Has anyone seen this Tbird pickup before?

bdgotoh · August 30, 2011, 12:55:17 AM

That definitely gives Steve something to work with!

Highlander · August 30, 2011, 01:19:25 AM

Quote from: TBird1958 on August 29, 2011, 11:33:35 PM
... (Had to shoot it on my copy of "The Mighty Eighth" for Kenny) ...

Dank... plenty of Kleenex handy...

How did you end up splitting the coil like that...?

Bionic-Joe · August 30, 2011, 06:17:10 AM

The Greco pickup is exactly like the one Steve back engineered. I still have to find an Orville for him to study.

dadagoboi · August 30, 2011, 06:55:18 AM

Quote from: Baz Cooper on August 30, 2011, 06:17:10 AM
The Greco pickup is exactly like the one Steve back engineered...

NO, IT'S NOT...ThunderBuckers are reverse engineered from 60s pups.

After ALL the work was done on the 63 and 66, when Steve visited we listened to my '89 Orville by Gibson. He took one of the pups (appears to be the same as used in the Greco) from it's cover to analyze it. Physically it's a VERY different pickup from a ThunderBucker/ Gibson original 60s pup. IMO it gets it's (harsher?) 'sound' from the magnets rather than from copper wire. That might work better for an 8 or 12 string.

Maximizing the 60s sound characteristics is the logic behind the 666, it fits in the same can and uses the same physical dimensions of the components of a ThunderBucker. It has a stronger but not overpowering magnetic field and maximum copper.

He's also working on a system similar to the original L-1000 G & L, passive V/T/B pots with coil switch to get the max variety of sounds from the 666.

Bionic-Joe · August 30, 2011, 07:08:22 AM

No, Carlo, you're correct. That's what I meant for the 666. I didn't mean the 63 and 66. As you said, he did use original T bird pickups. I meant for the Hotter one he used your's, which I believe is a Greco. But I'm trying to find an Orville to send to him to dissect. The Greco's are hotter and sound Kick ass as well.... But there is something about those damn Orville's that remains a mystery......

stiles72 · August 30, 2011, 08:28:10 AM

A couple more bottom side shots...

Just got this from the seller of the red "Custom Shop" Bird that's on Ebay right now:

And here's a Bartolini :

TBird1958 · August 30, 2011, 09:12:39 AM

Quote from: BUFF on August 30, 2011, 01:19:25 AM
Dank... plenty of Kleenex handy...

How did you end up splitting the coil like that...?

Unintentionally...........A drill bit

Psycho Bass Guy · August 30, 2011, 10:11:47 AM

Quote from: stiles72 on August 30, 2011, 08:28:10 AM
A couple more bottom side shots...

Just got this from the seller of the red "Custom Shop" Bird that's on Ebay right now:

Isn't "204" what the Nikki Sixx 'Birds were equipped with?

stiles72 · August 30, 2011, 10:24:50 AM

My Sixx says "214" on the neck, and "205" on the bridge. Not sure if those are part #'s or inspection codes. I called Gibson once to ask what they were for, and they said they had no idea.

Nocturnal · August 30, 2011, 01:19:41 PM

I have a pair of TB Plus at home that came from a recent model (08 maybe?) and they have 204 & 205 written on them. They measure the exact same output on the meter.

TBird1958 · August 30, 2011, 03:45:22 PM

Mine said 204, 205 IIRC