The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Bionic-Joe on March 05, 2010, 02:03:10 AM

Title: Black Thunderbird Pickups
Post by: Bionic-Joe on March 05, 2010, 02:03:10 AM
Does anybody know the difference between the older and newer black thunderbird pickups?? I think the older ones had a P bass style (staggered) hidden under the black cover, while the newer ones are more of the traditional style. I'm also looking for 1 of the older P style black pickups as well.
Title: Re: Black Thunderbird Pickups
Post by: exiledarchangel on March 05, 2010, 02:19:36 AM
Theory says that pee-style pickups sound kinda clearer, not so low-mid heavy as normal humbuckers, but I don't know if older tbird pups are pee pickups in disguise.
Title: Re: Black Thunderbird Pickups
Post by: TBird1958 on March 05, 2010, 11:41:51 AM

Joe,

 Here's some pup shots, the first are two of the three variations of TB Plus that I'm aware of, the split coil one is from my '89 and has had a chrome '76 cover put on it after it's outer black plastic shell was peeled off. The second is a later version I got from Scott (bass IV).
The second one is also very similar in apperance to an Orville pup, chrome cover aside.

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/DSC00013.jpg)

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/DSC00015.jpg)

For comparison a nakkie '76


(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Pup.jpg)

And last a Lull with my BaCH, before I modified it - note how thin it is, like the original Gibson from the '60s

 

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/trains2002.jpg)







Title: Re: Black Thunderbird Pickups
Post by: Dave W on March 05, 2010, 04:27:30 PM
That's a split-coil configuration all right, but with twin blades for each coil I can't imagine it sounds much like a P pickup.
Title: Re: Black Thunderbird Pickups
Post by: Bionic-Joe on March 05, 2010, 07:28:36 PM
Thanks Guys. If anybody has one, let me know.
Title: Re: Black Thunderbird Pickups
Post by: exiledarchangel on March 06, 2010, 01:21:21 AM
That's a split-coil configuration all right, but with twin blades for each coil I can't imagine it sounds much like a P pickup.

Must sound similar to those dimarzios

(http://www.drumza.com/images/DiMarzioDP127SplitPReplacementPickupforFenderPBassBlack.jpg)
Title: Re: Black Thunderbird Pickups
Post by: Dave W on March 06, 2010, 07:34:45 PM
Maybe, maybe not. The coil shape has a lot to do with the sound. The DiMarzios don't sound much like a traditional P but they do have the short fat coil shape overall. The split-coil T-bird pickups don't.