Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

This is probably controversial ... but I reckon the neck joint is pretty insignificant to the tone of an instrument.

pickups
strings
bridge

As long as the rest is tightly held together it's all good.

For bolt on neck basses I'd agree, but you can hear a difference if those components are the same between the two differently constructed basses. NRs and early '60s Birds come to mind, as do Post '88 and Studio Birds, Orville (if it has U.S. made pickups, not all do) and a standard U.S. Gibson as well. My Orville produces a tighter, more focused note with quicker decaythan my stock '89 or the Epiphone Classic. The Studios I've played were definitely like that too.

 

[TBird1958]

I assume in my absence that I missed you all talking about this? The Dingwall Bird? It popped up a couple times in my IG feed recently.

View attachment 2965559

There are a couple of owners here, there was one at The Bass Shop in Seattle that I played - beautifully crafted, not so much traditional Thunderbird tone though.

 

[GBassNorth]

This is probably controversial ... but I reckon the neck joint is pretty insignificant to the tone of an instrument.

pickups
strings
bridge

As long as the rest is tightly held together it's all good.

Yeah, it's not so much the method as it is the end result.

 

[JIO]

This is probably controversial ... but I reckon the neck joint is pretty insignificant to the tone of an instrument.

pickups
strings
neck
bridge

As long as the rest is tightly held together it's all good.

Neck joint is very important - so's the neck (added it to your list)

 

[JJR58]

Neck joint is very important - so's the neck (added it to your list)

They all play an integral part, all of it.

 

[JIO]

They all play an integral part, all of it.

I listen to those who design and make instruments, like the late Phil Kubicki. Phil said this; "When I'm asked, what's the best wood to use for the body of a bass, people are surprised to hear me say that the neck wood actually contributes more to the sound of a solid body instrument than the body wood does - although, to be honest, I think the pickups and electronics probably play the largest role in determining the plugged-in sound of an electric bass."

Having owned a few Factors - I'm here to say that what he said was true.

 

[JJR58]

I listen to those who design and make instruments, like the late Phil Kubicki. Phil said this; "When I'm asked, what's the best wood to use for the body of a bass, people are surprised to hear me say that the neck wood actually contributes more to the sound of a solid body instrument than the body wood does - although, to be honest, I think the pickups and electronics probably play the largest role in determining the plugged-in sound of an electric bass."

Having owned a few Factors - I'm here to say that what he said was true.

I can dig it man.

 

[GonePlaid]

I listen to those who design and make instruments, like the late Phil Kubicki. Phil said this; "When I'm asked, what's the best wood to use for the body of a bass, people are surprised to hear me say that the neck wood actually contributes more to the sound of a solid body instrument than the body wood does - although, to be honest, I think the pickups and electronics probably play the largest role in determining the plugged-in sound of an electric bass."

Having owned a few Factors - I'm here to say that what he said was true.

Just might be true(see Les Paul's"Log")

 

[JJR58]

Must be why i like rosewood necks JIO.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah, I did not want to get into that debate since it's so heatedly discussed. I agree with Kubicki but the best pickups/electronics aren't going to do much for a bass that resonates poorly. In my experience, bolt on necks are brighter but don't sustain as long and lack the depth of a through body. All of this pre EQ of course.

 

[JIO]

I can dig it man.

In classical music, the bow (the wood, hair and construction of it) contributes more to the instrument bowed (its tone/sound) than the instrument itself. A violin, cello or bass bow can cost thousands of dollars if it is one of those bows.

 

[PillO]

Billy Sheehan's new signature Attitude bass has an additional pair of bolts that pull the end of the neck tighter into the body. He says that you can listen them and the bass sounds good. Tighten them and the bass comes alive. It may not have a lot to do with tone but it has to have quite an effect on resonance.

It is a feature of the new BB series
Yamaha - BB435 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Teal Blue

6-bolt Miter Neck Joint
Miter bolting holds the neck closer and tighter to the body fusing these two separate components into one. Compared to a conventional bolt-on joint, miter bolting offers more efficient transfer of string vibration throughout the body, for improved sustain and outstanding resonance that brings every note to life.

 

[JJR58]

Yeah, I did not want to get into that debate since it's so heatedly discussed. I agree with Kubicki but the best pickups/electronics aren't going to do much for a bass that resonates poorly. In my experience, bolt on necks are brighter but don't sustain as long and lack the depth of a through body. All of this pre EQ of course.

In classical music, the bow (the wood, hair and construction of it) contributes more to the instrument bowed (its tone/sound) than the instrument itself. A violin, cello or bass bow can cost thousands of dollars if it is one of those bows.

Dangerous territory for sure. Much truth there though.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Just might be true(see Les Paul's"Log")

Hey GonePlaid, do you always keep the pickup/bridge covers on your Birds like in the avatar?

 

[JJR58]

On that note, this is for @dukeorock.

 

[JIO]

Yeah, I did not want to get into that debate since it's so heatedly discussed. I agree with Kubicki but the best pickups/electronics aren't going to do much for a bass that resonates poorly. In my experience, bolt on necks are brighter but don't sustain as long and lack the depth of a through body. All of this pre EQ of course.

It's a slippery slope. Without getting to deep down the rabbit hole, Gibsons are generally know for being made of mahogany, and Fenders alder, ash and maple. They both have different pu's/pots (250/500) and neck fitment designs. (bolt-on/set-neck/neck-thru) A fender does not sound like a Gibson, and visa-versa. Class dismissed.

 

[JIO]

Dangerous territory for sure. Much truth there though.

I was repeating what I read in a related article by Yo Yo Ma. I trust he knows of what he speaks.

 

[kat888]

The only significant difference between my two Thunderbirds is a little brightness.

Exhibit A:
maple neck/ebony FB, 6 screw neck, poplar body, 2 point low mass bridge/claw tailpiece, Thunderbucker 66S pickup, single volume pot.

Exhibit B:
mahogany neck/rosewood FB, set neck, mahogany body, 3 point bridge, Thunderbucker 66S pickup, single volume pot.

 

[JIO]

On that note, this is for @dukeorock.

Love that film - the shot of Motorcycle Boy's bike flipping as it hit the gang member is great choreography!

 

[GonePlaid]

Hey GonePlaid, do you always keep the pickup/bridge covers on your Birds like in the avatar?

Yes. My right thumb is on the front pup and right"pinkie"on the rear plucking with index and"bird"(appropriate)fingers. Ring finger just kinda hangs there. I took both of them off at one time and forgot where the hell I'd put them but got lucky and found them again. I like keeping it "as built". I f I wanna get rounder tone-on ballads, thumb goes on neck end,"pinkie"on front cover. Might be "bad"technique but it works for me.. Oh. If I'm using the plectrum,it's between pups.