Any Behringer users??

DarkArwen · #1 08-11-2010, 03:26 PM

Sooooo, i need to upgrade a bit. I have decided to go to 400 to 500 watts head and similar on the cab (then keep my old hartke 250 as a backup and also keep the 210.. sell the 410)
What I would like is a hartke 500... or 350. I have not been able to locate this used locally. Too scared to ebay it. I have found that behringer is in my price range. I am not sure I trust online reviews.
Is there anyone here who uses or has used the Behringer BX4500h? What are the likes/dislikes about it? Is it noisy? Does it put our a fair range of tones? Is it reliable?

If it matters, my band is 3 piece. The guitarist has not yet settled on am amp and was using some crappy stuff. I think they are gonna get a 100 watt marshall. Alt rock.
Thanks

christw · #2 08-11-2010, 03:28 PM

There is a lot of Behringer hate here. I've seen my friend's Behringers (when we were music newbs) smoke up, burn out, blow speakers, and generally just die untimely and uncool deaths. That and they sounded terrible.

What's your budget look like?

Floyd Eye · #3 08-11-2010, 03:28 PM

Probably sounds fine. As far as reliability, I would say no.

RickenBoogie · #4 08-11-2010, 04:38 PM

For similar money, a used amp would be much better. Or, consider the GK Backline, or even a Peavey head. Anything would be better than what you're considering.

frankenjazz · #5 08-11-2010, 04:45 PM

I have had for the last ten years a behringer 60 watt combo, from before they went over to the aluminum cone speakers, while the tone isnt the best around, it certanily isnt the worst either, I know the newer ones have some reliabilty issues...not this one for the last ten years ive abused the sh*t out of it and its never done me wrong, 8 years ago it fell out of my guitarists pickup bed going 65 and other then a giant skuff on the back of it it works just fine, i still use it for smaller gigs.

A_E_A · #6 08-11-2010, 04:53 PM

I have a different experience in reliability with a behringer head that has had a windscreen smashed on it and it has had glass rattling around in it for years. I only use it for small rehearsals when I don't want to bring my good amps. Still works without a problem.

If you have a price range it will help people recommend things for you. I would still steer clear of behringer. There are better amps to be had on the used market. Do some searches on amps you find second hand and you will get a lot of info

BucardoBass · #7 08-11-2010, 04:54 PM

I've been using the behringer BX3000T (300W version of the 4500H), without a single problem for 6-7 years. No noise at all, good sound quality, and a lot of possible sounds (I loved the "shape" function). I have used it for rehersals (mostly), live performances and recording through the DI output. I would reccomend it to any bassist with tight budget, is an excellent entry-level head for my taste. I also know that there are a lot of reviews complaining about reliability. If they scare you, go for an Ashdown MAG 300 head (a little bit more expensive than Behringer), or the MAG 600 if you need more power (you'll need to pay a little more). Good luck!

i_got_a_mohawk · #8 08-11-2010, 04:56 PM

I'd go with a used Peavey, I too have seen a behringer bass amp release the magic smoke.

stevekendal · #9 08-11-2010, 05:01 PM

And I had a Trace AH1000 given because the power stage had literally melted, beyond economic repair and Trace "dont make spares anymore for that one", so I say, better waste a few bucks than a lot

s_mcsleazy · #10 08-11-2010, 05:04 PM

behringers are verry unreliable

Jedi Of Syrinx · #11 08-11-2010, 05:07 PM

I love my BXL3000A - freaking powerful thing, and has never let me down.

I don't get the hate on Behringers?

s_mcsleazy · #12 08-11-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Of Syrinx

I love my BXL3000A - freaking powerful thing, and has never let me down.

I don't get the hate on Behringers?

i like the mixing consols/ di boxes but i dont like the amps or pedals

Bongolation · #13 08-11-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Of Syrinx

I don't get the hate on Behringers?

People hate them because it's acceptable to hate them.

That's all.

They have lousy QC. So do all other cheap amps, but it takes courage to rag on most other crap brands.

Jedi Of Syrinx · #14 08-11-2010, 05:14 PM

Riiiight. So I'm breaking the trend by saying they're my favourite amps? And I run through my band leaders' Trave Elliot 750 at band practise?

