Yeah, that would have involved searching...
Thanks for that. I am tape curious, as I have decided that flats just aren't for me.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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Thanks for that. I am tape curious, as I have decided that flats just aren't for me.
I was there at one time as well. It's just been in the last couple of years that I've warmed up to flats. Still detest their sound soloed but in many cases love the sound in a mix.Yeah, that would have involved searching...
Thanks for that. I am tape curious, as I have decided that flats just aren't for me.
What is it you don't like about flats? If you liked the sound of Cobalt Flats but not the feel, you might want to try the La Bella gold whites. I didn't have any problems getting used to Black Tapes but it did take a while to get used to the white Tapes. They are very slippery and a bit more pliable than the blacks.
The cobalt flats were like little cheese graters on my fingers. Despite callouses, my fingers would be sore after playing. I swapped to chromes; those had a weird stickiness to them for a couple of weeks, although I liked the stiffness. The sound was not what I was looking for.
I am tape curious as descriptions are all over the place and really, I think I just need to find out for myself. They may end up going on the B standard tuned EB-3 as I am liking having the Thunderbird tuned to D standard.
Maybe I’ll play with cases later. I’ve got the Epi case that came with the VP, the Epi that came with the PB CS LE bolt-on, the Gibson for the ‘15 and the Gibson for the NR. The one that came with the VP is nice enough, but it’s covered in a thin, soft vinyl that I doubt would hold up that well if really used for regular gigging. It seems like it would tear easily. But it’s certainly decent for occasional use or storing.
I still think your Cobalts were defective and must have pulled apart. My Cobalts are really smoooooth.
Don't give up on flats from those two options. I find Cobalt's feel odd as well. And for Chromes...I won't even go there because I'll offend the many who love them. (I might ought to give them a 6th chance, but not high on the list of things to do.) Fender's are nice, LaBella Low Tension's are really nice (smooth as any I've tried), GHS Precision Flats for a good old school thump, Pyramid Gold's are nice, but pricey--same for TIs. Roto's are kind of cool as well. I could go on, but don't give up just yet. But in the end, flats may not be for you, however, the two you tried are possibly the least flat sounding flats around.
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You're right. The exterior on the Epi case is the weak link. Mine has some scuffs, but no tears so far. But I don't throw it around either. I still treat a bass in a case very carefully.
*****WARNING*****
7ender content!
Appreciate you not bashing Chromes my friend. They’re not for everybody. And I’ve yet to try them on a Tbird. But on my humble ‘13 MIM P bass, the now four-year-old set makes it sound pretty darn special to me. It’s the bass I usually use to channel my inner McVie, Dunn and Billy Talbot.
Mine are smooth on the skin as well, no cheese shredding with these strings. That said, if you drag a finger nail down the length of the string you can definitely feel and hear the gaps between the windings much more so than any of my other flats or tapes. As dagrev noted, Cobalts are probably the least flat sounding flat on the market. They might also be the least Flat feeling flat on the market.
That bass makes me want to go buy some Chromes and Pbass just like that! Or any bass that color really!
Chromes are something I've really wanted to work in years past, but I simply got boomy lows and clanky highs with few mids in my applications. Basically pretty scooped sounding. However, I have entirely different heads and cabs now so it would really be unfair of me to trash them as never working for me since they may very well work with what I have now. And, they clearly work great for many others. I do want to get them an honest try and even look in the classifieds from time to time for a cheap used set. Fender's are supposedly made be D'A, and their flats have something of that bright sound like Chromes, but in my use seem to have more mids, limiting that scooped sound I used to get. The Fender's don't seem to have the deepness of Chromes, if I'm recalling what I heard. I had a couple sets and foolishly sold them. One set was fairly new. Normally I hang on to old strings just to try on other/new basses. Stupid me didn't keep a set of Chromes. Not to worry, not the first stupid thing I've done, so I have experience! Since you like Chromes, you might also like the Fender's. Might be worth a try one day.
Ever since @JJR58 turned me on to Cobalt Flats, that's what I put on my 2 main(Gibson)basses. I can get all the tonal variations I want/need with a tweak of the tone knob. Thanks again, Jeff.
FWIW[not much], I never cut my old strings off when changing. I've got about 6 sets of various kinds hanging 'round just in case. Of what, I'm unsure.
Ever since @JJR58 turned me on to Cobalt Flats, that's what I put on my 2 main(Gibson)basses. I can get all the tonal variations I want/need with a tweak of the tone knob. Thanks again, Jeff.
