Thunderfunk TFB550-B - Initial Impressions:

[Modern Growl]

These are my initial impressions, only spending about 4 hours last night after work with it at low volumes at home:

In terms of tone, the other two heads I A/B/C it to are the Eden WT550 and Eden TT330.
(I tend to lean toward warmer/thicker tones so please keep this in mind)

Set flat, the TF is bright and fast. VERY GK sounding IMO. Both the WT550 and TT330 are warmer sounding.
Once you have fun with the EQ/Timber knobs though, the Funk can yield a very pleasing Eden like thick, warm tone. The Tfunk does it with speed, and tightness though, as apposed to the bloomy 550. The TT330 vs. TF were closer.
It took me a little while to dial in my tone w/ the TF. I had to cut around 2.2/2.3K, and cut the treble while boosting the lows. Once I did this, I got a nice, warm, thick yet fast punchy tone. Oh yeah, "punchy", there's the word. This thing punches and kicks!

The TF550 has a growly nature toward it in TUBE mode IMO. Kind of a low mid grunty texture to it. No where close to overdrive though. It remains very defined.
The TF has clarity beyond belief throughout the spectrum. This, I'm getting used to. I guess I'm used to a more "plush" tone, even w/ my all Solid State TT330. What I did was boosted around 37-40hz and this, at low volumes, really fatten things up.

The EQ knobs are much more useful then any I've played with before. They aren't as exaggerated as Eden's, so you have a more granular choice of boost or cut. I also like the fact that the highest EQ knob doesn't go all the way up to 11/12K like the Eden. David Funk designed the treble Para EQ to cover a more, IMO useful range.

The best words I can use to describe the TF is a speedy chameleon. It can take on any tone and do it in a very fast, quick sounding way. From warm and thick, to a roaring like aggression, all the while having a sonic clarity that I've never heard before. Admittedly my ears are getting used to this clarity, as I'm used to a bit more of the Eden "plush".

I didn't push it to high volumes, but w/ the headroom I had I could tell this thing screams at 4 ohms.
All and all, I like it a lot. I'm actually very surprised as to how versatile this head is. The best head ever? Not sure, but I can certainly see ones argument.

 

[thehurlatron]

Thanks for your first impressions!

I've heard nothing but great things about the TF550B, and I will have my first time to try one out this weekend at the Michigan GTG!

 

[KJung]

Very cool! Even though Dave funk winces a little when I say this... I too hear the TF as a sort of very high quality, refined GK type tone.... that unusual 'ss but warm' sort of thing.

The EQ you are using makes sense to me given my experience with the XST210, and I bet that sounds pretty nice!

It is quite a bit different than the Eden thing (especially the classic Eden WT tube pre tone)... not better or worse, but definitely more articulate, quick and somewhat 'unforgiving'. That tone is not for everyone, but I have a feeling you will dig this head when you get it cranked up on a gig.

Is your XST210 a 4ohm cab... ?

K

 

[Modern Growl]

Very cool! Even though Dave funk winces a little when I say this... I too hear the TF as a sort of very high quality, refined GK type tone.... that unusual 'ss but warm' sort of thing.

The EQ you are using makes sense to me given my experience with the XST210, and I bet that sounds pretty nice!

It is quite a bit different than the Eden thing (especially the classic Eden WT tube pre tone)... not better or worse, but definitely more articulate, quick and somewhat 'unforgiving'. That tone is not for everyone, but I have a feeling you will dig this head when you get it cranked up on a gig.

Is your XST210 a 4ohm cab... ?

K

Yes, unforgiving is a good word to use. I hear a lot more, hence turning down the upper mids and treble to help hide my less then elegant playing.
I was thinking perhaps its the Eden cab that is giving an almost 'raspy' upper mid aggression that's hard to tweak out. I doubt the wifey will now let me get a new cab, but what would you recommend in a small package that is full, and smooth sounding Ken?

Yes, my XST210 is 4ohm.

 

[KJung]

Yes, unforgiving is a good word to use. I hear a lot more, hence turning down the upper mids and treble to help hide my less then elegant playing.
I was thinking perhaps its the Eden cab that is giving an almost 'raspy' upper mid aggression that's hard to tweak out. I doubt the wifey will now let me get a new cab, but what would you recommend in a small package that is full, and smooth sounding Ken?

Yes, my XST210 is 4ohm.

I'm not even going to go there... your wife will kill me. That XST210 is a fantastic cab, and with all the EQ on the TF, it should sound GREAT. Get it on a few gigs, tweak the knobs a bit. I would highly recommend starting out totally flat (which means the enhance off and the Timbre centered). The switch won't matter much until the amp is really cranked, but I would think you would want it in 'tube emulation' mode from your described tone preference.

