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What do Thunderbirds actually sound like??

Bassdude15

Bassdude15

Guest
Feb 26, 2013
687
42
Nashville
#1
I've always loved the look of a non-Reverse T-bird (especially in orange) and I've been GAS-ing for quite some time.If I got one I would definitely use flats on it. My question is: what do they actually sound like?? In videos/live demos I've heard, they either have a thick, rich, warm growl or a nasally, honking midrange-heavy tone.
Which is more charracteristic of a standard, stock, modern Gibson Thunderbird?




Thanks,
Bassdude15
 
#2
They sound like pure awesomeness!!! Seriously though, I think alot of the differences you're hearing in the videos is probably due to amp and EQ influence. Mine (with amp set flat and volumes & tone up full) sounds full, fat and warm with a nice clarity to the top end. Kinda like a thick Jazz sound with much added heft.
 
#5
Over the years Gibson has used a number of pickup variations in Thunderbirds, but if you're talking a late '60s NR it's going to to be very growly, the pickups were often overwound and produced a hot signal - Very different from early '60s or any later '70s or Post '88 versions.

In my Sig there are links to my band, I'm playing a Lull with a '63 repro and a '76 with stock Gibson pickups.
 
#8
It's not called a Thunderbird for nothing ... personally, I think the look, feel and comfort of it (neck dive = nonsense :) ) encourages a fellow to play it in thunderous fashion, thus unavoidably producing a rolling, meaty sound with sparks on.

Truly a sound to eat raw chillis to.

I can play other basses, I even have some - but I've often been accused of making love to my T-bird (which is a bit worrying, really, har har!).
 
#9
Here's mine; 2013, still with stock strings (which are pretty nice, actually), so I guess it qualifies as modern in stock condition. Thru my old Marshall amp, set for flat response, it is most definitely in the "Thick, rich, warm growl" camp. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the tone, after all the "Muddy" comments I've read and heard over the years. Have been playing it for about 2 months, now; very, very nice, but it won't replace my '73 4001 as the Stud Duck in my flock. Not far behind, though.;)
 

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#10
I hope to find out soon... just recently bought a late 1980's Gibson V bass, which as I understand it, is basically wired up like a Thunderbird.

Most all of my current basses are active custom builds... so I'm hoping for a more traditional, passive HB sound... meaning - less boing; more boom.
 
#14
SturmUndDrang said:
Gott im Himmel! Nice T bird George!
Click to expand...

Full disclosure before this gets out of hand, I was tending to the social media facet of the shop, so I quickly mocked that up in GIMP. I don't own a Ford Thunderbird, and if I did, I wouldn't "Rancherize" it into a chopped pickup. But I appreciate the encouragement!
 
#15
Bassdude15 said:
I've always loved the look of a non-Reverse T-bird (especially in orange) and I've been GAS-ing for quite some time.If I got one I would definitely use flats on it. My question is: what do they actually sound like?? In videos/live demos I've heard, they either have a thick, rich, warm growl or a nasally, honking midrange-heavy tone.
Which is more charracteristic of a standard, stock, modern Gibson Thunderbird?
Click to expand...

The confusion comes from the pickups. Just like the Firebird guitar, Gibson equips today's Thunderbird bass with high-wind ceramic magnet pickups, aka hard hitters. Those are pretty thumpy and do the heavy metal thing. I think you generally want to combine them with bright strings.

More vintage style thunderbird pickups show a warm, even sound like you'd expect from a neck-through with mahogany. There is still a lot of growl with vintage style pickups, partially from the mahogany, partially from humbuckers, partially from mixing multiple pickups. Here you use warmer strings to give it some more "mass" than what comes from the thin body.
 
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#19
I'm pretty tickled with the sound of my Gibson V bass with the Thunder Pickups. The only other passive bass I currently own is a 1960's Kalamazoo bass, which was essentially Gibson's entry-level EB-0. I love the sound of the old MudBucker in the neck position, but never could get enough brightness from it to suit a wide range of needs. This new/old bass has all that sound available, plus is way more adjustable. I also like that it's very utilitarian... no frills, just sensible.

I'm not sure if it's wired up the same as a Thunderbird though... how are you guys volume/tone pots laid out?
 

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