How much strain can a Thunderbird neck can take?

[metalandjazzman]

Hey i am wondering how much strain can a Thunderbird neck can take? Cause i got extra heavy gauge strings on my bass. And a few bassist i know looked concern and said that the type of strings is bad for my Thunderbird. So i am asking you guy's should i go for some thinner gauge of strings? Or can the Thunderbird tolerate the strain of extra heavy's?

[Rick Auricchio]

How heavy are we talking? Are these standard sets of strings? If so, then there should be no trouble.

[walterw]

you can put the biggest strings they make on there, as long as you adjust the truss rod so the neck is straight.

it's when a neck is pulled into a banana-shaped upbow and stays that way for a long time that problems begin.

[metalandjazzman]

These are the thickest set of Ernie Ball strings i can find. I one time came a across a Erine Ball string set that said custom Extra heavy gauge.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by metalandjazzman

These are the thickest set of Ernie Ball strings i can find. I one time came a across a Erine Ball string set that said custom Extra heavy gauge.

http://circlekstrings.com/store/index.html

[metalandjazzman]

Oh i also forgot to mention that i am talking about the Epiphone Thunderbird not a Gibson. So i guess the Epiphone neck is made of softer wood?

[Gort]

Originally Posted by metalandjazzman

Oh i also forgot to mention that i am talking about the Epiphone Thunderbird not a Gibson. So i guess the Epiphone neck is made of softer wood?

Not necessarily softer wood, but the Epi used a scarf joint to hold the headstock on which is a stronger setup than Gibson's carved neck.

[metalandjazzman]

Hmm.. that's a really good and honest opinion. Most people frown on the Epi Thunderbirds. So what your trying to say is that the Epi Thunderbird can take much more stronger strain than the Gibson? That's kinda odd, Sorry if this is a dumb and obvious response.

[Stilettoprefer]

What tuning are you using? If you play in standard then you shouldn't use heavy gauge strings. "extra heavy" sets are generally for extreme drop tunings.

[Rick Auricchio]

Originally Posted by metalandjazzman

So what your trying to say is that the Epi Thunderbird can take much more stronger strain than the Gibson?

The neck scarf joint may be stronger, but that may not have been a weak point anyway.

High tension can warp a neck, loosen it in the neck pocket, damage tuners, or even damage the bridge.

There is always going to be a weakest point.

[metalandjazzman]

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

The neck scarf joint may be stronger, but that may not have been a weak point anyway.

High tension can warp a neck, loosen it in the neck pocket, damage tuners, or even damage the bridge.

There is always going to be a weakest point.

But won't that take years of strain for the damage to be noticeable?

[metalandjazzman]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

What tuning are you using? If you play in standard then you shouldn't use heavy gauge strings. "extra heavy" sets are generally for extreme drop tunings.

I play mostly standard the only drop tuning i use is B,E,A,D.

[Gort]

Originally Posted by metalandjazzman

Hmm.. that's a really good and honest opinion. Most people frown on the Epi Thunderbirds. So what your trying to say is that the Epi Thunderbird can take much more stronger strain than the Gibson? That's kinda odd, Sorry if this is a dumb and obvious response.

There is't much of a danger of this due solely to string tension but the scarf joint will help keep the Epi from losing it's head should it fall.

[metalandjazzman]

Ok so i can just not worry then. To be honest i think the extra heavy strings are very comfterble.