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Thunderbird Pickups

#5
Hi.

I have no personal experience as I like the stock pickups just fine (+Model One ;)).

I'm in need of a set though when I eventually make my oakbird some time in the future.

The barts are said to be good pickups, but the sound is not the Thunderbird sound, just the shape of the casing is compatible.

There's been quite a few who have put EMG 35 pickups in their Thunderbirds here, there's been at least 2 different pics IIRC, and they are said to sound just like any alder bodied bass with EMGs. Good or bad, You decide

There's been no SDs in Thunderbirds here IIRC. Could be wrong though.

The SDs would be my choice, they're passive and shouldn't break the bill.

If You can find real Gibson T-Bird pickups, from ebay or similar place, that would be the best solution IMHO.

Just my 0.02€
Sam
 
#7
I went through this problem recently. Here is my view.

Gibson thunderbird pickups are:
  • Passive
  • Duel Coil
  • Ceramic
  • High Output

So what you want is a pickup that does all that. I replaced my epi thunderbird pickups with a set of Basslines SSB-4. I played a gig the other night and they performed better than my Schecter with EMG 40P, 40J pickups.

I would highly recommend the Basslines SSB-4 set over the Link Removed (same as thunderbird spec, but active not passive) because there is a tonal difference between active and passive pickups (assuming your trying to get close to the Gibson Thunderbird tone).

DO NOT touch the EMG 40HZ. I have used them and they really are nothing special. Plus, they are ceramic and steel magnets, not fully ceramic like the SSB-4 or the Gibson TB Plus.

I have never used Bartolini, and I probably never will. Personally I am a rock bassist, and Bartolini seem to be more of a smooth jazz sound. That is great, but its not me. If you want to replicate the Gibson tone, use either of my above recommendations and you will not be disappointed. If you want 'your own' tone, then use whatever you think is best for you. Bare in mind though the Thunderbird is best known as a rock bass.

:bassist:
 
#10
aren't EMGs what come in Thunderbirds to begin with?
Click to expand...

No

Gibson Thunderbirds come with Gibson TB Plus bass pickups. The difference between the Epiphone and Gibson versions is just quality. The Epiphone ones are ceramic duel coil passive pickups, but they just lack something.

Like all Epiphone (standard, not studio) instruments, the wood isnt that bad, but the pickups suck! Change the electronics and they come to life!

I would wager the EMG 35DC's would be the best pickup choice inside your thunderbird, but they retail around $100 each, whereas the Basslines SSB-4 set (neck and bridge pickups) are $100 total. The price is what drove me to buy the SSB-4 set, and frankly I love them! I was so glad to sell my stock Epiphone Thunderbird pickups.
 
#11
kyral210 said:
No

Gibson Thunderbirds come with Gibson TB Plus bass pickups. The difference between the Epiphone and Gibson versions is just quality. The Epiphone ones are ceramic duel coil passive pickups, but they just lack something.

Like all Epiphone (standard, not studio) instruments, the wood isnt that bad, but the pickups suck! Change the electronics and they come to life!

I would wager the EMG 35DC's would be the best pickup choice inside your thunderbird, but they retail around $100 each, whereas the Basslines SSB-4 set (neck and bridge pickups) are $100 total. The price is what drove me to buy the SSB-4 set, and frankly I love them! I was so glad to sell my stock Epiphone Thunderbird pickups.
Click to expand...

But the DC's are active, so i would need a battery, which there isnt one on the Epi Thunderbirds, so I cant do those. I could do the passive set. Its between those or the basslines. Ive had one person say the basslines were better, then you said EMGs. I wish I knew what they sounded like. Like a youtube video.
 
#13
One of my 76 'Birds had a Bartolini in the bridge position when I bought it, it was virtually identical to a modern production Gibson for sound and demensions. Its a rumor that Bartolini makes these pick ups for Gibson in fact. Anyway it sounded fine, and would be a good replacement for the stock Epi pick ups, the only reason I replaced it was that I ended up refinishing and restoring the bass to it 1976 appearance with all chrome parts.
 
#14
TBird1958 said:
One of my 76 'Birds had a Bartolini in the bridge position when I bought it, it was virtually identical to a modern production Gibson for sound and demensions. Its a rumor that Bartolini makes these pick ups for Gibson in fact. Anyway it sounded fine, and would be a good replacement for the stock Epi pick ups, the only reason I replaced it was that I ended up refinishing and restoring the bass to it 1976 appearance with all chrome parts.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...you wouldn't have possibly recorded anything with it with the Barts did you?
 
#15
But the DC's are active, so i would need a battery, which there isnt one on the Epi Thunderbirds, so I cant do those
Click to expand...

Never heard of Bartolini making the Gibson pickups. I have some pickups comparison vids up on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j7KA9wH1ek

In my eyes, HZ are a no go area! There is room for a battery in the cavity of the thunderbird, I always recommend two 9v batteries. I can be done. As for screw spacing, a small drill piece will give you the pilot hole you need. Its not a big problem. If you want to see my thunderbird....

Link Removed
 
#17
John Deacon said:
CRAP!

The screw placement is gonna be off. It has two on one side of the Epi pickup. Both of the pickups I was looking at has one for each side. Crap.
Click to expand...

John, the EMG and other styles are smaller, so not only will you have a 1x1 screw config, you'll have a minimal gap and a MAXIMAL sound difference...look:

P1010059.jpg

P1010058.jpg
 
#19
John Deacon said:
Woah...do you have any sound clips of the top thunderbird?
Click to expand...
the top one is my 03Dillion DFBB, not a Gibson/EPI. as you could see from the pic, it is routed for similar sized pups ( EMG ). True pianobass sound as many people call it, and I have MANY videos playing various stuff on it as well as my EPI-Bird on my youtube page.

one thing that really impresses me is compared to my other Tbirds, the pickup spacing is further apart for a lot more tonal difference when blending between the 2.
 

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