Thunderbird-style pickups are large, wide bass pickups named after the classic Thunderbird bass of the 1960s. They are known for a thick, growling, mid-heavy tone with plenty of low end, which is why rock players love them. If you want a bass that sounds big and aggressive without much EQ, a Thunderbird-style pickup is worth a close look.
This guide explains what makes them different, how they compare with P and J pickups, and how we use them at McGrath.
What is a Thunderbird-style pickup?
The name describes the shape and the sound more than any single design. A Thunderbird-style pickup sits under a long, rounded cover that is wider than a typical J pickup. The original versions were humbuckers, which means two coils working together to cancel the hum that single-coil pickups can pick up.
Inside that cover, different makers use different designs. Some are classic humbuckers. Ours, made by Lindy Fralin, are a custom split-coil design built to fit inside a Thunderbird cover, so you get the look of a Thunderbird with hum-canceling, punchy split-coil performance. You can read more about them in our exclusive Lindy Fralin split-coil Thunderbirds.
How do they sound?
In plain terms: big, warm and gritty. Compared with other common bass pickups:
- Versus a P pickup: both are thick and punchy, but a Thunderbird-style pickup tends to have more low-mid growl, especially when you dig in with a pick.
- Versus a J pickup: a J is brighter and more detailed, with a tighter, more nasal bridge tone. A Thunderbird-style pickup is fuller and rounder, and it stays quiet because it cancels hum.
- Versus a soapbar: modern soapbar humbuckers are often voiced to be clean and hi-fi. A Thunderbird-style pickup usually leans toward a vintage, rock character.
Where the pickup sits on the body matters as much as the pickup itself. Closer to the neck gives a deeper, rounder tone. Closer to the bridge gives more bite and focus.
Who are they for?
Thunderbird-style pickups suit players who want a strong voice in a loud band. They are a natural fit for:
- Rock, hard rock and metal, especially with a pick
- Players who use drive or distortion and want the bass to stay thick underneath it
- Anyone who likes a vintage look with a modern, quiet signal
If your music is mostly slap, funk or detailed fingerstyle, a J-style layout may suit you better. Our guide to P vs J vs Thunderhorse covers those choices.
The Thunderhorse: Thunderbird, P and J on one bass
You do not have to choose just one sound. The Thunderhorse is our three-pickup layout, developed with Chris Caccamise of The Bass Channel. It combines Thunderbird, P and J-style pickups on one bass.
Three pickups would be hard to manage with ordinary knobs, so every three-pickup McGrath uses the McGrath Switch, our patent-pending 12-way rotary selector. It lets you pick single pickups, pairs and all three, in series or parallel, with one click. The free companion app lets you assign any of 14 tones to the switch positions. Billy Sheehan chose this layout for his custom McGrath Thunderhorse.
Active or passive?
Thunderbird-style pickups themselves are passive. On a McGrath, they run into the McGrath Tilt EQ, a one-knob active preamp that tilts your tone brighter or warmer. Pull up the master volume knob and you can play fully passive at any time. Our guides to active vs passive electronics and what a tilt EQ does go deeper.
Common questions
Are Thunderbird pickups humbuckers? Most are, or are built to cancel hum like one. Our Lindy Fralin versions are a split-coil design inside a Thunderbird cover, so they are hum-canceling.
Can I get a Thunderbird-style pickup on a 5-string? Yes. Fralin makes our Thunderbird pickups for both 4-string and 5-string builds.
Do I need the Thunderhorse layout to get one? No. The Thunderhorse is the most flexible way to use one, but you can tell us what layout you want and we will talk it through with you before your build starts.
Build yours or find one ready to ship
In the Bass Builder you can choose your layout, pickups, body wood and Madelyn's hand-painted finish, and see your bass as you design it. Builds start at $1,999, currently take about 4 months, and are reserved with a 25% deposit that stays refundable until we confirm your specs. Every custom bass ships in a McGrath x Protec hybrid case.
Want something sooner? Browse our in-stock instruments, including a Lavender Thunderhorse 5-string, set up and ready to ship from our shop in San Diego.
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