Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

Sometimes it sucks to be north of the border. It’s $30 plus free shipping to the Lower 48.

Sometimes??

 

[TBird1958]

I didn’t say they don’t sound good! Just said they aren’t for everyone I prefer Lollars and ThunderBuckers for what I want, but I could (and have!) happily gig a stock modern TBird

I remember when you posted some soundclips awhile back and you had great tone from your stock Gibson pickups - At least I thought so!

 

[Bassmike62]

NBD !

Been looking for an ebony Gibby lately and didn't bond with the one I tried yesterday, after driving almost 2 hrs to see her and was pretty bummed.

This popped up in the local Marketplace about a week ago. It's mint. It's trans black. It's a Thunderbird. It sounds and plays gorgeously (not unlike VPs ?). It's also a rare black Pro, I believe it's the 1st time I've seen one in our locals. Still looking at Gibsons tho, we'll see about that later this fall.

I'm now giving her a good clean-up and a better set-up will come tomorrow, after she gets her flats.
So here's the flock !

 

[TBird1958]

NBD !

Been looking for an ebony Gibby lately and didn't bond with the one I tried yesterday, after driving almost 2 hrs to see her and was pretty bummed.

This popped up in the local Marketplace about a week ago. It's mint. It's black. It's a Thunderbird. It sounds and plays gorgeously (not unlike VPs ?). It's also a rare black Pro, I believe it's the 1st time I've seen one in our locals. Still looking at Gibsons tho, we'll see about that later this fall.

I'm now giving her a good clean-up and a better set-up will come tomorrow, after she gets her flats.
So here's the flock !

View attachment 4338704

Well now! Congratulations!

 

[Bassmike62]

Well now! Congratulations!

Thx V !

 

[dukeorock]

He's a really good player.

I really like the tone of the TBird in this. The G&L sounds too much like a J bass. It really is all personal preference.

It really is personal preference, but I personally agree with your assessment
When I was a kid, the first brand new bass I ever bought was a ‘80 or ‘81 (can’t remember!) G&L L1000 and I was over the moon for it at the time. Sadly, it was stolen around ‘86 or so and I became a Pbass dude for many years after. I’ve often wondered if those early L1000’s sound as good to me now as they did to me way back then

 

[Nocturnal]

Little help? Now that I dug my '77 out of the case for more than pictures I want to get a Mod Bar for it. I've searched and searched and I can't find them. Can anyone find a ebay link or other source?

I sinned and searched. This looks like the last thread discussing them.
EB3 bridge string extender, is this item (or similar) available?
The developer was on here, an Evan Webb, but hasn't been seen since 2014. That Reverb ad says the seller has a thick one and two thin ones.

I would think it should be easy enough to fabricate one with the right tools.

Someone recently posted that they had a custom Mod Bar made for their bass, I believe it was made by the original guy. It was black IIRC. I think it was in my FB group. Now I have to try to find it.

Found it: I may be wrong about him getting it made as a custom order, but he made reference to the guy that makes them a couple times in his post so that might be why I thought it was a custom order.

 

[MCF]

NBD !

Been looking for an ebony Gibby lately and didn't bond with the one I tried yesterday, after driving almost 2 hrs to see her and was pretty bummed.

This popped up in the local Marketplace about a week ago. It's mint. It's black. It's a Thunderbird. It sounds and plays gorgeously (not unlike VPs ?). It's also a rare black Pro, I believe it's the 1st time I've seen one in our locals. Still looking at Gibsons tho, we'll see about that later this fall.

I'm now giving her a good clean-up and a better set-up will come tomorrow, after she gets her flats.
So here's the flock !

View attachment 4338704

Congrats Mike! Nice score. Don't recall seeing one of those in Ebony before.

 

[Bassmike62]

Congrats Mike! Nice score. Don't recall seeing one of those in Ebony before.

Thx.
I didn't know they made'em in black until recently. In stores in my area, we see lots of naturals and the odd sunbursts. When they have them, that is

 

[69'Vette]

Gibson Three Point Bass Bridge Mod Bar | All Your Bass | Reverb

Don't buy that, Scott! I couldn't charge you for one. Check your PMs.

 

[KaraQ]

NBD !

Been looking for an ebony Gibby lately and didn't bond with the one I tried yesterday, after driving almost 2 hrs to see her and was pretty bummed.

This popped up in the local Marketplace about a week ago. It's mint. It's black. It's a Thunderbird. It sounds and plays gorgeously (not unlike VPs ?). It's also a rare black Pro, I believe it's the 1st time I've seen one in our locals. Still looking at Gibsons tho, we'll see about that later this fall.

I'm now giving her a good clean-up and a better set-up will come tomorrow, after she gets her flats.
So here's the flock !

View attachment 4338704

Congrats Mike! Nice score. Don't recall seeing one of those in Ebony before.

