Thunderbird Club

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I'm blowing a bunch of money on different string types to dial in my tone right now. It's tough, because everything sounds good, but for a different reason. So far, I'm loving my already broken-in LaBella 760FS. The Low Tension flats came yesterday, but I used the lower 4 of a 5 string set. The B does not ring out at all. Those are definitely coming off. I'm going to try Roto 77s later today.

On my Classic, I have the lower 4 of a 5 string set of DR Nickel LoRiders. Sounds great and the low notes are very cool. I just have a hard consistently liking the sound of rounds - there's something sickly about them, and after a couple of hours, my ears want a change. That's why I've always liked flats better.

You know what you have to do to make your life a lot easier right?
Buy more Thunderbirds and have them all strung differently

 

[Larry V]

You know what you have to do to make your life a lot easier right?
Buy more Thunderbirds and have them all strung differently

Kind of a no-brainer.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

You know what you have to do to make your life a lot easier right?
Buy more Thunderbirds and have them all strung differently

I already have two, and it's been about two weeks, so already down that road

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Thats kinda how I am, rounds dint works so well for me. However I have found I like DaDarrio Chrome flats and really like EB Cobalt flats.

Those are both reputed to be the most round-like flats, so I'll try them as well. The Chromes are available down the street, which is nice.

 

[dieselman]

Got a minute to post a couple of Pics of my new Thunderbird. The grain on the side of the Fret board has a kind of neat looking configuration.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

While on the topic of strings, is the TBird inherently higher tension somehow? I took the standard 760 LaBella flats off of a P Bass, and it feels MUCH tighter and stiffer on the VP. In fact, I am able to tune down a major 3rd with the standard 4 string set, and it feels/sounds right.

 

[Larry V]

Those are both reputed to be the most round-like flats, so I'll try them as well. The Chromes are available down the street, which is nice.

These are the strings I have on 3 out of my 6 Thunderbirds. Such comfort and smooth low end without that clank that so many here love. No hating on the clank, it's just not for me.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

View attachment 2840174

These are the strings I have on 3 out of my 6 Thunderbirds. Such comfort and smooth low end without that clank that so many here love. No hating on the clank, it's just not for me.

I wonder if the tension is enough for drop tuning without resorting to a 5 string set.

 

[JJR58]

View attachment 2840163 View attachment 2840164 View attachment 2840165 View attachment 2840166 View attachment 2840168 Got a minute to post a couple of Pics of my new Thunderbird. The grain on the side of the Fret board has a kind of neat looking configuration.

I think the shot of the side of the FB put's the RW thing to rest, sure looks like RW to me.

 

[dukeorock]

That they are!
It's always great to hear recent converts amazement at the sonic bliss of our beloved Birds. I'm really glad you're enjoying yours so much, she's a looker!

Can't tell for sure from the pictures, do you play with a pic or fingerstyle? I'm a finger man but I've noticed the TBird really jumps to life with a pic.

Also, what strings are you using? We've got every type of string you can imagine on these Birds (flats, rounds, stainless, Nickel, cobalt, tapes, coated...) and rave reviews still come in regardless of string type. Always interesting to hear what others are using.

Honestly, I had maybe 4 sets of strings laying around and all were 45-105. I may try 50-110 on the ‘Bird, but I didn’t have any laying around. Each bass feels like it’s trying to tell you what it wants...pretentious answer, but that’s how I view it! I went with DR Lo-Riders, Stainless 45-105 and they sound really nice on this bass, but I’ll probably experiment for a bit. Like a lot of folks here, I love flats, tapes, nickels, SS, rounds.

In fact here you go @TBird1958 -- bass mentioned around 2.15

Thanks so much for sharing that! Bowie was such a massive inspiration for most of my life. Breaking down the tracks like that is so cool to hear!

There's another thing. If guitars are played as the devil intended*, there's no reason for conflict on the frequencey spectrum.

* Through a cranked open back AC30 or Tweed combo.

