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Thunderbird Club

#16,701
Justice said:
Help me my Thunderbrethren, I just received a set of the Deep Sixx pickups...and they are not marked for neck and bridge. Is there an easy way to tell?
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You can check impedance if you have a multi-meter. They are inexpensive if you don't have one. I generally like a higher impedance pickup nearer the neck and use the bridge pickup as more of a balance. Other people like the hot one down by the bridge. It just depends on what you want it to sound like.
 
#16,706
Guinness20 said:
Does anybody own a 2015 gibson thunderbird? I had an epi classic t-bird which I loved, but it wasn't what you'd call versatile (plus the quality of the hardware wasn't great). I like the look of the 2015 gibson with the new pickups and coil tap witches.
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I tried one for about an hour. I really liked it. I believe the pickups are from the EB-Bass and are hotter than the normal ones. They definitively sound different.
The split option was ok, but the bass sounds better (to me) using all coils. You could also use the switch as a bass/volume boost.
Anyway, I tried to buy one, but my credit got denied. Nothing wrong with my finances, I'm just not yet a citizen.
 
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#16,708
Bassic Playing said:
God those Anderton guys can't get enough of their own voices.
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After their first play through on whatever they're showing off, I fast forward through the next ones. Shortens the videos by about 25%. I like their reviews because they're very knowledgible and entertaining but it's a rare day that I can stand to watch a 20 or 30 minute clip from anybody.
 
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#16,710
Guinness20 said:
Does anybody own a 2015 gibson thunderbird? I had an epi classic t-bird which I loved, but it wasn't what you'd call versatile (plus the quality of the hardware wasn't great). I like the look of the 2015 gibson with the new pickups and coil tap witches.
Click to expand...
I don't own the TBird with the new EB pups and controls but I do own the new EB and all I can say is it puts my old G&L to shame when it comes to versatility. Tons of different sound options and all of them sound great. If you like the TBird style and look but want more tone options then this is the bass to get. They were very pricy new, haven't looked at what they are running used though.
 
#16,712
Guinness20 said:
Does anybody own a 2015 gibson thunderbird? I had an epi classic t-bird which I loved, but it wasn't what you'd call versatile (plus the quality of the hardware wasn't great). I like the look of the 2015 gibson with the new pickups and coil tap witches.
Click to expand...
Yes. I have a '15 and other 'Birds to compare it to. I also have an EB that I sold but bought back. It's that good. The EB and the '15 'Bird sound different, as you would expect based on construction and woods used. Both get a huge variety of sounds. The '15 can sound like a Thunderbird and the EB, when adjusted right, can sound a bit nasal and whiny like a 7ender Jazz. The surprise, to me, is how much the '15 can sound like a Precision if you dial it in right. It's a sharp, barking, growling Precision that probably has a machete hidden under its jacket, but you get the idea. Thumpier strings would probably make it less ferocious sounding.

My '15 needs to be professionally set up, since there's an ongoing dead spot issue on the G string that I haven't completely sorted out. The EB has nothing like that on its neck, nor do the other 'Birds I have, so I think it's just unique to this specific bass guitar. I'm also sure it will adjust away. I may also need new strings or different strings, but that's another whole can of worms. The EB has DR Sunbeams (I think) on it, and it sounds fantastic. The '15 has the same strings, and due to a combination of construction and setup, those strings just don't work quite as well for it.

They are going for about the same price as any other Thunderbird these days. I don't recall what I paid for mine, but I'm usually a bottom-feeder anyway. That means I probably bought it because I thought it was going cheap, so there are deals out there if you are patient. It was all wacked out as far as setup, but that's been pretty typical of Thunderbirds I bought over the years. I don't know what it is about them that is so hard to figure out. If you find somebody who doesn't understand the way they balance and doesn't understand how to set them up, you can get some pretty good bargains.

This and installing the third pickup in the bolt-on are reasons I really need to get to Mike Lull's shop. Time and other commitments keep getting in the way. I need a clone.
 
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#16,713
Had my first full band experience with my '15 Epiphone Classic Pro. First off it was clipping with the same settings as my Squier with active EMG 40DCs in it. Those Gibson pickups are hot. I've never played anything so versatile. It cut through the mix like nothing else except maybe a P bass with QPs in it. I also don't generally like the sounds of picking as opposed to just more aggressive plucking but the Thunderbird is actually a picked sound that I like.

Anyone why says these are one trick ponies must not have many tricks.
 
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#16,717
Gaolee said:
You can check impedance if you have a multi-meter. They are inexpensive if you don't have one. I generally like a higher impedance pickup nearer the neck and use the bridge pickup as more of a balance. Other people like the hot one down by the bridge. It just depends on what you want it to sound like.
Click to expand...

well, i contacted the seller and it turns out they mistakenly sent me two bridge pickups. I'll be sending them pics of the pickups this evening and they should be sending me a neck pickup.
 
#16,718
Guinness20 said:
Does anybody own a 2015 gibson thunderbird? I had an epi classic t-bird which I loved, but it wasn't what you'd call versatile (plus the quality of the hardware wasn't great). I like the look of the 2015 gibson with the new pickups and coil tap witches.
Click to expand...

I have a 2015 Bird and I love it. It is a different sound to my other Birds, but that's what I like about it - it gave me an excuse to buy another beautiful Thunderbird! I particularly like the sound with the neck set to humbucker and the bridge tapped as well as both pickups humbucker.

The fit and finish was great on mine and despite being a fan and big advocate of the three point (I just love the way they fit my hand when picking) I have got used to the Babicz bridge.
 
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#16,720
Bassic Playing said:
God those Anderton guys can't get enough of their own voices.
Click to expand...

Haji said:
After their first play through on whatever they're showing off, I fast forward through the next ones. Shortens the videos by about 25%. I like their reviews because they're very knowledgible and entertaining but it's a rare day that I can stand to watch a 20 or 30 minute clip from anybody.
Click to expand...

TBH I thought the bolt on IV came out pretty well, and looked great as well. (Biased? :))

First time I didn't think the Classic looked superb in white tho.
 

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