Bass Gear Magazine Amp Reviews.. new issue

KJung · #1 01-21-2011, 06:02 AM

Hey guys, I think putting this in the amp section is appropriate. Tom and the gang have just released a new edition of Bass Gear Magazine on-line. Fantastic issue.

I was particularly impressed with the F500 review (that is my favorite gigging head) and it was great to read, see and understand the technical issues behind what I was hearing. Our TB buddies Vic and Chef did great product reviews, as did Tom with the Mesa stuff, and Vic's interview with Rocco is first rate.

Check it out, and register on the site... it is free!

I have nothing to do with the mag, but the combination of supporting great TBers AND getting an amazing free read is a no brainer.

lbwdog · #2 01-21-2011, 07:15 AM

I have the hardest time accessing the free online version....got any tips?

**Freddels** · #3 01-21-2011, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I have the hardest time accessing the free online version....got any tips?

IIRC, you have to register and login.

Jim C · #4 01-21-2011, 07:17 AM

The high quality coated stock of the printed version is insanely good.
Easily worth the subscription price as these have become reference books as well as just for fun reading.

lbwdog · #5 01-21-2011, 07:17 AM

I did....even received password via email, but the link was no good.

tombowlus · #6 01-21-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I have the hardest time accessing the free online version....got any tips?

Just follow the link in my sig.

And thank you for the kind words, Ken! We all really appreciate it.

Tom.

tombowlus · #7 01-21-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I did....even received password via email, but the link was no good.

Send me a PM with the deets, please. I'd like to be sure that we get this worked out for you.

Tom.

lbwdog · #8 01-21-2011, 07:44 AM

Thanks Tom!!

lbwdog · #9 01-21-2011, 08:08 AM

Just read the Rocco interview. Vic did a great job!

KJung · #10 01-21-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

Just read the Rocco interview. Vic did a great job!

+1 Also really enjoyed the technical analysis of the F500 (since that is the head I primarily gig with). I always heard that head (and the F1) having just a bit more low mid punch and also a bit more aggressive upper mid response than the wonderful LMII when set flat... and, well, there you go!

I'm also impressed that the Mesa stuff always comes out as delivering 100% of their published wattage spec at a decent THD level.. very impressive. The F500 tested quite close to its published spec, but man, the M3 in this issue, and the M6 in the first issue really nailed it.

Musicman20 · #11 01-21-2011, 08:26 AM

Nice issue, going to read it thoroughly soon. Im glad the Big Al 5 is growing in popularity. It is indeed a stunning instrument. I urge people to try it!

12bass · #12 01-21-2011, 08:48 AM

The F500 test report suggests that there is merit to the claim that Class D power amps have less dynamic headroom than a Class AB design. Now I'm itching to see the rest of the current class of Class D amps on the test bench, particularly the new Shuttles, Streamliner, and Tone Hammer.

SilkyStrings · #13 01-21-2011, 08:55 AM

I can't register. Perhaps I'm doing it wrong. When I click on the 'send' button of the registration page it takes me to the home page. I didn't get an email.

KJung · #14 01-21-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

The F500 test report suggests that there is merit to the claim that Class D power amps have less dynamic headroom than a Class AB design. Now I'm itching to see the rest of the current class of Class D amps on the test bench, particularly the new Shuttles, Streamliner, and Tone Hammer.

Not sure where you are getting that from reading the review?

Also, most of these amp use the same B&O ICE class D power modules. The primary difference is in the preamp voicing and the power amp limiting design. I never have been able to push my F500 into limiting, but like some on TB have posted, the MB power amp limiting isn't the optimal for those who push an amp right up to its limits, versus some of the limiting designs that have a bit more 'give' and 'forgiveness' to them, allowing for more natural compression at higher distortion levels when the amp is driven super hard (like TC and Genz).

tombowlus · #15 01-21-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilkyStrings

I can't register. Perhaps I'm doing it wrong. When I click on the 'send' button of the registration page it takes me to the home page. I didn't get an email.

If you filled everything out and hit send, you should be all set. PM me with your name and e-mail address, and I'll make sure you are in the database.

And to be clear, you no longer need to register to view the online versions (but if you do register, then we'll send you an e-mail when new issues come out, and you will receive the Bass Gear Bulletin - fka Bass Gear Weekly - when it goes out [which it will with more regularity here, shortly]).

Tom.

tombowlus · #16 01-21-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

The F500 test report suggests that there is merit to the claim that Class D power amps have less dynamic headroom than a Class AB design. Now I'm itching to see the rest of the current class of Class D amps on the test bench, particularly the new Shuttles, Streamliner, and Tone Hammer.

Crud, I just noticed that we have some mislabeled charts on the Technical Review of the F500. Not sure how that slipped through. I blame the Editor...

BrentSimons · #17 01-21-2011, 09:33 AM

Suhweet! Will the hard copy be mailing soon Tom? Such a great Mag! I wish you guys could go monthly, the reviews in Bass Player have been really brief and lack luster lately.
Take Care,
Brent

KJung · #18 01-21-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Crud, I just noticed that we have some mislabeled charts on the Technical Review of the F500. Not sure how that slipped through. I blame the Editor...

So much detail there that I didn't really notice

jnewmark · #19 01-21-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Just follow the link in my sig.

And thank you for the kind words, Ken! We all really appreciate it.

Tom.

Clicked on the " Issue 5 " link, but all I get is the first page, can't advance it any further.

KJung · #20 01-21-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Clicked on the " Issue 5 " link, but all I get is the first page, can't advance it any further.

I had that problem also.. the website needs some work. You need to get to the screen that allows you to 'view as a guest'. I couldn't remember my password, but that link works fine.

Tom... you need to get someone in there to fix up the website.. quite a bit of funny stuff going on with the links IMO and IME. Shouldn't be that big of a deal to fix. Also, I'm registered by got no notice of the new issue.