Would anybody have a suggested TF550B setting for a decent slap tone. I usually don't have enough time for a good sound check, so I just set if flat and tweak it from there with minimal results (kind of muddy sounding). I'm using a Sadowsky Metro MV4 and a pair of Berg AE112's. Seemingly, I can't get enough high-end to my liking. Then again, maybe it's me. I previously used a Stingray, through a GK800RB, and maybe haven't gotten used to the new sound just yet.
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Thunderfunk 550B Slap tone settings?
- Thread starter G FUNK
- Start date
There is another thread going regarding the rather compressed tone of the Thunderfunk, and the relatively attenuated top end. That is just in the nature of that head, and even cranking the upper end of the semi-parametric mid band or the treble control doesn't really add upper treble sparkle IMO and IME (the treble control shelving starts quite low, and it seems there is a filter on the very upper treble built into the amp.... i.e., it is hardwired to be mid warm, punchy and tight in both the lows and treble range).
It still sounds great for a more 'old school' slap tone. I guess, when I had mine, I was reasonably happy with engaging the enhance control to around 10 o'clock (which widens the bass and treble a bit), and then boosting the highest semi-parametric mid at around 4K, or close to its highest freq setting, and then dialing in some treble with the bass's onboard preamp (although be careful with that if you send a DI signal to front of house.. that can cause problems).
If you are one that really likes a wide open slap tone with treble extending all the way up, the TF550 would not be the amp for you. If you dig a more Larry Graham slap tone (nothing wrong with that), it can sound GREAT.
IMO and IME. I ended up moving from the TF550 to the orignal Markbass LMII a few years back (now finally to the newer F500), and it was a revelation... much deeper bass, still nice and mid present, and a top end of the treble that extends all the way up... for TBer Vision and me (and a few others that switched from the TF to the LMII, it was a 'night and day' experience when we did our first A/B's a few years ago).
The new TC RH450 kind of 'splits the difference' between the TF550 and the LMII/III.... a bit warmer, meatier, and more chewy in the mids, with a somewhat compressed, old school tone than the LMII/III, but wider and more full sounding than the TF. They have a revoiced version of the RH450 called the Staccato that widens the tonal footprint of the amp (more deep bass, more upper treble) to be more similar to the LMII/III. Just FYI.
Also... STAY AWAY from the Timbre control. It's cool for some things (like going very old school), but is a 'slap tone killer' in general either way you turn it... either smothers the high end or boosts the upper mids... neither is a good thing if you want an even, transparent tone.
It still sounds great for a more 'old school' slap tone. I guess, when I had mine, I was reasonably happy with engaging the enhance control to around 10 o'clock (which widens the bass and treble a bit), and then boosting the highest semi-parametric mid at around 4K, or close to its highest freq setting, and then dialing in some treble with the bass's onboard preamp (although be careful with that if you send a DI signal to front of house.. that can cause problems).
If you are one that really likes a wide open slap tone with treble extending all the way up, the TF550 would not be the amp for you. If you dig a more Larry Graham slap tone (nothing wrong with that), it can sound GREAT.
IMO and IME. I ended up moving from the TF550 to the orignal Markbass LMII a few years back (now finally to the newer F500), and it was a revelation... much deeper bass, still nice and mid present, and a top end of the treble that extends all the way up... for TBer Vision and me (and a few others that switched from the TF to the LMII, it was a 'night and day' experience when we did our first A/B's a few years ago).
The new TC RH450 kind of 'splits the difference' between the TF550 and the LMII/III.... a bit warmer, meatier, and more chewy in the mids, with a somewhat compressed, old school tone than the LMII/III, but wider and more full sounding than the TF. They have a revoiced version of the RH450 called the Staccato that widens the tonal footprint of the amp (more deep bass, more upper treble) to be more similar to the LMII/III. Just FYI.
Also... STAY AWAY from the Timbre control. It's cool for some things (like going very old school), but is a 'slap tone killer' in general either way you turn it... either smothers the high end or boosts the upper mids... neither is a good thing if you want an even, transparent tone.
