Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

I think I agree. Once I drill I can't go back.

OK. Chucky(I think)put rings on with double sided tape and cut off screw heads. No drilling.

 

[Thumper]

I think I agree. Once I drill I can't go back.

Double sided tape until you're sure?

 

[Gaolee]

I think the amp plays a big part here, TB Plus really do sound good with an SS amp - like GK. I should at some point get another tube amp as I have the feeling the Probuckers would likely sound better through it.

I was playing the VP last night and found a setting on the amp and the bass that made it sound like the biggest, meanest Precision on the planet. The amp eq had a very mild scoop in the mids, the tone knob was rolled off about half way, and both pickups were at about 8. The bridge pickup may have been rolled off a little more than the neck, but I don't remember now. It surprised me, because it wasn't a sound I was expecting out of that bass. Physically, I like modern Gibsons better, because they balance and the VP doesn't so much. Even scrubbed down, the VP neck doesn't feel quite as good as a Gibson neck. I don't know why, because it's a millimeter of difference somewhere that's making the difference. Or maybe just the balance issue. It sure does sound good. The amp was my old Acoustic 126 combo that I have had a love/hate relationship with for about 40 years now. It is solid state, but it doesn't have the same presence a bigger ACC stack has. No surprise there. But it was fantastic with the VP's pickups yesterday evening. Too bad it was only a band practice.

For the record, I'm used to modern TB+ pickups, which means the VP's sound is a bit of an adjustment for me. I like it, but it's certainly a bit different.

 

[GonePlaid]

I was playing the VP last night and found a setting on the amp and the bass that made it sound like the biggest, meanest Precision on the planet. The amp eq had a very mild scoop in the mids, the tone knob was rolled off about half way, and both pickups were at about 8. The bridge pickup may have been rolled off a little more than the neck, but I don't remember now. It surprised me, because it wasn't a sound I was expecting out of that bass. Physically, I like modern Gibsons better, because they balance and the VP doesn't so much. Even scrubbed down, the VP neck doesn't feel quite as good as a Gibson neck. I don't know why, because it's a millimeter of difference somewhere that's making the difference. Or maybe just the balance issue. It sure does sound good. The amp was my old Acoustic 126 combo that I have had a love/hate relationship with for about 40 years now. It is solid state, but it doesn't have the same presence a bigger ACC stack has. No surprise there. But it was fantastic with the VP's pickups yesterday evening. Too bad it was only a band practice.

For the record, I'm used to modern TB+ pickups, which means the VP's sound is a bit of an adjustment for me. I like it, but it's certainly a bit different.

Superglue everything in place?

 

[TBird1958]

How's the neck on that - equate to a Thunderbird in any way?

 

[Instagator]

You know..it's funny, The Embassy came out on the market first before the Thunderbird VP.I ordered one of the first Embassy basses from Sweetwater and waited months for it to come in.
Somewhere buried in this thread I mentioned to all of our T-Bird brothers and sisters that they would be very pleased with the sound of the pickups when the Vintage Pro Thunderbird hit the market. I really didn't have the intention at the time to pick up another Thunderbird..but here I am with four VP Thunderbirds..pretty much based on the fit, finish, sound and price point of this offering from Epiphone...I think Eppi knew it too. After seeing the reviews from the public they added an extra $100 to the price. Still a deal in my opinion.

 

[Instagator]

How's the neck on that - equate to a Thunderbird in any way?

It's just a tad wider and pretty thin compaired to a TB..It's a great player

 

[Engle]

I was playing the VP last night and found a setting on the amp and the bass that made it sound like the biggest, meanest Precision on the planet. The amp eq had a very mild scoop in the mids, the tone knob was rolled off about half way, and both pickups were at about 8. The bridge pickup may have been rolled off a little more than the neck, but I don't remember now. It surprised me, because it wasn't a sound I was expecting out of that bass. Physically, I like modern Gibsons better, because they balance and the VP doesn't so much. Even scrubbed down, the VP neck doesn't feel quite as good as a Gibson neck. I don't know why, because it's a millimeter of difference somewhere that's making the difference. Or maybe just the balance issue. It sure does sound good. The amp was my old Acoustic 126 combo that I have had a love/hate relationship with for about 40 years now. It is solid state, but it doesn't have the same presence a bigger ACC stack has. No surprise there. But it was fantastic with the VP's pickups yesterday evening. Too bad it was only a band practice.

