Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

I was using Coated Rotos or Coated DRs. They were typically around $35 to $40 a set anyway. And the Optima 24kt Golds so far have well over double the lifetime for me. So I'm actually saving $$$. Gimme Some Strings has them for around $60 a set. Even the smiley face website has them for $78.

So far, I have a set on my #1 Spector NS4 that gets played at least 2 to 3 days a week in home studio, rehearsal with band at least once a week, and used to go to gigs before Covid (we're still doing a few); that has been on that bass since I received it from Spector USA in the Spring of 2019. They still sound great, and feel great.

So for me, saving $$$. And they feel amazing with a kind of slick feel. Ox used them and loved them. And so did Zappa, and Brian May still does.

They might get tried on my Ebony VP next string change. A few others here have sung their praises.

 

[BklynKen]

Yes, I too have heard of the nickle allergy for years. Also of people who don't mesh with steel and then need nickle. I don't recall of the soreness from those, however. More like skin issues. I just can't believe that PillO and I are such outliers or weird. (That statement is purely a matter of interpretation.)

I think you'll regret lumping yourself in with PillO.

 

[MCF]

A member of the extended Thunderbird family in this one. Pretty good band.

 

[BklynKen]

That was my problem every time I played a flying V guitar. Didn't feel right no matter what you did.

But, in the time I had that POS Davison V, I found the only way to play it forced me into a rock star stance. So that could be a plus.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

They might get tried on my Ebony VP next string change. A few others here have sung their praises.

The Uniques are Hex Core and have a little higher tension than the Maxiflex ones.
The Maxiflex is a round core.

 

[PillO]

So I guess nickel allergies are pretty common per the inter web. There are posts recommending cobalt to those folks. Makes sense it could happen the other way around.

Based on my reading, there does not appear to be cross-sensitivity between cobalt and nickel (i.e. allergy to one results in allergy to the other). However, there does appear to a higher probability of allergy to the other if there is allergy to one. That maybe due to those having sensitivity to one generally having a higher number of contact sensitivities.

 

[PillO]

So I guess nickel allergies are pretty common per the inter web. There are posts recommending cobalt to those folks. Makes sense it could happen the other way around.

Also nickel sensitivity (depending upon your literature source) seems to be 1-5%, cobalt somewhat lower 0.1-3%

 

[dagrev]

I almost replied, "Take it to the personals!"

Should have. That's a perfect reply.

 

[GBassNorth]

It is certainly worse on the plucking hand. On the fretting hand, the index finger is worst, but not as bad as the plucking hand. Also the thumb of the plucking hand which rests on the E string when other strings are being played. Lends credence the theory that it is a contact sensitivity of some kind.

Classic chemical contact allergy. Pretty much rules out any mechanical causes in your case.

Yes, my soreness is in both hands, but more so in the left I would say. The more the finger is used in playing, the more a soreness appears. I use my pinky finger on my left hand, but not as much as the others and it is less affected.

As for that hair thing. It's true. As I recall, TI flats have a little of that as well.

Sounds like the princess club has the right plan of action in place - avoidance of the offending string. Good news is there's plenty of options.

I would love to go back in time and visit one of the manufacturing companies....see the designers in suits smoking pipes guiding the drafters....sooooo cooool.....these days a procurement dept. purchases assemblies (commonly) where back then they would place orders for Imperial tons of steel!.....gnarly..

Great name for a heavy metal band "Imperial Tons of Steel".

Nickel Allergies. Solved.
View attachment 4123513

I have those on a number of my basses, including my Anniversary TBird. Absoutly my favorite string sound and feel wise. The gold color does limit what they look good on.

One of Raymond Loewy's best, it's a bizarre locomotive, 4-4-4-4 wheel arrangement. Art Deco deluxe.

View attachment 4123521

A rolling work of art.

With a loan to afford new strings...

I was using Coated Rotos or Coated DRs. They were typically around $35 to $40 a set anyway. And the Optima 24kt Golds so far have well over double the lifetime for me. So I'm actually saving $$$. Gimme Some Strings has them for around $60 a set. Even the smiley face website has them for $78.