That’s a beautiful sound to play along to, for sure, and most recordings I’m involved with use those sort of setups. I love unconventional methods too, though. With this session, I’m not there in LA tracking with drums and guitars, so I gotta work with what I’m given. Since I’m overdubbing st my house, I have 8 basses to choose from and no two are very similar. So far, I’ve been able to find what I like to sit with the stuff that’s already committed to ‘tape.’

I really prefer closed back guitar cabs, personally.

I get that too
For the most part, I prefer super low wattage tube amps for guitar. Like anywhere from 3-12 watts. They tend to record so massive. But in the studio , rules were made to be broken.

Its definitely something you can get used to, but for me its easier to play without it. And "fixing" it costs 0$ and takes 3 seconds so for a slightly more comfortable position why not?

Of course! I’ve only had my ‘Bird a few days. It’s recorded two songs and went to a rehearsal. I haven’t discovered enough about it to know if any workarounds are needed for me yet

Are you guys rehearsing in a bicycle store?

We are! The drummer in that group owns Gran Fondo, in Nashville.

You know what you have to do to make your life a lot easier right?
Buy more Thunderbirds and have them all strung differently

I could totally see why someone would do this! I’m very tempted to, myself

 

[JJR58]

I wonder if the tension is enough for drop tuning without resorting to a 5 string set.

You'll be able to drop down with the Chromes.

 

[Larry V]

I wonder if the tension is enough for drop tuning without resorting to a 5 string set.

Going to D isn't an issue for me. Not floppy at all.

But if you're going for C like I have my Classic Pro strung, I use BEAD tuned to C. More tension that way.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

While on the topic of strings, is the TBird inherently higher tension somehow? I took the standard 760 LaBella flats off of a P Bass, and it feels MUCH tighter and stiffer on the VP. In fact, I am able to tune down a major 3rd with the standard 4 string set, and it feels/sounds right.

Assuming the neck is still straight, the only thing I can think of is that because the headstock is angled it still has a decent break angle over the nut with looser strings, providing usable tension. Where a Fender has a straight headstock, it utilizes a string tree for the break angle, but only on the D and G strings.
I have no proof for this, it's only my theory.

 

[theFixer]

Regarding body tilt...took like a minute to get used to it. I dunno, guess I don’t see what the big deal is.

The best way I can think of, to describe the issue I have with body tilt, is this:

Have you ever tried to write with one hand, on a sheet of paper that has been folded in half? The page springs back up when you lift the pen, then when you try to write again the pen doesn't land where it should, so ya wind up with unintended marks on the paper & sloppy writing. For me... it's a similar experience on the T-bird with the button at he heel. As long as I keep my right forearm pressed against the bass... there's no issue. The problem for me is, I'm constantly moving my arm around as I'm playing, so the bass moves too. Slop City! I've been told that all I have to do is change the way I play, and my problem will be solved For me... right now... the more obvious and simple solution, is having the button on the horn. I didn't bastardize a vintage Gibson or anything. It's an 8 year old bolt-on Epi that I "personalized" with a belt sander. I have no moral or ethical conundrums with my historically inaccurate button placement, and it solves my tilting issue 100%.

 

[theFixer]

View attachment 2840163 View attachment 2840164 View attachment 2840165 View attachment 2840166 View attachment 2840168 Got a minute to post a couple of Pics of my new Thunderbird. The grain on the side of the Fret board has a kind of neat looking configuration.

Shore iz PURDY!!!

Daaaaaaaannnng... that's some low action right there!

 

[JJR58]

Shore iz PURDY!!!

Daaaaaaaannnng... that's some low action right there!

Low, is the way to go.

 

[dieselman]

The Techs at Sweetwater did a good job in setting it up. Haven't had to do any adjustments. Going to put a set of 45-105 DR H Beams later. See if anything changes.

 

[kat888]

"personalized" with a belt sander.

Remind me not to annoy you.

 

[theFixer]

Remind me not to annoy you.

Ooohhhh RELAX! I don't do it to ALL my victims basses

 

[JJR58]

Remind me not to annoy you.

Problem is that, he's not going to remind you.