What should I do?

takhammer · #1 11-20-2011, 10:43 AM

I'm planning on getting some Bergantino cabs in the next week or so, and have been torn on what to do as far as the head goes. I currently have a MarkBass F1, and have been pretty seriously considering a Mesa MPulse 600 or an Eden wt 550, but really can't make a decision between the three amps. I love the F1 and haven't had any problems with it, but also love the tube sound. I was leaning more towards eden until I heard the warmth of the Mesa. Now I'm just stuck..... I play with two groups who both involve elements of Funk, Jazz, Trance, Rock, and we play some covers as well. I know it's not gonna make a huge difference what's on top of the Bergantino's, but figured I'd get some opinions. Thanks in advance for your input.

P.S. PLZ DON'T CLUTTER THIS THREAD WITH ARGUEMENTS ABOUT WHICH IS BETTER, So if you disagree with someone's comment.....BITE YOUR TOUNGE!

Gearhead17 · #2 11-20-2011, 11:14 AM

I suggest saving your money and sticking with what you like. If your rig is just your monitor on stage, the amp choice is purely for on stage tone. If the F1 is getting what you want, stick with it.

Definitely take the F1 to the store when you try out the Bergantino cabs.

Vinny D · #3 11-20-2011, 11:19 AM

Shouldn't you decide on what head you want first before buying the cabs?
Maybe the Berg. cabs will make you like the sound of the F1 and then there won't be any issue....but I wouldn't go buying cabs if I didn't already have the amp that I really wanted.

BassmanPaul · #4 11-20-2011, 11:47 AM

If you are buying two cabinets they should both be identical. That way you have no problems with them interacting poorly. They should also be 8Ω cabinets to offer the F1, or any other amp you may get, a total load of 4Ω.

takhammer · #5 11-20-2011, 05:00 PM

Gearhead - Your method of thinking is whats got me stuck the most, b/c i was ready to go Mesa or Eden, then i started thinking, "well, this is light, and sounds pretty darn good, so why change it?" but, man the tubes add a lot of warmth, which I really like. Unfortunately, there is no place around me where I can even try the eden and berg stuff. I have played on all of the heads, but only the mesa through the bergs(which is still one of the best sounding rigs i've heard to this day).

Vinny- I know what you mean, but I've narrowed it down to these 3, and like all of them, and have read multiple reviews in favor of each head combo with the bergantino cabinets, and heard the Mesa through them.

Paul - Thats what i was thinking as well, unless i decide for sure on the eden 550 b/c those can handle a 2 ohm load and put out more power than the 550w @ 4 ohm.

RickenBoogie · #6 11-20-2011, 06:17 PM

No, even if you do get the Eden, stick with 8 ohm cabs. Always best to be able to use them with any amp. I'd keep what you have now.

takhammer · #7 11-21-2011, 09:36 AM

Gotcha, makes sense i guess

takhammer · #8 11-21-2011, 10:25 PM

Nobody else has any experience with these different heads on Bergantino Cabs?

Basically Bob · #9 11-22-2011, 08:47 AM

I have played an F1 through two Berg AE112s for a few years now. Love the Bergs and consider them to be on my "never sell" list. KJung, I believe, has a youtube clip that you would find helpful.

chadds · #10 11-23-2011, 05:36 AM

chadds · #11 11-23-2011, 05:37 AM

Does your tone lack warmth when practicing solo or at the gig?

Basically Bob · #12 11-23-2011, 06:39 AM

No, not at all. I normally play a Godin A4 fretless through it and like a fat, articulate bottom end with sweet highs. Not into slap, grind or distortion. I love that rig. I have also recently purchased a GB streamliner 600 and actually prefer it over the F1; certainly not a knock against the F1, just a different personality and it might give you an idea of the tonal qualites that I prefer.

ElephantTalk · #13 11-23-2011, 07:07 AM

tak,
Ultimately the Bergs are great cabinets that are going to allow you the sensitivity to hear things that you might not have always known you've done.
The F1 is also a great head that allows a pretty wide tonal variation to tweak to any weird playing environments, but with a center-setting that a lot of people like seem to like.
The Mesa and Eden are going to have a broader tonal variation band allowing you greater flexibility, but each will still have it's sweet spot.

Finally, as most of have learned....if you can't afford to have it all at the same time....you can always go back to what you had. If you sell off a piece of gear, given a little patience, you can always find it later.

Good luck.

One Drop · #14 11-24-2011, 04:26 AM

I'd wait and see how you like the F1 with it. You don't say which Bergies- IMO this is important as they might match up very differently with different heads.

I own and love my Eden WT-550 but if I were to replace it I'd consider newer stuff in a heartbeat, like the Streamliner, Ampeg 7pro, etc. I've played my Eden with my NV Bergantinos on occasion but without a VT pedal in front of it the combination has lacked a bit of oomph compared to my SVT, which is my benchmark for warm and punchy.