Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

Had the same issue with my cobalt flats. Just crushed the overwrap a bit with some pliers and they fit right in. I chose not to file the tail piece on my VP because I was concerned what it would do to the Chrome finish. As for stretching, I just use the old method of tune to pitch then tug the string up away from the fretboard an inch or so a few times then retune, seems to hold tune just fine.

Yes, I do that also as I'm doing "final" tuning, then do it some more at the gig.("final" tuning )

 

[GBassNorth]

Yes, I do that also as I'm doing "final" tuning, then do it some more at the gig.("final" tuning )

Funny the things we do before a gig. I always tuned my bass a hair sharp before each set. Not sure what it is about my hearing but very slightly sharp is barely noticeable to me, not the case with slightly flat, I can pick that up in a second and it really annoys me. Go figure.

What's killin me right now is I somehow mucked up my right eardrum with a sinus infection over a month ago. The eardrum popped and I've lost nearly all hearing in that ear. Doctors are working on it, seeing a specialist next week. Hopefully the damage isn't permanent, I play mostly by ear and I'm struggling to learn new songs as easily as I used to.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yes, I do that also as I'm doing "final" tuning, then do it some more at the gig.("final" tuning )

I used to play with this guitarist that tunes by ear in the middle of the set, sometimes in the middle of the song (lol) and while doing so he would say into the mike "this is a Chinese song called tuning"...
The audience used to love it, this guy could do no wrong..

 

[TwyreZ]

Any good/great budget upgrades I can do to a standard Epiphone TBird IV? It's a great bass, but I want to make it even better.

or For Sale - Bartolini Thunderbird Pickups T4CBC OBO

might need some light modifications to go into the cavity

* Edit : Or of course, best way it's to find used Gibson pickups (but here I am already on the lookout!),
Ditto, it will slightly filing the cavity of the pickups (easy and cheap for a luthier) but you will not have better upgrade.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

My God, total lunacy! Vintage pickup covers go for 250 and the mute thingy for 295? ***??!!!
Gibson Thunderbird 1960's-70's Nickel Bridge and Pickup Covers

 

[JJR58]

Funny the things we do before a gig. I always tuned my bass a hair sharp before each set. Not sure what it is about my hearing but very slightly sharp is barely noticeable to me, not the case with slightly flat, I can pick that up in a second and it really annoys me. Go figure.

What's killin me right now is I somehow mucked up my right eardrum with a sinus infection over a month ago. The eardrum popped and I've lost nearly all hearing in that ear. Doctors are working on it, seeing a specialist next week. Hopefully the damage isn't permanent, I play mostly by ear and I'm struggling to learn new songs as easily as I used to.

Ugh G, hope the docs can help. I've got the dreaded tinnitus from years of loud concerts and loud bands i've been in. It's not to awful, but it's there.

 

[TwyreZ]

My God, total lunacy! Vintage pickup covers go for 250 and the mute thingy for 295? ***??!!!
Gibson Thunderbird 1960's-70's Nickel Bridge and Pickup Covers

...

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Ampeg sportbike line.

Unfortunately for you it’d be tube powered, not solid state

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Unfortunately for you it’d be tube powered, not solid state

Not very good reviews QC wise..

 

[GonePlaid]

My God, total lunacy! Vintage pickup covers go for 250 and the mute thingy for 295? ***??!!!
Gibson Thunderbird 1960's-70's Nickel Bridge and Pickup Covers

ThunderBucker ranch has 'em for a LOT less. They aren't "vintage"-who cares? Addendum: I looked at the pix of the mute thingy. It's obviously mounted w/ 3 screws-possibly under the bridge(?) and doesn't have the felt(??)$295!!!. Use a piece of foam insulating tape under the bridge cover. No BC? tape a piece of felt Over the strings at the bridge. If it's good enough for Carol Kaye...........

 

[hillerup]

So......I would like eat Lucy Owen.

Ahem!

 

[D.M.N.]

An interesting distant Tbird relative kinda X body design for sale over at the Low End...
View attachment 3018468
Aria ZZB delux tiger $1099

My high school had one of these in the band room, I used it a few times, big bright red bastard. The pickups were actually fantastic, very bright, very growly.



The school also had an 80s Peavey Foundation with the Super Ferrite pickups, and those pickups sounded amazing too. Really want to track some down one day and put them in a project bass.

 

[theFixer]

Sadly it's just the base stock, bolt on neck with passive electronics. It still plays fantastically out of the box.

I have the same model. The only real complaint that myself and other players of the same model share fairly consistently, is the tuning machines. IMHO... everything else is based solely on your own tastes/preferences. Mine had been experimented on by the previous owner, so I had to replace the pots & wiring. When I did that, I chose to refinish it, and rewire it volume/blend/tone instead of V/V/T. When I can, I intend to put a HipShot SuperTone on it. I'm very pleased with the stock pups, and have no intention of swapping them. Honestly... I'll encourage you to take some time & get to know it before you start throwing money at it. You might save yourself some dough

 

[PillO]

Ugh G, hope the docs can help. I've got the dreaded tinnitus from years of loud concerts and loud bands i've been in. It's not to awful, but it's there.

I too suffer tinnitus. It is mild. I attribute it to time in the army around lots of explody things.

 

[hillerup]

NO! I'm not joining a Fender club, what if it's catching?



Not happening

No worries... I'm a member of the Fender Blacktop Club - Not many of those around, and therefore not much happening in that club either. Great bass, nevertheless...

 

[JJR58]

I too suffer tinnitus. It is mild. I attribute it to time in the army around lots of explody things.

Good thing that was the only thing you suffer from.

 

[PillO]

Ampeg is now part of the Yamaha group? Crazy. Ideally they move production form China to Japan..

That news was almost a week ago!

I don't think you will see production move out of China. The Japanese were ahead of the curve moving production to Korea, then Indonesia, and finally China. However, the Japanese typically have higher quality standards, so expect QA/QC to change for the better.

 

[JJR58]

That news was almost a week ago!

I don't think you will see production move out of China. The Japanese were ahead of the curve moving production to Korea, then Indonesia, and finally China. However, the Japanese typically have higher quality standards, so expect QA/QC to change for the better.

A whole thread running about it also.

 

[Gaolee]

Funny the things we do before a gig. I always tuned my bass a hair sharp before each set. Not sure what it is about my hearing but very slightly sharp is barely noticeable to me, not the case with slightly flat, I can pick that up in a second and it really annoys me. Go figure.

What's killin me right now is I somehow mucked up my right eardrum with a sinus infection over a month ago. The eardrum popped and I've lost nearly all hearing in that ear. Doctors are working on it, seeing a specialist next week. Hopefully the damage isn't permanent, I play mostly by ear and I'm struggling to learn new songs as easily as I used to.

The sharp thing is what I do especially when I think the bass (and me) will get warmer during the gig. As the strings get warmer, they get longer and go a little flat. I can hear sharp and flat - both bug me.

Sorry to hear about your ear. I hope it heals completely and quickly.

 

[Gaolee]

Unfortunately for you it’d be tube powered, not solid state

Oh, what a disappointment! I'll have to stick to riding the Triumph.