AudioKinesis Cabs V!!!!

[NeilGB]

A quick update. I have had my TC112 for about a month. It has been gigged and rehearsed a few times. It went to the Silicon Valley GTG and got some good comments in the presence of some serious gear.

It has worked great in most situations. A huge sound regardless of its size. It's the control over the low notes that sets it apart. It makes the rhythmic part of playing much more satisfying and effective.

The only time it didn't work brilliantly was in a large boxy room where all the mid's were attenuated and the bass tended to resonate. I expect that nothing would work well in that room without serious EQ'ing.

I have found it works great for guitar, too.

One discovery I did make was that you need to remove the threaded parts of the port plugs or the ports will chuff.

I would still like to add a fEarful to the stable. They really are special in the mids. I tried Chucks 15/6/1 at the gtg and liked it a lot.

Right now I am wondering if a TC115 sounds any different to the TC112? I dont need more volume but I am curious about how they compare.

Cheers
Neil

 

[KJung]

A quick update. I have had my TC112 for about a month. It has been gigged and rehearsed a few times. It went to the Silicon Valley GTG and got some good comments in the presence of some serious gear.

It has worked great in most situations. A huge sound regardless of its size. It's the control over the low notes that sets it apart. It makes the rhythmic part of playing much more satisfying and effective.

The only time it didn't work brilliantly was in a large boxy room where all the mid's were attenuated and the bass tended to resonate. I expect that nothing would work well in that room without serious EQ'ing.

I have found it works great for guitar, too.

One discovery I did make was that you need to remove the threaded parts of the port plugs or the ports will chuff.

I would still like to add a fEarful to the stable. They really are special in the mids. I tried Chucks 15/6/1 at the gtg and liked it a lot.

Right now I am wondering if a TC115 sounds any different to the TC112? I dont need more volume but I am curious about how they compare.

Cheers
Neil

I find my TC115 and TC112 to sound VERY similar. However, the TC115 does sound just a smidge bigger down low, and is even a bit more relaxed up top (probaby due to the slightly bigger low end being in higher ratio to the upper mids/treble. VERY close. It is a LOT louder... a LOT.

Interesting on your comment about 'mids' in the fEARful. While there is a lot of peaky upper mid lower treble (2K and 4K spikes), I actually find the true 'midrange' (i.e. 400-600hz as more relaxed than the TC, and the bigger low end provides a bit of a sense of 'scoop' in those cabs. I very much dislike the upper mid response of the fEARfuls, although I understand that there is a crossover 'fix' available that gets the top end a bit more even.

 

[anderbass]

I'm becoming more and more amazed with my Hathor 1544 every time I gig or rehearse with my bands.
Wow, maybe I'd dig the TC115 just as much, but I am trully freakin loving this amazing little cab!!!

I kinda feel that rpsands slight preference of his Thunder Child model has lowered interest in the new Hathor model, but he never got a chance to gig this prototype model with his band after Duke preformed the final mods/revisions...

All I can say for sure at this point Is: I know I absolutely love my Hathor prototype model, and I cant wait to hear what Tom Bowlus thinks of this model, particularly when comparing it to the TC115, and also when being used with some of his tube-powered amps on stage with a band like I do.

Besides gigging it with my SVT's and 400+, I've found this cab also pairs very well with my (400-watt/8xKT88 powered) Peavey Classic 400 head, and Its really helped me to trully hear/feel the differences between all my different basses, heads and effects.

I dont think the Hathor 1544 imparts any color or voice of its own, It just gives a brutally-honest reproduction of the true tone of your bass and amp, but makes them all sound/feel awesome in their own special way

edit:
I've also had a chance to try out my Hathor with my acoustic bass guitar with clean-preamps & S/S power. Again, It was simply Amazing!

 

[BassyBill]

Something I'd like for ya'll to be aware of: Moderator bassybill (yes, the "smooth moderator") recently went way above and beyond to help me out with something. Here's a bit more about it:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/no-need-ask-hes-smoooooooth-[bassybill-content]-921212/

Chef and Bill and the other moderators may have to occasionally swing the thudstick, but they are damn good people, putting a lot of energy into making this little corner of the world a better place.

