2001 TB+

[Ken]

Since I've heard so many good things about Thunderbirds from 2001, I bought a set of 2001 TB+ from someone who was replacing his with Lollars.  I had them put in the lemon 2018 so I could directly compare with my #1 2013.  The 2001 TB+ really sound a lot better to me than the 2013s.  A lot more clarity.  Only problem is that there a constant low hum, where the 2013 (and stock 2018) are dead quiet.  I don't think this is a grounding issue; it seems inherent to the pickups.  Anyone else here have a 2001 or similar and find this as well?  I'd love to find a way to quiet this down so I can put them into my 2013.  But I think for live use and recording, the hum would really annoy me.

[uwe]

Over the years, they have boosted the output of the TB+ so much, they've sacrificed clarity for it; I've noticed that as well.

[Ken]

Thanks. I ordered a noise gate pedal to play with since I can easily return it. Maybe that'll be the trick.

[Ken]

I played the 2001s last night at practice.  In a mix, the difference isn't as drastic as solo at home, though they did sound better to me than the 2013s.  But sadly the noise is just too much and a noise gate isn't the answer.  Unless somehow the noise is still with the wiring and can be eliminated, I don't think I can put them in my #1 (2013).  The 2013 is dead silent.

[Ken]

Aaaaaand they're screwed.  I went back to my guy. They're acting like single coils. He took the neck one out and flipped it upside down and the hum stopped. Wasn't there a run of bad pickups around that time that Gibson was replacing?  I guess this was the issue?

[Dave W]

Aaaaaand they're screwed.  I went back to my guy. They're acting like single coils. He took the neck one out and flipped it upside down and the hum stopped. Wasn't there a run of bad pickups around that time that Gibson was replacing?  I guess this was the issue?

All I can tell you is that I was close to buying a slightly used Bird in about 2000-2001 but declined b/c of the noisy pickup. The store's tech and I went over it, the overall circuit was properly grounded but both pickups were internally noisy.

[lowend1]

I have a TB+ of unknown (older) vintage in one of my project basses. It's a great-sounding pickup, but in certain environments is hella noisy.

[Ken]

Thanks, all. Good to know at least that it's not just bad luck on my part.

[4stringer77]

I've encountered TB+ that have reached their expiration as well. Seems an odd thing to happen for a pickup encased in epoxy. Perhaps it's engineered obsolescence although that's probably giving too much credit to incompetence.

[uwe]

I believe it’s the electronics rebelling against the unnatural fact of being played by a leftie! I‘d make disapproving noises too. 

Seriously, I have noisy old TB Plus'es too, it doesn't really bother me, even at 62 I still like to play loud. Or perhaps I need it more than ever?

My LP Sig sizzles, hisses, burps and hums like hell - it's in continuous communication with alien life forms.

[TBird1958]

 That I'm aware of, there are at least 5 variations of TB Plus over the years since Henry J reissued Thuinderbirds, there's not a great deal of consistency with any of them, I think I've owned 5 Birds that had them, only the ones in my '06 Studio are really good, the rest were rather unremarkable.   

[Ken]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=JAllMFGdQTI&t=1250

[Alanko]

I've bought a couple of lousy TB+ pickups used. There must be a good reason people are yanking them out of basses and selling them!


Latest pickup is microphonic and susceptible to interference in a very directional manner. The opposite of what an epoxy sealed humbucker should be about.

[gearHed289]

I've always found TB+ to be single coil noisy. I have black soaps on my '94 Les Paul, and chrome humbucker size on the Fenderbird. I've also had a peeled black one stuffed into a 70's chrome cover on a Bach non-rev. All of the pickups look the same on the underside. And they all have a great tone, but a little directionally induced buzz. Totally manageable though.

[uwe]

I like it if you hear whether something is on or off, working or not working!