Thunderbird Club

[mr zee]

It's also amazing how some people, to be in the in crowd, will continue to go to such places and be extorted of there hard earned cash. A couple of coffees a week equals an Epi thunderbird in a year. I know what I would rather have.

 

[mr zee]

On a different note. Ab.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

It's amazing how advertising can make people think that something is better than what it is.

yes, pretty crazy...the UK has had excellent espresso coffee for decades from the Italians living there but it took a Starbucks wrapper to make it mainstream....same thing with Nando's....you could the best preginhos (steak sandwich) in Portuguese restaurants in Britain but it took a South African (Angolan influence) corporation to market these and make them famous......marketing is everything...

 

[Inky13]

Hey gang. Quick pickup question. Mine keep sinking into the body with the screws coming loose. (Low fruit alert) so I took them out to replace the crappy sponge with the more robust stock rubbery stuff. I noticed that the stock pups have more magnet hanging down than the after market. This is a Yamaha 250F with Seymour Butts SPB-1’s. I remember my Rick 4001 having springs under the pups. So, 1. Does more magnet = better? And 2. How does Gibson keep their pups standing at attention? Mine are not sponge worthy.

 

[Nvdshot]

Heey guys. Im new to this. Thought this would be right Place to ask. I currently own a epiphone thunderb 4 pro. Im thinking of replacing the pickups because i want a more jazzy/bleus sound. Any suggestions?

 

[Gaolee]

View attachment 3571773 View attachment 3571772 Hey gang. Quick pickup question. Mine keep sinking into the body with the screws coming loose. (Low fruit alert) so I took them out to replace the crappy sponge with the more robust stock rubbery stuff. I noticed that the stock pups have more magnet hanging down than the after market. This is a Yamaha 250F with Seymour Butts SPB-1’s. I remember my Rick 4001 having springs under the pups. So, 1. Does more magnet = better? And 2. How does Gibson keep their pups standing at attention? Mine are not sponge worthy.

Gibson has springs pushing them up. As I recall, the P has springs, too. The P-Bird certainly does.

I don't know if size of the magnet makes much difference. It's going to be the strength of the magnet, however big it is, and the amount of windings. Other than that, I'm sure there's about a zillion other things that have an effect on the sound that comes out. It's all in what you want and how to get it, not what's "better" or not.

 

[Gaolee]

Heey guys. Im new to this. Thought this would be right Place to ask. I currently own a epiphone thunderb 4 pro. Im thinking of replacing the pickups because i want a more jazzy/bleus sound. Any suggestions?

Yep, you are in the right place. Welcome to our world and never mind the clutter.

An active version or one of the Vintage or Classic Pro models? It makes a difference. Also, you may find that a change in strings or technique get you where you want to be without the expense of swapping pickups.

I don't know exactly what a jazzy/blues sound is or isn't, relative, so that's a whole 'nother issue with trying to figure out what might work best for you.

 

[Nvdshot]

Yep, you are in the right place. Welcome to our world and never mind the clutter.

An active version or one of the Vintage or Classic Pro models? It makes a difference. Also, you may find that a change in strings or technique get you where you want to be without the expense of swapping pickups.

I don't know exactly what a jazzy/blues sound is or isn't, relative, so that's a whole 'nother issue with trying to figure out what might work best for you.

 

[Inky13]

Gibson has springs pushing them up. As I recall, the P has springs, too. The P-Bird certainly does.

I don't know if size of the magnet makes much difference. It's going to be the strength of the magnet, however big it is, and the amount of windings. Other than that, I'm sure there's about a zillion other things that have an effect on the sound that comes out. It's all in what you want and how to get it, not what's "better" or not.

Yeah, I shouldn’t have used the B word. I guess “Direct Replacement” threw me.

 

[Nvdshot]

Yep, you are in the right place. Welcome to our world and never mind the clutter.

An active version or one of the Vintage or Classic Pro models? It makes a difference. Also, you may find that a change in strings or technique get you where you want to be without the expense of swapping pickups.

I don't know exactly what a jazzy/blues sound is or isn't, relative, so that's a whole 'nother issue with trying to figure out what might work best for you.

Well i do have An active bass from around 2008 i think. I was Just wondering what your picks are and trying to get the right ones for me. And me maybe differences and sound and types of pickups. I couldnt Find much info on the internet.

 

[PillO]

It's also amazing how some people, to be in the in crowd, will continue to go to such places and be extorted of there hard earned cash. A couple of coffees a week equals an Epi thunderbird in a year. I know what I would rather have.

