Thunderbird pups on a jazz bass

[pallino]

Hi there
as anybody ever tried that?I really like the Thunderbird sound,but I really cannot stand the setup of this kind of bass - the neck is way too "far out" for me...I was thinking that maybe it could be somewhat nice to have these old style chrome t-bird pups on a jazz...

 

[broadblik]

Mike Lull is making T bird pickups, I think he's selling them aftermarket.

 

[gweimer]

There are also replacement pickups available from Arctec, Rio Grand, and Bartolini. With the exception of the Arctec, be prepared to spend a little cash.

Your other choice is to look for a Fender Zone Deluxe, which came about as close to a Thunderbird that I've ever heard from a Fender. Again, be prepared to spend a little dough.

 

[Darkstrike]

There is a TBer who done just this, got a Jazz body, and added his Thunderbirds neck, and pickups.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Don't know how it will sound, but I doubt you'd exactly cop a Tbird tone out of it. The body wood, (mahagony), and what not will have an impact on the tone. I'm not saying don't do it, far from it, but just that it may not turn out exactly like you want. Have fun and good luck in any case.

 

[theaterbass29]

I think it might sound like Berry Oakley's "Tractor" bass, which was a modified Jazz bass.

 

[johnnycat42]

I have been thinking the same with my Jag Bass. Anyone already do this yet?

 

[Barkless Dog]

As stated above a lot of tone is from the mahogany construction, although the EPI bird pickups are made for Fender type construction & woods and might be a better bet.

You could just get a Gibson IV or V, which is essentially a Tbird in Fender form

This is an ugly one, but they also came in natural mahogany