All of these pickups are amazing! Not a bad sound in there! I worry that my 1978 Thunderbird is a one trick pony however, it is a brilliant one! I will keep it stock and use my Fenders with John East preamps for the ranges I require!
Wish Gibson would add the RD Artist back to their lineup. Maybe even add the original MOOG circuit to it. The TB lacks the clairity of the 70's Rippers and RD's imo.
*Go with a pair of EMG TBTW pickups, with an EMG BTC stacked concentric Treble/Bass tone control... You'll get EIGHT killer pickup combinations to select the perfect voice for whatever music you're playing at any given time, and an active boost or cut for both highs and lows, to make that perfect voice sit right in the mix/ensemble... But turn them both around 180 degrees, with the "EMG" logos on the opposite corner from normal..., as the side of the pickup with the stacked single "J" pickup is the side under the EMG logo, and you get a stronger deeper tone and volume when in stacked "J" mode when that side is closer to the neck than closer to the bridge, for both the neck position, and especially the bridge position. For other dual mode EMG pickups such as the 89, you can order an 89R, which is simply a standard 89, but with the EMG logo printed on the opposite corner of the front of the pickup. I don't believe that this is offered as an option for EMG TBTW pickups outside of a Custom Shop order, so it's just easier and more convenient to turn them around backwards..., and this applies to every dual mode EMG guitar and bass pickup model, including the 89, and every pickup with a, "TW", suffix in its model number...* 🤔
Good Video, I liked the TBDC & TBTW pickups, I have a 2015 Gibson Thunderbird that has the tapped pickups ( sorry purists) & black hardware with a Babicz bridge, these were very under rated basses, I love mine & the options offered with the tapped pickups. IMO
After this video was completed, I ended up installing DPDT switches with the TW set effectively giving my 2019 more of a 2015 vibe. I’m with you on the TW and DC. They all had their own mojo, but those two were my favorites.
Yeah the TBJ & TBP sounded good but not as meaty & full to my ear, I just watched part 2 of the TBird video & the issue you had installing the Babicz non contact bridge , ...oddly enough I had always wanted a Gibson Thunderbird bass to add to my arsenal & if I got one I was going to swap out the Stock bridge with a Babicz so when the 2015 model came out with the Bacicz & tapped pickups with improved wiring I grabbed one & I am glad I did, I primarily play Jazz basses & I was thrilled to be able to get the Jazz bass tone with the tapped pickups, try to grab a 2015 if you get chance, I also have a Gibson 2021 non reverse Thunderbird in Faded Pelham Blue on order, Long - McQuade music here in Vancouver BC doesn't have an arrival date yet for me, I think Sweetwater , Zzounds & others in the States have gotten the first batch of them, .. I'd love to see you guys do a review on one of the 2021 Gibson non reverse Thunderbird basses & hear your opinion, I have heard the pickups have been re-voiced, ...man I can't wait to get it, ... I'm thinking it will arrive mid January/ early February. 😀
Thank you for such a broad demonstration on such a unique bass. I have the Harley Benton T bird and never been quite happy with the semi active pickups it came with but mainly unhappy with the volume/tone/fade or whatever it is. I was wanting a two volume one tone no BS set up and thinking about just swapping out pots but now a little confused since EMG offers 250k pots where I thought a 500k for humbuckers.
They all sound great. I would say DC was the biggest surprise. I have a DC on my Schecter Riot Session 5 and I found it a little bright and hot for rock and metal, to my ears. In this instrument here though it works well, perhaps the DC is a better fit in darker sounding woods unlike Ash/maple which is what I have. Also was really fond of the Ps but that is because I am partial to their sound. The growl on those sounded incredible. J sounded nice as well but a little more subdued.
Really hoping you will do a deep dive review on the Gibson Rex Brown Thunderbird. I can't get details on the preamp anywhere. There is only one halway decent demo that has zero details.
Liked the demo and the sounds of the various active pickups, particularly the P model. Is there a chance of a demo of the passive TBHZ model for those of us who would prefer not to add extra routing to accommodate batteries?
Hey I recently bought the tbdc (neck) and tbtw (bridge) in my epi thunderbird and I’ve been struggling to get any signal from the bridge and have been getting a lot of grounding issues I’m not sure what to do because the wiring diagrams do not show anything like what i am trying to perform
The hardware is all stock. It’s not actually black chrome, though, just black. I’m eventually going to swap the bridge and tuners for chrome Hipshot stuff.
I saved for months in 1994 to buy a thunder bird got it brand new and hated it . I had played a used one but the one I got was like playing on a 2x4 bolted to a cinder block. Payed $750 sold for $500.
@@TheBassChannel sweet. They desperately need those sort of examples for bass. I put together a 4 way neck pickup comparison but that barely scratches the surface and it is not up to your level of production.
