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Thunderbird Club

#155,922
D.M.N. said:
Given all our idle time in quarantine, I think I'm going to finally bite the bullet and refinish the BaCH bird. Since the color I'm going for (something near Willow Mist Metallic, a pale moss green metallic, somewhat like aged pelham blue or aged ice blue metallic) isn't really available from Reranch, I'm thinking of going this route:
Touch Up Spray Paint | AutomotiveTouchup

I can get just about any color matched in a spray can, and it dries much faster than standard nitro. After that, I'm debating using Reranch clear nitro or their clear coat, though I'm leaning Reranch so that it will age like an old finish instead of resist UV. The site says it is an acrylic lacquer, which is what most of the old custom colors were, so I should think it'd be compatible with a nitro top coat, anyone have any wisdom on the matter?
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Dig both...think the Ford was called Diamond Green....
upload_2020-7-5_14-26-38.png


upload_2020-7-5_14-27-20.png
 
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#155,923
dagrev said:
Glad you had a safe trip. Both good string possibilities. I apologize for not knowing if you mentioned it, but which variety of Thunderbird, Border?
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Hello Dagrev, I am mostly playing and wanting to restring my 2014. I think I am going to try the Cobalt Flats. When my bass teacher asked me recently how I liked the bass, all I could say was the more I play it, the more I like it.
I get the princess thing, I tried Roto Sounds right after I got the bass. I don't recall the model, but the were rounds. I wanted to love them, being a huge fan of John Entwistle and Chris Squire. I don't know if it was a bad set, but they felt like playing on barbed wire. I should probably try another set, maybe their flats. I wondered what they might be doing to the frets. I have read varying and conflicting views about string composition, different frets and different amounts of wear. That being said, none of mine are case queens (well maybe the 335), I bought them to play them, but it does make me wonder.
I hope everyone is having a great afternoon. Lovely sunny day here in Spokane.
 

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#155,924
Border said:
Hello Dagrev, I am mostly playing and wanting to restring my 2014. I think I am going to try the Cobalt Flats. When my bass teacher asked me recently how I liked the bass, all I could say was the more I play it, the more I like it.
I get the princess thing, I tried Roto Sounds right after I got the bass. I don't recall the model, but the were rounds. I wanted to love them, being a huge fan of John Entwistle and Chris Squire. I don't know if it was a bad set, but they felt like playing on barbed wire. I should probably try another set, maybe their flats. I wondered what they might be doing to the frets. I have read varying and conflicting views about string composition, different frets and different amounts of wear. That being said, none of mine are case queens (well maybe the 335), I bought them to play them, but it does make me wonder.
I hope everyone is having a great afternoon. Lovely sunny day here in Spokane.
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Border, You didn't get a bad set of Roto's. They are likely the most rough string around, (some say the Cobalt Rounds are really, really rough). I used to use Roto's on my old Thunderbird and I've seen no fret wear. I think those who play like they are attacking the bass instead of playing an instrument are far more likely to experience that wear. Of course, the fret material is a massive factor as well. I was never going for the Entwistle or Squire sound, but liked the punch of the Roto's. I recently bought a set to try on the new to me '06 Gibson. I found I liked them but it didn't seem a "perfect" match for my goals. I put them on one of the VP's and think they sound really good. But have yet to use them in a live setting, due to spending all my time finding the ideal string for the '06, but I'm anxious to get that bass in use again and see how it sounds. They are rough, but actually prefer it to the way Cobalts feel.
 
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#155,925
MCF said:
That was a cool link. Your neighbor sounds like a funny guy; “some dude playing one.” As you probably know, that color has me panting right now. Thanks for posting it!
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He is a great guy and has been a HUGE help in my projects over the last decade. We both like to encourage the other to spend money on gear, much to our wives dismay. :cool:
 
