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thunderbird pickups?

jelenko

jelenko

Jan 21, 2008
29
0
#1
i want to make my own thunderbird, but i cant decide on the pickus. i cant find those gibson humbuckers that they put on to buy. i found out that lollar makes epiphone thunderbird replacements. any others? is the bartolini replacment any good? i want the raw huge vintage sound that the gibson has, not a modern sound, has anybody tried them.
 
#2
If you are looking for that vintage '60s Thunderbird tone the only option at the moment are Mike Lulls repro Thunderbird pickups at 289.00 each. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] The '89 and up TB plus ceramic humbuckers sound nothing like the 60's units and nor will any of the replacements you mentioned. As a side line the '76 reissuies pickups don't sound anything like the 60's units either totally different animal. Another option is the Seymour Duncan custon shop they make a nice repro tbird pup but you have to supply the cover.
 
#4
jelenko said:
tnx. quite expencive. i'll think about it. meenwhile, any cheaper sugestions? :)

boy, you go one inch out of fender teritory and you're in trouble :crying:
Click to expand...

I agree. That's why most of what I make is way outside Fender territory!

The problem is getting those chrome covers.

I've done T-Bird pickups on a custom basis. There was a guy on eBay that sold the covers. Then I just built a repro pickup to go inside. I've also put my neo pickups in the T-Bird covers.

neothunder_1.jpg


If you don't have to have those chrome covers and don't mind plastic covered soapbars, then that opens things up a bit. You can have sound alike pickups in something like an EMG-35 cover.
 
#5
greatdealz1967 is the guy on ebay who sold those covers, I bought as many as I could ! I believe he is all out, wish I had bought more. Ain't that the truth "step outside Fender territory and you are in trouble" lmao . It's the curse of being a Gibby player.
IMG_4460.jpg
 
#6
godofthunder59 said:
greatdealz1967 is the guy on ebay who sold those covers, I bought as many as I could ! I believe he is all out, wish I had bought more.
Click to expand...

Yes, that was the one. I also got a LP bass neck and Triumph bass pickup cover.

Ain't that the truth "step outside Fender territory and you are in trouble" lmao . It's the curse of being a Gibby player.
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Is that a DiMarzio Model G, or a Schaller Bassbucker at the neck?

I had one on my 8-string back in the 80's. I wasn't all that happy with it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#8
#9
SGD Lutherie said:
Yes, that was the one. I also got a LP bass neck and Triumph bass pickup cover.



Is that a DiMarzio Model G, or a Schaller Bassbucker at the neck?

I had one on my 8-string back in the 80's. I wasn't all that happy with it.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

LOL good eye! Yes that is a Dimarzio model G, I love the way they sound ! I have them in several stage basses, The model G is now covered by one of greatdealz '76 chrome covers cause I may like how model Gs sound they are fugly !
Charwithmytbird001.jpg
A NR Fenderbird I built for stage use also powered by a model G kicks *ss
2326845380083345702KEjiTE_ph.jpg
 
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#10
This is my bands promo video. The only stuff not a model G powered bass is the Zep Tunes. Model Gs are not for everyone but they work for me. Amps are a Hiwatt Marshall combination.
 
#12
godofthunder59 said:
This is my bands promo video. The only stuff not a model G powered bass is the Zep Tunes. Model Gs are not for everyone but they work for me. Amps are a Hiwatt Marshall combination.
Click to expand...


Sounds good. It was too midrange heavy for my 8-string, too grungy and clangy. I was trying to warm up the tone of the bass with a neck pickup. I fixed that problem by making a new neck! That used to be a '74 P bass.

You know they are exactly the same coils from an X2N guitar pickup. They just removed the blades and used the hex screw poles. I ended up making 1/8" thick steel blades for mine and I stuck it in a guitar I had. It sounded great in that.
 
#13
SGD Lutherie said:
I agree. That's why most of what I make is way outside Fender territory!
Click to expand...

good for you! Not that there's anything wrong with fenders, i own a precision, but theres SO MUCH to chose from, as long as it's for fenders. Not for fenders, you are on your own :scowl:

would I be asking for trade secrets if I asked you for specs to make my own Thunderbird pickup?

Godofthunder, those basses are to die for. And you sound cool! :bassist:

hover: thank's for the bart comment. how would you say it differs from the original soundwise? pros, cons and overall doferences? I love all barts i've tried, but my concern is that they might not be as ballsy.
 
#20
Likewise sorry to post on an old thread, but:

I make two different versions of repro Gibson Thunderbird pickups, based on reverse-engineered 63 and 66 models. Sold as singles or matched pairs. 2011 price: $165 single, $320 the set. Matching nickel silver trim rings also available.

Steve
 

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