• 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 vs. LittleMark II **

tallboybass

tallboybass

Supporting Member
Feb 25, 2003
4,573
1,163
69
Tulsa, Oklahoma
#1
In a bare knuckle, winner-take-all grudge match, which of these would win as far as: tone, headroom, overall impact on the gig. I know that the LMKII wins in price and portability. Anyone used them both?

May the best amp win!
 
#2
I've owned them both, and I sold the TFB for weight/portability reasons. It's really hard to beat that amp in terms of tone...the timbre knob is worth its weight in gold...well, more than it's weight I guess. But no matter what cab I put the TFB through, or what bass I used, it always had a consistently great tone.

I will say that when I used it with an 8 ohm load, it seemed to clip prematurely, but aside from that (and the weight and price compared to the LMKII) I have absolutely no qualms with that amp.

As for the LMKII, I haven't gigged with it yet (first gig that I will need my own amp should be mid-May). But at practicing levels, I feel like this is a cleaner sounding amp. The VLE, while different than the timbre knob, is pretty equally as useful in getting closer to my preferred tone. Those that have gigged with this amp seem to feel that it is very loud.

I believe Brad Johnson has owned both of these amps, so maybe he'll chime in.

-Aram
 
#7
IMO, the fact that the Thunderfunk keeps showing up in "vs." threads with many other amps will tell you alot about it. It's really because the TF is the most versatile amp out there right now - it works with any cab, in just about any room, with any bass, etc. It's tone profile sits in the middle - its warm, but not sluggish at all; articulate but not sterile at all.

There are other amps out there that are probably better for specific applications, but the TF will get you within 90% of the sound of just about everything out there. That's what makes it so special!
 
#9
vision said:
IMO, the fact that the Thunderfunk keeps showing up in "vs." threads with many other amps will tell you alot about it. It's really because the TF is the most versatile amp out there right now - it works with any cab, in just about any room, with any bass, etc. It's tone profile sits in the middle - its warm, but not sluggish at all; articulate but not sterile at all.

There are other amps out there that are probably better for specific applications, but the TF will get you within 90% of the sound of just about everything out there. That's what makes it so special!
Click to expand...

+1 to the above... great description..... warm but not sluggish, articulate but not sterile.... exactly.

I also agree that there are other heads that 'do what they do' very well, and maybe better than the TF (i.e., if you want super hi fi tone, or super warm tube-like tone, etc.). However, I've yet to find another head that sounds so good in a wide variety of mixes and musical contexts, with a wide variety of cabs and basses, and in such a small and extremely high quality package.
 
#10
KJung said:
I also agree that there are other heads that 'do what they do' very well, and maybe better than the TF (i.e., if you want super hi fi tone, or super warm tube-like tone, etc.). However, I've yet to find another head that sounds so good in a wide variety of mixes and musical contexts, with a wide variety of cabs and basses, and in such a small and extremely high quality package.
Click to expand...

Yep, and this is the reason that you HAVE to get it on a few gigs to really appreciate it. If you just play it in a store or living room, there is nothing that really stands out about it. Then you get it on a gig, and you "get it".
 
#11
I agree that the TFB is a great amp, but I wouldn't write off the LMKII either...especially at 1/3rd the price and weight (with the same wattage).

I haven't gigged with it yet, but I have heard it live at the Bitter End, and it sounded fantastic. There's also a reason I had to sit for months on a waiting list at the NYC Guitar Center, and that the guy said they keep flying off the shelf every time he gets a new shipment.
 
#12
Aram said:
I agree that the TFB is a great amp, but I wouldn't write off the LMKII either...especially at 1/3rd the price and weight (with the same wattage).

I haven't gigged with it yet, but I have heard it live at the Bitter End, and it sounded fantastic. There's also a reason I had to sit for months on a waiting list at the NYC Guitar Center, and that the guy said they keep flying off the shelf every time he gets a new shipment.
Click to expand...

I look forward to these making it to the Detroit area someday. I'm ALWAYS interested in the small stuff:D
 
#13
KJung said:
I look forward to these making it to the Detroit area someday. I'm ALWAYS interested in the small stuff:D
Click to expand...

Don't forget cheap and light ;)

Seriously, though, and for what it's worth, those were my main drivers in purchasing this amp, with tone being a secondary factor. After a few gigs, I'll try to give a more objective reading from an entirely tonal standpoint, but I don't anticipate being let down, or regretting my decision to sell the Thunderfunk.

-A
 
#14
The LMII is the latest in a series of what I'd call my "plug 'n play" amps... amps that sound like I want, without tweaking. I still own a Thunderfunk TFB420, Gibson GB440 and two Amplified Music Products BH-420s and they're all plug 'n play.

