Thunderbird Club

[ThaCoast]

Awesome! How about another question for y’all?

Which strings do you like on a bird? I’m a flats guy, but probably should consider some roundwounds for this setup. I’ll take suggestions for either, though.

On all my basses it's 50-105. Used to be 45-105, but the extra thickness adds a little bit more to the DG strings. They don't feel as lost countering the EA strings. My birds have 50-110, the extra tension on the EA is great for drop tuning & stable in half step down (I keep one in e flat, one in D standard). Sported D'addario 55-110 for a while before dismantling my epiphone un-gothed bird, & the 55 was too much. My tigerbird has hartke strings i found dirt cheap at my music store with the 50-110 gauge. Gonna try DR Hi beams next, maybe rotosound.

P.s. I'm a D'addario string user exclusive (guitars & bass), except for the Birds due to the 50-110 gauge. I've tried other brands: ernie ball, elixir, GHS (which i actually miss, maybe my next bass I'll get some GHS boomers), but D'addario always proved to be the one to hold true. They age nicely unlike ernie ball, & i dislike elixir because of the coating it just doesn't feel natural.

 

[RedVee]

Excited to hear tonight that no. 1 child passed her psych degree with First Class Honours and her thesis will be published next year. Quite chuffed.

 

[Larry V]

Love T-Birds, can't play them due to the neck sticking way out. T-Birds are meant for people with longer arms than me.

Tell that to this little lady... she's all of 5' 1" or 2". No problem.

 

[dagrev]

Awesome! How about another question for y’all?

Which strings do you like on a bird? I’m a flats guy, but probably should consider some roundwounds for this setup. I’ll take suggestions for either, though.

I've mentioned before that I absolutely love TI SuperAlloys on my '64. Can't imagine thinking of changing to another brand and can't explain how good that bass sounds with my rigs. When I play this bass out, I'm often just thinking about how amazing it sounds. My '76 has had TI flats and sounds really good and GHS Pressurewounds and all sound good. Not as good as the '64 with SAs--which may be what goes on the '76 next.

 

[Nocturnal]

Excited to hear tonight that no. 1 child passed her psych degree with First Class Honours and her thesis will be published next year. Quite chuffed.

That is awesome!! I love those "proud dad" moments.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Love T-Birds, can't play them due to the neck sticking way out. T-Birds are meant for people with longer arms than me.

BTW, I DO have some solid state amps...all Ampeg, though.

You’re just not reaching far enough.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I'm built like a fire-hydrant. I have no trouble with the reach on a bird. Just need to find a strap that is at least 60" (whereas standard is 54" or so). Can't play a bird like some funk guy with your bass covering your nipples.

FREE THE NIP!

 

[PillO]

View attachment 3228986 Just got a Bc Rich SE zombie for 140 which came with a 50 dollar strap llololol it’s thicker, wider and longer.... so the neck dive, extreme weight, and feeling like I’m standing beside the Gibson Nikki Sixx Blackbird instead of right over top of it...all gone. Awesome. It’s surprising how much changes by simply dropping the bass lower and of course a different strap. A little harder to play but it has a forced minimalist effect on you. Lol

A very different feel and therefore approach to picking or plucking... different rhythms and accentuation. It’s like playing a different instrument and I must admit if feels and looks cool as hell. I’ve always been more about function and kept my instruments high.

If you’re bored and feeling stuck try something silly like this. See for fun what it forces you to change or write just to make it work.

Please quote me in responses because this is literally one of the most active threads in this forum and impossible to keep up with, without specific quote alerts. Lol

At some point I will have to get some pointy 80s goodness...

 

[PillO]

Awesome! How about another question for y’all?

Which strings do you like on a bird? I’m a flats guy, but probably should consider some roundwounds for this setup. I’ll take suggestions for either, though.

I am ready to do some more string experiments, but with Bass Strings Online out of commission, I am not sure where I will get some strings.

FWIW, I have Black Beauties on the white `bird. They sound good and last a long time but have a grippy feel to them. I have used NYXL as well and really liked them; great sound and great feel.

 

[JJR58]

when did you get the second P? Gorgeous bass..
Keeping the tort? Always dug that finish..

I snuck that one in about a week ago. i'm keeping the tort.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Awesome! How about another question for y’all?

Which strings do you like on a bird? I’m a flats guy, but probably should consider some roundwounds for this setup. I’ll take suggestions for either, though.

RS66 100-45s

 

[PillO]

I snuck that one in about a week ago. i'm keeping the tort.

Beware. Kat888 will hunt you down.

 

[JJR58]

Beware. Kat888 will hunt you down.

I wish she would!

 

[GonePlaid]

Awesome! How about another question for y’all?

Which strings do you like on a bird? I’m a flats guy, but probably should consider some roundwounds for this setup. I’ll take suggestions for either, though.

Likewise a 'flats' (and D'Addario) guy, I put a set[2814- 45 to 100]of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on my '67 NR 'Bird. Wow!

 

[JJR58]

I like lights on everything I’ve only ever tried the Ernie ball extra slinky 95 to 40... I think the 40 is too thin and seems out of place but the rest are great. I always hated standard gauges I’d go between the a and the e and it would sound dead and out of proportion just not balanced

Strings have been somewhat of a struggle for me. But what i've settled into are Cobalt flats, TI Jazz flats. and, wait for it................... Dunlop SuperBright SS rounds. I too like light gauge strings. The jury is still out on the Dunlops, only because of the tension.

 

[JimmyM]

Tell that to this little lady... she's all of 5' 1" or 2". No problem.

OK, I'll run out and get one right now.

 

[Larry V]

OK, I'll run out and get one right now.

Awesome! Let me know what you're looking for, I may be able to "enable".

 

[Engle]

RS66 100-45s

+1 on the Rotosounds

 

[Engle]

OK, I'll run out and get one right now.

Be patient and wait for a good deal on a Vintage Pro. Or just go buy one. They are a great value even at full retail price.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Beware. Kat888 will hunt you down.

Kat! The P also has flats!! Hunt me! I'm here!!