Bartolini Thunderbird CB pickups?

Dark Storm · May 09, 2009, 09:30:05 PM

Does anyone know if they're good pickups?

Do they sound in any way like Thunderbird pickups?

I'm building a bass, and I'd like to get a T-Birdish sound,
been playing a Epi, and really like the tone.

I can't buy propper T-Bird pickups on eBay, or get Lull's, btw.

TBird1958 · May 10, 2009, 12:38:36 AM

First, Welcome

Are we talking about the Bartolini replacement Thunderbird pups?
I bought a very beat up '76 'Bird that had one of these in the bridge position, it really did sound a lot like a contemporary Gibson. Its rumored the Bartolini actually makes Gibson's pickups (I wouldn't be surprised) and the one in this bass sounded pretty nice, tho I guess "modern" as opposed to the growly original one. It took awhile but I eventually replaced the Bart with an N.O.S. 76 pup that has a 13k ohm reading......... Oh, and it was chrome

Here's the bass right after I had it re-fined, note the black pick up in the bridge position, the shot was taken at BassNW

Here it's fully restored and has some N.O.S. chrome parts to finish it up, I rarely take this bass to a show............It's too pretty and I've been know to fall down onstage while spazzing

Dark Storm · May 10, 2009, 07:06:04 AM

Thanks Tbird! It is the Bartolini replacement ones I'm interested in.
Sounds like a good pickup then.

Quote from: TBird1958 on May 10, 2009, 12:38:36 AMtho I guess "modern" as opposed to the growly original one.

This is the part that worries me though, what interested me in the Thunderbird was its deep growly sound, perfect for rock.

Lovely bass, I'd be distracted by it too!:)

godofthunder · May 10, 2009, 08:24:35 AM

I have one I installed in my '76 Ibanez Destroyer in '84. Great sounding pickup, I have been thinking of swaping it out for a SD repro Thunderbird pickup. I had a '76 TB pup in there before the Bart.

Dark Storm · May 10, 2009, 08:35:25 AM

How does it sound to you, clean and clear? Growl? Somewhere in the middle? Trebley?

How would I find a Duncan repro, can't find it on their site, or for sale....

Funny you should post that pic, the bass I want them for is an Explorer I'm building.

Looks awesome!

Dave W · May 10, 2009, 09:04:41 AM

The Duncan is a custom shop item even though it's not shown in their custom shop listings.

Dark Storm · May 10, 2009, 09:20:16 AM

Ah, thanks.

Dave W · May 10, 2009, 09:32:33 AM

If you want to know more about the Duncans, send a PM to drbassman in case he doesn't see this thread, I know he has ordered them. Can't remember who else.

Dark Storm · May 10, 2009, 10:36:23 AM

Thanks again dude, I might just do that.

godofthunder · May 10, 2009, 11:09:02 AM

Quote from: Dark Storm on May 10, 2009, 08:35:25 AM
How does it sound to you, clean and clear? Growl? Somewhere in the middle? Trebley?

How would I find a Duncan repro, can't find it on their site, or for sale....

Funny you should post that pic, the bass I want them for is an Explorer I'm building.

Looks awesome!

It has been a while since I have had that bass out. I paired the Gibson mudbucker with the Bart on purpose to help balance the mud. As I recall the Bart has a nice clear high output treblely mid tone works really well with the mudbucker. I don't think it sounds anything like the contemporary black TB plus pickups, I find those sort of clubish and not very musical.

godofthunder · May 10, 2009, 11:13:10 AM

I have had a Seymour Duncan custom shop pickup installed in a '76 cover. On ebay greatdealz1967 has NOS '76 picup covers and rings for $29 bucks a real deal imho. It costs around 190 to get the '76 cover stuffed with '60s TB repro guts. They sound spot on next to a original '60s pup.

Dark Storm · May 10, 2009, 11:32:43 AM

Quote from: godofthunder on May 10, 2009, 11:09:02 AM
As I recall the Bart has a nice clear high output treblely mid tone

Now this sounds like it could work!

I'd be installing a three way series/single/parallel switch to each pickup, would add depth, and a Fender four way neck/series/parallel/bridge sliding switch for pickup selection. Master Vol and tone.
Basically the wiring setup of a Fender Roscoe Beck, just with a series option in the pickup selection.

What do you think of that idea with the Barts?

Dark Storm · May 10, 2009, 01:16:42 PM

Forgot, are the Barts four conductor?!

Bass VI · May 10, 2009, 10:39:13 PM

Hey All!

Back again for my rather infrequent ( as of late visits, Freakin' Busy! )

Dark Storm ( are you a superhero? ) I've got a set of the SD CS 60's style guts in a set of the Greatdeals covers, I'll echo what GOT says, great growly goodness!
I have a friend with the Barts in his '77 Bird and the are much more modern sounding a good tone, but not like the 60's p/ups. Contact Seymours' custom shop and they can fix you up ( be prepared, DrB and I waited about six months for ours )

Peace out everyone,

Scott

Dark Storm · May 11, 2009, 12:38:52 AM

Thanks man!

I'm afraid I'm not a super hero.................. yet!:D

The Duncans sound great, but 6 months is a long wait, as the build should be starting today.

I'll look into them though.