Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

My '05 VFR 800 Interceptor

Recent cans/system sound just right. Originals were big, heavy and a bit too polite.

 

[Mike.C.]

Can't think of a reason not to. The black ink will need a touch-up every 3-5 years. Where can I get some picks like that? I don't mind paying for craftsmanship, afterall I DID buy a Mike Lull T5!

Not sure. This is just a pic i found online. Pic as in picture.

 

[Engle]

Photo evidence of my ability to hold an upright and fool people into thinking I can play jazz:

Played a jazz vespers gig last night. Miraculously I did not burst into flames upon entering the church.

 

[MCF]

Confessions of a Cobal Flats lover...

Adored Cobalt flats on my VP so I put a set on my 2015 Bird. Wasn't as thrilled with the sound. Lowered the pups, raised the action, lifted the treble side of the pups, tweaked the amp settings, tried every possible option with the onboard controls. Just couldn't get the bass to sound right.

Pups up / action low = too boomy, chorus effect on some notes, phase cancellation on other notes, numerous dead spots, very uneven volume across the strings, sustain largely choked out.

Pups down / action high = too quiet, G and D strings completely lost in even a modest mix, all strings lost in a heavy mix even at full onboard volume.

Treble side of pups raised / action slightly lowered = about as good as it was gonna get, G and D strings increased volume, chorus effect minimal, phasing minimal, sustain ok, bass still completely lost in a heavy mix.

Finally had to say the heck with it and remove the Cobalts. Put on a set of Cocco nickel rounds and all appears to be going in the right direction. Sound has improved drastically. Much less mid focused, much better balance in volume across the strings, no obvious dead spots, no phasing or chorus effect. These strings appear to be a higher tension so I'll let them sit at pitch overnight before I make any neck adjustments. I suspect I'll be able to drop the action back down to where I like it (very low). I'm hoping I can raise the pups a bit as well to bump up the volume a bit.

Conclusion - as I eventually suspected, the magnets in these 2015 pups are monsters, Cobalt strings are exceptionally attracted to the magnets. There's nothing wrong with Cobalt strings or these pups, I just don't think they play well together. Are Cocco nickel rounds the perfect string for this bass? Probably not, I just happened to have an unused set laying around. I still have set up work to do as I dial in the new strings, but my string search for the 2015 will probably continue.

Well, I’m committed to giving them a shot.

I worked on the setup on the ‘15 yesterday after installing them Friday night over polishing the frets and hitting the board with a little F1. First off, my Babicz does not like the silks at the ball ends. A bit tight. And I followed the directions re installing at the tuners; half wrap and back through the slots, then down. A PITA. What would have taken 10 minutes or less an a 7ender took forever to get them seated correctly on the narrow shafts. Tuned them up and started playing them in.

Saturday, I tuned again and played some more. Yesterday I set relief at .012 and string height at a a bee’s d**k around 5/64 all the way across. Then worked on intonation. I started with the lengths as set for the (way dead and lifeless) rounds that were on it. The G wanted to be way sharp on the harmonic. The D too, to a lesser degree. Played them in some more. I love how they feel, smooth and fast (as I’ve mentioned before, I’m pretty much a finger style, moving thumb player).

Today I’ll work on dialing them in some more and tweak pickup height. The bridge PUP is a bit too high for my style when I play over it. So far not choruusy, even with taps off and volume and tone all the way up. I’m not hearing a volume issue from string to string. And it sounds birdy, but too shrill on the high-mids.

At this point, it’s more about making it comfortable to play than getting it sound perfect in a mix as I’m not playing out for now. I love flats and tend to want to play the basses with them more. So I’m going to leave these on for a while and as Goalee says, play it.

 

[GBassNorth]

Thanks for the good description of what you found. I can't quite find the perfect pup height on my VP or 64 Embassy yet. I think bridge pup up and then think crank it way down. Another day in the life of a bass tone-craver.

One question that has likely been answered, but how different does the '15 sound from the VP? As I recall the Gibson's are less bright and some might say scooped or modern sounding.

