The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: finlover on August 12, 2012, 09:25:31 AM
-
Okay, this is so silly but it's eating away at me and I need some advice. I love everything about my LE Cherry Thunderbird except the way the pickups look! Those plain flat black blobs of plastic look so cheap compared to the rest of the bass. Thing is that they sound awesome--HUGE with nice even string response.
Being a lover of all things vintage I'm a sucker for a chromed out T-bird, especially those shiny pickup covers and trim rings. The surprising thing is that the black hardware looks really good against the cherry finish. Plus the black seems to tame the odd looks of the 3-point (which set up beautifully for me), and I like the way the black tuners don't break up the lines of the headstock.
So the obvious fix is to retrofit new covers and trim rings to the factory pickups, which seems a little scary considering the potential for damaging them. Or do I order new Thunderbuckers or Lollars? At $600 a pair, I have a hard time justifying the Lulls although I'm sure they're amazing. Like I said, I'm happy with my sound--but is it just because I don't know what I'm missing with the aftermarket p/us?
Also, should I go with black chrome to match the other hardware or bite the bullet and go for chrome everything? (I already know what you're going to say, TBird1958 ;D). Real Gibson chrome 3 points don't seem to turn up very often and I'm not wild about the oversized looks of the Hipshot. Or would it look too weird if only the pickups were chrome (they would match the centers of the knobs)? Or should I just get over it and learn to live with the TB Pluses as they are?
Now do you see what kind of nonsense rattles around in this brain of mine? There are people in the world with actual problems--SHEESH! :rolleyes:
(http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp40/finlover59/DSC00587.jpg)
(http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp40/finlover59/DSC00595.jpg)
(http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp40/finlover59/DSC00599.jpg)
-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Thunderbird-Pickupcover-Chrome-German-Silver-no-Plastic-/310415704313?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item484637c0f9
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Thunderbird-Pickup-Ring-Chrome-/160847983272?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item25734972a8
Nice looking bass! I like the black against the red finish. ^These covers and rings will work for your current pickups but you will need to remove the black casing. Others have done that on this forum and would be able to fill you in on the process. I know someone used these for a situation like yours and needed to do some sanding on the pickups to fit them inside the covers, but I don't remember them saying it was a lot of work. If you like the looks of the black, the sellers have offered them in black as well. You could always send a message asking for those. I bought a pair like the one's in the links. Well made, look nice, shipped fast, and they gave me gummi bears!! ??? The store listing says the seller is away until Aug. 19th but you could easily have a set of these by the end of the month if you ordered them.
-
I wouldn't change a thing on that. It all looks good.
P
-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Thunderbird-Pickupcover-Chrome-German-Silver-no-Plastic-/310415704313?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item484637c0f9
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Thunderbird-Pickup-Ring-Chrome-/160847983272?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item25734972a8
Nice looking bass! I like the black against the red finish. ^These covers and rings will work for your current pickups but you will need to remove the black casing. Others have done that on this forum and would be able to fill you in on the process. I know someone used these for a situation like yours and needed to do some sanding on the pickups to fit them inside the covers, but I don't remember them saying it was a lot of work. If you like the looks of the black, the sellers have offered them in black as well. You could always send a message asking for those. I bought a pair like the one's in the links. Well made, look nice, shipped fast, and they gave me gummi bears!! ??? The store listing says the seller is away until Aug. 19th but you could easily have a set of these by the end of the month if you ordered them.
Thanks a million, Nokturnal! I sent the seller a message but probably won't hear back for another week or so. Replacing the covers is certainly the most cost effective way to go (besides leaving it alone of course). So in your opinion should I go with black or nickel covers and rings assuming I'm keeping the rest of the hardware?
-
I wouldn't change a thing on that. It all looks good.
P
Thanks, P! That's probably the most sensible thing to do...
-
Why not get two pup rings from the Bay, black if possible, or paint them, black? The bass looks nicer with pup rings, I think.
-
I think the finish on this bass lends itself to black hardware and I like black harware so I wouldn't change it. I'm sure the bass would look great with all chrome hardware, but a mix of black and chrome might not look as good imo. Glad I don't need to make this decision.
-
too bad you can't get shiny black covers, that would look sweet, especially if you added rings.
-
This is coming from another chrome lover... I think black hardware looks great on that bird. If it were mine I'd first get a couple pickup black pickup rings and lay them over the pickups to see how they looked. That might give it more of a vintage vibe. If course, if you're set on the chrome makeover you won't get much of a fight here. ;D But that's a beautiful bird even as is.