For the record, I'm used to modern TB+ pickups, which means the VP's sound is a bit of an adjustment for me. I like it, but it's certainly a bit different.

The VP is great for cover band gigs where I need a variety of tones.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I'm very glad they are working out for you. I'm somewhat apprehensive when someone takes such a subjective opinion as on strings and puts some money into it. There are so many variables that make basses sound different in various contexts. You've been dong this long enough and understand all that, but I would still feel bad if a suggestion didn't work out. But in this case, I'm thrilled they seem to be a good fit.

I used to use them when I started playing, then drifted to all the newer and trendy options. Gave them a try again and I was impressed. I think if I cold only have one Roundwound, it would likely be Boomers since they can fit into many settings. (GHS Pressurewounds may be the "If I could only have one string" set.) Like any string, they aren't ideal in all applications, but they are in some, at least for me. They have character, some clarity but no clank, really nice mids for definition and fatness and can sound massive. Because they don't start out really bright I think they settle, even out and thicken up, then last a long while. One other thing I like is their QC. Never had a bad string with Boomers. And, a GHS employee is a regular in the string thread and is always post or PM away.

I think many don't like them because they are not bright enough from the start. But if I want Roto-type sound, I'll buy Rotos when that's what I want. GHS also doesn't seem to have a cool factor. They have been around since 1964, I believe may have been the first (major) response to Roto roundwounds. They seem to be in every store but often overlooked.

I felt the urge to order these Friday night and they arrived yesterday. I hadn't bought a set in a long time. I'm going to enjoy them on the Burst VP!
View attachment 4340174

nice post, thx. my first rounds since Rotos were not available within bicycling distance from my folks house…..boy were they BRIGHT out of the pack….I bought them cause everyone was raving about Rotos on Guitar Player and I had only known flats…..I’ll never forget the dean’s face of horror when she opened the HS band practice room and I was (trying) to play Roundabout with my newly strung Gretsch into a 1x 15 Sunn combo ät full blast LOL….I soon replaced them with Rotos for no other reason than they were not Rotos (stupid)….they sounded great…I think their rep came purely from a marketing name….Rotosound (from Rotary Sound) just sounded so much sexier than Boomers which implied a booming, dull, not bright response and the pack art was kinda blah…..regardless, all this Boomers on Grecos is really making me want to get a set for my IV…your opinions weigh well….virtues of this club….the other day some poor schmoe made the mistake of asking me about my Birds at a gig and I started rattling off like an encyclopedia till I saw the guy’s 1000 yard stare.……

 

[Instagator]

Love the grain and the chrome look.

 

[dukeorock]

I'm very glad they are working out for you. I'm somewhat apprehensive when someone takes such a subjective opinion as on strings and puts some money into it. There are so many variables that make basses sound different in various contexts. You've been dong this long enough and understand all that, but I would still feel bad if a suggestion didn't work out. But in this case, I'm thrilled they seem to be a good fit.

I used to use them when I started playing, then drifted to all the newer and trendy options. Gave them a try again and I was impressed. I think if I cold only have one Roundwound, it would likely be Boomers since they can fit into many settings. (GHS Pressurewounds may be the "If I could only have one string" set.) Like any string, they aren't ideal in all applications, but they are in some, at least for me. They have character, some clarity but no clank, really nice mids for definition and fatness and can sound massive. Because they don't start out really bright I think they settle, even out and thicken up, then last a long while. One other thing I like is their QC. Never had a bad string with Boomers. And, a GHS employee is a regular in the string thread and is always post or PM away.

