These are really good sounding amps. Just thought I'd share this with everyone.
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They are listed on eBay also.
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They are listed on eBay also.
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ThunderFunk Amps
- Thread starter Reefer
- Start date
Woefully underpowered for today's demands (e.g., B string, slap n' pop, etc)....don't you think ????
Depends on what you're driving. I'm using a 400w @4ohm AMP BH-420 to drive two 8ohm Nahas cabs and it works great. Underpowered? Hardly.
I'm using the Gibson version of this same amp (GB440). I've had it for a couple of weeks and so far really like it. My Ashdown ABM 300 has the benefit of a tube preamp for some grind, but for half the money the Gibson/A.M.P./ThunderFunk amps are great.
I got mine used for $350, and it's not underpowered at all. ...and, it's only 19 lbs. If I need more power, I can just run the line out to my PLX1602
I don't know the full history of these, but A.M.P. was the original manufacturer. Then there was a Gibson version, and now these ThunderFunks are showing up.
oh yeah, I guess the timbre is like a presence or similar. I just tweaked it till it sounds good to my ear (mine's at -1). I run the EQ mostly flat, like an Eden.
I got mine used for $350, and it's not underpowered at all. ...and, it's only 19 lbs. If I need more power, I can just run the line out to my PLX1602
I don't know the full history of these, but A.M.P. was the original manufacturer. Then there was a Gibson version, and now these ThunderFunks are showing up.
oh yeah, I guess the timbre is like a presence or similar. I just tweaked it till it sounds good to my ear (mine's at -1). I run the EQ mostly flat, like an Eden.
timmy tucker,
It's a cool name, it helps that the guy's last name is Funk.
todd 4ta and Brad,
My AMP BH-260 has a tonal balance, is that a different name for your "timbe" control?
rickbass,
I've used my BH-260 on outdor gigs to power my 112 + 115 set-up with PA support. It's very loud in most all situations. I imagine the 400 watt versions are just gravy on top of that. it's light and simple. I like it so well i'm thinking of upgrading it to the output specs of the BH-420 for the extra headroom.
FungusHumungous,
todd 4ta has it right,
Russ Allee had the most to do with the design of the A.M.P. heads. He later designed the Gibson GB-440 and I believe the Eden WT-300. Dave Funk is hand assembling the ThunderFunk amps. Dave is probably best noted for his hand-built tube guitar amps.
It's a cool name, it helps that the guy's last name is Funk.
todd 4ta and Brad,
My AMP BH-260 has a tonal balance, is that a different name for your "timbe" control?
rickbass,
I've used my BH-260 on outdor gigs to power my 112 + 115 set-up with PA support. It's very loud in most all situations. I imagine the 400 watt versions are just gravy on top of that. it's light and simple. I like it so well i'm thinking of upgrading it to the output specs of the BH-420 for the extra headroom.
FungusHumungous,
todd 4ta has it right,
Russ Allee had the most to do with the design of the A.M.P. heads. He later designed the Gibson GB-440 and I believe the Eden WT-300. Dave Funk is hand assembling the ThunderFunk amps. Dave is probably best noted for his hand-built tube guitar amps.
Interesting....
At last night's gig, a gentleman approached me when we finished playing. He mentioned that he noticed my gear & my playing and was compelled to 'shoot the shiite' with me. He was a bass player, makes his living dealing equipment, & was a rep for a few different equipment manufacturers. We talked about the A.M.P., Gibson, Steve Rabe, Tobias, etc.
Considering the history of this amp, the fact that people say it sounds good flat (eq), and that Brad even likes them (
), I'd bet these amps are absolute gems. 
At last night's gig, a gentleman approached me when we finished playing. He mentioned that he noticed my gear & my playing and was compelled to 'shoot the shiite' with me. He was a bass player, makes his living dealing equipment, & was a rep for a few different equipment manufacturers. We talked about the A.M.P., Gibson, Steve Rabe, Tobias, etc.
Considering the history of this amp, the fact that people say it sounds good flat (eq), and that Brad even likes them (
), I'd bet these amps are absolute gems.
That's as good an explanation as any, Rick. I've opened mine up, seen the large cap and clean design, no magic dust, no fairies... I can't explain why it sounds like it does.
And I bought two of them
Originally posted by K-Frog
timmy tucker,
It's a cool name, it helps that the guy's last name is Funk.
todd 4ta and Brad,
My AMP BH-260 has a tonal balance, is that a different name for your "timbe" control?
My BH-420 has the Tone Balance control too. That's what the Timbre control is on the ThunderFunk AFAIK.
rickbass,
I've used my BH-260 on outdor gigs to power my 112 + 115 set-up with PA support. It's very loud in most all situations. I imagine the 400 watt versions are just gravy on top of that. it's light and simple. I like it so well i'm thinking of upgrading it to the output specs of the BH-420 for the extra headroom.
