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Thunderbird Club

#311,582
MCF said:
I ordered it during lunch on Wednesday. It arrived during lunch today. Free shipping and it arrived in 48 hours. Speed and the extended gratis 2 year warranty are why continue to buy most everything from Sweetwater.
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Awesome! I believe the manufacture's warranty is 2 years. It's nice solid equipment.
 
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#311,588
RedVee said:
Just the ones I like.

@Nocturnal
For your wife - I saw a rare white Jacaranda in the nursery on Thursday. Evidently a pretty new thing - the horticulturist got super excited that it had a flower out and took a photo to post on their socials. I should have but didn’t. Evidently the first one in Sydney was auctioned for AU$350k.

I’d only gone in to get some “weeds” identified.
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Thanks for letting me know! I shared your message and now she is going down a rabbit hole investigating. :)
 
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#311,589
Jakeman said:
I could use a little advice from the TBird gurus. About a decade ago I bought this 2001 TBird, but have struggled with it over the years. I had wanted one as a kid, and this one showed up in great shape for the right price so I went for it. I’ve always dug it, don’t get me wrong. I’ve gigged it, recorded it - I’ve put it through its paces. I switched out the bridge for a Hipshot. I installed Seymour Duncan’s. Yet… I have 9 other basses, a real mix - short scales, fretless, active, passive, semi-hollow, etc. and the Thunderbird is the one I reach for the least. Something about it has always felt off and recently I was able to finally put my finger on it. And it was obvious. Of my 10 basses, not a single one wears round wound strings. Dead flats on each and every one - this TBird is currently strung with 7 year old TI flats. It feels wrong. I have not purchased, researched, or even blinked at round wound strings in over a decade. I want to do this bird justice. It wants to be a rock machine. It wants to scream as it soars through the night sky. It wants to cut glass. What are some sets I should try?

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Beautiful Bird!! My 2001 Bird is my favorite bass ever! I use either SIT Power Steel or DR Highbeams typically and both work great.
 
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#311,591
Jakeman said:
I could use a little advice from the TBird gurus. About a decade ago I bought this 2001 TBird, but have struggled with it over the years. I had wanted one as a kid, and this one showed up in great shape for the right price so I went for it. I’ve always dug it, don’t get me wrong. I’ve gigged it, recorded it - I’ve put it through its paces. I switched out the bridge for a Hipshot. I installed Seymour Duncan’s. Yet… I have 9 other basses, a real mix - short scales, fretless, active, passive, semi-hollow, etc. and the Thunderbird is the one I reach for the least. Something about it has always felt off and recently I was able to finally put my finger on it. And it was obvious. Of my 10 basses, not a single one wears round wound strings. Dead flats on each and every one - this TBird is currently strung with 7 year old TI flats. It feels wrong. I have not purchased, researched, or even blinked at round wound strings in over a decade. I want to do this bird justice. It wants to be a rock machine. It wants to scream as it soars through the night sky. It wants to cut glass. What are some sets I should try?

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I like Hi Beams.

(Yes I know Ahem!)
 
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#311,592
60's NR has landed.
Weather was going to be heavy rain and flooding Saturday, so I asked J.T. if he was able to meet up today and while he had plans with his GF he was kind enough to take the bass with him and made it happen this afternoon. Even gave me a bunch of parts. He bought some gold pickup covers and ring, and two piece bridge and gave them to me as well as a parchment pickguard. The repair looks stable--just unfinished. With the gold parts, I'll go in that direction and I'm thinking Pelham Blue sure would be an outstanding choice and still have something of an original vibe. Color-wise anyway.

I was an honor to finally get to meet J.T. after all the conversations we've had. Just a super nice and kind person, but not anything I didn't already know. More tomorrow when I get in to it. Long day of driving. But got to meet J.T., get a NR, and eat at Jack's BBQ! Great day!



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#311,593
Jakeman said:
I could use a little advice from the TBird gurus. About a decade ago I bought this 2001 TBird, but have struggled with it over the years. I had wanted one as a kid, and this one showed up in great shape for the right price so I went for it. I’ve always dug it, don’t get me wrong. I’ve gigged it, recorded it - I’ve put it through its paces. I switched out the bridge for a Hipshot. I installed Seymour Duncan’s. Yet… I have 9 other basses, a real mix - short scales, fretless, active, passive, semi-hollow, etc. and the Thunderbird is the one I reach for the least. Something about it has always felt off and recently I was able to finally put my finger on it. And it was obvious. Of my 10 basses, not a single one wears round wound strings. Dead flats on each and every one - this TBird is currently strung with 7 year old TI flats. It feels wrong. I have not purchased, researched, or even blinked at round wound strings in over a decade. I want to do this bird justice. It wants to be a rock machine. It wants to scream as it soars through the night sky. It wants to cut glass. What are some sets I should try?

