some options but want to explore more before I decide on a course.

Like you, I have wondered if it is pick ups, preamp, or both. Many here have said that it is both, but the scientist in me says that if I change both at the same time, I will never know where the problem lies. The economist in me says only change enough to gain the desired improvement, but that requires knowing the place to get that most economical improvement.

Right now, I am thinking of changing preamp to see how that goes and then decide from there if I need new pick ups as well (as those may require some routing to get a fit). But, I am still exploring options before I pull the trigger on anything. Once I make a decision, I will let everyone know what I did and the outcome.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

So I just finished watching a really interesting documentary about music in the 60's and session musicians. And found out the main person it's about, Tommy Tedesco, is from Niagara Falls, NY. If you have a couple hours check it out.
It's called "The Wrecking Crew"
It's on Netflix

 

[kat888]

@EdO. and @PillO — having been there and done that ... the cheapest option would be a pair of used TB+s or Chinabuckers, new pots and a passive rewire. The stock pickups are sufficiently horrible that you would be throwing money away on a better preamp as it can only shape the signal it receives.

The Chinabuckers are great pickups for the money and would get you 85% of the way to one of the boutique vintage repro pickups, otherwise people here are saying the TB+s are good. If you see a set, jump on them, I am convinced you won’t regret it.

 

[hillerup]

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

I like them too!

 

[Off-Beat]

I like them too!

Same, also prefer black over chrome, but metal over plastic. Would love black powder coated hardware(I know, it's also plastic..).

€: Vintage hardware that is.

 

[JIO]

View attachment 2761669

Well, good for you... but personally I would sell all my J's like I would sell my '64 T-bird, which is to say - I wouldn't. But as always, to each their own and rock-on Fenderless.

 

[kat888]

I'm still thinking. I have found some options but want to explore more before I decide on a course.

Like you, I have wondered if it is pick ups, preamp, or both. Many here have said that it is both, but the scientist in me says that if I change both at the same time, I will never know where the problem lies. The economist in me says only change enough to gain the desired improvement, but that requires knowing the place to get that most economical improvement.

Right now, I am thinking of changing preamp to see how that goes and then decide from there if I need new pick ups as well (as those may require some routing to get a fit). But, I am still exploring options before I pull the trigger on anything. Once I make a decision, I will let everyone know what I did and the outcome.

Why spend money on something you may not need? The cheapest option is bypassing the pre.

 

[PillO]

Same, also prefer black over chrome, but metal over plastic. Would love black powder coated hardware(I know, it's also plastic..).

One of the questions I asked about Thunderbuckers is if they can be painted black, as I like black on the 5 string. I was told that black automotive paint would work.

 

[PillO]

Why spend money on something you may not need? The cheapest option is bypassing the pre.

First, I can't see any of the pictures. And it isn't an age thing - they are really small.

Second, I agree and part of the thought process is seeing how the pickups sound with just removing the preamp before installing a new preamp. My suspicion is that in the end I will replace both pickups and preamp.

 

[kat888]

First, I can't see any of the pictures. And it isn't an age thing - they are really small.

Second, I agree and part of the thought process is seeing how the pickups sound with just removing the preamp before installing a new preamp. My suspicion is that in the end I will replace both pickups and preamp.

Er, yeah, fixed the images. Soz.

 

[Off-Beat]

One of the questions I asked about Thunderbuckers is if they can be painted black, as I like black on the 5 string. I was told that black automotive paint would work.

Nickel yes, chrome it might peel off over time.

Also there's exhaust paint which you can bake in an oven to make it more durable.

 

[kat888]

One of the questions I asked about Thunderbuckers is if they can be painted black, as I like black on the 5 string. I was told that black automotive paint would work.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[hillerup]

Let's start with that finish. That looks like raw mahogany...

I believe the bird in question is an Epiphone limited edition in TV Silver...

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

 

[Korladis]

You just have to change one string at a time, and keep the bass pretty much flat, face up. Other than that, and a set up issue, the bridge is fine, works as it should. The only adjustment it doesn't have is side-to-side string spacing.
The set up issue has to do with the front of the bridge (the single post) being slightly higher off the bass body than the rear of the bridge (the two posts). I'm sure others will chime in as well.
Nice 'Bird! Her Grace will be along to invite you in to our collective (resistance is futile- you have been chosen)!

Lol... see? I'm late already!

