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Thunderbird Club

#41,661
TheIndieKid said:
So I'm exploring the matter of strings for my Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV Pro at the moment.

It seems every bassist using a Thunderbird ever played with Rotosound Swing 66s. I've had a few bad experiences with Rotosounds, as they seem to die quick on me. I've been looking at D'Addario Pro Steels but they aren't offered in balanced tension. D'Addario have balanced NPS sets but I was wondering if the NPS would really make much of a difference gone wise, compared to Stainless Steel. What's your thoughts on strings choice for your Thunderbirds? Do you like flats on them?
Click to expand...
I haven't used Rotosounds on anything yet. Maybe someday, but I'm in no hurry. DR strings work well. I have liked HiBeams, SunBeams, and Black Beauties on Thunderbirds. For flats, I'm partial to Ernie Ball Cobalt flats, although you have to make sure you don't use the light gauge ones. There are people whose fingers get torn up by Cobalts, but I find the flats silky feeling. They are a lot brighter than most flats, and that suits Thunderbirds well.
 
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#41,663
Gaolee said:
I haven't used Rotosounds on anything yet. Maybe someday, but I'm in no hurry. DR strings work well. I have liked HiBeams, SunBeams, and Black Beauties on Thunderbirds. For flats, I'm partial to Ernie Ball Cobalt flats, although you have to make sure you don't use the light gauge ones. There are people whose fingers get torn up by Cobalts, but I find the flats silky feeling. They are a lot brighter than most flats, and that suits Thunderbirds well.
Click to expand...

Why not the light gauge Colbats?
 
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#41,664
TheIndieKid said:
So I'm exploring the matter of strings for my Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV Pro at the moment.

It seems every bassist using a Thunderbird ever played with Rotosound Swing 66s. I've had a few bad experiences with Rotosounds, as they seem to die quick on me. I've been looking at D'Addario Pro Steels but they aren't offered in balanced tension. D'Addario have balanced NPS sets but I was wondering if the NPS would really make much of a difference gone wise, compared to Stainless Steel. What's your thoughts on strings choice for your Thunderbirds? Do you like flats on them?
Click to expand...

Ken Smith Bass Burners (nickel 45-65-85-105) - last foreverever. Those are on both Birds. Although I am going to try some of the RS66LDNs on the Vintage Pro when I have one (the A string is 85 instead of the 80 in the standard SS set).
 
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#41,667
JJR58 said:
Why not the light gauge Colbats?
Click to expand...
They are too light, at least for me they are. I found them floppy and unmanageable. They didn't sound as good, either. I can't tell you exactly what that means. It wasn't a color issue, so much as they just felt and sounded anemic, even on a 'Bird. As I recall the light ones were 40-100 or so. A step up to 45-105 works fine.

Then again, I'm a CroMagnon, so take what I say for what it's worth.

I'm about to put Black Beauties on the pixie dust 2001. I hope that doesn't spoil the magic. Then again, the 1991 seems to have suddenly discovered a pixie dust source somewhere. It sounded perfect the last time it got out to play.
 
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#41,668
kat888 said:
Ken Smith Bass Burners (nickel 45-65-85-105) - last foreverever. Those are on both Birds. Although I am going to try some of the RS66LDNs on the Vintage Pro when I have one (the A string is 85 instead of the 80 in the standard SS set).
Click to expand...
How would you describe their sound?
 
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#41,670
BklynKen said:
Did Carlo include some of his old t-shirts for this?
Click to expand...
No. That would have required washing the swamp mildew out of them. I'm currently attempting that with varying degrees of success. It's a record year here for rainfall and the humidity that comes with it...not to mention 4 foot high grass. The feral cats love it, even more than living under the doublewide.
 
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#41,671
Gaolee said:
How would you describe their sound?
Click to expand...
The way Rotosounds USED to sound. When they had silk on both ends and only came in nickel...like John Entwistle Live at Leeds playing thru HiWatts.
 
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#41,672
DerekW said:
I got rear-ended by a Probe once.

But I'll leave my personal life out of this.
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I betcha didn't see that one commin!
Don't know about you, but I'd be all over that person with the Probe, I sure wouldn't take it sitting down!

Seriously, quite some time ago I think I read that nearly 75% of the buyers of the Ford Probe were female. Marketing, go figure.
 
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#41,674
GBassNorth said:
I betcha didn't see that one commin!
Don't know about you, but I'd be all over that person with the Probe, I sure wouldn't take it sitting down!

Seriously, quite some time ago I think I read that nearly 75% of the buyers of the Ford Probe were female. Marketing, go figure.
Click to expand...
My wife thought they were nice cars, too. There are mysteries that cannot be explained. That name is one of them.
 
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#41,675
Dadagoboi said:
No. That would have required washing the swamp mildew out of them. I'm currently attempting that with varying degrees of success. It's a record year here for rainfall and the humidity that comes with it...not to mention 4 foot high grass. The feral cats love it, even more than living under the doublewide.
Click to expand...
Have you tried sports detergent? If it can get the smell out of my running clothes that only my cat appreciates, I would hope it would help with mildew smell.
 
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#41,677
PillO said:
1 Quid = 240 pence = 100 new pence

Ok, it has been 40 years + since decimalisation so new pence has worn off.
Click to expand...
So 480 ha'pennies in the old money ?

I was only 4 or so when Australia went decimal for money. I still remember my Grandmother giving us pennies when we visited her - but that continued after dollars came in, she must have had a stash. :)

I used to buy lollies at the corner store. You could get 'Cobbers' (small square of choc covered caramel from memory) for a Penny. We called them "Penny Cobbers" of course. (Lollies are what you'd call Candy I guess?).
Even after decimals you could get lollies '2 for 1c' for a while.
 
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#41,679
Gaolee said:
They are too light, at least for me they are. I found them floppy and unmanageable. They didn't sound as good, either. I can't tell you exactly what that means. It wasn't a color issue, so much as they just felt and sounded anemic, even on a 'Bird. As I recall the light ones were 40-100 or so. A step up to 45-105 works fine.

Then again, I'm a CroMagnon, so take what I say for what it's worth.

I'm about to put Black Beauties on the pixie dust 2001. I hope that doesn't spoil the magic. Then again, the 1991 seems to have suddenly discovered a pixie dust source somewhere. It sounded perfect the last time it got out to play.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. I actually like looser feeling strings. Interested to hear how the Black Beauties sound.
And thanks.
 
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#41,680
RedVee said:
So 480 ha'pennies in the old money ?

I was only 4 or so when Australia went decimal for money. I still remember my Grandmother giving us pennies when we visited her - but that continued after dollars came in, she must have had a stash. :)

I used to buy lollies at the corner store. You could get 'Cobbers' (small square of choc covered caramel from memory) for a Penny. We called them "Penny Cobbers" of course. (Lollies are what you'd call Candy I guess?).
Even after decimals you could get lollies '2 for 1c' for a while.
Click to expand...

I remember the days when a 5c mixture would buy a decent sized bag of lollies.
 
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