Thunderbird Club

[Mike A]

I love the sound of my Classic IV, and I'm pretty sure it's all ABOUT the Gibson pups. But I'm still tempted to try the HK buckers. I might like them better. I'll never know for sure until I try 'em.

I love my Classics too, and even though I put HK 'buckers in the G&L-Bird (which has an Epi bolt-on body,) I can't bring myself to replace the Gibson pickups in the Classics. IMO, the Gibsons and HK humbuckers are pretty similar with the HK 'buckers being a little more... articulate? transparent? ...whatever you call it, they just seem to have more layers on top of the same fundamental Gibson T-bird pickup goodness.

Either way, I'd say if you can spare $100 or so, go ahead and grab a pair for the future, because I have no doubts that the price will continue to increase and they're mighty fine pickups.

 

[hillerup]

I love the sound of my Classic IV, and I'm pretty sure it's all ABOUT the Gibson pups. But I'm still tempted to try the HK buckers. I might like them better. I'll never know for sure until I try 'em.

My thoughts exactly...

 

[hillerup]

Sorry to stray from that white eBay T-bird...This is my silverburst special edition run. I think they made these from 2009 to 2012 give or take a year either way. I think they were exclusive to Musicians Friend and Guitar Center. Mahogany body. Chrome hardware. I added strap locks and Labella Flat wounds. At some point I stepped on the cord and the whole connector broke out through the wood, so I cut out a piece of pick guard to "repair" it. I used to have a P-bass and a J-Bass, they both got stolen. After saving up a bunch of aluminum cans, I bought this Bass used, and it was like new. I've since beat it up a bunch. but love it. Also Talk Bass tells me I'm a ten year member and this is my first post.
y

Not just limited to GC and MF as they were also available through Thomann in Germany...

 

[TBird1958]

Sorry to stray from that white eBay T-bird...This is my silverburst special edition run. I think they made these from 2009 to 2012 give or take a year either way. I think they were exclusive to Musicians Friend and Guitar Center. Mahogany body. Chrome hardware. I added strap locks and Labella Flat wounds. At some point I stepped on the cord and the whole connector broke out through the wood, so I cut out a piece of pick guard to "repair" it. I used to have a P-bass and a J-Bass, they both got stolen. After saving up a bunch of aluminum cans, I bought this Bass used, and it was like new. I've since beat it up a bunch. but love it. Also Talk Bass tells me I'm a ten year member and this is my first post.
y

Would like you like to have me add your name to our club?
We're a happy bunch here

 

[Mosstone]

Either way, I'd say if you can spare $100 or so, go ahead and grab a pair for the future, because I have no doubts that the price will continue to increase and they're mighty fine pickups.

Sometimes I curse TalkBass. I may be a compulsive modder, but I thought this would be the first bass I've owned since the '80s that I didn't feel needed 'better' pickups.

And it doesn't really, but now that I know about the HK-buckers (and the overwhelmingly positive consensus) I can't un-know it.

Its a sickness, really.

 

[Gaolee]

So what is the difference, can you quantify that for those of us who don't know? I had noticed that my Classic 4 passive has a different sound (more Gibson T-Bird-ish IMO) from my Pro V 5-string active but I'd assumed that was because one is passive and one active, not the pickups per se. Love the sounds I get from both though, personally I'm not seeing a reason I should put different pups in either.

I didn't like the Pro IV as an active bass so much. The sound was too modern and scooped. It is passive and has Alumatone pickups now, so it's not exactly an Epi any more.

You can get that modern scooped sound from a passive Thunderbird, but I think the passive ones, with Gibson pickups are more versatile. That's probably a minority opinion, but it's what I think. I don't have an Epi Classic Pro, so I can't say anything about those. If they sound like a Gibson, then they sound great. The 'Bird sound, to me, is a thick slightly scooped sound that you would expect from the pickup position. They have a fuller sound than a 7ender Jazz by a whole lot, and they can nail the angry piano like nothing else can.

The low end bolt-on Epi pickups have a similar character, but they aren't as angry or aggressive. I would call them a bit thumpier. Softer maybe. I don't know but my guess is they are underwound relative to Gibson pickups. That's not a bad thing, it's just different.