Great question!
When I get the 2015 dialed in later today I might update my scoring. But for right now I'd say each of the birds is capable of a fairly broad tone range. That's probably why they fit in so many different music settings.

For now, the VP is my go to bird, it just does everything right. I have strong hopes for the 2015. The Anniversary Bird is a solid player. The Goth is a bit of an enigma and just as much at home in a baritone guitar mode as a bass mode.

Relatively speaking if I had to list each birds range from a deep/dark setting (tone rolled off, neck pup soloed, finger picking between neck and neck pup) at a value of zero; to a hifi/bright setting (tone all up, neck pup full on, finger picking over the bridge pup) at a value of ten, I'd probably list them as follows...

2015 Gibson Thunderbird = 2 to 8 slight lower mid hump, massive punch
2013 Gibson Golden Anniversary Bird = 3 to 7 no mid hump, slight scoop, good punch
2017 Epiphone Gibson Thunderbird VP = 3 to 9 slight high mid hump, strong punch
2017 Epiphone Goth Thunderbird stock = 4 to 6 significant mid hump, no punch
2017 Epiphone Goth Thunderbird modded = 1 to 9 significant mid hump, strong punch


Edit: revised the 2015 data now that setup with new strings is complete.

 

[dagrev]

Great question!
When I get the 2015 dialed in later today I might update my scoring. But for right now I'd say each of the birds is capable of a fairly broad tone range. That's probably why they fit in so many different music settings.

For now, the VP is my go to bird, it just does everything right. I have strong hopes for the 2015. The Anniversary Bird is a solid player. The Goth is a bit of an enigma and just as much at home in a baritone guitar mode as a bass mode.

Relatively speaking if I had to list each birds range from a deep/dark setting (tone rolled off, neck pup soloed, finger picking between neck and neck pup) at a value of zero; to a hifi/bright setting (tone all up, neck pup full on, finger picking over the bridge pup) at a value of ten, I'd probably list them as follows...

2015 Gibson Thunderbird = 2 to 8 no mid hump, slight scoop, little punch*
2013 Gibson Golden Anniversary Bird = 3 to 7 no mid hump, slight scoop, good punch
2017 Epiphone Gibson Thunderbird VP = 3 to 9 slight high mid hump, strong punch
2017 Epiphone Goth Thunderbird stock = 4 to 6 significant mid hump, no punch
2017 Epiphone Goth Thunderbird modded = 1 to 9 significant mid hump, strong punch

*may be revised once string selection is finalized and set up complete.

Great info and description! Thanks for detailing for experience. Very helpful!

 

[MCF]

If he did, he would have still sounded exactly like sir Paul.

So true. Funny how you really can’t hear a difference between songs recorded with the Ric and those with the Hofner. Between his hands playing and Martin’s On the dials/sliders, it’s a distinct sound.

 

[JIO]

So true. Funny how you really can’t hear a difference between songs recorded with the Ric and those with the Horner. Between his hands playing and Martin’s On the dials/sliders, it’s a distinct sound.

Let's not forget Sir Paul also played/recorded with a '66 J... just sayin'

 

[Gaolee]

Let's not forget Sir Paul also played/recorded with a '66 J... just sayin'

And sounded exactly like Sir Paul.

 

[Gaolee]

Cheap 'Bird alert. Guitar Center in Seattle has what appears to be a Classic Pro with Hipshot tuners and bridge for $150. It is light and sounds good unplugged. The wood grain is odd, buy mostly irrelevant because it is dark burst. No truss rod cover and some dings in the finish, but for the price it is a steal. I need another bass like a hole in the head, but it was still tough to pass up. Putting it out there in case anybody around here is looking for a good one for cheap. With the odd grain, it would be a good refin candidate.

 

[MCF]

Started out in 1968 on a Suzuki Bearcat...
View attachment 3427727

Got into Motocross in 1972 on a Suzuki TM125...
View attachment 3427728
Upgraded to a 250 class in 1974 on a Suzuki TM250.
Hung it up in 1976 to focus on Football, Cars and Girls. Haven't spent much time on a bike since. Still have dreams of getting something nice for day cruises on the road. Hmmmm, maybe the new Harley Live Wire?
View attachment 3427734

Mine was a ‘66. We also had a ‘72 250 Savage and a ‘68 Husky 250. The road bike was a ‘74 Titan.

