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Thunderbird Club

#167,601
Recently, someone asked about aftermarket pickups for a modern Gibson Tbird.

After some lengthy time going back and forth between my Lull T5 and Chinabucker equipped ThunderJazz, I noticed the only way for the T5 to sound as open or snarly as the TJ was to play it with a pick.

This was an accidental find, as in my incessant solo practices, I decided to get more proficient with a pick (prompted by learning Train Train by Blackfoot).

So IMHO, PUP selection may also depend on whether or not you play fingerstyle or plectrum powered,(passive as I prefer, or active basses may also be a factor). Anyway, food for thought?
 
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#167,602
Basvarken said:
Not exactly a Thunderbird. But it does have some Tbird DNA
brooks-thundervee-full-1500_orig.jpg

brooks-thundervee-tail-1500_orig.jpg


I call it the Thundervee.
It's 34" scale. Korina neck through.
Humbuckers wired in series!
Click to expand...
That’s awesome! I like the idea of using TBird construction with other shapes. And the stepped down section for the string ferrules is great!
 
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#167,603
Thumper said:
Recently, someone asked about aftermarket pickups for a modern Gibson Tbird.

After some lengthy time going back and forth between my Lull T5 and Chinabucker equipped ThunderJazz, I noticed the only way for the T5 to sound as open or snarly as the TJ was to play it with a pick.

This was an accidental find, as in my incessant solo practices, I decided to get more proficient with a pick (prompted by learning Train Train by Blackfoot).

So IMHO, PUP selection may also depend on whether or not you play fingerstyle or plectrum powered,(passive as I prefer, or active basses may also be a factor). Anyway, food for thought?
Click to expand...

Another possible factor is VVT vs VBT as a factor, my VBT Embassy's aren't as open and snarly as the TJ either.

And finally, ash or alder vs. mahogany? I'll find out when I get the ThunderP back, it is identical to the TJ except for mahogany body and roasted maple neck (instead of unroasted, rosewood board).

When I get the ThunderP back, I'm going to drop off an Embassy for conversion to CTS VVT ( note, the T5 is also VBT).

And why not VVTT?
 
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#167,604
Thumper said:
Another possible factor is VVT vs VBT as a factor, my VBT Embassy's aren't as open and snarly as the TJ either.

And finally, ash or alder vs. mahogany? I'll find out when I get the ThunderP back, it is identical to the TJ except for mahogany body and roasted maple neck (instead of unroasted, rosewood board).

When I get the ThunderP back, I'm going to drop off an Embassy for conversion to CTS VVT ( note, the T5 is also VBT).

And why not VVTT?
Click to expand...
A V/T stack knob for each pup would be cool on a TBird. Basically the old '62 Jazz set up except with real pickups vs nasally little single coils.

BTW - of you recall if you're China Buckers are 4 conductor or 2 conductor?
 
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#167,605
Thumper said:
Recently, someone asked about aftermarket pickups for a modern Gibson Tbird.

After some lengthy time going back and forth between my Lull T5 and Chinabucker equipped ThunderJazz, I noticed the only way for the T5 to sound as open or snarly as the TJ was to play it with a pick.

This was an accidental find, as in my incessant solo practices, I decided to get more proficient with a pick (prompted by learning Train Train by Blackfoot).

So IMHO, PUP selection may also depend on whether or not you play fingerstyle or plectrum powered,(passive as I prefer, or active basses may also be a factor). Anyway, food for thought?
Click to expand...

The Chinabucker/HongKongbucker is from EY Parts. And I think they're excellent pickups.
That same brand also has modern Gibson Thunderbird pickups. I haven't tried those. But if they're equally as good as the 60's Thunderbird humbucker I'd buy a set without a doubt.

PU-21249-Eric Custom Thundbird Bass Pickup,Neck,for Gibson T

PU-21264-Eric Custom Alnico 5 Rod,Thundbird Bass Pickup,Brid
 
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#167,607
D.M.N. said:
Is that the one out of Oregon?

Edit: Duh, read the rest! Damn it, I was about to buy that one and then it disappeared and I never heard back from the seller!
Click to expand...

I figured it would sell quickly so I acted fast. It was my first time spending that kind of money on any instrument (I saved for several months hoping that a vintage reverse or NR bird would pop up). The neck required work, but the seller was awesome and helped with the repair costs. Now it plays perfectly and should be good for a long time :D

TBird1958 said:
A huge thumbs up for your Greco Thunderbird II, I have one as well - It's a Sonic Destroyer of entire worlds!
Click to expand...
It's kind of unbelievable how different the Greco is! Mine is a 79. It has a huge chunky maple P bass style neck and has this unreal massive low end.

I assumed the two would be similar sonically and I couldn't have been more wrong :laugh:. Definitely different tools for different jobs.
 
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#167,608
WSquires said:
I figured it would sell quickly so I acted fast. It was my first time spending that kind of money on any instrument (I saved for several months hoping that a vintage reverse or NR bird would pop up). The neck required work, but the seller was awesome and helped with the repair costs. Now it plays perfectly and should be good for a long time :D


It's kind of unbelievable how different the Greco is! Mine is a 79. It has a huge chunky maple P bass style neck and has this unreal massive low end.

I assumed the two would be similar sonically and I couldn't have been more wrong :laugh:. Definitely different tools for different jobs.
Click to expand...


Indeed they're two very different Thunderbirds, Greco's do indeed make a lot of "bass" and the pickup has a very high output, it easily overdrives the front end of my amp, my '76s are the opposite, they don't really open up and "bloom" their tone until you use them with a big amp and crank it up a bit.
 
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#167,610
Thumper said:
Recently, someone asked about aftermarket pickups for a modern Gibson Tbird.

After some lengthy time going back and forth between my Lull T5 and Chinabucker equipped ThunderJazz, I noticed the only way for the T5 to sound as open or snarly as the TJ was to play it with a pick.

This was an accidental find, as in my incessant solo practices, I decided to get more proficient with a pick (prompted by learning Train Train by Blackfoot).

So IMHO, PUP selection may also depend on whether or not you play fingerstyle or plectrum powered,(passive as I prefer, or active basses may also be a factor). Anyway, food for thought?
Click to expand...
Love Blackfoot. They were fantastic live.
 
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#167,617
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#167,619
Chucky Stiletti said:
no CAD here.....
View attachment 4122975
Click to expand...
TBird1958 said:
Truly amazing what was built by man's hand, that's steel the was very carefully put together long ago!
Click to expand...
I've always been fond of trains. Both of my grandfathers worked for L&N (one an electrician the other an engineer), as well as an uncle and a cousin. The part of town I grew up in many of the men (working and retired) worked for the railroad. As a kid before being bitten by the music bug I thought I would surely end up working at the railroad. Neither one worked out as a profession! I enjoy looking at that massive beasts and thinking about all the places they've been. Somewhat related I like collecting old pocket watches that were approved for railroad use. Talk about beautiful and detailed.
 
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