How I Modified My Thunderbird to Play and Sound BETTER | GIBSON A GO GO

I did a series of modifications on my Gibson Thunderbird to improve the tone, look, setup, and neck-dive
#GibsonAGoGo
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Featured gear:
Gibson Thunderbird Bass
EMG TBTW Pickups
Hipshot SuperTone Bridge
Hipshot Ultralite Tuning Machines
Hipshot Ultralite Bass Xtender
Elixir Stainless Steel Bass Strings 45-105
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0:00 Intro
0:30 Stock Thunderbird Tones
1:47 EMG TBTW Pickups
3:10 Bass Channel Team Opinions of the Pickups
5:19 EMG TBTW Sound Sample
6:09 Drilling New Holes
7:54 New Knobs
8:05 Hipshot SuperTone Bridge
11:52 Hipshot Ultralite Tuners and Bass Xtender
15:16 Weight of New Parts
15:43 No More Neck Dive
16:11 Rear Strap Pin Relocation
17:33 Final Thoughts
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[@pump_6669]

I play an Epiphone Goth Thunderbird & the only things I have done to it are: 1)Added a .47 μf capacitor on the tone pot 2)Switched to GHS Bass Boomer strings BEAD tuning (and have it tuned to standard D) I have a VERY unique tone & couldnt be happier-It has a "Nasty" growl to it & sounds sexy as hell!

[@andreasdeutinger7319]

this isn‘t a cheap bass to buy. but it would really annoy me, to buy a bass, then have to switch pickups, drill holes, put on a new bridge, switches, tuners… why not buy a bass that has all this things? a custom made bass by a builder in your area wouldn‘t be that expensive, save you a lot of time and would be like you want it from the start.

[@fistinair1979]

You are 100% right but for those of us that like to mod, finding something with good bones and bringing it up to that next level is part of the joy of the process.

[@andreasdeutinger7319]

@@fistinair1979 i know that it is fun for many to improve their instrument. but the thunderbird is a bass that needs to be improved, if you really want to play it. neck dive, muddy sounding pick ups, bad handling-if you let it the way gibson sells it it isn‘t a great bass.

[@jarrenvrekk8758]

@@andreasdeutinger7319 the thunderbird is one of the most iconic and popular basses of all time. It's not for everyone, but it is for a lot of people, myself included. I use a decent strap and get zero neck dive, and the pickups definitely aren't muddy. They are different than a fender but to a lot of people, that's why they love them.

[@everythingjingabell8416]

To be honest, TB is as good as it has been. If you have to modify it, it means you might not like the real TB, especially if you have to change the pick up. It broke my heart when you drilled so many holes on the bass😢😢😢

[@Elizondobass]

It’s a lot cheaper to mod something than to buy a custom but if you can afford it get a custom

[@80bpmbassist]

Another great point about that bass extender is for live musicians. I know in my band we do a lot of mixed tunings, and for some stuff the bass is in a different tuning from the guitars, and it really helps tuning time in a live setting.

[@davedixon2167]

Somebody's going to have to fully school me on the intricacies of the drop-tuner - I simply cannot believe both up and down positions can possibly stay in tune, considering how many instruments I've had that have a hard enough time staying tuned without flipping the tension back and forth LOL

[@michaelcreel534]

You made some killer mods! Plus, it sounds amazing! Congrats! 🤘

[@christee5772]

Nice work, got the same bridge and it went straight on with no problems, I sorted neck dive by adding a bag of ball bearings to the wiring cavity.

[@merciless2032]

Hellyeah! I've been waiting for this video for so long :DD 🔥

[@gearhead215]

YEEEEES, I've been missing my old bird, this makes me want to get one again!!

[@ibanezmnm]

I love Gibsons, because they… Gibsons… but I cant understand how to spent 2-2.5k and you have to change everything to make it sound and works better…

[@maximeputigny1135]

Awesome job !

[@myflyisopen.8732]

I'm so glad there a channel of bassists who are as fat or fatter than I am. You dudes are my go to for all things bass. Thank you!

[@Logrowlf]

It sounds awesome man.

[@spothra8862]

Picked up an Epiphone Gothic Thunderbird on a whim about 10 years ago. Besides relocating the rear strap button, the only change I made was the Hipshot SuperTone Gibson Bass Replacement Bridge because the 3 point was annoying. Absolutely love the sound of the TB-Plus humbuckers that came stock. I like the modern C shape P style necks, Jazz neck feel to narrow. The T-Birdneck is 1.563" at the nut, so it's between a J and P size wise and super comfy....