The front end is clean without any hint of harshness IMO. I've even sent the preamp out to a larger amp before but since the 420 pushes all but the most inefficient cabs it's usually not needed. You should hear it with my Nahas 1-15 and 1-12 setup
FungusHumungous,
todd 4ta has it right,
Russ Allee had the most to do with the design of the A.M.P. heads. He later designed the Gibson GB-440 and I believe the Eden WT-300. Dave Funk is hand assembling the ThunderFunk amps. Dave is probably best noted for his hand-built tube guitar amps.
AFAIK Russ was the driving force behind the AMP designs. I spoke with him years ago, seemed like a very nice guy, I only wish I had bought one when the company was around and maybe helped get the word out back then (late 80's). It still stands up against most of what I've heard today tonally and isn't too shabby in the power department either. I've been gigging with my main one for over ten years.
Originally posted by bimplizkit
Interesting....
At last night's gig, a gentleman approached me when we finished playing. He mentioned that he noticed my gear & my playing and was compelled to 'shoot the shiite' with me. He was a bass player, makes his living dealing equipment, & was a rep for a few different equipment manufacturers. We talked about the A.M.P., Gibson, Steve Rabe, Tobias, etc.
Considering the history of this amp, the fact that people say it sounds good flat (eq), and that Brad even likes them (
They are indeed, bimp.
The "timbre" and "tone balance" controls on AMP/Gibson/Thunderfunk amps are a bass and treble control on one pot. CW you get more treble and less bass, CCW more bass and less treble.
The idea is that it lets you make quick adjustments for rooms where the tone is too thin or too muddy. I use it a lot. Turn it to 10:00 and it's instant "old school" tone, 8:00 is the secret Robbie Shakespeare setting
I've only used the CW settings when the room is a tonal mudpit.
Fender resurrected the idea on the Bassman 400, they call it "room balance". I've also seen a similar circuit on old Vox bass amps where it's called "Tone-X".
The Thunderfunks are being built using NOS parts he bought from Gibson. The first ones were labelled Gibson because he got some enclosures in the deal, once he used them all up he had new enclosures made up with the Thunderfunk name. Nice to see a cool amp still being made and at a great price, too.
The idea is that it lets you make quick adjustments for rooms where the tone is too thin or too muddy. I use it a lot. Turn it to 10:00 and it's instant "old school" tone, 8:00 is the secret Robbie Shakespeare setting
I've only used the CW settings when the room is a tonal mudpit.Fender resurrected the idea on the Bassman 400, they call it "room balance". I've also seen a similar circuit on old Vox bass amps where it's called "Tone-X".
The Thunderfunks are being built using NOS parts he bought from Gibson. The first ones were labelled Gibson because he got some enclosures in the deal, once he used them all up he had new enclosures made up with the Thunderfunk name. Nice to see a cool amp still being made and at a great price, too.
Originally posted by brianrost
The "timbre" and "tone balance" controls on AMP/Gibson/Thunderfunk amps are a bass and treble control on one pot. CW you get more treble and less bass, CCW more bass and less treble.
The idea is that it lets you make quick adjustments for rooms where the tone is too thin or too muddy. I use it a lot. Turn it to 10:00 and it's instant "old school" tone, 8:00 is the secret Robbie Shakespeare setting
Fender resurrected the idea on the Bassman 400, they call it "room balance". I've also seen a similar circuit on old Vox bass amps where it's called "Tone-X".
The Thunderfunks are being built using NOS parts he bought from Gibson. The first ones were labelled Gibson because he got some enclosures in the deal, once he used them all up he had new enclosures made up with the Thunderfunk name. Nice to see a cool amp still being made and at a great price, too.
Brian,
Dave Funk told me that the new ones were under the TunderFunk name because he ran out of power supplies. Dave had to get power supplies made and can no longer use the Gibson name since they the gutts are no longer all Gibson parts. If you look on the back of the ThunderFunk you'll see there's no place for the switcable voltage like on the Gibson's.
Dave also told me that as the NOS Gibson parts run out he'll have new parts made, so these amps should be around for awhile. $549 has been the reserve on the ones listed on eBay. Quite a deal for a really good amp.
I've been lurking for the past few weeks. I've learned a lot from you guys. Muchos grassy ass!
My ThunderFunk is due to arrive today. I've doubled on bass for most of the past 35 years or so. I've never had a really great rig. I'm playing bass with a local blues/R&B band and my Nemesis 2-10 just wasn't keeping up.
I can't wait to try the Thunderfunk at practice tomorrow night. Right now, I'm using a Genz 1-12T cab. It seems a little tubby on the bottom. I'm not sure whether I'll keep it. It's probably a good practice cab to keep in my shedding space and just take the head home with me after practice.
Anyway, thanks again for all the great info.
I'm not worthy... I'm not worthy...
My ThunderFunk is due to arrive today. I've doubled on bass for most of the past 35 years or so. I've never had a really great rig. I'm playing bass with a local blues/R&B band and my Nemesis 2-10 just wasn't keeping up.
I can't wait to try the Thunderfunk at practice tomorrow night. Right now, I'm using a Genz 1-12T cab. It seems a little tubby on the bottom. I'm not sure whether I'll keep it. It's probably a good practice cab to keep in my shedding space and just take the head home with me after practice.
Anyway, thanks again for all the great info.
I'm not worthy... I'm not worthy...
