Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I just bought a six-month old Gibson Thunderbird and the stock nickelwound strings are OK but won't last for too much longer. I know nothing about them (as Gibson website gives no details) but from a web search they are described as .045/.105 (no idea what the A and D gauges are) Does anyone know what these strings are, so I can buy another set. Alternatively, are there any strings you would recommend? I have seen a couple of people use DR Black Beauties on their Thunderbirds on BassChat and on a Gibson forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I use the same TI JF344 flats on my epi t-bird as I use on my fenders. It sounds massive, but I'd guess that hasn't answered your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I use medium DR Hi-Beams (s/steel rounds) on my '65 IV; they can be quite dark-sounding basses so a "bright" string suits and really emphasises the growl. TBH half the time I use whatever's to hand though, recently been using the Hartke Nickel rounds that you can get for £14 for a pack of 3 on ebay, and they're not too bad at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 Thanks chaps. I was thinking of experimenting with some TI Flats but the neck is not set up for these (and the truss rod adjustment tool I ordered on eBay has not yet arrived) - plus I wasn't sure flats would suit this bass. As Shaggy said, its quite dark sounding so I assume (perhaps incorrectly) rounds would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='Shaggy' post='835863' date='May 13 2010, 08:09 AM']... recently been using the Hartke Nickel rounds that you can get for £14 for a pack of 3 on ebay ...[/quote] I find a pack of 4 is more useful. Maybe I should stop using the G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey1-8 Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I've used Elites and Sunbeams on mine. Not sure I would want to put flats on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='Clarky' post='835867' date='May 13 2010, 08:14 AM']Thanks chaps. I was thinking of experimenting with some TI Flats but the neck is not set up for these (and the truss rod adjustment tool I ordered on eBay has not yet arrived) - plus I wasn't sure flats would suit this bass. As Shaggy said, its quite dark sounding so I assume (perhaps incorrectly) rounds would be better.[/quote] You'd be right too. I had a Thunderbird and the only strings that worked for me on it was DR-Hi Beams. Its a dark sounding bass what with the all mahogany construction so the brighter the string the better IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='835940' date='May 13 2010, 09:58 AM']You'd be right too. I had a Thunderbird and the only strings that worked for me on it was DR-Hi Beams. Its a dark sounding bass what with the all mahogany construction so the brighter the string the better IMO.[/quote] Thanks - thats two votes for Hi-Beams then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 D´Addario XL´s seem to work great on my Thunderbird Studio V. Was looking into HiBeams though too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bass Doc Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='Clarky' post='835867' date='May 13 2010, 08:14 AM']Thanks chaps. I was thinking of experimenting with some TI Flats but the neck is not set up for these (and the truss rod adjustment tool I ordered on eBay has not yet arrived) - plus I wasn't sure flats would suit this bass. As Shaggy said, its quite dark sounding so I assume (perhaps incorrectly) rounds would be better.[/quote] Believe it or not I bought a brand new '76 Bi-centenial T-bird and it had factory fitted flat wounds on. No longer have the bass but I actually have the strings - orange silks at the bridge end only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='The Bass Doc' post='835959' date='May 13 2010, 10:21 AM']Believe it or not I bought a brand new '76 Bi-centenial T-bird and it had factory fitted flat wounds on. No longer have the bass but I actually have the strings - orange silks at the bridge end only.[/quote] Howard, you must have the biggest drawers of anyone on BassChat (oo err missus)! Did the flats sound any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bass Doc Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='Clarky' post='835967' date='May 13 2010, 10:31 AM']Howard, you must have the biggest drawers of anyone on BassChat (oo err missus)! Did the flats sound any good?[/quote] It'a true I have enornmous drawers - there's a lot I have to cram in there. The fact that I have the strings stored indicates the factory flats were, quite frankly, naff. That wouldn't put me off trying flats on almost anything nowadays however because more modern flats seem to benefit from better quality control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I had my black Epiphone Thunderbird fitted with DR red devils and they were really growly for the bass but rough as a badgers @r$e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='Delberthot' post='835998' date='May 13 2010, 11:09 AM']I had my black Epiphone Thunderbird fitted with DR red devils and they were really growly for the bass but rough as a badgers @r$e[/quote] Thanks DH. As a predominantly flatwound player, badgers @r$e is not what I'm looking for! Still looking like Hi-Beams based on replies so far .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey1-8 Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I think Hi-Beams and Sun-Beams are quite smooth for a roundwound string. IMO, obviously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 DR Sunbeams made my single-coiled, ash bodied Fender Jazz sound like a monster. God only knows what'd happen with a T-bird... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I'd give the FatBeams a try as well, Clarky. They've significantly improved the sound of every bass I've used them on so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='836648' date='May 13 2010, 09:39 PM']I'd give the FatBeams a try as well, Clarky. They've significantly improved the sound of every bass I've used them on so far. [/quote] Out of interest Rich, what gauge do you use? I use reasonably low tension flats normally so I am not a fan of very high tension strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Got to agree with OTPJ Clarky. I bought a set of fat beams, 45-105 after Rich was raving about them. Stuck them on my US P bass and it transformed the sound. It even sounds great through my sh*t*y Marshall practice amp. I was going to punt the P but it is such a cracking looking bass that I decided to try the strings and it was well worth the £30 they set me back. Now I wouldn`t consider using anything else! Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 On the MusicMan & Jazzes it's always been the 40-100 set. They give massive tone, but feel like 35's to play. Very soft and flexible. I tried the 45-105 set on my Precision & they were also flexible, but too thick & ponderous for my personal tastes - They were, however, better to play than the Ernie Ball Slinkys I bought beforehand which were like trying to play on iron bars! I've got the FatBeams 40-100 on the new Jazz and it utterly sings. Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='836669' date='May 13 2010, 10:07 PM']On the MusicMan & Jazzes it's always been the 40-100 set. They give massive tone, but feel like 35's to play. Very soft and flexible. I tried the 45-105 set on my Precision & they were also flexible, but too thick & ponderous for my personal tastes - They were, however, better to play than the Ernie Ball Slinkys I bought beforehand which were like trying to play on iron bars! I've got the FatBeams 40-100 on the new Jazz and it utterly sings. Highly recommended. [/quote] Would you say 40-100 on a T'bird OTPJ? I'm just cognescent of the fact the stock strings (whch are probably ultra-cheapo!) are listed as 45-105 ... albeit they don't feel like as heavy gauge as some 45-105 EBs I have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 (edited) If you're used to the more flexible flats, I'd say you'll love these strings in 40-100 for not only your T-Bird, but other basses as well. I have a pupil who uses them on his Epiphone T-Bird (the passive one) and it sounds monstrous & plays like a demon. I only wish they did them in 30-90 or 30-115 sets. If they did, they'd be on the Status basses, too! Edited May 13, 2010 by OutToPlayJazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 OK, OTPJ, you have sold me. Just ordered a set of 40-100 FatBeams from Stringsdirect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I'll buy them off you at the full price if you don't like them. How's that for an endorsement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='836690' date='May 13 2010, 10:31 PM']I'll buy them off you at the full price if you don't like them. How's that for an endorsement? [/quote] Cool, by the way, they were a steal at £245 a set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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