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Thunderbird Club

#71,081
hillerup said:
It's not that I don't use effects... But since we are using virtual amps/speakers and effects plugins in the band, I really don't need them physically...

I do have a couple of V-Amps though, which has built-in effects, if that counts...

Otherwise, yes - It does seem like we are going in the opposite directions. However I wouldn't mind having a full collection of all the BOSS pedals for fun, though I doubt her indoors would appreciate that... ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah it seems like nowadays we all still lust & pine for this:
blasko6sm-jpg.jpg


But we seem to be heading towards this?:
iRig-HD-2-Guitar-Interface-2.jpg
 
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#71,083
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#71,084
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#71,085
jpmcbride said:
I just picked up this Epiphone Thunderbird. She looks good hanging next to the Les Paul!

Everything I hate about my Thunderbird bass:

(1) When is Gibson going to stop making these 3 point bridges? I know ... the answer is never. But, I really like to be able to adjust the action on each string individually. I always struggle to set up a bass with this kind of bridge.

(2) And whats with the bridge being so short that the string silk goes over the saddle? I like flat wounds and the silk always goes over the saddle on them.

(3) Neck dive.

(4) Big unwieldy body.

(5) Worst factory setup I've ever seen. Action extremely high, and the truss rod was loose. I wasn't familiar with how a double action truss rod worked and didn't initially understand how it could be loose. Once I figured it out (had to talk to an experienced tech), I was able to get it setup nicely.

But ... the sound! With flat wounds this bass has an amazing sound. How can a $349 bass sound this good? There seems to be a sweet spot in the sound with the neck pickup all the way up, the tone about 3/4 up, and then bring the bridge pickup all the way up then back it down until you hear the bass sing! For all my complaints about this bass, it sounds incredible. The neck feels good, the finish looks good, and its really an amazing bass for the price.

Oh, and the bridge that bothered me so much ... I ordered a hipshot replacement bridge with individual string adjustments and it also solves the silk over the saddle problem. Once that arrives and is installed I'll post an update.
Click to expand...
One of my epi T-birds has labella flats on it and I know exactly what you mean! I bought the bass because it has such a rich low end.
 
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#71,086
jpmcbride said:
I just picked up this Epiphone Thunderbird. She looks good hanging next to the Les Paul!

Everything I hate about my Thunderbird bass:

(1) When is Gibson going to stop making these 3 point bridges? I know ... the answer is never. But, I really like to be able to adjust the action on each string individually. I always struggle to set up a bass with this kind of bridge.

(2) And whats with the bridge being so short that the string silk goes over the saddle? I like flat wounds and the silk always goes over the saddle on them.

(3) Neck dive.

(4) Big unwieldy body.

(5) Worst factory setup I've ever seen. Action extremely high, and the truss rod was loose. I wasn't familiar with how a double action truss rod worked and didn't initially understand how it could be loose. Once I figured it out (had to talk to an experienced tech), I was able to get it setup nicely.

But ... the sound! With flat wounds this bass has an amazing sound. How can a $349 bass sound this good? There seems to be a sweet spot in the sound with the neck pickup all the way up, the tone about 3/4 up, and then bring the bridge pickup all the way up then back it down until you hear the bass sing! For all my complaints about this bass, it sounds incredible. The neck feels good, the finish looks good, and its really an amazing bass for the price.

Oh, and the bridge that bothered me so much ... I ordered a hipshot replacement bridge with individual string adjustments and it also solves the silk over the saddle problem. Once that arrives and is installed I'll post an update.
Click to expand...
IMG_20180311_140632396.jpg
you would love my new vintage epi tbird
 
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#71,089
dukeorock said:
Finally got to try Cobalt flats on a gig last night. They’re on my ‘02 Gibson w/Lollar pickups. Still a fair amount of growl and a very nice, pure tone. Really liked it a lot :)
Click to expand...
That's what I was hoping to hear! Thanks for the update.
So IIRC you have Black Beauties on your newer Gibson and now Cobalt flats on your '02. Does your BB equipped bass sound brighter or darker than your Cobalt bass? Which one retained the most growl (assuming the Lollar pups have more growl from the getgo). I love your quick sound clips. If you ever get a chance to do a back to back of those two basses with those strings played fingerstyle it would be awesome.
Again, thanks for the update.
 
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#71,091
JIO said:
Used to use a wah pedal (Dunlop Cry Baby) a lot at one time - it's a very expressive pedal for bass also. I gave my old one to my guitarist but still have a more modern one with a boost and on-the-fly tone control. You can get pretty gnarly with some overdrive. As "retro" sounds keep bouncing in and out of fashion, it just depends on where and how it's incorporated in a song/composition. Chorus is another such pedal.
Click to expand...

Had a TC Corona chorus and decided it wasn't for me. It was replaced by the flanger. That will do for me. The last spot is for a 'utility' pedal, not an 'effect'.
 
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#71,092
@Fab Superlative, exotic power requirements were what led me to the DC5 link in the first place. It was scary expensive and I ended up selling the valve preamp it was purchased to run within 6 months, but the combination of 9V/12V/18V has proved invaluable and it has the Goldilocks 'just right' number of outlets to power everything I need.
 
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#71,093
GBassNorth said:
That's what I was hoping to hear! Thanks for the update.
So IIRC you have Black Beauties on your newer Gibson and now Cobalt flats on your '02. Does your BB equipped bass sound brighter or darker than your Cobalt bass? Which one retained the most growl (assuming the Lollar pups have more growl from the getgo). I love your quick sound clips. If you ever get a chance to do a back to back of those two basses with those strings played fingerstyle it would be awesome.
Again, thanks for the update.
Click to expand...

I pulled the Black Beauties off the ‘14 awhile ago as they were starting to die a bit, but I do remember them well. I hope this comparison makes sense and keep in mind stock Gibson pickups and Lollars are very different as well.

I found the Black Beauties to be not so great at home, solo, but fantastic in a band mix. Really interesting, complex mids, nice growl and solid lows. Neat strings that last pretty well, especially compared to most rounds. I could see me using em again at some point.

The Cobalt flats are less complex in the mids. More fundamental than harmonic, if that makes sense. Huge lows with a nice snap up top. They have some roundwound growl, but less wiry grind. Works great on my Americana/country/roots gigs. For something like Prayer Flags or a more aggressive rock gig, I’d probably lean toward Lo Riders or something with more grind.

I absolutely love the Cobalts with the Lollars, but I’ve yet to find a string I don’t like with those pickups so far
 
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#71,100
Hey everyone! Just wanted to pop-in and see what's up! I just picked up my first T-bird from a local music shop a month or so ago. It's been my #1 since then! Is there anything important I've missed, since I can't comb through 3k+ pages of the thread :)
How does everyone feel about the new D-birds from Dingwall? Do they seem to measure up to the T-bird hype?
Glad to be here!
 

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