Quitting smoking is a quicker way to a Thunderbird. So, if you are in a hurry, I recommend developing a cocaine habit that can then be quit resulting a Thunderbird in mere days.

 

[PillO]

On a different note. Ab.

Gee, sharp.

 

[PillO]

View attachment 3571773 View attachment 3571772 Hey gang. Quick pickup question. Mine keep sinking into the body with the screws coming loose. (Low fruit alert) so I took them out to replace the crappy sponge with the more robust stock rubbery stuff. I noticed that the stock pups have more magnet hanging down than the after market. This is a Yamaha 250F with Seymour Butts SPB-1’s. I remember my Rick 4001 having springs under the pups. So, 1. Does more magnet = better? And 2. How does Gibson keep their pups standing at attention? Mine are not sponge worthy.

So much ahem, so little time...

I don't have an answer to your question, but I love the p/us in my Yamaha. They have really good electronics. Also, more magnet does not necessarily mean more magnetism.

 

[Gaolee]

Well i do have An active bass from around 2008 i think. I was Just wondering what your picks are and trying to get the right ones for me. And me maybe differences and sound and types of pickups. I couldnt Find much info on the internet.

Gotcha. I'm not sure what you can do with that short of replacing the preamp as well as pickups. I have one and didn't like the way it sounded. So, the electronics are all gone and the pickups are now Lace Alumitone pickups. It does not sound like what you would expect a Thunderbird to sound like, more hi-fi and less thunder. They almost have a piezo quality to them. That's one end of the spectrum.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can replace the stock pickups with any number of aftermarket Thunderbird pickups. Those will tend toward being more like vintage 1960s Thunderbird pickups, with a bit more clarity and definition.

All of this assumes you remove the preamp and go full passive. Then there's the possibility of replacing the preamp with a different one, but I don't know anything about what's available or how it would work. Maybe somebody else can help with that.

And, to finish off what happened to my Pro IV that started out active, it is now fretless, so it is completely different from the usual Thunderbird. It's all in what you want to do.

Now as far as strings, you will find that we all have our favorites for various things. Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats are generally well liked around here. So are Ken Smith Bass Burners. DR Black Beauties and several other, similar DR strings are well liked. I personally have come to like Cobalt Flats, even though I don't have those on anything at the moment, and Black Beauties. There's a set of LaBella tapewound strings I took off a bass that I really liked. I put on a different set - Bass Burners - for a specific reason, but I like the tapewounds better. I'm generally a fingers player, not a pick player. That makes a difference as well.

As you can see, there's a whole lot to discuss and go through to make sure you know the options and what may or may not be a good idea for you.

 

[PillO]

Heey guys. Im new to this. Thought this would be right Place to ask. I currently own a epiphone thunderb 4 pro. Im thinking of replacing the pickups because i want a more jazzy/bleus sound. Any suggestions?

Yep, you are in the right place. Welcome to our world and never mind the clutter.

An active version or one of the Vintage or Classic Pro models? It makes a difference. Also, you may find that a change in strings or technique get you where you want to be without the expense of swapping pickups.

I don't know exactly what a jazzy/blues sound is or isn't, relative, so that's a whole 'nother issue with trying to figure out what might work best for you.

Well i do have An active bass from around 2008 i think. I was Just wondering what your picks are and trying to get the right ones for me. And me maybe differences and sound and types of pickups. I couldnt Find much info on the internet.

I assume you mean the Pro-IV, which is the active bass. Some here recommend burning the electronics then scattering the ashes in your closest ocean. Others are happy with it. I have the Pro-V and I think the weakest part is the pre-amp. But I am thinking over new pickups. Several here have replaced pickups with active and passive choices.

As pointed out, the electronics are only part of the whole solution. Strings, amp, cabs, all play a role.

What are you looking to get that you aren't getting now? Answering that will give others some guidance in helping you out.

 

[PillO]

Gotcha. I'm not sure what you can do with that short of replacing the preamp as well as pickups. I have one and didn't like the way it sounded. So, the electronics are all gone and the pickups are now Lace Alumitone pickups. It does not sound like what you would expect a Thunderbird to sound like, more hi-fi and less thunder. They almost have a piezo quality to them. That's one end of the spectrum.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can replace the stock pickups with any number of aftermarket Thunderbird pickups. Those will tend toward being more like vintage 1960s Thunderbird pickups, with a bit more clarity and definition.

All of this assumes you remove the preamp and go full passive. Then there's the possibility of replacing the preamp with a different one, but I don't know anything about what's available or how it would work. Maybe somebody else can help with that.

