Thunderbird Club

[tom_t]

I need your advice guys.

Currently I have Rotosounds 77LD flats 45/65/85/105 on my Epi VP.
Few days ago when I was adjusting neck, ( I like it super flat with almost no relief and low action) I have noticed that trus rod is maxed out. No way I can straight it to my liking. This Rotos are really pulling on the neck and I don't think it's good for it. I found somewhere on TB that tension for this set is 214.41lbs.
I think it's time to try different strings with less tension.
I am not limited to flats. I even think that I want to give roundwounds a shot this time.
I am looking for long lasting ( I know it's subjective) stainless steel set, gauge 45/65/85/105, with good midrange and the bottom. I play mostly with my fingers. No slapping.
I play through Rumble 500.

Because I can't afford to buy few sets to try and see for myselfelf, I would like to hear some opinions from Thunderbird owners before I pull a trigger.
I know that some of you are using Cobalts, some Boomers and some Black Beauties.
I was considering DR Fat Beams, Low Riders, DAddario NYXL and ProSteels but of course I want to here your opinion first.
I know that tension for DAddarios is around 170 lbs. Don't know about other sets. I sent a message to DR few days ago regardless tension, but no response from them so far.
So please share your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

 

[BklynKen]

I need your advice guys.

Currently I have Rotosounds 77LD flats 45/65/85/105 on my Epi VP.
Few days ago when I was adjusting neck, ( I like it super flat with almost no relief and low action) I have noticed that trus rod is maxed out. No way I can straight it to my liking. This Rotos are really pulling on the neck and I don't think it's good for it. I found somewhere on TB that tension for this set is 214.41lbs.
I think it's time to try different strings with less tension.
I am not limited to flats. I even think that I want to give roundwounds a shot this time.
I am looking for long lasting ( I know it's subjective) stainless steel set, gauge 45/65/85/105, with good midrange and the bottom. I play mostly with my fingers. No slapping.
I play through Rumble 500.

Because I can't afford to buy few sets to try and see for myselfelf, I would like to hear some opinions from Thunderbird owners before I pull a trigger.
I know that some of you are using Cobalts, some Boomers and some Black Beauties.
I was considering DR Fat Beams, Low Riders, DAddario NYXL and ProSteels but of course I want to here your opinion first.
I know that tension for DAddarios is around 170 lbs. Don't know about other sets. I sent a message to DR few days ago regardless tension, but no response from them so far.
So please share your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

You're gonna get 1001 answers here. I like SIT Power Steels. I think they have a great feel and they're very full and ballsy. They seem to last about five months for me.

 

[JJR58]

I need your advice guys.

Currently I have Rotosounds 77LD flats 45/65/85/105 on my Epi VP.
Few days ago when I was adjusting neck, ( I like it super flat with almost no relief and low action) I have noticed that trus rod is maxed out. No way I can straight it to my liking. This Rotos are really pulling on the neck and I don't think it's good for it. I found somewhere on TB that tension for this set is 214.41lbs.
I think it's time to try different strings with less tension.
I am not limited to flats. I even think that I want to give roundwounds a shot this time.
I am looking for long lasting ( I know it's subjective) stainless steel set, gauge 45/65/85/105, with good midrange and the bottom. I play mostly with my fingers. No slapping.
I play through Rumble 500.

Because I can't afford to buy few sets to try and see for myselfelf, I would like to hear some opinions from Thunderbird owners before I pull a trigger.
I know that some of you are using Cobalts, some Boomers and some Black Beauties.
I was considering DR Fat Beams, Low Riders, DAddario NYXL and ProSteels but of course I want to here your opinion first.
I know that tension for DAddarios is around 170 lbs. Don't know about other sets. I sent a message to DR few days ago regardless tension, but no response from them so far.
So please share your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

@GonePlaid and myself swear on Cobalt flats, good luck with that one.

 

[tom_t]

You're gonna get 1001 answers here.

This is exactly what I am hoping for

 

[tom_t]

@GonePlaid and myself swear on Cobalt flats, good luck with that one.

