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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
A big slab of Mahogany for Monday. From a 55 year old Thunderbird tree.
50-105, uh? Tonally speaking, how do they compare to 45-105? I quite hate D'Addario's, I usually play Rotosound (RS66LD) on Precision Basses and DR string on Jazz/Stingray (Lo-Riders 45-100 on the JB, Hi-beams 45-105 on the SR Classic).
50-105 sound almost too beefy..
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I put 50-110 Bass Burners on the PinkBird. I believe they are similar to Rotos. They didn't feel all that different from 50-105 DR Black Beauties that I have on the '01. I'm partial to 50-105 Black Beauties or 50-105 Cobalt Flats on Thunderbirds. 50-105 tape wounds sound good, too. The colors are more muted, but they are still there. I did not like Bass Burners on the PinkBird. For the purposes of comparison, it has Chinabuckers, not stock Gibson pickups. And, what I think about feel should be understood as the opinion of a person who plays the upright, with a high action, more often than a bass guitar.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,963
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Well, that's why there are choices right? I personally really like D'Addario strings (and as a company) and tend to build and play basses that favor more mid-range. In further dailing them in I like using 15" or 18" cabs and heavier gauge strings on a couple. That way I get all the bass I need with all the mids I like. In comparison to 45-105 (which I also like/use) there is a tonal and feel difference - but it's subtle. It would be hard to convince someone who 'hates' the strings to try them for themselves so they would hear/feel that difference.
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I'm happy enough with the 45-105 Cobalt flats, but I have wondered about going up a bit on the skinny end. Then again, it's nowhere near as drastic a difference as most electric guitar sets, and sonically the balance works. Still, I'll likely try it if and when these babies ever wear out.
Well, that's why there are choices right? I personally really like D'Addario strings (and as a company) and tend to build and play basses that favor more mid-range. In further dailing them in I like using 15" or 18" cabs and heavier gauge strings on a couple. That way I get all the bass I need with all the mids I like. In comparison to 45-105 (which I also like/use) there is a tonal and feel difference - but it's subtle. It would be hard to convince someone who 'hates' the strings to try them for themselves so they would hear/feel that difference.
Well, yes, but I tried D'Addario strings before
I didn't like Ernie Balls, too, but gave 'em another try during the last 1-2 years and I found them quite acceptable - did they change something?And I'n saying that intending that I'm not close-minded
Apart from that, it's more a matter of gauge. I'll look for 50-105s in order to try them, no matter the brand.
But I'm actually liking Lo Riders 45-100.
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Desert toppings? Camel dung? Thunderbirds?
So I got another trusty MONO Doolittle strap for the BC Rich, same as I use on my THUNDERBIRD. The Eagle still droops a bit from the headstock end. As much as I want to keep it all stock, I'm thinking of replacing the tuners with lightweight ones. I don't know what these super old Grovers (?) weigh, but the lightweight ones really do help with neck dive?
Lumbar & Laminectomy..Not new, still true.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
It's hard for me to say, but having put Hipshot Ultralights on the '91, I can say for sure that it makes the bass a little lighter overall. Because it's out on the end of a long-ish moment arm, it cannot hurt. I also put covers on that bass, so whatever weight I saved at one end probably went back on at the other, changing the balance even more. It didn't dive for me before, and now it really doesn't dive. Take that for what it's worth.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
One of these is a challenge in those circumstances, too. Actually everything is!Not new, still true.
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Found the other pictures from 1995, My brother with his blue Strat, me with my Thunderbird
Cool! Where is this?Found the other pictures from 1995, My brother with his blue Strat, me with my Thunderbird
That guy in the first photo got so airborne he disappeared!
Is it Tuner Tuesday on Thunderbird Thursday today?
The 1510 always looks surprised.
Mixed drivers always sound good with a THUNDERBIRD
The 1510 always looks surprised.
Mixed drivers always sound good with a THUNDERBIRD
Thanks. Yeah, logic tells me it would make sense. But I don't like the idea of drilling holes to find out it didn't.
THUNDERBIRD!
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,963
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Well, yes, but I tried D'Addario strings before
And I'n saying that intending that I'm not close-minded
Apart from that, it's more a matter of gauge. I'll look for 50-105s in order to try them, no matter the brand.
But I'm actually liking Lo Riders 45-100.
I hear you - I feel that D'Addario has upped their game in recent years - I was first introduced to their NYXL's (in 50-105, you could choose those or the 45-105's) through their promotion a few years ago where they sent a free set for feedback upon request. Haven't been a long time user so not sure about major differences over time. From what I've read, they sound like a responsible company. Yah, it could be marketing - but at the end of the day I do like their strings. I build basses and knowing how the strings will sound on them lets me assess the result of my work objectively. (being a constant) Like a good table wine - I know the strings will sound good with everything. The set I have used on a few basses I made are the D'Addario Nickel Wound EXL160BT [50-67-90-120] - as you can see each string is of a different gauge than 45-105's. (BT) They are all on 34" scale basses. I just removed a set off of a medium scale 'bass centric' pu location bass because they sounded too deep/dark (for my ear). With the 45-105's it works better. As always, you'll hear/feel the string you like (or won't) regardless of brand or general opinion. Let us know what you discover if and when you try something different.
...oh, THUNDERBIRD
