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Thunderbird Club

well I sucked it up and bought the lollars.

Did I miss a pic of your bass? Happy to add you to the club if you like. We encourage the addition chrome here and are more than happy to help you spend more of your money.
 
Did I miss a pic of your bass? Happy to add you to the club if you like. We encourage the addition chrome here and are more than happy to help you spend more of your money.
nah I haven't posted a picture yet. Right now the bridge pup is out of it because I was "assessing" the situation. I'll post a pic once the new ones are in
 
Anyone ever done a written comparison/description of the various T-Bird pickups, preferably from the same bass, (Thunderbucker, EPI Pro Bucker 760s, etc)? Some have a wide experience and are good at at describing PUs. For example:
The '60s version is thick, full and punchy.
-70s are slightly cleaner and a littler brighter. (Not correct, but I can't really tell with my '64 and '76 as the '76 always has flats
and the '64 TI AA rounds.)
-TBs are....
-Epi ProBuckers are.... (supposedly are close to the 60s version)

Seems like a good reference post to have instead of searching in various locations. Wishful thinking possibly.

I think the biggest problem is that no one owns all the basses/pickup combinations and has the ability to record them as well.
 
Mid-surgery pics are encouraged!
Well in that case....

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I am slightly curious as to why, when presented with with a number of after market (repro) pickup options, the Lollars appear to be more popular than others (eg the Thunderbuckers).

I'm really not saying Lollars are bad, just they seem to be the pickup people are most likely to buy speculatively. Or, am I imagining this?
 
Anyone ever done a written comparison/description of the various T-Bird pickups, preferably from the same bass, (Thunderbucker, EPI Pro Bucker 760s, etc)? Some have a wide experience and are good at at describing PUs. For example:
The '60s version is thick, full and punchy.
-70s are slightly cleaner and a littler brighter. (Not correct, but I can't really tell with my '64 and '76 as the '76 always has flats
and the '64 TI AA rounds.)
-TBs are....
-Epi ProBuckers are.... (supposedly are close to the 60s version)

Seems like a good reference post to have instead of searching in various locations. Wishful thinking possibly.
The most comprehensive sets of comparisons were by dukeorock. He didn't have access to '60s or '70s Thunderbirds, so the comparisons were TB+ and aftermarket. Fasterpussycat also did a few comparisons that were enlightening.
 
Recordings would also differ wildly due to varying signal chains.

Yes, I like what Mark @dukeorock had posted a lot, as he kept it consistent, but he doesn't have 1 each of the basses.
 
Hey guys, Id like some opinions. Im having a local luthier build a bird for me.

Kind of a nikki sixx spectorbird but, short scale. Bolt on, alder body, maple neck, ebony board with block inlays. Sunburst body, black hipshot hardware, 2x2 headstock, each pickup gets a mini toggle for control. I plan on going with emg tbhz passive pups.

I want a really balanced, great playing bird to play crue tunes with a pick.
 
I think the biggest problem is that no one owns all the basses/pickup combinations and has the ability to record them as well.

A group effort could work, at least amongst a group with identical or very similar basses, a reasonably transparent DI, and decent recording gear. Pick a few settings (such as neck only, tone rolled off[1]) and 2-4 bass lines, and agree how to play them[2]. Collect the recordings and let someone write up descriptions. It's more work overall, but less work (and money invested in pickups you may not want) per person.

Or just send me all the pickups, and over a few months I'll get them recorded. 8^)

I'll be happy to write (or help if others are involved) them up, Jeff can make brilliant comments, and others can ahem us both relentlessly.

[1] Do we really need any other settings?
[2] E.G., "Dunlop Tortex Sharp 1.14mm pick half way between neck p/u and neck", or "index and middle finger one inch from bridge".
 
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I am slightly curious as to why, when presented with with a number of after market (repro) pickup options, the Lollars appear to be more popular than others (eg the Thunderbuckers).

I'm really not saying Lollars are bad, just they seem to be the pickup people are most likely to buy speculatively. Or, am I imagining this?

I've been thinking similarly. Pricier is better, perhaps? (Note: I do not subscribe to that philosophy.)