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Thunderbird Club

#154,961
MCF said:
I agree. Huge difference seeing/hearing them live. They hooked up with Jackknife Lee the last two albums and he slicked up the recordings. Not quite sure why so many artists use him. Probably something to do with their current record deal.
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The reasoning of the top echelon in the music biz (especially pop) is spelled out simply in all caps - $$$
 
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#154,968
Jakeman said:
Lollars on the NR and SD's on the black one.
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Thanks Jakeman! Interesting. How would you say the Lollars differ from the SDs? Which do you like better and why, if you don't mind? I ask because as a last resort I may need to change PUs in my 06 Gibson if string and EQ experiments don't get me where I want. But, I hope I don't have to go that far as I would like having another Thunderbird that sounds a little different. It just needs to sound better than it does.
 
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#154,969
dagrev said:
Thanks Jakeman! Interesting. How would you say the Lollars differ from the SDs? Which do you like better and why, if you don't mind? I ask because as a last resort I may need to change PUs in my 06 Gibson if string and EQ experiments don't get me where I want. But, I hope I don't have to go that far as I would like having another Thunderbird that sounds a little different. It just needs to sound better than it does.
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Oh man, I'm the worst at describing sounds - can never seem to put it into words. I'll say both are significant improvements over the stock pickups. I like the detailed midrange of both. Maybe the Lollars have a bit more clear high end? Or maybe that's just me, lol? I feel like the SD's are a bit darker. Can't really comment on growl or clank, as I recently switched to flat wounds and I'm not going for that sound anymore. Jeez, completely unhelpful post, I know. To make things more difficult, these two Birds are pretty darn different, so it's tough to get a good comparison.
 
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#154,970
Jakeman said:
Oh man, I'm the worst at describing sounds - can never seem to put it into words. I'll say both are significant improvements over the stock pickups. I like the detailed midrange of both. Maybe the Lollars have a bit more clear high end? Or maybe that's just me, lol? I feel like the SD's are a bit darker. Can't really comment on growl or clank, as I recently switched to flat wounds and I'm not going for that sound anymore. Jeez, completely unhelpful post, I know. To make things more difficult, these two Birds are pretty darn different, so it's tough to get a good comparison.
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LOL! That's more helpful than you think and I really appreciate it. I remember someone saying that they didn't care for the SDs because they were too modern or clean sounding, or something to that effect. Thank you, I don't mind dark as I'm not going through the angry piano sound, but big and thick with punch. Lollars and Thunderbuckers seem to be the best pick ups generally speaking. So I was curious how the Lollars compared to the SDs. I don't recall anyone talking much about the SDs, so I was curious. As I said, I am hoping to be able to get the stock pick ups working. I'm not really wanting to change the pick ups and that would certainly be a last resort. I've had my '64 for decades and got really used to how that sounds, and very spoiled. I have a couple VPs and they sound pretty darn close. I was curious about the modern Gibson and was pleased with the deal I got on the used one. I knew it was going to sound different, but I really didn't know it was going to be that different! Currently it seems to be getting lost in the mix and that should never happen with the Thunderbird. I'm not done and hope to get that resolved but was curious about your take on the pick ups in case I have to go there. Thanks again!
 
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#154,971
dagrev said:
I think a white PG with the abalone bird with look good on the my white VP.
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I did both many years ago pre-dating laser cutters and their accessibility in terms of inlaying abalone. I imagine you could have that done today for a reasonable cost. When I did mine by hand, I wasn't aware of the toxicity of abalone dust. Luckily I'm still kickin'...
 
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#154,972
JIO said:
I did both many years ago pre-dating laser cutters and their accessibility in terms of inlaying abalone. I imagine you could have that done today for a reasonable cost. When I did mine by hand, I wasn't aware of the toxicity of abalone dust. Luckily I'm still kickin'...
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Very nice, indeed! I didn't know that about abalone. I'm not artistic at all so me ever tempting that is as likely as me walking on the moon, but still good to know. And certainly glad it seems to have had no ill effects for you!
 
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#154,973
EB8F6EEE-D744-4E6E-8B5D-E6B6DFC903AB.jpeg
 
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#154,976
dagrev said:
LOL! That's more helpful than you think and I really appreciate it. I remember someone saying that they didn't care for the SDs because they were too modern or clean sounding, or something to that effect. Thank you, I don't mind dark as I'm not going through the angry piano sound, but big and thick with punch. Lollars and Thunderbuckers seem to be the best pick ups generally speaking. So I was curious how the Lollars compared to the SDs. I don't recall anyone talking much about the SDs, so I was curious. As I said, I am hoping to be able to get the stock pick ups working. I'm not really wanting to change the pick ups and that would certainly be a last resort. I've had my '64 for decades and got really used to how that sounds, and very spoiled. I have a couple VPs and they sound pretty darn close. I was curious about the modern Gibson and was pleased with the deal I got on the used one. I knew it was going to sound different, but I really didn't know it was going to be that different! Currently it seems to be getting lost in the mix and that should never happen with the Thunderbird. I'm not done and hope to get that resolved but was curious about your take on the pick ups in case I have to go there. Thanks again!
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this guy tried both (SD/Lollars) on an NR BaCH...
Bach T-Bird Bass
 
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