Some new guts for my Thunderbird.

[Benplaysbass]

Looking at changing the pots on my Epi Thunderbird, just had a quick look inside. At the moment the tone one is an A500k and the two volume ones are B500k. Whats the difference between the A and B part?
Been looking for new ones and they say nothing about A or B, but from what I can work out a lower value pot will give it a warmer vintage sound which is what I am after. There's too many numbers when it comes to this kind of thing.

[Grand Wazoo]

Ben is your wiring driagram similar to this?

[url="http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=2317"]http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=2317[/url]

if you need to closely match a typical set of vintage Gibson Thunderbird pots you can look at this website for parts (original Gibson parts i.e. not cheap but they are the blx)

[url="http://www.grguitars.com/parts_5electronics.htm"]http://www.grguitars.com/parts_5electronics.htm[/url]

The pots you want are EP-PAT500 Gibson brand potentiometer-500K ohm Audio Taper, long shaft

[Benplaysbass]

My wiring is different to that, mine is just the plain passive thunderbird with three pots. but will check out that site.

Thanks Fran.

[Delberthot]

I've got 500k CTS pots, a paper-in-oil cap and a Switchcraft Jack in mine but it was a tight squeeze. There's not a lot of room in there.

The normal Epiphone Thunderbird is just wired up the same as a Jazz bass

[BigRedX]

The A prefix on the pot means audio taper or logarithmic while B means linear.

Whether changing the pots to lower values will give a more "vintage" sound or not is entirely subjective and you'll only be able to decide by trying it out and letting your ears decide. However since the pickups in modern Thunderbirds (both Epiphone and Gibson) are different to those found in the classic Thunderbirds of the 60s, then IMO while changing the pots to higher quality ones might give you a smoother change in volume and tone as you turn them they won't get you any closer to the sound of a 60s Thunderbird.

[Benplaysbass]

I think I'll put some better quality pots in for now and see how it sounds. I have been on the look out for some pickups, but they are quite expensive. Have to be careful how much dosh I smuggle out. She seems to notice new shiny bits all too easily. I think I might try some lower value pots as the 500k ones are really quite bright and trebly.

[Grand Wazoo]

Ben you can save a bit of dosh and slap a couple of Seymour Duncan pickups model SSB-4N (neck) and SSB-4B (bridge) - They're about 50 quid a piece from Thomann in Germany

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/seymour_duncan_ssb4b.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/seymour_duncan_ssb4b.htm[/url]
[url="https://www.thomann.de/gb/seymour_duncan_ssb4n.htm"]https://www.thomann.de/gb/seymour_duncan_ssb4n.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/bass/soapbars/4string/ssb45_passive_p/"]http://www.seymourdu...sb45_passive_p/[/url]


They sound like this:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG-yfJOPgRA[/media]

Edited October 15, 2011 by Grand Wazoo

[Delberthot]

Alternatively I have EMG 35HZs in mine and they're ace

[IMG]http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/Delberthot/Thunderbirdnew/DSC08781Large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/Delberthot/Thunderbirdnew/DSC08777Large.jpg[/IMG]

[Benplaysbass]

mmmm food for thought. The seymour duncan do one for bridge and one for neck but looks like the EMG's are the same for both. Is that right?

[Grand Wazoo]

Yes and it all comes down to taste Ben, but I can tell you that through my years of modding I find the Duncans more organic and the EMG too modern sounding, and if you aer looking for vintage vibes then you think about what is best for you. tara chuck or as they say in France "Au revoire, Benoit!"

[Benplaysbass]

Been doing alot of reading up on pots and their values. And then realised I had a set of 250k alpha pots already wired up(think they were off a jazz) so just soldered them into the thunderbird and there is a definite change in sound. and so far I like it. so will be popping some CTS pots in when they get here. Pickups will follow shortly, along with hipshot bridge. She is going to kill me.

[Grand Wazoo]

[quote name='Benplaysbass' timestamp='1318777695' post='1406064']
Been doing alot of reading up on pots and their values. And then realised I had a set of 250k alpha pots already wired up(think they were off a jazz) so just soldered them into the thunderbird and there is a definite change in sound. and so far I like it. so will be popping some CTS pots in when they get here. Pickups will follow shortly, along with hipshot bridge. She is going to kill me.
[/quote]

Bloody hell Ben, you never learn do you? I would have thought after divorcing the first wife you'd have learn a thing or two about being the boss indoors... you're not under the thumb with this new one and all, are ya?

Edited October 16, 2011 by Grand Wazoo

[Benplaysbass]

Not falling into that one again Fran. No this ones the real deal about as perfect a woman as you can get, just got to be careful how much I spend as theres not much about at the moment. And in her eyes its probably not a necessary item/items.

[Muzz]

Going down the same route here (not with the second Mrs (yet) tho... ) on the Fenderbird - Hipshot Xtender and tuners fitted, Supertone ordered, next it'll be the Seymour Duncans and a CTS rewire. Then it'll be finished. Probably. This modding lark's more GAS-inducing than buying em whole. At least it's cheaper...

[Delberthot]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/157993-modified-epiphone-goth-thunderbird/"]And here's one that I prepared earlier[/url]

I don't find these EMGs modern sounding. Maybe the actives but these sound lovely and growly

[Grand Wazoo]

[quote name='Benplaysbass' timestamp='1318799729' post='1406395']
Not falling into that one again Fran. No this ones the real deal about as perfect a woman as you can get, just got to be careful how much I spend as theres not much about at the moment. And in her eyes its probably not a necessary item/items.
[/quote]


Very sensible Ben, that's what I like to hear. I must say I am pleased for you about the new lady! Keep an eye on ebay, you never know a pair of Duncan might come for sale 2nd hand.