Thunderbird Club

[Tbone76]

I ended up with GHS Precision Flats on my modern Thunderbird. What kind of tone are you shooting for? That might narrow down and focus the answers a bit.

Thanks for the response, and I probably should have given my sound preferences with my question! I tend to like a slightly brighter sounding string, but I think DR Hi-Beams are too bright for my personal tastes. I’ve had good luck with Rotosound Swing Bass 66 stainless strings on the various P Basses I’ve owned, as well. I’m just looking for some general suggestions while I wait for my ‘Bird to come back.

 

[Tbone76]

I use the cheapest, skinniest, most readily available roundwounds on my fretless basses. That happens to be Ernie Ball extra slinkies. 40-95

Fretted basses was a more expensive proposition, I tried many brands of flatwounds, and my runaway favorite are the Pyramid Golds. 40-105

and I never change strings, never, ever. unless I break one…

I tend to keep the same strings on my basses, too, unless something happens to one of them. I don’t know what strings were on the bass when I bought it, so I figured I’d start fresh. Thanks for the response.

 

[BklynKen]

While I’m waiting on my Thunderbird to come back from the shop, what strings are club members typically running on their particular basses? My shop asked if I wanted a setup and new strings put on, so I’m having them put on a set of DR Lowriders to try. Thoughts?

SIT Power Steel.

 

[Gaolee]

Which means you'll likely be redoing it next weekend.

He actually did a pretty good job.

 

[TBird1958]

SIT Power Steel.

I like the SITs and the TB Plus pickups, seems a pretty good match.

 

[Klondike]

I hear that Scott’s roadie, (that Geddy guy) has a quaint little 3 piece band he dabbles in on the side. Maybe Scott can have him open for his Who tribute band someday.

That three piece is sadly a two piece now

 

[MCF]

I tend to keep the same strings on my basses, too, unless something happens to one of them. I don’t know what strings were on the bass when I bought it, so I figured I’d start fresh. Thanks for the response.

I've been having a love affair with stainless steel rounds lately. I think they bring out the best of the Tbird plus pickups. I like the SIT Power Steels and the Dunlap Marcus Miller stainless steel Superbrights. It's setup Sunday, and I'm going to try the Superbrights on my recently arrived '21 NR.
We'll see what they do with the more vintage sounding pickups in that Tbird.

 

[Klondike]

I am finally caught up


for now

 

[dieselman]

I am finally caught up


for now

Don't take a Nap today as there will be 10 pages to catch up.

 

[PillO]

I've been having a love affair with stainless steel rounds lately. I think they bring out the best of the Tbird plus pickups. I like the SIT Power Steels and the Dunlap Marcus Miller stainless steel Superbrights. It's setup Sunday, and I'm going to try the Superbrights on my recently arrived '21 NR.
We'll see what they do with the more vintage sounding pickups in that Tbird.

I tried a bunch of strings, notable for being good were NYXLs and Black Beauties... And then L&M had a sale on RS66. On a whim I bought them and put them on the Thunderbird. It was then that the lights went on for me - Thunderbirds love steel strings.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I tried a bunch of strings, notable for being good were NYXLs and Black Beauties... And then L&M had a sale on RS66. On a whim I bought them and put them on the Thunderbird. It was then that the lights went on for me - Thunderbirds love steel strings.

how do you like the Black Beauties? are those steel? getting a broken in set of Cobalts from Dagrev (thx D)…i know you don’t care for them but i’m curious to check them out after the posts on how good they sound…..

 

[Gaolee]

The pixie dust 2001 has Black Beauties on it for now. They sound like broken in rounds, which suit it well.

 

[PillO]

how do you like the Black Beauties? are those steel? getting a broken in set of Cobalts from Dagrev (thx D)…i know you don’t care for them but i’m curious to check them out after the posts on how good they sound…..

I would describe them as sounding like nickels somewhat broken in. They stay that way for quite a long time before becoming dull and lifeless. They have a certain grippiness. Not sticky, just a little grip. Some may hate that; others (like me) are OK with it.

As for cobalts...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

string regifting….

 

[Engle]

string regifting….
View attachment 4395840

I wanted to try some different strings on my Blonde bird. I had an old set of Fender flats (previously on my VP), and thought I’d try soaking them in Methyl Hydrate. (IMO boiling strings is gross and wrecks the strings)

I used to use methyl hydrate with roundwounds and it works, but rounds get flat spots from the frets, so cleaning them can only do so much.

The Fender flats woke right up. They sound like they are new -actually brighter than I wanted

 

[dagrev]

I use the cheapest, skinniest, most readily available roundwounds on my fretless basses. That happens to be Ernie Ball extra slinkies. 40-95

Fretted basses was a more expensive proposition, I tried many brands of flatwounds, and my runaway favorite are the Pyramid Golds. 40-105

and I never change strings, never, ever. unless I break one…

I need to find a used set of the pyramid golds to try on other basses. As mentioned before, I have them on my 64 precision and they're not coming off even try on other basses. Sound absolutely fantastic on that bass.

 

[dagrev]

Thanks for the response, and I probably should have given my sound preferences with my question! I tend to like a slightly brighter sounding string, but I think DR Hi-Beams are too bright for my personal tastes. I’ve had good luck with Rotosound Swing Bass 66 stainless strings on the various P Basses I’ve owned, as well. I’m just looking for some general suggestions while I wait for my ‘Bird to come back.

I've got 66s on a couple basses, one being a VP. Sounds great!

 

[dagrev]

He actually did a pretty good job.

There is hope in this world!

 

[dagrev]

I like the SITs and the TB Plus pickups, seems a pretty good match.

That combo I haven't tried on the '06. I tried the Roto 66s once and may likely again at some point. I like SITs when they came standard on G&Ls, but never the steels.

 

[dagrev]

I wanted to try some different strings on my Blonde bird. I had an old set of Fender flats (previously on my VP), and thought I’d try soaking them in Methyl Hydrate. (IMO boiling strings is gross and wrecks the strings)

I used to use methyl hydrate with roundwounds and it works, but rounds get flat spots from the frets, so cleaning them can only do so much.
The Fender flats woke right up. They sound like they are new -actually brighter than I wanted

So soaking strings in some Shine will bring them back to life! Who knew?