I think many don't like them because they are not bright enough from the start. But if I want Roto-type sound, I'll buy Rotos when that's what I want. GHS also doesn't seem to have a cool factor. They have been around since 1964, I believe may have been the first (major) response to Roto roundwounds. They seem to be in every store but often overlooked.

I felt the urge to order these Friday night and they arrived yesterday. I hadn't bought a set in a long time. I'm going to enjoy them on the Burst VP!
View attachment 4340174

For many years, 50-110 Boomers were all I used on my P basses. Very good strings!

 

[TBird1958]

Finally a formal announcement from Gibson regarding the Non Reverse in my email this morning........

They really could work on marketing.

 

[Gaolee]

The VP is great for cover band gigs where I need a variety of tones.

I have found the same thing with the '01 and especially the '15. I was surprised by what the VP could do and how good it sounds.

 

[Blazer]

I went into this second hand store and walked out with THIS.

Cool seventies solid state number which punches way harder than I thought. And at 45 Euros it didn't exactly break the bank either.

 

[dagrev]

I’m still on the fence for rings or no rings..currently they are not installed

On a thunderbird I typically like rings, just looks necked without them. I you can't go wrong. More chrome is always a good thing. But there's something really clean looking w/o the rings on that one and I think "no" gets a very slight nod for me. "Liberate the Pickups!" Is that a thing?

 

[dagrev]

You know..it's funny, The Embassy came out on the market first before the Thunderbird VP.I ordered one of the first Embassy basses from Sweetwater and waited months for it to come in.
Somewhere buried in this thread I mentioned to all of our T-Bird brothers and sisters that they would be very pleased with the sound of the pickups when the Vintage Pro Thunderbird hit the market. I really didn't have the intention at the time to pick up another Thunderbird..but here I am with four VP Thunderbirds..pretty much based on the fit, finish, sound and price point of this offering from Epiphone...I think Eppi knew it too. After seeing the reviews from the public they added an extra $100 to the price. Still a deal in my opinion.

 

[TBird1958]

Anybody else going to swap positions for the tone pot and the input jack?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[dagrev]

nice post, thx. my first rounds since Rotos were not available within bicycling distance from my folks house…..boy were they BRIGHT out of the pack….I bought them cause everyone was raving about Rotos on Guitar Player and I had only known flats…..I’ll never forget the dean’s face of horror when she opened the HS band practice room and I was (trying) to play Roundabout with my newly strung Gretsch into a 1x 15 Sunn combo ät full blast LOL….I soon replaced them with Rotos for no other reason than they were not Rotos (stupid)….they sounded great…I think their rep came purely from a marketing name….Rotosound (from Rotary Sound) just sounded so much sexier than Boomers which implied a booming, dull, not bright response and the pack art was kinda blah…..regardless, all this Boomers on Grecos is really making me want to get a set for my IV…your opinions weigh well….virtues of this club….the other day some poor schmoe made the mistake of asking me about my Birds at a gig and I started rattling off like an encyclopedia till I saw the guy’s 1000 yard stare.……

Thanks Chuck. That's a two great stories in one post!

If...you want a little more subtle Boomer, the Roundcores are really nice in that they take a little off the top if those who want maybe slightly bigger sound with a fuzz less bright and a more round sound (and even less finger noise). For a little more edge GHS Progressives made with Alloy52 (currently discontinued) were great on a VP. They had a little less depth maybe and the trade off was more mids and highs. I liked the exposed core on the E for nice clarity.

 

[dagrev]

Anybody else going to swap positions for the tone pot and the input jack?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I think I would prefer the swap. Seems it would look more something--though normal isn't the word, but natural might be.

 

[Larry V]

Thanks Chuck. That's a two great stories in one post!

Hey! Are you poking fun at how an Italian-American speaks?

j/k