Thunderbird Club

[lowendblues]

I have an Alpine White Epiphone T-bird Classic. ( the one with the Gibson pickups).

How can I brighten up the tone? Even with new D'addario xl170's, it still sounds very "dark".

 

[godofthunder59]

A little block of wood underneath the front will work.

I've done that for years with the two point evertilt. I have something a little better in mind.

 

[BklynKen]

I have an Alpine White Epiphone T-bird Classic. ( the one with the Gibson pickups).

How can I brighten up the tone? Even with new D'addario xl170's, it still sounds very "dark".

Try raising the pickups closer to the strings.

 

[willddd]

I have an Alpine White Epiphone T-bird Classic. ( the one with the Gibson pickups).

How can I brighten up the tone? Even with new D'addario xl170's, it still sounds very "dark".

Not sure you can. I have one too (yes, gibson trussrod plate is fake), punchy, deep, but doesn't really do bright (which is why I'll never get rid of it). I run flats on all my other basses, would probably work on the TB but it's so dark I'm not sure there's any reason to try.

 

[dagrev]

I have an Alpine White Epiphone T-bird Classic. ( the one with the Gibson pickups).

How can I brighten up the tone? Even with new D'addario xl170's, it still sounds very "dark".

There are likely brighter strings, but Roto 66s bring not just some highs, but some upper mids that will combine together to help those PUs stand out a little better if brighter is what you are shooting for. The 170s, being NPS aren't overly bright to begin with. Many good steel stings can likely help those PUs given the direction you mentioned. Rotos are pretty cheap and if they don't work, you're not out much.

You could go with what's baked in and use some Flats and accentuate what's already there instead of trying to change a Zebra into a Horse. GHS Precision Flats sounded really good on my '06 Gibson with the same PUs. Currently it has SIT Super Steels, which sound really good, but I'm not going for angry piano type tone. But these are nice and clear and well balanced tone wise. Great lows, mids and highs all nicely balanced to my ear.

And...try different EQ than normal. I know I like to leave my head set and rarely tweak it much, but need to at times.

 

[GonePlaid]

There are likely brighter strings, but Roto 66s bring not just some highs, but some upper mids that will combine together to help those PUs stand out a little better if brighter is what you are shooting for. The 170s, being NPS aren't overly bright to begin with. Many good steel stings can likely help those PUs given the direction you mentioned. Rotos are pretty cheap and if they don't work, you're not out much.

You could go with what's baked in and use some Flats and accentuate what's already there instead of trying to change a Zebra into a Horse. GHS Precision Flats sounded really good on my '06 Gibson with the same PUs. Currently it has SIT Super Steels, which sound really good, but I'm not going for angry piano type tone. But these are nice and clear and well balanced tone wise. Great lows, mids and highs all nicely balanced to my ear.

And...try different EQ than normal. I know I like to leave my head set and rarely tweak it much, but need to at times.

Yeah. A lotta people are surprised to find out that those knobs move and make a difference in tone.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Ruby Tubesday?

can GrooveTubes partake?…

 

[GonePlaid]

Tube Tuesday?

 

[GBassNorth]

You guys know I can't leave well enough alone I've had the hacksaw and grinder out. Yes I know it will tilt, I think I have a viable solution. Proof of concept Badbird II part two.View attachment 4412747 View attachment 4412748View attachment 4412761 View attachment 4412747 View attachment 4412748

Looks interesting. A thick felt pad under the front edge to keep it level or tilted up might work good and protect the face of the bass as well.

 

[GBassNorth]

I have an Alpine White Epiphone T-bird Classic. ( the one with the Gibson pickups).

How can I brighten up the tone? Even with new D'addario xl170's, it still sounds very "dark".

Good option - get an Epiphone Thunderbird VP. (Always looking for a reason to buy another thunderbird).
Cheaper option - Thunderbucker pickups, Lull pickups or Lollar pickups. (All great after market, but pricey)
Even cheaper options - Ken Smith Bass Burners or SIT stainless strings with a pic.
Super cheap option - do a recap on the tone knob to allow more of the treble through.
Cheapest option - center all your amp settings, max your on board tone knob, then boost or cut your amp settings as needed.

 

[TBird1958]

DR Stainless are pretty bright and they keep it well, Ken Smith Rock Masters are also Stainless I like both with the Gibson TB Plus. SIT Powersteel sound great with TB Plus as well, they have a real nice bass, and mid presence.

 

[PillO]

You guys know I can't leave well enough alone I've had the hacksaw and grinder out. Yes I know it will tilt, I think I have a viable solution. Proof of concept Badbird II part two.View attachment 4412747 View attachment 4412748View attachment 4412761 View attachment 4412747 View attachment 4412748

I appreciate a good engineering R&D project! Looking forward to the discussion of results.

 

[PillO]

I have an Alpine White Epiphone T-bird Classic. ( the one with the Gibson pickups).

How can I brighten up the tone? Even with new D'addario xl170's, it still sounds very "dark".

RS 66 in place of nickels.

 

[PillO]

Yeah. A lotta people are surprised to find out that those knobs move and make a difference in tone.

The knobs in my life never move. Or least not far enough away.

 

[lowendblues]

Appreciate the comments, I will try differnt strings.

 

[godofthunder59]

I appreciate a good engineering R&D project! Looking forward to the discussion of results.

The more I play with it the more problems arise lol it's a ball of compromise.

 

[PillO]

The more I play with it the more problems arise lol it's a ball of compromise.

Every experiment teaches us something. Sometimes what it teaches us is "Don't do that!"

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Good option - get an Epiphone Thunderbird VP. (Always looking for a reason to buy another thunderbird).
Cheaper option - Thunderbucker pickups, Lull pickups or Lollar pickups. (All great after market, but pricey)
Even cheaper options - Ken Smith Bass Burners or SIT stainless strings with a pic.
Super cheap option - do a recap on the tone knob to allow more of the treble through.
Cheapest option - center all your amp settings, max your on board tone knob, then boost or cut your amp settings as needed.

you forgot the HPF…

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Every experiment teaches us something. Sometimes what it teaches us is "Don't do that!"

“experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want”….

 

[GBassNorth]

Tube Tuesday - And now for something completely different, a hybrid bass amp with the tubes in the Power section where they belong…

1980ish MusicMan HD150 bass amp, sounds great and can run at 150 or 75 watts (more than enough to take the house down).