TC Electronics BH500 - $365 - New

Andy_D · #1 08-18-2011, 07:12 PM

Same Day Music has the TC BH500 for $365. Did a Music123 price match and got it for $351.

Best price anywhere else looked like $435 I was looking at buying a used micro head but for this price I figured what the hell, and took the plunge. I know it's a good bit heavier than a micro but these have been getting really good reviews and this is about what used ones are selling for so I guess I can't really loose if I should decide that I don't like it.

MadMark5 · #2 08-18-2011, 10:16 PM

think these are still 350 at GC

Andy_D · #3 08-18-2011, 11:28 PM

No, $499 at GC. You might be thinking of the blowout they had on the combo's a couple months back. I checked and GC wants $379 for a used one!

MadMark5 · #4 08-19-2011, 06:20 AM

2 floor models at gc in nj yesterday had 349 tags on em. Now it culd have been just the floor models. They had a 2x10 and a 1x15

Andy_D · #5 08-19-2011, 06:52 AM

Unfortunately, none in my local store, and I missed out on the blowout on the combo's in July as I was out of the country at the time. I already have a cabinet and needed a new head. I was looking at used Markbass heads for ~$400. So $350 for new with a warranty sounded good. Yeah, I know a good bit heavier than a MB but I've been intrigued with the TC's and this was a couple hundred bucks cheaper than what I could get an RH450 for and if I don't like it I should be able to recover most of my money.

Marko5657 · #6 08-19-2011, 09:15 AM

I don’t know what the BH500 weighs, but it’s just a head, so it can’t weigh that much.

I have a GK MB500, and it’s a fine head, but I know from having the combo of that TC Electronic head that I’d take the BH500 over the MB500 in a second.

MadMark5 · #7 08-19-2011, 10:27 AM

Im talking about the combo's

Marko5657 · #8 08-19-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMark5

Im talking about the combo's

Yes, but the OP and I are talking about the head.

mtb777 · #9 08-22-2011, 04:04 PM

Combos are still on at GC, mine has one each on the floor! $349 with the TweeterTone like the RH750.
The head is a great deal although I like the white face of the combo better than the red on the head (maybe because it reminds me of the ex-wife). One minus on the combo is no jack for an extension speaker. Another thing I wouldn't mind seeing on all of their heads is a blend knob for the effects loop ala SWR or Mesa. I would love that feature!

lowrocker · #10 08-25-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marko5657

I don’t know what the BH500 weighs, but it’s just a head, so it can’t weigh that much.

I have a GK MB500, and it’s a fine head, but I know from having the combo of that TC Electronic head that I’d take the BH500 over the MB500 in a second.

Those are the two heads I am deciding on buying. If I may, why would you choose the TC over the GK? Thank you.

Marko5657 · #11 08-25-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrocker

Those are the two heads I am deciding on buying. If I may, why would you choose the TC over the GK? Thank you.

Well, I’ll explain why I said it at the time of that post.

I don’t have the TC Electronic head, but the combo version, but I understand that the head provides similarly in the volume dept, and the nice tone.

I’ve gigged that 115 combo six times per month for months now, indoors and outdoors, and I just love its ability to effortlessly cut through the somewhat loud stage volume with either my passive or active basses.

I also like the features, as I’m one who doesn’t like anything on the floor. The on-board tuner works fine and is accurate, but I have started using my Snark clip-on since it’s easier to read and I’d already gotten used to it.

Although while using the MB500 I got along without a compressor, the TC compressor works really well, and I enjoy it.

The combo’s tweeter is the first one that I’ve not simply turned off, but I’m not sure how that translates to the head version.

Then there’s the tube tone feature that I employ to a point,

and the presets, although I haven’t yet used them, I can see how they could be beneficial.

But just yesterday on in the TB amp forum there’s a thread about TC’s lack of honesty regarding their watt ratings, at least on their RH heads. Apparently it’s far less than advertised, but made up with pretty sophisticated compression technology, so it’s kinda up to the now-aware purchaser whether or not it matters to them.

Also, the first MB500 I ordered was a #1-used from MF and wouldn’t power up, but I can’t say that’s a GK issue. I sent it back and hassled MF ‘till they sent me a new one for the same price ($375), and it works well, but for the DI that the sound guy didn’t seem to get a good signal from, and that was a hassle, so it just left a bit of a bad impression in my own mind.

Right now I’m not quite so adamant about my preference, but and at $365 with all the usable features vs $500 for the GK, I’d still probably take the TC.

Hope this helps some…

lowrocker · #12 08-25-2011, 12:53 PM

That did help, thank you. The tube tone on the BH500, does it sound as good in person as I heard on some youtube videos? Also even thought they misled people about wattage, does it still sound loud? What do you usually play at when you gig, volume wise? Last question, sorry, does it sound good at low levels as well as loud?

Thank you very much.

Marko5657 · #13 08-25-2011, 02:00 PM

I didn’t hear any videos, but I’d say it sound really good. It does stay in the band trailer and I only use it at gigs where I can’t really noodle on it.

It is loud, and anyone who owns one will verify that.

We do classic rock, country, blues, oldies… full PA, but our stage volume isn’t exactly quiet.

Sounds great at low volume, and because it’s not really a tube amp, I’m guessing low volume shouldn’t affect it in a negative way.

Jmo…

lowrocker · #14 08-25-2011, 05:17 PM

Thanks again Marko5657, very helpful.