Hello everyone! I am looking at modding a p bass to accept either a single T Bird pickup (near the normal P Bass pickup location) or do the whole Novak sliding Grabber pickup mod. Where I am stuck is the tonal differences. I have recently converted from the dark side (guitar) so my only frame of reference is the 78 P Bass loaded with Duncan antiquity II's that I currently own and a friend's J bass which I borrowed forever ago. Any input would be appreciated on the differences between the two, and if possible, additional comparisons to a P Bass would also be appreciated. For gear I own a darkglass microtubes 900v2, damnation audio MBD3 and bass amp grinder. Usually, I play with a pick in a rock band. We are not heavy, per se, but there are moments of intensity. Sounding punchy and articulate are a must, however, I do not need ultimate modern precision. Just cant be sloppy. I look forward to any thoughts you all might have!
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Thunderbird vs Grabber tone? (P bass mod quandary)
- Thread starter BigBassEnergy
- Start date
I've never used Thunderbird or Grabber pickups, but if you're talking about installing the whole Grabber sliding pickup apparatus, then one of those two options seems like significantly less work to execute. I see that sliding pickup as more of a gimmick than a legit way to modify your tone, and I'd imagine you'd find more range in tone from a simple passive tone knob than you'd get out of installing that whole kit.
I have considered modding my main Fender P4 with a pair of Tbird pickups, but there's no real justifiable reason for it other than visual aesthetic and following Ian Martin Allison on IG
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I have considered modding my main Fender P4 with a pair of Tbird pickups, but there's no real justifiable reason for it other than visual aesthetic and following Ian Martin Allison on IG
.
Last edited:
- Mar 13, 2008
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A single Thunderbird pickup (Gibson Re-issue is highly recommended) in the sweet spot is all you need, it's why Thunderbird II's are so highly prized as players.
That is also where I got the idea lmaoI've never used Thunderbird or Grabber pickups, but if you're talking about installing the whole Grabber sliding pickup apparatus, then one of those two options seems like significantly less work to execute. I see that sliding pickup as more of a gimmick than a legit way to modify your tone, and I'd imagine you'd find more range in tone from a simple passive tone knob than you'd get out of installing that whole kit.
I have considered modding my main Fender P4 with a pair of Tbird pickups, but there's no real justifiable reason for it other than visual aesthetic and following Ian Martin Allison on IG
But what do they sound like!? I have never played a thunderbird at all.
godofthunder59
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- Mar 13, 2008
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Definitely the T-Bird pickup. Quintessential rock tones that nothing else manages to deliver…
Could you compare/contrast the general characteristics vs a p bass?
Thunderbird pickup mods are not terribly uncommon... so my main question here is What is drawing you towards the Grabber pickup as a 2nd choice option?
The bass player of Thrice plays Grabbers and his driven tone is awesome.
lol good answer. I think you could get there close enough by just installing the pickup without the whole sliding apparatus, if you were looking to save yourself some effort and not chop up the entirety of your bass.
However, my next question would be... what is the string spacing on a Grabber, and is that pickup compatible with the string spread on a P bass?
Fair question as well! I see Curtis himself has installed them in P Basses to the point that he offers a pre routed pickguard, and router templates to make it work. I’d have to imagine the spacing isn’t an issue.
Highly subjective, but I can try… My experience is with an original t-bird and a friend’s bass that has Fralins. The P mid honk is gone, the low mid and lows have a solidity to them that I really like. There’s clarity in the upper mids and highs that help define your playing - attacks sound very clear. And there’s still some high end sizzle there if you’re slapping. I also like the ergo of the T-bird better as I’m almost always anchored to the edge of the bridge pickup and it’s more comfortable for me…
Listen to Nikki Monninger’s work with Silversun Pickups, and anything from Entwistle, Nikki Sixx, Rex Brown, Shavo Odadjian, and Tom Petersson….
Hope this helps, YMMV
Listen to Nikki Monninger’s work with Silversun Pickups, and anything from Entwistle, Nikki Sixx, Rex Brown, Shavo Odadjian, and Tom Petersson….
Hope this helps, YMMV
This is exactly the kind of feedback I’m looking for. Love the P mid honk but I already have those basses (pun 100% intended) covered. J bass is a little too pokey for me. T Bird might just be the move.
Very sick! The reason I like the idea of the t bird in the normal P position is that I can always route for a bridge pickup at a later date
I have both! A NR Thunderbird and a ‘75 grabber.
Obviously my Tbird doesn’t have a pickup in the P bass location, but the neck pickup is close.
Pickup to pickup, I’d say the grabber is brighter and more aggressive. The Tbird is a little darker and smoother, with lower output. If you have ever played a G&L bass, I found the grabber pickup tone similar to an MFD.
If you want something close to a p bass tone, I’d say go grabber (the sliding thing makes minimal difference IMO.). The Thunderbird will have a unique sound and differentiate it from a P. And probably cheaper too…
My vote is to go Thunderbird unless you really like the grabber sliding pickup to make your bass really unique.
Obviously my Tbird doesn’t have a pickup in the P bass location, but the neck pickup is close.
Pickup to pickup, I’d say the grabber is brighter and more aggressive. The Tbird is a little darker and smoother, with lower output. If you have ever played a G&L bass, I found the grabber pickup tone similar to an MFD.
If you want something close to a p bass tone, I’d say go grabber (the sliding thing makes minimal difference IMO.). The Thunderbird will have a unique sound and differentiate it from a P. And probably cheaper too…
My vote is to go Thunderbird unless you really like the grabber sliding pickup to make your bass really unique.
