Thunderbird Club

[Chucky Stiletti]

When talking Active vs Passive it's important to remember that tone wise one is not better than the other, they both have pros and cons.

Generally speaking, an active preamp will offer a broader array of tone shaping options. Some active preamps have just two bands (bass and treble) others have three four or even five bands and others like Alembic go even further.

Passive controls (there is no preamp) offer basic tone shaping usually with a single knob called a tone pot that combined with a capacitor of a specific value determines the maximum amount of treble in the output signal.

I have many of both and they all work great. Beyond sound and the number of pots required the biggest complaint about active preamps is that they require a battery while in active mode. So unless you get one that can be switched between active and passive you're dead in the water when the 9 volt battery dies. This inevitably happens mid song while on stage (although it's never happened to me).

I'm not sure which pickups your Eppi TBird has but the pups in my Eppi Goth were less than stellar. I replaced them with Bartolini pups, which were nearly a drop in replacement (had to sand the rout a bit wider) and at the same time I dropped in an Aguilar OBP-2 two band active preamp and installed a coil split switch. It's quite stellar now and does everything from Thunderbird on steroids to baritone guitar.

do any of your Alembics make use of the external supply?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I was asked to move in in Edinburgh pub as the seat I was in was reserved for musicians. Those are the sorts of moments a Precision is called for.

“It’s cool. I’m a musician.”

 

[PillO]

“It’s cool. I’m a musician.”

I think Kat would say something more like fek orf before I tear off yer bollocks and shove them down yer throat.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Tea

Coffee. Chains only as a last resort. Home brew or local shops. Starbucks is ok, but I stick to Americano the rare times I go.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

As a former PRO IV owner ... I would reckon just about any replacement pickup (and removing the preamp -- and preferably incinerating it) will be an improvement. You will need to do a minimal* amount of woodwork to fit a standard Thunderbird pickup.

BTW, I'm not suggesting all active electronics/pickups should be incinerated, just the ones in the PRO IV. To my ears they sounded a bit like wet cardboard. If you're into MM and active electronics, it's definitely worth checking out the EMG soapbars and preamps. Maybe @Gaolee's Lace suggestion would be worth a look as well.

For passive pickups, at the cheap end, these work well: Thunderbird Bass Pickup Vintage Style for Gibson,Chrome/Nickel

Or you can spend a bit more, eg these: Link Removed


*minimal enough that when I saw how much had been removed and compared it to the price the luthier charged me, it would have been cheaper to buy a Dremel and do it myself.

How would you describe the difference in sound? It’s a big cash difference to some.

 

[GBassNorth]

Hendricks with cucumber! (not lime)

One of these days I'm gonna try that. Do you mix the Hendricks with tonic water or should it just be on the rocks?

Cool! I find my VP is loudest with neck on full and bridge on about 8. That usually where I keep it and I adjust the tone somewhere between 5-10.
I also vary my right hand position according to the tune.

I do pretty much the same, and that right there is the secret sauce for the VP.

Think this is where I come in....

I have zero experience with single pup TBirds, which I know you're very fond of. Hopefully some day soon I can get my hands on one so I can experience the joy.

A few obvious things are going on - first off the pu location is radically different, secondly Fender uses 250k pots and Gibson uses 500k pots, and lastly the rest of each bass differs in wood and construction. No comparison really - 2 different animals. Any overlaps are purely coincidental.

Not sure what your point is. They are obviously very different animals in nearly every regard. Off the top of my head, the only design feature I can think of that both basses have in common is the number of strings. It still stands though that the sound of these two instruments is remarkably similar.

I have no idea if Fender set out to build a Thunderbird, although I kind of doubt it, I've never seen it marketed that way. I suspect it's more likely that they set out to do a quick and dirty update of their old 1960's Telecaster with a newer design pup up against the neck like the old ones and another pup at the bridge (hence modern player). The fact that it very closely approximates the sound of a Thunderbird is almost certainly coincidental, but is also a fact as best I can tell and offers an interesting option for those that might want the thunderbird sound in a Fender body.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I have no idea if Fender set out to build a Thunderbird, although I kind of doubt it, I've never seen it marketed that way. I suspect it's more likely that they set out to do a quick and dirty update of their old 1960's Telecaster with a newer design pup up against the neck like the old ones and another pup at the bridge (hence modern player). The fact that it very closely approximates the sound of a Thunderbird is almost certainly coincidental, but is also a fact as best I can tell and offers an interesting option for those that might want the thunderbird sound in a Fender body.

So basically, an official Fender "Even More Fenderbird".

 

[fasterpussycat]

How would you describe the difference in sound? It’s a big cash difference to some.

'Wet cardboard' not descriptive enough? Lacking power, punch and presence. There was none of the hifi and full range you might expect from an active bass. I considered EMGs and a pre, but in the end EYGP 'Chinabuckers' were a much cheaper and simpler alternative. The Thunderbucker 66S came later (it's now in the Orville).

I'm intrigued by the Lace Alumitones but don't have anything to put one in and it's a chunk of money for something I almost certainly couldn't use. I had a piezo bass and it sounded like you were throwing a bag of cutlery down the stairs - no bottom end. I expect the Alumitones are more full range (more 'active' sounding?) but wouldn't suit my 'style' -- such as it is -- of playing.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

'Wet cardboard' not descriptive enough? Lacking power, punch and presence. There was none of the hifi and full range you might expect from an active bass. I considered EMGs and a pre, but in the end EYGP 'Chinabuckers' were a much cheaper and simpler alternative. The Thunderbucker 66S came later (it's now in the Orville).