I don't know about the HongKongBuckers just yet. There's a pair that will be going into the 1991 over the weekend. I got them mostly because I wanted chrome covers and the Gibson pickups in that bass weren't the kind you can take apart and put a new cover on. I should be able to give an idea of what those are like next week, assuming I don't get sidetracked. I have a 2001 that will remain stock to compare them to, so that's going to make for a bit better information. It won't be perfect, because the strings will be different.

There's a lot of words about sounds. Sounds don't translate into words too well.

 

[Milo's]

Hey everyone, it pains me to type this as I have just recently been appointed a number of this fine established club, but alas, despite my best efforts and numerous attempts, I have not been able to bond with my Nikki Sixx Blackbird. It is a beautiful instrument and I love the sound and looks of the bass, unfortunately it does not love me back ergonomically. I have some pretty serious carpel tunnel issues and wrist problems I have battled with on both hands recently and despite my best efforts, I am currently unable to find a comfortable way to play this bass. The depressing part of all of this is that I desperately wanted it to work and I find you guys to be the most informative, knowledgeable, funny and welcoming group here I have encountered. As such, I feel like I am going to part with the "Warbird" and wanted to let you all know first before I posted it in the classifieds because you guys deserve the jump on this fine beast before the general public decides to have a bite at the apple.

Without further delay, I present to you all the 2002 Gibson Nikki Sixx Blackbird with original hardshell case and brand new pickguard. As stated in an earlier post, the snaggletooth Motorhead logo is a small vinyl sticker under a clear acrylic pickguard and can be easily removed. The original defaced pickguard will be included although it is pretty badly damaged. The case is in pretty good shape, not perfect, but good. The coffin drape is fully intact and looks menacing when you pull this beast out.

Like I said, I hate to part with this bass beacause it is awesome, but I would like for it to ultimately find a home where it will get plenty of use. I am looking to get around $1,100.00 for it because the pickguard is not the original. The last ones I saw go privately in similar condition were around $1,400.00. I would possibly be open to trades, but it would have to be for a Gibson Grabber, Grabber G-3, Ovation Magnum of any model type. I am a cordial person and will not scoff at any offer so please feel free to throw anything by me. I am completely set in the amp department so that and effects are all s
et on my end.

I will continue to lurk around in this forum and keep an eye on what you guys are up to. Thank you for welcoming me in, I hope you all understand that it's not you, it's me. (I had to thow that in there). Please PM me with any considerations. Thanks guys and girls!

 

[tastelikedirt]

Would like you like to have me add your name to our club?
We're a happy bunch here

Yes please!

 

[tastelikedirt]

Here's my Silverburst in action.

 

[CharlyG]

so, where is a link to the HK buckers for sale?

Thanks

 

[Klondike]

Have any of you experienced a Dillon Bird? If so what is the tone like? Feel of the neck? Etc. like it? Love it? Hate it!

I wont be bidding on this one, cash is still tied up in the motorcycle chocks.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/301895258673

 

[Mike A]

so, where is a link to the HK buckers for sale?

Thanks

Invalid Link Removed

 

[CharlyG]

Danke!

Hmm, I just rcvd a Squier Jazz fretless neck at a great price with tuners. Since I don't have a body, it's got me thinkin I should put it on the "new" bird. A fretless Fenderbird.. Whatcha think? I won't part with the Tbird neck, just in case. Always nice to be able to reverse a mod...

 

[Mosstone]

Hey everyone, it pains me to type this as I have just recently been appointed a number of this fine established club, but alas, despite my best efforts and numerous attempts, I have not been able to bond with my Nikki Sixx Blackbird. It is a beautiful instrument and I love the sound and looks of the bass, unfortunately it does not love me back ergonomically. I have some pretty serious carpel tunnel issues and wrist problems I have battled with on both hands recently and despite my best efforts, I am currently unable to find a comfortable way to play this bass. The depressing part of all of this is that I desperately wanted it to work and I find you guys to be the most informative, knowledgeable, funny and welcoming group here I have encountered. As such, I feel like I am going to part with the "Warbird" and wanted to let you all know first before I posted it in the classifieds because you guys deserve the jump on this fine beast before the general public decides to have a bite at the apple.

Without further delay, I present to you all the 2002 Gibson Nikki Sixx Blackbird with original hardshell case and brand new pickguard. As stated in an earlier post, the snaggletooth Motorhead logo is a small vinyl sticker under a clear acrylic pickguard and can be easily removed. The original defaced pickguard will be included although it is pretty badly damaged. The case is in pretty good shape, not perfect, but good. The coffin drape is fully intact and looks menacing when you pull this beast out.