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

Killer bass killer sound and if it got scratch a bit who cares it had mojo to this beast!!!and love your playing 🤘🏻💯

[@jamescoderre9595]

Good Video Chris ! 😀👍 I love the mods you did on your Thunderbird bass, & I love the EMG's you put in as well. And on a side note I am still waiting for The Gibson non reverse Thunderbird in Faded Pelham Blue that I ordered mid October 2021 to arrive, I will let you know my thoughts on in it when I receive it.😊 hopefully it arrives before 2023

[@FalconBass]

Really nice! My dream bass is a De Gier Lowlander, which is an improved Thunderbird model. This really has the same mojo!

[@rickrolli7091]

I had an Epiphone Pro 5 in natural finish. I install Bartolini 5 string pickups and a Bartolini NTBT preamp. It has an active passive switch, bass and treble control with a volume and fader. I've always used the wide leather strap to help with neck dive. The tone is bad ass. I sold it because I didn't play it much. No regrets on selling it. It went to a guy that's going to use it for his music. Great video. Keep it up

[@toddohligschlager4093]

The bass sounds great 👍

[@ericsyre9418]

I also changed the bridge on my Blackbird and it drastically changed the playability and sound

[@Jeff-nk5lv]

Great video. I have a 2018 Gibson Thunderbird which has a factory fitted Babicz bridge. Very nice upgrade. I also have a 2013 Epiphone Classic Pro which I retrofitted a Babicz onto. A bit of a job, but after hacksawing the studs to make them flush with the body so I could get the full contact happening, it's all good. Next upgrade is going to be Hipshot tuners.

[@abc123gpl]

nice work. cheers from germany.

[@crankjazz]

I've never had a problem with neck dive with my Thunderbirds, my Fenderbird, or my Ibanez Destroyer II bass. A decent strap, and appropriate strap button placement, makes all the difference.

[@TeleCustom72]

Great video - cool tones. btw, that previous video on the EMGs really helped me decide on the right EMG for my Gibson DC Les Paul bass. I had a Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Thunderbird pickup in that bass previously and really didn't like it at all (it is currently an expensive paperweight). I think the Duncan would be better as a set in a Thunderbird rather than how I used it in the DC bass. Anyway, back to EMGs - totally loving mine (the passive Thunderbird version).

[@IndigoVagrant]

I dig the aesthetic changes and the drop D extender. I wonder if there is a good passive pickup alternative however? My favorite basses are P basses and musicman. Having something growly in the bridge and precise/funky in the neck/mid position would be great.

[@darvinclement3250]

Your bass looks and sounds great! I'm guilty of using too much force on screws as well. It really sucks when they break. Hopefully I've learned my lesson. Basses can sound great with active or passive pickups to my ears. Passive only for guitars though for me.

[@davidlovellbass4761]

This was really insightful. I was thinking about all these mods on my 80’s Greco Tbird copy but with it being all in metric measurements I was a bit hesitant. Also not a fan of the hipshot bridge look so was going to try the 2 piece version

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

EMG and Hipshot. Perfect combo for that bass. Either you love T birds or hate them. I love ‘em!

[@prashanthpadmarajan]

Oh great timing! I am planning on shifting my rear strap pin (similar to the Spector basses). I have an Ibanez SoundGear series bass with a slight neck dive that can be incredibly annoying while playing.

[@mattster693]

ive got a dean demonator which would be really similar to a t bird, and i had to drill 2 new holes for the strap buttons to address the neck dive issue, one on the back of the neck heel, and one like you did moving the bottom one to the wing instead of in the center, and it practically cured it! and as a bonus for me with a longer strap length it sits more vertical that horizontal which for playing blazing fast riffs in the lower register is preferred. i feel that moving the bottom strap lock did help alot with balance because it keeps the strap further away not pulling the neck back down, now to get emgs to replace the electronics...

[@adamcawdle]

i had a cheap epiphone thunderbird, really wanted one.. but it just wasn't for me, i couldn't play it standing up, so one day when i get one again (because they look so damn good!) i will try some of these mods.

[@pansj.9949]

Great upgrades. This calls for a review of the new Rex Brown TBird ;)

[@pacree]

Great detailed vid! I've got an tobacco burst Epiphone TBird with the set neck and trad shaped pups. So far, I've put that same Hipshot bridge and tuners on, only in gold (which imo looks fantastic against the tobacco burst finish) and no xtender. I've used Dunlop's flush mount strap buttons in black, 2 sets placed in the same spots you mentioned to give me some options. The black flush mounts just disappear into the finish, which I think look slick. Said pups sound like crap, so it'll get a set of EMG TBHZs which I expect will require some Dremel Tool work.

