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Thunderbird Club

#82,441
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#82,443
JJR58 said:
What’s the story behind that one?
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Its a prototype made by Wayne Charvel, it was played by the bassist for the band "Kingdom Come" for at least one tour. The diamond shaped pickup cover hides a split coil, really, it's a pretty cool bass - Probably not everyone's cup of tea in the aesthetics tho. It has a red 5 string companion the Uwe also owns.
 
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#82,444
TBird1958 said:
Its a prototype made by Wayne Charvel, it was played by the bassist for the band "Kingdom Come" for at least one tour. The diamond shaped pickup cover hides a split coil, really, it's a pretty cool bass - Probably not everyone's cup of tea in the aesthetics tho. It has a red 5 string companion the Uwe also owns.
Click to expand...

Thank you V. It’s an interesting bass. That fingerboard is pretty nice too. Is the pick up a standard type of split coil?
 
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#82,445
Christine said:
I think Kat was the one who was most interested but anyway, the pickups from Mojo arrived today. I'm pretty sure they've used the covers and rings from the Philly Luthier but allegedly the insides are close replicas of the original pups. All I can do is post some sound files once my build is finished, until then it's just pictures:

Bridge and neck pickup and a pair of rings £229 delivered, if they're any good then it is going to be my best option, if not then I'm going to have to think again
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That "thinking" part can be dangerous!:smug:
 
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#82,446
So I spent a bit of time playing my VP through my PF-50T last night. It’s got a pretty broad range of tones - it looks like rock, but sonically I could see myself playing it wherever I have enough stage space!
It responds nicely to varying right hand positions and dynamics.

The extended strap I use for my Casady works perfectly and I got into a playing stance that felt comfortable without thinking about it.
Now I wish the Casady had that neck!

I can never seem to get used to VVT controls though. Has anybody tried Volume/blend/tone with these pickups? If so what value pots did you use?
 
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#82,448
MrKeef said:
Think I can use a standard epiphone t bird for blues rock or would that be better suited for my P Bass?
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I've used mine for everything from rock to country to r&b to big band, for years it was my only bass. Never had any complaints except for one big band leader who wanted me to play upright-which I don't.:cool:
 
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#82,450
MrKeef said:
Think I can use a standard epiphone t bird for blues rock or would that be better suited for my P Bass?
Click to expand...
Seriously, I haven't found a genre that the TBird doesn't work will with. For blues rock I'd probably lean towards the TBird with flat wounds or possibly Black Beauties or Silver Stars. It'll sound a bit less aggressive and more P bass like with those strings.

I've only been playing TBirds for a couple of years now, but I can honestly say that since I got my first bird I really haven't played my P basses much at all, and I almost never play my Jazz basses anymore. I think @dukeorock is having similar experiences. The biggest hurdle is getting bandmates to listen with their ears. The audience doesn't seem to mind either way. My drummer was the first to yell "hell yes" after just a minute into a song in practice. After that the guitarist and singer were equally impressed with the sound, but I gotta be honest, it raised a few eyebrows in practice when I first pulled it out of the case.
 
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#82,452
Engle said:
So I spent a bit of time playing my VP through my PF-50T last night. It’s got a pretty broad range of tones - it looks like rock, but sonically I could see myself playing it wherever I have enough stage space!
It responds nicely to varying right hand positions and dynamics.

The extended strap I use for my Casady works perfectly and I got into a playing stance that felt comfortable without thinking about it.
Now I wish the Casady had that neck!

I can never seem to get used to VVT controls though. Has anybody tried Volume/blend/tone with these pickups? If so what value pots did you use?
Click to expand...
I set mine up V/B/T, and I love it! Should be standard equipment on ALL basses IMHO:thumbsup:

I don't have much knowledge or experience on the matter I'm afraid. This was the very first time I'd ever done any electronics work like that. I know the vol. pot was 500k, but don't remember anything about the others. I got 'em from a local tech. I told him what I was doing & he handed me the parts I needed. Sorry I can't be more help:unsure:

<edit>

I can add this... the depth of the control cavity is a concern when considering a blend pot. I'm fairly certain you hafta use mini-pots, or risk obstruction when attempting to replace the cavity cover. This one should serve you well:

BOURNS 500K Split Shaft Audio Pot Potentiometer Blend Balance NEW Guitar Part | eBay
 
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#82,453
GBassNorth said:
Seriously, I haven't found a genre that the TBird doesn't work will with. For blues rock I'd probably lean towards the TBird with flat wounds or possibly Black Beauties or Silver Stars. It'll sound a bit less aggressive and more P bass like with those strings.

I've only been playing TBirds for a couple of years now, but I can honestly say that since I got my first bird I really haven't played my P basses much at all, and I almost never play my Jazz basses anymore. I think @dukeorock is having similar experiences. The biggest hurdle is getting bandmates to listen with their ears. The audience doesn't seem to mind either way. My drummer was the first to yell "hell yes" after just a minute into a song in practice. After that the guitarist and singer were equally impressed with the sound, but I gotta be honest, it raised a few eyebrows in practice when I first pulled it out of the case.
Click to expand...
I think that's a big part of the "problem". If it's not a FSO, other musicians get freaked but the audience barely notices. The sound is the Only thing that matters.:)
 
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#82,455
Engle said:
Rub it with some brasso on a rag. Go easy!
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Ehem

JJR58 said:
Don’t see why not. @GonePlaid plays jazz on a Bird, and @dukeorock plays blues/rock on his.
Click to expand...

Since getting my first ‘Bird, I’ve still never played any of my other basses live. Country gigs, rock gigs, blues gigs, etc. Never had one single negative comment from other players, but many positive ones

GBassNorth said:
Seriously, I haven't found a genre that the TBird doesn't work will with. For blues rock I'd probably lean towards the TBird with flat wounds or possibly Black Beauties or Silver Stars. It'll sound a bit less aggressive and more P bass like with those strings.

I've only been playing TBirds for a couple of years now, but I can honestly say that since I got my first bird I really haven't played my P basses much at all, and I almost never play my Jazz basses anymore. I think @dukeorock is having similar experiences. The biggest hurdle is getting bandmates to listen with their ears. The audience doesn't seem to mind either way. My drummer was the first to yell "hell yes" after just a minute into a song in practice. After that the guitarist and singer were equally impressed with the sound, but I gotta be honest, it raised a few eyebrows in practice when I first pulled it out of the case.
Click to expand...

All of this...spot on!
 
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#82,456
MrKeef said:
Think I can use a standard epiphone t bird for blues rock or would that be better suited for my P Bass?
Click to expand...
Though it's capable of anything... the Thunderbird was made for Blues/Rock! Nikki Sixx is the only person that comes to mind, who has found a scenario in which a P-bass is better suited to the job than a T-bird

images.jpg


... but "better" is in the ear of the beholder;)
 
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#82,459
dukeorock said:
Ehem



Since getting my first ‘Bird, I’ve still never played any of my other basses live. Country gigs, rock gigs, blues gigs, etc. Never had one single negative comment from other players, but many positive ones



All of this...spot on!
Click to expand...


I'm sure that that crowd notices as well Mark, the shape isn't the expected.
 
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