New Bergantino Line of Neo Cabs!!!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Tunaman

15/6... now we are talking Jim !!!!!

Just so you realize, this cab will be part of the NV series of cabs, which are sealed (edit: I'm assuming the 15 will be a sealed design... again, not sure). Should be awesome, but has very little to do with some of the other mid driver loaded cabs on the market regarding tonal goals, etc.

The NV line-up is meant to provide some modern design and benefits (size, weight, top end response, etc.) while still living in what many would call a 'vintage tonal universe'.

Cool concept, and given the improvement in drivers, etc. over the last 5 years or so, my guess is this will be a smaller, more even, more articulate NV215 that will result in 75% of the ooomph at half the size and weight.

If I played an all tube amp, I think I would be VERY excited by this one, from the little I know about it!

[JGR]

The 15/8 should be interesting, but I question the utility of a single driver sealed cab in terms of providing enough useful volume. My sealed 15/8 uses one of, if not the best performing 15 for a sealed design there is, but I definitely need two of them to get the volume I want. One can come close to hanging with the NV215 I had (which in itself was the weakest of the three NV's in terms of total output), and two absolutely crushes, but I wonder if he wants to stick to smaller cabs going forward for ease of fabrication, shipping, and dealer floor space...

[KJung]

Originally Posted by JGR

The 15/8 should be interesting, but I question the utility of a single driver sealed cab in terms of providing enough useful volume. My sealed 15/8 uses one of, if not the best performing 15 for a sealed design there is, but I definitely need two of them to get the volume I want. One can come close to hanging with the NV215 I had (which in itself was the weakest of the three NV's in terms of total output), and two absolutely crushes, but I wonder if he wants to stick to smaller cabs going forward for ease of fabrication, shipping, and dealer floor space...

For many of us, massive volume is pretty much a zero issue. Also Jim has a pretty small dealer network, and I would assume most of his sales are via on-line dealers (since there are few brick and mortars left any more). My guess is his motivation is based on a significant number of 'vintage tone fan' players looking for a legitimate 'sealed box' tone that achieves decent volume and won't break their backs!

I've also found through the years that Jim has a way of OEM-ing drivers to perform suprisingly 'better' than you would expect from those who have tried to figure out which drivers are used. And I don't necessarily mean 'better' purely on paper, but 'better' at amplifying a bass tone with an inherent voicing that seems to work for a lot of players.

+1 though, in your unusual situation (IMO) of looking for massive db's in a backline rig, a single sealed 15 cab would probably not make you happy. For many of us who only need the volume capability to keep up with an unmic'd drummer, it is more about tonality, voicing, and reasonable wump per size and weight

[KJung]

I'm as guilty as anyone, but let's try to keep this thread focused on the CN212/112, since those interested in the NV15/8 (or whatever Jim eventually calls it) are a different population of players. I again believe there is a TBer who is putting that cab through its paces and will hopefully post up.

[GregC]

Originally Posted by KJung

I understand it is a sealed NV15/6 at a bit over 50 pounds. There is someone on TB who is field testing it and I assume he will post up eventually. I don't really know anything about it other than that.

I do want to try the CN212, but I'm really looking forward to this one.

[pjhandlin]

Ken, thanks for the great review!

Can you offer more detail regarding the tweeter/crossover?

So this is significantly different in comparison to the AE212?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by pjhandlin

Ken, thanks for the great review!

Can you offer more detail regarding the tweeter/crossover?

So this is significantly different in comparison to the AE212?

The very top end/tweeter sounds very similar to the AE212 to me, which sounds pretty similar to Jim's other recent cabs.... nice and present, nice upper treble extension, but no super upper treble sizzle... quite warm.

I always thought that Jim's real magic was making a cab with a tweeter sound 'not like a cab with a tweeter'.

I will say that the tweeter is even less apparent/obvious than the AE212, since the upper mids/lower treble is quite a bit more up front on the CN212, giving that 'transition from the woofer to the tweeter' an even more transparent sort of feel and tone.

Nice way to add a bit of natural sounding sparkle with a full range instrument like a J bass with steel rounds, without getting into 'click and hiss-ville'.

This should be a very 'Walter Woods' friendly cab, due to the fatness baked in down low, that was always a bit lacking with the Walter IMO when I used that head in a pop setting, no matter what I did with the semi-parametric low mid control. IMO there!

Edit: With your Shuttle Max 9.2, I would think, with that massive EQ, you could get your ML112 stack and the CN212 to sound quite similar, with the CN212 extending just a smidge more way up top.

[MrDOS]

Originally Posted by kringle77

...Jim doesn't answer my calls or e-mails so, I stopped trying a long time ago. It actually caused me to stop buying his cabs.

I absolutely love all the Berg cabs I've tried (and own), but that has been my experience the last 2 years or so, also. :|

[nordyboy]

Originally Posted by MrDOS

I absolutely love all the Berg cabs I've tried (and own), but that has been my experience the last 2 years or so, also. :|

Where as Roger Baer........

[KJung]

Originally Posted by nordyboy

Where as Roger Baer........

Remember that Jim has a dealer network. That is probably the best way to get info on his products (other than other TBers!).

