The Thunderbird Rex Brown ACTUALLY Plays // GIBSON A GO GO

[@bobbylandgraf9846]

Hello Bass Channel !!! My name is Bobby Landgraf. I really dig THE BASS CHANNEL!!! I'm Rex Browns Bass Tech. The video is accurate and he does use those EMG X pickups. I can't get in to what all he is using in the rack but I will say that that if your looking for that Rex Tone you should start with an Ampeg Pro 4 and an 8 x 10. On tour we are using the new Mesa Boogie 8 x 10 cabs. Rex has 5 on deck but you can certainly get it with one. That's all I can tell y'all and good luck and God Speed!!!

[@ShawnSharkey4]

Great post, thanks Bobby!!

[@NamikazeKyuuga]

you're a legend Bobby, thank you for all your hard work!

[@BigMuff75]

Yo Bobby, I loved your playing on the 2nd Down EP!

[@REXBROWNOFFICIAL]

The one’s I play on stage have an extra layer of pre-amp. Replacing with all 40DCX’s in em!! I really loved the Video man!! Thank you…🔊🔊🔊

[@bobbylandgraf9846]

From the man Himself!!!@@REXBROWNOFFICIAL

[@christopherfidler3019]

I would have a problem with this if I owned this $3799 Signature bass. "Rexbuckers" are misleading. Thanks for the video Chris.

[@frankstit4tat]

I agree for that price and than have to replace all the electronics on top of the price you already paid

[@REXBROWNOFFICIAL]

They’re $2799 & I didn’t set the price..But I do have a Brand New Epiphone with Hot Ass passive pickups coming in January that will be $1399!! This new one is a Dazzler!!

[@christopherfidler3019]

@@REXBROWNOFFICIAL Oh Rex it wasn't a knock on you as it was Gibson. I am Canadian and that is what it cost to buy in Canada and most of Europe with the currency exchange. By the way I went to the Reinventing The Steel Tour in Hamilton, ON CA it was an amazing concert. I look Forward to an Epiphone version as they don't do Signature Basses very often. Thank you for the reply and news 🍺

[@sebg2086]

the finish i so rough hahahahaha

[@jacksonshelburne2747]

It sounded pretty good to me, just needs some adjustment

[@mtczrnk]

First, The Bass Channel sparked up my enthusiasm towards Gibson/Epiphone basses, then extinguished the fire with videos like this. Thanks for the emotional rollecoaster guys. Still I love my Epi 60s TBird

[@TheBassChannel]

We’ll bring you back again 😉

[@GillRigged]

I ALMOST bought this bass but instead decided to go with John Campbell's signature LTD JC-4. Very pleased with it too. 🤘

[@tremor1001]

wild to me that this is a signature bass and they didn't even put in the actual pickups.. if this was an epiphone model that would be 100% understandable.. but its a very high end bass and your even paying the signature instrument premium.

[@jacksonshelburne2747]

With the darkglass it sounded better than with the stock pickups in my opinion. Not much difference at all. Still an overpriced bass for what you’re getting

[@budverissimo1]

Leave it to gibson to charge almost 3k for a bass with mediocre pickups when they could have put in emg x pickups

[@jamesmelissawhite4807]

Dude a 2500$ bass, then you have to have a friend at EMG make a expensive set of pickups that no one can buy just to make it try and keep up with the spectors he was actually playing on the albums. Nah, I'm good, that's some rich boy gear chasing nonsense. If you want to sound like rex, start with a bass he was actually using when the songs were created. I saw the real pantera 6 times. Never once did I see him on stage with a gibson.

[@furtivegold8727]

i had to scroll way to long to find this coment! i would've send that shit back to gibson, they did not surprise anyone yet again.

[@griffinbarnesbass6700]

For cheaper you could just get a 4 string Spector euro and actually get his real tone. I saw him in august. He used the Gibson for maybe 2 songs the whole show. The rest of the show he had Spectors of all colors. I’d say he only plays the Gibson because he “has” to

[@apnoiz6922]

Spot on

[@grooveholmes79]

Not a new Spector Euro 4. Used, sure.

[@griffinbarnesbass6700]

@@grooveholmes79 a new 4 string euro is still cheaper than a new RB Gibson lol

[@REXBROWNOFFICIAL]

You’ll never ever get “my tone”… It’s all in the attack!!

[@Shaybot]

The EMG-x set isn’t worlds different, but you can definitely hear the clarity in the low end, a bump in the low mids, and a more glassy top end. The stock pickups have a bit more woof/mud in the low end response and the top end feels less glassy/sparkly. More (dark) if you will. I like the EMGs more in this application, and it’s more on flavour with Rex’s propensity to play Spector basses. I think you did a pretty good job representing the differences, you can at least hear it through a phone speaker, so it must be different enough!

[@jacksonshelburne2747]

I’m digging the stock pickups to my surprise, through the darkglass pedal in particular. The upper mids growl a little bit and the low end isnt as deep. I guess it’s just preference

[@pman7154]

Big difference to my ears with the drive of the B7K. The EMG gets way closer to the isolated Rex Brown track. The high end is ratted out, but it doesn't get as muddy and drivey as the others.