Duke - glad to hear your drivers arrived okay. I was a bit twitchy about sending something strongly magnetic by air when I read the freight guidelines, but obviously on this occasion that wasn't a problem. Definitely something to be aware of though when shipping drivers or cabs, so better check the small print, guys.

 

[RobinC]

Don't know if this is applicable or not, but I do have a high-output 8-ohm Thunderchild-type cab fairly far along in development. It will be in the same weight ballpark as the TC115 widebody, but will move considerably more air.

very interesting! I'm sure I'm not alone in looking forward to more details about this one.

 

[Michelsen]

Today I got an email from Duke, sayin' that my TC115AF Compact is now on it's way. Good vibrations !
I guess I'm going to be the first Thunderchild owner in Finland

A question considering amplification:

At the moment I have the Markbass LMIII and I guess I'll be using it with the TC115 especially for upright bass stuff. It has worked very well in that area ( I used to have a Markbass 2x10 cab, which I didn't like too much ).
The thing is, I've often felt that this head is somehow quite sterile sounding with electric bass and lacking in character or something and I'm afraid that the "flat" Thunderchild won't be making it any better in that sense.
I've never had a real all-tube head ( sure I've played some Ampegs ), and I'm beginning to feel that it might be what I want for the electric bass. I play mostly folk/rock/alternative music and I'm after a sort of a vintage sound.
Especially the german-made Weber Mywatt tube-heads ( Hiwatt remakes ) have caught my eye. Are tube-heads a good match with Thunderchilds in general ? Am I on the right track here ? Any suggestions ?

Cheers !

 

[KJung]

Today I got an email from Duke, sayin' that my TC115AF Compact is now on it's way. Good vibrations !
I guess I'm going to be the first Thunderchild owner in Finland

A question considering amplification:

At the moment I have the Markbass LMIII and I guess I'll be using it with the TC115 especially for upright bass stuff. It has worked very well in that area ( I used to have a Markbass 2x10 cab, which I didn't like too much ).
The thing is, I've often felt that this head is somehow quite sterile sounding with electric bass and lacking in character or something and I'm afraid that the "flat" Thunderchild won't be making it any better in that sense.
I've never had a real all-tube head ( sure I've played some Ampegs ), and I'm beginning to feel that it might be what I want for the electric bass. I play mostly folk/rock/alternative music and I'm after a sort of a vintage sound.
Especially the german-made Weber Mywatt tube-heads ( Hiwatt remakes ) have caught my eye. Are tube-heads a good match with Thunderchilds in general ? Am I on the right track here ? Any suggestions ?

Cheers !

The LMII/III sounds FANTASTIC with the Thunderchild. The LMII/III is quite warm, and very even. It has good low end control, and that nice upper mid control can brighten that cab up a bit.

All tube heads with a widely voiced ported cab... not so much IMO.

 

[rpsands]

TC115 sounds ridiculously good with my Trace Hexavalve. But, I have an FDeck High pass and the Hexavalve has a nice EQ section.

With two ports plugged the TC115 should do an excellent approximation of a sealed cab too.

 

[PDGood]

Today I got an email from Duke, sayin' that my TC115AF Compact is now on it's way. Good vibrations !
I guess I'm going to be the first Thunderchild owner in Finland

A question considering amplification:

At the moment I have the Markbass LMIII and I guess I'll be using it with the TC115 especially for upright bass stuff. It has worked very well in that area ( I used to have a Markbass 2x10 cab, which I didn't like too much ).
The thing is, I've often felt that this head is somehow quite sterile sounding with electric bass and lacking in character or something and I'm afraid that the "flat" Thunderchild won't be making it any better in that sense.
I've never had a real all-tube head ( sure I've played some Ampegs ), and I'm beginning to feel that it might be what I want for the electric bass. I play mostly folk/rock/alternative music and I'm after a sort of a vintage sound.
Especially the german-made Weber Mywatt tube-heads ( Hiwatt remakes ) have caught my eye. Are tube-heads a good match with Thunderchilds in general ? Am I on the right track here ? Any suggestions ?

Cheers !

Another vote for the TC with LMlll. Great combo. But then to me, the LMlll IS a warm sounding amp - as solid state amps go. A touch of VLE will help get you there if you haven't already tried that.

