Thunderbird Club

[Haji]

I'm gonna make instrument specific effects. I'll start with the Super Stratstortion, because guitards will fall over themselves to buy effects pedals. Next up will be the Thunderpression because the graphics will be super cool.

I don't notice too much difference between compression on my various basses, but I don't smash my signal with it, either. I'm using the Zoom MS 60B "D Comp", their clone of the MXR Dyna Comp, but I don't notice a lot of difference between the four presets. I do notice a difference sometimes between a bass compressor and a guitar compressor, though, in that bass compressors typically have a fuller sound. I think to start with a bass specific comp from a company known for good sounding effects like Darkglass, MXR or EBS is a pretty foolproof solution.

That MS 60B is likely going to be replaced by a dedicated compressor in the near future. It's too unwieldy for live use in my hands so most of what it can do is wasted on me.

 

[Korladis]

I don't use a compressor. My amp functions as that.

 

[EdO.]

Mine always has too. Just trying to determine if there's something to gain from adding one. Although these days I usually just run a very small stage amp, basically as a monitor so I can hear myself, and run direct to the board. So I'm wondering if there's not something I can add by putting a compressor in the mix.

 

[Korladis]

Mine always has too. Just trying to determine if there's something to gain from adding one. Although these days I usually just run a very small stage amp, basically as a monitor so I can hear myself, and run direct to the board. So I'm wondering if there's not something I can add by putting a compressor in the mix.

Do you use overdrive at all?

 

[Haji]

A small amp? Do such things exist? Sounds very strange to me, like voodoo or something.

 

[TBird1958]

A small amp? Do such things exist? Sounds very strange to me, like voodoo or something.

Anymore I usually bring a single 4x10GK Goldline to most shows, it's mostly a stage monitor for me, ( I like to feel the stage move a little) if the venue has a decent FOH setup much more than that and I'm working a lot more for no tangible reason other than looks. I still have 2 more GK SBX 4x10s that I'll hang on to for the time being, but other than rehearsal I don't seem to be using them much.

It probably has a lot to do with what specific venues have/have not for FOH, I know plenty of guys using a lot more rig than I do.

 

[wolfkeller]

Thought I'd share my impressions on the Chinese pick ups. I've used them for about 4-6 shows now and I think they suck. Initially I liked them but after some live experience I've concluded that they need to go.
These pickups simply do not cut through at all. Before these I had TB+ in there and they sounded good, should've kept them. This is simply my experience in a loud band and I require alot. If I didn't need chrome I'd put in emgs and be done

 

[Mike A]

Thought I'd share my impressions on the Chinese pick ups. I've used them for about 4-6 shows now and I think they suck. Initially I liked them but after some live experience I've concluded that they need to go.
These pickups simply do not cut through at all. Before these I had TB+ in there and they sounded good, should've kept them. This is simply my experience in a loud band and I require alot. If I didn't need chrome I'd put in emgs and be done

Soooo... Whatcha want for 'em?

 

[wolfkeller]

Soon as I find a replacement I'll look into that, what cha offering?

 

[Mike A]

Soon as I find a replacement I'll look into that, what cha offering?

Fair price, but not new price. PM me when you're ready.

 

[wolfkeller]

I think I'm just going to epoxy in a set of emg P&J into chrome covers, done

 

[wolfkeller]

Or the Geezer Butlers, they sound great wih the old school sound too.

 

[Nocturnal]

Thought I'd share my impressions on the Chinese pick ups. I've used them for about 4-6 shows now and I think they suck. Initially I liked them but after some live experience I've concluded that they need to go.
These pickups simply do not cut through at all. Before these I had TB+ in there and they sounded good, should've kept them. This is simply my experience in a loud band and I require alot. If I didn't need chrome I'd put in emgs and be done

Just curious, while you were testing these were you only using the GK setup or were you also using the Ampeg preamp as well?

Thanks for sharing your experience with them. Hearing the opinion from a live band situation is definitely different than just plugging in at home on a practice set up.

 

[wolfkeller]

Yeah that's always the true test. I used them a few shows with my GK, then ampeg, than ampeg into GK and in all situations, that bass nolonger held up to my other ones. Typically I'm using 4 basses live so it is very obvious. Also, it had passive TB+ before so it's not an active/passive isssue. They simply don't cut through.

 

[Mike A]

How did your pickup height measure up to the precious pickups?

 

[wolfkeller]

What do you mean Mike?

 

[wolfkeller]

I should add, I run a pretty aggressive tone, very punchy and alot of gain. Now, most say the TB+ are muddy pups, I did not experience that with them. These Chinese pups come across as muddy in comparison.

 

[Mike A]

I mean, the distance from your strings to the top of your pickups. Is that distance close to the same distance as your previous pickups? That seems to make a BIG difference with Tbird pickups in general.

 

[EdO.]

Do you use overdrive at all?

No. Generally going for a clean punch sound. I get all the snarl I need from the T-Bird by turning the tone knob up.

A small amp? Do such things exist? Sounds very strange to me, like voodoo or something.

I've got two. A Hartke A70 (70 watts, 12" speaker). Really a great versatile little amp, plenty on stage as a monitor. I run the balanced out to the board, sounds great and works like a charm. Up on a stand it doesn't look quite so small. But yeah it's small.

More often I use my TC Electronics BG250. 15" speaker, 250 watts, will fill most smaller venues by itself if I crank it. Balanced out to the board with it too, works great. My goal is to get as much ambient volume off stage as possible, occasionally I don't even take an amp just run through a DI to the board and mix the bass into my IE monitors. Makes it easier on what hearing I still have left. IMO big loud stage amps are old school and really unnecessary (no offense to anyone intended). Way less crap to have to haul around.

 

[TBird1958]

How I spent my weekend........

Some of the crowd........

Me and my '89.