It is my experience that he always responds quickly to problem issues, etc. Since he is not a custom builder (i.e., he sells fixed product lines of his own design) I would guess he prioritizes the mass of emails he receives and is not as motivated as some others to get into 'this and that' discussions.

That being said, if I was a new builder with a limited dealer network (i.e., who sold info off his/her own website), I'd be answering every single email anyone sent me as quickly as I could!

[dDaddybass]

Originally Posted by kringle77

Im glad that Jim is considering putting out another NV cab. I just think that a vertical nv212 with AE212 like dimensions or smaller would have been the better choice. Hopefully the beta tester actually uses sealed cabs regularly. Jim doesn't answer my calls or e-mails so, I stopped trying a long time ago. It actually caused me to stop buying his cabs. I think the cn212 is going to be a big deal for alot of folks though.

The beta tester does indeed own an NV series cab.

[nordyboy]

Originally Posted by KJung

Remember that Jim has a dealer network. That is probably the best way to get info on his products (other than other TBers!).

It is my experience that he always responds quickly to problem issues, etc. Since he is not a custom builder (i.e., he sells fixed product lines of his own design) I would guess he prioritizes the mass of emails he receives and is not as motivated as some others to get into 'this and that' discussions.

That being said, if I was a new builder with a limited dealer network (i.e., who sold info off his/her own website), I'd be answering every single email anyone sent me as quickly as I could!

While I see where you are coming from I have always been impressed by the speed of response that I have received from most of the manufacturers I have dealt with.
Jeff Genzler came straight back to me, as did reps from Orange, TC Electronic, Sandberg, Nordstrand, Baer etc etc.
I have never had to contact Jim personally but would expect some kind of acknowledgment if I did even if he could not help with my enquiry. As someone who has managed customer service staff I can confidently say that good communication is essential in this day and age, customer need to feel valued.

[5StringPocket]

+1 It's not an easy business to enter and stay viable in.

Slight topic departure... From what I've read, it looks like TecAmp's Puma 900 is another one of those "sweet spot" amps for both the Berg CN212 and Baer ML112. I was wondering if it would be a good compact alternative to the Genz SM9.2 with a simpler layout and somewhat similar tone profile? The SM9.2 is an excellent amp but I like the simple efficiency of the Puma 900 layout and thought it might be a good companion for the Streamliner 900 which has the tube thing covered. Any thoughts on the SM9.2 vs Puma for these cabs?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by nordyboy

While I see where you are coming from I have always been impressed by the speed of response that I have received from most of the manufacturers I have dealt with.
Jeff Genzler came straight back to me, as did reps from Orange, TC Electronic, Sandberg, Nordstrand, Baer etc etc.
I have never had to contact Jim personally but would expect some kind of acknowledgment if I did even if he could not help with my enquiry. As someone who has managed customer service staff I can confidently say that good communication is essential in this day and age, customer need to feel valued.

+1 Again, I go years in-between any contact with Jim, and I am not one to call manufacturers to ask questions, so just musing more than 'providing inside info or deep analysis'.

[UpwardGroove]

I've had the pleasure of speaking with Jim Bergantino, Roger Baer, Roger Sadowsky, Pete Montessi, & Jeff Genzler. In each instance, I hung up the phone amazed that I had just spoken to "THE man" behind the product. I think today's bass industry is pretty unique in this regard. As long as each company has channels in place to address customer inquiries, I don't consider access to the owner or chief a prerequisite for buying their product (although it certainly is a plus).

I'm not trying to minimize anyone's experience...just adding my two cents. As the customer, we all get to set our own bar for customer service.

[hennessybass]

I don't think it is one bit strange that you would not be able to get in touch with Jim. I think it would be more strange if you could get in touch with him.

I think it is absolutely amazing the access we have to folks like Jeff Genzler or Larry Hartke. Rodger Baer, David Green, Alex Claber... these guys are just starting up, trying to build a brand and get a name out there.

235 posts in two days for a Berg cab that has not been released yet? Jim has his reputation, and doesn't need (and probably doesn't want) to talk to a bunch of dudes with comments, suggestions, etc. Jim seems to let his work speak for itself.

Just my opinion.

[jerry]

I'm sure if Jim has a new line to ready by March he is a bit busy, some of my favorite equipment conversations are with him, one of the best in the business.

[Bassist30]

Originally Posted by KJung

I'm as guilty as anyone, but let's try to keep this thread focused on the CN212/112, since those interested in the NV15/8 (or whatever Jim eventually calls it) are a different population of players. I again believe there is a TBer who is putting that cab through its paces and will hopefully post up.

Im more interested in the CN212/112. I would like to hear both. Jim has been quiet for awhile. I think the CN series will take off. Nice reviews and looking forward to trying one myself. The newer Neo's seem to be able to sound warmer if the designer wants that. I like cabinets that can shake the bottom of my pants yet can get the upper frequencies as well.

[esoxhntr]

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've called Bergantino 4 times. Got Jim every single time, and he was superbly helpful on each occasion. YMMV.

[kringle77]

Ken, when you get the new cab and do a video, I'd appreciate it if you could play alittle bit with the tweet off and boost the treble. Thanks.