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Thunderbird Club

I tested it out and the two active basses I tested it with sounded very distorted if I turned the input up much, but that could be because I am unfamiliar with the EQ and the settings I am using are the wrong settings for EMGs. It sounds a bit "ratty" with two different EMG loaded basses with 2 different cords.
Plugged in the Greco TB II and used the active and passive setting and it sounded good. My gut tells me to return it.

Speaking of GC shipping mistakes, UPS showed up again later with another large box from GC. I was a bit confused why I received a second shipment when I only ordered one amp. The second box contains a turntable (undamaged) and no paperwork so no clue who it was meant for. They used the same shipping label twice according to the tracking numbers. Now I have to deal with them to sort that out. Someone else is probably angry about their shipment that has never been updated like yours.
If in any doubt about the amp at all, send it back. You are going to have to open a conversation with them anyway, due to the random turntable.
 
I was excited because today was New Amp Day, but GC and UPS tag-teamed me to kill my joy. The wooden case on my ABM600 EVO IV suffered damage and it concerns me for the inner workings of the amp.

So far I have powered it on and let it idle for a while, plugged in a bass, and did a basic test to see if it works. Powers up but no light from the VU meter. Meter is working, just no light. This may be common for Ashdown meters, but this is my first so not sure. The amp makes sound but a couple of static crackles when I adjusted the output, which maybe it just needs the pot cleaned. I will give it proper testing after work but I won't lie, I am a bit nervous about the health of the amp after taking what I think would have been a hard hit. You can see the images below and this break was not in the listing photos on GCs site.
Am I being paranoid, or am I being reasonable by being concerned?
aCOa0ow.jpg

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That sucks Andy. Really hate to hear that. That's a pretty significant drop to cause that, enough I would be scared to keep it. Even if you get those few things sorted out, I would be concerned what might be damaged but not showing up yet.

If you find a good deal on a 300w do consider it. They seem to be plenty loud.
 
And as always, avoid the rabbit warren that construction has turned SeaTac into. I don't know if all the construction there is ever going to get done. Every time I'm convinced they cannot make it any worse, they do. At least the shoring all around the baggage claim area has been taken down, mostly, so you can more or less figure out where you are. There's nothing like endless acres of plywood temporary partitions, all painted white, with no way to see from one place to another. Oh, well.

Someday they will finish, right? Yeah, sure. Now they are talking about building a whole separate new terminal. At least that will be its own cluster of problems on its own. I hope.
LAX is going through that again in places for the Olympics.
 
I don’t trust a robot to answer any serious questions.
Actually, any question.
Agreed. Kind of like the IRS. Our CPA says if he has a question on something he's unsure about he calls 3 times and goes with 2 out of three as being correct, and there is always one that has a different answer. Just like AI, so I cross check them.
 
Related to robots: the street where one of my rehearsal spaces is, is a short street right near a freeway (101) on/off, also near SFO and a bunch of hotel/motels that likely serve a lot of travelers. Lately there have been a lot of Waymo cars (self driving “taxis”) sitting on this street at night. Parking lights on, no driver, just sitting there. It’s just a little weird seeing a “gang” of these robot cars just hanging out on a dark street, waiting.
What could go wrong? :whistle:
 
I tested it out and the two active basses I tested it with sounded very distorted if I turned the input up much, but that could be because I am unfamiliar with the EQ and the settings I am using are the wrong settings for EMGs. It sounds a bit "ratty" with two different EMG loaded basses with 2 different cords.
Plugged in the Greco TB II and used the active and passive setting and it sounded good. My gut tells me to return it.

Speaking of GC shipping mistakes, UPS showed up again later with another large box from GC. I was a bit confused why I received a second shipment when I only ordered one amp. The second box contains a turntable (undamaged) and no paperwork so no clue who it was meant for. They used the same shipping label twice according to the tracking numbers. Now I have to deal with them to sort that out. Someone else is probably angry about their shipment that has never been updated like yours.
When I got the ABM that has a hiss, the first person I "chatted" with was not helpful and ended the chat! I tried again and got a guy who was very professional and wanted to earn my trust again. This was on the MF side and I'm not sure if they are intertwined at the help desk or not. That said, if you have problems, try again later and maybe another person will actually care about doing their job well.
 
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If in any doubt about the amp at all, send it back. You are going to have to open a conversation with them anyway, due to the random turntable.

That sucks Andy. Really hate to hear that. That's a pretty significant drop to cause that, enough I would be scared to keep it. Even if you get those few things sorted out, I would be concerned what might be damaged but not showing up yet.

If you find a good deal on a 300w do consider it. They seem to be plenty loud.
Its definitely going back. My concern is what could happen later. I got a decent price for it but its still too much to risk when I can get another undamaged unit for similar $$.
Appreciate the feedback.

From what I have heard from playing the Greco thru it, I like the sound of this amp.
 

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