How are they tension wise?

 

[GonePlaid]

How are they tension wise?

I have no idea. I put 'em on, I like 'em, good enuff.

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

Any have experience with a tokai thunderbird? If so, how is it?

 

[JJR58]

How are they tension wise?

Well, if you don't go by the numbers. Feel wise I'd say they fall in between TI flats, and Chromes.
TI's being the loosest, with Chromes being the tightest.

But i really can't speak for a lot of strings others have tried or are using here.
I'm not really a rounds person, so i can't speak for those types of strings as well.

Sometimes people find something right away that they like and stick with it.
I've tried a lot of strings, but i'm a string killer to begin with.
So the Cobalt flats give me the tone and life no others can give me.

But the running joke here about me is i've got acid alien sweat unlike no other human.

 

[JJR58]

Any have experience with a tokai thunderbird? If so, how is it?

Never knew Tokai made one.

 

[tom_t]

Well, if you don't go by the numbers. Feel wise I'd say they fall in between TI flats, and Chromes.
TI's being the loosest, with Chromes being the tightest.

I just checked - Chromes have tension of 199.75 lbs. Less then Rotos. So if Cobalts are less than that it's good.

I really want to save the neck on my bass cause there won't be replacement

 

[Toptube]

Interesting. Would love to know what's going on there.

The Japanese Jaguars are weird. It has to have a battery in, for the passive mode to work, etc.

 

[Thumper]

I put in 1.5 -2 hours on Embassy 3 today. I lowered the saddles as I prefer lower action. For whatever reason, the D-G strings came into intonation. The A is close, the E is still sharp, time will tell if it really bothers me but frets 1-5 I didn't hear as much as the tuner would suggest.

Regarding the Chromes, playing them with lower action made them a lot more tolerable, bordering on enjoyable. They do add a little heft to the tone, but cut the growl some. Still, I'll keep them on awhile,despite having a new pack of Sunbeams on hand.

I bought this bass to part it out, but am really wavering....it's pretty darn nice!

 

[dagrev]

IIRC, the "little rough" tuner for me is the D.

Little Rough Tuner... wasn't that a Beach Boys song?

I believe that's correct for mine as well. I don't give it much thought anymore, but believe it's the D as well.

Surrrrrre was. It was the only Blues song they ever did.

 

[GonePlaid]

I put in 1.5 -2 hours on Embassy 3 today. I lowered the saddles as I prefer lower action. For whatever reason, the D-G strings came into intonation. The A is close, the E is still sharp, time will tell if it really bothers me but frets 1-5 I didn't hear as much as the tuner would suggest.

Regarding the Chromes, playing them with lower action made them a lot more tolerable, bordering on enjoyable. They do add a little heft to the tone, but cut the growl some. Still, I'll keep them on awhile,despite having a new pack of Sunbeams on hand.

I bought this bass to part it out, but am really wavering....it's pretty darn nice!

No need to rush(I assume). Plenty of time to part/flip it.

 

[JJR58]

I just checked - Chromes have tension of 199.75 lbs. Less then Rotos. So if Cobalts are less than that it's good.

I really want to save the neck on my bass cause there won't be replacement

I think the Cobalt's fall somewhere around 150-ish

 

[dagrev]

Dang,
I think this guy Smoked "A bowl of STUPID" and I don't want any either

Smoked, snorted, shot and no doubt OD'ed. YOu cna hear him now, "Hey man, I got a bad bag of stupid. You won't believe what I did man."

 

[dagrev]

 

[dagrev]

I need your advice guys.

Currently I have Rotosounds 77LD flats 45/65/85/105 on my Epi VP.
Few days ago when I was adjusting neck, ( I like it super flat with almost no relief and low action) I have noticed that trus rod is maxed out. No way I can straight it to my liking. This Rotos are really pulling on the neck and I don't think it's good for it. I found somewhere on TB that tension for this set is 214.41lbs.
I think it's time to try different strings with less tension.
I am not limited to flats. I even think that I want to give roundwounds a shot this time.
I am looking for long lasting ( I know it's subjective) stainless steel set, gauge 45/65/85/105, with good midrange and the bottom. I play mostly with my fingers. No slapping.
I play through Rumble 500.

