Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I need the input of the wise T-bird club. I’m looking into buying a newer Gibson (not Epi) T-bird. Just a regular old sunburst model. However, I’d like to switch the all-black hardware for chrome and get some good quality chrome pickups. I can do the work myself. What price range can I expect for the parts?

Not your question, but why is it that you want and Gibson and not an Epi Thunderbird? Something to keep in mind.
1. You already want chrome and the Epi already has that. Nothing to do and it sounds fantastic.
2. The Epi sounds more like original Thunderbirds. Better IMO, and I have all to make that comparison. (And no one to my knowledge thinks the modern versions sound like the originals.)

So it in part depends on if you want the look, the name, or the sound.

Having said that, the new Gibsons have their own thing going on and worked wonderfully and sounds great for some depending upon what they are shooting for. Mine plays as well as anything I own and is wonderfully made. But if you are shooting for a "true" Thunderbird sound, the modern Thunderbird is not your bird. It's a great bass and can do a lot of things but it won't do that. For vintage you need the VP. Which I like so much I bought two!

Say all this because I bought a modern Gibson and was very disappointed in the sound, but have worked and arrived at a tone I can live with. I knew from reading that it would sound different and more modern, but I had no idea how different it would sound from what I was used to hearing from Thunderbirds for decades. Just didn't want you to make that same mistake just because bass had Gibson on it versus Epiphone. The Epis are very well made.

 

[dagrev]

They sound close to Cobalts to me. Pretty lively and great consistency of tone from string to string. I’m really pleased with them

Nice! Thanks

 

[dagrev]

Again, thoughts are with you. I should think before trying to be humorous.

Thank you. I thought it funny, so no worries at all my friend!

 

[TBird1958]

I need the input of the wise T-bird club. I’m looking into buying a newer Gibson (not Epi) T-bird. Just a regular old sunburst model. However, I’d like to switch the all-black hardware for chrome and get some good quality chrome pickups. I can do the work myself. What price range can I expect for the parts?

A great project! Hipshot for the tuners, I used a chrome Gibson 3 Point, bridge cover and Lull pickups, sounds like a '64 IV at a lot less $$$.

 

[GBassNorth]

Not your question, but why is it that you want and Gibson and not an Epi Thunderbird? Something to keep in mind.
1. You already want chrome and the Epi already has that. Nothing to do and it sounds fantastic.
2. The Epi sounds more like original Thunderbirds. Better IMO, and I have all to make that comparison. (And no one to my knowledge thinks the modern versions sound like the originals.)

So it in part depends on if you want the look, the name, or the sound.

Having said that, the new Gibsons have their own thing going on and worked wonderfully and sounds great for some depending upon what they are shooting for. Mine plays as well as anything I own and is wonderfully made. But if you are shooting for a "true" Thunderbird sound, the modern Thunderbird is not your bird. It's a great bass and can do a lot of things but it won't do that. For vintage you need the VP. Which I like so much I bought two!

Say all this because I bought a modern Gibson and was very disappointed in the sound. I knew from reading that it would sound different and more modern, but I had no idea how different it would sound from what I was used to hearing from Thunderbirds for decades. Just didn't want you to make that same mistake just because bass had Gibson on it versus Epiphone. The Epis are very well made.

Very wise advice.

@Warpeg
I’d second the Eppi VP suggestion. It comes with everything you are asking about looks wise and has a better bridge design than the Gibby. Sound wise, it’s a monster and can go head to head with any Gibson thunderbird ever made.

One of the unique things about Thunderbird players that I noticed right away after years of playing Fenders and Squiers, Gibby Tbird players don’t look down at all on Eppi Tbirds. In fact you’d be surprised how many Gibson Tbird players have Epiphone birds on their wish list. I have quite a collection of both Gibby and Eppi birds as well as others, and right now I’m craving a candy apple red Epiphone limited edition bird (@KaraQ has one on indefinite hold for me).

A peek at most of the clan…

 

[Nocturnal]

Thanks. I didn’t realize the covers could be removed. If that’s the case, then I think I would just need tuners, bridge, covers, and screws. Did I miss any parts?

Philadelphia Luthier Supply has the chrome covers and rings for a good price.

I think Ken is singlehandedly trying to convert the world over to SITs, They're certainly good on some, but not all of my Birds, I'm still a fan of Ken Smith and the occasional DR for certain basses.

I agree with this. Now I have 3 string options for my Birds, and I guess for my non Birds as well.

 

[TBird1958]

Nice shot of Cream from 1968 in my FB feed today..

