Members ryanstanley Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 im trying to decide between the two thunderbirds look cool as hell, and sound great. but theyre unbalanced and uncomfortable as all hell-- but maybe id get used to it. the fender jazz bass, however, is probably the most comfortable bass ive ever played in my life, smooth, playable neck, sits just right, etc.. but it's too "zingy" imo, if you know what i mean. especially since i use a pick. but it still sounds decent so what do you guys suggest? which is easier to adapt to-- unfamiliar feel of the bass, or unfamiliar tone? is the thunderbird just cool enough to cancel everything else out? should i get a different bass altogether? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xOriginalNinjax Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 IMHO, go with the Fender and get either Seymour Duncan p-ups, or go the easy route and get an EMG J-set, no wiring involved. The EMG's have more of a bass-mid range than the mid-high range of Fenders. I actually tried out a Tbird as well, and decided that I can't trade looks for comfort and playability...If you really didn't want to change pups, then you should try a Schecter C4, Elite 4, or Custom 4. Jazz bass comfort, dual humbucker tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members megadan Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Zingy is good! You have to remember that what sounds 'zingy' when played alone will be completely buried by distorted guitars and loud drums when you actually play with a band! That excess zing is there to allow you enough treble to reduce to neutral when you play with a band, ensuring that you still have tone - unlike it's bland, toneless half brother, the P-bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ryanstanley Posted September 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by megadan Zingy is good! You have to remember that what sounds 'zingy' when played alone will be completely buried by distorted guitars and loud drums when you actually play with a band! That excess zing is there to allow you enough treble to reduce to neutral when you play with a band, ensuring that you still have tone - unlike it's bland, toneless half brother, the P-bass haha, good point its too bad they wont let you just try equipment out for days at a time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members henre Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 I'd say definitely get the J - you can EQ almost any tone into almost any bass nowadays, but making a bass feel good is impossible. You could always throw flats on the J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 82Daion Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 You don't want to buy a bass that you'll have to adapt to-in that case, you'll be fighting the instrument. On that point alone, I'd say go with the Jazz. If it feels natural to you, you'll have fewer problems with it. There's not a magic "coolness force" included with the TBird that cancels out all its faults. However, nothing says "Southern Rock" like a Thunderbird. Go with what works best for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ryanstanley Posted September 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by henre I'd say definitely get the J - you can EQ almost any tone into almost any bass nowadays, but making a bass feel good is impossible.You could always throw flats on the J. yeah, true. especially about the EQ i dont like flats though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ryanstanley Posted September 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by 82Daion You don't want to buy a bass that you'll have to adapt to-in that case, you'll be fighting the instrument. On that point alone, I'd say go with the Jazz. If it feels natural to you, you'll have fewer problems with it. There's not a magic "coolness force" included with the TBird that cancels out all its faults. However, nothing says "Southern Rock" like a Thunderbird.Go with what works best for you. haha, yeah i pretty much just wanted confirmation out of this thread my drummer is hardcore about me getting a thunderbird-- and i just dont really like it much. mmkay- fender j it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassgirl9 Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 If you're sitting to play, go for Jazz. If you're standing, go for the Tbird. There's my Ahh, you posted while I was writing up my comment. Jazz is good. Get one in ash it's a little less zingy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassdudeguy Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by megadan unlike it's bland, toneless half brother, the P-bass wanna fight buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thumper Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 I'd go with the Jazz. Zingy is good, especially if you need to cut through a loud band. You can always go with a stacked-coil pup if you want. I've got a couple Jazzes and a T-bird. I love 'em all, and really like the different tones they offer. The T-bird is a real pig to play sometimes, but the tone makes it worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Onkel Bob Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by Thumper I'd go with the Jazz. Zingy is good, especially if you need to cut through a loud band. You can always go with a stacked-coil pup if you want.I've got a couple Jazzes and a T-bird. I love 'em all, and really like the different tones they offer. The T-bird is a real pig to play sometimes, but the tone makes it worthwhile. Hey Thumper. Do you have any T-Bird soundclips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thumper Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by Onkel Bob Hey Thumper. Do you have any T-Bird soundclips? I wish. I don't do any recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Onkel Bob Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by Thumper I wish. I don't do any recording. Why? Are you embarassed? Do you have any idea who might have? I mean I see T-Birds all over the place these days but right now you're the only one I can think of that has one here on HCBF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thumper Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by Onkel Bob Why? Are you embarassed? Do you have any idea who might have? I mean I see T-Birds all over the place these days but right now you're the only one I can think of that has one here on HCBF. Embarrassed? Nope. I'm comfortable in my level of suck. I've never gotten around to recording. My favorite recorded T-bird tone is on 'Who's Next.' Some early Lynnyrd Skynnyrd was done on a T-bird, too, if I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members version Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 You should check out the Fender Mark Hoppus Bass. It has the comfortable Jazz body, but has a single P pickup to give you a (IMHO superior) less "zingy" tone. It sounds like it would be right up your alley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darkstorm Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Youll never play as well as you can on an uncomfortable bass or guitar. That in itself makes the thunderbird a bad choice for you. If your liking the humbucker soapbar pup sound overall better then the Jazz type pups try some of the various Esp Ltd, Schecter, Specter, and other soapbar pup basses. It makes no sense to have a bass thats uncomfortable imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike fitzwell Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 I'm not aware of any cons when it comes to a jazz bass. I don't have any first hand experience with a T-bird, but I was at an outdoor festival a few weeks ago and the bass player was slingin' a T-bird through an SVT and using a pick. Definitely a gnarley tone! Right on for the 80s tunes they were doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tylytle Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 I just got rid of a white T Bird. It was the coolest freakin bass i have owned. Just a bitch to play.Most uncomfortable akward thig I ever strapped on. I miss looking at it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ryanstanley Posted September 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by tylytle I just got rid of a white T Bird.It was the coolest freakin bass i have owned. Just a bitch to play.Most uncomfortable akward thig I ever strapped on. I miss looking at it..... haha exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassfuzz Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Originally posted by megadan unlike it's bland, toneless half brother, the P-bass I hope you are joking. I will fight you. That is no lye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bassopotamus Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 Maybe keep looking? There are plenty more basses out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Onkel Bob Posted September 6, 2006 Members Share Posted September 6, 2006 I think my next bass will be a Warmoth. I haven't quite decided on pups but I'm beginning to strongly consider something T-Bird like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members L-1329 Posted September 7, 2006 Members Share Posted September 7, 2006 I hope BOALG doesn't read this thread, he'd be ashamed of all of you! Tone, looks, playability. In your words you have two out of three for the T-Bird and only one for the Jazz. Get the T-bird and reposition the front strap button. Have a balanced bass that has the tone you love, and that just freakin' owns any jazz in the cool/badass catagory. BTW I play an Explorer bass, and love it no matter how much of a different feel it has. You DO get used to playing different shaped basses, and one thing I wish more bass players did was at least try to spend some time with other style basses. You know you want to rawk the 'Bird so just DO IT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members megadan Posted September 7, 2006 Members Share Posted September 7, 2006 Originally posted by bassfuzz That is no lye. Oh good, I thought we were going to make soap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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