Thunderbird Club

[aceytrixx]

So I have my first practice with a potential new band next Saturday. First time in 10years actually playing in a room with other people. Took my set of rotosounds off my p and put them on the blackbird as I far prefer the thin neck (was tuned down to D standard before) and the E string doesn't seem go be tonally matched to the rest. Any ideas why this is?

Also had anyone tried Ernie Ball Cobalt roundwound strings? I fancy something quite bright and aggressive sounding

 

[Larry V]

Though my T Bird bros might dig this. This is what I do

Kick ass, Bryan! Looking forward to finally seeing you guys in December!

 

[wolfkeller]

Me too man, it'll be cool to have a bass player in the house!

 

[wolfkeller]

Think I'm gna bust out the snowbird and maybe blackbird, if I can find the pups I want for it

 

[butter_fingers]

Is anyone familiar with these pick-ups? Almost looks like they are a plug and play replacement for the stock Epiphone T Bird pups? It says the space between mounting holes is 3 3/8" and 1 1/16"? They are pretty cheap, I was contemplating swaping mine out if it's a no fuss procedure, strictly for cosmetics.

Here's the link: Gibson Bass Guitar Humbucker Bridge Pickup Chrome Cover Humbucking Epiphone

 

[butter_fingers]

So I have my first practice with a potential new band next Saturday. First time in 10years actually playing in a room with other people. Took my set of rotosounds off my p and put them on the blackbird as I far prefer the thin neck (was tuned down to D standard before) and the E string doesn't seem go be tonally matched to the rest. Any ideas why this is?

Also had anyone tried Ernie Ball Cobalt roundwound strings? I fancy something quite bright and aggressive sounding

Have you ever tried DR Hi-Beams? I have them on all 3 basses, nice brighness and attack, I like them most for the volume consistancy between strings.
I recently sold a bass with DR's on it, the buyer liked the strings so much he called back to find out what kind they are.

 

[hillerup]

Have you ever tried DR Headlight roundwounds? I have them on all 3 basses, nice brighness and attack, I like them most for the volume consistancy between strings.
I recently sold a bass with DR's on it, the buyer liked the strings so much he called back to find out what kind they are.

Don't you mean DR Hi-Beam's?

 

[butter_fingers]

Don't you mean DR Hi-Beam's?

lol... Yes, make that Hi-beams! I'll edit that...

 

[ThaCoast]

So I have my first practice with a potential new band next Saturday. First time in 10years actually playing in a room with other people. Took my set of rotosounds off my p and put them on the blackbird as I far prefer the thin neck (was tuned down to D standard before) and the E string doesn't seem go be tonally matched to the rest. Any ideas why this is?

Also had anyone tried Ernie Ball Cobalt roundwound strings? I fancy something quite bright and aggressive sounding

I did, wasn't pleased with them. Sure they were brighter, for the first week of playing in my case. But i hate coated strings. & i've dropped using ernie ball for 2 reasons: Expensive, & one pack i tried installing on my thunderbird when i first got it, had the D & G string snap while tuning, & stretching, & tuning. So i've gone with D'addario & never looked back.

 

[aceytrixx]

Have you ever tried DR Hi-Beams? I have them on all 3 basses, nice brighness and attack, I like them most for the volume consistancy between strings.
I recently sold a bass with DR's on it, the buyer liked the strings so much he called back to find out what kind they are.

Don't you mean DR Hi-Beam's?

lol... Yes, make that Hi-beams! I'll edit that...

Brilliant! I knew headlights sounded wrong. I'll look into them. The volume consistency in particular is hugely appealing

 

[mistergoats]

Is anyone familiar with these pick-ups? Almost looks like they are a plug and play replacement for the stock Epiphone T Bird pups? It says the space between mounting holes is 3 3/8" and 1 1/16"? They are pretty cheap, I was contemplating swaping mine out if it's a no fuss procedure, strictly for cosmetics.
View attachment 728984
Here's the link: Gibson Bass Guitar Humbucker Bridge Pickup Chrome Cover Humbucking Epiphone

Looks a lot like the mini-Thunderbird pickup in the EBs and the Midtowns.