Like I said, I hate to part with this bass beacause it is awesome, but I would like for it to ultimately find a home where it will get plenty of use. I am looking to get around $1,100.00 for it because the pickguard is not the original. The last ones I saw go privately in similar condition were around $1,400.00. I would possibly be open to trades, but it would have to be for a Gibson Grabber, Grabber G-3, Ovation Magnum of any model type. I am a cordial person and will not scoff at any offer so please feel free to throw anything by me. I am completely set in the amp department so that and effects are all s
et on my end.

I will continue to lurk around in this forum and keep an eye on what you guys are up to. Thank you for welcoming me in, I hope you all understand that it's not you, it's me. (I had to thow that in there). Please PM me with any considerations. Thanks guys and girls!
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That's unfortunate. I know what its like to really want to love a bass, but just can't warm up to it. For me it was my Ric 4003.

You might want to try the Classic IV. It has a thin neck, like a Jazz bass. I'm a longtime Jazz bass guy and I took to that neck immediately.

 

[Mike A]

Ditto. x2.

 

[Nocturnal]

Danke!

Hmm, I just rcvd a Squier Jazz fretless neck at a great price with tuners. Since I don't have a body, it's got me thinkin I should put it on the "new" bird. A fretless Fenderbird.. Whatcha think? I won't part with the Tbird neck, just in case. Always nice to be able to reverse a mod...

The heel on a Fender/Squire neck is a different size that the Epi. You will need to modify the heel of the Squire to fit the Epi pocket if you ever want to re-install the original neck. I believe a few people have performed this surgery on this thread. Great idea for a project!!

 

[Gaolee]

That's unfortunate. I know what its like to really want to love a bass, but just can't warm up to it. For me it was my Ric 4003.

You might want to try the Classic IV. It has a thin neck, like a Jazz bass. I'm a longtime Jazz bass guy and I took to that neck immediately.

I had a similar experience with the 4003 I had. I played it for a couple years and came to the conclusion that it was a nice bass, but it was just OK in my hands. I played an EB-2 and then a Precision for a long time before that, so my hands don't care what size the neck is so much. I like baseball bats, and only bolt-on Epis have bat sized necks among Thunderbirds. The good thing about 'Bird necks is they aren't flattened out like 7ender or the neck of the Ric I had. The round back makes a huge difference to me.

 

[Mosstone]

I had a similar experience with the 4003 I had. I played it for a couple years and came to the conclusion that it was a nice bass, but it was just OK in my hands. I played an EB-2 and then a Precision for a long time before that, so my hands don't care what size the neck is so much. I like baseball bats, and only bolt-on Epis have bat sized necks among Thunderbirds. The good thing about 'Bird necks is they aren't flattened out like 7ender or the neck of the Ric I had. The round back makes a huge difference to me.

Oh... I assumed the clubby neck was aggravating your CTS. I don't have carpal tunnel, but I find the Epi bolt-on and Gibson T-Bird necks to be very (almost painfully) uncomfortable to play at the lower end of the neck, due to the girth.

 

[Gaolee]

Oh... I assumed the clubby neck was aggravating your CTS. I don't have carpal tunnel, but I find the Epi bolt-on and Gibson T-Bird necks to be very (almost painfully) uncomfortable to play at the lower end of the neck, due to the girth.

I don't have any CTS, thank goodness. I play an upright bass a lot of the time, which means a huge fistful of neck. My favorite bass guitar neck to date is a crazy laminated neck on a no-name Japanese hollowbody that is as big around as your arm. The bass is a nice one in a lot of ways, but I just don't play it that much. It's neck is the essence of baseball bat.

 

[Mosstone]

I don't have any CTS, thank goodness. I play an upright bass a lot of the time, which means a huge fistful of neck. My favorite bass guitar neck to date is a crazy laminated neck on a no-name Japanese hollowbody that is as big around as your arm. The bass is a nice one in a lot of ways, but I just don't play it that much. It's neck is the essence of baseball bat.

I'm sorry, Gaolee, I was confusing you with Milos, who said he was giving up his Blackbird due to CTS issues (and I'm on my cell phone).

Yeah, if you're used to an upright, I'm sure no mere bass guitar neck would be a problem for you.

I started on a 30" scale EB-3 copy and every bass I owned after that had a slim neck, so even a modern P bass neck gives me discomfort.