-
http://www.fretsonthenet.com/Pickups_Info_Parts/pickup%20rings%20page.htm
I got some black ones several years ago from this guy . Nice stuff
-
Look no further (scroll down): http://www.crazyparts.de/042708a0500bf9d09/042708a02c108c622/index.php
This is the guy on 3bay's store nokturnal linked too. You've got chrome, nickel, gold and black metallic covers and rings.
-
Being a card carrying chrome clan member ;D
First I'd remember that your saying that you like how the stock pups sound, I think that's most important here, and with that in mind my best advice is to not change anything on that bass. Much as I like chrome, the black hardware and cherry finish certainly look nice - yes, I said that.
My own personal expierience with replacing metal pup covers over the stock Gibson ones is that it's pretty easy to do, but also that it does change their tone somewhat, adding a bit of metallic clank in the case of my Gibsons - and in the case of my Burny the opposite happened, they lost a bit of their high end after I put Lull covers on them.
If you really want to do it my thought would be to chase down a Gibson 3 point first - needed a new one and got it thru Mike Lull because he's authorize to do factory repairs by Gibson. It wasn't easy because Gibson doesn't want to sell parts, but it can be done. Mike's covers require peeling the plastic from the pickup, which is easy enough with a pair of Xuron cutters - about minutes of work, no filing or re drilling needed when using Gibson pickups. No doubt that the separate covers from the Thunderbucker Ranch would work in the same fashon. Personally I'd never put a Hipshot bridge on a T Bird, yes it's well designed but the aesthetics leave me :puke: The clovers tuners are a fun addition, as when they are positioned in - line they will not pass each other.
Take it off baby!
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/burny/birds023.jpg)
-
Look no further (scroll down): http://www.crazyparts.de/042708a0500bf9d09/042708a02c108c622/index.php
This is the guy on 3bay's store nokturnal linked too. You've got chrome, nickel, gold and black metallic covers and rings.
Corner radius is wrong on these, so to make them fit requires filing all four on the pick up.......No thanks. Probably ok for an Epi tho.
-
This is coming from another chrome lover... I think black hardware looks great on that bird. If it were mine I'd first get a couple pickup black pickup rings and lay them over the pickups to see how they looked. That might give it more of a vintage vibe. If course, if you're set on the chrome makeover you won't get much of a fight here. ;D But that's a beautiful bird even as is.
Thanks a lot, OldManC! I've always thought of black hardware as kind of dated, but somehow it works on this one. I think you're right about the rings--they could make all the difference!
-
I think the finish on this bass lends itself to black hardware and I like black harware so I wouldn't change it. I'm sure the bass would look great with all chrome hardware, but a mix of black and chrome might not look as good imo. Glad I don't need to make this decision.
Yeah, there's probably a good reason why you never see a mix of black and chrome hardware. As much as I love chrome I think I'll stick with all black. Uwe should be very pleased with me!
-
Beautiful bass, and I kinda like the black hardware on it too. I get along well with TB+ pickups, and so I wouldn't be too hasty to swap 'em out. I used Mark's approach on my Bach NR and stripped/re-housed the TBs in some of the nickel NOS 70s covers. Worked great!
I was gonna suggest another option, if you really like the chrome look, is to maybe swap the bridge and tuners for chrome pieces, leave the black pickups, and just get some chrome rings for them. GearHed289 did something like that on a later model cherry Les Paul bass, and I thought it looked fantastic. Adds some sparkle, and kinda reminded me of the Triumph aesthetic with the black pickups and chrome rings...
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0014a.jpg)
-
My own personal expierience with replacing metal pup covers over the stock Gibson ones is that it's pretty easy to do, but also that it does change their tone somewhat, adding a bit of metallic clank in the case of my Gibsons - and in the case of my Burny the opposite happened, they lost a bit of their high end after I put Lull covers on them.
Excellent advice as always, TBird1958!! The cover swap changing the tone is something I didn't think of. Now I'm leaning toward just installing a set of black rings which might give it the extra bit of pizzazz that it needs.
-
I was gonna suggest another option, if you really like the chrome look, is to maybe swap the bridge and tuners for chrome pieces, leave the black pickups, and just get some chrome rings for them. GearHed289 did something like that on a later model cherry Les Paul bass, and I thought it looked fantastic. Adds some sparkle, and kinda reminded me of the Triumph aesthetic with the black pickups and chrome rings...
Great suggestion, chromium. Wow, that is one beautiful bass! Maybe I'll get both black and chrome rings just to see if the chrome looks okay with the black. Or down the road I might put a chrome bridge and tuners on it--the swap is easy enough!
