Ahhh...Fresh Boomers on a Thunderbird

[michael_t]

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.

DR Nickel Lo-Riders are another one of NPS rounds I've enjoyed playing in the past. Their "refined tone" with cleaner midrange (= less grit and grind) seemed to work well with my Fender Jazz.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Indeed!
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'Very Nice!

 

[dagrev]

'Very Nice!

Thank you! I love Thunderbirds.
An old pic of a most of my 'Birds. Two Epi VPs (yes they are fantastic), '76 and a '64.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

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I like boomers. They sound incredibly close to my elixirs. Don't last as long, or feel quite as smooth, but they are a great alternative for less money, when my strings are out of stock.

 

[Gothic]

I'll admit, I imagined a bunch of just-turned-65 gentlemen playing thunderbirds when I read the title.

 

[michael_t]

I'll admit, I imagined a bunch of just-turned-65 gentlemen playing thunderbirds when I read the title.

I'm a full-blown "boomer" myself (1957!), but I wouldn't exactly call myself "fresh".

 

[dagrev]

I like boomers. They sound incredibly close to my elixirs. Don't last as long, or feel quite as smooth, but they are a great alternative for less money, when my strings are out of stock.

That's one string I've never tried. I guess in large part due to a guitar player that had some and I thought they sounded awful on his guitar. I know, apples and oranges! May have to try them one day.

 

[dagrev]

I'll admit, I imagined a bunch of just-turned-65 gentlemen playing thunderbirds when I read the title.

I'm a Boomer as well, but I've never been on a Thunderbird! If that were true I have the good sense not to take a selfie and post it all over social media advertising my cerebral void.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

That's one string I've never tried. I guess in large part due to a guitar player that had some and I thought they sounded awful on his guitar. I know, apples and oranges! May have to try them one day.

My gussied says he tried a pack on his start, and thought the same thing. I guess the coating kills a little shine from his top end, and he didn't like the mid range bump. Which I get, on guitar. But on bass, they are amazing! I leave them on for 8 or 9 months. Still sound like 2 3 weeks.

 

[dagrev]

My gussied says he tried a pack on his start, and thought the same thing. I guess the coating kills a little shine from his top end, and he didn't like the mid range bump. Which I get, on guitar. But on bass, they are amazing! I leave them on for 8 or 9 months. Still sound like 2 3 weeks.

I leave rounds on way longer than that, but most don't get constant playing. You've about convinced me to seriously consider a set next time. Hey, I've wasted how much money on strings before if they don't work out????

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I leave rounds on way longer than that, but most don't get constant playing. You've about convinced me to seriously consider a set next time. Hey, I've wasted how much money on strings before if they don't work out????

If you like boomers, you'll like elixir nickels. Boomers are the closest thing I've found to them. Pretty much sound the same, just a little smoother feeling, and last much longer. My son's affinity pj has had the same set on it for 3 years. Doesn't get much play...at all. Hahaha. Picked it up yesterday and it still sounds fresh.

Actually, ha, I was digging the bass so much that I went through my drawers, grabbed some parts, and made a killer little beast. New pots, quarter pounders, knobs, and a high mass bridge. All it needs now is some light weight tuners, and she's a great "modern" sounding alternative to my own P. Light as hell too.

 

[FirewalZ]

I prefer the round core Boomers, the standards are too stiff for me.

 

[michael_t]

I prefer the round core Boomers, the standards are too stiff for me.

That's why I like the light set, 40-55-75-95, of the hex-core Boomers. Comfy, but not floppy.

I also tried the RC Boomers, 40-55-75-95, and found them to be borderline too soft both in tone and feel.

 

[waynobass]

An old pic of a most of my 'Birds. Two Epi VPs (yes they are fantastic), '76 and a '64.

Thanks a lot for triggering GAS. "If he has four, I need at least one!"

 

[Dominic D]

I used Boomers exclusively in my early days of bass playing. I love the way they sound, but they are easily some of the roughest feeling strings I've ever used.

 

[michael_t]

they are easily some of the roughest feeling strings I've ever used.

Not as rough as any of the stainless steel rounds I've tried, though.

 

[P Cheen]

I used Boomers exclusively in my early days of bass playing. I love the way they sound, but they are easily some of the roughest feeling strings I've ever used.

Boomers are pretty smooth IME. The absolute roughest I've used are Roto 66's, and I was an exclusive stainless steel user for years.

 

[dagrev]

If you like boomers, you'll like elixir nickels. Boomers are the closest thing I've found to them. Pretty much sound the same, just a little smoother feeling, and last much longer. My son's affinity pj has had the same set on it for 3 years. Doesn't get much play...at all. Hahaha. Picked it up yesterday and it still sounds fresh.

Actually, ha, I was digging the bass so much that I went through my drawers, grabbed some parts, and made a killer little beast. New pots, quarter pounders, knobs, and a high mass bridge. All it needs now is some light weight tuners, and she's a great "modern" sounding alternative to my own P. Light as hell too.

Well, I think you've talked me into giving them a try. Sounds promising. Thanks for the good info.

 

[dagrev]

I used Boomers exclusively in my early days of bass playing. I love the way they sound, but they are easily some of the roughest feeling strings I've ever used.

There are a few rounds more smooth than boomers, but I never thought them rough. But I don't get all the hand wringing about Rotos either. They are more rough than anything I've tied, but people act like they destroy everything they touch and even some they just get close to.

 

[fretlessguy]

For some reason, when I think of Thunderbirds and Boomers together I think of "screaming rock".