I've pretty much always changed one string at a time when I change strings. Partly cause I worry about neck stability, and partly because it makes it easier to get the new strings roughly in tune.

Yes it is pricey. GC was blowing out 2014s for $799 in 2015, but they went real fast. Do you think that is walnut? The 2014 blowout was available in natural walnut, and ebony (black) finishes. Or were there natural finish mahogany birds offered in 2014 as well?

This group talks about thunderbuckers, lulls, lollars and chinabuckers, but I don't remember much talk about Duncan's in the 10 or so months I have been here. Are they anything special? The hardware and pickup upgrades are notable, but we all know they don't add much resale value to basses, unless someone specifically wants those upgrades. In 40 years people on TB will be rolling their eyes at that one for not being all original

I've never liked Duncan bass pickups as much as their guitar pickups, to be honest.

I've also never given a damn about resale value. I'm not a gear flipper.

Series/parallel. Another thing to consider as well.

Definitely. This upgrade was the most important for me.

I just cannot get into Bonamassa. He's technically a very good player... but everything about him just seems to contrived and disingenuous. The exact opposite of what the blues is. Kinda like Bill Gates putting on some temporary tattoos and a bandana & trying to pass himself off as a hardcore biker gang type

I find him boring. Very blues lawyery.

And another option, mentioned in my first post to you, the series parallel can be wired to a push pull pot, so you could also have it all, volume/series pull - volume, no load tone pot VVT. Push pulls are great for not drilling more holes for switches.

That's how I have mine wired, to a push/pull pot. The tone control I replaced with a pickup switch.

My Gibson BlackBird was converted to VV by a previous owner. I plan on adding a kill-switch back in the mix but have no use for a tone pot. I have a couple of VV no tone basses and do not miss the tone pot at all. Also agree with whoever mentioned the push-pull pots. I use those in some basses as well.

Same, about the tone pot. I've always found them to be useless.

@Cardinal Fang -- there's absolutely nothing stopping you from adding a tone pot to your Bird should you want one, however a Thunderbird is such a full range sounding bass (not muddy) it's unlikely you'd ever use it. Perhaps on a brighter, thinner sounding bass with less bottom end you might need something to tame the gank.

With the amp turned up a bit, both my single pickup Birds can go from warm to snarly big-angry-piano™ just by varying the attack. They don't really do 'thumpy' -- for that you should try an Epi EB3L 'SG' or one of the Jack Casady basses.

Birds

• kat888
• Aug 25, 2017
• thunderbird bass

Birds

I can get some good thump with just the neck pickup, in parallel mode, if I play over the neck but don't attack the strings as hard as I usually do.

Never needed the tone control.

Is it umbrella season already? I really like the pith helmet summer version.

I'm really ****ing sick of summer. I want it to go away.

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.

Cheapest option to see what's holding the bass back would be to bypass the preamp and wire the pickups straight to the jack, maybe with a blend knob, pickup switch, couple volume knobs, or kill switch.

What don’t you like about them?

It's not that they're bad, but Thunderbuckers are better. The stock pickups aren't very bright, and so kinda lose some of their "big angry piano" quality when I use overdrive, especially in series mode, whereas the Thunderbuckers retain that and are just generally brighter overall.

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

I prefer top hats to speed knobs. Never really liked speed knobs.

Series/Parallel switch in its place.

Yes. Or put it on a push/pull and use the tone control hole for a pickup switch.

This has some non-distorted tones:

Sounds like a jazz bass except better, to me. I prefer driven tones, but very nice. Also really like those knobs.

I’m quite fond of my 0-11 knobs, bit always open to other options.

Do the 0-11 knobs come in top hat style with chrome on top?

I'm still thinking. I have found some options but want to explore more before I decide on a course.

Like you, I have wondered if it is pick ups, preamp, or both. Many here have said that it is both, but the scientist in me says that if I change both at the same time, I will never know where the problem lies. The economist in me says only change enough to gain the desired improvement, but that requires knowing the place to get that most economical improvement.

Right now, I am thinking of changing preamp to see how that goes and then decide from there if I need new pick ups as well (as those may require some routing to get a fit). But, I am still exploring options before I pull the trigger on anything. Once I make a decision, I will let everyone know what I did and the outcome.

You can isolate the pickups to see how they sound by themselves by just bypassing the preamp, which probably isn't very good. If it were me, wiring it up passive would be the first mod I would make.