Thunderbird Club

[Mike.C.]

So, random question. I like to drop tune on basses. Primarily D Standard. Current strings on my TBird can't handle even that without getting floppy as sin. Was looking at some GHS Boomers 50-115. Think that would still sound good on a TBird in DStandard tuning?

I’ve dropped with both round wound and chromes at 100 gauge, never had any flops that I’m aware of. Where are you now?

 

[theFixer]

So, random question. I like to drop tune on basses. Primarily D Standard. Current strings on my TBird can't handle even that without getting floppy as sin. Was looking at some GHS Boomers 50-115. Think that would still sound good on a TBird in DStandard tuning?

I never tune more than a half step down, so I'm no expert... but I can tell you that generally... round core strings are lower tension, and require a lighter touch, so you'll wanna avoid those if floppiness is your concern. Regarding Boomers specifically (which are hex core)... the only people I know of that use them, are their endorsers. I'm sure somebody will chime in to point you towards a good high-tension string that responds well to detuning...

 

[MrKeef]

I’ve dropped with both round wound and chromes at 100 gauge, never had any flops that I’m aware of. Where are you now?

That's my issue, gentleman I just got this bass off of doesn't remember which strings he had put on it. They seem kind of old, lost their brightness a bit so I'm swapping them regardless. Most of my basses are 45 105 though.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

So, random question. I like to drop tune on basses. Primarily D Standard. Current strings on my TBird can't handle even that without getting floppy as sin. Was looking at some GHS Boomers 50-115. Think that would still sound good on a TBird in DStandard tuning?

I have 50-115 Ken Smith Burners on one of my Gibson's and they're fine... but I haven't had a problem tuning to D-standard with 45-105 hex cores. The main thing is to adjust your truss rod. I'd probably go down to 50-110 though.

 

[theFixer]

That's my issue, gentleman I just got this bass off of doesn't remember which strings he had put on it. They seem kind of old, lost their brightness a bit so I'm swapping them regardless. Most of my basses are 45 105 though.

In general, what do you like in a string... round/flat, stainless/nickel, etc.?

 

[MrKeef]

In general, what do you like in a string... round/flat, stainless/nickel, etc.?

Round, Stainless. I feel like stainless has a brighter tone, but it could just be me.. I'd never use flats on a TBird. Seems like a sin. Lol.

 

[kat888]

Round, Stainless. I feel like stainless has a brighter tone, but it could just be me.. I'd never use flats on a TBird. Seems like a sin. Lol.

It IS a sin.

 

[MrKeef]

It IS a sin.

Can I put flats on a P Bass that often shares space with the TBird or is that a sin as well? Still a TBird newb. Lol

 

[MrKeef]

I have 50-115 Ken Smith Burners on one of my Gibson's and they're fine... but I haven't had a problem tuning to D-standard with 45-105 hex cores. The main thing is to adjust your truss rod. I'd probably go down to 50-110 though.

I'll look into the Ken Smith Burners, Metal set for the heavier gauges right?

 

[Gaolee]

Okay okay, I got it... Kats don't like clowns

Felines are particular about a lot things.

 

[Gaolee]

Can I put flats on a P Bass that often shares space with the TBird or is that a sin as well? Still a TBird newb. Lol

You can put flats on a 'Bird. They just have to be Cobalt Flats that sound like rounds.

 

[MrKeef]

Felines are particular about a lot things.

Mine doesn't like belly rubs...

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I'll look into the Ken Smith Burners, Metal set for the heavier gauges right?

yup
Burners are Nickel Plated
Rock/Metal Masters are Stainless

 

[theFixer]

Round, Stainless. I feel like stainless has a brighter tone, but it could just be me.. I'd never use flats on a TBird. Seems like a sin. Lol.

I always preferred stainless rounds myself, until I got a Gretsch with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on it. I love 'em so much on the Gretsch, I bought a set for my 'bird. Haven't strung 'em up yet, but I'm lookin' forward to it

 

[Gaolee]

Can I put flats on a P Bass that often shares space with the TBird or is that a sin as well? Still a TBird newb. Lol

Just make sure you refer to it as a 7ender P. Then it's all OK.

 

[MrKeef]

I always preferred stainless rounds myself, until I got a Gretsch with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on it. I love 'em so much on the Gretsch, I bought a set for my 'bird. Haven't strung 'em up yet, but I'm lookin' forward to it

I'll check some EB Cobalt Flats for my P Bass. Heard good things about 'em from multiple sources.

 

[theFixer]

Can I put flats on a P Bass that often shares space with the TBird or is that a sin as well? Still a TBird newb. Lol

Let your ears be your guide

 

[JIO]

That just seems mean...

I was being frank. Dissertations are done on many topics and I could see how an overview of clowns throughout time could overlap into an understanding of human nature and the apparent need for clowns as a form of relief to seriousness. There's "soft power" (a Japanese phenomenon) which manifests itself in the images of Hello Kitty, Pokemon and various cartoon characters to help 'soften' the harshness of the world. My personal dissertation (if I were to write one) would be focused on this.

 

[JIO]

Geo, the only possible way you could improve that sublimeness, would be putting it on a tort J pickguard.

I was working in a house and this was in the bathroom. I had to take a pic of it as proof that people actually hang paintings of clowns in their home. I can imagine if you painted a clown eating a slice if pizza, it would come close to putting a tort J pg on it.

 

[JIO]

Round, Stainless. I feel like stainless has a brighter tone, but it could just be me.. I'd never use flats on a TBird. Seems like a sin. Lol.

It IS a sin.

I'm going to guess that Joe Chambers used flats.