Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

Thx. Both posts were very helpful. Since I'd like this Goth to be nice and dark and I have to tear into the control cavity anyway I might just go with straight 250K pots on both volumes and tone. Sounds like it might not gain a lot or any real volume increase but that's ok, I'll give it a try (if I don't like it it's an easy flip back to 500s.

There is a variety of tacts to take to achieve a favored tone/sound. Capacitors can also alter the tone. In my Dano basses (with lipstick singles) have 500k pots. Using 250k pots should make it sound softer/soother/less trebly so I guess that could relate to 'darker', but a suitable cap can do similarly w/o reduced output.

 

[GBassNorth]

So if the bridge pickup measures about the same, or slightly less than, the neck pickup, that would be not good?



Bridge pickup:

View attachment 3980097


Neck pickup:

View attachment 3980098


Definitely a difference there...

FWIW - my factory stock Eppi Goth measured 14.7 ohms on both the neck and bridge pups, so they can be the same but ideally the bridge is traditionally the hotter (higher number) of the two. If the bridge was a lower number than the neck I'd be concerned. But would just simply flip the two pups to put the hotter one at the bridge.

As for the pup cover effecting the sound, I think I read that @godofthunder59 or @TBird1958 set their pups in epoxy or silicone as they put them in the cans to eliminate microphonics or something. Maybe they can offer additional insight.

 

[JIO]

So if the bridge pickup measures about the same, or slightly less than, the neck pickup, that would be not good?



Bridge pickup:

View attachment 3980097


Neck pickup:

View attachment 3980098


Definitely a difference there...

The vibration of the strings is MUCH more at the neck than the bridge. This makes the neck pickup louder. Some pickups are set up with different outputs to compensate for this OR you need to adjust the height. On pu's w/o pole adjustment, you need to get it up as close to the strings as possible. As the strings don't vibrate as much at the bridge - you can get it pretty close.

 

[KaraQ]

FWIW - my factory stock Eppi Goth measured 14.7 ohms on both the neck and bridge pups, so they can be the same but ideally the bridge is traditionally the hotter (higher number) of the two. If the bridge was a lower number than the neck I'd be concerned. But would just simply flip the two pups to put the hotter one at the bridge.

As for the pup cover effecting the sound, I think I read that @godofthunder59 or @TBird1958 set their pups in epoxy or silicone as they put them in the cans to eliminate microphonics or something. Maybe they can offer additional insight.

I guess I need dig out my "good" multimeter this evening, then. That should be fun...

 

[JIO]

I guess I need dig out my "good" multimeter this evening, then. That should be fun...

I just located mine recently after a recent move - right where I packed it...

 

[KaraQ]

I just located mine recently after a recent move - right where I packed it...

I suspect a similar situation for mine, not sure I've had need for it since I moved to CA

At the very least, it's almost certainly going to be in the last place I look.

 

[JIO]

I suspect a similar situation for mine, not sure I've had need for it since I moved to CA

At the very least, it's almost certainly going to be in the last place I look.

This is how it worked for me - when I needed it I looked everywhere and couldn't find it, and then after giving up and moving on to other things... there it was.

 

[TBird1958]

FWIW - my factory stock Eppi Goth measured 14.7 ohms on both the neck and bridge pups, so they can be the same but ideally the bridge is traditionally the hotter (higher number) of the two. If the bridge was a lower number than the neck I'd be concerned. But would just simply flip the two pups to put the hotter one at the bridge.

As for the pup cover effecting the sound, I think I read that @godofthunder59 or @TBird1958 set their pups in epoxy or silicone as they put them in the cans to eliminate microphonics or something. Maybe they can offer additional insight.

Like the Xuron cutter I again used Model Railroad stuff.....an adhesive called (appropriately enough) "Goo" , its very strong yet retains some flex, great for dissimilar materials - a little bit is all it takes.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

FWIW - my factory stock Eppi Goth measured 14.7 ohms on both the neck and bridge pups, so they can be the same but ideally the bridge is traditionally the hotter (higher number) of the two. If the bridge was a lower number than the neck I'd be concerned. But would just simply flip the two pups to put the hotter one at the bridge.

As for the pup cover effecting the sound, I think I read that @godofthunder59 or @TBird1958 set their pups in epoxy or silicone as they put them in the cans to eliminate microphonics or something. Maybe they can offer additional insight.

unfortunately, as much as we would like to simplify, this isn’t always an option. like with most things, in electronics it’s all about ratios, iow more (or less) is not always better. with pup R, the higher the R can but doesn’t necessarily mean higher output... it also means higher coil inductance AND coil capacitance. because these won’t increment proportionally the frequency response peak will also fluctuate altering the sonic response of the pup, further, if more windings are added, at a point, the added R wil result in loss and less output....it’s all about finding the sweet spot...

 

[LetItGrowTone]

... Epi EB-0 ... Hipshot on its way.

