Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

Guys, sorry, just a moment.

Do you consider that I'm out of tune on this one? I'm wondering if my ears could be deceiving me...

Here's the original track if you have a minute

The only note that might sound a bit off to me is the stab on the b on the d string at the top of the run. But seriously Rexx, I think your playing sounds great.

 

[dagrev]

Sorry for the delay. Finally had time to try to catch up. I've not noticed any difference in tone from different gauge strings. I don't care for anything over 105s and generally go so 100s, generally. Those are still a tad stiff because regular Boomers use hex cores. I know tension and gauge are different while there is some interplay going on. I know a guy here on TB that I think has the tension numbers. I'll get back to you if he can give me the info. Also, GHS has staff member who is very active in the string threads, which is very cool and helpful. Jon Moody.

I'll get back to if Michael has some numbers and insight.

Some reading my be of some help.
A Fresh Perspective On A Stalwart American Standard

Hopefully some helpful info others will benefit from--comments from a fellow TBer I just asked the original question to:
I would suggest the Round Core Boomers 45-65-85-105 or 45-65-80-100 as a good starting point.

Why...?

I personally prefer the tonal character of the RCBs over the regular Boomers for their smoother midrange (not as grindy) and full warmth at the bottom along with a clear but non-zingy top end.

Also, one of the special features of the RCBs is the GHS's own "balanced construction" concept, which was first employed with the introduction of the Balanced Nickels. This means all four strings have two layers of winding, including the G. The primary objective of this "balanced construction" concept is "balanced tone" both across all four strings and up and down the neck. This addresses the issue of "thin and twangy G" with traditional construction, ie one layer of winding.

"Round core" means they're not quite as stiff-feeling as the regular Boomers (hex core), but unlike some round core strings from other companies, they still provide a degree of firmness without ever feeling too loose or floppy.

I just finished a one-month trial with the RCB 40-55-75-95, and was quite impressed with the tonal balance, including the G that matched up well with the rest.

For more detailed info on their actual tensions, you can refer to the GHS Tension Guide.

I personally prefer the regular Boomers since they do mellow a bit over time. But also like the RoundCore Boomers, just not as much as the Regulars. It's all a matter of what tone one is shooting for. Look for a newer set of the RC Boomers if you want their new balanced set.

 

[MCF]

Hopefully some helpful info others will benefit from comments from a fellow TBer I just asked the original question:
I would suggest the Round Core Boomers 45-65-85-105 or 45-65-80-100 as a good starting point.

Why...?

I personally prefer the tonal character of the RCBs over the regular Boomers for their smoother midrange (not as grindy) and full warmth at the bottom along with a clear but non-zingy top end.

Also, one of the special features of the RCBs is the GHS's own "balanced construction" concept, which was first employed with the introduction of the Balanced Nickels. This means all four strings have two layers of winding, including the G. The primary objective of this "balanced construction" concept is "balanced tone" both across all four strings and up and down the neck. This addresses the issue of "thin and twangy G" with traditional construction, ie one layer of winding.

"Round core" means they're not quite as stiff-feeling as the regular Boomers (hex core), but unlike some round core strings from other companies, they still provide a degree of firmness without ever feeling too loose or floppy.

I just finished a one-month trial with the RCB 40-55-75-95, and was quite impressed with the tonal balance, including the G that matched up well with the rest.

For more detailed info on their actual tensions, you can refer to the GHS Tension Guide.

I personally prefer the regular Boomers since they do mellow a bit over time. But also like the RoundCore Boomers, just not as much as the Regulars. It's all a matter of what tone one is shooting for. Look for a newer set of the RC Boomers if you want their new balanced set.

I think I finally understand the tone you like. We’re different. I like a lot of grind. The new rig llets me dial in warmth as needed. I prefer brighter strings, always 45 - 105. Anything thinner just doesn’t feel right to me.

 

[Platypus13]

Maybe I’m just doing the proverbial “pissin’ in the wind” routine here, but.....
Anybody out there got a Vintage Pro with a case that they wanna part with for <$600 in the States? I’m partial to the Burst but I dig ‘em all, sooo........

 

[RexxRokket]

Gat a message “This video is not available.”

Let's see if this works.

That shouldn't be happening!...

I thought it sounded a bit weird, but I listened to the original and you were playing the same thing.
In the main bass line there is one note that doesn’t fit harmonically (to my ear).

I had the same thought, but that's how the song is so... I carried on that way. Thanks, man!

Hope you get to feeling better soon Rexx!

Hey Dagrev, thanks, my man! I'm getting better.

 

[GonePlaid]

That shouldn't be happening!...



I had the same thought, but that's how the song is so... I carried on that way. Thanks, man!



Hey Dagrev, thanks, my man! I'm getting better.

Very likely they thought it wasn't worth going back in to change one note(unless it was in "One Note Samba" )

 

[RexxRokket]

Very likely they thought it wasn't worth going back in to change one note(unless it was in "One Note Samba" )

Haha, well I play F# instead F in one part, that's the only thing, but if I play F in that part it just sounds off to my ears... Don't know, maybe I'll end up following the steps of Vincent Van Gogh.

 

[MCF]

Maybe I’m just doing the proverbial “pissin’ in the wind” routine here, but.....
Anybody out there got a Vintage Pro with a case that they wanna part with for <$600 in the States? I’m partial to the Burst but I dig ‘em all, sooo........

They are out there occasionally. This one went for $550 this week. Included case and shipping. A good deal.
SOLD - Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro

 

[JIO]

My train buddy Bill (has GTOs) also owns this big rubber nosed '70 Bird - easily worth 60K.

View attachment 4270068

Brooks Thunderbird to keep us on thread.

