• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NAD Trickfish Bullhead 1k

phillybass101

phillybass101

Jan 12, 2011
4,578
2,460
Disclosures
Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
#1
No comments needed. Killer Head indeed. Sometimes you have to treat yourself. This week I'm ordering two 210 V's and the Bullhead .5k. Yes I have found my Church Home so to speak. For now all I can say is my Slap Tone has much more Girth to it. The Highs are refined and not harsh and when I slap I can push it hard and no breakup. When powered on it does a self test and comes up in Mute Mode. (Learned that the hard way when I powered it up without reading the Manual :-) ) Genius IMO. Richard Ruse was great to work with. We just hit off during our phone conversation. I'm Sold on Trickfish Amplification.

Tfish1.JPG Tfish2.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: iwearpumas, MrBEAR, dave19er and 6 others
#3
DrumsAndBass said:
That 1K is a promising amp. I am starting to research it myself. I'd be using it at 4 ohms most of the time.
In looking at the manual, I have not yet found it's rated power @ 4 ohms - is it also 1,000 watts as it is for 8 ohms ?
Click to expand...

The Bullhead has 1000 watts 'peak' at 8 Ohms, so more like around 600 watts of actual useable power and closer to 1000 at 4 ohms.
 
#9
My Trickfish .5K arrived this week along with a 210V.

These are my findings/opinions of the rig.

I am completely blown away by this amplifier. I have in the last decade gone through Ampeg, Orange all valve heads and more recently the Eden WTP600 and used various other brands when using rental backline on tour and at festivals.

To put it simply, the .5K has the warmest, thickest yet still clear and defined tone I have ever experienced. It's hard to believe it is solid state. It's the first bit of gear I've ever bought where the difference has been night and day between my previous amps.

On a gig the tone completely filled the mix with my 75 jazz bass without being overpowering. What is amazing is the way the notes in the higher register cut through just as loud as the low notes and there isn't a thinning out of the tone, same when switching between fingerstyle and slap.

The simplicity is great, so easy to adjust on the gig, dial in a great tone, it just sounds good without any bells and whistles. With my Eden I would spend most of sound check messing with the compressor, the tube drive and the EQ to sort out a decent tone.

The biggest surprise with this amp has been the DI. It knocked me for six when I used it for the first time, the tone was noticeably massive pre EQ, again incredibly warm - switching into post EQ the tone got even fatter. I can only compare this to using s nice channel pre like a shadow hills or neve - no DI boxes have ever given me this level of incredible tone - having used sansamps, Aguilar tone hammers, two notes le bass preamp and the tube di ours on the Eden head and think ampeg.

Guitarist and drummer with the band i played with this week commented on the improvement in the tone.

Regarding the cab - it's very nice. It really takes volume why, without breaking up when driven. I need more experience with it but again quite round but articulate especially when using the tweeter.

One thing I should add is this amp is louder at 8ohms than my Eden WTP600 and D410XLT at 4ohms!

So yeah I love this amp, the guys army Trickfish are very good, take the time answering questions both before and after buying the amps and obviously very passionate about their company.

It's truly made playing bass more enjoyable and inspiring both on stage and just sitting at home practicing or writing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jefenator, dave19er, Agosix and 1 other person
#11
phillybass101 said:
My Trickfish Rig TF BH 1k and two 210 V's. A great Rig indeed. I also have the .5 Head as well.

View attachment 1158401 View attachment 1158402
Click to expand...
The TF .5 Head IMO is a different Beast than the 1K. The .5 is warmer, a little more wooly, and it does have a nice punch. I had to tweak it more to get my Tone as I slap and like things with a big bottom and glassy highs. I was able to get my Tone out of the .5 as well. The .5 will appeal to those who like a more traditional, rounded, bass tone and it has power to spare. It's a keeper as well and I'm more than happy with it. How many people can say they have a .5 as backup to their 1K. I am a very fortunate Dude. I strongly recommend both heads.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassclef04 and Agosix
#12
phillybass101 said:
The TF .5 Head IMO is a different Beast than the 1K. The .5 is warmer, a little more wooly, and it does have a nice punch. I had to tweak it more to get my Tone as I slap and like things with a big bottom and glassy highs. I was able to get my Tone out of the .5 as well. The .5 will appeal to those who like a more traditional, rounded, bass tone and it has power to spare. It's a keeper as well and I'm more than happy with it. How many people can say they have a .5 as backup to their 1K. I am a very fortunate Dude. I strongly recommend both heads.
Click to expand...
Nice review!
 
#13
Cool!




phillybass101 said:
The TF .5 Head IMO is a different Beast than the 1K. The .5 is warmer, a little more wooly, and it does have a nice punch. I had to tweak it more to get my Tone as I slap and like things with a big bottom and glassy highs. I was able to get my Tone out of the .5 as well. The .5 will appeal to those who like a more traditional, rounded, bass tone and it has power to spare. It's a keeper as well and I'm more than happy with it. How many people can say they have a .5 as backup to their 1K. I am a very fortunate Dude. I strongly recommend both heads.
Click to expand...
 
#14
I got my Bullhead .5 friday from Pauls Bass in Netherlands. Havent had enough time with it and I agree with member attackbass about the cut thru on the higher notes. Tested it for with my Unicorn 2104 bass cab 15 minutes and a very short time with my EBS neo 410 and had a hard time to get the glassy highs they are talking about in the manual. So those of you that have the Bullhead .5 what settings are you using to get there? Have to play some more with it.
 
Last edited:
#15
ursus said:
I got my Bullhead .5 friday from Pauls Bass in Netherlands. Havent had enough time with it and I agree with member attackbass about the cut thru on the higher notes. Tested it for with my Unicorn 2104 bass cab 15 minutes and a very short time with my EBS neo 410 and had a hard time to get the glassy highs they are talking about in the manual. So those of you that have the Bullhead .5 what settings are you using to get there? Have to play some more with it.
Click to expand...
This head responds differently to different Basses. I tried my Geddy Lee Jazz and had to tweak the settings to get the highs I liked. However when I hooked up my Brute with everything at 12 noon...Bingo no tweaking necessary so yes those glassy highs are there. Geddy Lee has Audere 4 Band Pre. Brute has Bart NTMB 4.6 AP. So I went through the same thing but yes those glassy highs are there. Just depends on the combination of things. With both I used two Trickfish 210 V's. I'm actually very impressed and very happy with Both heads/rig formats.
 
#16
I've played the Bullhead 1K and the bigger cabs. Very nice, very loud. Super curious about the .5 and 210's.

How does the .5, 210 combo do with a low B? Going to have to check these guys out.

Congrats on the endorsement btw. :bassist:
 
#17
aproud1 said:
I've played the Bullhead 1K and the bigger cabs. Very nice, very loud. Super curious about the .5 and 210's.

How does the .5, 210 combo do with a low B? Going to have to check these guys out.

Congrats on the endorsement btw. :bassist:
Click to expand...
Killer, just as I suspected. You can't go wrong with either head. Depends on your budget. I have run it with the two 210V Cabs and it can get insanely loud and handles a B without any breakup. I had to back down some as it was starting to hurt my ears.
TFBH700.jpg Trickfishrig.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: aproud1

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back