Then, I would just play with the Timbre control between 11 and 1 o'clock.. that control should impact your upper mids and treble beautifully. My guess is, 11 o'clock should soften up the upper mids and treble just perfectly with that cab. Then, I would play whole notes and slowly turn up the enhance to see if the slightly rounder tone around 9-10 o'clock is pleasing to you. My guess is, it will be in the house, and you will find that the enhance off is better in a larger room at louder volume with the relatively wide sounding XST.

Also, don't make the mistake of assuming the Eden tweeter is 'flat at noon'.. that tweeter circuit is brutal at noon. I would set it at around 9 o'clock or less with that head.

Just some idea's... a little bit goes a long way. Similar to Vic, I have yet to use any of the mid semi-parametric bands with my fetted EB.... I do roll in some 500hz to mwah up my fretless a little bit.. but rarely play that anyway

Also, make sure the limiter is not clamping your tone too much... that particular circuit should be either turned off or set to provide a little speaker protection (i.e., clamping at only the loudest hits on the deepest notes).


Have fun!!

K

 

[Modern Growl]

I will take these suggestions and go home tonight and report back.

Where do you set your input gain stage at? I don't have a lot of experience yet, but almost seemed as if the further you push, the fatter the tone. This could of just been my ears playing a trick on me though.
oh yea, and the limit button definitely adds thickness, and volume. weird.

I had the input gain at like... 2 -3 o'clock.

good or no?

 

[ibz]

I will take these suggestions and go home tonight and report back.

Where do you set your input gain stage at? I don't have a lot of experience yet, but almost seemed as if the further you push, the fatter the tone. This could of just been my ears playing a trick on me though.
oh yea, and the limit button definitely adds thickness, and volume. weird.

I had the input gain at like... 2 -3 o'clock.

good or no?

Where you're input gain is ideally located will be different from bass to bass as the output of a 18V EMG elctronics, will be much more than a standard passive jazz for example.

The limit button allows you to add in another gain stage so the increase in volume is primarily why it sounds fatter.

From my take on the ideal setting turn the input gain knob all the way up until it flickers occasionally at the highest peaks of you're playing.

Congrats on a nice head.

 

[Modern Growl]

Where you're input gain is ideally located will be different from bass to bass as the output of a 18V EMG elctronics, will be much more than a standard passive jazz for example.

The limit button allows you to add in another gain stage so the increase in volume is primarily why it sounds fatter.

From my take on the ideal setting turn the input gain knob all the way up until it flickers occasionally at the highest peaks of you're playing.

Congrats on a nice head.

all my instruments are passive, and I'm not a big slapper, and I have a very light touch.... I pretty much had the gain ALL THE WAY UP with no light flickering

 

[KJung]

I will take these suggestions and go home tonight and report back.

Where do you set your input gain stage at? I don't have a lot of experience yet, but almost seemed as if the further you push, the fatter the tone. This could of just been my ears playing a trick on me though.
oh yea, and the limit button definitely adds thickness, and volume. weird.

I had the input gain at like... 2 -3 o'clock.

good or no?

If it sounds good to you... there's no problem! However, you either have a very low output bass or a very soft touch... or you have that limiter engaging a lot. So much depends on the strength of the input signal. Remember, on a solid state pre, the optimum setting is as loud as it will go right before the input 'clips or distorts'. To me, for the TF, the best way to set the input is to:

- turn the master down quite a bit so that it won't get stupid loud

- turn the limiter on

- Set the input gain at about 9 o'clock to start

- Play your bass on a low note... a fretted note is better than an open note, since that will be most representative on your general playing level. Play the note (let's say the F on the E string) as hard as you typically would on a gig... in other words, dig in a little.

- turn the input gain up a little at a time and continue to play aggressively until the LED limiter light lights up... now... back off the input gain until the light just flickers a little (stays on a second or two when you dig in the hardest).

From what I understand with Dave's limiter circuit, this will similtaneously set the limiter for optimum performance, and result in a good 'signal to noise' setting on the gain control.

For my playing style and depending on the instrument, I usually have the gain between 10 o'clock and 1 o'clock. However, your setting could be higher or lower.

K

 

[Modern Growl]

gotcah...
thanks guys!

 

[ibz]

KJung's description was more thorough, but questions like these and others are addressed quite well in the Thunderfunk manual. It's really a helpful piece to read through and fully understand your. If you don't already have it it's free right on Dave's website.

 

[Jakeahearts]

Yes, I didn't realize the limiter was on when I was playing in a rehearsal last night... I kept hearing some kind of compression and I looked over at the amp (thinking the limiter light would be on when the switch is depressed!). I realized today it was depressed - duh!

