Thunderbird Club

[Chucky Stiletti]

Totally understand that. I gave up on rounds because of the feel and they simply just don't last very long for me.
Certain flat wounds just have some real magic in the mids.
Something i can't ever get out of rounds, or requires massive eq to get them there.
I do like the angry piano tone myself. Maybe things might change with all this if i ever got back into a band.
Then again, also depends of the type of music as well.

get in a band! lol….with the exception of a few (GD comes to mind) you kinda need a pick for the angry piano tone… phrasing kinda starts sounding the same imho….

 

[JIO]

That's a good way to describe why i also love flats.

I love the flats also and used them (GHS Precision flats, and later LaBella's) on my '66 J with Bond Girl - it's the only bass I use with Cherie's band. I initially did so to get that classic Carol Kaye tone. (which it does!) But we also play a range of non-Bond songs, so at a point I strung it with D'Addario nickel rounds to have access to a broader tonal pallet. With nickel rounds, (and I like D'Addario's for this reason) I can dial back the tone, favor the neck pu and play near the heal and get a pillowy 'flat-esk' tone. But.., I can up the tone, favor the bridge pu and play at the bridge for a defined attack that delivers a nice three-tier bass tone. (low-end/mid/articulate top-end) I'm trying D'Addario nickel half-rounds on a bass and so far I like them but they need some more breaking in. I have flats (LaBella's/GHS) on five of my basses - they sound especially good on my Custom Kraft Bone-Buzzer hollow-body.

 

[icefly]

What I love about flats is the chocolatey tonal thickness they bring.

Agreed

 

[JJR58]

get in a band! lol….with the exception of a few (GD comes to mind) you kinda need a pick for the angry piano tone… phrasing kinda starts sounding the same imho….

I'm lousy with a pick.

 

[JJR58]

I hate the way rounds feel on fretted, and hate the sound of flats on fretless, but the feel of rounds on fretless is good.

I hadn't been playing fretted much, and until recently didn't have many fretted, but have gotten a couple I like enough not to defret them.

Pyramids are top of the string food chain for me, and cobalts a distant second, but still an excellent set of strings.

I always wipe my strings with baby wipes, and never replace them. like never.

I really need to try those Pyramids.

 

[JJR58]

I love the flats also and used them (GHS Precision flats, and later LaBella's) on my '66 J with Bond Girl - it's the only bass I use with Cherie's band. I initially did so to get that classic Carol Kaye tone. (which it does!) But we also play a range of non-Bond songs, so at a point I strung it with D'Addario nickel rounds to have access to a broader tonal pallet. With nickel rounds, (and I like D'Addario's for this reason) I can dial back the tone, favor the neck pu and play near the heal and get a pillowy 'flat-esk' tone. But.., I can up the tone, favor the bridge pu and play at the bridge for a defined attack that delivers a nice three-tier bass tone. (low-end/mid/articulate top-end) I'm trying D'Addario nickel half-rounds on a bass and so far I like them but they need some more breaking in. I have flats (LaBella's/GHS) on five of my basses - they sound especially good on my Custom Kraft Bone-Buzzer hollow-body.

View attachment 4709727

Love it Geo!

 

[GonePlaid]

I love the flats also and used them (GHS Precision flats, and later LaBella's) on my '66 J with Bond Girl - it's the only bass I use with Cherie's band. I initially did so to get that classic Carol Kaye tone. (which it does!) But we also play a range of non-Bond songs, so at a point I strung it with D'Addario nickel rounds to have access to a broader tonal pallet. With nickel rounds, (and I like D'Addario's for this reason) I can dial back the tone, favor the neck pu and play near the heal and get a pillowy 'flat-esk' tone. But.., I can up the tone, favor the bridge pu and play at the bridge for a defined attack that delivers a nice three-tier bass tone. (low-end/mid/articulate top-end) I'm trying D'Addario nickel half-rounds on a bass and so far I like them but they need some more breaking in. I have flats (LaBella's/GHS) on five of my basses - they sound especially good on my Custom Kraft Bone-Buzzer hollow-body.