I'm intrigued by the Lace Alumitones but don't have anything to put one in and it's a chunk of money for something I almost certainly couldn't use. I had a piezo bass and it sounded like you were throwing a bag of cutlery down the stairs - no bottom end. I expect the Alumitones are more full range (more 'active' sounding?) but wouldn't suit my 'style' -- such as it is -- of playing.

Sorry. I meant between the two sets of aftermarket pickups you referenced- the chinabuckers and Thunderbuckers.

I have a Pro V; I know how the stock rig sounds.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Sorry. I meant between the two sets of aftermarket pickups you referenced- the chinabuckers and Thunderbuckers.

I have a Pro V; I know how the stock rig sounds.

Actually, mine kind of does sound hi fi and has a decent range, except for the distinct lack of low end, especially for a 5-string. Very strange beast.

 

[GBassNorth]

do any of your Alembics make use of the external supply?

Those would be the Series I and Series II Alembics. I've played a few (and loved them) but both of my Alembics are the internal powered type (Essence bass with a standard Vol/Blend/Q, and a Dragon Wing with the Anniversary electronics). I thought about sending the Dragon wing back to Alembic to have it converted to Series II electronics but the cost would be well north of $5000. I can buy an Alembic rack mount SF-2 for $1000 that will do the same thing.

I think Kat would say something more like fek orf before I tear off yer bollocks and shove them down yer throat.

...followed by Kat shaking her head an muttering... Wankers.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Sorry. I meant between the two sets of aftermarket pickups you referenced- the chinabuckers and Thunderbuckers.

I have a Pro V; I know how the stock rig sounds.

I worked from 0830 Monday until 0600 Tuesday. Brain turned to slime.

The Thunderbuckers snarl like an 'angry New Yorker' and have more natural compression. The Chinabuckers sound perfectly fine, just not quite as lively/snarly. Honestly, for $90 plus postage (a little more if you get the pickup rings) you really can't lose.

 

[GonePlaid]

Cut short or did you retire when the industry went soft?

I think there may be an 'AHEM' in there somewhere.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Those would be the Series I and Series II Alembics. I've played a few (and loved them) but both of my Alembics are the internal powered type (Essence bass with a standard Vol/Blend/Q, and a Dragon Wing with the Anniversary electronics). I thought about sending the Dragon wing back to Alembic to have it converted to Series II electronics but the cost would be well north of $5000. I can buy an Alembic rack mount SF-2 for $1000 that will do the same thing.


...followed by Kat shaking her head an muttering... Wankers.

thx, I ask because I got my eye on a local series 1 that’s been for sale for awhile now. wants 5 for it. It’s in ok shape but when I checked it out the external supply seemed a little wonky(noisy, inconsistent). wondering if it may just need a going over or if it may point a bigger problem in the bass itself. the only other one I ever played was in Denmark st over 30 years ago and don’t really remember. got some research to do...

 

[GonePlaid]

They put the lime in to give it some flavour.

Thunderbird players drink single malt scotch, high quality gin, and interesting craft beer. Probably other things too.

on the single malt but the places we play will give us a beer. Unfortunately, none of our regular venues have anything interesting-not even a decent Porter. Plus, I rarely imbibe on the gig. Maybe a(free)Yuengling while packing up, then whatever when I get home.

 

[GonePlaid]

Hendricks with cucumber! (not lime)

Wuzzat?

 

[GonePlaid]

Scotland and Ireland still have pubs aplenty. Some have live music. A scarcity of THUNDERBIRDS, though.

They need edumacation.

 

[GonePlaid]

Actually, mine kind of does sound hi fi and has a decent range, except for the distinct lack of low end, especially for a 5-string. Very strange beast.

The EpiBird 5er has plenty of low end and the EB Cobalt flats over the P/J pups gave it more of a THUNDERBIRD sound. It just isn't what I'd hoped it would be.

 

[GBassNorth]

thx, I ask because I got my eye on a local series 1 that’s been for sale for awhile now. wants 5 for it. It’s in ok shape but when I checked it out the external supply seemed a little wonky(noisy, inconsistent). wondering if it may just need a going over or if it may point a bigger problem in the bass itself. the only other one I ever played was in Denmark st over 30 years ago and don’t really remember. got some research to do...

I'd strongly suggest you jump over to the Alembic club here on TB and pose the question to them. Lots of Series I and II expertise there. I might be misremembering, but I think a new power supply runs around $1000 and the onboard electronics can degrade a bit over time and might need to be reworked along with the finish and hardware, a refresh might be well north of another $1000. So you could easily end up with closer to 7 in it when all is said and done. They (Series and non Series) do play sweet though, and were always my favorite basses for studio work.

Thus one might be a better choice...
Alembic Series 1 Bass 1980 great condition! | eBay

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I worked from 0830 Monday until 0600 Tuesday. Brain turned to slime.

The Thunderbuckers snarl like an 'angry New Yorker' and have more natural compression. The Chinabuckers sound perfectly fine, just not quite as lively/snarly. Honestly, for $90 plus postage (a little more if you get the pickup rings) you really can't lose.

Thanks! I assume you went for the higher impedance pickups?