-
Beautiful bass, and I kinda like the black hardware on it too. I get along well with TB+ pickups, and so I wouldn't be too hasty to swap 'em out. I used Mark's approach on my Bach NR and stripped/re-housed the TBs in some of the nickel NOS 70s covers. Worked great!
I was gonna suggest another option, if you really like the chrome look, is to maybe swap the bridge and tuners for chrome pieces, leave the black pickups, and just get some chrome rings for them. GearHed289 did something like that on a later model cherry Les Paul bass, and I thought it looked fantastic. Adds some sparkle, and kinda reminded me of the Triumph aesthetic with the black pickups and chrome rings...
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0014a.jpg)
What he said! ;)
I have also followed Mark's lead and skinned a TB+ to slip into a 70s NOS chrome cover for another bass.
-
Personally I'd never put a Hipshot bridge on a T Bird, yes it's well designed but the aesthetics leave me :puke:
I know before I took delivery of my white T-Bird that I wanted to swap out the stock bridge for a Hipshot Supertone...I'm so glad I did; the original was just a bit too crap to be honest and I needed full control over action and intonation. I mean you'd expect that on a $1,500 bass. I have a second Thunderbird arriving in a few days and I'm wondering whether I should get one on order pending it's arrival.
P
-
Mark/TBird supplied me with a spare '76 cover to put over a skinned RD Artist pup that works fine but something too good to miss will be replacing that so I'll probably slot that one into another project...
-
Mark/TBird supplied me with a spare '76 cover to put over a skinned RD Artist pup that works fine but something too good to miss will be replacing that so I'll probably slot that one into another project...
That Lollar is gonna be sweet!
-
I got an email back from Dave at Frets on the Net today who says he's backed up for 4 to 5 weeks so no instant gratification this time. Apparently he makes the pickup rings himself out of either polished, brushed, or anodized black aircraft aluminum. He says the '60s, '76-'79, and modern 'birds all have different inside diameters. Just for kicks I'm getting a set of rings in polished aluminum in hopes that they'll match the knob inserts and not look too out-of-place with the black hardware. But to be on the safe side I'm also ordering the anodized black ones, which I'm fairly certain will look great. Too bad I don't know my way around Photoshop so I could get a little preview!
-
Is it me, does it look like pickup rings might overhang the raised center section? I like the idea of some minimal brightwork - but I think it looks great as is.
-
Is it me, does it look like pickup rings might overhang the raised center section? I like the idea of some minimal brightwork - but I think it looks great as is.
It does look to be a tight fit..........but I'd be surprised if it were any different that my N.S.Mk.II
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Nikki%20Sixx/NikkiII004.jpg)
It's a tight fit on a '76 too.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Nikki%20Sixx/bcover2.jpg)
-
What did you do to that stylish black hardware of the NS Signature, Mark!!!! :o You've cheapened it with all that glimmer ...
-
What did you do to that stylish black hardware of the NS Signature, Mark!!!! :o You've cheapened it with all that glimmer ...
Just remember, I'm freakish tall onstage (6' 5") with purple/pink hair, the subdued black couldn't keep up with me!
I freely admit that it's very gaudy, *almost* an overdose on the chrome. It's my bass now tho, not Nikki's..........And yes that is the world's only CHROME PLATED OPTI - GRAB ;D
-
Yes, I noticed. :-[ Insult to injury, Mark, insult to injury! :mrgreen:
-
You know the best parts was that some of those parts were black.........I had them stripped!
Chemical dip chromey goodness............ ;)
-
........And yes that is the world's only CHROME PLATED OPTI - GRAB ;D
hahaha awesome! ;D
-
:rolleyes: This heathen adoration of the Chrome Calf here plunges to new depths everyday.
-
:rolleyes: This heathen adoration of the Chrome Calf here plunges to new depths everyday.
I'll be at Lull's tomorrow picking up a new set of chrome pups for the White '89...........Thus all my modern 'Birds will not have stock Gibson pickups anymore.
Also the Black '77 is stripped of parts, I'll take a shot of it's naked carcass before it goes to Marty Bell :o
-
Also the Black '77 is stripped of parts, I'll take a shot of it's naked carcass before it goes to Marty Bell :o
Mark, why does everything you say always sound so dirty? ;)
-
Mark, why does everything you say always sound so dirty? ;)
It's Mr Chrome Satan working overtime in my brain ;)
-
Does he look like THIS?!
(http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp40/finlover59/KGrHqFlUE2EDpwURBBNuprV2Tg_35.jpg)
-
Does he look like THIS?!
(http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp40/finlover59/KGrHqFlUE2EDpwURBBNuprV2Tg_35.jpg)
Exactly!!!!!