[@TheSupy96]

Got an Epiphone Blackbird that I changed out the 3 point to the Hipshot Supertone bridge and moved the top strap button to one of the screws on the neck plate. The original bridge was lifting out of the body.

[@serinoli]

Obrigado pelo vídeo. Um abraço do Brasil.

[@TokoOsito]

Had a similar problem of the body turning away on my Westone Quantum. Solved it by moving the neck strap button to the frontside of the bass. In the corner. Now the band forces my bass against my body. Also love the EMG tone on your bass. Looking at the mods it would be super sleek to add a Stratocaster jack cup in an angle right behind the bridge with the jack going over the strap button

[@greggblankenshipp8202]

is that thunderbird a short scale bass?nice job you did with that bass ! enjoyed that !

[@alexskibicki2262]

Pretty cool, review. Personally I’m not a big fan of thunderbird basses, but I can understand why some bassists like these basses. The emg pickups sounded great. Even though I’m more of a bartolini fan, I do think emg pickups are great sounding pickups. Also that song of yours sounded pretty cool 😎 🎸

[@chrischilton8455]

That's a smokin' sounding Tbird, Chris. Real nice mods. I'm also an impatient screw driver. I was putting strap locks on my Mike Dirnt Fender P and the body wood was so hard I stripped the Phillips head screw and it wouldn't go in any further, and I couldn't take it out, so I glued a slice of cork off a wine bottle on it to cover the exposed piece of the screw. It won't fit in the Fender moulded case any more but it's kinda cool!

[@TheBassChannel]

I hate when the screw head strips. Cool solution for figuring it out, though. Oh, the things we do to hide our mistakes. Ha!

[@michaelblaney4461]

I like the 2 post bridge on the Epiphone bass

[@leonidis6225]

Moving the rear strap pin did solve the neck dive on my SG bass. No other modes done just the pin and now the bass balances properly instead of diving to a horizontal position.

[@joshfisher6995]

I bypassed both volume pots since I never turn the bass down ever only the amp and both pickups wired to tone pot and out the top into 4pt input jack but barrel jack still intact just in case.

[@patrickrioux5499]

I have the Hipshot bridge on one of my T-Bird and one Babicz on the other one, I prefer the Babicz for looks and for the « footprint » but cannot really say one is better from the other! They are both WAY better than the awful Gibson stock 3 point bridge. Nice video and mod, cheers!

[@jacksonshelburne2747]

What about it specifically is bad? I’m Just curious because I’ve never tried any other bridge

[@patrickrioux5499]

@@jacksonshelburne2747 The adjustments on the Hipshot and Babicz are way better, you can get better individual string height and intonation. Compared to the Gibson one. You can get many review about them her on YT.

[@notrelatedtotom]

I Bought a 2011 thunderbird because of this video and Martin Turner.

[@mauricetoirkens6455]

didn’t do any mods on my bass. But.... I am now considering buying a t Bird bass as a second bass

[@DaCostaGuitars]

Cool mods, not an emg fan either (though i did build myself, & subsequently gifted, a thunderbird with 80's emg p/j set & those sounded killer!!), yours sounds way cool, & handles dirt like a champ. I will say, however, you could've gotten a stereo tube/barrel output jack to replace the mono gibson version, & not have another hole drilled ontop for emg's stereo jack. Just two cents, overall, killer bass!

[@D3ft0ne]

I have Epi - Tbird, some ppl reported - EMGs will not directly fit in those... I really want more clarity, as it sounds dark and a bit boomy in the mix without some drastic eq-ing. Might pull the trigger for xmas time, and could be borrowing my buddies' chisel.

[@paulclose3426]

Put Lollars and a drop D on my 2000 Thunderbird. V.happy! The drop D can foul against the A tuner if it’s in a certain position (if both the E and A are in line with the edge of the headstock when tuned) - easily fixed by loosening the strings and rewinding them with a little more or less on the post… Never had the neck dive problem. That seems to mostly be the Thunderbirds with Fender P style tuners and the bigger headstock…

[@petset77]

I like the chrome. A friend had a '64, and all hardware was chrome. He lent it to me for a couple of gigs in the late 70s, but wouldn't sell it to me. On this one, the bridge saddles fixed to the intonation screws, or could they fall off if you break a string? I had a stock late 80s Tbird, and that happened to me at a show in France.

