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Thunderbird Club

I confess to being a little OCD about finding the "right" string for each bass, or at least how I want it to sound. I've never found one string that I put on everything, largely because I don't want everything to sound the same. It's a fun but expensive hobby--but it's wonderful when you try a string and while playing in a mix you keep thinking, "This sounds fantastic. I could play all day with this tone." I have to go for good sound since the playing is marginal. "If you can't play good, you can at least sound good" is my motto. Kind of like when first married we had older cars but I kept them clean and looking good. I told my wife that while we can't ride around in a newer car, riding around in a dirty one is a choice. The cars may not be new, but at least they will be clean and look nice.

I've used different strings over the years but lately my string of choice is D'Addario's. [EXL160BT nickel-wound] I used GHS for years before that and still have at least one bass with their Progressives. For flats I've tried a number before settling on LaBella's. I like GHS Precision flats also. As much as strings are a critical element in what a bass sounds like, even using the same brand/type (to my ears) will sound different on different basses. (as in, primarily the pu/electronics as a dominant factor of sound/tone) For me, the consistent 'feel' of the strings bass to bass is what I want once I like the way they sound.

I've strung a bass with new strings right before recording in the past, (as some players do) but lately I don't want to mess with the way they sound and just go with the them regardless of how old they are. I mean, if they sound totally dead I'd change them - but ATC I'm not that picky as long as it sounds good on the other side. Strings don't grow on trees, but it would make for an interesting tree! :)
 
Yup, I just bought the live in Japan double LP of Beck Bogert and Appice. I had it sent to my brother's house in Mass to cut down on shipping, it was in the U.S. I don't know why it wasn't ever released in the U.S. it's a great album.

I'll have to see if I can run that LP down. I've bought Japanese import LP's in the past - they make such a quality product. I have CBS/Sony LP's of Miles's '75 "Agharta" & "Pangea" (both live in Japan performed on the same day in two separate shows) and I also have the US Columbia version's - the MIJ releases have different (very cool) artwork and the sound quality is higher.
 
I'll have to see if I can run that LP down. I've bought Japanese import LP's in the past - they make such a quality product. I have CBS/Sony LP's of Miles's '75 "Agharta" & "Pangea" (both live in Japan performed on the same day in two separate shows) and I also have the US Columbia version's - the MIJ releases have different (very cool) artwork and the sound quality is higher.


Yes, this thing sounds great. You can find them in the U.S. here on ebay but mostly from Japan.
 
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To me the magic is driving those power tubes. But often the volume is not usable. Don't want people in the first three rows puking as JimmyM says.
…and all this time I thought they were puking because of my playing:D

?…… Strings don't grow on trees, but it would make for an interesting tree! :)
I’ve been watering my string trees, but to be honest they just aren’t growing.:(
 
I've used different strings over the years but lately my string of choice is D'Addario's. [EXL160BT nickel-wound] I used GHS for years before that and still have at least one bass with their Progressives. For flats I've tried a number before settling on LaBella's. I like GHS Precision flats also. As much as strings are a critical element in what a bass sounds like, even using the same brand/type (to my ears) will sound different on different basses. (as in, primarily the pu/electronics as a dominant factor of sound/tone) For me, the consistent 'feel' of the strings bass to bass is what I want once I like the way they sound.

I've strung a bass with new strings right before recording in the past, (as some players do) but lately I don't want to mess with the way they sound and just go with the them regardless of how old they are. I mean, if they sound totally dead I'd change them - but ATC I'm not that picky as long as it sounds good on the other side. Strings don't grow on trees, but it would make for an interesting tree! :)
Ah, but there is a string tree! Acalypha rubrinervis. But they don't seem particularly useful.
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I think planting a guitar tree may be a better idea. I'm not sure when harvest comes around, but suspect if you pick them too early you just get guitars.
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Yup, I just bought the live in Japan double LP of Beck Bogert and Appice. I had it sent to my brother's house in Mass to cut down on shipping, it was in the U.S. I don't know why it wasn't ever released in the U.S. it's a great album.
if you are talking about this, I bought it in Ft. Lauderdale in the early 80’s brand new for almost 40 bucks! expensive back then….they sold it as a “bootleg”…both Timmy and Jeff rip it up! wish they would have done more…
 

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