Awesome!

I've not seen a Pro in Ebony before either, only the trans black.

I had some Roto 77s on my Pro 5 for a while, never did get it to sound quite like I wanted (I also didn't like the 130 B-string, but that's unrelated).
Which flats are you putting on?

 

[dukeorock]

I remember when you posted some soundclips awhile back and you had great tone from your stock Gibson pickups - At least I thought so!

I liked em a lot! I’m a dummy for selling that 2014 :/

 

[Bassmike62]

Awesome!

I've not seen a Pro in Ebony before either, only the trans black.

I had some Roto 77s on my Pro 5 for a while, never did get it to sound quite like I wanted (I also didn't like the 130 B-string, but that's unrelated).
Which flats are you putting on?

It is trans black, I just re-read my OP and I'll correct it, it leads to confusion, sorry about that.

Chromes work well for me, I like the sound and feel. I didn't connect with Roto 77s I tried on another bass.

 

[GonePlaid]

Someone recently posted that they had a custom Mod Bar made for their bass, I believe it was made by the original guy. It was black IIRC. I think it was in my FB group. Now I have to try to find it.

Found it: I may be wrong about him getting it made as a custom order, but he made reference to the guy that makes them a couple times in his post so that might be why I thought it was a custom order.
View attachment 4338724
View attachment 4338725

OK. I was gonna ask wuttinnahell it was used for, but now I see. Since neither my 67 Gibson NR nor my 09 Epi EB-0 have 3 points, it was kinda bugging me. The EB-0 came with a 3 point, but has a Hipshot now.

 

[Gaolee]

The modern Gibson pickups aren’t for everyone for sure. I replaced mine with Lollars.

I like the ones in the 2001 a lot. The Flamingo is a 1991. Those were not as good sounding.

 

[KaraQ]

It is trans black, I just re-read my OP and I'll correct it, it leads to confusion, sorry about that.

Chromes work well for me, I like the sound and feel. I didn't connect with Roto 77s I tried on another bass.

Ah, okay. Maybe it's just the pic, it looks a lot...blacker? more black? than other trans black Pros I've seen. Looks good!


I've got Roto 77s on an old(er) Epi Thunderbird IV, they're pretty old & worn in, & sound great.
The newer sets I've tried, I guess maybe I haven't given them enough time to settle, or something , just haven't liked them as well, on the other basses I've tried them on.

 

[Gaolee]

I liked em a lot! I’m a dummy for selling that 2014 :/

You just need to submit a lowball offer for one. It the offer is a guaranteed loser, your odds will be better. You have a reputation to uphold!

 

[GonePlaid]

Ah, okay. Maybe it's just the pic, it looks a lot...blacker? more black? than other trans black Pros I've seen. Looks good!


I've got Roto 77s on an old(er) Epi Thunderbird IV, they're pretty old & worn in, & sound great.
The newer sets I've tried, I guess maybe I haven't given them enough time to settle, or something , just haven't liked them as well, on the other basses I've tried them on.

As mentioned(many, many times)before, I really like the EBCF's 50-105. I was having a little problem with the E sounding kinda off(?)or something. Decided to take a look at it, maybe put something else on.(I have a lotta used sets laying around-pack rat). Upon close inspection realized the little nut for the saddle adjustment screw had disappeared. Who knows when? Found a replacement out in the garage amongst a buncha assorted hardware. Nothing like the original, but it works. Apparently having a 'floating' saddle isn't a great idea.

 

[Bassmike62]

Ah, okay. Maybe it's just the pic, it looks a lot...blacker? more black? than other trans black Pros I've seen. Looks good!

I've got Roto 77s on an old(er) Epi Thunderbird IV, they're pretty old & worn in, & sound great.
The newer sets I've tried, I guess maybe I haven't given them enough time to settle, or something , just haven't liked them as well, on the other basses I've tried them on.

Maybe it's the light in the room I took the pic. In this close-up, you can see the grain under the black, especially in that middle part, where the painted lines are more apparent. But from 5-6 feet away, she's black. As for strings, my lazyness finds justification in the James Jamerson school of thought....

 

[BklynKen]

I think the Epi Embassy (China) and VP (Indonesia) are worlds a part from my experience. As I've mentioned before, even my wife could tell the difference. After simply handing me a VP and taking an Embassy in a store she said, "This one (VP) is better." Both of my VPs are fantastic. Can't find a flaw on either one really other than some hardware and PU screws with rough heads on one. I was actually concerned when considering a modern Gibson from some of what I was reading. Once I got it was amazed how wonderful it was. I love it and can't find a thing wrong with it, other than I'm not crazy about the modern Gibson PUs, having owned and hearing a '64 for decades.

You often mention your disappointment in the TB+. I don't understand why you don't just get a set of Thunderbuckers or the like. Then you'd be totally happy.