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Ken Smith Rock Masters or Metal Masters. I also like KS Bass Burners for my D Standard/Drop C tuned ‘bird.
 
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#311,596
BklynKen said:
Do you prefer the Bass Burners over Rock Masters for drop tuning, or is it just a coincidence?
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It’s more about the gauge. The Burners have a 50-115 set that works well for D standard/drop C. The Metal Masters have a 50-110 set I use for Eb Standard/drop Db on one of my ‘01’s.

DR has a 55-115 set I also use on a P-bass, but I like the Burners better in general and definitely on the ‘bird.
 
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#311,597
Ringhammer said:
It’s more about the gauge. The Burners have a 50-115 set that works well for D standard/drop C. The Metal Masters have a 50-110 set I use for Eb Standard/drop Db on one of my ‘01’s.

DR has a 55-115 set I also use on a P-bass, but I like the Burners better in general and definitely on the ‘bird.
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Ah, cool. I like DR, but they always sounded too "polite" for me.
 
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#311,598
Jakeman said:
I could use a little advice from the TBird gurus. About a decade ago I bought this 2001 TBird, but have struggled with it over the years. I had wanted one as a kid, and this one showed up in great shape for the right price so I went for it. I’ve always dug it, don’t get me wrong. I’ve gigged it, recorded it - I’ve put it through its paces. I switched out the bridge for a Hipshot. I installed Seymour Duncan’s. Yet… I have 9 other basses, a real mix - short scales, fretless, active, passive, semi-hollow, etc. and the Thunderbird is the one I reach for the least. Something about it has always felt off and recently I was able to finally put my finger on it. And it was obvious. Of my 10 basses, not a single one wears round wound strings. Dead flats on each and every one - this TBird is currently strung with 7 year old TI flats. It feels wrong. I have not purchased, researched, or even blinked at round wound strings in over a decade. I want to do this bird justice. It wants to be a rock machine. It wants to scream as it soars through the night sky. It wants to cut glass. What are some sets I should try?

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SIT Power Steels or Power Wounds are among some good round wounds. Rotos are nice as well.
completely different bass. Went from good to "OMG this thing sounds fantastic."
Pro tip: LaBella black nylons sound fantastic with the original pickups.
 
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#311,599
dagrev said:
60's NR has landed.
Weather was going to be heavy rain and flooding Saturday, so I asked J.T. if he was able to meet up today and while he had plans with his GF he was kind enough to take the bass with him and made it happen this afternoon. Even gave me a bunch of parts. He bought some gold pickup covers and ring, and two piece bridge and gave them to me as well as a parchment pickguard. The repair looks stable--just unfinished. With the gold parts, I'll go in that direction and I'm thinking Pelham Blue sure would be an outstanding choice and still have something of an original vibe. Color-wise anyway.

I was an honor to finally get to meet J.T. after all the conversations we've had. Just a super nice and kind person, but not anything I didn't already know. More tomorrow when I get in to it. Long day of driving. But got to meet J.T., get a NR, and eat at Jack's BBQ! Great day!



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Congrats!
Yes, that gold you mentioned is one of my favourite colours. The Pelham blue is so so for me because of the variation it it.
I’ve seen some I loved, others not so much.
 
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#311,600
dagrev said:
60's NR has landed.
Weather was going to be heavy rain and flooding Saturday, so I asked J.T. if he was able to meet up today and while he had plans with his GF he was kind enough to take the bass with him and made it happen this afternoon. Even gave me a bunch of parts. He bought some gold pickup covers and ring, and two piece bridge and gave them to me as well as a parchment pickguard. The repair looks stable--just unfinished. With the gold parts, I'll go in that direction and I'm thinking Pelham Blue sure would be an outstanding choice and still have something of an original vibe. Color-wise anyway.

I was an honor to finally get to meet J.T. after all the conversations we've had. Just a super nice and kind person, but not anything I didn't already know. More tomorrow when I get in to it. Long day of driving. But got to meet J.T., get a NR, and eat at Jack's BBQ! Great day!



View attachment 7152138
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Congrats Donnie!!
 
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