Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

Indirectly, I guess? I'm anticipating a possible need for some extra $$ before the end of the year, trying to get ahead of that.....

Sorry to read this! Hopefully things turn out more on the positive side.





Yeah, as soon as I can get prep work, pictures, & packaging squared away, everything but the Pro 5 (and maybe the AEB) is gonna get put up for sale.
Probably in a couple of weeks, or so.

It's not a "I need to sell yesterday" sort of thing, trying to get it done before it gets to that point....

 

[BklynKen]

Found it! Bridget’s solo in Who’s Got Rhythm. At about 2:40

She's my new hero.

 

[Nocturnal]

I've decided to change the pickups in my gibson. Its an '18. They're stock and just too damb dark. Im really leaning towards emg as im a big emg fan. I kinda like to stay passive because they other 2 birds I use live are passive but im not set against active. I need a powerful, punchy and aggressive pickup. Anyone with experience with this? Im not looking to go the Thunderbucker direction, too expensive.

The TB-HZ seem pretty nice and are passive.

 

[Gaolee]

It’s Thunderbird Thursday so I’ll ask a thunderbird related question for a change.
I’m considering a three pickup layout for the “Bling Bird” build but would like to limit the control knobs to just three. I have a two pup ‘62 Jazz bass with two stacked knobs (separate volume/tone stack for each pup). And was wondering - has anybody done this control method for a three pup bass?

If I ever put a Dimarzio One or mudbucker at a 'Bird's neck, the controls will be V-V-V. No rolloff.

 

[Gaolee]

So this weel I finally got my hands on an Epi Thunderbird (Vintage Pro/60s whatever) and it was great!!!

I don't have the money right now, but I will eventually own one! I did however notice that true to the pictures I have seen, the headstock is quote large. Even larger than I remember it being on the Greco I used to own.

So I was wondering.
Would it be possible/worth the effort resizing it? I was thinking plugging the holes for tuners and then reintroducing the ferrule (not native english, so application might be wrong) around the headstock.
I have seen similar done to an Epi Ajck Casady - given that seems a simpler task.

This wouldn't be done by me. I have 10 thumbs.

It is all about what you want. You may be better off finding a Classic Pro that has a moden small headstock and swapping pickups.

 

[JIO]

Headstock contest.... The old Epi is the neck diver.
View attachment 4438337

Every time I see this pic I can't believe how much bigger the Epi VP looks compared to your '64. I've yet to play one but I'd like to to compare.

 

[wolfkeller]

The TB-HZ seem pretty nice and are passive.

I was looking at those, the pjs and standard ceramic

 

[dagrev]

I've decided to change the pickups in my gibson. Its an '18. They're stock and just too damb dark. Im really leaning towards emg as im a big emg fan. I kinda like to stay passive because they other 2 birds I use live are passive but im not set against active. I need a powerful, punchy and aggressive pickup. Anyone with experience with this? Im not looking to go the Thunderbucker direction, too expensive.

Odd solution. Find a used VP and swap PUs, then sell the VP with "upgraded Gibson PUs." = You have a modern Gibson that sounds like a vintage Thunderbird at a fraction of the cost. Which is what Gibson should have been doing all along IMO. I have both and a '64. I know what you mean about the modern version. I've got mine sounding good to where I'm happy with it. In part because feels perfect. But it does not sound like a vintage Thunderbird. VPs do. Part of the problem is the PUs are not in the same place. The neck PU is closer to the neck and farther away from the bridge PU.

 

[dagrev]

Every time I see this pic I can't believe how much bigger the Epi VP looks compared to your '64. I've yet to play one but I'd like to to compare.

I know what you mean. I have the same reaction. Thunderbird on steroids! If ever in these parts you are welcome to play anything you like.

 

[wolfkeller]

Odd solution. Find a used VP and swap PUs, then sell the VP with "upgraded Gibson PUs." = You have a modern Gibson that sounds like a vintage Thunderbird at a fraction of the cost. Which is what Gibson should have been doing all along IMO. I have both and a '64. I knwo what you mean about the modern version. I've got mine sounding good to where I'm happy with it. In part because feels perfect. But it does not sound like a vintage Thunderbird. VPs do. Part of the problem is the PUs are not in the same place. The neck PU is closer to the neck and farther away from the bridge PU.