That's awesome, I'm speechless............ ;D
Made my day ;)
-
Let him who hath reckoning realize the vehicle of the Beast ... for it is a Japanese vehicle ...
-
... Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is four by four by far..." :vader:
-
Well, I was close!!! Ironically, I just bought the remaster of IM's The Number of the Yeast or whatever it is called in a Norwegian food supermarket from the bargain bin, it must be nearly thirty years since I last heard the album. Now all I need to do is talk Edith into letting me listen to it in our Volvo! I know that by song no 2 she will be giving me one of those "why are you doing this to me?"-looks ...
-
:mrgreen: :vader: :popcorn: :toast: :thumbsup:
(do we have a fly-on-the-wall emoticon...?)
-
I know that by song no 2 she will be giving me one of those "why are you doing this to me?"-looks ...
I know EXACTLY what you mean, even if ms exiledarchangel is kinda get used to my "special" musical preferences.
There are limits ofcourse, no blood and gore music served with cookie monster vocals allowed, sadly... :sad:
-
The clovers tuners are a fun addition, as when they are positioned in - line they will not pass each other.
Do you know it for sure?
Did you actually try to put hipshot ultralite clovers instead of regular grovers?
Thanks!
-
Do you know it for sure?
Did you actually try to put hipshot ultralite clovers instead of regular grovers?
Thanks!
I've put them on two of my modern 'Birds - Wit the stock holes, if they are in line with each other they will touch, barely. It hasn't been a problem.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/whitebird003.jpg)
And on Mr Sixx.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Nikki%20Sixx/NikkiSixx008.jpg)
-
Function over form... to me they look too... dainty...?
-
Thanks Mark!
-
Function over form... to me they look too... dainty...?
Well they are dainty compared to a '76 or earlier. However, aesthetically I find them far better looking than the very small stock ones (yes, I know why Gibson uses those!), I think they're almost required if you're chroming a 'Bird tho ;)
-
You are, most certainly, the High Priestess of Chrome... ;)
-
Dainty is right. Daisy bass! Chrome fairies!!!
You ruinses it!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYiCPmwOV4A
Though, to do him full justice, Professor Hills would be most inadequately described as a "fat Hobbit", more a lanky Elf ...
-
Dainty is right. Daisy bass! Chrome fairies!!!
You ruinses it!!!!
Though, to do him full justice, Professor Hills would be most inadequately described as a "fat Hobbit", more a lanky Elf ...
I'm just not the completist that you are Herr Moderator, some of my basses are "stock" but if one "needs" something to make me happy with it, I'll probably go ahead and do it ;)
-
Elven...? Mark Blanchett...? Cate Hills...?
-
I've put them on two of my modern 'Birds - Wit the stock holes, if they are in line with each other they will touch, barely. It hasn't been a problem.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/whitebird003.jpg)
And on Mr Sixx.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Nikki%20Sixx/NikkiSixx008.jpg)
I'm in need of clarification, so I'll use some necromancy skill and resurrect this thread.
What version of Ultralites should be used with modern T-Birds: the 3/8 diameter version or 1/2 inch diameter version? Thank you
-
Mark, thank you for your answer with PM! 3/8" that is.
One more thing:
Did anyone actually try to install Gotoh Res-O-Lites (pre-CBS type) on a modern TBird headstock? Will they actually fit the smaller modern paddle? Thanks!
-
Mark, thank you for your answer with PM! 3/8" that is.
One more thing:
Did anyone actually try to install Gotoh Res-O-Lites (pre-CBS type) on a modern TBird headstock? Will they actually fit the smaller modern paddle? Thanks!
Something like this showed up on my FB page, I didn't check it too close but what ever it was - looked very good.
-
I've found this statement:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/thunderbird-club-pt-5-a-923476/index22.html#post13612356
So they will fit the pre-modern TB headstocks. With newer 'birds there's only Ultralites way :)
-
Here..........These are new from Hipshot, designed to fit modern Thunderbirds.
I have another shot of the front but my photobucket is being douchie.......
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/newhipshot2_zpsca015133.jpg)
-
Are these somehow different to regular Hipshot HB6 3/8'' Ultralite Tuners? Is it a new product?
-
Yes, they're new - the clovers are small enough to pass each other in-line.
-
Thanks! It's a fun to communicate on two forums simultaneously :)
-
Yes, they're new - the clovers are small enough to pass each other in-line.
Damn, couldn't find small clover ones when i crammed in 3 on each side of my eb-0 headstock for the eb-6 conversion...
I somehow got them in, with the top two just clearing the logo, but there was some woodwork involved.