Post by subdude on Jan 26, 2020 18:39:20 GMT
I just received this very nice TB-70VS Thunderbird lookalike. I bought it primarily because I am a sucker for reverse headstocks (don't remind me of my shallowness)
Turns out this is another HB product that blows my mind, they really make astonishing instruments! I bought a B stock for 155 euros, this got me a mahogany body with a mahogany set neck, an active preamp and a stunning finish. And the best fretwork on a HB bass so far. And D'Addario strings.
Unplugged it growls and threatens. Through the tiny rehersal amp I have here it has a distinctive sound unlike anything I am used to. Very powerful and almost gritty but with lots of sparkle, to a part from the new roundwounds but it sings and sustains.
The body shape needs getting used to but is way more comfy than it would appear. Because the body is so elongated the playing position has to move forward and that takes me some getting used to. The neck is loveley, slim down low and it stays that way all the way to the body, just how I like it! The paint finish is done in the general HB quality, tiny imperfections if one goes and looks for them but I found noting on this bass that would even faintly bug me and I find it looks marvelous. I changed the plastic nut with a brass one.
I am not really in the position to comment on the quality and suond of the active preamp, last active bass I played in 1991. It is a typical budget circuit you can buy online for a few $. But it cuts and boosts bass and treble to my satisfaction, no noise, hum or hiss. I will change the bass and treble pots as they are sticky feeling and the center detent is weak and one shaft is a bit bent causing the knob to scratch the clear coat. The volume pot is smooth and has a pull/push switch to do something, I haven't really figured it out what is does beyond significantly changing the sound of the bass, I thought it might be active/passive switch but the bass is dead without a battery.
The Tuners seem of decent quality, tuning is smoother than the open gear tuners i know from on other HB models. The bridge is a copy of the Gibson 3 point design. I am still learning the what & how of this design, I also ponder the why, it seems a complicated design with limited benefits but it sure looks great! And it might contribute to the distinctive sound?
For thise who care, bathroom scale showed 4,8 kilos.
I have to wait another week until I can play through the proper rig so the final verdict is still to come but so far I am very, very happy with this bass.
I would also like to point out, with a lot of gratitude, that me having this bass was made possible by the incredible kindness of our brother kodiakblair who agrreed to receive the bass, check if thoroughly and with saintly patience let me order other gear and even going out buying stuff for me to finally ship it to me. For a guy he doesn't know at all.
Cheers brother!
Turns out this is another HB product that blows my mind, they really make astonishing instruments! I bought a B stock for 155 euros, this got me a mahogany body with a mahogany set neck, an active preamp and a stunning finish. And the best fretwork on a HB bass so far. And D'Addario strings.
Unplugged it growls and threatens. Through the tiny rehersal amp I have here it has a distinctive sound unlike anything I am used to. Very powerful and almost gritty but with lots of sparkle, to a part from the new roundwounds but it sings and sustains.
The body shape needs getting used to but is way more comfy than it would appear. Because the body is so elongated the playing position has to move forward and that takes me some getting used to. The neck is loveley, slim down low and it stays that way all the way to the body, just how I like it! The paint finish is done in the general HB quality, tiny imperfections if one goes and looks for them but I found noting on this bass that would even faintly bug me and I find it looks marvelous. I changed the plastic nut with a brass one.
I am not really in the position to comment on the quality and suond of the active preamp, last active bass I played in 1991. It is a typical budget circuit you can buy online for a few $. But it cuts and boosts bass and treble to my satisfaction, no noise, hum or hiss. I will change the bass and treble pots as they are sticky feeling and the center detent is weak and one shaft is a bit bent causing the knob to scratch the clear coat. The volume pot is smooth and has a pull/push switch to do something, I haven't really figured it out what is does beyond significantly changing the sound of the bass, I thought it might be active/passive switch but the bass is dead without a battery.
The Tuners seem of decent quality, tuning is smoother than the open gear tuners i know from on other HB models. The bridge is a copy of the Gibson 3 point design. I am still learning the what & how of this design, I also ponder the why, it seems a complicated design with limited benefits but it sure looks great! And it might contribute to the distinctive sound?
For thise who care, bathroom scale showed 4,8 kilos.
I have to wait another week until I can play through the proper rig so the final verdict is still to come but so far I am very, very happy with this bass.
I would also like to point out, with a lot of gratitude, that me having this bass was made possible by the incredible kindness of our brother kodiakblair who agrreed to receive the bass, check if thoroughly and with saintly patience let me order other gear and even going out buying stuff for me to finally ship it to me. For a guy he doesn't know at all.
Cheers brother!