Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

What? We don't just play the root?

That's Dusty's job.

 

[TBird1958]

What's the deal with these?

Hey, long time!
They're pickups from an Epiphone Vintage Pro or Embassy, held in pretty high regard.

 

[MCF]

What's the deal with these?

Though not expensive, they're like Unicorns for someone wanting to upgrade to a vintage tone without paying over $300 for Thunderbuckers. Epi doesn't offer them as a stand alone part so they're hard to find used.

 

[BklynKen]

Though not expensive, they're like Unicorns for someone wanting to upgrade to a vintage tone without paying over $300 for Thunderbuckers. Epi doesn't offer them as a stand alone part so they're hard to find used.

But Thunderbuckers are considered better, right?

 

[dagrev]

That's Dusty's job.

I'll take that job all day. More my skill level. Geddy can do all that fancy-smancy finger work.

 

[dagrev]

But Thunderbuckers are considered better, right?

Scott told me once that he regarded the Thunderbuckers first as far as good repos for vintage sound, followed by the ProBuckers. His third was not even close. One person's opinion, but one person who's opinion has gravitas! I haven't played anything with Thunderbuckers, but the ProBuckers are awful darn close to my '64.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

But Thunderbuckers are considered better, right?

at a considerably steeper tag..

 

[wolfkeller]

Hey, long time!
They're pickups from an Epiphone Vintage Pro or Embassy, held in pretty high regard.

Hi back at cha! How do these stack up against gibson tb+?

 

[bassclef29]

Doe anyone have experience with EMG TBHZ pickups?

Hello again 'Birders! A few months back, I posted about unwanted hum emanating from the Thunderbuckers that had been installed in my 2013 Gibson NR before I bought it. Several members kindly responded.

After much troubleshooting -- trust me, I even sent the pickups back to the manufacturer for inspection -- I've decided to install a set of EMG TBHZ passive pickups. Other options (e.g., Lollar) are too expensive.

My inquiry is, does someone in this club have experience with these EMGs? If so, please chime in; every bit of information is appreciated!

Thank you,
-Joe in San Diego, CA

 

[PillO]

Though not expensive, they're like Unicorns for someone wanting to upgrade to a vintage tone without paying over $300 for Thunderbuckers. Epi doesn't offer them as a stand alone part so they're hard to find used.

I would suggest that if you get on the right side of an Epiphone authorized tech (and I am not going to suggest what sort of favours will be required to do that) you could get the tech to order a set for you.

 

[Bassmike62]

err....Epiphone Thunderbird 60s are rebadged Vintage Pros, right ?

 

[BklynKen]

Doe anyone have experience with EMG TBHZ pickups?

Hello again 'Birders! A few months back, I posted about unwanted hum emanating from the Thunderbuckers that had been installed in my 2013 Gibson NR before I bought it. Several members kindly responded.

After much troubleshooting -- trust me, I even sent the pickups back to the manufacturer for inspection -- I've decided to install a set of EMG TBHZ passive pickups. Other options (e.g., Lollar) are too expensive.

My inquiry is, does someone in this club have experience with these EMGs? If so, please chime in; every bit of information is appreciated!

Thank you,
-Joe in San Diego, CA

Epiphone Tbird Embassy Probucker 760 Bass Pickups with spacers, surrounds | eBay

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Mine is most definitely heavier than the Gibsons, but I don't notice once it's strapped on. It also has a bit of neck dive that the Gibsons don't have. I didn't like the way the back of the neck felt. That's solved. I sanded the finish with fine sandpaper. Now it's a matte finish that feels a whole lot more like nitro and a whole lot less like a plastic bag. That bass is completely mine now, I guess. Although the previous owner managed to corrode all of the metal parts just enough for it to have a patina, and the knobs are black replacement knobs instead of the vintage gold ones. On a bass that's black and silver and white, gold knobs would have been one color too many anyway.

My VP is definitely heavier and more prone to neck dive than the std IV or CP. I need to get a better strap.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It depends on what you want it to look and feel like. Poly feels thicker and looks like glossy plastic. That is what it is, after all. It wears different from nitro. I personally prefer the more organic look and feel of nitro, flaws and all, over the more perfect look of poly. It is relative, though. I have plenty of examples of both. Poly isn't a deal breaker at all, since all things are never equal. Poly on a VP is fine, since that is how a VP is made. And you can scrub down the back of the neck to make it feel a whole lot better. If mine was white or burst, it would be less obvious that happened. That is fine, though. It makes me like it better.

Are you talking sanding it down to wood, or something else?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My Gibbons are absolutely superior to my Epis. They're worth every penny I paid for them. I love my four Epis too, great basses for the cost. My Pelham blue Custom Shop Limited Edition comes closest to the Gibson "feel", but no one will ever mistake it for a Gibson.

Is it legal to own gibbons in California?

 

[bassclef29]

Epiphone Tbird Embassy Probucker 760 Bass Pickups with spacers, surrounds | eBay

Hmm. I don't know anything about how these Probucker PUs sound, nor whether they'd drop directly into my 2013 Gibson NR....?

 

[BklynKen]

Hmm. I don't know anything about how these Probucker PUs sound, nor whether they'd drop directly into my 2013 Gibson NR....?

Hopefully someone here can chime in on the fit, but the tone is supposed to be very close to the vintage Thunderbirds. If I wanted nickel hardware, I'd totally go for these.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Hmm. I don't know anything about how these Probucker PUs sound, nor whether they'd drop directly into my 2013 Gibson NR....?

I believe they’re narrower/shorter than the plastic encased stock ones…

 

[BklynKen]

I believe they’re narrower/shorter than the plastic encased stock ones…
View attachment 4339750

Are those in your photo from a Bicentennial?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Are those in your photo from a Bicentennial?

yes..