• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#172,781
GBassNorth said:
You're like the master of the slow reveal. One pic at a time, each one peaking more curiosity. :thumbsup:

So, which bass gets which strings and is there any specific logic in the string selections? Black Beauties are fantastic on overly bright basses if you want to calm the top end a bit, but might not be very pick friendly. Be careful installing them, the coating does scuff off if scraped across metal while feeding them through a non top loading bridge or under a retaining bar, and they are notorious for going dead if you cut them to length before kinking them with a bend. I've not tried the Roto Blacks, interested to hear your opinion on those.

I've bought a few basses and other things through Sweetwater, but don't think I've ever received candy with my purchases. I need to get on my contact there. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment! :D


Yeah, you should check with them, they send me the little candy bag with everything (so far.....:nailbiting: )


The strings are both for trying on the Redbird (and maybe the Blackbird. It's got Roto 77 flats atm). Don't dislike the sound of the reds at all, but the color doesn't quite fit. Figured I'd try black.

The Black Beauties use the same K3 coating as the neon reds (just not neon. Or red), but underneath, they're "stainless-steel wrap", instead of "silver-plated nickel-plated steel wrap". Dunno what sort of difference it'll make? It'll be interesting to try, I guess.

I got the Nexus strings for mostly the same reason, to see how I like them. Per Rotosound, it sounds like they're essentially a coated version of their Ultramag strings, made with their type 52 alloy ("a highly magnetic material made from 52% nickel and 48% iron").
But, they're coated differently - before the winding process, instead of after, so that should be an interesting thing to compare to the DR K3 coating, which I like well (at least, the version that comes on the neon reds).
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, GBassNorth, dagrev and 2 others
#172,782
KaraQ said:
Thanks for the compliment! :D


Yeah, you should check with them, they send me the little candy bag with everything (so far.....:nailbiting: )


The strings are both for trying on the Redbird (and maybe the Blackbird. It's got Roto 77 flats atm). Don't dislike the sound of the reds at all, but the color doesn't quite fit. Figured I'd try black.

The Black Beauties use the same K3 coating as the neon reds (just not neon. Or red), but underneath, they're "stainless-steel wrap", instead of "silver-plated nickel-plated steel wrap". Dunno what sort of difference it'll make? It'll be interesting to try, I guess.

I got the Nexus strings for mostly the same reason, to see how I like them. Per Rotosound, it sounds like they're essentially a coated version of their Ultramag strings, made with their type 52 alloy ("a highly magnetic material made from 52% nickel and 48% iron").
But, they're coated differently - before the winding process, instead of after, so that should be an interesting thing to compare to the DR K3 coating, which I like well (at least, the version that comes on the neon reds).
Click to expand...
I recall that we had this discussion several pages back (two years ago?).

As I recall, all the K3 coated strings are the same (excepting colour of course) except for Dragon Skins.

Also, I think DR coats the strings prior to wrapping. IIRC, it is the elixir nanoweb strings that are coated after wrapping.

I am curious about how the Roto coated strings compare to the BBs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, GBassNorth, dagrev and 1 other person
#172,783
JIO said:
David Sanborn (on this recording) was the "go-to" saxman of that era (not Kenney G...) - his was a real story as he fought personal handicaps to become who he was. And, he had a 100% musicians music show in the '80s - much of it can be accessed on YouTube. Queen members were also featured - these were the top musicians of that era. I was an early Mott The Hoople fan but didn't follow Ian Hunter post-Hoople. Time to catch-up.
Click to expand...
I also am a big MTH fan and mourned the passing of Mott but Ian's solo career is absolutely brilliant. His first solo album Ian Hunter, AAAB, Short Sides and Back and Rant are recommend. Rant is easily one of his best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Gaolee, GBassNorth and 4 others
#172,784
PillO said:
I recall that we had this discussion several pages back (two years ago?).

As I recall, all the K3 coated strings are the same (excepting colour of course) except for Dragon Skins.

Also, I think DR coats the strings prior to wrapping. IIRC, it is the elixir nanoweb strings that are coated after wrapping.

I am curious about how the Roto coated strings compare to the BBs.
Click to expand...

I have used them both. The DRs seen to chip off sooner that the Roto Nexus ones do. Personally I rather the Rotos.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, GBassNorth, Chucky Stiletti and 3 others
#172,785
JIO said:
I'm aware of that recording but have never heard it - I will look into adding it to my collection.

an all-star cast for sure -
Click to expand...

AAAB is the most well known track. The intro to You Nearly Did Me In will make you weep.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, GBassNorth, Chucky Stiletti and 1 other person
#172,788
PillO said:
.....Also, I think DR coats the strings prior to wrapping. IIRC, it is the elixir nanoweb strings that are coated after wrapping.

I am curious about how the Roto coated strings compare to the BBs.
Click to expand...

I went prowling through the DR site a bit, and I couldn't find anything that explicitly said that, but based on some of their gallery pics, it looks to probably be true:

fotor_1617277090474.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Gaolee, GBassNorth and 2 others
#172,791
JIO said:
David Sanborn (on this recording) was the "go-to" saxman of that era (not Kenney G...) - his was a real story as he fought personal handicaps to become who he was. And, he had a 100% musicians music show in the '80s - much of it can be accessed on YouTube. Queen members were also featured - these were the top musicians of that era. I was an early Mott The Hoople fan but didn't follow Ian Hunter post-Hoople. Time to catch-up.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Had a boss turn me on to Sanborn in the early 80s. Still have a couple of his albums. I like the older stuff a little better I think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, PillO, GBassNorth and 1 other person
#172,792
JIO said:
Agreed - as a bass-player I make a point of going out of my way to listen to any player who has had left such a indelible mark on our instrument of choice to understand what they contributed. I've studied and learned compositions from a number of bass players in many genre's so they get absorbed into my instinctual library. Where this becomes most useful is in a free-form jam-session where I've discovered not only my voice but my limitations. The more references to draw from, the more one can land on your feet/keep the groove/maintain the pulse. No down side to exploring famous players styles/techniques.
Click to expand...
Yes indeed. I like learning nuances from other players, I just run into my limitations is far earlier than you do! But if I can pick up a phase or two every once in a while I feel like a winner!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Nocturnal, PillO and 3 others
#172,793
KaraQ said:
Thanks for the compliment! :D


Yeah, you should check with them, they send me the little candy bag with everything (so far.....:nailbiting: )


The strings are both for trying on the Redbird (and maybe the Blackbird. It's got Roto 77 flats atm). Don't dislike the sound of the reds at all, but the color doesn't quite fit. Figured I'd try black.

The Black Beauties use the same K3 coating as the neon reds (just not neon. Or red), but underneath, they're "stainless-steel wrap", instead of "silver-plated nickel-plated steel wrap". Dunno what sort of difference it'll make? It'll be interesting to try, I guess.

I got the Nexus strings for mostly the same reason, to see how I like them. Per Rotosound, it sounds like they're essentially a coated version of their Ultramag strings, made with their type 52 alloy ("a highly magnetic material made from 52% nickel and 48% iron").
But, they're coated differently - before the winding process, instead of after, so that should be an interesting thing to compare to the DR K3 coating, which I like well (at least, the version that comes on the neon reds).
Click to expand...
Alloy 52 is a cool component for strings. Provides some nice mid crunch without being honky or overly mid sounding. GHS uses it in their Pressurewounds and they're currently discontinued Progressives, which they intend on bringing back from what I hear. Love both for different reasons.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, PillO, GBassNorth and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back