TC Cabs or Bergantino Cab

[slopeshoulder]

After playing guitar since '69, and after years of playing bass in the atudio and getting praise, I'm making my switch to bass more formal (I'll still play guitar in the studio).

I'm pretty settled on a TC RH450 (possibly Markbass head; I used to have a Little Mark and a Bergantino HT112 and EX112 stack that I liked; I'd like some more girth and punch now).

I need a cab for general purpose playing: from coffee houses to say 2000 seats or basic outdoor gig. No arenas!
Many styles, country to reggae to rock to r&b, everything other than metal or funk metal.

Can you help me choose between:

- Bergantino AE212 (410 may be too heavy)
- TC 210 and 212 (same money as Berg; more options, smaller, but not as good?)
I want a pro rig, not a guitar center special, and not a fad.
And I want this rig for the long haul (say 20 years, I'll stop at 70).

THANKS!!

[KJung]

I've only played the RS210 and the Berg AE410 and AE212 with the RH450. For my personal tone goals (somewhat tight, articulate, with some upper mid grind), I totally dig the AE410 and the TC RS210. The AE212, with its larger low end and more relaxed upper mids, to me, sounds better with a brighter, tighter, quicker voiced head like the Markbass F1, etc.

If you don't need a ton of volume, the little RS210 sounds very good to me. If you are sold on the AE line, either the AE210 (or two) or the 410 should work great. They both have some 'tightness and brightness' built in that really yin yangs nicely with the RH450.

I have clips of the AE410 and the RS210 with a variety of heads on my YouTube channel if you would find that helpful.

[KJung]

PS The Bergantino HS cabs have a bit more of that warm, older school, organic thing that the TC cabs have, versus the brighter, more modern sounding AE cabs. That would be a nice option too.

[slopeshoulder]

Thanks for the advice, and sorry for a delayed reply.
That's very helpful.

I do like some upper mid grind (210/410) in an old school passive single coil J kind of way, and I also tend toward warmer old school sound and role (212). I find myself rolling of treble in various ways quite often and have zero interest in an agressive modern slicing sound.
Hard to tell then which is right.
I live in MA, so I may have to see if I can visit Berg or a well stocked dealer!

[Baird6869]

I am using a RH450 for all of my gigs now and really like how it sounds with my Sadowsky SA410 (Bergantino 4x10). I also gig this head with a TC RS112 (for really small gigs and rehearsals) and a RS210 from time to time. The RH450 sounds perfectally acceptable with the TC cabs, but the Berg cab is just outstanding.

I was going to buy Berg AE112 and AE210's instead of the TC cabs, but I couldn't justify them as the Bergs are 2x+ the price of the TC's.

I personally believe the AE's sound slightly better than the RS cabs and would have gone Berg if $$$ was no object.

[Musicman20]

Its a shame the AE212 isnt a good match up for the RH450....as its my main live amp.

[Fuzzbass]

I can't comment on the TC cabs, but a big plus for Bergantino is the customer service. Jim's the best.

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Its a shame the AE212 isnt a good match up for the RH450....as its my main live amp.

Ken Jung stated that the RH450/AE212 matchup isn't good for his personal tone goals. It might work out fine for you (shrug).

[Musicman20]

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

Ken Jung stated that the RH450/AE212 matchup isn't good for his personal tone goals. It might work out fine for you (shrug).

With its price, Id have to be 100% sure before even committing as its not really possible to test without huge travel as there is only one outlet in the whole of the UK.

Shame, it looks great.

Im still itching to see what Aguilar do next if im honest.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

I can't comment on the TC cabs, but a big plus for Bergantino is the customer service. Jim's the best.





Ken Jung stated that the RH450/AE212 matchup isn't good for his personal tone goals. It might work out fine for you (shrug).

+1 Not my thing, but surely doesn't sound bad... very fat and warm and 'chewy' sounding.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by slopeshoulder

I do like some upper mid grind (210/410) in an old school passive single coil J kind of way, and I also tend toward warmer old school sound and role (212). I find myself rolling of treble in various ways quite often and have zero interest in an agressive modern slicing sound.
Hard to tell then which is right.
I live in MA, so I may have to see if I can visit Berg or a well stocked dealer!

I like the RS-series cabs pretty well, but from what you are describing, I'll echo Ken's comments that you might want to try out the Bergantino HS-line.

Tom.

[Soverntear]

When I bought my RH450 I tried it on the TC cabs and the berg AE series. the tc cabs sounded dead and weak, I almost didn't buy the rh450 they sounded that bad to me. then I plugged in to thew AE's and WOW is all I could say, the head came to life. I preferred the 410 a little bit more then the 212, but thats not to say the 212 wasn't amazing. I'd shell out for the Bergs simply an amazing combo. so amazing I might try and trade my ul410 for an ae410

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Soverntear

.... so amazing I might try and trade my ul410 for an ae410

With the RH450, you would be VERY happy with that trade. Really good matchup. I have a clip of that combination on my Youtube channel somewhere with my Sadowsky... fat, warm, but still with some upper mid presence and grind (which kind of got lost with the AE212 to my ears).

[Soverntear]

Originally Posted by KJung

With the RH450, you would be VERY happy with that trade. Really good matchup. I have a clip of that combination on my Youtube channel somewhere with my Sadowsky... fat, warm, but still with some upper mid presence and grind (which kind of got lost with the AE212 to my ears).

yes indeed I would, but the UL410 does turn the RH450 in to a funky beast. I'm mulling it over Both are amazing speakers. but the ae410 did have an amazing in store impression.