[@bradypatmore]

My favourite t-bird mod was selling it and buying a p-bass 😅 Jokes aside I had the Epiphone vintage pro and the bridge just would not intonate properly in low tunings ( C standard). It is an amazing sounding bass otherwise!

[@bertrandmajorik6589]

I always disliked EMG's but those PU's are, WOW !!! Nice tunes !!!!!

[@Leiria65]

I didn't feel a need to swap pickups on mine, maybe because I use a more hi-fi amp with more pronounced high end or maybe because I just never used why other TBird pu and don't know what I'm missing out on. Though I did get a brass nut (I have a Epi, the neck through, Gibson pu one, came with a shitty black plastic nut) Babicz bridge and changed electronics to blend/volume/no load tone (along with some better looking knobs) Might move the strap pin the same way you did because of forward tilt but other than that it's perfect for me

[@raphaelcuquetto]

On my old friend Epiphone Thunderbird Goth from 2007, the neck strap pin is exactly where you thought it would be, it's terribly uncomfortable, I moved the pin to the back like yours, it looks much better.

[@lefix3425]

All this troubleshooting for an already very expensive bass... At least we got a nice video about it.

[@claudevieaul1465]

Always loved the shape, so I got the Epiphone through-neck version. Because it simply doesn't need upgrades 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤘😎 Neckdive? Use a wide padded strap - mine hangs comfortably and won't move.

[@joshmalone7258]

Did you put an active preamp in as well? If so which one and did you have to route out a spot for a battery?

[@FullPowerMasteryWithRa]

Question: I'm ording the TBJ/TBP set for my Epiphone Thunderbird. Can I install this without any drilling? It looks like you needed to drill a new cable jack hole. Also, where does the battery go? Does it need a new battery compartment drilled? I'm outsourcing the install job to a local guitar tech who says he won't drill holes. If holes need drilling, he will have to outsource the job to someone else and that will cost more. That is why my biggest concern is can this install be completed without drilling any new holes?

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

i have a eb5. wine red. hated the babics. got a hipshot A style bridge. got the action so low. so comfy. neck dive yes on the strap not really. love the coil taps. on stock pickups. use mid selector on 4 (svt 7 pro) and a boss eq 200.

[@SaKaHe88]

Have to say, that I never had neck dive problem with my former 2014 Gibson Thunderbird. And I never had any problems with that infamous original 3 point bridge either. I played my TB many years, but only issue was that I needed a bit more "modern sounding" bass to my bands needs, so I traded that one. I have been sceptic about EMG pickups, but have to say those sound good tho👍 PS. IMO my stock Thunderbird sounded the best with bridge pickup and tone 100% on and neck pickup about 50% open.

[@jacksonshelburne2747]

I have a 2013 tbird it is amazing wide open or with a bit more bridge than neck

[@screamingintothewind]

I just bought a mint condition Vox AC30S1 from pawn shop on a hilariously good deal. I'm not a Vox guy, per se. I plugged my Thunderbird into it for giggles and it sounds amazing! Any legitimate reason I shouldn't be using my AC30 as a bass amp other than "it's a guitar amp"? Seriously asking.

[@MoreanMan]

That Harley Benton Guitarbass VS in the background is asking for some attention :P

[@thepaulmacfarlane]

Nice new sounds but it no longer sounds like a T bird it sounds like something else cool .

[@kosmonument2682]

Those pickups made that bass sound like a Fender. Not sure why anyone would do all that work for that result.

[@PearlHarbor138]

When do we get to hear about that iceman bass?

[@toeletsgo69]

Is it possible to replace the pickups in an epiphone t bird with the emgs? My tbird has 2 screws on the pickgaurd side of each pickup while the emgs have the more traditional one screw on each side.

[@TheBassChannel]

Probably not without routing. At which point, just get a regular 35-shaped pickup. You’d have more options that way.

[@Blakeadam52]

i have a white tbird that ive been wanting to mod, i have a tech but i dont know if im ready to hear the pricing for this type of mod from him with all the drilling, but the bridge and tuners will be my first swaps, is there a passive version of those pickups? or maybe another brand of pickups for tbirds you think would be good? ive been struggling with this part for a while, so any help would be appreciated!

[@TheBassChannel]

Well, I’m proof that you can pretty easily do it yourself. Just use masking tape to avoid cracks when you drill holes. As far as the pickups, EMG does make Passive Thunderbird pickups but they’re not Ceramic/Steel nor are they dual-mode. But honestly, with just the pickups and no additional preamp or accessories, you’ll get approximately 1,000 hours of use of of 1 battery.