[@MrFacio85]

I was able to order the TBDCX pickup through Customer Service. I’m super exited to get them installed and have a REAL Rex Brown Thunderbird.

[@Cruiseangel72]

Great job on that bass. I like it.

[@rome8180]

I wish you'd level-matched the audio. The stock active examples are clearly a lot louder. That will happen when you engage an active circuit, but it's easy to turn it down in post. I actually prefered the stock pickups, but I'm also not trying to get a Rex Brown sound. And it could honestly be that the EMGs were the quietest of the three audio examples, at least in the first clip.

[@TheBassChannel]

Level matching in post wouldn’t be true to the pickups. Output is just as much a consideration as EQ. The stock setup is great. Especially if you’re not after matching Rex’s tone and just want a kick-ass Thunderbird. I just decided to try something different. “Different” being doing exactly what Rex did.

[@iamgribs]

DC would be a great choice for this kind of bass. Naturally a bright and hot pickup. Good antidote for a lack of clarity and highs.

[@alexskibicki2262]

Cool clip 😎🎸 I’m not a big fan of the thunderbird design, but tone wise, it sounds pretty cool. Especially with the darkglass b7k ultra.

[@shanedavis3414]

Great players like Rex can probably put a pup and strings on a broom stick and sound like Rex 😂

[@jamescoderre9595]

I really like the Rex Brown Thunderbird Bass & am considering adding it to my Gibson Thunderbird arsenal however with the currency exchange from USD to Canadian dollars, this bass comes in at $3799.😳 My local Long & McQuade music store in Vancouver has this bass as well as the Gene Simmons Thunderbird bass on display, which is also $3799. CAD I am trying to justify the price anyway. Good video Chris & it's surprising that the Rex Thunderbird bass comes stock with the EB pickups & not a modified Tbird pickup . It still sounds good though. Thanks for the EMG tip as an option.

[@iamgribs]

You could try the nikki six that schecter makes

[@jamescoderre9595]

@@iamgribs I have considered it 🤔

[@iamgribs]

@@jamescoderre9595 Best of all it isn't gonna cost a down payment on a car. I have a schecter, they make a good bass!! 👍 And it has EMG PJ ! Classic combo

[@jamescoderre9595]

@iamgribs Yeah I just can't justify $3799. Canadian dollars for an artist series Thunderbird bass, I would consider it if it were a collecor 70s Tbird.

[@jamesmelissawhite4807]

Bro, don't buy the gibson at that price. That's like rub sh*t in your hair crazy!🤪 There are so many better options. Good luck with whatever decision you make 🤘

[@57precision]

This channel's ongoing dedication to a brand that doesn't love you back continues to impress.

[@TheBassChannel]

Sometimes you just like stuff for no other reason than preference. My preference isn’t for sale.

[@Therealchuckbailey]

How do you know they don’t? You got some inside info? Gimme the deets!

[@davedixon2167]

You know, I don’t think we’ve really explored everyone’s favorite bass brands. Chris’s favorite is Gibson for sure, and he’s the bossman round here plus he just plain has so many of them, but I don’t know that we’ve really explored the other brands we love from a brand-wide stance - Dingwall might count as most of us like them and have at least one; but I think Chuck’s MTD love hasn’t been heavily explored, or Josh’s constant Warwick desires. None of the bass companies are paying us for these things, we just love what we love.

[@57precision]

@@davedixon2167 please don't get me wrong I think it's really cool to see Gibson stuff when most channels don't even bother, and I appreciate greatly what you guys do. I was referring to the standard list of grievances (no Grabber/Ripper, same boring two colors and 3 point bridge on the TB, you know the rest) that make it clear that Gibson considers bass an afterthought and I wish they would do better.

[@davedixon2167]

@@57precision oh for sure, i get ya. we get some measure of assumption about motives for brand loyalties so i always feel like i need to clarify. but you’re right. Gibson bass peaked with the G3 in my opinion :)

[@AirshipFury]

Both sound great to me! The EMGX ones sound tighter and the stock one sounds grittier, but that's just me.

[@rickrolli7091]

Hey Chris. Thanks for doing this video. I was considering buying one of these. I've decided not to. Not because of this video. I realized I wanted it in the a 5 string. For me. I just struggle with the voicing of a Tbird. Too muddy, not clear enough, the tone is kinda lack lustre. Anyway. Good job on the details and tone demos. IMO ~ The active stock pickups have a little more bottom end. While the EMG's have a little more brightness but not as heavy bass response. Always much appreciated for your bass review efforts.

[@n_phaneuf]

I dug the passive sound!

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

the pickups in my lpb-2 are barts. try the eb5. or the eb4 i like the alinco pickups in my eb5.

[@danlohrfink9272]

My go-to bass is the EB5. I think those pickups are great. When he first said these are the same pickups (like in the EB4), I thought that was cool. But expecting "signature pickups" then getting stock ones, yeah I get the disappointment. Of all the sample sounds, I thought the stock pickups in active mode sounded best here.