View attachment 4709727

 

[GonePlaid]

My most "angry piano" tone I've ever recorded ('07) using my Kubicki Ex-Factor through an SWR Goliath/400s tube pre-amp head mic'd. (this is a one take improv trio recording using real-time loopers)



My Fender/Kubicki 9v pre assisted Saudersbird comes close... hummm, something tells me there is something in common...

Good stuff.

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm lousy with a pick.

I've been listening to some of the tapes I recorded with the band I was with in 75-82 in Miami. I used a pick-prolly a bunch-a lot more than I remembered. These days it's mostly fingers, with occasional picking for effect. My picking technique leaves a lot to be desired. Like technique.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I envision a great sitcom were the Thunderbird Club was stranded on a deserted island along the lines of Gilligan's Island. Everyone is too busy talking Thunderbirds and trying to make them from the trees on the island to build a craft or notice the ships going by that could effect a rescue. I think it would be better than the original. Clearly no laugh track would be needed.

Love the idea, but don't be dissing Gilligan & crew!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The white CP is a little dirty. I want to clean it up before posting pics. The finish looks like epoxy? What to use as a cleaner?

Just take a shower with it. Do NOT plug it onto the amp while showering. Use a gentle shampoo with a clean cotton washcloth, no conditioner required. A gentle stroking action on the neck and fretboard are best. The put it under a heat lamp for an hour or so to dry. Good as new!

[NOTE FOR NEWBIES: DO NOT DO THIS. THIS IS A JOKE.]

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

aobtd….RIP Dave Smith….
just talking about these guys the other day..
Dave Smith, founder of Sequential and ‘father’ of MIDI, has died at 72

 

[WillyW]

I really need to try those Pyramids.

I tried the TI flats that a lot of people like, and they were far from a favorite, especially at the price they go for.

On a good day I can get a set of pyramids for $45-$50 a set, and they are worth their weight in gold. I do have Cobalts on a couple basses are I like them enough that I won't remove them in favor of pyramids, but most other brands of flats have been relegated to the parts drawer.

 

[GonePlaid]

Just take a shower with it. Do NOT plug it onto the amp while showering. Use a gentle shampoo with a clean cotton washcloth, no conditioner required. A gentle stroking action on the neck and fretboard are best. The put it under a heat lamp for an hour or so to dry. Good as new!

[NOTE FOR NEWBIES: DO NOT DO THIS. THIS IS A JOKE.]

?

 

[JJR58]

I tried the TI flats that a lot of people like, and they were far from a favorite, especially at the price they go for.

On a good day I can get a set of pyramids for $45-$50 a set, and they are worth their weight in gold. I do have Cobalts on a couple basses are I like them enough that I won't remove them in favor of pyramids, but most other brands of flats have been relegated to the parts drawer.

TI's have always been a love/hate for a lot of players.
For me, they have always been up top on the list.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Do the cinder blocks add more low frequency response?

They're for heavier rock.

 

[JIO]

I'm lousy with a pick.

You absolutely can learn to use a pick Jeff - trust me, it will give open up a whole new world of articulation and tone for you. (and it's fun!) I dabbled with picks from the beginning - I even used felt and rubber picks. But I stuck with finger-style until joining Bond Girl. I simply started playing with a pic every day and now I am super comfortable and dexterous playing with one. I developed a light touch, I never drop a pick and I can palm it and play finger-style within the same song. (I do this on Skyfall) Just work it in to your daily playing, a little at a time.

 

[JIO]

TI's have always been a love/hate for a lot of players.
For me, they have always been up top on the list.

I didn't hate them - I hoped they would be the bees knees but I just didn't warm up to them considering the cost.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I just skipped about 20 pages. Did I miss anything besides the extended flats discussion?

 

[JIO]

I just skipped about 20 pages. Did I miss anything besides the extended flats discussion?

this -