 

[Gaolee]

Is anyone familiar with these pick-ups? Almost looks like they are a plug and play replacement for the stock Epiphone T Bird pups? It says the space between mounting holes is 3 3/8" and 1 1/16"? They are pretty cheap, I was contemplating swaping mine out if it's a no fuss procedure, strictly for cosmetics.
View attachment 728984
Here's the link: Gibson Bass Guitar Humbucker Bridge Pickup Chrome Cover Humbucking Epiphone

That appears to be the kind of mini humbucker that Gibson put at the bridge position of EB-2d and EB-3 bass guitars. I can't say much about what they are like as a pickup alone since my EB-2 has butchered wiring. The bass sounds fantastic, though. Since it's a new one, it will be different again. My expectation is that it's not as powerful a pickup as a stock Thunderbird pickup, but that it would have a vintage, woody sound that could be great.

 

[Gaolee]

Pictures as this happens?

It exists now! I put the pickup back in.

 

[butter_fingers]

Looks a lot like the mini-Thunderbird pickup in the EBs and the Midtowns.

That appears to be the kind of mini humbucker that Gibson put at the bridge position of EB-2d and EB-3 bass guitars. I can't say much about what they are like as a pickup alone since my EB-2 has butchered wiring. The bass sounds fantastic, though. Since it's a new one, it will be different again. My expectation is that it's not as powerful a pickup as a stock Thunderbird pickup, but that it would have a vintage, woody sound that could be great.

Could you measure the dimenssions of your bridge pickup? Looks like the distance between the T Bird E and G strings at the pups is about 48-50mm, I'm wondering if the distance between the pole pieces might be too narrow for a T Bird.

 

[Klondike]

So today was pretty productive. Put a heat gut to the bottom wing and stripped it to wood. The rest is sanded about 80% is completed on the body. Still have the neck and headstock to sand.

Question in regards to sanding. I've used 80 grit so far. Should I progress to finer paper before i spray primer on the lower wing? Or rhe rest of the bass which will only be sanded and not entirely stripped?

 

[Bent77]

putting this here just because Veronica (aka Tbird) shows just what a Bird sounds like!

 

[Gaolee]

Could you measure the dimenssions of your bridge pickup? Looks like the distance between the T Bird E and G strings at the pups is about 48-50mm, I'm wondering if the distance between the pole pieces might be too narrow for a T Bird.

English units - sorry. I don't have a metric tape measure.

Outside dimension of the black plastic surround: 3-1/2" x 1-3/8"
Pickup: 2-1/2" x 1-1/8"
Height - surface of bass to top surface of pickup: 1/2"
Pole pieces: 11/16"

All measured with a tape measure, so there's little slop in the measurements. It should get you pretty close.

 

[nismaniac]

So I have my first practice with a potential new band next Saturday. First time in 10years actually playing in a room with other people. Took my set of rotosounds off my p and put them on the blackbird as I far prefer the thin neck (was tuned down to D standard before) and the E string doesn't seem go be tonally matched to the rest. Any ideas why this is?

Also had anyone tried Ernie Ball Cobalt roundwound strings? I fancy something quite bright and aggressive sounding

You'll love the cobalt rounds, very bright piano string tone with strong fundamental. I love them

Also, Cobalts are not coated strings

 

[Count Bassie]

Though my T Bird bros might dig this. This is what I do

Looks like a fun band! You look comfortable playing that 'Bird.

 

[butter_fingers]

English units - sorry. I don't have a metric tape measure.

Outside dimension of the black plastic surround: 3-1/2" x 1-3/8"
Pickup: 2-1/2" x 1-1/8"
Height - surface of bass to top surface of pickup: 1/2"
Pole pieces: 11/16"

All measured with a tape measure, so there's little slop in the measurements. It should get you pretty close.

Thanks for that, much appreciated!!