Upgrade Advice: Epi Thunderbird Vintage Pro

[Sagawa]

Looking for some advice on pickups for the above mentioned bass. 

Ideally looking for a higher output pickup that is a direct drop-in fit for the stock chrome HBs. It's too nice a body for routing out! 

Anyone done this and had success? 

 

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Higher output? The stock pickups are loud! 

If you like the tone but want a bit more oomph, you might try running it through a TC Electronic Spark or something.

[neepheid]

Turn your amp up a bit?

[grenadillabama]

Those chrome pickups are good ! I wish I could buy some to add to my 'Stang and Precision. Embrace the chrome .

[Sagawa]

Not 100% sure I'm going to replace them... only had the bass a few days and not had a practice at full volume... they might be amazing. 

But just in case ...

[neepheid]

2 hours ago, Sagawa said:

Not 100% sure I'm going to replace them... only had the bass a few days and not had a practice at full volume... they might be amazing. 

But just in case ...

 

You've only had the bass a few days, you haven't even had a full volume go with it and you're asking about replacing the pickups? Give them a chance to impress you before you decide they're somehow lacking!

 

I've been where you are - it's an expensive business and leads to more sideways moves than actual upgrades. At least give it a few weeks and a fair go before even thinking about such things...

[miles'tone]

Those pickups are very highly regarded mate. The best that have been made for a Thunderbird for a good generation or so. Modelled after the originals from the 60s...

They are the legit T-bird sound!

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

If you don't like the stock vintage pro pickups you might need some of these 😉

 

 

...Or maybe change strings. I play flatwounds exclusively and have settled on EB Cobalt flats on my vintage pros, which sound massive.

[40hz]

Those pickups in the T-Bird Pro are widely regarded as some of the best pickups in a bass, full stop. All YouTube videos I see of this bass back that up - it sounds phenomenal and if it's anything like my old T-Bird, volume is not something that will be lacking.

 

What you see as an 'upgrade' to them, would be better served calling a 'modification'

[Maude]

Are these the same pickups as in the Embassy bass? 

I assumed the Vintage Pro Thunderbird and the Embassy had the same pickups, bridge and tailpiece. 

If so then I'm more than happy with the Embassy pickups. Great sounding bass. 

[Sagawa]

Thanks for the advice and opinions 👍 

 

I guess the answer to my original question is 'no' then. Nobody has replaced them.

 

Ever. 😆

[mcnach]