Thunderbird Club

[dukeorock]

Closest I'm going to get to an upright...

View attachment 2840348

Archtop acoustic by Christopher.

Daddario Helicores:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

From proto to production. Mine's #1.
"Double-Bass Guitar", Archtop Acoustic/Electric Hybrid Build Thread
Had me at 'the log' demo.

Just listened to the sound clip and it’s got a super pretty, woody tone. The note bloom and decay are much more realistic than I would’ve guessed it would be. The initial attack is the main part that takes it out of upright world somewhat, which you may not even hear in an ensemble context. Then again, it’s a beautiful tone, regardless of anything

 

[JJR58]

For some reason, the sound clip is not showing for me. Drag.

 

[dukeorock]

Dave has amazing talent. I think I'm gonna go for the latest one, the 'Double Plus'. It's twice as deep with a sound post and arched back.

Gotta admit, it would never have crossed my mind to put a soundpost in a non upright. But it makes sense that a deeper body with a soundpost will get you closer. It’s that bloom that comes after the attack and sounds deeper than the initial attack that’s so critical to me.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Just listened to the sound clip and it’s got a super pretty, woody tone. The note bloom and decay are much more realistic than I would’ve guess it would be. The initial attack is the main part that takes it out of upright world somewhat, which you may not even hear in an ensemble context. Then again, it’s a beautiful tone, regardless of anything

Those were fresh helicores, still boingy. But way back to the beginning of the project the sound was there. For me, anyway, with just a passing acquaintance with the instrument. I have two ABGs and they're nothing like this one.

For some reason, the sound clip is not showing for me. Drag.

Do you have a sound cloud account?

 

[JJR58]

Those were fresh helicores, still boingy. But way back to the beginning of the project the sound was there. For me, anyway, with just a passing acquaintance with the instrument. I have two ABGs and they're nothing like this one.


Do you have a sound cloud account?

I don't. But there is no link showing for me, can always hear it on souncloud if there's a link.

 

[bholder]

Closest I'm going to get to an upright...

View attachment 2840348

Archtop acoustic by Christopher.

Daddario Helicores:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

From proto to production. Mine's #1.
"Double-Bass Guitar", Archtop Acoustic/Electric Hybrid Build Thread
Had me at 'the log' demo.

Just restrung mine still retuning lol but soon!

 

[Count Bassie]

Gotta admit, it would never have crossed my mind to put a soundpost in a non upright. But it makes sense that a deeper body with a soundpost will get you closer. It’s that bloom that comes after the attack and sounds deeper than the initial attack that’s so critical to me.

Right! I've got a Czech plywood upright that's got a low F that kills... it's got a sustaining, deep growl I love to nail and just let travel through the house.

 

[Count Bassie]

Just listened to the sound clip... ...it’s a beautiful tone, regardless of anything

Yes indeed, I like the variety of fretless tones that seem to exist, from upright to solid-body to this more exotic idea.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Yes indeed, I like the variety of fretless tones that seem to exist, from upright to solid-body to this more exotic idea.

Dave's in Westerly, RI. Can't imagine that's far from you...can't imagine anything is in RI!

If I do buy a Double Plus I'll make sure you get a chance to play it before it ships.

 

[Gaolee]

Right! I've got a Czech plywood upright that's got a low F that kills... it's got a sustaining, deep growl I love to nail and just let travel through the house.

Mine's a Chinese plywood bass, currently strung with Evah Pirastros. Bow a low E and the whole place shakes. It's great!

 

[dukeorock]

Those were fresh helicores, still boingy. But way back to the beginning of the project the sound was there. For me, anyway, with just a passing acquaintance with the instrument. I have two ABGs and they're nothing like this one.

I’ve had two ABG’s in the past and they were just terrible! Worst of both worlds This bass you’re talking about is a whole other world from what I had. It crossed my mind that things would improve in a huge way once the right strings are played in.

