Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

I still lust after one of the 2018 RDs. Although my preference would be for the natural maple. Weight be damned; they play well, and sound great.

That’s what I’ve said every time I played a T40. But if it’s too heavy I know I won’t play it much.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

After reading the last pages about the perfect strings for the Thunderbird I decided to record a direct comparison between rounds and flats on my recently acquired '06 Gibson Thunderbird. The rounds I'm using are Fender 7150M and the flats are D'Addario Chromes.

I was digging the bass with the rounds on, but after hearing this I just don't know what to do. With the flats you have instant old school sound.

Let me know what you think: Thunderbird Comparison

NICE!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Could be totally off the mark here but I think the two point bridge they used, used to teeter forward, plus it had to look different to Fender and Rickenbacker. I believe the two point non Gibson replacement bridges have a piece that fits on/in/over the forward point. ????????????

better intonation?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Is there a second pup on that EB0 under the cover or is it a hand/thumb rest.

no, just the mudbucker..

 

[Nocturnal]

Somewhat Thunderbird related, have any of you owned/tried a Schecter Ultra? They’re pretty much Schecter’s take on a T-bird, but shaped more like a tele. I’ve seen a couple great used deals on them but I’m not in an area where I can go try one in person easily. Thoughts?

I have never seen one to try it but I have the Schecter Sixx bass and it is very well made. I have no complaints other than the weight. I have tried many other Schecter basses and never played a new one that didn't seem very well made. I have been tempted by a couple of deals on the Ultra but never pulled the trigger. I keep hoping for a good deal on one of the Simon Gallup basses.

 

[bylar13]

The seller and I have reached a deal on the 2018 Gibson RD I'm thinking of buying.
I'm perfectly happy with my /19 Gibson Thunderbird...last chance to help me decide to pull the trigger or pull the plug on the deal. Common sense says that I don't need it, but she's brutally beautiful...
View attachment 3692405

Nice bass! IIRC, there were many issues reported with the electronics with this re-issue. I have no actual conformation of this just a memory from reading stuff here and on the interwebs....

 

[GBassNorth]

Thunderbird Question for the experts:

I have an Alpine white Thunderbird Classic IV that plays just incredibly well, but the tone is a bit "dark" for my taste. Is there a way to brighten up the tone without changing out the Pups?...higher value pots maybe?

First I'd try brighter strings. Then if needed I'd change the tone cap to allow more high end. If I still needed more I'd consider a pup change or try a different TBird.

A copyright design issue with their competitors would explain why they needed something different.

I like the looks but I am not impressed about how to adjust string height and intonation.

The three point works perfectly for me. I have birds with the three point and a bird with the Babicz. My experience is that I can't get the action any lower on the Bab than on the three point and I can't get the intonation any more accurate on the Bab than on the three point. The difference is, I can do both those things on the three point in one third the time it takes on the Bab. I think the Hipshot adds string spacing to the options, which you can't do on a three point, but I've never needed that adjustment on a bird, so it's a wash for me.

View attachment 3692289 View attachment 3692285

Good move on the neck! Just be sure not to lose the old one.

The seller and I have reached a deal on the 2018 Gibson RD I'm thinking of buying.
I'm perfectly happy with my /19 Gibson Thunderbird...last chance to help me decide to pull the trigger or pull the plug on the deal. Common sense says that I don't need it, but she's brutally beautiful...
View attachment 3692405

She's a beauty. As long as she's not too heavy I'd rock her!

Do you know how heavy it is? That's the only thing that would deter me personally. YMMV.

This

After reading the last pages about the perfect strings for the Thunderbird I decided to record a direct comparison between rounds and flats on my recently acquired '06 Gibson Thunderbird. The rounds I'm using are Fender 7150M and the flats are D'Addario Chromes.

I was digging the bass with the rounds on, but after hearing this I just don't know what to do. With the flats you have instant old school sound.

Let me know what you think: Thunderbird Comparison

First - your playing is superb! Thanks for the excellent post and impeccable organization and detail.
Second - I play Fender 7150M strings on my Eppi VP Thunderbird and love them.
Third - now you've got ME second guessing the 7150's. The Chrome Flats sound amazing.
Fourth - only one solution, I need to get another VP and put flats on it. If Eppi would hurry up with the NR I'd be a pig in slop.

 

[kringle77]

The schecter sixx IS really well made but, heavy. I had one of the first sunbursts that came out and miss it sometimes.

 

[MCF]

Purchased the RD.
Pictures and review coming soon...

Congrats!

 

[straussenburger]

First I'd try brighter strings. Then if needed I'd change the tone cap to allow more high end. If I still needed more I'd consider a pup change or try a different TBird.