[@Blakeadam52]

@@TheBassChannel yeah having the versatility of the dual modes is kind of a HUGE sell tbh. i never worry about the changing of battery, especially when im getting killer tones like youre getting. i might just have to do something similar, though the white with black hardware looks amazing, i totally agree with chrome on tobacco

[@carpediemarts705]

My friend bought a Tbird and with my bad left arm, while it sounded nice, I didn't want to play it. I offered to cut and weld a top horn for the strap button out of 1/4 stainless and was declined...

[@panic2468]

What kind of wiring system do you have inside? Did you get it from EMG as well or did you make it yourself?

[@TheBassChannel]

It’s all from EMG

[@50beowulf]

I've been looking for those knobs all over. Anyone have a link to them?

[@TheBassChannel]

www.parts-express.com/Vintage-Amp-Knob-Dial-Face-Plate-240-2216

[@ampthebassplayer]

When are we gonna get the Chris Caccamise signature T-Bird?

[@TheBassChannel]

Hopefully next year!

[@raphaelcuquetto]

Rear Strap Pin Relocation 🤯!!!!!

[@garyschwabel6053]

Would ya trade a spector ledgonen 5 for a thunderbird

[@lummond]

Move that neck joint strap lock to the FRONT of the bass. Like 2" above the 20th fret.

[@TheBassChannel]

I probably will

[@davedixon2167]

Another thing that became apparent in this video: Chris's taste in bass colors is Black, Burst, and Light Green. =0)

[@TheBassChannel]

Funny enough, white is usually my favorite.

[@davedixon2167]

@@TheBassChannel We just gotta…. scooch Josh’s ESP out of his hands then

[@joshbeast8599]

😈

[@crunch111]

I have a thunderbird and I was curious as to how you got active pickups in your bass without drilling a separate compartment in your bass? I want to get Active EMG pickups but I don't want to drill a spot in for the battery so I would really appreciate it if you let me know how you did it

[@TheBassChannel]

You should be able to fit a battery in a Thunderbird control cavity pretty easily

[@crunch111]

@@TheBassChannel I'll try again to see if I did something wrong. Or could it be cause I have a Goth Thunderbird that the insides are different?

[@TheBassChannel]

That’s possible. I’m not familiar with the cavity size of that model

[@taymalloy1604]

Maybe a Spector bass is a better choice! Lol :) Thunderbirds are cool though!

[@heygek2769]

Is it just me or are those tuners satin instead of chrome?

[@seantierson2633]

My wallet does not approve this video because now a need a Tbird and all these mods!

[@zackyallen2713]

I am a HUGE jackson fanboy. their kelly birds have been the basses ive used pretty much my whole time playing. ive done very similar stuff to my four string. i have a regular cs and tw in mine with all hipshot hardware. i have videos of me using it on my channel.

[@180gramvinyl6]

I’ve also put the Hipshot bridge on my T-Bird, so much better than the shitty Gibson 3 point.

[@Cthulhu_Awaken]

Who's the girl on your shirt by the way?

[@z0nah]

I put the same bridge (in black) on my Epi Classic IV-Pro T-Bird and it's the best thing I ever did. Good riddance, 3-point bridge!

[@rsantoz]

T-birds... so beatiful and so problematic

[@Javier-qk7ms]

12:29 He is using hacks!!

[@everythingjingabell8416]

What I will change to my TB is just the bride. No need to change the pu for me

[@nothingEvil101]

Don’t get me wrong, but you essentially bought a Thunderbird, because you „love Thunderbirds“ and then modded it so it no longer sounds anything like a Thunderbird… I don’t really get it 😅

[@Kevin.odonnell]

Posts: metric vs imperial post spacing. You want imperial/sae not metric

[@frostriver4547]

Just get a Modulus Quantum 5 and all your problems are solved 😎

[@hjs5686]

please turn down the background music - don´t you notice how stressful it is...?

[@honeybadger1810]

They haven't made these thunderbirds in over a year. The only basses Gibson makes these days are those HIDEOUS non reverse thunderbirds, and 3000 dollar signature models.

[@oldasrocks9121]

Talking to playing ratio is way too high

[@joachimmahoudeaux8619]

Play sitting like Hadrien Feraud or Janek Gwizdala do, problem solved. You’re welcome. NEXT

[@18hot30]

play authentic or PAY buahahaahahaha

[@IronandWire]

How to destroy the value of a Gibson thunderbird.