Me too.
Silk (and the string construction windback) riding E and A saddles and they still need to go back further.
Since this is a Gibson/Epiphone club, my 2¢ is that it's quite embarrassing to the marque, but I already knew about it thanks to Talkbass so no big deal. The price/quality compensates well.

I'll use a stack of washers until the bridge arrives.

**
Maybe because I'm just weak or something I chose the EMBASSY PRO as my entre into the THUNDERBIRD world because it has an upper horn. But the EB-0 doesn't, and is introducing me to unbalanced basses (though it's only 30" scale). Mmm, so far I don't this much but not too bad.
Again, because I'm not as tough as most of you guys and gals, my THUNDERBIRD representatives will probably continue to be EMBASSY PRO or Fenderbirds. Cataldo with single (neck) pickup would be nice someday.

**
Going to start cooking ribeyes (broiled, 4 minutes/3 minutes) and portobello mushrooms in butter soon. Started the evening with Knappogue Castle (just one), so pardon my French. Wente red (just one glass) with dinner. Nothing else.

 

[JIO]

unfortunately, as much as we would like to simplify, this isn’t always an option. like with most things, in electronics it’s all about ratios, iow more (or less) is not always better. with pup R, the higher the R can but doesn’t necessarily mean higher output... it also means higher coil inductance AND coil capacitance. because these won’t increment proportionally the frequency response peak will also fluctuate altering the sonic response of the pup, further, if more windings are added, at a point, the added R wil result in loss and less output....it’s all about finding the sweet spot...

what he said...

 

[BklynKen]

I think I posted here that I bought an Epi EB-0 at what I consider a good price ($165). Cosmetically, almost perfect. However, Hipshot on its way. Also, a custom TRC to replace the one that wasn't there. Still gonna be less than a new one which would prolly need a Hipshot too.
View attachment 3980101
And with a 'friend'.
View attachment 3980102

Plays well with others?

 

[KaraQ]

Hmph. Didn't turn out to be as hard as I thought. In the first-ish place I looked. How weird is that?

9.49k for the "lead"/bridge, 9.74 for the "rhythm"/neck...

Even if it were that simple, I don't think that difference would account for how much of a difference in volume I'm getting


...assuming, of course, that I'm checking it correctly...

 

[MCF]

whoa!!!thanks for the tip...that's the first problem id like to address.i'm still compiling the mods id like to do with this bass...i'd like it to be my metal and hardcore bass.drop C, 50-110 gauge string.mulling over replacing the bridge, but i think it's ok...and electronics...also saw someone moving the output jack to the side of the body( not on top)...errr...been reading this forum and getting inspired by cool birds by fellow members

Birds fit a bit different on different physiques. I’m 5’8” 155. None of mine dive with 4” Italia long leather straps and upper button at the neck instead of on the upper wing.

 

[MCF]

That's a very real issue. The metal can does infact impact the sound of the bass. I just assumed it would impact each pup about the same. However, now that I think about it wasn't one of her pups relatively free of epoxy on the top and the other one wasn't? If so, you might have hit the nail on the head - the pup with more exposed blades might be interacting with the can differently than the other pup that is thoroughly encased in epoxy.

Huh. This is becoming very educational. I love this place.

 

[Gaolee]

So if the bridge pickup measures about the same, or slightly less than, the neck pickup, that would be not good?



Bridge pickup:

View attachment 3980097


Neck pickup:

View attachment 3980098


Definitely a difference there...

I deliberately swapped them for a while on the Flamingo. It made the response more like the way an EB-2 with two pickups works. The bridge pickup is there for a bit of coloration and evening things out, but not there as its own thing. They are back to the normal arrangement now. It may be time to change them back again.

 

[Gaolee]

Birds fit a bit different on different physiques. I’m 5’8” 155. None of mine dive with 4” Italia long leather straps and upper button at the neck instead of on the upper wing.

That's the main thing - move the button from the vestigial upper bout to the base of the neck. It makes a world of difference. And, for whatever it's worth, I'm 5'-10" but have a wingspan that's several inches longer than that. And the only 'Bird I ever had neck dive with was the bolt-on before relocating the upper button.

 

[MCF]

I've never enjoyed the tone from Ampeg amps.

One of my favorite tones is Nikki Monninger’s from her Tbirds. She uses a classic Ampeg fridge setup. But she also uses effects. I’ve tried a couple used SVTs and wasn’t blown away with the basic tone, even through a fridge.

 

[MCF]

From what I understand, using the 250K pots would reduce the top end/make it a bit darker sounding, but not change much else...


...found it! Hope this link works right...
Pots: 250k vs 500k??

Wait. You used the Talk Bass search feature and actually found something? Wow. Just wow.

 

[GonePlaid]

I suspect a similar situation for mine, not sure I've had need for it since I moved to CA

At the very least, it's almost certainly going to be in the last place I look.

I've always been amused by that expression. Of course it is. Waddaya? Gonna keep on looking to see what else shows up?