Thunderbird Club

[RedVee]

Slightly after 0200, trying to catch up on the important things in my life after a gig. 7-11 but had to leave home @ 5:30 to set up and after tear down, indulge in a gourmet meal(boneless lemon pepper chicken wings at Checker's)then watch some hockey. Played the EpiBird 5er through the R200c at an American Legion. bass/amp sounded great, crowd loved us, chicken wings were fresh and the hockey was interesting. All's right for the night.

Hi GP, glad it went well.

I’ve been looking but can’t find a video review on the Epi T’bird NR.

Anybody seen one anywhere?

 

[PillO]

I should've had one of these 40 years ago.

Funny how that seems to be a common reaction. I recall reading an interview with Geddy Lee some time just after the R40 tour (during which he played a couple of `birds) and he commented that he didn't understand why Pete Way played one but now that he has played one live, he gets it.

 

[PillO]

I still have a copy of Mosaic floating around somewhere, and every once in a blue moon I use a lynx descendent (no modern web sites will display on Mosaic or lynx).

A (long) while ago, I had a copy of VI for DOS. I have no idea why I thought that was good idea.

 

[PillO]

Happy to add you to the club if you wish

Wait... We had a choice in all this!?

 

[TBird1958]

Wait... We had a choice in all this!?

No, some of you, like me are willing participants - I know who you all are.

 

[PillO]

No, some of you, like me are willing participants - I know who you all are.

Some are entirely too willing participants...




Right @JJR58 ?

 

[Count Bassie]

Hey I know that some of you have advocated setting your Bird's pickup height right up near the strings. I tend to be a sort of heavy hitting right-hander and am banging into that pickup a lot. Have you found a worthy trade-off between proximity to strings vs backing off p'ups due to amplified string-whack? What's the applicable science on this? I know it's been covered about 1,000 pages back, glad I'm not asking in gen-pop.

Sometimes I think I'm asking an obvious question, but often you get "collateral information" that is useful thereby.

 

[JJR58]

Mine's the non reverse Firebird -- it's appreciated.

I got you K girl.

 

[JJR58]

With all this talk of microphones, you need to hang this pic in your studio...
View attachment 3371825

 

[PillO]

Hey I know that some of you have advocated setting your Bird's pickup height right up near the strings. I tend to be a sort of heavy hitting right-hander and am banging into that pickup a lot. Have you found a worthy trade-off between proximity to strings vs backing off p'ups due to amplified string-whack? What's the applicable science on this? I know it's been covered about 1,000 pages back, glad I'm not asking in gen-pop.

Sometimes I think I'm asking an obvious question, but often you get "collateral information" that is useful thereby.

I too have a heavy right hand. I have been working on having a lighter touch. My teacher reminds me regularly (and I repeat to myself) let the amp do the work. It's a bit like having an amp that goes to 11 - if you need the extra push over the edge, where are you going to go? So, with a lighter touch, I can have better dynamics and less worry about bottoming out on pickups.

Sorry - I have been no help on your question.

 

[Count Bassie]

Sorry - I have been no help on your question.

Yes, you have been no help at all.

But that is sound advice! Like using a power tool, letting it do the work. There are interesting textural sonic things you can do though with some physicality when that's called for- a little speaker breakup, stressing the string slightly out of tune with a hard pull, backing off and playing with the fat of your finger closer to the neck. I think of it as the 'tone' of your attack.

I also overthink quite a bit.

 

[Engle]

Hey I know that some of you have advocated setting your Bird's pickup height right up near the strings. I tend to be a sort of heavy hitting right-hander and am banging into that pickup a lot. Have you found a worthy trade-off between proximity to strings vs backing off p'ups due to amplified string-whack? What's the applicable science on this? I know it's been covered about 1,000 pages back, glad I'm not asking in gen-pop.

Sometimes I think I'm asking an obvious question, but often you get "collateral information" that is useful thereby.

If you get too close, science says the magnet will affect the strings vibration. I have noticed this on other basses, but not on my VP: The angle in this pic makes the pickups look closer to the strings than they really are, but the strings do hit the pickups.

I also dig in hard when I get going.