View attachment 3883794
FWIW[not much], I never cut my old strings off when changing. I've got about 6 sets of various kinds hanging 'round just in case. Of what, I'm unsure.
Alien encrusted.
I just got back from a 2 week stay at Home #2, and the Bass Book was waiting on me, shot a quick email to Rob before looking at it, as he requested. Now to crack open a Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA and peruse....
Perhaps. It was when cobalts were fairly new and everyone was still talking about them. But, there are so many strings and so little time, no reason to try again.*
* As anyone who as attended business school will tell you, there is only one chance to make a first impression. A target customer that has a bad initial experience is the hardest customer to ever win over.
Maybe I am just too sensitive... I am a delicate little flower after all.
Spare garroting wire?FWIW[not much], I never cut my old strings off when changing. I've got about 6 sets of various kinds hanging 'round just in case. Of what, I'm unsure.
So I need some advice. I see a lot of great reviews for the Epiphone vintage pro. I have several modern Gibsons and a 76 which I LOVE... simple question, is the Epi that good and worth a punt? Also, are they heavy compared to the modern Gibsons? I would imagine they are more like the 76? Any advice welcome!
That explains it.
We'll have to be more careful in our wording to avoiding any unintentional triggering.
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Background: I have them all, including a '64. The VP is really close to the 60s version, likely the late 60s found in the NRs. I sounds almost nothing like the modern Gibson's--which sounds almost nothing like the 70s or the 60s versions. I think the VPs are a great value. If I wanted a Thunderbird and couldn't find or pay for a 60s (the gold standard), I would buy a VP. Every string choice sounds good--a few sound phenomenal. As for weight, they vary. I don't think I recall anyone mentioning one over, or much over 9lbs. Both of mine are a little over 8lbs. I think my '06 Gibson might be a ounce or two heavier. A very few early ones seems to be below 8lbs. Both are very well made and a great value even if bought new and full price. I'm sure there are some bad ones, but both of mine have no flaws other than one tuner is a little more stiff than the others in a spot. But they all hold tune just fine.
My VPs
@dagrev inspired me to see what fits what. So, I’ll share the results.
First up is an older Epi case that came with the Pelham Blue Limited Edition CS. It seems ok, wooden with a seemingly thick Tolex type covering. Construction wise, it’s along the lines of a standard Gator case, just not as well made. The Epi bolt-ons fit perfectly. The Gibson ‘15 fits too. The VP does not fit. The ‘13 NR does not fit.
The newer currently available Epi Thunderbird case is chintzier, but looks nice. As I said somewhere above, it’s covered in a thinner vinyl that looks like it would tear easily. It is the only case that the VP fits in; It’s a tight fit. The bolt-ons and ‘15 also fit; but they fit a bit better in the older EPI case.
It is a dedicated Reverse only case so the NR won’t fit.
The big as a house Gibson case that came with the ‘15 is a beautiful, well made case. The 15’ fits perfectly. The bolt-ons also fit, but their shape is just ever so slightly different than the ‘15, or maybe it’s that the bodies are thicker that makes it less than perfect. But still perfectly fine. It’s also a dedicated Reverse only case.
The NR has its own Gibson case that only it fits. It’s a beautiful, well made case with the tough snakeskin-like diamond pattern covering. My guess is that it’s probably the most durable of the lot. The interior is really plush.
First up is an older Epi case that came with the Pelham Blue Limited Edition CS. It seems ok, wooden with a seemingly thick Tolex type covering. Construction wise, it’s along the lines of a standard Gator case, just not as well made. The Epi bolt-ons fit perfectly. The Gibson ‘15 fits too. The VP does not fit. The ‘13 NR does not fit.
The newer currently available Epi Thunderbird case is chintzier, but looks nice. As I said somewhere above, it’s covered in a thinner vinyl that looks like it would tear easily. It is the only case that the VP fits in; It’s a tight fit. The bolt-ons and ‘15 also fit; but they fit a bit better in the older EPI case.
It is a dedicated Reverse only case so the NR won’t fit.
The big as a house Gibson case that came with the ‘15 is a beautiful, well made case. The 15’ fits perfectly. The bolt-ons also fit, but their shape is just ever so slightly different than the ‘15, or maybe it’s that the bodies are thicker that makes it less than perfect. But still perfectly fine. It’s also a dedicated Reverse only case.
The NR has its own Gibson case that only it fits. It’s a beautiful, well made case with the tough snakeskin-like diamond pattern covering. My guess is that it’s probably the most durable of the lot. The interior is really plush.
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