Thunderbird Club

[Bassmike62]

Hopefully not committing heresy, but here goes... I wanna use my TBird more than I do now in a classic & alt rock context and I'm toying with the ideas of changing the pick-ups of my Epi Classic Pro IV (Gibson pick-ups). I love the way it sounds, but it doesn't always fit well in bands I've been playing with lately.

So... watcha guys using ?

 

[ThaCoast]

Hopefully not committing heresy, but here goes... I wanna use my TBird more than I do now in a classic & alt rock context and I'm toying with the ideas of changing the pick-ups of my Epi Classic Pro IV (Gibson pick-ups). I love the way it sounds, but it doesn't always fit well in bands I've been playing with lately.

So... watcha guys using ?

Well many people use thunderbucker ranch pickups, or mike lulls. But those are pricy. Some have had good tone with the EY thunderbird pickups. In my bird (although a bolt on goth) am replacing the stock with the deep sixx pickups (form epiphone). But i've told myself if they don't produce the tone i need, i'm gonna get some EMG TBHZ pickups. They are clearly defined & balanced. Clarity is what i look for, but a thunderbird sounds great with a pick & slight grit

 

[Bassmike62]

Well many people use thunderbucker ranch pickups, or mike lulls. But those are pricy. Some have had good tone with the EY thunderbird pickups. In my bird (although a bolt on goth) am replacing the stock with the deep sixx pickups (form epiphone). But i've told myself if they don't produce the tone i need, i'm gonna get some EMG TBHZ pickups. They are clearly defined & balanced. Clarity is what i look for, but a thunderbird sounds great with a pick & slight grit

Clarity is also what I'm looking for, my TBird does sound a bit muddy with my rig.
Do you mean this ? In both bridge and neck spots ?
EMG Thunderbird TB-HZ Passive Soapbar Pickup - Best Bass Gear

EDIT: More often than not, the songs I play on the Tbird require picking.

 

[EdO.]

Found a TC Electronics Spectra Comp used at Sam Ash for $58. Now I gotta decide if my Zoom MS60B is up for sale, as all I was using on it was a compressor. Might see about trading it for a bass chorus like the MXR unit, or perhaps the TCE version. I'm a big fan of the MXR stuff but I'm also fascinated by the Tone Print technology. It would also help if I had a job....

For my stage rig I'm running two TC Electronic BG 250's, one 115 and one 210. The built in tone prints are cool and handy, just download whatever effect you want and call it up through the amp. Mostly running just a bit of SpectraComp but I've played with the octavers a bit too.

 

[ThaCoast]

Clarity is also what I'm looking for, my TBird does sound a bit muddy with my rig.
Do you mean this ? In both bridge and neck spots ?
EMG Thunderbird TB-HZ Passive Soapbar Pickup - Best Bass Gear

EDIT: More often than not, the songs I play on the Tbird require pick.

Yup passive pickups for both neck & bridge, alnico & steel rather than ceramic which tends to be dark sounding even with more focused output. Alnico is clear & precise. What's your rig?

 

[JIO]

My power pop/rock trio drummer said he saw a cable TV show where they interviewed Scott (Badbird) on his bridges, referencing Getty Lee's endorsement because the orig (60's) intonation issue turned him off to T-birds. -(!)- Most likely I'm way off the back just hearing about this - but big kudo's to Scott! I'm rocking my '64 with his Badbird and lovin' it!

Nothing, I mean nothing sounds like a T-bird in full flight!

 

[Klondike]

My favorite local shop put a Tone Monster pre in my TBIV. The short story is that the circuit boards are too tall and had to be de-soldered from the pots, relocated, and jumped with wire. And they did that for the original price they quoted me, even though it was a few days worth of work to make it happen. I've got pics if you guys wanna see 'em again.

But how does it sound? If it is frickin killer then by all means.

 

[Haji]

For my stage rig I'm running two TC Electronic BG 250's, one 115 and one 210. The built in tone prints are cool and handy, just download whatever effect you want and call it up through the amp. Mostly running just a bit of SpectraComp but I've played with the octavers a bit too.

I hope they decide to get some Tone Print action from some heavy rock and metal players. Except for Nathan East, just about all the endorser Prints are funk players that slap a lot. For what I need less works better. Until I get around to editing my own, Nathan's comes closest to what I'm after.

They're impressive for their size and flexibility, and best of all, they sound really good.

 

[Gaolee]

Bassmike62- Strings and right hand technique make a huge difference for me. I have EB Cobalt flats on the '91. It also has Chinabuckers in lieu of the original pickups, because it's the chrome project. I would never, ever call it muddy, but the Chinabuckers took a little of the edge off of the original pickups. They were brighter than I like. The '01 is magic. It's got the strings it had on it when I got it. All I did to it was do a bit of a setup when I got it a while ago. The '15 can sound like a Precision, or close anyway. I just put Sadowsky flats on it for use in a rock and roll cover band. The flats and coil taps make it sound a whole lot more vintage than the others. With rounds or bright flats, it would be just as much the angry piano as the others.

For a snarling tone, all of them respond down near the bridge. The '91 has covers. Those force a playing position near the neck if you want a boomier, burpier sound. It works, and the cover keeps the playing position from creeping back down toward the neck. The other two have the sound you would expect when you play them over the sweet spot pickup. It's like a Precision with humbuckers crossed with a Ric, more or less, only with a thicker, fuller sound. None of them sound muddy to me, unless I play through the old Acoustic 360 and roll off the top end even more than it naturally rolls off. Played through a much more modern Carvin amp, they don't sound brittle, dried out, and harsh, but they can certainly get a scooped, crisp sound.

