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Thunderbird sound from something other than a T-Bird

burpgun

burpgun

Jun 29, 2015
513
697
#1
If you want a Thunderbird sound but don’t want a Thunderbird, what sort of bass would you look at? I’ve been going back over some recordings I made a long time ago and have been really impressed by the thick tone I’d gotten off a bolt-on Epiphone T-bird bought some time in the early 2000s. I sold it a long time ago and while I loved the look of that bass the ergonomics were not great.

I had a Gibson SG bass 10 years ago that claimed to have T-bird pickups in covers that were appropriate to that bass, and it sounded horrible. I’m not sure the sound I’m looking for can be found in anything other than a true Thunderbird. I’m curious whether humbucker fitted Fender offerings might be close, like in a Telecaster bass or one of those Squier Rascals. How about a Schecter Ultra? I’d love to hear opinions.
 
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#7
burpgun said:
If you want a Thunderbird sound but don’t want a Thunderbird, what sort of bass would you look at? I’ve been going back over some recordings I made a long time ago and have been really impressed by the thick tone I’d gotten off a bolt-on Epiphone T-bird bought some time in the early 2000s. I sold it a long time ago and while I loved the look of that bass the ergonomics were not great.

I had a Gibson SG bass 10 years ago that claimed to have T-bird pickups in covers that were appropriate to that bass, and it sounded horrible. I’m not sure the sound I’m looking for can be found in anything other than a true Thunderbird. I’m curious whether humbucker fitted Fender offerings might be close, like in a Telecaster bass or one of those Squier Rascals. How about a Schecter Ultra? I’d love to hear opinions.
Click to expand...

The current Gibson Reissue pickup is fantastic, put it in the FSO of your choice. :)
 
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#10
www.mikelull.com

Mike Lull IMA4 Bass — Mike Lull Custom Guitars

www.mikelull.com www.mikelull.com


IMA4+heavy+purple+9.jpg
 
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#11
smatanovic said:
The Schecter Ultra is probably close to what you are looking for, though I imagine it has some of the same ergonomic issues you encountered with the TBird.
Click to expand...
Schecter's Ultra Bass actually has great ergonomics.

No neck dive. Good reach to first fret. Not heavy. Slim neck with flat fretboard. Slim body. Doesn't feel like a Thunderbird, at all.

Shape is a cool hybrid of Thunderbird and Telecaster.

burpgun said:
If you want a Thunderbird sound but don’t want a Thunderbird, what sort of bass would you look at? I’ve been going back over some recordings I made a long time ago and have been really impressed by the thick tone I’d gotten off a bolt-on Epiphone T-bird bought some time in the early 2000s. I sold it a long time ago and while I loved the look of that bass the ergonomics were not great.

I had a Gibson SG bass 10 years ago that claimed to have T-bird pickups in covers that were appropriate to that bass, and it sounded horrible. I’m not sure the sound I’m looking for can be found in anything other than a true Thunderbird. I’m curious whether humbucker fitted Fender offerings might be close, like in a Telecaster bass or one of those Squier Rascals. How about a Schecter Ultra? I’d love to hear opinions.
Click to expand...

I modded a Fender Japan Jaguar bass, with Lollar thunderbird pickups. It sounds incredible.
 
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#14
burpgun said:
If you want a Thunderbird sound but don’t want a Thunderbird, what sort of bass would you look at? I’ve been going back over some recordings I made a long time ago and have been really impressed by the thick tone I’d gotten off a bolt-on Epiphone T-bird bought some time in the early 2000s. I sold it a long time ago and while I loved the look of that bass the ergonomics were not great.

I had a Gibson SG bass 10 years ago that claimed to have T-bird pickups in covers that were appropriate to that bass, and it sounded horrible. I’m not sure the sound I’m looking for can be found in anything other than a true Thunderbird. I’m curious whether humbucker fitted Fender offerings might be close, like in a Telecaster bass or one of those Squier Rascals. How about a Schecter Ultra? I’d love to hear opinions.
Click to expand...
Pino Palladino has a P Bass with T-Bird PU's installed. That might ring the bell for you.
If you're handy with a router, you could put together a 'Partscaster' for pretty short money. Then, if you like what you hear you could 'ramp it up' (i.e. better parts).
 
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#15
burpgun said:
If you want a Thunderbird sound but don’t want a Thunderbird, what sort of bass would you look at? I’ve been going back over some recordings I made a long time ago and have been really impressed by the thick tone I’d gotten off a bolt-on Epiphone T-bird bought some time in the early 2000s. I sold it a long time ago and while I loved the look of that bass the ergonomics were not great.

I had a Gibson SG bass 10 years ago that claimed to have T-bird pickups in covers that were appropriate to that bass, and it sounded horrible. I’m not sure the sound I’m looking for can be found in anything other than a true Thunderbird. I’m curious whether humbucker fitted Fender offerings might be close, like in a Telecaster bass or one of those Squier Rascals. How about a Schecter Ultra? I’d love to hear opinions.
Click to expand...
If you like the Epi bolt on pickups, get those pickups. The chrome Tbird pickups are different.
 
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