Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

I played a J yesterday. It didn't sound that great to me.

On the rare occasion that I actually want a Jazz bass sound I just grab this...

......and flip the switch to single coil mode. Why suffer with all the goofy Fender design and playability issues when I have a perfectly good TBird capable of sounding just like a Jazz bass (see the DPDT wiring schematic below).

 

[Goatrope]

I have a blend on mine and I like it better than two V pots.

It occurred to me that it might result in less combinations of pup sounds (which I would desire) as compared to VVT, in which each PUP has an overlapping full sweep of the pot.

Then I thought that perhaps the blend would give each pup the equivalent of a full sweep, but only in half a turn of the pot, with both on at 100% at the center detent (no overlap) How does yours work?

 

[Goatrope]

On the rare occasion that I actually want a Jazz bass sound I just grab this...
View attachment 3485436
......and flip the switch to single coil mode. Why suffer with all the goofy Fender design and playability issues when I have a perfectly good TBird capable of sounding just like a Jazz bass (see the DPDT wiring schematic below).


View attachment 3485433

That’s really cool. Never saw that on a TBird. I’ve got a EBMM StingRay 5 HH that has a switch that gets similar combinations, and I like that too.

 

[RedVee]

This amused me

 

[Kriegs]

Short scale Thunderbird alert:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Seattle area - I'm sure one of us could do a bit of leg work if anybody is still interested. I have forgotten who was looking.

DAMMIT!!! I figured a short scale was going to be a long way off so I bought a new kayak and gear for it.

 

[Kriegs]

I thought there were a couple people looking for a short scale Bird. We can always conjure up Link Removed and explain his true calling as a Thunderbird player. He didn't like the length. Problem solved!

Yeah.... I'm the other person *embarrassedly raises hand*

 

[dagrev]

This would work.

That ought to do it! I was thinking chipping hammer. Less sawdust.

 

[Count Bassie]

Me, too, but I much prefer the originals. I loathe most "remasters" because they are usually bastard remixes..

When they got it right the first time it becomes some producer's ego trip on something you love... kind of a put-off for me.

 

[PillO]

I used the VP this weekend with Cobalts. Sounded good, but just good. I'm looking for magic. (Because I'm that OCD about tone.) Threw some Dean Markley Blue Steels on. Forgot I had any SSs. Sound cool at home. Might use it next weekend. If I like it I will be shocked. GHS Precision flats are next if the magic doesn't show up.

I have no strong feelings about Dean Markley strings, but I could never use Blue Steels just because this would be in my mind the whole time.

 

[PillO]

View attachment 3485393

There are spots on that Jazz. Better keep the bird away from it. You wouldn't want it to catch guitar pox.

 

[Engle]

It occurred to me that it might result in less combinations of pup sounds (which I would desire) as compared to VVT, in which each PUP has an overlapping full sweep of the pot.

Then I thought that perhaps the blend would give each pup the equivalent of a full sweep, but only in half a turn of the pot, with both on at 100% at the center detent (no overlap) How does yours work?

It’s a mental rabbit hole, thinking about blend vs VV!
I used a Bournes pot if that makes a difference.

I find it does what I need it to do, which adjusts the ratio of bridge/neck so I can get the sound I want. The important thing to me is I can adjust my volume with one knob and I don’t change that blend ratio.
Otherwise, I’m reaching for the Volume on the amp.
At some point I’ll install one in my VP.

 

[Gaolee]

What year? J/K, hope it turns out as expected.

2037, at the very latest.

 

[Engle]

There are spots on that Jazz. Better keep the bird away from it. You wouldn't want it to catch guitar pox.

You wouldn’t want a Tbird to get sparkly!

 

[Engle]

On the rare occasion that I actually want a Jazz bass sound I just grab this...
View attachment 3485436
......and flip the switch to single coil mode. Why suffer with all the goofy Fender design and playability issues when I have a perfectly good TBird capable of sounding just like a Jazz bass (see the DPDT wiring schematic below).


View attachment 3485433

Cool! Not sure what the playability issues are with a J Bass vs a Tbird, but as far as design, I do prefer a tilt headstock and rear loaded controls.

 

[Gaolee]

On the rare occasion that I actually want a Jazz bass sound I just grab this...
View attachment 3485436
......and flip the switch to single coil mode. Why suffer with all the goofy Fender design and playability issues when I have a perfectly good TBird capable of sounding just like a Jazz bass (see the DPDT wiring schematic below).


View attachment 3485433

The '15 does something similar. The pickups are tapped. I am not sure if that is single coil or just weaker. They sound thinner, so I assume single coil. It is hard to remember the last time I has no the switched. Neck pickup is nearly always full on except about 90% volume. That is a sweet spot on that bass.

 

[Gaolee]

Yeah.... I'm the other person *embarrassedly raises hand*

So, sell a body part. I hear there is a good market. It is cheap for a Bird, too. Adding insult to injury.

 

[Gaolee]

You wouldn’t want a Tbird to get sparkly!

Oh yes you would! Shiny!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

That's because it was a Jazz!

I have a couple, but I never get them to sound good like some (not all) do. But I like playing them from time to time.

weird...I never have any difficulty dialing in a JBass..

 

[JJR58]

weird...I never have any difficulty dialing in a JBass..

Total spoiler here. But this is one i regret letting go of.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Total spoiler here. But this is one i regret letting go of.

View attachment 3485531

oh man, is that a real 62? Gorgeous....love my 69....