Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck an area called The Geysers in northern Sonoma County at 7:08 a.m followed by a 2.8-magnitude tremor, recorded at 7:09 a.m., close to where the first quake erupted. 4.1 is starting to get up there.

 

[Stealth57]

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck an area called The Geysers in northern Sonoma County at 7:08 a.m followed by a 2.8-magnitude tremor, recorded at 7:09 a.m., close to where the first quake erupted. 4.1 is starting to get up there.

4+ starts to get your attention.

 

[GonePlaid]

Sunday I used DTFs on the '66 NR for runthrough. First with the ABM tthen the Ampeg tubes. ABM was fine, the Ampeg was just better, more 3D you might say.
Changed strings back to the SIT Powerwounds and used the Ampeg for service. Sounded pretty awesome.
The SITs seemed to have more full lows and the DTFs tighter might be a way of saying it. I liked the SITs on the '64 Thunderbird before the DTFs, and think the NR is really close to the '64 now. Brighter and not as big but getting pretty close. Both the SITs and the DTFs could be "the" string it seems. I'm curious what SIT flats would sound like on it....best of both worlds maybe.... My set is cut too short and don't think I'm going to buy another sent just to find out, not since I have some great options working as is.

I have SIT Power Flats on my '21 Epi Embassy. With the "Blend" knob, I get pretty much any tone I want.

 

[GonePlaid]

That’s a powered subwoofer that Ken gave me as part of a really nice stereo system.
Since its not needed for my music listening needs, I found a good use for it.
I don’t always use it.
But makes the rig sound a little more hifi. Not that, that is needed.
But having the crossover is a nice touch.
The 12 on its own sounds very neutral and articulate.

I love 12's.

 

[GonePlaid]

All this comparison is in one environment, and either playing alone or along with my band(s) music, at a lower volume. Bringing the heads/cabs to rehearsals would be the right way to do it, but I have rigs I leave parked at both places and, well, I’m pretty lazy by the end of the workday. (If only EITHER of my bands would practice on a Saturday afternoon!!!).

The GK Neo IV cabs are BIG sounding cabs, and with both the Ashdown and GK Fusion 800, it a matter of dialing the bass and low mids back A LOT. It’s something I’m learning after all these years of playing, dial back the bass freqs and push a little more volume to get some clarity and volume on the middle and higher notes, esp on the thinner strings. These cabs are forcing me to dial the bass/low mids back further than I thought I would ever need to. With these cabs, those frequencies are still strong and warm, even with the bass at 9 o’clock and low mids at 11 o’clock (or in the case of the Ashdown, the bass knob at 10 o’clock, the 100hz slider just under 0, and 180hz really cut at -6 - -10).

Can't practice Saturday afternoon. Too many college feetsball games.

 

[GonePlaid]

I have long been a tube person. Once I got my fist all tube head it was over. Though the ABMs are a great second option. One I could live with if needed to. But I don't, not now anyway.

Once I got my 22# 7ender Rumble 100, I bid farewell forever to tube heads and big@$$ cabs.

 

[GonePlaid]

Kinda like the joke about how to make a whole lot of money by making some gadget that golfers will think make them play better.

The only musical device that will truly make me sound better is a talent pedal, and those are pretty hard to come by.

 

[MCF]

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck an area called The Geysers in northern Sonoma County at 7:08 a.m followed by a 2.8-magnitude tremor, recorded at 7:09 a.m., close to where the first quake erupted. 4.1 is starting to get up there.

Once they get above 4, the water in the shows it, even if we don’t really feel it.

 

[Stealth57]

Once they get above 4, the water in the shows it, even if we don’t really feel it.

I know you are retired, but the day drinking needs to stop

 

[TBird1958]

I know you are retired, but the day drinking needs to stop

He's thinking about Blue Thunderbirds..............

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Can't practice Saturday afternoon. Too many college feetsball games.

you a Hurricanes fan?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

He's thinking about Blue Thunderbirds..............

always eager to contribute !...

 

[Ringhammer]

I have played through an Ashdown and liked it a lot. I haven't spent time with a GK.

My take:
GK Fusion 800S,
three preamp tubes
class D,

Ashdown,
No preamp tubes (except distortion drive/doom effect)

class A/B,


Not to be too down on Class D, but I’ve never really loved any class D amp I’ve had like I think I’m starting to with this GK.

Considering our similarities in tonal taste, I think you'd really like GK.

I think the Fusion S with the tubes helps the class D power amp have some warmth and character. But a class A/B amp just has some real power.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Rockefeller didn't like them raw either.....

 

[BklynKen]

My take:
GK Fusion 800S,
three preamp tubes
class D,

Ashdown,
No preamp tubes (except distortion drive/doom effect)

class A/B,


Not to be too down on Class D, but I’ve never really loved any class D amp I’ve had like I think I’m starting to with this GK.



I think the Fusion S with the tubes helps the class D power amp have some warmth and character. But a class A/B amp just has some real power.

GK is coming out with new RBs. Class H.

RB Legacy — Gallien-Krueger

www.gallien-krueger.com

 

[TBird1958]

always eager to contribute !...
View attachment 7375414

When are you sending this one up?
It needs me

 

[TBird1958]

Rockefeller didn't like them raw either.....
View attachment 7375460

 

[MCF]

My take:
GK Fusion 800S,
three preamp tubes
class D,

Ashdown,
No preamp tubes (except distortion drive/doom effect)

class A/B,


Not to be too down on Class D, but I’ve never really loved any class D amp I’ve had like I think I’m starting to with this GK.



I think the Fusion S with the tubes helps the class D power amp have some warmth and character. But a class A/B amp just has some real power.

I believe you’ve said that the 800+ doesn’t really do it for you. The WD800 has one preamp tube, the TT800 has three preamp tubes, and the recently released 800D has one preamp tube. I played through a Fusion in the store and liked it. It would be interesting to compare them all.

 

[Count Bassie]

GK is coming out with new RBs. Class H.

RB Legacy — Gallien-Krueger

www.gallien-krueger.com

That is interesting.

 

[Count Bassie]

I believe you’ve said that the 800+ doesn’t really do it for you. The WD800 has one preamp tube, the TT800 has three preamp tubes, and the recently released 800D has one preamp tube. I played through a Fusion in the store and liked it. It would be interesting to compare them all.

The Class D is still a strange device to me. I have the TT-800 but still handle it like something that may break if I'm not careful.
Gigging has slowed down, but hopefully will pick up again and maybe I'll get comfortable with it finally. If not, that GK might be a thing. I like those sound clips.