 

[Engle]

Yes, you have been no help at all.

But that is sound advice! Like using a power tool, letting it do the work. There are interesting textural sonic things you can do though with some physicality when that's called for- a little speaker breakup, stressing the string slightly out of tune with a hard pull, backing off and playing with the fat of your finger closer to the neck. I think of it as the 'tone' of your attack.

I also overthink quite a bit.

The VP and PF50T reacts very nicely to variations in attack. It’s a great tonal “palette”.

 

[Count Bassie]

Neck p'up...

Bridge p'up...

Looking pretty tight I think.

 

[GonePlaid]

Hi GP, glad it went well.

I’ve been looking but can’t find a video review on the Epi T’bird NR.

Anybody seen one anywhere?

If you type in "Epiphone Non reverse Thunderbird bass review", 3 older videos come up.* 2 have TBird pups, one's a 5er like mine with P/J pups.
*at least here in the States

 

[Engle]

Neck p'up...
View attachment 3372038

Bridge p'up...
View attachment 3372039

Looking pretty tight I think.

I would lower them a little. I lowered my pickups when I set it up with Cobalt flats.

 

[GBassNorth]

Hey I know that some of you have advocated setting your Bird's pickup height right up near the strings. I tend to be a sort of heavy hitting right-hander and am banging into that pickup a lot. Have you found a worthy trade-off between proximity to strings vs backing off p'ups due to amplified string-whack? What's the applicable science on this? I know it's been covered about 1,000 pages back, glad I'm not asking in gen-pop.

Sometimes I think I'm asking an obvious question, but often you get "collateral information" that is useful thereby.

Count - I think the right pup height really depends on your playing style and string selection.

I like my pups as close to the strings as I can get them without adding any unwanted attributes (string whack on the pup, chorus effect, getting in the way, etc).

But keep in mind, I'm not really gigging much these days, so 75% of the time I'm playing while sitting. A sitting playing position offers a lot more control over how you attack the strings vs jumping around on stage. So even though I do dig in when needed it's not the same as digging in while doing windmills and other antics on stage, it's much more controlled.

I also play finger style mostly with a floating thumb technique and right hand positioned over the neck pup on up to the neck heel, very rarely am I south of the neck pup. If I played with a pic down by the bridge I'm sure I could raise my pups even higher.

As far as strings go, when possible I also have a tendency to buy medium to light gauge strings vs aircraft cables. That string selection typically results in a more pliable string. If I went with heavy gauges I might also be able to raise my pup height up a bit.

All that said - here's neck and bridge string gaps that work best for me (neck first, bridge second)
2013 Gibson Anniversary TBird - 3/16" and 1/8" (Optima Gold Round Wounds .045-.105)
2015 Gibson TBird - 3/16" and 3/16" (EB Cobalt Flats .045-.100)
Epiphone TBird VP - 1/16" and 3/32" (Fender 7150ML nickel rounds .045-.100)
Epiphone Goth - 3/32" and 1/16" (La Bella Black Tapewounds .050-.105)

 

[JJR58]

I stiill haven’t really found the sweet spot for pick up height on my Birds. I also play with a fairly light touch and let the amp do the work. Seems I like what I’m hearing regardless of what I do. But the one thing is I know, I don’t like the p’up’s super close to the strings. Also using light gauge strings as well. I like the bit of flexibility that comes along with that.

 

[PillO]

I stiill haven’t really found the sweet spot for pick up height on my Birds. I also play with a fairly light touch and let the amp do the work. Seems I like what I’m hearing regardless of what I do. But the one thing is I know, I don’t like the p’up’s super close to the strings. Also using light gauge strings as well. I like the bit of flexibility that comes along with that.

Round core strings give that flexible feeling with the same tension as hex cores. One of the reasons that I like DR strings.

 

[Count Bassie]

Thanks guys, I'll bust out the little screwdriver and peg 'em down a little. I'll just eyeball them, give them a play and adjust till happy.
I almost always stand when playing, and though I don't do a lot of showy prancing about, animation happens, and "the spirit moves", so sometimes I do experience a little zeal during a set!
Advice and example received, thanks!

(Fixed a screwy typo...)