Bergantino HD212 Ampeg 410HLF and other choices

lemastas · #1 02-06-2013, 07:58 PM

I was going back and forth with email with someone at Bergantino. I was inquiring about the HD212. Since we do not have any music stores in our state that carry Bergantino I cannot try them out. I'm left to rely on the reviews and comments made here on TB and other sites. The rep that I was in contact with stated that the HD212 would work well with a GK1001RB II amp.

I would like a better description on the cabs performance. What makes the HD212 better than an Ampeg 410HLF. I've been searching for a cab that will work well with my GK1001RB II. I don't like GK cabs I've tried the Neo cabs and they sound hollow. I have an Ampeg 410HLF that sounds decent with the GK but I feel that I'm driving it too much with the amp. The Ampeg is a 4ohm 500watt cab and the GK is running at 700watts @ 4ohms. I love the thick tone I get with the Ampeg GK mix but I'm looking at down sizing without sacrificing the thick bass tone.

From reviews and comments made about the HD212 it sounds like the perfect cab to work with the GK. I've looked for videos on the HD212 and there's nothing available. I did hear the HD112 http://youtu.be/4VJfcD2XHls Aguilar DB112, David Nordschow DNA DNS-112, Bergantino HD112 Cabinet Shootout from Bass Club Chicago. I heard the tonal differences with the 112's and preferred the Bergantino. So with that bit of info I was curious to find out more about the HD212. Will it provide a thick tone without the high mid range sound? Will it cut through a mix with a 7 piece band? And then there's the Aguilar GS412 a friend told me about that states it would solve all my bass woes.

Any advice that any of you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

nordyboy · #2 02-07-2013, 01:37 AM

I have owned both of those cabs but not the head unfortunately.
I can tell you that the Berg is possibly my favourite cab ever. It has huge low end that is tight and forceful compared to the hlf which is over extended and boomy. The midrange on the berg is relaxed but detailed and the tweeter is just so musical. With the hlf I felt that I could push it too far, I have never had that situation with a berg, they love power! All personal opinion of course.

JimmyM · #3 02-07-2013, 01:53 AM

The HLF has a pretty unique low end that's huge and not found in a lot of cabs. Not played the Berg but judging by its specs and what Nordyboy says, it won't go as low as the 410hlf. Still, you might like it that way. Might like the Aggie too, though if you're looking to downsize, don't know if a 412 would be my idea of it. But the 410HLF is pretty unique. To get that kind of low end performance in a smaller and loud cab isn't easy since half the reason it goes that low is the big cab with the porting.

KJung · #4 02-07-2013, 05:17 AM

I really dislike that particular Ampeg. All lows and nothing else. Very large.

The HD212 with that head will kill. It is not particularly bright up top, but much more even in the mids than that particular Ampeg, and from my experience with the HD112, it cranks hard. Hard to go wrong with that one. Nice small box also, although heavy.

lemastas · #5 02-07-2013, 05:29 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I do find that the 410hlf is boomy no matter how I set my eq or the setting on my basses. I'm after a tighter low tone and not to concerned about the size of the cab. If the HD212 can provide the tight low end tone then I will definitely consider it as an option to purchase.

lemastas · #6 02-08-2013, 05:38 PM

Update:

I went ahead and purchased the HD212. The company will be sending it out on Monday. I sincerely hope it delivers the tone.

Thanks again for the advice and information.

lemastas · #7 02-14-2013, 08:42 PM

I received my first HD212 Bergantino cab today. I must say it took a while for me to break away from the Ampeg 410HLF. I kept A/B both cabs. I'll say it here and now that the Bergantino cab provides a big low end, its tight, and the mid range is there but not too bright which for me is great.

I cannot believe how it sounds with the GK1001RB II amp. It sounds absolutely delicious together. The clarity is blowing me away with the lows.

You guys were right with your assessments.

Here are pics of the new birth that arrived today of the HD212 Bergantino. I still smell the newness of the cab in my house. lol I'm very surprised of the performance of the cab and will see how it holds up in the next month or so.

