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Thunderbird Club

#16,381
DerekW said:
Guess that shouldn't be too surprising for a flatwound.
Tried the EB Cobalt flats? Heard they are close to roundwound sound (found pound hound.. Zound!)




Sorry.
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I tried the Cobalt rounds when they first came out. I can honestly say they are the only string I've ever tried that stayed on the bass less time than it took to install and tune them. They were exceptionally bright, ultra noisy on finger slides, rough to the touch, and super abrasive on my brass nut. In just 5 minutes of play time they left a pile of brass dust on my headstock. Took em off before they damaged the frets and haven't reconsidered them since. YMMV.
 
#16,383
I use Cobalt rounds on my Jazz, I've always gotten on with them pretty well (I never really seem to get problems with strings really anyway). Didn't really suit my T-bird new, but after they were old and worn they actually had really sweet tone. Personally I've always preferred my T-bird with a good set of nickel rounds.

Anyways, I've got a 2010/2011 Gibson T-bird, black with a white guard. I've been thinking of getting a 3-ply tort guard for it, I figured you guys would be the best to ask for finding a decent replacement (preferably UK/EU based). The truss rod cover is a POS and I might replace that too, but I'm not too fussed about that one.
 
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#16,384
GBassNorth said:
That's pretty funny. Guess no one told Fender that in 1968 when they came out with their Pink Paisley Tele bass. They were popular then and are now as well. I have a 1991 reissue (both paisley and floral) and when I absolutely have to play a Fender they get to see daylight.
e87f2eae-de0a-4532-abdf-b75dcda3fede_zps39dc5aa8.jpg

Now if Gibson would make a paisley TBird I'd be all over it! Come to think of it, if Gibson would just make ANY bass I'd be all over it! Hopefully they will start bass production back up someday soon!
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Nice Teles! I have a 68 and a 72.
I have been having a hankering for a pink paisley MIJ Tele for a while now. Been waiting for one to come up locally.
 
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#16,385
Blaargh said:
I use Cobalt rounds on my Jazz, I've always gotten on with them pretty well (I never really seem to get problems with strings really anyway). Didn't really suit my T-bird new, but after they were old and worn they actually had really sweet tone. Personally I've always preferred my T-bird with a good set of nickel rounds.

Anyways, I've got a 2010/2011 Gibson T-bird, black with a white guard. I've been thinking of getting a 3-ply tort guard for it, I figured you guys would be the best to ask for finding a decent replacement (preferably UK/EU based). The truss rod cover is a POS and I might replace that too, but I'm not too fussed about that one.
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I have fender Pure Nickel Rounds on one TBird and Roto Nickel Rounds on the other.
 
#16,389
Klondike said:
I've been auditioning different strings. Decided to try some EB Slinky Flatwounds on Ol' Blu (for those of you that don't know Ol' Blu is a Goth). Digin the sound but they are a little on the tame side. A not so angry piano.
View attachment 890710
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What were you using? I'm trying the EB 45-105'rounds on my recently acquired Goth. Going after that Nikki Monninger sound. Fairly close, but not quite, with the stock Epi pickups. I am concerned about how long they'll last. I play standard Fender rounds on my Fender PJ that I've had since Thanksgiving and they are at that point where they should be replaced. I'd love to find a set of flat or pressure wounds for the Goth that will last more than a few months. I have chromes on another pj that sound great for p bass oriented sound, but I haven't thought they would suit a bird.
 
#16,390
MCF said:
What were you using? I'm trying the EB 45-105'rounds on my recently acquired Goth. Going after that Nikki Monninger sound. Fairly close, but not quite, with the stock Epi pickups. I am concerned about how long they'll last. I play standard Fender rounds on my Fender PJ that I've had since Thanksgiving and they are at that point where they should be replaced. I'd love to find a set of flat or pressure wounds for the Goth that will last more than a few months. I have chromes on another pj that sound great for p bass oriented sound, but I haven't thought they would suit a bird.
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I use chromes on my birds and I think they sound great! It's all a personal choice, of course. I have had lots of compliments on my tone. 100% stock 2006 Gibson.
 
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#16,391
MCF said:
What were you using? I'm trying the EB 45-105'rounds on my recently acquired Goth. Going after that Nikki Monninger sound. Fairly close, but not quite, with the stock Epi pickups. I am concerned about how long they'll last. I play standard Fender rounds on my Fender PJ that I've had since Thanksgiving and they are at that point where they should be replaced. I'd love to find a set of flat or pressure wounds for the Goth that will last more than a few months. I have chromes on another pj that sound great for p bass oriented sound, but I haven't thought they would suit a bird.
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I think it had DR Flatts on it before. gold silks. The EB flats seem to have a sonic sound to them( not sure how to describe it best). Spent almost two hours playing around after my practice today.
 
#16,393
My take on it is that the strings are going to shade the sound a bit, but it will still sound like a Thunderbird. I can't remember exactly what's on each 'Bird now, and they all sound a little different. The chromed out '91 has EB Cobalt Flats on it, I know that for sure. I think the '15 has DR Sunbeams on it, but I don't remember for sure. I'm not actually sure what's on the '01. Whatever it had when I got it. They are rounds and fairly bright but they can bring the thunder, too. The fretless has Chromes, and the bolt-on has Sunbeams. It will eventually get tape-wounds when I get the lead out and actually put in a third pickup.

They all sound like Thunderbirds.
 
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#16,395
Today has turned out quite well. I have been teasing my brother and sister-in-law that I'm going to turn their son into a drummer. He's OK with it, but she's been less than enthusiastic. Every time my nephew comes over to visit, I let him bash my drum kit for a while. He's really angry when it's time to stop. Today, my brother has started asking for recommendations for a very small acoustic drum kit for the boy to play with and see if he's really a drummer or if it's just a phase. My work as an evil uncle is done! BWAHAHAHAHA!
 
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#16,396
Gaolee said:
Today has turned out quite well. I have been teasing my brother and sister-in-law that I'm going to turn their son into a drummer. He's OK with it, but she's been less than enthusiastic. Every time my nephew comes over to visit, I let him bash my drum kit for a while. He's really angry when it's time to stop. Today, my brother has started asking for recommendations for a very small acoustic drum kit for the boy to play with and see if he's really a drummer or if it's just a phase. My work as an evil uncle is done! BWAHAHAHAHA!
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Excellent work... :)
 
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#16,397
Well, the Orville I was looking at sold, so guess that won't be happening. If anyone knows any leads on a Greco II though, let me know. I like the Zebrabird, but I've got a hankering for a 1 pup bird with Chrome. I think I just prefer single pickup basses, even with the 2 pickup ones I have I only ever use one pickup at a time (Neck on 'Bird and Jazz, Horseshoe on Ric).
 
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#16,398
D.M.N. said:
Well, the Orville I was looking at sold, so guess that won't be happening. If anyone knows any leads on a Greco II though, let me know. I like the Zebrabird, but I've got a hankering for a 1 pup bird with Chrome. I think I just prefer single pickup basses, even with the 2 pickup ones I have I only ever use one pickup at a time (Neck on 'Bird and Jazz, Horseshoe on Ric).
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If you're down my way anytime soon you can come by an try either an Orville or Greco - if that's any help Dylan.
 
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#16,400
D.M.N. said:
We really should have a PNW Bird meetup at some point, I know a few us weren't able to make it to the general TB GTG.
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Well, I know it's a bit of a trip from the islands down to Seattle so if you're planning a trip anytime let me know - You're always welcome.
 
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