Is the Goth your first exposure to the Thunderbird?
What kinda sound are ya shootin' for?
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
What kinda sound are ya shootin' for?
- Jul 1, 2005
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Pretty sure your Spector doesn't have TBHZ in it, they are EMGs passive pickups. I have three sets of HZs, they sound very different from my EMG CS 'active only' EMGs I also have. I'm assuming your Spector is an active bass.
Whatever is in your Spector, if that's the sound you love, use that model EMGs and the preamp that came with it.
There are lots of other options. Be aware any replacement pickup will require some routing to fit into the Epiphone, most don't need much!
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- Jul 1, 2005
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- Jul 1, 2005
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Glad you're on the road to recovery.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Shockingly enough, that is what I like. How could this be?
- Jul 1, 2005
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IMO, that's a sound only a castrato could love.Huh?
IMO, that's a sound only a castrato could love.
I'm not sure what it would sound like plugged in but I'll take your word for it.
I have to think that it would sound very muted as the strings don't really have the opportunity to vibrate at the P/Up like they do where he's playing.
I would experiment with the pickup heights first as others have mentioned. Also strings do make a difference on the Epi bolt-neck models IMO. If you want it to sound similar to your Spector, you are going to need active EMG's and a preamp as Carlo stated, or see if you can get one of Sheldon's stomp box preamps (I am assuming that since you have a Spector that you are familiar with the SNCpre). I think Epi bolt-neck models are great platforms for modification. Enjoy it!!
I think the pickup is better for a guitar than a bass but having never tried this one or heard it plugged in I have no clue how it would sound. I do like the overall look of it. He seems happy and since he has been pretty busy making movies (and $$$) lately I am sure he can buy whatever he wants, including a Tbird with 2 pickups. Let him enjoy it.
It is my first TB. I have Rotosound Swing 66 strings on it.
In an ideal world, I'd sound just like John Entwhistle. But my E & A sound muddy and my D&G sound tinny.
I only paid $179 for it used, so I don't mind putting a bit of money into it.
Sorry. I wasn't clear. My Spector Euro LX5 is active. It just has a great, wide range of sound and happens to have EMGs on it, and I tend to be brand loyal. (I've owned 5 Hondas in a row)
Lots of aftermarket options. Just google Thunderbird pickup replacements. TV Jones, Lollar, Lull, Bartolini, and EMG (and others) offer replacements. Kind of depends on what you are looking for. The Lull’s are my all time favorite pickup but they are ridiculously priced.
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Well...there are several more folks, more qualified than myself, to point you in the right direction, but I'm not positive you'll get John Entwistle out of an active system. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say about it. In the meanwhile... I'll encourage you to try a few of the tricks that are frequently mentioned here. The first of which has been mentioned once already. When I got my first 'bird, folks here kept telling me to raise my pickups as high as they'll go without interfering with the strings. When I finally tried it... I was blown away at the difference! Those pups sprang to life! Also... while your playing... try messin' around with the balance between pups. Most of the time, I crank 'em both up full, and then dial back the bridge pup about 15 -20%. The difference may surprise you! Finally... where you pick/pluck has a pretty substantial effect on the character of your tone. More so than on any other bass that I've experienced. It only takes a couple minutes to try all of these things, and you may just find something you like in there, without having to spend any money
- Jul 1, 2005
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Not all EMGs (or Hondas) are the same. Don't expect Hz to sound like CS, just like you wouldn't expect the same performance from a Civic as you would an NSX.
Hey Carlo! Nice new avatarNot all EMGs (or Hondas) are the same. Don't expect Hz to sound like CS, just like you wouldn't expect the same performance from a Civic as you would an NSX.
Are those black covered Thunderbuckers???
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
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Glad you are feeling better! I was sick for this last month, sucked.Hey, had the flu.
It sucked.
What did I miss?
I'll be popping in here & there. Now that I got rid of the flu I need to get in more practice time & play around with a buncha new gear I bought recently (Fender Partscaster P bass, amp & cab, pedal.)
Hope all is well with you guys!
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Dude used to hunt Wraith barehanded. He can play what he wants.Not him again!!!
Wierd placement and horrible playing... There, I said it!
