What are the characteristics of the Gibson TB Plus chrome covered bass pickups??

Bionic-Joe · March 01, 2009, 12:03:44 PM

The pickups I'm talking about are the ones that are usually in newer Les Paul Basses, pickups look like chrome covered guitar humbuckers with either black or cream rings. How do these sound? What is the output??? 10K? Are these like the thunderbird pickups?? I have a 1985 Hamer 8 string bass and was wondering if these would be cool.

Chris P. · March 01, 2009, 12:06:19 PM

I don't know the output, but I believe the pick ups of recent T-Birds, LPs, the Grabber II and the SG RI (neck) are all the same TB+ pick ups.

Bionic-Joe · March 01, 2009, 02:05:45 PM

So do you suppose that they would sound like the Orville thunderbird pickups???

Dave W · March 01, 2009, 02:13:40 PM

All TB Plus versions are the same style, blades instead of polepieces and ceramic magnets below. They may be wound to the same general specs, I don't know. Even so, they would have to have identical bobbins underneath the covers and be spaced the same to be considered the same.

I haven't had the opportunity to measure any bobbins or take any readings, buy we know for sure that the TB Plus in the SG RI (neck) has two widely spaced bobbins; the spacing would definitely change the sound compared two bobbins right together.

I've never heard an Orville or seen the insides of its pickups.

Nocturnal · March 01, 2009, 02:35:09 PM

This place has a set of Gibson's in chrome or gold, but they don't mention the output rating.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Thunderbird-Bass-Guitar-Pickup-Chrome_W0QQitemZ110350329264QQihZ001QQcategoryZ22670QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Bionic-Joe · March 01, 2009, 03:26:20 PM

Thanks! I may pickup a set for my 8 string.

uwe · March 02, 2009, 11:31:19 AM

Of all the TB-Plus variations available, these are the most aggressive sounding. I have them on my 8 string LP Standard, they do their work fine, bit brutish, but what do you expect from an 8 string.

drbassman · March 02, 2009, 11:41:36 AM

Hey Uwe, how about the Fralin Bassbuckers in the Cherry Vanilla LP bass? I love the sound of those. WHat do you think of them in this application?

gearHed289 · March 02, 2009, 01:04:56 PM

Quote from: uwe on March 02, 2009, 11:31:19 AM
Of all the TB-Plus variations available, these are the most aggressive sounding. I have them on my 8 string LP Standard, they do their work fine, bit brutish, but what do you expect from an 8 string.

What is this 8 string LP Standard you speak of?

Chris P. · March 02, 2009, 01:28:56 PM

Uwe has this 4 string turned into 8 string LP. Probably done by Gibson. The bass is an ex pro player bass, but I forgot who. On the ole Pit there used to be some pics.