The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: PWV on September 23, 2008, 02:44:04 PM
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So I had my Thunderbird set up with TI Jazz Rounds (real thin gauge) for B-E-A-D tuning and it is amazing!
I don't think I could pull it off at a jazz or country gig, but the church gig and its new Christian rock stuff its great! Using a pick too, and I"m having a blast. Most of the church stuff is just like being in a U2 Tribute band anyway, so this tuning seems to work on the fly.
At this point, the TBird seems like it was always made for the B string. I'm not having floppy issues, guage is thin enough so it sits in the nut. Maybe I'm at the end of the GAS road finally!
;)
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Dave.......
Which 'Bird? Pics? ;)
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Its like the one in my Avatar that I sold Mark. Buyer's remorse led me to purchase an identical-looking one, but the original was a blem with offset pickups. (Remember you warned me not to get rid of it). This one is better all-around....but no pics yet! I'll get around to it.
*Still waiting for the Fenderbird from Mike. Looks like next month.*
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*Off-topic Mark - but you're almost at 666 posts. Let us know which thread gets the Evil post! *
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Cool idea! I assume the strings aren't causing any problems with the neck. I've thought about trying that too.
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So I had my Thunderbird set up with TI Jazz Rounds (real thin gauge) for B-E-A-D tuning and it is amazing!
I don't think I could pull it off at a jazz or country gig, but the church gig and its new Christian rock stuff its great! Using a pick too, and I"m having a blast. Most of the church stuff is just like being in a U2 Tribute band anyway, so this tuning seems to work on the fly.
At this point, the TBird seems like it was always made for the B string. I'm not having floppy issues, guage is thin enough so it sits in the nut. Maybe I'm at the end of the GAS road finally!
;)
Which strings are they??? My bandmates miss the range my SR5 had, and this might be just the thing...especially since I like to be down a whole step, then drop the now D to a C...
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Which strings are they??? My bandmates miss the range my SR5 had, and this might be just the thing...especially since I like to be down a whole step, then drop the now D to a C...
They're the Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Nickel Roundwound JR345's:
(http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/juststrings_2017_62138272)
The B string is only .118 (E=.089, A= .068, D = .051) so they're thinner I'm used to, but they work great on the TB's neck imo.
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Keep in mind that even with a larger gauge, a B will usually have lower tension than the G it's replacing in a BEAD setup. For example, using D'addario's tension figures for a 45-130 XL nickel wound long scale set, the 130 B has 34.5 lbs. tension, while the 045 G has 42.8 lbs. tension. And in the 40-125 set, the 125 B is 31.4 lbs., the 040 G is 33.7 lbs.
So going BEAD isn't likely to put more tension on the neck. In some cases you may have to loosen the truss rod.
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Thanks Dave - it does feel lower in tension. But I'm not sure I follow you on the "B replacing the G" - I've got the B replacing the E. Maybe I misunderstand - I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to set-up anyway! ???
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I just meant that you're removing the G on the upper end and adding a B on the lower end. Your E A and D tension is unchanged, the B will probably be lower in tension that the G you no longer have.
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OK I get it! ;D
Yes, the tension is low enough on that B where you can't really slap or pop (which I don't do anyway) without getting some floppiness. But playing with the pick seems to level that issue...