Holy Crap!!!!! NR

[TBird1958]

They (Gibson) never did make those covers..........
The were produced in California by an outside source, the same one Lull uses.

[drbassman]

They (Gibson) never did make those covers..........
The were produced in California by an outside source, the same one Lull uses.

Oh!  Figures.  So, couldn't they go back to them if they wanted to?

[TBird1958]

I don't know who presently make TB Plus pups for them, tho I've long heard the rumor Bartolini did, point is, Gibson probably would not directly produce the pickups, but would get them from an outside source. I wouldn't be surprised if they did that with just about everything.

[Lightyear]

Explain this to me.  They'll tool up to make the hideous pickguard and plates on this POS but they can't make a chrome cover for basses they sell every day already?  Oh brother, what a bunch of rummies.  

Maybe they jobbed it out to Trabens supplier   Regardless fugliness like this should be considered a crime against humanity

[dc10bass]

I don't know who presently make TB Plus pups for them, tho I've long heard the rumor Bartolini did...

AH....... THE PLOT THICKENS!

I'll take one please...

[Dave W]

I don't believe Bartolini ever made the TB Plus, no matter the rumors. They don't look or sound like Barts. And Barts don't have the noise problems common in some years of the TB Plus.

[TBird1958]

I dunno Dave, I had a Bart as the bridge pup in my green '76 for awhile (till I found an N.O.S. Gibson) and it was a twin coil design with the same overall shape and apperance as one of the four variations of TB Plus pups that I've seen - That said, I can't prove it and I'm not sure it really matters     

[Barklessdog]

What kind of two piece bridge was Uwe's new Washboard top Les Paul?  Looked ok in the pics

I know I just feel like Charlie Brown with Lucy holding the Football.

I cant see then using anything but LP TB's like they are already doing with the Grabbers, which would not nail the look.

[Denis]

I know I just feel like Charlie Brown with Lucy holding the Football.

I cant see then using anything but LP TB's like they are already doing with the Grabbers, which would not nail the look.

Neat bass! This photograph is seriously screwing with my sense of perspective, though.

[stiles72]

I dunno Dave, I had a Bart as the bridge pup in my green '76 for awhile (till I found an N.O.S. Gibson) and it was a twin coil design with the same overall shape and apperance as one of the four variations of TB Plus pups that I've seen - That said, I can't prove it and I'm not sure it really matters     

The pups in the Epiphone Thunderbird Pros look externally just like the current Bart Tbird replacements, minus the Bartolini logo. Appear to be the same shape, with the same screw hole set up.  Related???

[Dave W]

I dunno Dave, I had a Bart as the bridge pup in my green '76 for awhile (till I found an N.O.S. Gibson) and it was a twin coil design with the same overall shape and apperance as one of the four variations of TB Plus pups that I've seen - That said, I can't prove it and I'm not sure it really matters     

I was basing my opinion on different looking leads and different surface on the plastic. And I think Bart's QC is better than the TB Plus. We've heard a number of complaints over the years of noisy TB Plus that nothing can be done about but replace them, I've never heard that about a Bart.


You're right, though, doesn't really matter.

[gweimer]

I've got a pair of Bartolini CGBG pickups in the Holy Crap bass. I think (Dave, correct me if I'm wrong) they were originally made for the Les Paul Bass, and not available in aftermarket.  They are quiet as can be, even though I have visible string grooves across the top of the neck pickup.

[Dave W]

Right, good point. Yours were never offered aftermarket. They were Barts made exclusively for the Gibson LP Bass, and Gibson made a point of the fact that they were Barts. If the TB Plus were made by Bartolini, there's no reason for Gibson to hide it.

[gweimer]

Right, good point. Yours were never offered aftermarket. They were Barts made exclusively for the Gibson LP Bass, and Gibson made a point of the fact that they were Barts. If the TB Plus were made by Bartolini, there's no reason for Gibson to hide it.

I think the standard, embossed "Bartolini" stamp confirms that.   

[Deathshead]

Right, good point. Yours were never offered aftermarket. They were Barts made exclusively for the Gibson LP Bass, and Gibson made a point of the fact that they were Barts. If the TB Plus were made by Bartolini, there's no reason for Gibson to hide it.

I could of sworn way back in like 93-94 that they were even advertised as being made by bartolini to go along with the tct preamp.
I remember even contacting bartolini about it and them telling me that they only made them for gibson and they would not sell them direct.
Although my mind has been clouded by hundreds of gallons of beer and thc, LOL

Idk, but what i DO know is that my 96' lp standard bass just sounded sooo thick, that bass had the chrome tb plus/bart tct stock..
and im a guy who HATES preamps...it was the only preamp that sounded passive and organic to me.