I took my new Bam 200 on a gig Friday with a blues trio. I used my West German ply with full circle into my Sans Amp Para Driver into the EA Doubler for the first set then switched to the Bam (no Para Driver) for the second. The Bam handled it surprisingly well and the drummer said he preferred it`s sound. They`re certainly not a loud trio and I do gig with drummers that hit as hard as the venue permits so it got me thinking. Has anyone used and liked any of the more powerful TC models?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Bam 200 vs other TC Electronics Amps
- Thread starter basscat35
- Start date
I had one of the more powerful units for a bit - don't remember which one, it had the Toneprints option. Didn't like it as much. Surprised that the BAM sounded better to you than the EA - I have a BAM now as a backup, but find it a bit thin tonewise.
Just bought a TCBam200 as a backup head.
I’ve used it for seven Piano Trio Gigs so far, with a GK112MBX cab, my 1940 Kay with an Underwood PU & EP Weichs.
Set up is in a corner-helps the sound.
The head gets very warm-still concerned about the Class D amp head heat (thankfully explained in another thread) but the sound is voiced surprisingly well for UB plus the head & cables fit in a zipped iPad cover.
Tone & volume controls work well-it’s a quiet trio gig & haven’t had to turn the volume gain or tone controls up to 12 o’ clock but there is enough volume for louder tunes.
Very happy so far-know not to push it.
Already have louder GKs, but does make me curious about the more powerful TCs.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
I have TC BH250, 250w with two 8ohm boxes. Never needed louder sound for double bass (nor bass guitar). I like the sound very much. There's also a built tuner, which is great little help. There's no gain knob however, I'm using preamp anyway so I don't mind.
Because of shut down issues with 2 GK Class D amp heads on two Gigs (own 3, also an Ampeg) I wanted to keep a small spare head next my speaker in a tight corner with 6’ Yamaha Grand piano on the left & drum set on the right.
I was considering several heads but kept seeing positive posts about the Bam & the reasonable price. Took a chance.
I was considering several heads but kept seeing positive posts about the Bam & the reasonable price. Took a chance.
Mine were as well, When I owned the BAM 200 I used it in combination with a Audiokineses Birdhouse 4X6 cabinet
Same here and have never had any issues with it. I also have an EA Doubler that I use when needed.
I was able to find some specs for the TC amps and while the input impedance for the Bam is 10 M ohms, the other models are either 500 K ohms or 1 M ohms. Their EQ sections are different than the Bam as well. TC doesn`t say (to my knowledge) that the Bam was designed for upright bass but I wouldn`t expect their other models to be as upright friendly. Oh well...
I just had the opportunity to check BAM200 vs BH250 on the same setup (Ehrlund pickup with preamp, homemade 6" + 8" cabs). The BAM feels quicker responding and has more highs, there's more of those lovely little details to the sound, but those details tend to sound a little thin. The BH feels more convincing in the lows, but its response feels a bit slower (less details). To my double bass tastes, the BH is the winner, but it's a close victory. In this price category, both will perform nicely. Regarding the volume, I don't hear any difference.
I had the BAM on for about 10 hours straight. It heats in a first few minutes, more than I am used to. Then it keeps warm, don't overheat. I remember hearing the fan, but not obtrusively.
I had the BAM on for about 10 hours straight. It heats in a first few minutes, more than I am used to. Then it keeps warm, don't overheat. I remember hearing the fan, but not obtrusively.
Greg Clinkingbeard
Commercial User
I haven’t tried any other TC amps but this is my take compared to other amps I currently own.
MarkBass Nano 300: The BAM seems to have more bloom in the mids and a softer top and bottom. I find the MB to be a fuller range amp and the EQ seems to be more effective. That said, the BAM always delivers a very natural sound.
Old AI Clarus: I’ve owned many AI amps and always sold them off due to frustration with their ineffective EQ and fairly dark tone. The old Clarus has stayed around because it is small, cute and has performed no better or worse than other AI amps. That said, I’m still a fan of Rick Jones and his amazing service. Again, the BAM has a more open tone with some bloom to it. There are more highs but it doesn’t suffer the midrange emphasis of the Clarus which is hard to dial out. It is a more natural sounding amp than the Clarus in a much smaller and lighter package.
BTW, I purchased a very gently used carpeted AI CODA extension cabinet and have used it some with the Nano. Honestly, I think it sounds pretty bad with the Clarus, but I get a warm and punchy tone with plenty of clarity when paired with the Nano.
Good stealthy sleuthing. The same thing occurs with Markbass, since the Nano Mark, along with the Big Bang ( which doesn’t work well for DB at all )are 5 meg ohms.
In my experience, pleasant sounding Double Bass amps have to have more than just a 5 or 10 Meg Ohm load, to give us the warmth of a Double Bass, The EQ section
has to compliment your instrument as well. My Grace Felix, Headway EDB-2 and the BAM 200 all have what I need to produce sound I’m after. The BAM is just way less expensive, amplifiers are extremely reliable now, so there’s no cause for panic, but the reason I have the Grace is that it can be serviced and repaired. Just my tale of course.
Quite true, additionally it’s probably going to get a little warmer at 4 Ohms.
How interesting that this post popped up. I tried out my BAM200 with a jazz quartet last night. I was pleasantly surprised (not saying I have trust issues... but the EA Doubler was in the car just in case). Ran the DB into my trusty FDeck HPF, then into the BAM200, ending with my even more trusty MAS 16. I threw it on a barstool just to get it up to head level since we ended up playing outside on the patio. The drummer loved it and the crowd even liked it (no one talked during my solos). I wasn't expecting the articulation to be as nicely pronounced as it was... even Arco. As someone who usually goes overkill with power and size on a gig, it was nice to be able to carry the DB and Cab in one trip with the amp tucked into the DB case.
I owned a BAM 200 for about a year, it sounded great and was amazingly easy to transport. I sold it because I already had a Grace Felix and the MAS 1/8.
I have a BAM 200 for a backup and have been using it for most of my electric gigs. I haven't been able to get a great setting for my double bass. It seems a little woolly to me, but certainly not thin! I'm playing through Schroeder cabs, which may be part of the equation. I have a darker sounding bass.