Isn't the bass originally passive? If so where did you mount the battery? I have an epiphone Gothic Bird. I wanna change the pickups i like the hz but i would to do pj set up or the dc but the battery has me
I kind of like them all for different reasons but my personal favorite sets in order were TW, DC, P, then J. I didn’t like the P/J setup as much as I thought not did I particularly care for the J/DC combo. My absolute favorite tone of the day was dual-coil TW neck with split TW bridge.
As a long-time T-bird player, this is certainly true - but Pino set his P-bass up with T-bird pu's playing with The Who. Just comes down to the combination of elements you want/are after. EMG is simply offering a choice for someone to discover their own sound in a bass they like to play.
Best that Gibsons ever sounded
Jayme's timing is just so precise. Monster player.
I was so amazed at his versatility
The tbp set sounded killer! No matter which one you choose, all of those add the t-bird a MUCH needed clarity and definition.
Great video! Although it would have been nice if you guys recorded the Thunderbird with stock pickups first for comparison
The TBP's really bark! But
with the TW's is a tone monster! So many great flavours to choose from.
In case anyone else uses a pick exclusively and is comparing between these pickups:
4:10 - TBDC Set
4:20 - TBDC Neck
4:31 - TBDC Bridge
6:50 - TBJ Set
7:00 - TBJ Neck
7:10 - TBJ Bridge
9:05 - TBP Set
9:15 - TBP Neck
9:26 - TBP Bridge
12:34 - TBTW Set
12:44 - TBTW Neck
12:55 - TBTW Bridge
All of these pickups are amazing! Not a bad sound in there! I worry that my 1978 Thunderbird is a one trick pony however, it is a brilliant one! I will keep it stock and use my Fenders with John East preamps for the ranges I require!
I cannot say how much I luv emg pickups. They did great on my spector
All of them sound excellent.
I love the versatility of the TBTW set...
It has great punch, but definitely not a one trick pony 🤣👍
Interesting. Thunderbird sounds wicked. New subscriber.
Wish Gibson would add the RD Artist back to their lineup. Maybe even add the original MOOG circuit to it. The TB lacks the clairity of the 70's Rippers and RD's imo.
Yes!
*Go with a pair of EMG TBTW pickups, with an EMG BTC stacked concentric Treble/Bass tone control... You'll get EIGHT killer pickup combinations to select the perfect voice for whatever music you're playing at any given time, and an active boost or cut for both highs and lows, to make that perfect voice sit right in the mix/ensemble... But turn them both around 180 degrees, with the "EMG" logos on the opposite corner from normal..., as the side of the pickup with the stacked single "J" pickup is the side under the EMG logo, and you get a stronger deeper tone and volume when in stacked "J" mode when that side is closer to the neck than closer to the bridge, for both the neck position, and especially the bridge position. For other dual mode EMG pickups such as the 89, you can order an 89R, which is simply a standard 89, but with the EMG logo printed on the opposite corner of the front of the pickup. I don't believe that this is offered as an option for EMG TBTW pickups outside of a Custom Shop order, so it's just easier and more convenient to turn them around backwards..., and this applies to every dual mode EMG guitar and bass pickup model, including the 89, and every pickup with a, "TW", suffix in its model number...* 🤔
Good Video, I liked the TBDC & TBTW pickups, I have a 2015 Gibson Thunderbird that has the tapped pickups ( sorry purists)
& black hardware with a Babicz bridge, these were very under rated basses, I love mine & the options offered with the tapped pickups.
IMO
After this video was completed, I ended up installing DPDT switches with the TW set effectively giving my 2019 more of a 2015 vibe. I’m with you on the TW and DC. They all had their own mojo, but those two were my favorites.
Yeah the TBJ & TBP sounded good but not as meaty & full to my ear, I just watched part 2 of the TBird video & the issue you had installing the Babicz non contact bridge , ...oddly enough I had always wanted a Gibson Thunderbird bass to add to my arsenal & if I got one I was going to swap out the Stock bridge with a Babicz so when the 2015 model came out with the Bacicz & tapped pickups with improved wiring I grabbed one & I am glad I did, I primarily play Jazz basses & I was thrilled to be able to get the Jazz bass tone with the tapped pickups, try to grab a 2015 if you get chance, I also have a Gibson 2021 non reverse Thunderbird in Faded Pelham Blue on order, Long - McQuade music here in Vancouver BC doesn't have an arrival date yet for me, I think Sweetwater , Zzounds
& others in the States have gotten the first batch of them, .. I'd love to see you guys do a review on one of the 2021 Gibson non reverse Thunderbird basses & hear your opinion, I have heard the pickups have been re-voiced, ...man I can't wait to get it, ... I'm thinking it will arrive mid January/ early February. 😀
I’d definitely love to check out the new Thunderbird
This video helped me decide what to do with my t bird
Thank you for such a broad demonstration on such a unique bass. I have the Harley Benton T bird and never been quite happy with the semi active pickups it came with but mainly unhappy with the volume/tone/fade or whatever it is. I was wanting a two volume one tone no BS set up and thinking about just swapping out pots but now a little confused since EMG offers 250k pots where I thought a 500k for humbuckers.
been waiting for this video
They all sound great. I would say DC was the biggest surprise. I have a DC on my Schecter Riot Session 5 and I found it a little bright and hot for rock and metal, to my ears. In this instrument here though it works well, perhaps the DC is a better fit in darker sounding woods unlike Ash/maple which is what I have.
