I've been demo'ing a lot of amps and cabs over the last few months, thanks to many helpful friends and customers, trying to find the right new setup for my needs. Most of the usual suspects have left me a bit disappointed. One caught me completely off guard, unexpectedly positive.
Last month a good friend helped me out on a short notice when I was playing a local club notorius for a horrible sounding room for the bass player. About an hour before the gig I was expressing my anxiety for the upcoming expected poor performance with the combo I was using; he hooked me up and lent me a Thunderfunk 750 amp and two ACME Low B1 cabs. I play in a pretty rowdy gypsy swing band, but still no electric guitars or drum kit. We generally combine a mixture of whatever the house PA is supplemented with our own amplification for two acoustic guitars- the classic gypsy rhythmn section, along with horn player, double bass, and singer ( actually three folks sharing the singing duties). Lots of Django, lots of 30s-40s swing, fast, fast, fast and fun- usually standing room only and packed with dancers.
'Gotta say that the results were nothing short of incrededible. From my place, the rest of the band, and the whole crowd - everyone loved the bass sound and said it was HUGE. I also had plenty of extra left over rather than trying to push things to their limit and getting too warm by the end of the night. I know it's not a traditional setup for a plugged in double bass, but it also left me wondering why nobody ever mentions this combination around this side. Not cheap, and definitely not new school or lightweight, but if I had the extra $$$, I'd order that setup brand new from Dave and Andy. The Thunderfunk head had almost unlimited tone shaping abilities. I used it pretty clean and tradional, but messing around a bit I was also able to get a sound that was nothing short of a rave or early soundtribe sector 9 vibe; not my usual calling, but nice to be able to access when needed.
Does anybody else use this combination for double bass gigs? How about Thunderfunk + Thunderchild!
j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com
Last month a good friend helped me out on a short notice when I was playing a local club notorius for a horrible sounding room for the bass player. About an hour before the gig I was expressing my anxiety for the upcoming expected poor performance with the combo I was using; he hooked me up and lent me a Thunderfunk 750 amp and two ACME Low B1 cabs. I play in a pretty rowdy gypsy swing band, but still no electric guitars or drum kit. We generally combine a mixture of whatever the house PA is supplemented with our own amplification for two acoustic guitars- the classic gypsy rhythmn section, along with horn player, double bass, and singer ( actually three folks sharing the singing duties). Lots of Django, lots of 30s-40s swing, fast, fast, fast and fun- usually standing room only and packed with dancers.
'Gotta say that the results were nothing short of incrededible. From my place, the rest of the band, and the whole crowd - everyone loved the bass sound and said it was HUGE. I also had plenty of extra left over rather than trying to push things to their limit and getting too warm by the end of the night. I know it's not a traditional setup for a plugged in double bass, but it also left me wondering why nobody ever mentions this combination around this side. Not cheap, and definitely not new school or lightweight, but if I had the extra $$$, I'd order that setup brand new from Dave and Andy. The Thunderfunk head had almost unlimited tone shaping abilities. I used it pretty clean and tradional, but messing around a bit I was also able to get a sound that was nothing short of a rave or early soundtribe sector 9 vibe; not my usual calling, but nice to be able to access when needed.
Does anybody else use this combination for double bass gigs? How about Thunderfunk + Thunderchild!
j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com