The three point works perfectly for me. I have birds with the three point and a bird with the Babicz. My experience is that I can't get the action any lower on the Bab than on the three point and I can't get the intonation any more accurate on the Bab than on the three point. The difference is, I can do both those things on the three point in one third the time it takes on the Bab. I think the Hipshot adds string spacing to the options, which you can't do on a three point, but I've never needed that adjustment on a bird, so it's a wash for me.


Good move on the neck! Just be sure not to lose the old one.


She's a beauty. As long as she's not too heavy I'd rock her!


This


First - your playing is superb! Thanks for the excellent post and impeccable organization and detail.
Second - I play Fender 7150M strings on my Eppi VP Thunderbird and love them.
Third - now you've got ME second guessing the 7150's. The Chrome Flats sound amazing.
Fourth - only one solution, I need to get another VP and put flats on it. If Eppi would hurry up with the NR I'd be a pig in slop.

Thank you! I will also wait for a NR, hope Gibson or Epiphone think about it soon.

 

[PillO]

Thunderbird Question for the experts:

I have an Alpine white Thunderbird Classic IV that plays just incredibly well, but the tone is a bit "dark" for my taste. Is there a way to brighten up the tone without changing out the Pups?...higher value pots maybe?

OK, mulling this over and seeing everyone else's answers we really know nothing except that it is a thundernird (relevant) and it is white (maybe relevant).

So to get a clearer picture:
1. What strings are on it now,
1a. How old are the strings,
2. Where are the volume and tone controls set,
3. Are you running it through any pedals or straight to the amp,
4. What amp and settings, and
5. What cabinet?

With all that information, we are in a better position to help.

 

[MCF]

First I'd try brighter strings. Then if needed I'd change the tone cap to allow more high end. If I still needed more I'd consider a pup change or try a different TBird.


The three point works perfectly for me. I have birds with the three point and a bird with the Babicz. My experience is that I can't get the action any lower on the Bab than on the three point and I can't get the intonation any more accurate on the Bab than on the three point. The difference is, I can do both those things on the three point in one third the time it takes on the Bab. I think the Hipshot adds string spacing to the options, which you can't do on a three point, but I've never needed that adjustment on a bird, so it's a wash for me.


Good move on the neck! Just be sure not to lose the old one.


She's a beauty. As long as she's not too heavy I'd rock her!


This


First - your playing is superb! Thanks for the excellent post and impeccable organization and detail.
Second - I play Fender 7150M strings on my Eppi VP Thunderbird and love them.
Third - now you've got ME second guessing the 7150's. The Chrome Flats sound amazing.
Fourth - only one solution, I need to get another VP and put flats on it. If Eppi would hurry up with the NR I'd be a pig in slop.

Yeah, after hearing his recordings I’m thinking Chromes with a pick sound pretty darn good on a Tbird. I wish I could play half as well with a pick as I do with fingers. I gotta say, I love Chromes on my P.

 

[MCF]

Thank you! I will also wait for a NR, hope Gibson or Epiphone think about it soon.

I’m thinking the logical move would be for Epi to do a VP. They would sell a bunch of them. But Gibson is overdue on a NR run; 2013 was the last time they did any? And those are pretty scarce. So there is hope.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Dreambird Dimanche!.....oh yeah, SB Sunday too.........

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The seller and I have reached a deal on the 2018 Gibson RD I'm thinking of buying.
I'm perfectly happy with my /19 Gibson Thunderbird...last chance to help me decide to pull the trigger or pull the plug on the deal. Common sense says that I don't need it, but she's brutally beautiful...
View attachment 3692405

And a very different beast.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

I have never seen one to try it but I have the Schecter Sixx bass and it is very well made. I have no complaints other than the weight. I have tried many other Schecter basses and never played a new one that didn't seem very well made. I have been tempted by a couple of deals on the Ultra but never pulled the trigger. I keep hoping for a good deal on one of the Simon Gallup basses.

Yeah, I was in a band with two guitarists who played Schecters (one hardcore Schecter guy, one who swapped between his Schecter and a strat) and was pretty impressed with the overall quality of their instruments. The one guitarist actually tried to make the case on FB a while back that they’re flat-out better than Gibsons; I was perhaps obviously not convinced to sell off my ‘birds but I’m not such a superfan that I’m not intrigued.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

After reading the last pages about the perfect strings for the Thunderbird I decided to record a direct comparison between rounds and flats on my recently acquired '06 Gibson Thunderbird. The rounds I'm using are Fender 7150M and the flats are D'Addario Chromes.

I was digging the bass with the rounds on, but after hearing this I just don't know what to do. With the flats you have instant old school sound.

Let me know what you think: Thunderbird Comparison

Hostname isn’t resolving for me.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

better intonation?

That could more easily been solved by changing the two piece dimensions.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

P-Bass through Bassman...

T-Bird through Bassman...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

P-Bass through Bassman...
View attachment 3692785

T-Bird through Bassman...
View attachment 3692788

note. Modern Bassman, not vintage.