Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

Maybe you might want to give Fender's 9050L flats a try. As flats go, they are about as "middle of the road" as you can get, IME (I currently have 16 different brand/gauge/scale length flats on my many basses). Tension/stiffness is not too high - and not too low. Tone? Decent lows; good low mids/mids; and a decent high end. "Modern" flats, in other words... They break in quickly; what stickiness there is, goes away quickly. And, they'll last for years, if you keep them clean. The ones on one of my Danelectro DC59's have been on a couple of other basses; they're at least 10 years old, and going strong. To me, 9050L's sound a lot like TIJFs, but without the extreme flexibility - or the high price. Other flats you might like? The new, 3rd gen. Sadowsky Blue Label flats; Galli JF4505 Jazz Flats (you want smooth? These things feel like a solid, Teflon coated rod); or, the flats I have on my '13 T-Bird - Dogal R44 Flats. Dogal is an old Italian orchestral string company; their electric bass and guitar strings are really something. Optima also makes really nice flats - especially their RBs, which are made to duplicate the original Rickenbacker factory Maxima flats (Optima bought Maxima many years ago...). Which, of course, are what my 4003 wears... None of these strings are what you'd class as "Old School" thump monsters, but they aren't quite as mid-range focused as the Fenders, either. And none of them are particularly as high tension/stiff as, say, the Roto RS77LDs. I've used those - and liked them - but, at 241 lbs. of tension, they are the High Tension Champs. Work great with a pick, though..
Anyhow, some food for thought...

Some interesting recommendations here.
I normally use Cobalt flats, love the feel, tension and tone.
As far as the Fender flats go, I used to use them, but they felt too stiff for me. But loved the tone.
Might have to revisit.
The Dogal's have caught my attention.
As well as those Maxima flats.
Sooner or later gonna have to try something.
There's been lots of others also that the gang here recommends.
I just need to pick the one I'm going to gamble on first.

 

[JJR58]

Rotos last a long time now. They're not like the old ones if that's what you meant.

It's a combination of that, the tension, and how they use to rust once you touched them.
But I haven't played Roto's since, oh, 2005.

 

[JJR58]

I would suggest tapes for him, but I'm pretty sure Jeff corrodes teflon. So there's that.

If the coating is different the Elixirs, then they're worth a try.

 

[bobyoung53]

The Real Me is what nailed bass as my instrument.

I used to do a lot of Who in the 70's, in different bands, in one band we used to do a long Who medley with songs like The Real Me for example, all bass heavy tunes, I broke an A string right at the beginning of the first tune of the medley. That's got to be the worst string to break, that's the last time I've broken a string too, I had a problem with the A string saddle and had broken one a week earlier but did nothing about it, the leader of the band was not happy.

 

[dagrev]

Didn't know you lived in New Haven, IN.

It's Fedmess--you can't go by what they say.

 

[GBassNorth]

Maybe you might want to give Fender's 9050L flats a try. As flats go, they are about as "middle of the road" as you can get, IME (I currently have 16 different brand/gauge/scale length flats on my many basses). Tension/stiffness is not too high - and not too low. Tone? Decent lows; good low mids/mids; and a decent high end. "Modern" flats, in other words... They break in quickly; what stickiness there is, goes away quickly. And, they'll last for years, if you keep them clean. The ones on one of my Danelectro DC59's have been on a couple of other basses; they're at least 10 years old, and going strong. To me, 9050L's sound a lot like TIJFs, but without the extreme flexibility - or the high price. Other flats you might like? The new, 3rd gen. Sadowsky Blue Label flats; Galli JF4505 Jazz Flats (you want smooth? These things feel like a solid, Teflon coated rod); or, the flats I have on my '13 T-Bird - Dogal R44 Flats. Dogal is an old Italian orchestral string company; their electric bass and guitar strings are really something. Optima also makes really nice flats - especially their RBs, which are made to duplicate the original Rickenbacker factory Maxima flats (Optima bought Maxima many years ago...). Which, of course, are what my 4003 wears... None of these strings are what you'd class as "Old School" thump monsters, but they aren't quite as mid-range focused as the Fenders, either. And none of them are particularly as high tension/stiff as, say, the Roto RS77LDs. I've used those - and liked them - but, at 241 lbs. of tension, they are the High Tension Champs. Work great with a pick, though..
Anyhow, some food for thought...

Some very informative advice there on modern flats. I like smooth (love my tapes) but have never tried Galli flats, I’ll have to look into those.

If the coating is different the Elixirs, then they're worth a try.

La Bella Black tapes are absolutely positively nothing like Elixir coated strings. The old Elixirs used to shed and fray after a bit of use. I haven’t had that problem with the new ones, but I still much prefer La Bella tapes over the Elixers feel wise. I do find the black tapes to be more thumpy and woody sounding on the low end and clear but not bright on the top end. I’d put them (the Black tapes) in the old school sound category. La Bella makes several different types of tapes depending on the sound you’re after. With your acidic situation I’d think La Bella Blacks would be the “Flat” type string sound of choice for you. I don’t use a pic so I don’t know how they’d hold up to that style of playing, probably better than Elixers but not nearly as good as Cobalts would be my guess.

edit: if you’re planning on trying black tapes for the first time and not sure if you will like them or not, be sure to order a light gauge set. The standard gauge is much larger than a typical non coated string and will usually require you to file your nut for a proper fit (or risk breaking the E string end off the nut as you tune up). The light gauge set fit in standard string slots.