In my next life, I'll be writing for some snooty magazine about wine. For now, it's Thunderbirds.

 

[Stevis]

Thanks for the warm welcome, folks. Here are a few pics for my initiation. I would have included a pic of me in mini skirt but it is white and I wouldn't be caught dead in it after labor day!

 

[Bassmike62]

Yup passive pickups for both neck & bridge, alnico & steel rather than ceramic which tends to be dark sounding even with more focused output. Alnico is clear & precise. What's your rig?

My sig shows the current rig. I've got the good luck of having a Long & McQuade shop across the street from my workplace, I'll check if they can get them for me. Thx

 

[GBassNorth]

Thanks for the warm welcome, folks. Here are a few pics for my initiation. I would have included a pic of me in mini skirt but it is white and I wouldn't be caught dead in it after labor day!View attachment 947971 View attachment 947972View attachment 947975

Great looking Bird!
As for the white mini skirt, you obviously need to get out more. If you had any social life at all you'd have a little black skirt in your wardrobe.
And maybe a butt bow if you're really a wild child.

 

[DerekW]

I hope they decide to get some Tone Print action from some heavy rock and metal players. Except for Nathan East, just about all the endorser Prints are funk players that slap a lot. For what I need less works better. Until I get around to editing my own, Nathan's comes closest to what I'm after.

They need to convert some darkglass players and have them copy their sounds.

 

[ThaCoast]

My sig shows the current rig. I've got the good luck of having a Long & McQuade shop across the street from my workplace, I'll check if they can get them for me. Thx

Sick signal! I also noticed you're in montreal such as myself! Greetings You have long & McQuade, i've got Steve's music downtown

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks for the warm welcome, folks. Here are a few pics for my initiation. I would have included a pic of me in mini skirt but it is white and I wouldn't be caught dead in it after labor day!View attachment 947971 View attachment 947972View attachment 947975

That's an interesting serial number. I wonder if there's any significance to all those zeros. Probably not, but I like 'em. Question for you - have you run across any issues with a dead spot on the G string. I have been chasing one around and have minimized it but it's still there at about D (seventh fret.) The '91 had a mild one at the fifth fret, but a couple tweaks got rid of it. I'm having a bit more of a challenge with the '15. Other than that, the pickups make it an outstandingly versatile bass guitar, so it gets played a lot dead spot or no.

 

[Bassmike62]

Sick signal! I also noticed you're in montreal such as myself! Greetings You have long & McQuade, i've got Steve's music downtown

Thx, this is my first experience with dry/wet signals and it sounds good to me. I also just noticed we're in the same area . I live on the North Shore (near Deux-Montagnes) and work in Laval, right across the street from the old Italmelodie store, purchased by L & McQ. Lovable and knowledgeable guys, I drop in about once every other week just to browse and chat with'em and spend whatever's left on the paycheck. Service is incredible at that place. Once in a while, I drive down to Steve's also.

Don't if you're into effects much, but over in the Effects forum, a bunch of us locals started a thread, feel free to join in.
Montreal-area pedal addicts

Cheers Andy and thx for your input

 

[Leiria]

As someone who is also probably going to get EMG TB-HZ I have to say the reason why Im doing it is because I feel that there are frequencies (higher ones) that the TB+ doesnt pick up. You get an amazing pick tone with this, and through my rig fingers sound pretty good, but in a full band context would appear muddy. The TB-HZ seems like a perfect replacement because they still have the bottom end I love on TBirds but still sound clear with fingers, which is how I play most of the time (and they dont cost a months salary). Honestly, if I could, Id just get one TBird with each

 

[marko57]

Here at the Thunderbird club, every thunderbird & owner is equal & serve under our majesty the Queen: @TBird1958!

Initiation is as follows: & you may not remember after a while like the rest of us
- Post picture of thunderbird: Either live shot from a gig or just simply the bass as proof
- Drink half a bottle of absinthe & recite one of Shakespeare's monologues in your best Scharzenegger impression
- Must wear a mini skirt as tribute to the Queen: (depending on the day, you might wear a pink ribbon on your tush)

We welcome you with arms open, glasses full (of whatever you may be drinking ) & if any question arise, feel free to ask & share your stories overtime!

Don't forget the incoming member must buy each existing member a new set of Bass strings of their preference!

 

[ThaCoast]

Thx, this is my first experience with dry/wet signals and it sounds good to me. I also just noticed we're in the same area . I live on the North Shore (near Deux-Montagnes) and work in Laval, right across the street from the old Italmelodie store, purchased by L & McQ. Lovable and knowledgeable guys, I drop in about once every other week just to browse and chat with'em and spend whatever's left on the paycheck. Service is incredible at that place. Once in a while, I drive down to Steve's also.

Don't if you're into effects much, but over in the Effects forum, a bunch of us locals started a thread, feel free to join in.
Montreal-area pedal addicts

Cheers Andy and thx for your input

Hahaha, thanks for the invite i've actually just started getting some effects for my rig, not much but some that can benefit my tone that i've always wanted & I live on the island & work at steve's music.

 

[Bassmike62]

Hahaha, thanks for the invite i've actually just started getting some effects for my rig, not much but some that can benefit my tone that i've always wanted & I live on the island & work at steve's music.

Wait 'till u see our homie nshuman's board... mine's in there as well.
Cheers