Thunderbird PUP choices

[JohnDaBass]

I'm embarking on a Fenderbird Bitsa build and I am seeking views, opinions and  experiences of different Thunderbird PUPs used by Basschat members. I've got a Jazz neck and have an Epiphone Thunderbird bass body on it's way so before choosing PUPs I wanted some input. Tone wise, I'm for a typical Gibson Thunderbird sound. So who has used, Bass Buckers, EMG TBHZ, Seymour Duncan, Bartolini T4CBC or any other PUPs?

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Typical old growly Thunderbird or typical modern dark Thunderbird?

[foxyFuze]

Point well made above. Take a look at Gemini pickups; several choices, all with detailed sound clips. 

[dannybuoy]

These are supposed to be good:

https://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Thunderbird-Bass-Pickup-Vintage-Style-for-GibsonChromeNickel_p_2287.html

https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/thunderbird-bass/

[JohnDaBass]

46 minutes ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

Typical old growly Thunderbird or typical modern dark Thunderbird?

Old growly Thunderbird would be the objective. 

But I'm interested to learn what PUPs do what. 

[Cosmo Valdemar]

41 minutes ago, JohnDaBass said:

Old growly Thunderbird would be the objective. 

 

Good answer 😎

Thunderbuckers get good reviews - I had a set in a Cataldo Fenderbird a few years ago.

https://www.thunderbuckerranch.com/pickups

Honestly, I prefer the stock pickups in my Epiphone Vintage Pro - a bit livelier with more top end.

Mojos are meant to be good, and are cheaper with custom options available.

https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/thunderbird-bass/

 

 

[Shaggy]

+1 for the Thunderbuckers.   I have a "66" pair in a Warmoth custom T'bird, and they nail the tone of my 1965 T'bird IV, but they are pricey.   Seems to be a bit more choice around now since I got them (which was basically either the Thunderbuckers or Mike Lulls for the "classic" type).    Not keen on the modern Gibson units.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

The Epiphone Bass Probucker #760s as fitted to the Vintage Pro Thunderbirds & Embassy Pro basses are excellent, so if you can track down a set I doubt you would be disappointed.

[2elliot]

I have the EMG pickups in my Ultra Bass. They sound great live with a band. They just seem to fit in with whatever I'm playing.  

[Rikkers]

Try to get a couple of 2nd hand Gibson TBird pups. They pop up once and again on the 2nd hand market.

I've searched for good replacements because I thought that the pups of my TBird that was in the process of being built were sounding too dark. To my surprise these pups are very growly.

[Muzz]

Just to be awkward, I've squeezed a pair of Dingwall split coil soapbars under the chrome covers on mine, which is my preference for sound. The Epi routs are a decent size to fit most soapbars in, so the world's your oyster, really...

[DarkHeart]

The new T-Birds with the Pro Bucker 760`s on sound amazing (well they do to me) I had the old alpine white one with the Gibson  pickups in but these are far better, I`ve also got one of the active T-Bird pro`s but I changed those pups for a set of custom wound Ghost Dirty Dozens and it`s very dark sounding and full.

[The_Rodster]

+1 for Thunderbuckers. I've got all 3 types (63, 66 & 66S) fitted to my Thunderbird's and they have a great vintage sound.

I've also got Mojo & Mike Lulls fitted and they're good but I find they sound a bit more modern to my ears. 

I'm not keen on the EY pickups, they seem to lack something.

The Epiphone Vintage Pro are a good option if you can get them. I've managed to pick up a couple of sets from eBay but they don't seem to come up very often

 

 

[JohnDaBass]

@The_Rodster which Thunderbuckers do you favour 63 ,66 or 66S?

[The_Rodster]

That's a tricky question! Initially the 66S was probably my favourite but recently I've been warming more to the 63 set, although they're in a Non-Reverse T-bird so that might have something to do with it.

The 66 & 66S are definitely hotter pickups