Help

FrankenIbanez70 · #1 08-08-2011, 11:08 PM

Hey everybody,
I have a dilemma.
I have an Epiphone Thunderbird which is currently strung with Ernie Ball Slinkys (lime green package) And the truss rod is pretty much maxed out. My problem is that I have new strings on the way, Which are Fender 9050M Flat wounds, which I've read are extremely high tension. What I am wondering is if anyone has tried these on a bird and if they had problems with the tension bowing the neck? I really don't want to have them go to waste and be too much for the neck to handle.
Thanks in advance

JimmyM · #2 08-09-2011, 12:53 AM

I think before you try it, you should take it to a shop and find out why your truss rod is maxed out. Maybe you can get it fixed, or maybe you can shim it or something. Or maybe it's not maxed out and you just think it is. Sometimes those nuts can be a bear to move.

FrankenIbanez70 · #3 08-09-2011, 01:25 AM

Yeah, the only problem with that is the only shops around here (that i know of) Are run by highly inexperienced people, or the people who work there are unbearable to deal with. I don't think there is even a guitar center within 100 miles.

PBnJBassist · #4 08-09-2011, 02:48 AM

Good luck on the T-Bird with Fender flats. I recently dropped them from my usage due to the strict tension and because I found my dream flats. My Fender set was the regular light gauge, by the way. I did have good results on my old Epiphone T-Bird with D' Addario medium gauge Chromes. They have slightly, but noticeably less tension than the regular light Fender flats. I compared the two side-by-side, and from my experience, if you want thicker gauges, go Chrome.

Do yourself and your bass a favor and stay clear of the Fenders if you think it's going to ruin the neck. If you DO decide to go with Fender flats, choose their extra/super light gauge. They give the classic "Fender thump" without the tension of their other gauges.