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#155,926
Border said:
Hello Dagrev, I am mostly playing and wanting to restring my 2014. I think I am going to try the Cobalt Flats. When my bass teacher asked me recently how I liked the bass, all I could say was the more I play it, the more I like it.
I get the princess thing, I tried Roto Sounds right after I got the bass. I don't recall the model, but the were rounds. I wanted to love them, being a huge fan of John Entwistle and Chris Squire. I don't know if it was a bad set, but they felt like playing on barbed wire. I should probably try another set, maybe their flats. I wondered what they might be doing to the frets. I have read varying and conflicting views about string composition, different frets and different amounts of wear. That being said, none of mine are case queens (well maybe the 335), I bought them to play them, but it does make me wonder.
I hope everyone is having a great afternoon. Lovely sunny day here in Spokane.
Click to expand...
dagrev said:
Border, You didn't get a bad set of Roto's. They are likely the most rough string around, (some say the Cobalt Rounds are really, really rough). I used to use Roto's on my old Thunderbird and I've seen no fret wear. I think those who play like they are attacking the bass instead of playing an instrument are far more likely to experience that wear. Of course, the fret material is a massive factor as well. I was never going for the Entwistle or Squire sound, but liked the punch of the Roto's. I recently bought a set to try on the new to me '06 Gibson. I found I liked them but it didn't seem a "perfect" match for my goals. I put them on one of the VP's and think they sound really good. But have yet to use them in a live setting, due to spending all my time finding the ideal string for the '06, but I'm anxious to get that bass in use again and see how it sounds. They are rough, but actually prefer it to the way Cobalts feel.
Click to expand...
I don't understand how anyone can find Roto 66s rough. I have a set on my bird now for the second time and I like the sound and don't have any complaints about them being rough or hard on my fingers. But cobalt flats - oh my little princess fingers...
 
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#155,930
PillO said:
I am a study in contradictions...
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I actually don't find them that bad. I forgot what they felt like. I was hearing the horror stories from the drama queens here on TB and was expecting to have my fingers bleeding by the time I finish playing an intro. They are more rough than probably any round that I am using, but I never found myself thinking, "Man these things are rough."
 
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#155,932
dagrev said:
Of the flat's I've tried I would have to say the Pyramid Golds likely are the darkest. But they don't sound dead or lifeless by any means. GHS Precision Flats are likely the next most dark of those I've tried. They are very old school thumpy, but have a little more top end. As with all flats, they mellow with age. Some characterize them as sounding old when new. I wouldn't say that, but if someone was coming from Chromes, I could understand.

I don't have much experience with "bright," but Dean Markely Blue Steels sound nice and balanced tonally. Not crazy highs or mids, but lacking in lows, etc. Rotos are sounding nice. I forgot how unique they sound. DR Pure Plues are bright but not over the top and have solid lows and low-mids. I've wondered about GHS Super Steels.

I just saw this thread. Something to consider.
So I've tested my first set of TI Powerbass...
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For what it is worth, I tried Ken Smith Bass Burners and immediately hated them. There was no time to take them off, and it is a good thing. They just needed to settle in a bit. The ones on the Flamingo are medium weight 50 to 110 or so with that matters. They are aggressive and bright but controllable.
 
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#155,936
MCF said:
You know the wives are happy that it’s harmless fun, but they’ll never admit it.
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Our wives have become good friends as well so I don't think they mind. Usually we get together for drinks and noise after a new purchase so they get some fun out if it as well.
 
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#155,937
Gaolee said:
For what it is worth, I tried Ken Smith Bass Burners and immediately hated them. There was no time to take them off, and it is a good thing. They just needed to settle in a bit. The ones on the Flamingo are medium weight 50 to 110 or so with that matters. They are aggressive and bright but controllable.
Click to expand...
They are a string I really want to try. Most of my basses have flats, GHS Pressureworunds or something not very bright. As I've acquired more Thunderbirds I've begun to explore brighter strings and am finding some interest there. The problem I'm running into is I'm finding a good many strings I'm liking, but don't have enough basses to put them on.:banghead:
Suggestions on how to remedy this problem?:whistle:
 
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#155,940
dagrev said:
They are a string I really want to try. Most of my basses have flats, GHS Pressureworunds or something not very bright. As I've acquired more Thunderbirds I've begun to explore brighter strings and am finding some interest there. The problem I'm running into is I'm finding a good many strings I'm liking, but don't have enough basses to put them on.:banghead:
Suggestions on how to remedy this problem?:whistle:
Click to expand...
For Sale - Dingwall D-Bird - Aquamarine Sparkle *Price Drop. Now 50*
 
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