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Thunderbird Club

Hey @WillyW I know you love Optima RB nickel flats, but have you played Pyramid Gold Flats and if so, what are the differences in these two strings? Does one have more lows, low mids, mids, etc., compared to the other? One person said the Optima's had more lows than TIs but more upper mids than Pyramids. Just wondering what your thoughts were and that they might be interesting for others. Also, where's the best place to get Optima's?
 
Hey @WillyW I know you love Optima RB nickel flats, but have you played Pyramid Gold Flats and if so, what are the differences in these two strings? Does one have more lows, low mids, mids, etc., compared to the other? One person said the Optima's had more lows than TIs but more upper mids than Pyramids. Just wondering what your thoughts were and that they might be interesting for others. Also, where's the best place to get Optima's?

Opposite, I’m a HUGE pyramid golds fan, did not like the TI flats. I have a set of optimas that came on a fretless Ric, but I don’t play flats on fretless so I never tried them. Since they are cut for a 2+2 so I may never get the chance to test them.

I’m not the best to judge strings by the mids and lows frequnuancies and such.

If they are clanky and thumpy then I like them, not sure how many megahertz’s that is.

I like EB Cobalts, and I have some Dunlop flats on a base I’m selling that are nice too. BUT as I have the chance I will be replacing them all with pyramids… and I’m revamping the fretted base geetars I’m keeping.

I have the Pyramids on my 21 NR and my HelloGeddy jazz.

I need a set for my new Greco, and I’ll need a set if I ever get my burgundy NR….
 
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Thanks. I love the Pyramids on my '64 Pbass and won't take them off even to try on something else. I may just get another set. Sure would be a nice Christmas present...

I was fortunate to try the pyramids very early on and I did stray when I read all the TI hype, but wasn’t impressed.

I’m up to my earballs in fretted basses so if easier to sell a few than buy strings.
 
I was fortunate to try the pyramids very early on and I did stray when I read all the TI hype, but wasn’t impressed.

I’m up to my earballs in fretted basses so if easier to sell a few than buy strings.
I like TIs...on some things and with some cabs. They can sound great or awful depending on those two factors in my experience. I use to have them on Pbasses, but changed rigs and they are not the right string. I even sold a couple of sets. Might sell another one. They sound good on my '76, but it's currently got 66s and sounds great.
 
The price is on the high side for the 91 I’m looking at. And it’s a tobacco burst, same as my VP.
Not sure about spending 2K, plus refinishing, plus the chrome that would be needed…
I didn't get the '91 to refinish it or even chrome it out. That was just what happened over time. I also didn't pay anything like $2k for it. I probably wouldn't sell it for that now, but nobody would offer me that much for it anyway.

Another thing to consider is that the configuration of the tuning machines is different on a '91. The set screw is offset, not in line like newer ones.
 
Another thing to consider is that the configuration of the tuning machines is different on a '91. The set screw is offset, not in line like newer ones.

Like this.......I put screws into the original holes.

iK11VmZ.jpg
 
I like TIs...on some things and with some cabs. They can sound great or awful depending on those two factors in my experience. I use to have them on Pbasses, but changed rigs and they are not the right string. I even sold a couple of sets. Might sell another one. They sound good on my '76, but it's currently got 66s and sounds great.

I just have one set of TI’s and the set of Optimas, they will just sit in the drawer and who knows, someday the right base geetar will come along.

I am playing the SIT roundworms on the Greco, and I do like the strings, but I’m wanting flats, so I’ll order some Pyramids as soon as I get a discount code…

I did get this set of SIT string maybe a few cents less than my EB extra slinky’s so if I run through my reserves of those, I’ll get whatever is cheaper at the time. (I bought the nickel SIT strings, EB’s are nickel too)
 
Like this.......I put screws into the original holes.

View attachment 4511501
I just left the holes alone. There is a witness mark where the old tuner was a slightly different shape, too. That doesn't bother me at all. The Flamingo is nothing like a stock original Thunderbird any more, so a few extraneous holes are OK with me.
 
I didn't get the '91 to refinish it or even chrome it out. That was just what happened over time. I also didn't pay anything like $2k for it. I probably wouldn't sell it for that now, but nobody would offer me that much for it anyway.

Another thing to consider is that the configuration of the tuning machines is different on a '91. The set screw is offset, not in line like newer ones.

Like this.......I put screws into the original holes.

View attachment 4511501

I just left the holes alone. There is a witness mark where the old tuner was a slightly different shape, too. That doesn't bother me at all. The Flamingo is nothing like a stock original Thunderbird any more, so a few extraneous holes are OK with me.

It does kind of bug me with the look of going from large plates to the smaller tunas.

I am going to have to get over it though, as I’m looking to replace the tuners on my Greco…

I very much like those Hipshot tunas. I like the idea of adding screws back into the exposed holes.

I have used Wilkinson plate tuners quite a bit and they work very well and are just a bit cheaper, so I’m not sure where I will go.

I usually like the cloverleaf more than whatever you would call the other…. tulip? Not sure if it still needs to be a flower…. But the tulip does look good on a bird.

0E385E7C-145F-40BE-9672-682F93896974.jpeg
BD5FA2BF-15A8-47B4-9B25-A6C61433D2CD.jpeg
DF6C8B37-35B7-4877-BD7F-B6B0B504D997.jpeg
 
I just have one set of TI’s and the set of Optimas, they will just sit in the drawer and who knows, someday the right base geetar will come along.

I am playing the SIT roundworms on the Greco, and I do like the strings, but I’m wanting flats, so I’ll order some Pyramids as soon as I get a discount code…

I did get this set of SIT string maybe a few cents less than my EB extra slinky’s so if I run through my reserves of those, I’ll get whatever is cheaper at the time. (I bought the nickel SIT strings, EB’s are nickel too)
I saw a set of SIT NPS Rounds on Amazon for $13, if anyone is interested.
 
Do we have a Thunderbird/Orange crossover thread? The Hellacopters are releasing new material for the first time in 13 years, and it's all Orange across the board and the bassist is using a pretty sharp-looking Tbird, from what I can see in the video.



Black '76, nice!