Mine's a Chinese plywood bass, currently strung with Evah Pirastros. Bow a low E and the whole place shakes. It's great!

That’s such an addictive sound, ain’t it? Interestingly, when I was playing my ‘Bird for the first time in a band context last night, it struck me that the decay reminded me a bit of bowed upright. Those grainy particles that fly around the fundamental tone, if that makes any sense. I swear, I’m sober right now!

 

[GBassNorth]

Just changed all my Spectors to Optima 24k Gold Unique strings (except the frett-less) Round wound, 45 - 105 sets. Amazing tone, slick feel, and long lasting. I'll need to get a set for the Bird too. Just got to budget that cost at Christmas Time.
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That was my go to string for a long time. But I'm having a hard time getting them now days, where are you buying yours?
The last set I bought off an eBay distributor in Europe somewhere and they ran me about $125 plus shipping for a 5 string set. If I could find a US supplier with reasonable rates I'd be happy.
BTW - my last set lasted about 5 years, and could have gone longer but I decided to boil them - don't do it, it destroyed the strings.

 

[Count Bassie]

Dave's in Westerly, RI. Can't imagine that's far from you...can't imagine anything is in RI!

If I do buy a Double Plus I'll make sure you get a chance to play it before it ships.

That's my home town! Lol, funny. Yeah man, I'd love to check that out!

 

[Count Bassie]

Dave's... trying to see if I know it. I know Frets... don't go there much these days, all my living of life is in northern RI, but only an hour away from the southern part (Westerly)!

 

[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 went with the heavier 50-105 set of Chromes, and they are interesting. Definitely sound like strings I would use to replace rounds rather than LaBellas, but that's what I'm looking for. I wonder if they keep that piano-like tone for long? A bit expensive to be replacing often. See how spoiled those LaBellas made me? One set lasts forever!

 

[Dadagoboi]

Dave's... trying to see if I know it. I know Frets... don't go there much these days, all my living of life is in northern RI, but only an hour away from the southern part (Westerly)!

Dave is Dave Smith, a luthier who combines hand work and CNC like no one else. He's had a business for a long time called Smith Creek that makes classic mandolin parts for builders. He's a bass player and branched out a few years ago into 'Christopher Basses", which is his middle name. He really understands acoustic instruments and that an ABG is more than a reinforced flat top guitar with bass strings...or should be.

My bass , and @bholder's was made from wood from a tree he cut down around 12 years ago. He's a good guy, has a small shop in his house and produces great stuff.

 

[Gaolee]

That’s such an addictive sound, ain’t it? Interestingly, when I was playing my ‘Bird for the first time in a band context last night, it struck me that the decay reminded me a bit of bowed upright. Those grainy particles that fly around the fundamental tone, if that makes any sense. I swear, I’m sober right now!

Look at the bright side. At least you aren't saying what colors those particles are. [They usually range from maroon to light brown, with a little black around the edges sometimes, just for the record.]

 

[dukeorock]

I went with the heavier 50-105 set of Chromes, and they are interesting. Definitely sound like strings I would use to replace rounds rather than LaBellas, but that's what I'm looking for. I wonder if they keep that piano-like tone for long? A bit expensive to be replacing often. See how spoiled those LaBellas made me? One set lasts forever!

If that’s the sound you’re looking for, LaBella flats do ‘that’ for a very long time. I love em on some basses. Wish I loved em for everything

 

[dukeorock]

Look at the bright side. At least you aren't saying what colors those particles are. [They usually range from maroon to light brown, with a little black around the edges sometimes, just for the record.]

Been quite a few years since I ‘listened to the colors’

 

[PianoOfDoom]

If that’s the sound you’re looking for, LaBella flats do ‘that’ for a very long time. I love em on some basses. Wish I loved em for everything

I found that my LaBellas get pleasantly dead pretty quickly. The Chromes are supposed to be brighter to start with, aren't they?