police squad Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 So, good people of the forum, on Wednesday I shall be collecting a Gibson Thunderbird. I am thinking about replacement vintage pickups for it Does anyone have any experience of the 'Mojo' pickups? [url="https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/thunderbird-bass/"]https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/thunderbird-bass/[/url] any other suggestions welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Not seen those before. The recent stock TBird pickups are much darker sounding than the old vintage ones, so replacing them is a popular mod; the only ones I was aware of are Thunderbuckers, Mike Lulls, Seymour Duncans, and these cheap ones: http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Thunderbird-Bass-Pickup-Vintage-Style-for-GibsonChromeNickel_p_2287.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I have used mojo before and they were great so I'll be watching this thread like a hawk. I love the chrome pickup look too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukimajou Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 I too will be watcing with interest. I have an Epi T'bird and would love a set of chrome covered pups in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1494853527' post='3298996'] Not seen those before. The recent stock TBird pickups are much darker sounding than the old vintage ones, so replacing them is a popular mod; the only ones I was aware of are Thunderbuckers, Mike Lulls, Seymour Duncans, and these cheap ones: http://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Thunderbird-Bass-Pickup-Vintage-Style-for-GibsonChromeNickel_p_2287.html [/quote] I think these are the ones the guys over at LBO got moist over recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Possibly a step further than you might be thinking, but I found that the nickel covers and rings I got online would accommodate a lot of different soapbar-type pups: I've got Dingwalls under mine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1494870344' post='3299213'] I think these are the ones the guys over at LBO got moist over recently. [/quote] LBO? I have a set here, hoping to fit them into a 5 string Warwick Rockbass Streamer, since everything about that bass is perfect apart from the weak pups! They are quite long for 4 string pickups and the wick's string spacing is quite narrow so they should fit perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1494879624' post='3299305'] LBO? [/quote] Last Bass Outpost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted May 16, 2017 Author Share Posted May 16, 2017 [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1494870344' post='3299213'] I think these are the ones the guys over at LBO got moist over recently. [/quote] what output would I go for, 8K or 9.2K Nickel or chrome? What's the finish on the white TB Nancy Johnson? It's black isn't it? At those prices, they've got to be worth a go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 The hardware is black...you could go the chrome route. I'm sure there's direct replacements for the machines and bridge. Uncertain whether the pickups would just drop in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 (edited) - Edited February 24, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted May 17, 2017 Author Share Posted May 17, 2017 [quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1494961882' post='3300043'] Personally I'd go for Nickel- hipshot do some mini clovers for modern T-birds, and I got a nickel three pointer for about £35. I'll keep an eye on this thread as I might upgrade the pickups in your old T-bird too, Police Squad! [/quote] Have you used it much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) - Edited February 24, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted May 17, 2017 Author Share Posted May 17, 2017 excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rodster Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 The Mojo's are great pickups, I've got them fitted to one of my Thunderbirds. I've also got a set of the Eyguitarparts pickups in the link above fitted to one of my Epiphone Thunderbirds. They are good and great value for money but lacking in power compared to the Mojo's although this maybe due to me asking Marc at Mojo to wind the pickups I bought slightly hotter! I've just had a set of Mike Lull's fitted and so far they seem bright and clear but maybe a bit too modern sounding but some of that might be the new strings. I'd be struggling to justify the price of them if I'm honest I'd say my current favourites are the Thunderbucker 66s. They seem to have a warmer, more vintage sound and tone to me than all the other but YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 I've stuck an order in with EY. Cheap enough, we'll see. I may also try the Mojo ones. I'll do a few gigs with the EYs first. I have gigged my Tbird twice now. 2nd gig was better as I set it up better for my playing style. The Gibson pickups dont sound too bad but they lack a little sparkle. I had the preamp clipping nicely on the 2nd gig and it was quite entertaining (for me anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 EYs have turned up. They look great. I may try and fit them this weekend. I'll do a before and after video and see how they differ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I'm really enjoying the sound of the stock pick ups on my 2012 Gibson T bird, can't imagine changing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 I can always change them back if I don't like them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1494853527' post='3298996'] Not seen those before. The recent stock TBird pickups are much darker sounding than the old vintage ones, so replacing them is a popular mod; [/quote] Out of interest, what do you regard as "recent" and "vintage"? Was there a point where Gibson changed their pickup specs in the T-bird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1496934964' post='3314830'] Out of interest, what do you regard as "recent" and "vintage"? Was there a point where Gibson changed their pickup specs in the T-bird? [/quote] Thunderbirds have been produced in three periods; vintage would best be applied to the 60s run (1963-69), the Bicentennial run (1976-79) and the current (or last) run (1987-2016). Bear in mind that the original Thunderbird pickups were units leftover from lapsteel production. The 70s pickups, I don't know, could be new or old...you wouldn't put it past a company like Gibson to uncover a box of old lapsteel pickups and produce a load of Bicentennial basses rather than throw them in a skip, but I just don't know. The last run dispensed with the chrome and went with plastic casings. The final production year saw the introduction of the EB series pickups. Edited June 9, 2017 by NancyJohnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukimajou Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Does anyone know if you can successfully get the plastic cover off the Epi T'Bird pickups? I think they really don't do the bass any justice and uncovered pups would look so much better, I can't afford the chrome or nickel replacements as they are more expesive that the guitar was. I will however, get a set of chrome toppe knobs as again the black ones look like crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 (edited) - Edited March 1, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rodster Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1496931989' post='3314802'] I'm really enjoying the sound of the stock pick ups on my 2012 Gibson T bird, can't imagine changing them. [/quote] The black plastic pickups do sound good, they have plenty of bottom end but they are muddy when compared to the originals or the replacements such as Mojo, EY, Mike Lull or Thunderbucker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 [quote name='The_Rodster' timestamp='1497038636' post='3315552'] The black plastic pickups do sound good, they have plenty of bottom end but they are muddy when compared to the originals or the replacements such as Mojo, EY, Mike Lull or Thunderbucker [/quote] Give me a few months and I might agree, right now I am enjoying the tonal improvement over th standard Jazz or Precision I've been using, especially when tuned down a couple of steps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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