Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

The cure for COVID Blues: Buy a Thunderbird #ThunderbirdThursday

8lbs 6oz from Sweetwater and feels LIGHT. The Mahogany in this rings rather than chews. This is gonna be an interesting bass!

View attachment 3809319

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing the reveal! So cool! I can smell the new.

Don't hesitate to experiment with strings. All sound pretty good, but a few will have that "Wow! factor.

 

[Toptube]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing the reveal! So cool! I can smell the new.

Don't hesitate to experiment with strings. All sound pretty good, but a few will have that "Wow! factor.

First strings I am trying are my fave Stainless on the current market: DR Low Riders Stainless Steals. I ordered a set last night, from TB's friend, Fretnation. However, they are stating COVID delays so, it could be a bit before they arrive.


The one issue I am immediately seeing is that as usual for bass tune-o-matic style bridges: the saddles do not have individual height adjustment. And the E saddle is a lot lower than I would like. I'm gonna try to find this bridge on Ebay or something with the same saddles, and swap the E saddle for an A saddle.

The stock strngs play great, except the E. because its too low. and that could be a problem with the Low Riders, becuase although they feel pretty balanced----aren't technically a balanced tension set. If I can't find a saddle to swap, I may have to go for a balanced tension set. Something like Foderas or GHS makes most of their stuff balanced now, as a standard feature.

*it may not be a problem though. Because I think the Low Riders are going to string up a bit more taught than the stock strings. We shall see!

 

[dagrev]

First strings I am trying are my fave Stainless on the current market: DR Low Riders Stainless Steals. I ordered a set last night, from TB's friend, Fretnation. However, they are stating COVID delays so, it could be a bit before they arrive.


The one issue I am immediately seeing is that as usual for bass tune-o-matic style bridges: the saddles do not have individual height adjustment. And the E saddle is a lot lower than I would like. I'm gonna try to find this bridge on Ebay or something with the same saddles, and swap the E saddle for an A saddle.

The stock strngs play great, except the E. because its too low. and that could be a problem with the Low Riders, becuase although they feel pretty balanced----aren't technically a balanced tension set. If I can't find a saddle to swap, I may have to go for a balanced tension set. Something like Foderas or GHS makes most of their stuff balanced now, as a standard feature.

*it may not be a problem though. Because I think the Low Riders are going to string up a bit more taught than the stock strings. We shall see!

Never had the saddles be a problem on either VP.

Everybody has their tone in mind and a favorite string. Boomers and Round Core Boomers sound huge and have sweet bite with no clank.

 

[Toptube]

Never had the saddles be a problem on either VP.

Everybody has their tone in mind and a favorite string. Boomers and Round Core Boomers sound huge and have sweet bite with no clank.

As I said, it could just be the E on the stock string set is too floppy. But the saddle is quite a bit lower than the A, as well. There isn't really a way to fix it with the stock set. Because I don't want to raise the other strings at all.

Roundcore boomers are very interesting to me. That may be the next set for my Carvin Icon 5.

 

[BklynKen]

First strings I am trying are my fave Stainless on the current market: DR Low Riders Stainless Steals. I ordered a set last night, from TB's friend, Fretnation. However, they are stating COVID delays so, it could be a bit before they arrive.


The one issue I am immediately seeing is that as usual for bass tune-o-matic style bridges: the saddles do not have individual height adjustment. And the E saddle is a lot lower than I would like. I'm gonna try to find this bridge on Ebay or something with the same saddles, and swap the E saddle for an A saddle.

The stock strngs play great, except the E. because its too low. and that could be a problem with the Low Riders, becuase although they feel pretty balanced----aren't technically a balanced tension set. If I can't find a saddle to swap, I may have to go for a balanced tension set. Something like Foderas or GHS makes most of their stuff balanced now, as a standard feature.

*it may not be a problem though. Because I think the Low Riders are going to string up a bit more taught than the stock strings. We shall see!

One thing about the Foderas: they're not that bright. I was really unhappy with them on my Thunderbird. My bass teacher is involved with the company and helped design their current strings, but they didn't last more than 10 minutes on my Thunderbird before I ripped them off with extreme prejudice. YMMV.

Every time I play my Thunderbird with my SIT Power Steels, I smile.

 

[MCF]

First strings I am trying are my fave Stainless on the current market: DR Low Riders Stainless Steals. I ordered a set last night, from TB's friend, Fretnation. However, they are stating COVID delays so, it could be a bit before they arrive.


The one issue I am immediately seeing is that as usual for bass tune-o-matic style bridges: the saddles do not have individual height adjustment. And the E saddle is a lot lower than I would like. I'm gonna try to find this bridge on Ebay or something with the same saddles, and swap the E saddle for an A saddle.

The stock strngs play great, except the E. because its too low. and that could be a problem with the Low Riders, becuase although they feel pretty balanced----aren't technically a balanced tension set. If I can't find a saddle to swap, I may have to go for a balanced tension set. Something like Foderas or GHS makes most of their stuff balanced now, as a standard feature.

*it may not be a problem though. Because I think the Low Riders are going to string up a bit more taught than the stock strings. We shall see!

Just curious. Are the saddle heights proper for the radius and is a higher E a personal preference thing?

 

[Toptube]

One thing about the Foderas: they're not that bright. I was really unhappy with them on my Thunderbird. My bass teacher is involved with the company and helped design their current strings, but they didn't last more than 10 minutes on my Thunderbird before I ripped them off with extreme prejudice. YMMV.

Every time I play my Thunderbird with my SIT Power Steels, I smile.

Yes I have used Fodera's steels on my Icon 5 a few times. They don't look or sound like steels! They sound like nickels. They aren't a growly string. BUT they setup amazing and have a really positive feel to them. And notes are very even across the fretboard. Someday I might spring money for the Anthony Jackson set. They are said to be different from their standard steels.