Thanks Jim Bergantino.

lemastas · #8 02-14-2013, 08:42 PM

HD212 Bergantino out of the box.

nordyboy · #9 02-15-2013, 04:40 AM

Great cab, glad you are happy, when you gig it you will be even more impressed!:thumbup:

tombowlus · #10 02-15-2013, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemastas

Thanks for the suggestions. I do find that the 410hlf is boomy no matter how I set my eq or the setting on my basses. I'm after a tighter low tone and not to concerned about the size of the cab. If the HD212 can provide the tight low end tone then I will definitely consider it as an option to purchase.

Absolutely. The HD212 is perhaps my favorite non-powered cab out there (and I've tried a few!). I think you will be very happy with this choice.

**CL400Peavey** · #11 02-15-2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Absolutely. The HD212 is perhaps my favorite non-powered cab out there (and I've tried a few!). I think you will be very happy with this choice.

What would be your favorite amp with that cab Tom?

tombowlus · #12 02-15-2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

What would be your favorite amp with that cab Tom?

I haven't tried everything with it yet, but so far, everything I have tried has sounded fantastic. The Mesa/Boogie M6 does stand out, though.

nordyboy · #13 02-15-2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I haven't tried everything with it yet, but so far, everything I have tried has sounded fantastic. The Mesa/Boogie M6 does stand out, though.

Sounds great with shuttle 9.0/9.2 as well, I think it generally favours brighter sounding amps, which certainly includes the carbine!

KJung · #14 02-15-2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I haven't tried everything with it yet, but so far, everything I have tried has sounded fantastic. The Mesa/Boogie M6 does stand out, though.

Yeah, given Jim's skill in voicing his cabs, the entire current line seems to sound good with just about anything you power it with. No overly big low end to control, or significant spikes or big valleys, and the HD's have that nice low end/low mid push baked in that just makes a bass sound good, and doesn't put a lot of difficult requirements on an amp/EQ. 400-700 watts or so at 4ohms, and let the fun begin.

With the CN212, my Glock sounded SUPERB with the J, and the Aguilar TH500 sounded mega-superb with the P.

Very 'plug and play' stuff IMO.

Edit: Given your experience with the M6, I would think the GK heads would be WELL matched with the HD212.... with the somewhat relaxed/smooth top end yin yanging nicely with that bright, aggressive top end of those amps, and the low end of those cabs punching up the wide low end of those amps.

lemastas · #15 02-15-2013, 10:27 PM

Yes now I'm interested to hear the CN212. This is day two of playing through the Berg without connecting back to the Ampeg cab. Tomorrow will be the real test at rehearsal. You guys are good people.

L

lemastas · #16 02-17-2013, 07:35 PM

Guys I rehearsed yesterday and today with the HD212 Bergantino and I was blown away. Seriously it was so pleasurable to play bass and have the tone I've been craving for the longest time. The Berg has definitely gotten me there.

The GK1001RB II and the HD212 Bergantino is smokin....

Thanks again to you all for the advice. I'm really thankful.

tombowlus · #17 02-17-2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemastas

Guys I rehearsed yesterday and today with the HD212 Bergantino and I was blown away. Seriously it was so pleasurable to play bass and have the tone I've been craving for the longest time. The Berg has definitely gotten me there.

The GK1001RB II and the HD212 Bergantino is smokin....

Thanks again to you all for the advice. I'm really thankful.

Glad you are diggin' it! Now, I feel inspired to hook up my 700RB-II to the HD212.

joconnorwi · #18 02-17-2013, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemastas

HD212 Bergantino out of the box.

YEAH!!!!

Great choice!!! LOVE mine!!!!

Just waiting on my Streamliner 900 to plug into it!!!

Daywalker · #19 03-04-2013, 11:53 AM

I didn't wanna start a whole new thread so I figured I'd ask here. Has anyone A/B'd the HD212 and the Aguilar GS412? I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to these two and I'm trying to decide if I should spend more money on the smaller cab(there's a used 412 nearby). Thanks!

nordyboy · #20 03-10-2013, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daywalker

I didn't wanna start a whole new thread so I figured I'd ask here. Has anyone A/B'd the HD212 and the Aguilar GS412? I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to these two and I'm trying to decide if I should spend more money on the smaller cab(there's a used 412 nearby). Thanks!

I think you might be shocked at the output of the HD212 it performs like a much bigger cab.