The LMII is currently my main amp. It's ridiculously small and light and ridiculously loud and full sounding, regardless of it's size. I did a gig Saturday night, club held 250+ people. Four piece group (guitar,bass, drums and keys), no PA support for me. I used my Blackburst 6 and Xtreme 5 Brubakers. Ran the LMII into my tiny Nahas 1-15 and 1-12 cabs at less than half volume and that thing cranked all night (both 8 ohm cabs, so I ended up with a 4 ohm load). Kevin B. stopped by with his wife and commented on how full sounding the butt-high rig was, forceful mids, clear highs, tight lows, etc. Just what I wanted... a very big but controllable full range sound.

My Thunderfunk works great, I have the lower powered original TFB420 amp, haven't gigged with a 550 yet. Still a great amp and it makes my experience with the Markbass all that more impressive IMO.

It seems to get louder more easily than the rest of my amps... and IMO the tone is excellent in that it sounds like each bass I plug in... just more huge:D. I guess if you hear something you don't like with one, go with something else. I haven't experienced anything even remotely like that.
 
#15
I wanna love the LM II for all the reasons stated, but my
ears are just not loving the amp. Yes the low end is huge,
and can be almost massive, but its just anemic. I was able
to get out a ways from my setup. Standing next to it was
great. Huge lows, sweet highs, etc. When I got away from
the amp, the lows were big, but not punchy (hit the chest)
and the highs were great for slapping but lacked articulation.
Almost like I had alot of compression on the bass.
I've used the TF live. For me, a much better amp.
 
#16
B String said:
I wanna love the LM II for all the reasons stated, but my
ears are just not loving the amp. Yes the low end is huge,
and can be almost massive, but its just anemic. I was able
to get out a ways from my setup. Standing next to it was
great. Huge lows, sweet highs, etc. When I got away from
the amp, the lows were big, but not punchy (hit the chest)
and the highs were great for slapping but lacked articulation.
Almost like I had alot of compression on the bass.
.
Click to expand...

Pretty much what I heard except for the standing next to the amp was great part. I thought the MB was anemic no matter where I stood. The MB sounded great in my bedroom, but never did anything for me after several gigs.
 
#17
Reefer said:
Pretty much what I heard except for the standing next to the amp was great part. I thought the MB was anemic no matter where I stood. The MB sounded great in my bedroom, but never did anything for me after several gigs.
Click to expand...

I felt the same about the little mark head. However, the SD800 is a completely different animal. A better comparison to the Tfunk would be one of Markbass's 500watt heads, IMO.
 
#19
B String said:
I wanna love the LM II for all the reasons stated, but my
ears are just not loving the amp. Yes the low end is huge,
and can be almost massive, but its just anemic. I was able
to get out a ways from my setup. Standing next to it was
great. Huge lows, sweet highs, etc. When I got away from
the amp, the lows were big, but not punchy (hit the chest)
and the highs were great for slapping but lacked articulation.
Almost like I had alot of compression on the bass.
I've used the TF live. For me, a much better amp.
Click to expand...

That's what I would expect from my experience with other switching power supply heads like the Focus and Walter. Plenty loud, nice sounding, but nothing the punches you in the chest 10 feet out. Of course, many players don't need that sort of punch, and I like my Walter very much for some applications.... as is always the case.. not better or worse.. just different.

I recently heard a TF550b in a very loud mix with no front of house (Mikebass's rig... with the AG Tri115/Tri112 stack). It was totally punchy and articulate out in the room. The Accugrooves gave it more of an old school organic sort of vibe without a lot of upper mids and treble making it out to the room, but man... every note came through and there was that famous TF 'punch'... tight and clear :bassist:

Edit: +1 regarding the 800 probably having more ooomph. I would guess the 800 with the class D and switching power supply would be a better comparison to the more traditionally designed TF with that nice toriodal power supply providing that quick, tight low end punch. I look forward to checking that amp out some day!
 
#20
ElMon said:
I felt the same about the little mark head. However, the SD800 is a completely different animal. A better comparison to the Tfunk would be one of Markbass's 500watt heads, IMO.
Click to expand...

Most of the other heads in the line are eq'd differently on
the lows and mid lows. This could make a difference too.
The TF has much more control over the low end. Costs
more too.
Also, for me the LM II sounded compressed at higher levels.
I thought the 9 volts in my bass were going out, but no. I
tried using my Sansamp Paradriver directly into the effects
return but the amp still sounded kind of "spongy". That sweet
sort of "sponginess" does lend itself to slapping though.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back