Well, im definitely not looking to do all that and I'm not really looking to make it sound vintage, otherwise I'd get the thinderbuckers. Also, I dont want chrome pickups.

 

[dagrev]

Well, im definitely not looking to do all that and I'm not really looking to make it sound vintage, otherwise I'd get the thinderbuckers. Also, I dont want chrome pickups.

Gotcha. I thought you were avoiding the Thunderbuckers because of cost.

 

[wolfkeller]

Gotcha. I thought you were avoiding the Thunderbuckers because of cost.

Well, that is part of it but im definitely not going for a vintage tone. Appreciate the advice though.

 

[GBassNorth]

Every time I see this pic I can't believe how much bigger the Epi VP looks compared to your '64. I've yet to play one but I'd like to to compare.

I was thinking the same thing. Mike says his vintage bird is as long or longer than a VP, sure looks shorter in that pic. Maybe it’s just the camera angle, or maybe the headstock snapped off and he lost about 2” of neck. Another mystery of life.

 

[GBassNorth]

not actually answering the question you asked but….
3 vol no tone - no good?

Thought about that but was concerned that I’d miss the on board tone control and I don’t like to mess with my amp.

If I ever put a Dimarzio One or mudbucker at a 'Bird's neck, the controls will be V-V-V. No rolloff.

Was definitely contemplating a Mudbucker at the neck especially if I could get it in a Tbird pup look alike can.
So tell me more about why you’d nix the tone control if you had a Mudbucker.

 

[JIO]

I was thinking the same thing. Mike says his vintage bird is as long or longer than a VP, sure looks shorter in that pic. Maybe it’s just the camera angle, or maybe the headstock snapped off and he lost about 2” of neck. Another mystery of life.

I see a few differences studying that pic. The upper body is different - especially the left side, the pu spacing is different, the bridge spacing is different, engraved bird on the pg is in a different location, hs looks slightly different, and the obvious differences of jack location and no thumb-rest. Is the neck heal the same? Hard to discern in the pic. (VP looks narrower)

 

[JIO]

Thought about that but was concerned that I’d miss the on board tone control and I don’t like to mess with my amp.


Was definitely contemplating a Mudbucker at the neck especially if I could get it in a Tbird pup look alike can.
So tell me more about why you’d nix the tone control if you had a Mudbucker.

I can imagine that pu location/selection would be your 'tone' control. As in, neck-bucker BASS, mid - MID, and bridge - TREBLE.

 

[JJR58]

Put it on a credit card,
Spend you child(ren)'s college fund,
Mortgage your house,
Mortgage a relative's house,
Start turning tricks,
Rob a bank...

There are many alternatives (not all recommended).

This is the best I can do right now.
It’s kinda like turning a trick.

I’ll stop now before I’m in deep.
Wait, what?!

Will said it best….
You can’t go there if you never left.

 

[JJR58]

Where did you get a picture of my doctorin' tool?

Should be part of the initiation here.
Uh oh, uh….
Yeah.
Cya!

 

[Gaolee]

Thought about that but was concerned that I’d miss the on board tone control and I don’t like to mess with my amp.


Was definitely contemplating a Mudbucker at the neck especially if I could get it in a Tbird pup look alike can.
So tell me more about why you’d nix the tone control if you had a Mudbucker.

I don't use a tone rolloff anyway most of the time. Plus, a mudbucker is pretty dark to begin with. A Dimarzio One is more light maroon and less greenish black than a mudbucker, but it isn't bright. So, no need. Three pickups with volume controls along with playing technique is plenty of tone control.

 

[Gaolee]

I see a few differences studying that pic. The upper body is different - especially the left side, the pu spacing is different, the bridge spacing is different, engraved bird on the pg is in a different location, hs looks slightly different, and the obvious differences of jack location and no thumb-rest. Is the neck heal the same? Hard to discern in the pic. (VP looks narrower)

The '64 is a little crisper and more angular looking. It has a tauter, more athletic look to it, like the VP has had a few too many potato chips over the years and filled out a bit.