Because I can't afford to buy few sets to try and see for myselfelf, I would like to hear some opinions from Thunderbird owners before I pull a trigger.
I know that some of you are using Cobalts, some Boomers and some Black Beauties.
I was considering DR Fat Beams, Low Riders, DAddario NYXL and ProSteels but of course I want to here your opinion first.
I know that tension for DAddarios is around 170 lbs. Don't know about other sets. I sent a message to DR few days ago regardless tension, but no response from them so far.
So please share your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

Hi tykus! I know you said SS, but maybe don't rule out some Nickle plated options. They provide great mids and bottom (Boomers for example), just don't have that raspy clank--but can almost get there with some EQing. That SS sound might be exactly what you want, and in that case I don't want to dissuade you at all.

 

[MCF]

I put in 1.5 -2 hours on Embassy 3 today. I lowered the saddles as I prefer lower action. For whatever reason, the D-G strings came into intonation. The A is close, the E is still sharp, time will tell if it really bothers me but frets 1-5 I didn't hear as much as the tuner would suggest.

Regarding the Chromes, playing them with lower action made them a lot more tolerable, bordering on enjoyable. They do add a little heft to the tone, but cut the growl some. Still, I'll keep them on awhile,despite having a new pack of Sunbeams on hand.

I bought this bass to part it out, but am really wavering....it's pretty darn nice!

Nice thing about chromes is you can install, remove and reinstall several times so long as you’re careful with the wraps. They get better with age....

 

[GBassNorth]

I need your advice guys.

Currently I have Rotosounds 77LD flats 45/65/85/105 on my Epi VP.
Few days ago when I was adjusting neck, ( I like it super flat with almost no relief and low action) I have noticed that trus rod is maxed out. No way I can straight it to my liking. This Rotos are really pulling on the neck and I don't think it's good for it. I found somewhere on TB that tension for this set is 214.41lbs.
I think it's time to try different strings with less tension.
I am not limited to flats. I even think that I want to give roundwounds a shot this time.
I am looking for long lasting ( I know it's subjective) stainless steel set, gauge 45/65/85/105, with good midrange and the bottom. I play mostly with my fingers. No slapping.
I play through Rumble 500.

Because I can't afford to buy few sets to try and see for myselfelf, I would like to hear some opinions from Thunderbird owners before I pull a trigger.
I know that some of you are using Cobalts, some Boomers and some Black Beauties.
I was considering DR Fat Beams, Low Riders, DAddario NYXL and ProSteels but of course I want to here your opinion first.
I know that tension for DAddarios is around 170 lbs. Don't know about other sets. I sent a message to DR few days ago regardless tension, but no response from them so far.
So please share your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

I'm not a stainless steel guy. I'm more of a nickels, Tapes and round wound coated guy. I do have flats on a few things as well.

If I wanted a SS sound I'd probably go the Ken Smith, SIT, or Slinky direction (drop Slinky, if you want long lasting). Ken Smith Bass Burners are frequently very highly mentioned by @fasterpussycat , @TBird1958 and @Dadagoboi . I don't have any first hand experience with them so look to others for more info on those.

If you're hooked on flats but want bright, look no further than Cobalt flats. The brightest sounding flat I've ever played, and they still deliver in spades in the mids and bottom as well. Loved them on my VP. If you want low tension flats go with TI Jazz flats.

FWIW - I'm currently running Fender 7150 round nickels on my VP and they sound quite nice. I'm running Optima Golds on my Gibson Anniversary TBird (possibly my favorite string), the FrankenGoth is sporting La Bella Black Tapewounds, the 2015 bird is wearing DR Black Beauty heavy gauge, and the Spector bird is strung with D'Adderio XLs.