[@ChristianFerguson-iv6vh]

This video proves that Gibson guitars has absolutely No Respect for the Bass guitars it produces! IT DOESN'T EVEN COME WITH THE PROPER THUNDERBIRD PICKUPS!!!

[@Funkybassuk]

Sounds good to me 👍🏽

[@204true]

hey i think it would be cool if yall did jerry onlys bass tone just a suggestion obviously but anyways yall guys rock

[@josephwalton487]

I have said it before and will say it again. Bass chasing EXACT specs in pickups and electronics is great by yourself sitting in your room or studio playing...by yourself. Null and void though in a live setting with higher volume and AMP AND SPEAKERS lol. Period. Only thing that matters outside amp, speakers and type of strings is what type of pickup and where it/they're placed. And obviously what effects if any.

[@pensnut08]

The live stuff I have seen you can HEAR the difference which he changes basses and is NOT using the Gibson. And the sound/tone is much better after the change.

[@danadane2501]

Only 5 minutes in and you nailed why I am very tentative when it comes to signature series basses. The Steve Harris and Nate Mendel are excellent. Only reason I don't have either is the fact you have to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod. I'm sorry but that's massive pain in the neck (pardon the pun). I do not care for the stock tone in the Rex Brown bass at all. The upgrades you made are much better. Thicker with more punch. Which is a 💯 proof necessity for Pantera!

[@roberthuston5524]

Icon Rex tone you need a Spector

[@daveleblanc3558]

Pretty sure CFH wasn't recorded with a T-bird. Didn't he play Jacksons back then?

[@iamgribs]

Iirc he used a Jackson or Charvel.

[@ileutur6863]

Gibson not giving a shit about bass pt. 395610

[@skrillah6259]

I still have no clue why people buy gibson basses

[@phipschi4255]

@@skrillah6259 many people apparently just love to get ripped off

[@rainbowslushy223]

or their customers

[@ericeastman2427]

So on the albums cowboys from hell he used a music man . And the rest was specter basses. He plays that Thunderbird im sure its specs like you said you isnt available to the public but its probably custom shop but made to sound like a specter. That stock thunderbird is to muddy and lacks that zingyness. Its definitely not worth $2500 or $3500. You should redo the cowboys from hell video with a specter id say the new specter dimension 4 should do the trick or rebop hell a old ns2 the Korean made the specter kramers are killer to.

[@billyjay1]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@klaymeister]

Can you do this vs your T bird with TBTW pickups? I have a feeling the other one wins.

[@TheBassChannel]

Oh, that would be fun!

[@God_Help_Us_Please]

No matter how much I try to prefer the stock RB pickups, my ears are telling me the EMG's are better.

[@Norman-Bates]

More Pantera covers, please 🙏

[@ericajohnson7535]

I think all you need to do with passives is to run it through mild gain to provide compression.... A pedal like Sans Amp does exactly that. Just compresses and evens everything out. Also 2 pickups together in parallel always have that scooped jazz bass sound that is not suitable for metal IMO.

[@上田Uえだ]

前にレビューしていたTB＋EMGの方が音が良い気がします。

[@4l3uchiha]

at 3:21 what is the name of that song?

[@canadianrushfan12]

Did Rex even play a Thunderbird on CFH?

[@gamezharks]

You could probably do this with an epiphone real easy too.

[@Durkhead]

You should put the old pickups in a guitar and see how it sounds

[@imprintedlife]

I’ve got the Spector, I’ve got the EMG’s, just not the B7K Ultra. I do have the X Ultra and a Microtubes 900 OG. Can someone help me translate that tone to one of those?

[@grooveholmes79]

the microtubes 900 has the B7K and the vintage microtubes channels no?

[@imprintedlife]

@@grooveholmes79 Yep, I'm just confused how to translate the Ultra settings to the 900.

[@Nils_Martin]

Rex Brown has a Seymour Duncan signatur set..!!

[@sinakaedwards2009]

I love thunderbirds, I am not a big fan of the gold on Rex's bass. I think replacing the gold with black would look good, besides the gene Simmons signature has a smooth face, no raised middle part so it feels like an imitation.

[@Moneygrip]

Doesnt rex also play with a pick wouldnt that make a sound difference

[@iamgribs]

Yes but it sounds like it's being used across all examples as a control.

[@frankstit4tat]

I am confused I thought he played a Specter bass guitar with EMG pick ups like in the video for the song

[@davedixon2167]

He plays the Gibsons and his Spectors about 50/50 at the shows now, it sounds like.

[@grooveholmes79]

more like 80/20 Spector@@davedixon2167

[@onehandslinger1475]

I prefer stock.

[@andrewjames6240]

plays with a pick.

[@rainbowslushy223]

gibson is such a scam

[@TheAnderon666]

rip off.

[@lucaserojas]

Classic Gibson

[@oldpainlesssr71blackbird11]

rex admitted to ripping off nikki sixx's tone...!!!