View attachment 4270071

Not crazy about that hs on that body...

 

[Larry V]

View attachment 4270643

1982/2021 Not exactly the same, but consistent!

Consistent in that they all go thumpa thumpa thumpa?

 

[dagrev]

I think I finally understand the tone you like. We’re different. I like a lot of grind. The new rig llets me dial in warmth as needed. I prefer brighter strings, always 45 - 105. Anything thinner just doesn’t feel right to me.

Tone is so difficult to describe, especially things like grind. I like a crispness to rounds, but not clank. Roto 66s on the '76 don't have clank (not with my settings, which are fairly flat with the bass and mid boosted slightly). They have a mid punch to them, similar to Boomers, but boomers sound bigger and that mid punch is a little lower. But then again, I don't try to get all may basses to sound the same either. I try to let each one do their thing, while having solid and thick lowend. Some basses I want more crispness (top end) and others less. I'm complicated...among other things!

For example, yesterday I played a Jazz (forgive me, for I have sinned...), with DR Pure Blues. They sounded decent to average depending on if I was playing with fingers or pick. Fingers made them sound kind of indistinct. Either way they good lows, kind of lacking in the mids, and had a brightness, but not like a new SS brightness. What I found I was wanting was more low mids for punch. It sounded fine, but not ideal for me.

 

[dagrev]

Haha, well I play F# instead F in one part, that's the only thing, but if I play F in that part it just sounds off to my ears... Don't know, maybe I'll end up following the steps of Vincent Van Gogh.

Uhhhh...do go there! And glad you're feeling better.

 

[GonePlaid]

Tone is so difficult to describe, especially things like grind. I like a crispness to rounds, but not clank. Roto 66s on the '76 don't have clank (not with my settings, which are fairly flat with the bass and mid boosted slightly). They have a mid punch to them, similar to Boomers, but boomers sound bigger and that mid punch is a little lower. But then again, I don't try to get all may basses to sound the same either. I try to let each one do their thing, while having solid and thick lowend. Some basses I want more crispness (top end) and others less. I'm complicated...among other things!

For example, yesterday I played a Jazz (forgive me, for I have sinned...), with DR Pure Blues. They sounded decent to average depending on if I was playing with fingers or pick. Fingers made them sound kind of indistinct. Either way they good lows, kind of lacking in the mids, and had a brightness, but not like a new SS brightness. What I found I was wanting was more low mids for punch. It sounded fine, but not ideal for me.

Go and play your Thunderbird, my son.

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 4271914
Go and play your Thunderbird, my son.

But will that help with the dirty feeling that keeps nagging me?

 

[GonePlaid]

But will that help with the dirty feeling that keeps nagging me?

I did play a J bass once while sitting in. I learned something that night. I could play one. I'd rather not.

 

[dagrev]

I did play a J bass once while sitting in. I learned something that night. I could play one. I'd rather not.

I always liked Mike Levine's Jazz tone (Triumph). Monstrously full sounding. No nasal honk at all. Don't care for burpy basses either. Just not me.

 

[JIO]

I did play a J bass once while sitting in. I learned something that night. I could play one. I'd rather not.

Love a Jazz bass -

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

from what I understand, this was recorded on a J bass onto 2” tape....nuff said...

 

[GBassNorth]

Hopefully some helpful info others will benefit from--comments from a fellow TBer I just asked the original question to:
I would suggest the Round Core Boomers 45-65-85-105 or 45-65-80-100 as a good starting point.

Why...?

I personally prefer the tonal character of the RCBs over the regular Boomers for their smoother midrange (not as grindy) and full warmth at the bottom along with a clear but non-zingy top end.

Also, one of the special features of the RCBs is the GHS's own "balanced construction" concept, which was first employed with the introduction of the Balanced Nickels. This means all four strings have two layers of winding, including the G. The primary objective of this "balanced construction" concept is "balanced tone" both across all four strings and up and down the neck. This addresses the issue of "thin and twangy G" with traditional construction, ie one layer of winding.

"Round core" means they're not quite as stiff-feeling as the regular Boomers (hex core), but unlike some round core strings from other companies, they still provide a degree of firmness without ever feeling too loose or floppy.

I just finished a one-month trial with the RCB 40-55-75-95, and was quite impressed with the tonal balance, including the G that matched up well with the rest.

For more detailed info on their actual tensions, you can refer to the GHS Tension Guide.

I personally prefer the regular Boomers since they do mellow a bit over time. But also like the RoundCore Boomers, just not as much as the Regulars. It's all a matter of what tone one is shooting for. Look for a newer set of the RC Boomers if you want their new balanced set.

Thanks for the excellent posts and links on the Boomers! You are the string man!!!

Looking at the GHS info I could build a nearly perfectly balanced (tension wise) set by using the E and G strings from a heavy set and the D and A strings from a medium set - that would give me almost exactly 50# tension on each string for 200# on the headstock. Or I could just go with the balanced round core medium set for about 180# overall tension.

Funny thing about the medium round core balanced tension set is each string has a fairly different tension level (G=43, D=46, A=49, E=41) vs the medium hex core set (G=45, D=50, A=49, E=42). If I combine the heavy and medium hex core set I get G=51, D=50, A=49, E=49.

At this point I'm leaning towards buying the medium and heavy hex core sets but installing just the mediums and seeing how much I like them first. Then if the G sounds too twangy or the E too floppy I'll slap on the heavy G and D strings. If the mediums sound great as is then I've got a spare set of heavies to try on something else.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Love a Jazz bass -

View attachment 4272020

yep and at 500 bucks a set I’ll play whatever the BL “rather” me play....tweechie zone? Nah...Geddy Lee, John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorious...and on and on....