So far, I have a set on my #1 Spector NS4 that gets played at least 2 to 3 days a week in home studio, rehearsal with band at least once a week, and used to go to gigs before Covid (we're still doing a few); that has been on that bass since I received it from Spector USA in the Spring of 2019. They still sound great, and feel great.

So for me, saving $$$. And they feel amazing with a kind of slick feel. Ox used them and loved them. And so did Zappa, and Brian May still does.

Yep, more money up front but much much longer lasting to the point of actually being cheaper than many strings in the long run.

The first set I bought was back in 2008. Couldn't find an American distributor back then so I had to import them from Europe. I paid about $150 for a five string set including shipping. They lasted about 4 years of nearly daily bedroom playing and weekly gig playing. When they go - they go quick, and don't bother with boiling to bring them back to life, it destroys the finish and they rust back to dead in about a week.

In 2013 I found a couple of US suppliers that were much cheaper. I think I pay about $75 for a 4 string set now which is about double what I pay for most of my other strings, but they easily last 4 times longer than any other round wound I've tried. The sound and feel is phenomenal but on the right bass the looks are equally stunning.

 

[PillO]

Yes, I too have heard of the nickle allergy for years. Also of people who don't mesh with steel and then need nickle. I don't recall of the soreness from those, however. More like skin issues. I just can't believe that PillO and I are such outliers or weird. (That statement is purely a matter of interpretation.)

I always seem to be an outlier. Even amoungst outliers.

 

[redstrand]

I always seem to be an outlier. Even amoungst outliers.

I sense another club.....

 

[dagrev]

I think you'll regret lumping yourself in with PillO.

There is that.


Nah, I'm in good company.

 

[dagrev]

I was using Coated Rotos or Coated DRs. They were typically around $35 to $40 a set anyway. And the Optima 24kt Golds so far have well over double the lifetime for me. So I'm actually saving $$$. Gimme Some Strings has them for around $60 a set. Even the smiley face website has them for $78.

So far, I have a set on my #1 Spector NS4 that gets played at least 2 to 3 days a week in home studio, rehearsal with band at least once a week, and used to go to gigs before Covid (we're still doing a few); that has been on that bass since I received it from Spector USA in the Spring of 2019. They still sound great, and feel great.

So for me, saving $$$. And they feel amazing with a kind of slick feel. Ox used them and loved them. And so did Zappa, and Brian May still does.

I have their flats on a '64 Pbass and they are great.

 

[PillO]

I think you'll regret lumping yourself in with PillO.

How could that possibly happen??

 

[GBassNorth]

The Uniques are Hex Core and have a little higher tension than the Maxiflex ones.
The Maxiflex is a round core.
View attachment 4123609

I found the maxi to be a bit floppy on the B string so I switched to uniques and now just use them exclusively for 4 or 5 string basses. Both sound equally great though.

 

[GBassNorth]

I have their flats on a '64 Pbass and they are great.

I was considering trying the Optima flats but haven't yet. Are they gold colored like the rounds? What flat would you compare them to from a sound standpoint and from a feel standpoint?

 

[PillO]

Classic chemical contact allergy. Pretty much rules out any mechanical causes in your case.

Yeah, once I dedicated a little brain power to it, that was the conclusion I reached.

Sounds like the princess club has the right plan of action in place - avoidance of the offending string. Good news is there's plenty of options.

So many strings, so little time.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

How could that possibly happen??
View attachment 4123675

Is this from Wednesday? The Watermelon Counter-riot Protest?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I have their flats on a '64 Pbass and they are great.

I was going to ask if anyone had tried their flats! How do they sound compared to the Cobalt flats?

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

I was considering trying the Optima flats but haven't yet. Are they gold colored like the rounds? What flat would you compare them to from a sound standpoint and from a feel standpoint?

Optima makes flats, but not in the 24KT gold strings, as far as I know. They are all Nickels. But you can try to contact the USA Distributor, Eudardo. I have a contact number for him. PM me if you want.

BTW he set up a set of 24kt Gold standards in the exact same gauges as the Ric Rounds, 105, 75, 55, 45. I was trying to replace the Ric strings, but would have had to buy 2 different sets to get the right sized strings. He just made me up a set and sold for standard pricing. Eudardo is a great guy. But travels a lot,so hard to catch at times.