Also was really fond of the Ps but that is because I am partial to their sound. The growl on those sounded incredible. J sounded nice as well but a little more subdued.
Really hoping you will do a deep dive review on the Gibson Rex Brown Thunderbird. I can't get details on the preamp anywhere. There is only one halway decent demo that has zero details.
I want to add a thunerbird pickup in the bridge position on my EMG loaded pbass and I was hoping to hear the dc paired with the p option.
GREAT video, thank you!! much appreciated. will be guiding in deciding which pickup(s) is for me
You're far too kind dude, thanks!
Hizumitas pedal review please!
Liked the demo and the sounds of the various active pickups, particularly the P model. Is there a chance of a demo of the passive TBHZ model for those of us who would prefer not to add extra routing to accommodate batteries?
Yeah the video what I need!
Useful video thanks.
Hey I recently bought the tbdc (neck) and tbtw (bridge) in my epi thunderbird and I’ve been struggling to get any signal from the bridge and have been getting a lot of grounding issues I’m not sure what to do because the wiring diagrams do not show anything like what i am trying to perform
do alnico exist in TB fit. they're on the install sheet but not the website? anyways, curious how a reverse pj would sound
Never seen a modern Gibson with input on the front, just Epi models, was this a limited release?
It’s a custom modification. Otherwise, it’s a regular 2019 Gibson Thunderbird.
That's a nice fuggin bass, bro
I love it
@@TheBassChannel is the black chrome hardware an add-on? That's exactly what I would do.
The hardware is all stock. It’s not actually black chrome, though, just black. I’m eventually going to swap the bridge and tuners for chrome Hipshot stuff.
I saved for months in 1994 to buy a thunder bird got it brand new and hated it . I had played a used one but the one I got was like playing on a 2x4 bolted to a cinder block. Payed $750 sold for $500.
Hey guys, could you share a photograph of that painting in the wall? Willing to use as background image, maybe a tattoo inspiration
instagram.com/p/B_BjVIsH4cm/?
Did you guys ever try the TBHZ’s at all?
Not this time. But I'm sure we'll take a look at it sometime in the near future.
@@TheBassChannel just curious what yours guys’ take is on the passive versions
I’ve enjoyed the other passive EMG offerings I’ve tried so I imagine the TBHZs will be just as good.
… and how did you squeezed in a 9v battery?
Will EMG hook you up with soapbars, P, J etc to do a similar comparison?
This was great.
That’s the plan
@@TheBassChannel sweet. They desperately need those sort of examples for bass. I put together a 4 way neck pickup comparison but that barely scratches the surface and it is not up to your level of production.
No EMG TB HZ?
Mantap man👍👍👍
The Thunderbird looks heavy just sitting on Jayme's knee 🤓
The EMG sound doesnt sound like gibson at all😢😢😢😢
0:04 dc
0:14 j
0:24 p
are the knobs on the tbird stock?
They are not.
Isn't the bass originally passive? If so where did you mount the battery? I have an epiphone Gothic Bird. I wanna change the pickups i like the hz but i would to do pj set up or the dc but the battery has me
It took some patience but the battery fit in the control cavity
I'm curious, what was your favorite combination & why?
I kind of like them all for different reasons but my personal favorite sets in order were TW, DC, P, then J. I didn’t like the P/J setup as much as I thought not did I particularly care for the J/DC combo. My absolute favorite tone of the day was dual-coil TW neck with split TW bridge.
P neck TW bridge
This is my set prefer
“In this weeks installment of ‘How To Make A TBird Sound Nothing Like A TBird…’”
Or, how to make them sound decent
As a long-time T-bird player, this is certainly true - but Pino set his P-bass up with T-bird pu's playing with The Who. Just comes down to the combination of elements you want/are after. EMG is simply offering a choice for someone to discover their own sound in a bass they like to play.
Does it matter?
That’s something only you can decide.
良いね👍！
too manyyyyyyyyyyyyyy :)
nice commercial
Glad you liked it!
I hear a lot of buzzing and fart sounds. Not my cup of tea sound.
This is a sonic injustice to EMG and Thunderbird