Ahhh...Fresh Boomers on a Thunderbird

[dagrev]

Got to put some fresh Boomers on one of my Thunderbirds tonight and wanted to show some love for good old reliable and great sounding Boomers.

I used to use them when I started playing, then drifted to all the newer and trendy options. Gave them a try again years ago and I was impressed. I think if I could only have one Roundwound, it would likely be Boomers since they can fit into many settings. (GHS Pressurewounds may be the "If I could only have one string" set.) Like any string, they aren't ideal in all applications, but they are in some, at least for me. Als always, they have character, some clarity but no clank, really nice mids for definition and fatness and can sound massive. Because they don't start out really bright they settle, even out and thicken up, then last a long while. One other thing I like is their QC. Never had a bad string with Boomers.

 

[michael_t]

Got to put some fresh Boomers on one of my Thunderbirds tonight and wanted to show some love for good old reliable and great sounding Boomers.

This calls for a pic of the bass with the Boomers, gorgeous red silk and all!

 

[michael_t]

Like any string, they aren't ideal in all applications, but they are in some, at least for me. Als always, they have character, some clarity but no clank, really nice mids for definition and fatness and can sound massive. Because they don't start out really bright they settle, even out and thicken up, then last a long while.

Agreed on just about everything!

I tried the Boomers (40-120) on my 5-string Yamaha earlier this year after having the Pressurewounds on it for most of 2020. My initial impression of the Boomers was they sounded darker than the PWs with less of the hi-mid crunch. Even the sound tech at my church agreed.

Then as the time went on, I realized the Boomers actually sounded punchier with more growl and bite than the PWs with a stronger low-mid presence that sat so well in the band mix. They may not be suited for every musical context, but sure works great for me!

The PWs are back on my Yamaha (at least for now), but I wouldn't mind the idea of trying the Boomers on my P bass next for that low-mid punch and grind.

 

[P Cheen]

Agree! The Boomers have quickly become one of my go-to strings! I bought it first out of necessity (one day Amazon Prime shipping) but I was wowed. Now I have my main player in 50-115 in drop C.

 

[dagrev]

This calls for a pic of the bass with the Boomers, gorgeous red silk and all!

Indeed!

 

[dagrev]

Agreed on just about everything!

I tried the Boomers (40-120) on my 5-string Yamaha earlier this year after having the Pressurewounds on it for most of 2020. My initial impression of the Boomers was they sounded darker than the PWs with less of the hi-mid crunch. Even the sound tech at my church agreed.

Then as the time went on, I realized the Boomers actually sounded punchier with more growl and bite than the PWs with a stronger low-mid presence that sat so well in the band mix. They may not be suited for every musical context, but sure works great for me!

The PWs are back on my Yamaha (at least for now), but I wouldn't mind the idea of trying the Boomers on my P bass next for that low-mid punch and grind.

Nice story. Interesting that when I put the new Boomer zone they didn't sound much more new than the ones I took off. I don't know if some thing is being toned down a little bit with the boomers or my perception of them aging is off a little. Possibly the strings I took off didn't have as much actual playing time as I thought. Don't get me wrong, there was a difference, just not as much as I was expecting. I have put some Boomers on a Pbass before and they were actually a little too aggressive at first for my taste and I had to do some EQing. But this change was just at home and not a lot of playing last night. Sunday will be the real test.

 

[dagrev]

Agree! The Boomers have quickly become one of my go-to strings! I bought it first out of necessity (one day Amazon Prime shipping) but I was wowed. Now I have my main player in 50-115 in drop C.

Sadly it seems they don't get much love and someways. Seems they get a fair amount of eyerolling second only to Fender's maybe (who's Flats are nice). I've tried some higher dollar DR and other strings which didn't have the character or massive punch of Boomers, yet Boomers just kill it in most situations where I want rounds and could work well in every situation.

 

[michael_t]

I have put some Boomers on a Pbass before and they were actually a little too aggressive at first for my taste and I had to do some EQing.

Interesting...

I tried the Round Core Boomers (40-95) on my P bass just a couple of months ago, and found them to be a bit too soft and smooth in their tonal character. Not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but I'm thinking the added punch and bite of the hex-core Boomers would probably do well. I don't need my P to be overly bright and aggressive, but I do like the idea of it punching through the mix with authority.

 

[dagrev]

Interesting...

I tried the Round Core Boomers (40-95) on my P bass just a couple of months ago, and found them to be a bit too soft and smooth in their tonal character. Not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but I'm thinking the added punch and bite of the hex-core Boomers would probably do well. I don't need my P to be overly bright and aggressive, but I do like the idea of it punching through the mix with authority.

Of course everyone's rig is different and produces different results (Ampeg V-4BH 100 tube head into Ampeg Heritage 410 cab). At times Ampeg cabs can enhance certain mids that don't always fit my goals. But this cab is very big sounding, which is to my liking.

I really like the RCBs and have them on a G&L that needs a little taming, but like you I often find them a little too soft and not very distinctive in a fair number of situations. I could likely re-EQ but I try not to have to do that much with limited time at church nor would I want to have to be EQing someplace else if I took two different basses.

 

[Bassclef46]

I always like Daddario Rounds - same gauge. I have never tried GHS though. There are so many choices out there. Everyone says Roto 66 rounds...but i tried them and hated them. I only liked daddario because they came stock on 2 basses i bought.

What makes the Boomers so great?

 

[michael_t]

Of course everyone's rig is different and produces different results...

A couple of the sound techs at my church have been able to take advantage of the dual-channel setup we have with good results. SansAmp BDDI v.2 for the wet signal and Radial J48 for the dry signal going directly to the main board as two separate channels so the tech has full control as to how they're blended together.

