Bergantino NV cabs with SS/hybrid amps?

[steamthief]

I often read that sealed cabs and tube heads are a match made in heaven. How do sealed cabs, Bergantino NV series in particular, pair up with hybrid or solid state amps?

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by steamthief

I often read that sealed cabs and tube heads are a match made in heaven. How do sealed cabs, Bergantino NV series in particular, pair up with hybrid or solid state amps?

Wonderfully - if you like the more vintage tone.

I played through a friend's GK 800RB into a Berg NV610 and it sounded fantastic which makes sense since I've always dug that amp through an Ampeg fridge or 410 and the Berg has a similar (and IMO better) vibe.

For a while my main setup was a Mesa Walkabout through an NV412 which (though a bit odd looking and a strange load in with a micro amp and big heavy cab) was one of my favorite sounding rigs.

[JGR]

Everything I have owned - tube, SS, and hybrid - sounds great through them. It's hard to make them sound bad. If you dig the vintage vibe, I don't think you can go wrong.

[metron]

The Berg NV cabs pair up with hybrid or ss amps just as well as any tube amp.

I think some people get the impression that because so many talk about how great their tube amps are with the NV cabs that perhaps hybrids or all ss amps might not be such a great pairing. That is definitely not the case. If you are into the sound that the cab provides, any amp will perform well with it.

[Jazzdogg]

I played my B1500 through an NV215 and spent the rest of the day smiling uncontrollably.

If I could justify it, I'd audition an NV412. But, I can't.

[rodl2005]

+1 NV cabs are just quality all round!! Mesa Walkabout > NV215 = LUXURY!!

[jastacey]

I use a Fender Bassman 1200 Pro and a old Crate BT-350 with a NV610, and those amps just sound so good !!!!!!, I've also played through the NV 425 & the NV412, IMHO, all the NV cabinets sound good with any high quality amp

[dominic54321]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I played my B1500 through an NV215 and spent the rest of the day smiling uncontrollably.

If I could justify it, I'd audition an NV412. But, I can't.

+1 I gigged with the NV215/B1500 combo for a while. Those two matched up very nicely!!! I also used the NV215 with a MESA 400+, all I can say is...tube saturation heaven! Lastly, I used a Crest CA9 w/multiple preamps with an NV610. Although the NV610 wasn't my 'thing' I had sound guys come up to me and tell me it was the best bass setup they have ever heard. The NV cabs I've used have sounded great with tube and SS. It's a win-win.

[negative theory]

I've played a Mesa M-2000 and an Aguilar DB 750 through my NV 610 and that cab has been awesome every time.

[steamthief]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I may have to take the plunge - New Vintage sounds like the ticket!

[Rick Blanc]

My NV215 sounds great. I have a Demeter 201s pre into a QSC PLX 1602. That set up kills.

[Mark Reccord]

My buddy's GK 1001RB sounded ridiculous through my NV610. So much so that I'm probably going to buy one.

[Groover]

I've tried an Ampeg SVT-3Pro through an NV215 and it made me wonder why I even bothered to try and find an all tube SVT for it... which that last just sounds fastastic through it, but the 3Pro was not too shabby either - I'm now considering getting either a Fender TB-600 or Ampeg SVT7Pro to match up with it for when I don't want to deal with the SVT (I sold my 3Pro)

[metron]

Originally Posted by Rick Blanc

My NV215 sounds great. I have a Demeter 201s pre into a QSC PLX 1602. That set up kills.

This was one of the first setups i used with my 610 except with a 2402 power amp. Definitely a sweet sounding rig. I ended up selling the amp to fund something else i cant remember and sold a long time ago.

Originally Posted by Mark Reccord

My buddy's GK 1001RB sounded ridiculous through my NV610. So much so that I'm probably going to buy one.

Yes it certainly does! Its a very loud versatile pairing and at the price of even a new 1001, its tough to beat. Although it has taken a backseat recently since i got a walkabout. The tone is more tube-like but the headroom cant touch the 1001.

[bucephylus]

I replaced a TE Hexavalve with a Shuttle 9 on top of my NV610 a little more than a year ago, and have been gigging that combination very happily since. I MIGHT try a Streamliner at some point down the road, after I sort out some other gear issues; but, honestly the S9/NV610 pairing is just to die for. Has to be the easiest to move / best sounding "big" rig I've ever used.

[ataunton]

I'm hoping to hear this for myself my the end of the week. If the stairs align I'll be coming home from some out of town gigs this weekend with a NV610 and NV215. If it works out I'll be playing a Mesa M6 and Mesa 400+ through them.

To the OP, I don't think you could go wrong with one. Very few folks seem to dislike them and most only seem to sell because of down sizing their rig. Plus resale is good, so if you buy used and don't like it getting your money back should be easy.

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by Groover

I've tried an Ampeg SVT-3Pro through an NV215 and it made me wonder why I even bothered to try and find an all tube SVT for it... which that last just sounds fastastic through it, but the 3Pro was not too shabby either - I'm now considering getting either a Fender TB-600 or Ampeg SVT7Pro to match up with it for when I don't want to deal with the SVT (I sold my 3Pro)

I've got the TB-600 and it's a very good sounding amp. I need to decide if I want to go 610 or 215!

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by metron

The Berg NV cabs pair up with hybrid or ss amps just as well as any tube amp.

I think some people get the impression that because so many talk about how great their tube amps are with the NV cabs that perhaps hybrids or all ss amps might not be such a great pairing. That is definitely not the case. If you are into the sound that the cab provides, any amp will perform well with it.

+1

My #1 rig for the past few years has been completely solid state:
SansAmp RBI
SansAmp RPM
Stewart World 2.1
Bergantino NV610

I look forward to getting JGR's tube preamp sometime this year, but I'll still use the Stewart for power.

[Groover]

Originally Posted by steamthief

I've got the TB-600 and it's a very good sounding amp. I need to decide if I want to go 610 or 215!

Well, since the amp is easier to ship, you should send it to me so I can help you make the most educated decision

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by Groover

Well, since the amp is easier to ship, you should send it to me so I can help you make the most educated decision

Load up the cabs and I'll meet you in Denver!