I kinda like that

Floyd Eye · #15 08-11-2010, 05:25 PM

My old band had a brand new Behringer PMP something or other powered mixer and on the first gig I did with them, it worked for like 1/2 of the first song then died. Brand new man. The guitarist from that band, who is also the guy that owned the mixer, took 3 different Bugera tube heads back before he said screw it and traded it in for some other POS.

On the other hand, as evidenced by this thread, many people like their Behringer stuff. Even if you weed out the guys who claim to like it because people tend to talk up their own gear, even when it's crap, there is still obviously a significant amount of people that have no problems with using Behringer gear.

Me, I would never pay for any Behringer/Bugera gear.

Bass_Pounder · #16 08-11-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

On the other hand, as evidenced by this thread, many people like their Behringer stuff. Even if you weed out the guys who claim to like it because people tend to talk up their own gear, even when it's crap, there is still obviously a significant amount of people that have no problems with using Behringer gear.

Me, I would never pay for any Behringer/Bugera gear.

I take every "positive" Behringer review with a heavy grain of salt.

Since the gear is mostly made for extreme budget conscience, or beginner/entry level, it makes me wonder what they are comparing it to when they say it 'sounds great" ?

christw · #17 08-11-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

I take every "positive" Behringer review with a heavy grain of salt.

Since the gear is mostly made for extreme budget conscience, or beginner/entry level, it makes me wonder what they are comparing it to when they say it 'sounds great" ?

I do too. I thought a Vox Valvetronix 112 combo sounded great for guitar with a $100 Tradition strat knock off.

It sounded like boomy mud and put out more bass than my first bass amp did. I realized this once I had my first good amp, a tubey Marshall JTM-60.

Floyd Eye · #18 08-11-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

I do too. I thought a Vox Valvetronix 112 combo sounded great for guitar with a $100 Tradition strat knock off.

It sounded like boomy mud and put out more bass than my first bass amp did. I realized this once I had my first good amp, a tubey Marshall JTM-60.

There's that too, People with limited experience making these kinds of comments, but I have heard some people who do own really cool old amps say they really dig certain Bugera tube amps. Probably because they are clones of other cool tube amps only they're made with crappy components.

All I know is they could ( and probably do) make a Plexi clone and sell it for $100 and I wouldn't go anywhere near it.

WhoSeyes · #19 08-11-2010, 05:47 PM

I have rehearsed and played live for about a year and a half with a Behringer 450w 2x10 combo that was basically this head with and attached cabinet.

The amp wasn't mine, by the way.

The thing's got plenty of volume (I NEVER needed to go pass 12 o'clock on the volume or gain knobs) and plenty of tones available with the ecualization knobs.

I used the "shape" knob (wich you can activate or deactivate at will) to get a kind of boost for soloing or other stuff.

The "ultrabass" thing sounded like crap, thought (maybe with a solid cab it's useful).

I've had no reliability issues with the combo and, althought I don't play it anymore, am aware that other players are still using this beast.

I would only buy it for myself for rehearsing or non important gigs, thought: I wouldn't trust it at a professional level gig or to record something big.

RBrownBass · #20 08-11-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BucardoBass

I've been using the behringer BX3000T (300W version of the 4500H), without a single problem for 6-7 years. No noise at all, good sound quality, and a lot of possible sounds (I loved the "shape" function). I have used it for rehersals (mostly), live performances and recording through the DI output. I would reccomend it to any bassist with tight budget, is an excellent entry-level head for my taste. I also know that there are a lot of reviews complaining about reliability. If they scare you, go for an Ashdown MAG 300 head (a little bit more expensive than Behringer), or the MAG 600 if you need more power (you'll need to pay a little more). Good luck!

I bought a BX3000T used, locally, about three weeks ago. It was in the shop owner's basement (he sells out of his house) Someone on here pointed out that one might have better luck against a Behringer dying later if it had made it thru the first five or six years. For some reason, that made sense to me. I've had no problems with the amp so far, and since tone is subjective, so I'll neither praise nor bash the sound. I never use the ultrabass function- don't like how it sounds at all.