You haven't mentioned what type of electric bass you play and that will be a big factor since the TC lets the sound of the bass and amp shine through.

 

[engedi1]

Also, the Aguilar Th500 gets some great warm tones without the weight and cost of an all tube head. I just did a session on friday with a direct line in as well as channel of Aguilar to miced TC115 and the producer really loved the sound. I ended up using quite a bit of drive to get a warm, blooming, slightly compressed tone. I would seriously consider trying one of these first...

 

[KJung]

Also, the Aguilar Th500 gets some great warm tones without the weight and cost of an all tube head. I just did a session on friday with a direct line in as well as channel of Aguilar to miced TC115 and the producer really loved the sound. I ended up using quite a bit of drive to get a warm, blooming, slightly compressed tone. I would seriously consider trying one of these first...

+1 The TH500 is giving me all the 'old school' that I want through the TC115. 4 pounds, hammers hard, no 'tube hassle' when on the road, well made, and the gain and drive control are amazingly good for both 'driven tube' tone and feel. I sometimes wish it had two semi-parametric mid controls... to punch up the low mids, and also dial in some upper midrange grind. The single mid control can do each very well, just not both if you are in a problem room or whatever.

Other than that, IMO the perfect micro for those looking for more 'fat and big' than 'clean and articulate'.

 

[engedi1]

+1 I sometimes wish it had two semi-parametric mid controls... to punch up the low mids, and also dial in some upper midrange grind. The single mid control can do each very well, just not both if you are in a problem room or whatever.

I don't wish for this sometimes, I wish for it 100% of the time! If this amp had a mid control for upper and lower mid it would be perfect. Can't have everything though...

 

[KJung]

I don't wish for this sometimes, I wish for it 100% of the time! If this amp had a mid control for upper and lower mid it would be perfect. Can't have everything though...

+1

 

[kringle77]

Thats why the shuttlemax is the perfect amp. Too bad it didn't come in a single channel, single rackspace version.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I don't get it with amp manufacturers--I feel that they don't talk to players enough to understand their eq needs. 2 semi parametrics are a no brainer---about the only thing I liked about the SWR's!

 

[KJung]

Thats why the shuttlemax is the perfect amp. Too bad it didn't come in a single channel, single rackspace version.

That is a great head. It is also why I like my Markbass F500 so much. Every feature I could want, perfect power match-up with the TC112 and 115, clean, even tone, and about the size of a paper back book

I love the combination of the F500 for my 'clean, accurate' sort of thing, and the TH500 for 'old schoolin' it up'.

 

[KJung]

I don't get it with amp manufacturers--I feel that they don't talk to players enough to understand their eq needs. 2 semi parametrics are a no brainer---about the only thing I liked about the SWR's!

+1 I kind of railed on the guys in the Markbass booth at NAMM when I saw the F500 replacement (the Big Bang), with two non-parametric mids (and that company still insists on centering their low mid control at almost 400hz!). They just looked at me like I was stupid

 

[PDGood]

That's probably because they were used to all the kids going "That's awesome" at the mention of every feature.
...It has a volume knob "That's awesome".
...Comes with an eq section "That's awesome".
...It's a lovely black and gold color "That's awesome. My other amp is only black".

Just joking. I do love the MBass heads.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

Yeah---these guys really need to talk to bass players about eq points---400 hz to me is pretty useless

 

[Tunaman]

I find my TC115 and TC112 to sound VERY similar. However, the TC115 does sound just a smidge bigger down low, and is even a bit more relaxed up top (probaby due to the slightly bigger low end being in higher ratio to the upper mids/treble. VERY close. It is a LOT louder... a LOT.

Interesting on your comment about 'mids' in the fEARful. While there is a lot of peaky upper mid lower treble (2K and 4K spikes), I actually find the true 'midrange' (i.e. 400-600hz as more relaxed than the TC, and the bigger low end provides a bit of a sense of 'scoop' in those cabs. I very much dislike the upper mid response of the fEARfuls, although I understand that there is a crossover 'fix' available that gets the top end a bit more even.

KJung calling it like it is! Awesome !

Markbass over a Shuttlemax 9.2?
I love my 9.2max! Thats EQ control!