 

[michael_t]

What makes the Boomers so great?

The Boomers are all about the low-mid punch and grind, which is where the lean bass meat is in certain musical contexts. They're darker in their tonal character than most other NPS rounds, which may or may not work well depending on one's tonal goals and musical style.

In comparison, D'Addario XL Nickel rounds are brighter overall with more zing up top, if that's what's needed... It's entirely up to you to decide what works best.

 

[Bassclef46]

The Boomers are all about the low-mid punch and grind, which is where the lean bass meat is in certain musical contexts. They're darker in their tonal character than most other NPS rounds, which may or may not work well depending on one's tonal goals and musical style.

In comparison, D'Addario XL Nickel rounds are brighter overall with more zing up top, if that's what's needed... It's entirely up to you to decide what works best.

opinions matter when trying to decide. All but 2 of my basses have flats and my preference is P Bass with tone rolled down. They sound like a good fit.

 

[dagrev]

I always like Daddario Rounds - same gauge. I have never tried GHS though. There are so many choices out there. Everyone says Roto 66 rounds...but i tried them and hated them. I only liked daddario because they came stock on 2 basses i bought.

What makes the Boomers so great?

What Michael_t said. I would add that Boomers seem to have more overall character, punch and heft to them than D'As. I haven't played D'As in years but they sounded very generic. Got them on basses all the time and always took them off no matter how I wanted to like them. But different amps and cabs produce very different results, so they may be ideal for what you are wanting. However, I encourage at least giving Boomers a shot at least once. You may just find your new string and won't be out much. And they last a good while.

For reference, I have Rotos on a '76 Thunderbird and they sound great. But that bass already has some built-in bigness to it. Rotos can be zingy, but don't have to be--after all, amps do have knobs than can be turned. Rotos also don't have the heft or low punch of Boomers.

 

[dagrev]

A couple of the sound techs at my church have been able to take advantage of the dual-channel setup we have with good results. SansAmp BDDI v.2 for the wet signal and Radial J48 for the dry signal going directly to the main board as two separate channels so the tech has full control as to how they're blended together.

I'm using my rig mainly as my monitor and reinforce the lack of bass the sound guy seems to like in FOH. I send him my signal from my Sanamp VT Dx and not the DI on the head. The Sansamp VT has some magic in it.

 

[michael_t]

I'm using my rig mainly as my monitor and reinforce the lack of bass the sound guy seems to like in FOH. I send him my signal from my Sanamp VT Dx and not the DI on the head. The Sansamp VT has some magic in it.

I've owned a VT Bass DI for the last 7 yrs as my main tone-shaping tool. That's what I used in church when they still had the SA BDDI v.1, and I still use it whenever I'm playing outside the church setting.

 

[Bassclef46]

What Michael_t said. I would add that Boomers seem to have more overall character, punch and heft to them than D'As. I haven't played D'As in years but they sounded very generic. Got them on basses all the time and always took them off no matter how I wanted to like them. But different amps and cabs produce very different results, so they may be ideal for what you are wanting. However, I encourage at least giving Boomers a shot at least once. You may just find your new string and won't be out much. And they last a good while.

For reference, I have Rotos on a '76 Thunderbird and they sound great. But that bass already has some built-in bigness to it. Rotos can be zingy, but don't have to be--after all, amps do have knobs than can be turned. Rotos also don't have the heft or low punch of Boomers.

I will give them a try. I went with the 045-065-085-105 M3045X - I want to use String Thru instead of top load. And I wanted the 105 gauge. I have my BBP34 arriving today so I will put these on that bass tomorrow night.
Thanks!

 

[michael_t]

I will give them a try. I went with the 045-065-085-105 M3045X - I want to use String Thru instead of top load. And I wanted the 105 gauge. I have my BBP34 arriving today so I will put these on that bass tomorrow night.
Thanks!

As a very happy owner of Yamaha TRBX505 for the last 3 yrs, the BB735A happens to be at the top of my shopping list for my next bass acquisition (provided my wife doesn't kick me out of the house first ). I will definitely be trying the Boomers on it when I get one.

By the way, GHS "universal long scale" with 37.25" winding length (ball end to silk) should be long enough for Yamaha's diagonal thru-body design.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Got to put some fresh Boomers on one of my Thunderbirds tonight and wanted to show some love for good old reliable and great sounding Boomers.

I used to use them when I started playing, then drifted to all the newer and trendy options. Gave them a try again years ago and I was impressed. I think if I could only have one Roundwound, it would likely be Boomers since they can fit into many settings. (GHS Pressurewounds may be the "If I could only have one string" set.) Like any string, they aren't ideal in all applications, but they are in some, at least for me. Als always, they have character, some clarity but no clank, really nice mids for definition and fatness and can sound massive. Because they don't start out really bright they settle, even out and thicken up, then last a long while. One other thing I like is their QC. Never had a bad string with Boomers.

View attachment 4341061

I've used Boomers since the 70s when I found out that using strings other than Rickenbacker strings on my 4001 voiding my warranty was a lie. Relatively, they were about 1/3 the price of Rick Strings at the time. The amazing thing is in 1975 , I was paying about $16 a set. I think the last set of boomers I bought I got on line for $23.

I also use DR Lo Riders hex core, a little more expensive, more of a refined tone, but they feel somewhat sticky when new, and don't have that sweet spot as long as Boomers.

 

[dagrev]

I've owned a VT Bass DI for the last 7 yrs as my main tone-shaping tool. That's what I used in church when they still had the SA BDDI v.1, and I still use it whenever I'm playing outside the church setting.

Getting off track, but I would hardly ever not take my VT with me. I could use it as my pre and have great tone. I'll always have it--unless they somehow come up with a much better one.

These are very tempting...

Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig V2