Flats on Thunderbird
 

Hey guys,

I've got a Epiphone Thunderbird, and I wanted to know if my flat wounds would sound good on it, right now I've got my regular strings that came with it at purchase. Any thoughts?

Thanks Michael

Which flats do you already have? Can't hurt to try...

T-birds are already dark sounding, so I'd go with bright-ish flats, like D'Addario Chromes, for the best fit. And then you'll be thumpin' away!

I don't know to much about strings.... but mine say that they are GHS medium set, so what do ya think?

Thanks again!

Do it. Afterwards, tweak the truss rod, set action and check intonation. Don't look back. ;)

My brother put a set of Chromes on his defretted 'bird. Sounds great.

My Squier Deluxe Jazz V has GHS Precision Flats on it, as do all my basses.


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i put flats on my epi t-bird pro and didn't like them all that much

I don't actually care for Chromes much myself, my basses are strung with Sadowsky flats, but the Chromes sounded quite good on the Birdless.

I have a set of GHS Precision flats on my Gibson Thunderbird IV and really like the tone. I use DR Black Beauties on my Epi bird and they are warm enough for me that I haven't felt like trying flats on it. The Epi bird has hotter and darker pups than the Gibson, but I'd definitely give flats a shot.

I think flatwounds would sound great on a T-Bird!

I keep rounds on my T bird, but on my Gibson Money Bass, which has T Bird pickups, I have Rotosound 77 flats. I think they sound great.

If you want to have the ability to cut through a dense mix you definitely want some flats with powerful/aggressive mids. Chromes, Fenders, Sadowsky flats, Rotos and TIs can give you that. Rotos or Chromes with low action would sound perfect IMO. If you want to embrace your T bird's dark character I recommend Labella Deep Talkin Flats or GHS P flats if you want lower tension.

I've actually found T-Birds to be quite bright sounding! I've always found it difficult to get a really warm, mellow sound out of them.

But they're great basses for a lot things.

Ok Thanks guys!

Will try them and "never look back" ;)
Michael

I put Rotosound flats on my '76 Bi-Bird, and it sounds reeal goood.

Chromes are staying on mine. With a pick and chromes, my Epi pro becomes a percussion section unto itself. Fingerstyle is very warm.

What you may miss is that the growl from roundwounds is gone.