• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

Interesting. I currently have Cobalt Flats on a couple of basses and haven’t noticed any silk issues.
On a Goth Tbird (new strings installed and never removed, pic is current, strings are over a year old).
View attachment 4486182

On a Les Paul Memphis (used strings from a previous Tbird installation, pic is current, strings were on one bass for several months then moved to this bass about two years ago).
View attachment 4486183
I think the issue is if they are taken off and put on something else a few times. It's likely cheap silk or whatever it is, and being fished through bridge holes if where most of the problem likely occurs. But the strings themselves aren't as durable as other stings I've used either. They have small or few windings to grip the tuners as I recall (hence the odd winding directions from EB), and just don't cotton to being fooled with much.
 
How do the Smith's sound compared to the SITs?

Surprisingly different, I had used KS Rockmasters on my '89 with Lull pickups for years, tried SITs and they really have a lot more lo mid and bottom to them while retaining punch, I'm quite pleased with them on that bass. Conversely, I tried SITs on my purple '76 and didn't care for them, those pickups make a lot of bass and sub harmonic, wth tose strings it was just too much - the Smith's went back.
 
Surprisingly different, I had used KS Rockmasters on my '89 with Lull pickups for years, tried SITs and they really have a lot more lo mid and bottom to them while retaining punch, I'm quite pleased with them on that bass. Conversely, I tried SITs on my purple '76 and didn't care for them, those pickups make a lot of bass and sub harmonic, wth tose strings it was just too much - the Smith's went back.
Nice. Thanks!
 
Finally got my Dunlop flats in a few days ago and good lord this 60s T-Bird sounds amazing. Can’t wait to bring it to rehearsal with my country band Thursday. With the neck pickup solo’d and the tone knob on just a hair this thing gets super thumpy. Can cop a better upright sound than I can with my P. This is a superb instrument.
Don’t say that too loudly or there won’t be as many for us.
 
Finally got my Dunlop flats in a few days ago and good lord this 60s T-Bird sounds amazing. Can’t wait to bring it to rehearsal with my country band Thursday. With the neck pickup solo’d and the tone knob on just a hair this thing gets super thumpy. Can cop a better upright sound than I can with my P. This is a superb instrument.
Club rule - any time you mention your vintage Tbird you have to show a pic so we can all drool for a while. :thumbsup:
 
Finally got my Dunlop flats in a few days ago and good lord this 60s T-Bird sounds amazing. Can’t wait to bring it to rehearsal with my country band Thursday. With the neck pickup solo’d and the tone knob on just a hair this thing gets super thumpy. Can cop a better upright sound than I can with my P. This is a superb instrument.
OK, the official line is: Thunderbirds, have neck dive, are uncomfortable to play, made for rounds only and are not versatile at all. Now repeat after me..... And headstocks fly off if that isn't convincing enough. ;)

Several of us love flats on a Bird or two.:thumbsup:
 
Ah sorry, I meant the new Epi 60’s T-bird, essentially the VP.
You have a great bass. It's as close as you can get to the tone of a '60s version without not dropping some serious money. They are great.
xJkIXoW6PZHkTCDK_rEn4_ZRrI9QapjCiamXzMEATUonbtaP1l0U5xtjOgAkn4ZkmZvgzYA=w994-h1324-no?authuser=0.jpg
 
Don’t say that too loudly or there won’t be as many for us.

Think the words already out. Had a heck of a time finding a VP. All the major online retailers are back ordered and several are marked way up on Reverb. I found one seller on Reverb selling it at the normal price and grabbed it.

Course this could just be a supply chain issue like with everything else.
 
OK, the official line is: Thunderbirds, have neck dive, are uncomfortable to play, made for rounds only and are not versatile at all. Now repeat after me..... And headstocks fly off if that isn't convincing enough. ;)

Several of us love flats on a Bird or two.:thumbsup:
Don’t forget horrible QC, over priced and the CEO was a Jerk!
Ditto on the flats.

You have a great bass. It's as close as you can get to the tone of a '60s version without not dropping some serious money. They are great.
View attachment 4487435
Love that lineup (not to mention the background - getting more homesick every day).