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Thunderfunk Initial impressions- Eden is Gone.

#64
rok51 said:
I, too, had to swallow hard when reading the 'hype' about the ThunderFunk amps. I wanted the pre/post XLR DI option-at one silly point, I said that it was a 'deal-breaker' (remember that one, Dave?). Curiosity got the better of me-that and Dave's incredible trade-in policy!!! (Thank you, thank you-you made it happen for me!!!). I absolutely HAD to try one. No matter what you have read on any ThunderFunk post here or elsewhere...THEY ARE ALL THAT!!! and then some. I'll echo what was said earlier. The ThunderFunk has all of its brilliant sound regardless of overall volume. I have used just one GS112 on quiet gigs and all of the tone and responsiveness to my touch is there, just like it is with two cabs and really 'roastin' it. My TF is like a chameleon...it takes on whatever tone I want it to-"hi-fi" to old, squooshy vintage. I have never, ever, played a SS head that could do 'tubetone' so well. Without "patented tube emulation circuitry",I might add, lol! Other bass players, locally, have been mesmerized by it. AFAIK, mine is the only one in the (large) area. I am sure that is due to pricing. We are not an affluent area. I am certainly not 'born of the manor'. I don't have the chops of many of my fellow forumites-but I am a serious 'techie' and I have a very good ear. Again, it was Dave's generous trade-in policy (Dave, have I said "thank you" enough?) that allowed me to go out on a (for me) financial limb and try the TF. Once I did, I was hooked. If I had to sell my (beater) car and ride a bicycle back an forth to work (50 miles-which I have done), I would do it, just to save for the TF. The build quality is simply exquisite. You will never, ever, feel controls that are as smooth and solid. Componentry throughtout, is spec'd with quality first, cost, second. Dave took an amp, that from all accounts, was excellent-and made it better. Much better. In fact, as you may have noted...he doesn't rest on his laurels as so many in the industry do. If Dave can figure a way to improve something on "his baby"...he does so. Without worrying about model changes or such drivel...the improvements show up as soon as he has proven them. And we all benefit. Usually at "no extra cost". Playing my ThunderFunk and having "popped the hood" to look at its guts-I am surprised that Dave is able to sell them for what he does. There is a lot of "hands-on" in each of his amps.
If you are open to an amplifier that is not a tube amp-for whatever reasons-you owe it to yourself to actually try the ThunderFunk. Take it from me-an avowed 'cheap bastidge'-you won't get one at discount...anywhere. Is the ThunderFunk worth it? Only you can answer that.
I can honestly pledge that it is simply more amp than I could imagine in a two space 17 lb package. I have yet to hear any amp that sounds subjectively better-regardless of price. I have gone through many amps in the 30 or so years that I have been playing. There are bloody few that I can consider to be irreplaceable. My F-1X preamp is one...my ThunderFunk is the other. Death not withstanding...as long as I can play bass...I will not be without a ThunderFunk.

humbly,

Kim
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Hey Kim,

That's just throwing fuel on a GAS fire.:D

I'm right up the road a piece in Tally. I'd love to check out the TFunk sometime, but I'm a little scared that it's gonna bite me and I'll have to get one.

-Jesse
 
#65
spiritbass said:
I was thinking about that also. BTW, I still haven't heard a Dark Star or Lakland Hollowbody (hint, hint ;) ).
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How about a DS Hollowbody through a Thunderfunk? Come to Chicago and give it a spin:
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#70
Dave - If you're still looking at this thread, what can you tell us about the Timbre knob? You've been extremely helpful in explaining so many of the features/functions of your amp. I was especially impressed with your explanation of how "the switch" operates, even when at the end of the day you might say even you don't know exactly why it does what it does. Any knowledge you can share?

For those of you even remotely interested in learning how amplifiers work, if you haven't picked up a copy of Dave's tube amp workbook, you should. Dave doesn't just build the best amps, he writes the book that sits on the workbench of other amp builders.
 
#71
Kindness said:
Well, it's not a Fender, but it might be worth a listen:
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Hey, nice Glaub! (US, too--schweet!) I played a couple Skyline Glaubs at Bass Club, and I'm definitely a fan. One of'em had a Dark Star--humongous tone! One day, I will own a DS'd bass, no doubt about it.
 

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