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Thunderfunk Amp club!

#441
DrumsAndBass said:
I'm shopping for a TFB-800 B2. I'm planning on putting it in a 4 space rack. I could put the TF amp in the middle of the rack. Would this allow enough ventilation for the amp?
Also, does the TF amp have side vents? because they might be partly blocked by the rack. I'll rethink my 4 space rack idea and simply put the head on top of the cab if that's what's better for the amp.
Click to expand...

not a good idea to put the TF in the middle of a 4 space rack. The amp has a aluminum shell that works as a heat sink and is crucial for thermal efficiency and heat dissipation. But, the amp gets a lot hotter on the bottom side of the chassis, where the designer put some components, like the big iron transformer. Mr. Funk himself suggests not to put any element under the TF when using a rack spacing, whereas there would be no problem to place, for example, the amp at the very bottom part of the rack and then stack the other components above it. Another thing to know is that if you place the TF in a rack, the fan should be always on. The TF does not have any fan on its sides, only on the back and is thermal controlled for maximum performance. If I were you and was planning to use the TF in a rack with a 2 ohm load (cabs) at high volumes, I would put the amp below everything else and leave an empty rack space above it, fan always on and here we go!
 
#442
The TF amp would be the only piece of gear in the whole 4 space rack - skb. I figure the single empty spaces both above and below would help with ventilation - keeping the fan on is no problem. I was not clear in my original question.
I have not picked up the 4 space skb at GC yet. I could cancel the order and put the $ to a cabbage case - although they cost quite a bit more. I'll do what's best for the amp. It's just that I've had good results with skb cases in the past. But you guys would know.
Also, is there anybody in San Diego that would let try out their TF - any model ?

Thanks.
 
#443
To add to the above, the Thunderfunk is just beautifully designed to sit on top of a cab. Nice high quality rubber feet (large, so they allow plenty of space for cooling the bottom of the chassis, high quality side handle with small rubber feet on the other side so you can set the head down without scratching it up.

If you have the cash, I would HIGHLY recommend the Cabbage case that Dave sells from his website. Lightweight, more protection than a rack (since the amp sits on this foam within the case, and room for cables in a cutout space under the amp.

Great solution for schlepping this amp.

If you want a rack, I found the full size SKB lightweight 2 space rack works fine. There are 'cooling channels' the allow some space at the bottom, and room on the sides for general cooling. Works fine also.
 
#444
DrumsAndBass said:
The TF amp would be the only piece of gear in the whole 4 space rack - skb. I figure the single empty spaces both above and below would help with ventilation - keeping the fan on is no problem. I was not clear in my original question.
I have not picked up the 4 space skb at GC yet. I could cancel the order and put the $ to a cabbage case - although they cost quite a bit more. I'll do what's best for the amp. It's just that I've had good results with skb cases in the past. But you guys would know.
Also, is there anybody in San Diego that would let try out their TF - any model ?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

We were typing at the same time. Yeah, no reason for a four space rack.. waste of size and space. Cabbage case all the way (if you can deal with the cost), or the two space SKB. The design of the two space actually allows more cooling area than the three+ space SKB designs, since the two space has a strap handle and the three+ space racks have large 'cup' indents on both sides of the rack that can impeded airflow. Again, not really a problem with the Thunderfunk, but just a waste of size and space IMO.
 
#445
I run my Thunderfunk in the middle 2 slots of a 4U case. The bottom of the amp gets pretty hot so I think it's better to have clear air underneath.

The handle recess will get in the way and restrict the air flow from exiting the amp case. I just drilled enough holes through the plastic to keep the air flowing.

I've had no problems in 6 years of running the amp like this.
 
#446
I'm officially Thunderfunkin'. Great sounding amp. I'm still not sure what to do with the parametric section, but I was able to find a really fat and warm tone quickly with small adjustments of Enhance and Timbre. Everything else is at noon for now. Very pleased I pulled the trigger. This seems to be a much better match for my really bright Bee Bass.
 
#451
Took the new TF for a spin at our Saturday evening service tonight. It really cuts through brilliantly. Even set flat, you can hear all of the dynamics of the wood, strings, and my fingers. I have played my M6 and TB500 in with the same crew, and the TF was more present in the mix at a volume of 2 than either one of my other amps at 6. Amazing. Our sound engineer, who also produces albums for the label Tooth & Nail, couldn't stop complimenting my tone tonight. He is normally quite difficult to impress. Dave really hit a home run with this thing. I am beyond pleased.
 
