• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderfunk TFB550-B - Initial Impressions:

#21
So all and all, the TF is not for me. After spending a little time with it, I just couldn't pull (my) tone out of it. Its warm, punchy and clear but there this 'something' about it that's not making me all warm inside.
It has this "kick" to it, not punch, its beyond punch, this thing absolutely KICKS... to my ears, its not that musical in this department.
I wanted to love this thing SO much. I guess this just goes to prove, once again, that you must let YOUR ears do the judging for yourself, never mind the internet hype.
Back to Eden for me, and going through this makes me appreciate the WT550 even more.
The "mushy" bottom is now sounding more and more fat, thick and supportive.
 
#22
Modern Growl said:
So all and all, the TF is not for me. After spending a little time with it, I just couldn't pull (my) tone out of it. Its warm, punchy and clear but there this 'something' about it that's not making me all warm inside.
It has this "kick" to it, not punch, its beyond punch, this thing absolutely KICKS... to my ears, its not that musical in this department.
I wanted to love this thing SO much. I guess this just goes to prove, once again, that you must let YOUR ears do the judging for yourself, never mind the internet hype.
Back to Eden for me, and going through this makes me appreciate the WT550 even more.
The "mushy" bottom is now sounding more and more fat, thick and supportive.
Click to expand...


Nothing wrong with that. They are quite different, and I can see where some would like one and not the other. As I said previously, I also find the Eden cabs quite picky about how they sound with non-Eden heads. I have yet to hear an Eden cab that sounds better with a non-Eden head than an Eden head.... although the TF works quite well with the XLT line.

Sorry that didn't work out, but at least you have a comparison now to gauge your WT550 tone.

I assume you are still in the 'return' period, so nothing lost, I hope.
 
#23
Ive done 3 national tours and millions of shows with my 420 and it has been the best piece of equipment i keep. I also run sound in Atlanta and occasionally will provide it as backline with my Schroeder 210112 and folks love it...even the biast boutique gospel players that dont think they can get enough low end out of such a small rig are blown away. Ive sent it in for repairs twice due to my rough nature on equipment, not due to poor construction, and dave has been excellent and speedy with support. Ive had the pleasure of doin shows with keith horne of hot apple pie, a monster bassist and a teacher of folks you might not think (wooten), he loves them as well, hes actually the only other guy ive met with the original 420 and up untill his recent eden endorsement was a big promoter of these. If you have the ability to pick one up i can definately reccomend it, even encourage it. And if your near atlanta and want to play my friend Jim at the Atlanta Bass Gallery always keeps them in stock.
 
#24
papajune said:
Ive done 3 national tours and millions of shows with my 420 and it has been the best piece of equipment i keep. I also run sound in Atlanta and occasionally will provide it as backline with my Schroeder 210112 and folks love it...even the biast boutique gospel players that dont think they can get enough low end out of such a small rig are blown away. Ive sent it in for repairs twice due to my rough nature on equipment, not due to poor construction, and dave has been excellent and speedy with support. Ive had the pleasure of doin shows with keith horne of hot apple pie, a monster bassist and a teacher of folks you might not think (wooten), he loves them as well, hes actually the only other guy ive met with the original 420 and up untill his recent eden endorsement was a big promoter of these. If you have the ability to pick one up i can definately reccomend it, even encourage it. And if your near atlanta and want to play my friend Jim at the Atlanta Bass Gallery always keeps them in stock.
Click to expand...

The TF/21012L is a REALLY nice match-up... plus 1.. huge low end, plenty of snap up top, and the mid voicing of the TF really punches up the mids of that rather widely voiced cab. That's one of my favorite pairings... not quite as 'kick you in the face' mid punch and growl of the TF/410UL... more smooth mids and deep bass. I still prefer the 410UL, but for those looking for a more totally modern, wider tone.. bigger bottom, less aggressive growly mids, the 21012L/TF is really a nice combination!
 
#25
KJung said:
Nothing wrong with that. They are quite different, and I can see where some would like one and not the other. As I said previously, I also find the Eden cabs quite picky about how they sound with non-Eden heads. I have yet to hear an Eden cab that sounds better with a non-Eden head than an Eden head.... although the TF works quite well with the XLT line.

Sorry that didn't work out, but at least you have a comparison now to gauge your WT550 tone.

I assume you are still in the 'return' period, so nothing lost, I hope.
Click to expand...

yes, still in the 'return' period so all is well... couple bucks in shipping cost but I feel its worth it.
 
#27
Thank God we don't all like the same sound, and same gear. Man, that'd make for a sonically boring planet.
Now you know more about what works for you, and that's a good thing!

cheers-alan

Modern Growl said:
So all and all, the TF is not for me. After spending a little time with it, I just couldn't pull (my) tone out of it. Its warm, punchy and clear but there this 'something' about it that's not making me all warm inside.
It has this "kick" to it, not punch, its beyond punch, this thing absolutely KICKS... to my ears, its not that musical in this department.
I wanted to love this thing SO much. I guess this just goes to prove, once again, that you must let YOUR ears do the judging for yourself, never mind the internet hype.
Back to Eden for me, and going through this makes me appreciate the WT550 even more.
The "mushy" bottom is now sounding more and more fat, thick and supportive.
Click to expand...
 
#28
Same for me. The wt550 is a much warmer sounding head, and feels more musical, even for slap. I know a lot of slappers want a quick, responsive head, but to me it makes things sound overly manufactured and somewhat stale. I like the TF for it's ease of use, but the wt550, for me, is the better of the two.

Congrats on your decision. Now you'll always know that you gave it your best shot, and you won't have to second guess your 550.
 
#31
After my first gig with the TFB550-B using Berg HT210S and EX122S, I am really impressed! No matter how loud everyone else played (the guitar player was really loud playing through Marshall/Mesa amps), I could always hear my bass singing through. I mean every note was cutting through!
I ended up with the EQ flat, Enhance at 7, and Timbre at +2. Timbre was higher only because the leader didn't want a "boomy"
bass in the room. I would have had it at 0 otherwise.
I had tons of headroom and just a great sound.
Very impressive indeed.
Eddy
 
#35
Jakeahearts said:
Now I just need to decide whether to get a nice, light 2-3 space rack or a Cabbage Case to carry it in so I don't scratch it.
Any suggestions would be welcome!
Eddy
Click to expand...

Mine is in a 2-space SKB non-roto rack case. Works for me. I prefer a standard covered rack case to the Cabbage because they still offer some protection when in use, and they provide storage space for cables in the back.
 
#36
vroc38 said:
Hope you'll post the results of pairing your new TF with your UL410 on the gig. The UL410 really has my attention these days. I'm looking for a more modern-sounding and/or lightweight alternative to my NV410, particularly on non-rock gigs.
Click to expand...

I'll have it paired w that cab Fri eve although I can tell you I had my older T-Funk TFB-420 that I sold paired with this cab a little while back and switched to a Aggie AG500. Sure was a mistake for me. I went back to the T-Funk. I still have my DB750 though as that's a MONSTER!
 
#37
vroc38 said:
Mine is in a 2-space SKB non-roto rack case. Works for me. I prefer a standard covered rack case to the Cabbage because they still offer some protection when in use, and they provide storage space for cables in the back.
Click to expand...

vroc38 - Is that the same as an "X-Rack" which is 10.5" deep?
I looked at that one but I'm not sure the TF will fit?
Thanks,
Eddy
 
#39
Jake, I use a 3 space Gator soft rack, with a Korg DTR tuner in the third rack space. Nice light easy to use protection.

KJung will tell y'all the the TFB/UL410 pairing is the shizzle..
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back