Upgrading my Epiphone Thunderbird

[Brandon Salazar]

I've had my Thunderbird for 5 years this next January, and all I've done with it is replace the strings. (I'm from the school of Kim Deal, so I've only changed the strings twice in that time frame)

After building a new bass, I have more respect for different hardware on a bass. My Thunderbird is my main instrument, and I play mostly garage/punk/indie with a pick. So, like what pickups and strings have you guys used to upgrade a Thunderbird? Bass strings are a killer on the bank account, but I need to get some real, quality strings on the her.

 

[pacojas]

Dunlops are great strings, imo.

 

[rickwebb]

I've gotten really good results from Ernie Ball Slinkies and D'Addario XL Nickel Wounds. Hope that helps

 

[Ironbar]

Ask the string question of a hundred different people and you're going to get a hundred different answers. My answer is DR Nickel Lo-Riders. It's my favorite string by far.

 

[Gaolee]

I don't even remember what I have on the 'Bird. Chromes, I think. I change 'em about every 20 years. My 'Bird started as a pro-IV and lost its preamp, got Alumatone Bass Bars instead of the stock pickups, and lost its frets, so it might not be the best comparison.

 

[jd56hawk]

My Thunderbird Pro IV sounds twice as good with new flatwounds. They did set me back $15, though!
Seriously, I found a place that has five or six packs of Guild Flatwounds (D'Addario, I was told) that've been sitting around for decades, and at $15 I just had to try them out. Bought two sets and I'm going to buy one more.
And I did pick up some Deep Sixx pickups for my black T-bird...$52 on ebay.

 

[pacojas]

i don't even on a 'Bird.

YET!