 

[Toptube]

Just curious. Are the saddle heights proper for the radius and is a higher E a personal preference thing?

The radiuis of the saddles look to be a better match to the fretboard here, than my Schecter Ultra Bass.

My Ultra bass fretboard feels real flat, like a 16inch or flatter radius. But the saddles look like a 10-12inch radius.

E strings are known to usually be noteably lower tension than the rest of the set. I tend to play with a heaviesh finger style. So yeah, my E height preference might be higher than some. I don't usually set the E saddle much lower than the A (if at all), on most basses.

 

[MCF]

One thing about the Foderas: they're not that bright. I was really unhappy with them on my Thunderbird. My bass teacher is involved with the company and helped design their current strings, but they didn't last more than 10 minutes on my Thunderbird before I ripped them off with extreme prejudice. YMMV.

Every time I play my Thunderbird with my SIT Power Steels, I smile.

Enough! I just ordered a set of SIT Power Steels. Not sure what I’ll try them on. But you wore me down.

 

[Toptube]

Its not the best angle to see saddle heights but here's the most recent pic of my Icon 5 with a clear view of the bridge saddles. Its pretty much a constant rise, from G to B. The A looks to be sticking up a little more than the others. Its is a 14inch board, afterall. So, still a bit of a radius.

 

[MCF]

The radiuis of the saddles look to be a better match to the fretboard here, than my Schecter Ultra Bass.

My Ultra bass fretboard feels real flat, like a 16inch or flatter radius. But the saddles look like a 10-12inch radius.

E strings are known to usually be noteably lower tension than the rest of the set. I tend to play with a heaviesh finger style. So yeah, my E height preference might be higher than some. I don't usually set the E saddle much lower than the A (if at all), on most basses.

Got it.. Thanks.

 

[davelowell2]

@RexxRokket

Here is the other part of clips I promised.

Classic Pro, Fender flats, Broughton P-15 flat, Union Tube & Transistor LAB both knobs at 10:00. Neck, bridge, both in parallel (stock wiring).

Hope this helps!

And here's the previous post so it's easier to listen to the clips back to back.

@RexxRokket
Here's my demo, only one beer in. Still have some buzz to nail down, sorry.

This was all one take, Broughton P-15 all controls at noon, Union Tube & Transistor LAB compressor, both at 10:00, brand new GHS PressureWound M7200.

Neck, Bridge, Both in Parallel (Stock wiring), Series (Both, non stock).

I hope you enjoy it and make the mod to yours, I think it's a great thing.

Sorry for the playing in advance...

 

[GBassNorth]

The radiuis of the saddles look to be a better match to the fretboard here, than my Schecter Ultra Bass.

My Ultra bass fretboard feels real flat, like a 16inch or flatter radius. But the saddles look like a 10-12inch radius.

E strings are known to usually be noteably lower tension than the rest of the set. I tend to play with a heaviesh finger style. So yeah, my E height preference might be higher than some. I don't usually set the E saddle much lower than the A (if at all), on most basses.

Something you might consider - find a set of strings you like, raise the E side of the bridge to suit your taste, then using a nut file, cut a deeper groove in the A string saddle to bring it down where you want it.

 

[BklynKen]

Enough! I just ordered a set of SIT Power Steels. Not sure what I’ll try them on. But you wore me down.

I think you're the first! I hope you like that style of string.

 

[dagrev]

Its not the best angle to see saddle heights but here's the most recent pic of my Icon 5 with a clear view of the bridge saddles. Its pretty much a constant rise, from G to B. The A looks to be sticking up a little more than the others. Its is a 14inch board, afterall. So, still a bit of a radius.
View attachment 3809416

Pretty bass!

 

[Toptube]

Pretty bass!

Thanks. I love that thing. And since I chose everything (Carvin/Kiesel's way of doing things)----feels like a signature edition.

and I put those Nordstrand BigRigs in myself

 

[MCF]

I think you're the first! I hope you like that style of string.

Haven’t used stainless in a long time. Maybe the ‘15, but it was a real pain putting the Cobalt flats on, they’re not that old and I’ve gone back and forth about liking them. Maybe on the Goth for a try. We’ll see.

 

[dagrev]

@RexxRokket

Here is the other part of clips I promised.

Classic Pro, Fender flats, Broughton P-15 flat, Union Tube & Transistor LAB both knobs at 10:00. Neck, bridge, both in parallel (stock wiring).

Hope this helps!

And here's the previous post so it's easier to listen to the clips back to back.

@RexxRokket
Here's my demo, only one beer in. Still have some buzz to nail down, sorry.

This was all one take, Broughton P-15 all controls at noon, Union Tube & Transistor LAB compressor, both at 10:00, brand new GHS PressureWound M7200.

Neck, Bridge, Both in Parallel (Stock wiring), Series (Both, non stock).

I hope you enjoy it and make the mod to yours, I think it's a great thing.

Sorry for the playing in advance...

 

[dagrev]

Thanks. I love that thing. And since I chose everything (Carvin/Kiesel's way of doing things)----feels like a signature edition.

and I put those Nordstrand BigRigs in myself

I have a...well a pic is going to be easier than describing it. But it has Nordys in it--a Big Single in the bridge position. It's wonderful!

 

[dagrev]

Haven’t used stainless in a long time. Maybe the ‘15, but it was a real pain putting the Cobalt flats on, they’re not that old and I’ve gone back and forth about liking them. Maybe on the Goth for a try. We’ll see.

I haven't played SS (Rotos on one bass) since the early 80s, but the SITs I've tried were nice strings. One I want to revisit.