wayne58 Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 Hi all I've always been a fan of Thunderbird style basses, but have avoided taking the plunge due to the apparently long necks and balance issues as I'm fairly small in stature. However the Mike Lull T4 model does seem to address these issues. So here is my question...does anyone own one or has anyone tried them out? There are currently none in the UK that I'm aware of, and the larger bodied signature one would look silly on me. Many thanks Cam Quote
Happy Jack Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 I play the T5 with the Junkyard Dogs. Being a Lull 5-string it has 35" scale (which I love) and it is undeniably a stretch to the D-string tuner for average height me. Playing at the nut is no real issue and I barely notice the extra length. I have no issues with balance at all. It's a light bass - the main feature that first attracted me to Lull - and I use a grippy Comfort Strapp. If I do something stupid like letting go of the neck and jumping, then yes I can induce some neckdive. The sound of those Lull T-pickups is utterly majestic. Quote
wayne58 Posted February 17, 2017 Author Posted February 17, 2017 Thanks Jack, all sounds very encouraging indeed. Quote
Dazed Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 You know Lull fit their Thunderbird pickups in other shapes too Precisions look nice with (I think) Maybe worth a visit to Bass direct and see what they have in? They also have the Sandberg version of a Thunderbird. Maybe even a Dingwall DBird if that's your kinda thing.... Quote
Happy Jack Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 [Smug] I also own this: [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Mike%20Lull%20PT4%202013%20CURRENT/Mike%20Lull%204%20-%20complete%202_zpshg2pqyeb.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Mike%20Lull%20PT4%202013%20CURRENT/Mike%20Lull%204%20-%20complete%202_zpshg2pqyeb.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/Smug] If only you were closer to London, wayne58 ... Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 I would love a Lull 'bird - particularly the one with the oversized body - but they are beyond my budget sadly. My main bass is a Cataldo Fenderbird which uses Thunderbucker Ranch pickups, reverse engineered from the original Gibson pickups like the Lulls. They too sound wonderful, I assume they are similar. The sound puts a big daft grin on my face. Quote
Dazed Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 I'd love to try something with decent thunderbuckers. I've become quite smitten with the idea of a p bird. Like that lull but don't like the head stocks. Quote
Dazed Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 Those Cataldo basses are nice looking! I'm having a GAS day. Quote
BigRedX Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 Happy Jack, I'm assuming that the only difference between the Lull T-Bass and the T4 is the body shape? Do they sound significantly different in the band mix? Quote
dannybuoy Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1487344608' post='3239177'] I'd love to try something with decent thunderbuckers. I've become quite smitten with the idea of a p bird. Like that lull but don't like the head stocks. [/quote] Epiphone are about to replace the Classic Pro with the Vintage Pro, with vintage style chrome pickups... Hopefully they will be close to the Thunderbuckers! Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1487355061' post='3239294'] Epiphone are about to replace the Classic Pro with the Vintage Pro, with vintage style chrome pickups... Hopefully they will be close to the Thunderbuckers! [/quote] We live in hope... Quote
dannybuoy Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 Also there are some Chinese knock offs that are supposed to sound pretty close: http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Thunderbird-Bass-Pickup-Vintage-Style-for-GibsonChromeNickel_p_2287.html I have a set waiting to go into a bass when I get the time. Quote
NancyJohnson Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1487357277' post='3239322'] Also there are some Chinese knock offs that are supposed to sound pretty close: http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Thunderbird-Bass-Pickup-Vintage-Style-for-GibsonChromeNickel_p_2287.html I have a set waiting to go into a bass when I get the time. [/quote] Somebody on the LBO made an off the cuff remark about how, 'wouldn't it be funny if these pickups were the same ones as those going into the new Epiphones and it was all a lark on Gibsons part to get pickups tested and review the opinions made by vintage Thunderbird owners'. Quote
Happy Jack Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1487354648' post='3239290'] Happy Jack, I'm assuming that the only difference between the Lull T-Bass and the T4 is the body shape? Do they sound significantly different in the band mix? [/quote] Yes, they do, but IMHO that's mainly due to the strings. The T5 carries Lakland Joe Osborne flats (GHS Boomers, I believe) while the PT4 has TI flats which are WAY more compliant and need a very different touch to my usual rather agricultural approach. I suspect that if they each had the same strings then they would still sound different to me, but not to anyone else! Quote
Chiliwailer Posted February 17, 2017 Posted February 17, 2017 I once had 2 Lull PJ4's, both ash body, maple neck and same P pickup, both made same month/year. They sounded very different to each other to my ear. So it can't ALL be in the fingers Quote
phil421 Posted February 18, 2017 Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) I have a T4 since 2012 original purchased from Bassdirect when those were still rather cheap. this bass is a keeper, 3.6kg super well balanced constructed for playing live on stage (it has the perfect combo between the sound, the look and the confort...). It Is so confortable and sound so good that I nearly sold all my other bass, Fender CS, Lakland US etc... I am now looking to get another one as a Backup or eventually a Fano px4. It can be seen here and in other vid I can forward in private message...: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D19h_L22QA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=4D19h_L22QA[/url] Edited February 18, 2017 by phil421 Quote
wayne58 Posted February 18, 2017 Author Posted February 18, 2017 Thanks very much everyone for your advice and opinions. I will be checking out a Lull T4 as soon as possible. Quote
Owen Posted February 19, 2017 Posted February 19, 2017 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1487341028' post='3239140'] [url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Mike%20Lull%20PT4%202013%20CURRENT/Mike%20Lull%204%20-%20complete%202_zpshg2pqyeb.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] It's no good, I want to know model number/name and colour. I will then go and see if I can get it in 5. I will then put it on my ever shrinking GAS list. That is proper lush. Quote
Dazed Posted February 19, 2017 Posted February 19, 2017 Is it the PT 4? http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Mike_Lull_PT4_Mahogany.html Quote
Owen Posted February 22, 2017 Posted February 22, 2017 It is a PT4. I could be very happy with a PT5 like that. Quote
Happy Jack Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 It's a rather special bass. A previous owner contacted Mike Lull to ask about some possible mods he had in mind. Apparently Mike remembered this particular bass and said, basically, why would you want to ruin such a beautiful thing? Quote
wayne58 Posted April 10, 2017 Author Posted April 10, 2017 Hi all Managed to get a T4 and very pleased to say after 3 gigs I'm completely smitten. Thanks to all,for your input on this thread. Hope the link below to our recent gig in Lichfield works. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10211690206278304&id=1461825337 Quote
dannybuoy Posted April 10, 2017 Posted April 10, 2017 If you ever get neckdive / balance issues with a thunderbird style bass, instant fix is to have the lower part of the strap come over the front instead of the back. This stops the bass feeling like its tipping away from you and you can remove your hands and have zero neckdive! Quote
NancyJohnson Posted April 10, 2017 Posted April 10, 2017 (edited) ... edited out. God knows what happened there. Edited April 10, 2017 by NancyJohnson Quote
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