Thunderbird Club

[kat888]

I don't know how many time the packaging has changed on those over the years. Anyone remember to white paper envelopes with a picture of John Entwistle on them?

Think they had the lion on them when I started buying them in the *0s.

 

[hillerup]

Think they had the lion on them when I started buying them in the *0s.

Also in the late 70's when I first started out, and up till the late 80's...

 

[Christine]

I remember the packaging with the lion on them...

Think they had the lion on them when I started buying them in the *0s.

I don't remember the lion, in the 0s I packed in work and went to university (mid life crisis!) then in 2003 I cut the end of my finger off and sold off all my gear in a sulk, it was 2010 before I bought another bass, they were in an orange cardboard box then

 

[Christine]

Also in the late 70's when I first started out, and up till the late 80's...

I must remember them then!

 

[kat888]

I don't remember the lion, in the 0s I packed in work and went to university (mid life crisis!) then in 2003 I cut the end of my finger off and sold off all my gear in a sulk, it was 2010 before I bought another bass, they were in an orange cardboard box then

Your Tony Iommi phase... The * in '*0s' doesn't indicate the 00s, just me trying to hide how damned old I am.

 

[godofthunder59]

In the shop packing up Colin's pickups and bridge, also working on the Classic Pro Thunderbird. Shot of the control cavity, nice and neat, full size Korean pots.

 

[marko57]

I don't remember the lion, in the 0s I packed in work and went to university (mid life crisis!) then in 2003 I cut the end of my finger off and sold off all my gear in a sulk, it was 2010 before I bought another bass, they were in an orange cardboard box then

I was a devout Roto RS66 fan throughout the 80's. I recall them in a clear vinyl package with orange sleeve and white envelopes for each string. Later I remember the orange cardboard box, I still have a few of each (with old strings
inside). I can't say I've turned my back on them totally, still have a couple basses with Rotos on them but have really been liking the DR High Beams lately.

 

[Christine]

Your Tony Iommi phase... The * in '*0s' doesn't indicate the 00s, just me trying to hide how damned old I am.

I suspect most of us are on the "more mature" side here, lot to be said for it

My finger was worse that Tony Iommi's it took a long time for the pain to die down enough to even think about playing again

There's a pick here if you're interested but it is graphic, you have been warned Just cut my fingers pretty bad...

 

[kat888]

I know the package on the left is the "new" package - But was is the one on the right - Is that an even "newer" package?

The black packet is the 'extra long' (+55mm) which I need for the angled tailpiece on the LP shaped bass.

 

[Christine]

I was a devout Roto RS66 fan throughout the 80's. I recall them in a clear vinyl package with orange sleeve and white envelopes for each string. Later I remember the orange cardboard box, I still have a few of each (with old strings
inside). I can't say I've turned my back on them totally, still have a couple basses with Rotos on them but have really been liking the DR High Beams lately.

I've still got the carboard box

 

[kat888]

My finger was worse that Tony Iommi's it took a long time for the pain to die down enough to even think about playing again

My father was a chippy and lost the first joint of his right index finger on an industrial planer.

 

[Christine]

My father was a chippy and lost the first joint of his right index finger on an industrial planer.

It was a planer that bit me, I was a cabinet maker for years before I went to uni, then I got a smaller machine and a cross between automatic pilot and unfamiliarity ended up with my finger catching the blades while picking a pies of wood up. Ironically I was making a new kitchen for my wife and it was the very lat cut on the last bit of wood when it happened, a poxy slat for the airing cupboard shelf! It's still up there as a reminder

 

[Mosstone]

I remember the packaging with the lion on them...

Me too. It's been a long time since I used Rotos...

 

[godofthunder59]

More progress today ☺ gotta find my 64 pg template for the thumb rest position.

 

[Mosstone]

I was a devout Roto RS66 fan throughout the 80's. I recall them in a clear vinyl package with orange sleeve and white envelopes for each string. Later I remember the orange cardboard box, I still have a few of each (with old strings
inside). I can't say I've turned my back on them totally, still have a couple basses with Rotos on them but have really been liking the DR High Beams lately.

That's what lured me away from Rotos. I tried a set of Rotos again after years of not playing them and I couldn't believe how rough they felt compared to the DRs. I love the way Rotos sound, just don't like the way they feel anymore.

 

[Gaolee]

That sounds like how I would describe the Cobalts. Do you know if they sound anything alike?

I would say the Cobalts are brighter and sound more like rounds that the Sadowskys. I have an old set of Sadowskys on a Precision, and they are dark as midnight by now. I wouldn't call them dead or muted, just dark. I'm not sure how the Cobalts are going to sound as they age. They are on the '91, so I'll find out eventually.

 

[Haji]

There at lots of strings that are similar in sound to Rotos that don't feel like bastard files under your fingers. In truth, nobody other than you cares much about your bass tone.

 

[Gaolee]

... nobody other than you cares much about your bass tone.

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Haji]

I stopped by the Warwick showroom yesterday and played the Reverso through a couple 410's and the Warwick tube head. I liked it a lot, but I would have them do a TBird or Explorer. The Reverso balances a lot better on the strap but just doesn't look as cool.

Warwick's new lightweight stuff is pretty awesome.

 

[TBird1958]

I played then (RotoSound) almost exclusively with my old 4001 Rick, I was quite the Geddy fanboy in the '70s-early '80s, but they'd lose their nice bright zing in about a week and sound dull to me. DRs keep that for much longer and really have that "Big Angry Piano" sound when played with a pick. By itself in a bedroom setting it can seem a bit harsh and overly clanky, in a band setting it rides in the mix really well - you lose a little of the top end but the individual note has a lot of clarity and definition, it really helps when you're driving a song like "White Wedding" by Billy Idol.