tc electronic amps/cambs: anyone else have trouble with the SOFT wood and finish?

[Bassflute]

>>>Please read the end of thread<<<<

I was bringing a new combo 450 home to the college I teach at in a 100% carpeted trunk with nothing else in it, and when I got home there was a large chip out of the top from it shifting a bit during transportation...crazy! I have transported many, many cabs literally hundred of times in this same car with absolutely NO damage to anything. This is ridiculously soft; and it's not just the finish, but the wood itself...there's an actual CHIP out of it, and the finish in that whole area is rubbed off. It looks terrible.

Will post pics when my blood pressure settles down a bit.

Great amp, sounds terrific, fabulous feature set on the preamp, lots of power, huge tonal variety, but with a finish THIS soft it is going to look horrible in about one week of use at the college - I would NOT have bought it if I had known they were this fragile. They've GOT to redo this amp in a plywood that is much more durable; what were they thinking?

Not impressed. These should be recalled. Seriously. Not suitable for professional use.

Sincerely,
Cameron

[Musicman20]

The finish on all of their cabinets is a little fragile, as is most the spray on finishes like Berg AE.

I have covers on mine, and one of them has been carted two and from practice about 6 times, with no marks.

I admit, you have to be SUPER careful. But a cover saves you a lot of hassle.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

The finish on all of their cabinets is a little fragile, as is most the spray on finishes like Berg AE.

I have covers on mine, and one of them has been carted two and from practice about 6 times, with no marks.

I admit, you have to be SUPER careful. But a cover saves you a lot of hassle.

it'll be lost in the the first few days...

This finish really sucks.

Cheers,
Cameron

[Musicman20]

I heard another combo owner saying the same thing....it might be because the combo has the wheels on the back...

[Rick Auricchio]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

[a cover will] be lost in the the first few days...

Why just the cover? Why not your bass? Your gig bag?

I agree that the finish is fragile, but saying you'll lose a cover is rather lame.

As to the wood chip: Impacts severe enough to damage a wood cab can also damage speakers and electronics. It isn't like the cab is made of balsa wood. Perhaps you should examine your loading to avoid items shifting in the future.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

Why just the cover? Why not your bass? Your gig bag?

I agree that the finish is fragile, but saying you'll lose a cover is rather lame.

As to the wood chip: Impacts severe enough to damage a wood cab can also damage speakers and electronics. It isn't like the cab is made of balsa wood. Perhaps you should examine your loading to avoid items shifting in the future.

I won't lose it - it will get lost in the shuffle of hundreds of students daily going by it, moving it, packing stuff around it, etc.

And as for loading, I do 2 - 8 gigs a week, and have since the mid 70's; never damaged a THING in any trunk of any car...never seen damage like this happen so easily...this cab IS made of balsa wood. This is the most fragile thing I have ever seen.

But thanks for the insults anyway...



Cameron

[B-string]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

I won't lose it - it will get lost in the shuffle of hundreds of students daily going by it, moving it, packing stuff around it, etc.

And as for loading, I do 2 - 8 gigs a week, and have since the mid 70's; never damaged a THING in any trunk of any car...never seen damage like this happen so easily...this cab IS made of balsa wood. This is the most fragile thing I have ever seen.

But thanks for the insults anyway...



Cameron

Yeah you expect your gear to be durable? How dare you . Next time save the money and buy a old Peavey or something in a pawn shop if you want durable.
I can not really believe ANYONE is giving you grief about your complaint!

[jza57]

Yes the first edition of the TC cabs have their weak points but at this price point and level of innovation you have to allow for product refinement . Their cabs are a work in progress , they are already into their 3rd edition as far as cabinet finish . I would be very angry if I would have paid what Bergantino is getting for their cabs and have that problem. Covers are the way to go. Try bungee cording some covers to the cab handle .

[::::BASSIST::::]

Would it be possible to have the combo covered in carpet?

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

[B-string]

How about buying a roll of bubble wrap to line your trunk and to wrap the amp in to transport. Keep all drummers and lead singers away from the unit. Moding with rat fur may be your best bet. A spray liner won't help with a cheap soft base.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by jza57

Yes the first edition of the TC cabs have their weak points but at this price point and level of innovation you have to allow for product refinement .

product refinement? what's product refinement about making a cab that's durable? it's not like it's unexplored territory that takes cutting edge science to pull off. lots of new amp makers pull it off with success.

but i will say that when you see bare wood, you should expect durability problems and buy accordingly.

[KramerBassFan]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

product refinement? what's product refinement about making a cab that's durable? it's not like it's unexplored territory that takes cutting edge science to pull off. lots of new amp makers pull it off with success.

but i will say that when you see bare wood, you should expect durability problems and buy accordingly.

Product refinement - ways of making it cheaper without sacrificing too much quality.

[Musicman20]

The price point for the cabs is much better than Berg AE and virtually the same spray.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Product refinement - ways of making it cheaper without sacrificing too much quality.

lol!

[jza57]

This is starting to sound like a hate on Tc Electronics thread . Come on guys , how many revisions has Gk gone through with their M2 500 ? TC just got into the game with bass gear , they probably should have just released their first cabs with rat fur and built business from there . Anyways , I have the 1st edition finish cabs and they seem to have held up pretty good with covers .

[B-string]

Originally Posted by jza57

This is starting to sound like a hate on Tc Electronics thread . Come on guys , how many revisions has Gk gone through with their M2 500 ? TC just got into the game with bass gear , they probably should have just released their first cabs with rat fur and built business from there . Anyways , I have the 1st edition finish cabs and they seem to have held up pretty good with covers .

And G-K gets beatup plenty about it. WHY should TCE get a pass? Are they special? G-K was breaking new ground with the light weights, no ground breaking needed to make a cab that is worthy of even semi-pro use. Rant over. Will TCE offer free replacements for early cabs that chip easily?

[rpsands]

Or you could get Duratex, or high end spray finish like Don @ LDS offers,

I think LoPhat uses a nice polyurea finish also.

[jza57]

My last word on the subject , maybe TCE should do what Gk did and just trade older units straight over for brand new units .
Just a thought . Peace Everyone !

[B-string]

That would show an interest in customer satisfaction!

[B-string]

Just want to know, is this the unit we are talking about? http://www.themusicfarm.com/product_...oducts_id=9394