#452
zwkoch said:
Took the new TF for a spin at our Saturday evening service tonight. It really cuts through brilliantly. Even set flat, you can hear all of the dynamics of the wood, strings, and my fingers. I have played my M6 and TB500 in with the same crew, and the TF was more present in the mix at a volume of 2 than either one of my other amps at 6. Amazing. Our sound engineer, who also produces albums for the label Tooth & Nail, couldn't stop complimenting my tone tonight. He is normally quite difficult to impress. Dave really hit a home run with this thing. I am beyond pleased.
Click to expand...

Glad you are enjoying the TF. They are great heads!!!
 
#453
After owning my TFB-550 for about three days, I used it live last night for the first time.

At first when I got it up and running I was a little unsure. My previous amp, (Ashdown LB550) was really warm and thick sounding. The TF seemed quite sterile and cold. I fiddled around a bit to get a sound I could use. I even ventured into the parametric section!

During the gig I found the sound was sooo different to what I have been used to. It was clear and precise. It really did show up any playing imperfections!

After the gig I asked the other guys in the band what they thought and they all said how much they liked it. They said they could hear individual notes where previously the bass was too warm and without definition.

I did try out the FX loops, pre and post, and found that my pedals sounded very different too. I need some time to go through everything in my board now. I may end up using less pedals as the keyboard played said he preferred the bass sound clean last night.

To sum up: I really enjoyed my first experience with the TF and cant wait for my next gig to use it again. There are a few more things I want to try out next time.
 
#456
deanovw said:
Ah yes, I should have said. I did end up with the Timber knob two clicks left. That really helped. :)
Click to expand...

I would like to add, don't be afraid to set the EQ for good projection and then add a little Timbre to fatten it up. You can do this and still have a clear, articulate tone.

The Thunderfunk sounds great with neutral settings. But with a little tweaking, you can find many great voices.

I think you found that setting in a practice space or bedroom is a lot different than a stage mix. The great thing about the Thunderfunk is the way it projects!
 
#457
dmrogers said:
I would like to add, don't be afraid to set the EQ for good projection and then add a little Timbre to fatten it up. You can do this and still have a clear, articulate tone.

The Thunderfunk sounds great with neutral settings. But with a little tweaking, you can find many great voices.

I think you found that setting in a practice space or bedroom is a lot different than a stage mix. The great thing about the Thunderfunk is the way it projects!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think you are correct. The sound at low volume was very different to on stage volume when the whole band was playing.
 
#458
dmrogers said:
I would like to add, don't be afraid to set the EQ for good projection and then add a little Timbre to fatten it up. You can do this and still have a clear, articulate tone.

The Thunderfunk sounds great with neutral settings. But with a little tweaking, you can find many great voices.

I think you found that setting in a practice space or bedroom is a lot different than a stage mix. The great thing about the Thunderfunk is the way it projects!
Click to expand...

I would also suggest that if you spend the time to really understand what those semi-parametric mid bands do, they are a much more precise tool than the blunt 'Timbre control', which I never, ever moved from 'center/off'. Great 'one knob quick fix' knob, but it was always too wide and blunt for me... did too much.

Really nice EQ. Dipping the upper mids around 1K with the upper band of the EQ can 'separate the top end' a bit and provide more sparkle if you want it, boosting the low mids can give you more fatness and definition without impacting your top end clarity with the Timbre, etc., etc.

The head has its own voice like any head (in this case, warm, clean and mid present, and a bit relaxed up top), but you can move it off that inherent center point pretty nicely). I will also mention that the enhance control is much more musical and subtle than most, and quite usable at lower settings to 'de-nasal' a very midrange voiced cab.

Great head.
 
#459
KJung said:
I would also suggest that if you spend the time to really understand what those semi-parametric mid bands do, they are a much more precise tool than the blunt 'Timbre control', which I never, ever moved from 'center/off'. Great 'one knob quick fix' knob, but it was always too wide and blunt for me... did too much.

Really nice EQ. Dipping the upper mids around 1K with the upper band of the EQ can 'separate the top end' a bit and provide more sparkle if you want it, boosting the low mids can give you more fatness and definition without impacting your top end clarity with the Timbre, etc., etc.

The head has its own voice like any head (in this case, warm, clean and mid present, and a bit relaxed up top), but you can move it off that inherent center point pretty nicely). I will also mention that the enhance control is much more musical and subtle than most, and quite usable at lower settings to 'de-nasal' a very midrange voiced cab.

Great head.
Click to expand...

this pretty much says it all...
 
#460
How would you guys compare the TF sound to that of an old A.M.P. head? I've got an ancient AMP 260 that I love too much to take on the road, and it sometimes lacks power anyway, so I've been considering a TF 550b, for example. Looks like a very similar design. Similar vibe?
 

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