 

[BklynKen]

I think Ken is singlehandedly trying to convert the world over to SITs, They're certainly good on some, but not all of my Birds, I'm still a fan of Ken Smith and the occasional DR for certain basses.

First one's free!

 

[BklynKen]

It’s always Thursday.

It's also always 5:00 somewhere.

 

[dukeorock]

I think Ken is singlehandedly trying to convert the world over to SITs, They're certainly good on some, but not all of my Birds, I'm still a fan of Ken Smith and the occasional DR for certain basses.

Ken very kindly gave me a set of SIT Power Steels when I saw him in Brooklyn recently. They really are nice strings. Might try the Power Wounds just for fun. I still love KS BassBurners a whole lot as well. DR Lo-Riders work nice on some of my basses.
For flats The Cobalts are the closest thing to the roundwound sound I’ve heard from flats, but the SIT Power Flats are really, really good. On my ‘67 Hofner Beatle bass, TI Jazz Flats are perfection if you want THAT sound, and I often very much want THAT sound on sessions. It’s not really a perfect copy of the McCartney thing. It’s got more highs and mids. If that bass hadn’t been gifted to me I doubt I ever would’ve bought one. Never had a desire to own a violin bass and for a fella my size it looks absolutely ridiculous, but I probably use it for at least 75-80% of my session work in the past two years or so. It’s a remarkable sounding bass, for real! Played it with a live band only once on a live stream and I just couldn’t look sillier playing it

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I need the input of the wise T-bird club. I’m looking into buying a newer Gibson (not Epi) T-bird. Just a regular old sunburst model. However, I’d like to switch the all-black hardware for chrome and get some good quality chrome pickups. I can do the work myself. What price range can I expect for the parts?

welcome! older Gibson three point, tuners that say “Carvin” on them (found at a local music store) and a pair of 70’s sidewinders….parts total; 400.00…..worth every penny…

 

[BklynKen]

They sound close to Cobalts to me. Pretty lively and great consistency of tone from string to string. I’m really pleased with them

They're also a lot more inexpensive than the Cobalts, no?

 

[MCF]

I was going through personal emails this morning. I received one from an Admin. Assistant at SW. I've been assigned an order number for my '21 NR Gibson Thunderbird in Pelham Blue. Expected mid to late July. It's looking like it's really going to happen!

 

[MCF]

They're also a lot more inexpensive than the Cobalts, no?

I'm seeing about $5 to $8 cheaper ($35 for Cobalts, $27 to $30 for Power Flats) at most sellers. Don't know what Jason sells them for. Might try them on something. Since I'm a hack, can always use help eliminating finger noise.

 

[BklynKen]

I think Ken is singlehandedly trying to convert the world over to SITs, They're certainly good on some, but not all of my Birds, I'm still a fan of Ken Smith and the occasional DR for certain basses.

How would you compare the Rock Masters to the Power Steels? I've only tried the Rock Masters on my BC Rich, so it wound to be a fair comparison.

 

[TBird1958]

How would you compare the Rock Masters to the Power Steels? I've only tried the Rock Masters on my BC Rich, so it wound to be a fair comparison.

Kind of depends on the bass, the SITs sound fantastic on my Studio Bird and and they're about equal to Smiths on the Greco. I like Smiths a bit better on my purple '76, no doubt because those pup produce a lot of Sub and the SITs have quite a bit more bass and lo-mid presence.

 

[dukeorock]

They're also a lot more inexpensive than the Cobalts, no?

They’re at least a bit less expensive which is always a bonus
Price isn’t a huge factor on flats because they tend to last a lot longer. Heck, the TI Jazz Flats on my Hofner were stupidly expensive, but they sound amazing on a short scale bass and will likely stay on the bass for years. On my live electric basses I go through maybe 3 sets of Cobalts per year. The SIT’s are gonna stay on the Drake for awhile. Will be interesting to see how well they age

I was going through personal emails this morning. I received one from an Admin. Assistant at SW. I've been assigned an order number for my '21 NR Gibson Thunderbird in Pelham Blue. Expected mid to late July. It's looking like it's really going to happen!

Congrats!!!

 

[PillO]

I was going through personal emails this morning. I received one from an Admin. Assistant at SW. I've been assigned an order number for my '21 NR Gibson Thunderbird in Pelham Blue. Expected mid to late July. It's looking like it's really going to happen!

WooHoo! That means mine will be within a couple of weeks of that!

 

[Gaolee]

Not me!
Thankfully?



$330.85

Somebody is hoping it doesn't have a broken truss rod or something.

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks. I didn’t realize the covers could be removed. If that’s the case, then I think I would just need tuners, bridge, covers, and screws. Did I miss any parts?

Yep. Ash trays!