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UL 502 vs. TF 550

#44
tombowlus said:
Agreed. I really love that about the Thunderfunk. In truth, I find that just the one knob (Timbre) contains 90% of the magic. :D
Click to expand...

I'm seriously thinking about doing an A/B test between my UL502 and Biker4Him's TFB550B. It'll have to wait though, as I"m about to drop some single coils into my Sadowsky. Hopefully that'll solve the 'mid clarity' issue I'm still havin with my RV5. I'd like to blame it on my rig, but that thing seems to have all the mids I'll ever need.

I need to get out of the habit of being finnicky about my gear. I hear these little nuances that bother me (such as the compression and slight mid scoop in the Sadowsky humcancelling pups, at least IMO) about my sound and then proceed to question all my gear choices, after which GAS sets in, and then I read posts like this that only reenforce my gear-paranoia. Hopefully the single coils will cure me of all GAS!!!!!
DEVIL OUT!!!!!!! DEVIL OUT!!!!!!!!!:D
 
#46
Rick_no7 said:
The Thunderfunk looks intimidating, that is for sure. It is a frequency tweeker's dream. But if you can get past that massive semi-parametric forest, you will find a Timbre knob and an Enhance knob. Set it all flat, and use those 2 knobs, you will find every spectrum in the rainbow contained in those 2 knobs.

2 knobs. Seriously. Its like the T-funk is one of the most complex and one of the most simple user interfaces ever created.
Click to expand...

+1...I NEVER use the parametric eq on my TF. I leave the enhance at one point, the eq's all flat (i may cut the bass a touch if it get's boomy on stage) and the one knob I'll move is the magic timbre knob.
 
#48
bikeplate said:
HI

Hey people. The enhance knob isnt a mid sucking knob like the Eden enhance or is it?

Rob
Click to expand...

It isn't nearly as bad as the Eden. With the Eden you can only really use the first or second click...on the TF it has a great range of use up to around 5 (12:00) before it starts sucking the mids out.
 
#52
bikeplate said:
HI

Hey people. The enhance knob isnt a mid sucking knob like the Eden enhance or is it?

Rob
Click to expand...

kinda, but not really.

i actually found it useful on a few gigs, where a more "expansive" kinda sound was nice for the smaller trios. but again, use w/ caution.

both amps' enhance knobs were more useful when tracking DI'ed into a board. gave a nice open soundstage to work with.
 
#53
jokerjkny said:
kinda, but not really.

i actually found it useful on a few gigs, where a more "expansive" kinda sound was nice for the smaller trios. but again, use w/ caution.

both amps' enhance knobs were more useful when tracking DI'ed into a board. gave a nice open soundstage to work with.
Click to expand...

This very much depends on the bass and cab you are using. However, in general, +1. I've never had mine over the 10 o'clock setting, and usually have it 'off'.

I find the Timbre more dangerous. Anything beyond 11 or 1 o'clock can quickly become brutally unmusical IME.
 
#54
KJung said:
I find the Timbre more dangerous. Anything beyond 11 or 1 o'clock can quickly become brutally unmusical IME.
Click to expand...

+1 on the timbre...its VERY useful within that 11 to 1 range. Any more to the left will leave your tone completely thin and anything to more to the right will leave your tone thumpy with no definition at all.
 
#55
Haven't played the Epifani...haven't even seen one. That's one of the downsides of living in the armpit of Florida. I bought the TF based on some impeccable credentials here on TB. I have not been disappointed in the least. I'm a fingerstyle only player. I have no legitimacy to my playing. It's a gift. Never studied. Never practiced. I just have bass riffs going through my head...all the time. Jamerson and Dunn were my heros. Although I am a gearhead, as a player...I honestly don't know what I'm doing. I feel it, but I don't know why I do what I do. As I said, it's a gift. It takes a while, but my bandmates eventually come around to the fact that while I play fluidly, I can't explain to them what I am playing.

Kinda the perfect setup for a lazy old fart!

The ThunderFunk, to me, was a revelation. The tone inside my head was just one (timbre) knob away.

Kim

(just got a PLX2 1804...thanks, Joker!)
 
#56
OK fellas cut the bs and someone post clips of the TF and Epi playing a passive jazz bass and preferably in a band recording. I've been to basstasters and it's pretty worthless for me. Make your point and send out a clip of the head in action, in a band environment. This verbalizing sound is musical masturbation. Seriously I need clips. Thanks
 
#57
rok51 said:
Haven't played the Epifani...haven't even seen one. That's one of the downsides of living in the armpit of Florida. I bought the TF based on some impeccable credentials here on TB. I have not been disappointed in the least. I'm a fingerstyle only player. I have no legitimacy to my playing. It's a gift. Never studied. Never practiced. I just have bass riffs going through my head...all the time. Jamerson and Dunn were my heros. Although I am a gearhead, as a player...I honestly don't know what I'm doing. I feel it, but I don't know why I do what I do. As I said, it's a gift. It takes a while, but my bandmates eventually come around to the fact that while I play fluidly, I can't explain to them what I am playing.

Kinda the perfect setup for a lazy old fart!

The ThunderFunk, to me, was a revelation. The tone inside my head was just one (timbre) knob away.

Kim

(just got a PLX2 1804...thanks, Joker!)
Click to expand...

lol,

"Thunderfunk - the amp of choice for the lazy fart"

:D
 
#58
Rick_no7 said:
The Thunderfunk looks intimidating, that is for sure. It is a frequency tweeker's dream. But if you can get past that massive semi-parametric forest, you will find a Timbre knob and an Enhance knob. Set it all flat, and use those 2 knobs, you will find every spectrum in the rainbow contained in those 2 knobs.

2 knobs. Seriously. Its like the T-funk is one of the most complex and one of the most simple user interfaces ever created.
Click to expand...

That is a nice review of the amp. Short and sweet. And very true. I don't find the eq's on the Thunderfunk to be as dramatic as some of the others. It does not overkill. Setting it up is very simple. I call the Timbre the miracle knob.
 
#60
zekmoe said:
Hey, that TNT, when it was attached to a 1-15 combo, was my first bass amp! Haven't seen one in a while!
Click to expand...

Sorry, but inspiration struck...

french.jpg
 

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