 

[dagrev]

TI’s are very interesting strings, they morph as they break in.
But they may not morph to some peoples liking.

Very true. People either love or hate them with little space in between it seems.

 

[TBird1958]

Nazareth.................So glad I saw them way back in the day.

Lip sync with a Thunderbird.
Guess that didn't want to play, here's the song anyway.

 

[dagrev]

I'm going to have to remember to not make some jokes that somehow are perceived as suggestions. But I did not click. Not that there was the temptation.

 

[GBassNorth]

Looks like they got the like button working again. Here’s a test…

 

[dagrev]

I tried some TI's on my white '89 once - Never again, Flats are just not for me, the tactile alone make them a nope - I need the feel (and tone) of Rounds please - Not meant as a dig at all you fine folks that play Flats, it's a me problem.

I play lightly so they aren't a problem for me. It's a shame there is not a less flexible version because they match up nicely on the '76.

 

[PillO]

Oh man. I'm so envious of you and at the same time glad that you saw them. I like FM too, a quirky trio which influenced Rush too (Cam Hawkins' synth stuff especially) and of course they snapped Ben Mink to the guest spot for "Signals".
I thought Max Webster had already split at that point but that happened in Memphis in April the 16th. I wonder why they didn't play those dates because they were supporting Rush again in Montreal the 27th of March.
But they supported Rush so many times from '75 to '81 that it is quite a feat not to saw them when going to a Rush concert at that period.

I'm not sure that I ever saw Max Webster live. But I have seen Kim Mitchell many times and met him a couple of times too. Very humble down to earth guy with a phenomenal talent for playing.

 

[PillO]

Interesting...my experience has been that TIs can be kind of bright and pretty middy--generally in a good way. I'm sure it depends on what they are on and going through. I like Fenders, but Chromes (way back) sounded scooped--big soft lows and clanky highs. Tried them several times. But I've yet to find a D'Add string I do like. I liked the sound of Cobalts...but that's one of my "issues." After some playing, my fingers get a weird sore feeling. Not the feel of the string, but from the metal. Hence being one of the initial signators of the Princess Club.
View attachment 4657845

Of all the D'Addario strings, I really like the NYXLs. Very bassy with tame highs. To my ears better than the regular EXL nickels.

 

[PillO]

Better man than I am. I couldn't force myself to click it in the first place.

Anyone up for a good Mylie video?

Yes! Unless it includes the sound, in which case I say No!

 

[dagrev]

I like SS flats a lot! But they are usually to high a tension.
I might try the Dunlop SS flats.
I know there are others, but I wouldn’t know where to start honestly.

I just wish there was a half round I could like again. Back in the 70’s.
I think it was Dean Markley, made best best string ever suited for me.
But those are long gone.
And I can’t stand DaD’s half rounds.
Please don’t me about Roto’s.
The never worked for me.
Ok. I take that back. They do for about a day.

I love these. As the name implies they are pressurewounds not half-rounds. They have really good life as well. Made with Alloy52. I have ground-wounds like D'Add's.
SETS - PRESSUREWOUND™

To me, these sound pretty close to Cobalt Flats.

 

[PillO]

Miley Ray Cyrus and Justin Bieber are the same person!

 

[TBird1958]

Thank god it's Thursday, little black dress and a Thunderbird!

 

[PillO]

Because you know you want it.

This one is better

 

[dagrev]

Maybe you might want to give Fender's 9050L flats a try. As flats go, they are about as "middle of the road" as you can get, IME (I currently have 16 different brand/gauge/scale length flats on my many basses). Tension/stiffness is not too high - and not too low. Tone? Decent lows; good low mids/mids; and a decent high end. "Modern" flats, in other words... They break in quickly; what stickiness there is, goes away quickly. And, they'll last for years, if you keep them clean. The ones on one of my Danelectro DC59's have been on a couple of other basses; they're at least 10 years old, and going strong. To me, 9050L's sound a lot like TIJFs, but without the extreme flexibility - or the high price. Other flats you might like? The new, 3rd gen. Sadowsky Blue Label flats; Galli JF4505 Jazz Flats (you want smooth? These things feel like a solid, Teflon coated rod); or, the flats I have on my '13 T-Bird - Dogal R44 Flats. Dogal is an old Italian orchestral string company; their electric bass and guitar strings are really something. Optima also makes really nice flats - especially their RBs, which are made to duplicate the original Rickenbacker factory Maxima flats (Optima bought Maxima many years ago...). Which, of course, are what my 4003 wears... None of these strings are what you'd class as "Old School" thump monsters, but they aren't quite as mid-range focused as the Fenders, either. And none of them are particularly as high tension/stiff as, say, the Roto RS77LDs. I've used those - and liked them - but, at 241 lbs. of tension, they are the High Tension Champs. Work great with a pick, though..
Anyhow, some food for thought...

Nice summary. Thanks.

 

[RedVee]

Or go with Dodge Plum Crazy

View attachment 4657621

Holden Alchemy colour (on a 36 Olds coupe “Sloper”) (My grandfather had the same thing but the Chev version)