One thing I remember from Dave's manual is - this amp is designed NOT to distort. Man, is he right about that...

 

[KJung]

KJung's description was more thorough, but questions like these and others are addressed quite well in the Thunderfunk manual. It's really a helpful piece to read through and fully understand your. If you don't already have it it's free right on Dave's website.

+1... one of the best manuals ever... very clear, and lot's of other cool information!

 

[chiplexic]

Very cool! Even though Dave funk winces a little when I say this... I too hear the TF as a sort of very high quality, refined GK type tone.... that unusual 'ss but warm' sort of thing.
K

Man...this amp sounds right up my alley ! I wish I could justify needing that much wattage.

 

[Modern Growl]

To give a 2nd Impression after spending a bit more time with it, I write:

I actually was thinking of returning this head a couple days into the 7 day trial period. Boy am I glad I didn't.
At first, this was hard to tame. Very clean/bright. Very 'unforgiving' as Kjung mentioned... all of this mostly in the mids.
A couple of adjustments w/ the Timbre and Enhance knobs took care of this though.
I'm using more Enhance, about 10 o'clock then the Eden, but its more subtle then the Eden as well. I was, perhaps a bit scared to use too much, but this is now my knob!
With the Timbre at about 10:30ish, and the Enhance at 10 o'clock... a tad of boost at 40hz and a smidge of treble cut will yield a very full, warm and fat tone.
I could get the Eden and TF to sound very close in this regard, warm and full. The TF really shines though w/ clarity. The Eden was warm and full, but it sounded as if it had, the classic "blanket over it" description. The TF was much clearer, less 'wooly' and quicker too!
Within spitting distance of the Eden with regards Warmth/Fat/Full tone, but quicker and clearer!
I'm hooked!

 

[KJung]

To give a 2nd Impression after spending a bit more time with it, I write:

I actually was thinking of returning this head a couple days into the 7 day trial period. Boy am I glad I didn't.
At first, this was hard to tame. Very clean/bright. Very 'unforgiving' as Kjung mentioned... all of this mostly in the mids.
A couple of adjustments w/ the Timbre and Enhance knobs took care of this though.
I'm using more Enhance, about 10 o'clock then the Eden, but its more subtle then the Eden as well. I was, perhaps a bit scared to use too much, but this is now my knob!
With the Timbre at about 10:30ish, and the Enhance at 10 o'clock... a tad of boost at 40hz and a smidge of treble cut will yield a very full, warm and fat tone.
I could get the Eden and TF to sound very close in this regard, warm and full. The TF really shines though w/ clarity. The Eden was warm and full, but it sounded as if it had, the classic "blanket over it" description. The TF was much clearer, less 'wooly' and quicker too!
Within spitting distance of the Eden with regards Warmth/Fat/Full tone, but quicker and clearer!
I'm hooked!

Cool! Those settings are close to what I would have guessed to move that amp and your particular cab pairing closer to the tone you described. +1 on the enhance...more useful and not as extreme as the Eden circuit (although we have to remember that control was designed, I assume, to work with the very mid present, XLT line of cabs...so the 'power' of the Eden enhance makes some sense.

K

 

[McHack]

This thread is influencing me!!!

 

[Modern Growl]

Cool! Those settings are close to what I would have guessed to move that amp and your particular cab pairing closer to the tone you described. +1 on the enhance...more useful and not as extreme as the Eden circuit (although we have to remember that control was designed, I assume, to work with the very mid present, XLT line of cabs...so the 'power' of the Eden enhance makes some sense.

K

how do you usually set up your TF K?

 

[Chef]

Hey Modern, you need to try the TomMixx DB750 emulation setting:
+ 6db at 40 hz, 400 hz, and 4khz; add a tad of sub bass, and roll timbre one or two clicks left, enhance off.

For electric, I run enhance at about 11 o'clock, eq flat, use timbre to adjust to this bass or that bass, this cab or that cab, this room or that room-but very seldom do I get outside the 11 to 1 o'clock range. Quite an amazing knob...Then, if needed, the entire para eq is avaiable to tweak to taste, which I never really have to do.

 

[KJung]

how do you usually set up your TF K?

Flat as a board ... maybe a small touch of enhance.. never past 9 o'clock, and in some rooms, a very small amount of bass boost... that's usually it.

However, so much has to do with the bass and cab.... my basses (primarily the aggressive Celinder Jazz) have very 'big bottoms and sizzly high end, so I have a cab (Epi410UL) that is quite mid present and upper mid articulate... which works amazingly well. Since the cab and bass are so 'matched' (for my tone of course), and since the TF is a rather evenly voiced head, it really just seems to work perfectly set almost 'flat' for me. With other cabs, it can be a different thing though.