And, to finish off what happened to my Pro IV that started out active, it is now fretless, so it is completely different from the usual Thunderbird. It's all in what you want to do.

Now as far as strings, you will find that we all have our favorites for various things. Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats are generally well liked around here. So are Ken Smith Bass Burners. DR Black Beauties and several other, similar DR strings are well liked. I personally have come to like Cobalt Flats, even though I don't have those on anything at the moment, and Black Beauties. There's a set of LaBella tapewound strings I took off a bass that I really liked. I put on a different set - Bass Burners - for a specific reason, but I like the tapewounds better. I'm generally a fingers player, not a pick player. That makes a difference as well.

As you can see, there's a whole lot to discuss and go through to make sure you know the options and what may or may not be a good idea for you.

A couple of quick things. I heard somewhere in the internets (perhaps on the yoot oobs?) that Lace has been having difficulties of some kind and quality has fallen and delivery times have risen.

Cobalt Flats are so wrong! They are like fine cheese graters on the fingers! (YMMV)

 

[Nvdshot]

Gotcha. I'm not sure what you can do with that short of replacing the preamp as well as pickups. I have one and didn't like the way it sounded. So, the electronics are all gone and the pickups are now Lace Alumitone pickups. It does not sound like what you would expect a Thunderbird to sound like, more hi-fi and less thunder. They almost have a piezo quality to them. That's one end of the spectrum.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can replace the stock pickups with any number of aftermarket Thunderbird pickups. Those will tend toward being more like vintage 1960s Thunderbird pickups, with a bit more clarity and definition.

All of this assumes you remove the preamp and go full passive. Then there's the possibility of replacing the preamp with a different one, but I don't know anything about what's available or how it would work. Maybe somebody else can help with that.

And, to finish off what happened to my Pro IV that started out active, it is now fretless, so it is completely different from the usual Thunderbird. It's all in what you want to do.

Now as far as strings, you will find that we all have our favorites for various things. Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats are generally well liked around here. So are Ken Smith Bass Burners. DR Black Beauties and several other, similar DR strings are well liked. I personally have come to like Cobalt Flats, even though I don't have those on anything at the moment, and Black Beauties. There's a set of LaBella tapewound strings I took off a bass that I really liked. I put on a different set - Bass Burners - for a specific reason, but I like the tapewounds better. I'm generally a fingers player, not a pick player. That makes a difference as well.

As you can see, there's a whole lot to discuss and go through to make sure you know the options and what may or may not be a good idea for you.

Well thanks this does help alot. I am thinking of more clarity and defenition so i Will be looking for those then (suggestions?). Maybe i can try to do something with the preamp i would look that up. I Will look up some string options as well. Also a finger player. Allright a fretless tbird. That's cool.
Thanks man this does help.

 

[Nvdshot]

I assume you mean the Pro-IV, which is the active bass. Some here recommend burning the electronics then scattering the ashes in your closest ocean. Others are happy with it. I have the Pro-V and I think the weakest part is the pre-amp. But I am thinking over new pickups. Several here have replaced pickups with active and passive choices.

As pointed out, the electronics are only part of the whole solution. Strings, amp, cabs, all play a role.

What are you looking to get that you aren't getting now? Answering that will give others some guidance in helping you out.

Well a bit more clarity and defenition. Maybe i not so good at describing sounds but in my opinion the standard sound is a litlle bit rough. I do like the musicman sound maybe this helps? Idk

 

[PillO]

Well a bit more clarity and defenition. Maybe i not so good at describing sounds but in my opinion the standard sound is a litlle bit rough. I do like the musicman sound maybe this helps? Idk

I'm not sure that I can help as I am still thinking through options for mine. Previously I had considered EMGs as there is little routing required to get a fit. But I am now thinking through SDs as well. I am not looking to chrome things up, and as good as Thunderbuckers are, I don't think that is a direction I am going.

 

[BklynKen]

View attachment 3571773 View attachment 3571772 Hey gang. Quick pickup question. Mine keep sinking into the body with the screws coming loose. (Low fruit alert) so I took them out to replace the crappy sponge with the more robust stock rubbery stuff. I noticed that the stock pups have more magnet hanging down than the after market. This is a Yamaha 250F with Seymour Butts SPB-1’s. I remember my Rick 4001 having springs under the pups. So, 1. Does more magnet = better? And 2. How does Gibson keep their pups standing at attention? Mine are not sponge worthy.

I think you need a tried-and-true product called The Fluffer.