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Thunderbird Club

#122,622
Every now and then I start pondering replacing the Beats Studio 3 phones with in-ears. But from what I've seen, you have to spend at least the price of the Beats to get good bass, good isolation[1], good comfort, and durability. And the bass is definitely good in these. My Thunderbird sounds like a Thunderbird, which is a big part of what I want to hear.

Cons:
  1. Big white thing on my head. (Easy target in an active shooter scenario.)
  2. Can get a bit annoying over an ear cuff or if the air temp is warm.[2]
  3. I lose a bit of their ANC due to my glasses.
  4. Needs recharging once every 4-5 times I play (1x1-hr practice plus 2x45-60[3] minute sets)
  5. I currently have to use them wired.
Pros:
  1. Some people tell me they love the look. (Probability of active shooter scenario is very low.)
  2. A slight mid-bass boost.
  3. Difficult to lose.
  4. 20-22 hours of use on a charge is really pretty good.
  5. They never fall out/off.
[1] I love our drummers, but still.
[2] Our lighting is all LED. The stage temp dropped substantially when we switched to that.
[3] 45-60 sounds like a caliber. Definitely better for a rifle than a handgun.
 
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#122,625
Gaolee said:
I played a J yesterday. It didn't sound that great to me.
Click to expand...

Goatrope said:
I’ve got a couple of nice ones, yet I still struggle at times to get what I want out of them. When I hit the right combination of the VVT I get there, but I can’t always readily find that combo. Plus, it seems the pup outputs are on the lower side as compared to most other basses I own.

Mine are both sig models, US Geddy and an Adam Clayton. Super quality builds, but take a bit of effort to sound fab.
Click to expand...

There's only 3 Js I've ever liked: a friend's copy, an ibanez black eagle & my last squier j. Key is to swap out a volume pot for a push pull to have series/parallel switching. Adds beef in series mode. Though i sold the squier J i had to a friend of mine who needed a bass. J's aren't my type, i gravitate towards to knarly T, Ric & P styles.
 
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#122,626
Miles_ONeal said:
Every now and then I start pondering replacing the Beats Studio 3 phones with in-ears. But from what I've seen, you have to spend at least the price of the Beats to get good bass, good isolation[1], good comfort, and durability. And the bass is definitely good in these. My Thunderbird sounds like a Thunderbird, which is a big part of what I want to hear.

Cons:
  1. Big white thing on my head. (Easy target in an active shooter scenario.)
  2. Can get a bit annoying over an ear cuff or if the air temp is warm.[2]
  3. I lose a bit of their ANC due to my glasses.
  4. Needs recharging once every 4-5 times I play (1x1-hr practice plus 2x45-60[3] minute sets)
  5. I currently have to use them wired.
Pros:
  1. Some people tell me they love the look. (Probability of active shooter scenario is very low.)
  2. A slight mid-bass boost.
  3. Difficult to lose.
  4. 20-22 hours of use on a charge is really pretty good.
  5. They never fall out/off.
[1] I love our drummers, but still.
[2] Our lighting is all LED. The stage temp dropped substantially when we switched to that.
[3] 45-60 sounds like a caliber. Definitely better for a rifle than a handgun.
Click to expand...
I tried IEMs for the first time a week ago. They took some fiddling around with to get them to work, but after that, they were pretty nice. Just not nice enough to spend money on.
 
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#122,632
ThaCoast said:
There's only 3 Js I've ever liked: a friend's copy, an ibanez black eagle & my last squier j. Key is to swap our a volume pot for a push pull to have series/parallel switching. Adds beef in series mode. Though i sold the squier J i had to a friend of mine who needed a bass. J's aren't my type, i gravitate towards to knarly T, Ric & P styles.
Click to expand...

That’s definitely on my radar. Ive not heard it myself, but I’ve read about it. Thanks for that reminder. Now I have another project. :bassist:

I’ve also pondered the potential usefulness of a single blend vs the two V pots.
 
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#122,635
string update:

I used the Cobalt flats for a few gigs. I like them, but for what I’m playing lately, I think my P does the flat thing differently, and I’ve grown to want that sound.

Back on went the stainless rounds from Dunlop. A couple more gigs done on those, and I think I’m pegging this TBird as a stainless round bass. Just enough definition with the pups still sounding really fat across all strings.

So I’ll be experimenting with different stainless suggestions from the club that I’ve received.

On a final note: HipShot delivered the goods. And for anyone counting calories (not me), .75 ounce total weight loss.

Edit: (Per tuner, so 3 oz total.)

*not a math major*
CBE925E7-DCE3-498F-A22E-375F64378045.jpeg
66818B3B-229B-4F19-A100-96490751DA33.jpeg
 
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#122,636
Goatrope said:
I’ve also pondered the potential usefulness of a single blend vs the two V pots.
Click to expand...

While the resulting volume levels should differ slightly[1] as you rotate the knobs, with reasonable pot values the only major difference is your personal preference. If you want to set the blend and ride the gain (or vice versa) then V/B is the way to go. Otherwise, V/V is just fine.
I'm content with my stock V/V on my Epi IV, but if I have to switch out a pot, I'll most likely go to V/B.
I like the V/B on the Epi Pro. I just wish there were indicators for which knob does what. Once I'm playing it more that won't be an issue, but with sporadic playing, it's annoying.

[1] I haven't done any math or even thought too hard about it, but they ought to differ, and it shouldn't be hugely.
 
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