Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

I like their tapes and flats. But, their rounds?
View attachment 3208207 There was a set of Roto Pinks on my '87 330 Rick when I bought it; and the previous owner said he'd never used anything else. There were no discernable frets on it any more, either. And after paying beaucoup $$$'s for a re-fret? No Roto rounds on it, ever again. And,
View attachment 3208212 they're not getting anywhere near my '73 4001, either... Flat wounds only, baby; flat wounds...

I used them almost by default, this was the late '70s and '80s, they'd sound good and clangy for a week or less sometimes - ate the frets on my '73 4001. Whatever Gibson uses for frets is much stouter, nothing like that going on with any of my 'Birds, rounds are the strings I use except for a short "mistake" with some TI Flats.

 

[GIBrat51]

I'm glad to see your description of the (lack of) frets. I've had a theory that rounds might be rough on frets, but had no confirmation of such. I know they played hell with my fingers when I tried them[once]. Flats only on all of my basses. EB Cobalt flats on both 'Birds.

Well, rounds don't seem to hurt the frets on the vast majority of basses (much), so I wouldn't condemn them all out of hand. On some older basses - like a 4001 Rick? Well, you might get away with it for a while... and you might not. Since I was told that my 4001 had never worn anything but flat wounds since it left the factory (with Maxima flats); and since the frets are still in great shape after having had the snot played out of it for 30+ years? I saw no reason to change... Most of what I like to play was originally recorded with flats, or on an upright bass, anyway...

As for the 330 Rick guitar? Well... they're notoriously famous for their tiny, mandolin-sized frets. And they're supposedly pretty soft, too. So, I'll admit that the Roto Pinks aren't completely to blame. Still, with a 330's rep in mind, it would be hard to come up with a worse set of strings to put on it; those things felt like a wood rasp. It wears EB nickel Slinkys now; much nicer - on the new frets and my fingers...

Personally, I only have 3 basses - out of 24 - that wear round wounds. I don't really like how they feel; they're on there 'cause I like the way they sound. 2 of them - one of my T-Birds, and my headless Kramer Duke - wear GHS Bass Boomers. The other one wears EB Hybrid Slinkys. Every other bass? Tapes or flats...

 

[JIO]

Would anyone like to know how to get a new decent gigbag for their T-Bird for $50 shippedView attachment 3208233 ?

The white tr cover is kinda cool on that hs - very C&W/Rockabilly. Probably would look good with a blk/wht/blk pg.

 

[JIO]

Well, rounds don't seem to hurt the frets on the vast majority of basses (much), so I wouldn't condemn them all out of hand. On some older basses - like a 4001 Rick? Well, you might get away with it for a while... and you might not. Since I was told that my 4001 had never worn anything but flat wounds since it left the factory (with Optima flats); and since the frets are still in great shape after having had the snot played out of it for 30+ years? I saw no reason to change... Most of what I like to play was originally recorded with flats, or on an upright bass, anyway...

As for the 330 Rick guitar? Well... they're notoriously famous for their tiny, mandolin-sized frets. And they're supposedly pretty soft, too. So, I'll admit that the Roto Pinks aren't completely to blame. Still, with a 330's rep in mind, it would be hard to come up with a worse set of strings to put on it; those things felt like a wood rasp. It wears EB nickel Slinkys now; much nicer - on the new frets and my fingers...

Personally, I only have 3 basses - out of 24 - that wear round wounds. I don't really like how they feel; they're on there 'cause I like the way they sound. 2 of them - one of my T-Birds, and my headless Kramer Duke - wear GHS Bass Boomers. The other one wears EB Hybrid Slinkys. Every other bass? Tapes or flats...

I like um' both - each has their own unique sound/approach.

 

[Klondike]

Have any of your guys tried the StringJoy strings? They are made in Nashville and are less bright than most rounds, I like what I'm hearing so far. Holy crap I like these rounds. Put a set on Ol' Blu and Im really diggin the sound. Yes I did promise a pic of Ol' Blu and Ginger, those are coming. My last project has finished and I am working on getting my schedule back to normal, pics soon.

 

[RedVee]

Beauty is in the eye of
of the beholder.q

Correct it for you

Beauty is in the eye of the Beer Holder

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Ahem.



Some people want supermodels and limousines. The Rotten Kid is happy with hookers and taxicabs.

and these..

 

[JJR58]

The Rotten Kid is happy with hookers and taxicabs.

Sounds like a good time to me.

 

[Inky13]

And so it begins.

 

[godofthunder59]

Life on the road. I posted this elsewhere by mistake, I'm a little tired.

 

[dukeorock]

I like um' both - each has their own unique sound/approach.

^^^^^^^^^
This, big time

As much as it pains me to agree with the boy, I’m not a huge fan of Rotos for the most part either
Love Cobalt flats for some basses
Ken Smith Bass Burners for some
Black Beauties for some
DR Lo Riders for some
The KS Pressure wound sound interesting

 

[Gaolee]

Ahem.



Some people want supermodels and limousines. The Rotten Kid is happy with hookers and taxicabs.

Rotten Kid is clearly a forward thinking and fiscally rational person. He will have 'Birds and hot rod bulldozers with the cash he saves.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Rotten Kid™ is clearly a forward thinking and fiscally rational person. He will have 'Birds and hot rod bulldozers with the cash he saves.

Fixed that for you.

 

[JJR58]

^^^^^^^^^
This, big time

As much as it pains me to agree with the boy, I’m not a huge fan of Rotos for the most part either
Love Cobalt flats for some basses
Ken Smith Bass Burners for some
Black Beauties for some
DR Lo Riders for some
The KS Pressure wound sound interesting

I'm forced to use flats. Just aren't rounds, at least on this planet that can hold up to my torture of them.
Not that i'm not enjoying them.................The flats that is, ok, the torture too.

 

[Gaolee]

Fixed that for you.

Thank you. I knew there was something missing, and you are on it. All is well in the world again.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm forced to use flats. Just aren't rounds, at least on this planet that can hold up to my torture of them.
Not that i'm not enjoying them.................The flats that is, ok, the torture too.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

funny we were discussing strings....popped the G (Roto ) on my Gibby last night and had to use the backup....

 

[Engle]

Life on the road. I posted this elsewhere by mistake, I'm a little tired. View attachment 3208676

Nice shot!

 

[Engle]

funny we were discussing strings....popped the G (Roto ) on my Gibby last night and had to use the backup....
View attachment 3208880

At least you had a backup! I can't remember the last time I broke a string, but I even get nervous going to rehearsals without a backup.

 

[ToddOfThunder]

funny we were discussing strings....popped the G (Roto ) on my Gibby last night and had to use the backup....
View attachment 3208880

Ok Chucky, what venue are playing there?