Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I finally have a bass to try out the Optima flats on!

View attachment 4621552

These kind of Optima flats?

Interested in how you think they compare to Pyramid Golds. Have you orderd a set yet?

 

[dagrev]

Tube-less Tuesday?


View attachment 4621684

Nothing there I don't love. Those heads sound as good as some heads with tubes.

 

[dagrev]

We’ll, I suppose we could search the 10,000+ page thread. Nah…

That little task might be best attacked after you retire. The downside is you'll have to search through 15,000 or more by then.

 

[dagrev]

I think mine might be the Laurel? Or something that's somewhat similar?

Whatever it is, it's very streaky (and the lightest colored fretboard I have, probably), I quite like it.

December 2019:

View attachment 4621654

Yep, looks like mine, but your's has more pattern going on. I only recall seeing the very light FBs on white VPs. When I first received mine, I thought it was paneling! One person here told me when I got mine that he really likes the lighter FBs. I was used to darker woods so at first it seemed a little different, but I do think matches very well with the white.

 

[PillO]

That little task might be best attacked after you retire. The downside is you'll have to search through 15,000 or more by then.

Didn't realize @MCF was planning on retiring later this month...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Tube-less Tuesday?


View attachment 4621684

ok…..

 

[Gaolee]

that’s my ex-wife’s DW set, you should have seen her red onyx Rogers.

I am on the lookout for a kit (for my son, wink, wink, nod, nod) and I think I’ll be getting maybe an 18”-20 bass drum

Smaller bass drums are pretty good. I like the way they sound and how the toms sit on them. My usual kit these days has the standard 22" bass drum and the toms are angled instead of flat so the align with the snare better. I never liked it when the heads are on different levels past a couple inches.

 

[GonePlaid]

ok…..
View attachment 4621768

Nary a tube in the bunch.

EDIT: Bassman25/Rumble 100;Rumble 200c; that old thing; Rumble 40/Rumble112 cab(sold)

 

[WillyW]

These kind of Optima flats?

View attachment 4621726


Interested in how you think they compare to Pyramid Golds. Have you orderd a set yet?

They are maybe a touch better than cobalt flats, but still not as good as the pyramids.

I have some dunlop flats that are tolerable enough that I haven't taken them off my EB.

TI flats are still the most expensive and have been moved down to a distant 5th place.

7ender and labella flats are tied at a more distant 6th place.

I got the optimas on a 4004 ric fretless and I don't do flats on fretless so they sat in a drawer waiting for the right bass with a 2+2 headstock......

 

[TBird1958]

I should get a tube rig and another cab at some point......

For now, GK amp, SWR cab.

 

[GonePlaid]

I should get a tube rig and another cab at some point......

For now, GK amp, SWR cab.

View attachment 4621875

And a trailer for the Subie?

 

[TBird1958]

And a trailer for the Subie?

Naw, that stuff plus basses easily fit, room left over for Queenie things too

With the rear seats down you can a lot of stuff in one - damn, I miss packing for a road trip!

 

[GonePlaid]

Naw, that stuff plus basses easily fit, room left over for Queenie things too

With the rear seats down you can a lot of stuff in one - damn, I miss packing for a road trip!

View attachment 4621883

Sorry you aren't currently doing any.

 

[GonePlaid]

Now, here's a deal.
New Gibson Non Reverse ThunderBird IV Thunder Bird V HardShell Bass Guitar Case | eBay

Not!

 

[Stealth57]

Did I hear tubeless Tuesday?

 

[GBassNorth]

They are maybe a touch better than cobalt flats, but still not as good as the pyramids.

I have some dunlop flats that are tolerable enough that I haven't taken them off my EB.

TI flats are still the most expensive and have been moved down to a distant 5th place.

7ender and labella flats are tied at a more distant 6th place.

I got the optimas on a 4004 ric fretless and I don't do flats on fretless so they sat in a drawer waiting for the right bass with a 2+2 headstock......

Interesting, good info to know as I consider some up coming string changes.
So you’d rank the flats in this order…
Pyramids
Optimas
Cobalts
Dunlop
TI Jazz Flats
Fender/LaBella DTF

Because it can make a pretty big difference, on your humbucker equipped fretted basses do you normally play with a pick, or is it mostly fingers?
What would you say your tone target usually is (ie warm and mellow, or bright and crisp, or punchy and gritty, or…)?

 

[dagrev]

Smaller bass drums are pretty good. I like the way they sound and how the toms sit on them. My usual kit these days has the standard 22" bass drum and the toms are angled instead of flat so the align with the snare better. I never liked it when the heads are on different levels past a couple inches.

I'm guessing there is a limit and a point of diminishing returns.

 

[JJR58]

Naw, that stuff plus basses easily fit, room left over for Queenie things too

With the rear seats down you can a lot of stuff in one - damn, I miss packing for a road trip!

View attachment 4621883

Well, roadtrip? we've got one for you in July.

 

[dagrev]

They are maybe a touch better than cobalt flats, but still not as good as the pyramids.

I have some dunlop flats that are tolerable enough that I haven't taken them off my EB.

TI flats are still the most expensive and have been moved down to a distant 5th place.

7ender and labella flats are tied at a more distant 6th place.

I got the optimas on a 4004 ric fretless and I don't do flats on fretless so they sat in a drawer waiting for the right bass with a 2+2 headstock......

Thanks for the comparison.

Now go look for shoes dude.

 

[dagrev]

Now, here's a deal.
New Gibson Non Reverse ThunderBird IV Thunder Bird V HardShell Bass Guitar Case | eBay

Not!

What? An additional $70 in shipping too much?