Off the net, need to ask Mom if she has pics of mine...

 

[mr zee]

So true. Funny how you really can’t hear a difference between songs recorded with the Ric and those with the Horner. Between his hands playing and Martin’s On the dials/sliders, it’s a distinct sound.

Jack was it? lol

 

[JJR58]

Total derail. I absolutely love being in Brooklyn. To prove how clueless I really am. I had no idea there was a ferry 5 minutes away from me. Gets you to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. And it’s a nice boat unlike the old beat up, broken down Staten Island Ferry. And yes, I am smiling as CB would put it.

 

[GBassNorth]

?.....
Today I’ll work on dialing them in some more and tweak pickup height. The bridge PUP is a bit too high for my style when I play over it. So far not choruusy, even with taps off and volume and tone all the way up. I’m not hearing a volume issue from string to string. And it sounds birdy, but too shrill on the high-mids.

At this point, it’s more about making it comfortable to play than getting it sound perfect in a mix as I’m not playing out for now. I love flats and tend to want to play the basses with them more. So I’m going to leave these on for a while and as Goalee says, play it.

Good to hear you're having luck with the Cobalt flats. I really love those strings and wanted them to work on that bass so bad.

As you continue to dial in your setup, if you get a chance try a few things I've listed below. It would be interesting to hear your results.

Turn tone knob to about 5, neck pup to about 8 or 9, bridge pup off and both tap switches set to full Humbucker, Dig in and play an open G string and let it sustain. Does it sound like the note is fading in and out a bit? If so, lower both pups until it stops doing that.

With the settings all the same as above, dig into your E string while fretting at 5 through 9 letting each one sustain. Do you hear any dead spots or wolf notes where the fretted note sustain drops off quickly? If so, try lowering the pups further to see if that makes it better.

Finally, with your pups now lowered to a position where the magnets aren't creating havoc with the string movement, set both pups on a volume of 8 or 9 and tone completely off and both switches in Humbucker mode. Play your bass as you normally would. Do you find you're having to dig in too much to get the volume you want? Is this bass as loud as your other or backup bass at the same settings?

Now for something unique to the 2015 bird. With the knobs and switches still in the same position as the last test above, dig in on any open string and while it's playing move your neck Volume knob to ten. Do you get a noticeable boost in high mids or top end? Now do the same thing except first adjust the tone knob from full off to full on. Do you still get a boost in top end when you move the volume knob from 9 to 10?

 

[PillO]

Total derail. I absolutely love being in Brooklyn. To prove how clueless I really am.

I don't recall anyone demanding proof...

 

[Count Bassie]

Cheap 'Bird alert. Guitar Center in Seattle has what appears to be a Classic Pro with Hipshot tuners and bridge for $150. It is light and sounds good unplugged. The wood grain is odd, buy mostly irrelevant because it is dark burst. No truss rod cover and some dings in the finish, but for the price it is a steal. I need another bass like a hole in the head, but it was still tough to pass up. Putting it out there in case anybody around here is looking for a good one for cheap. With the odd grain, it would be a good refin candidate.

I'd jump on it! Alas, another day.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

My first:Invalid Link RemovedCB 160
My second:
View attachment 3427687 550-4(neither pic is mine)

Had one very similar to your 160. Currently have a CB 450 in the garage. Fun and neat little bikes

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I would argue that driving in a downpour is also your own fault...

Sometimes there really isn’t a choice. Especially in north Georgia.

 

[GBassNorth]

Mine was a ‘66. We also had a ‘72 250 Savage and a ‘68 Husky 250. The road bike was a ‘74 Titan.

View attachment 3427952
Off the net, need to ask Mom if she has pics of mine...

A vintage shot of trail riding with the Suzi in the Colorado Rockies, I think the photo was taken about 1970...

...fun times.

 

[mr zee]

A lot of the early Japanese bikes were terrible in the wet over here in blighty, especially the 250 two strokes. Mid 70,s.