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Berg IP153 review

#42
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What is this toy on the table Tom???
 
#45
msquared said:
What I want to know is what that piece of Trace Elliot gear in the rack below the V-Type is.
Click to expand...

That is a 2-channel tube guitar preamp (lots of tubes, in fact!), called the TVT9. I use it for my 'rhythm' guitar (coming out of my UniBass), but I am thinking of setting it up so that I can also use it for overdriven bass. I love that little unit!

Tom.
 
#49
godspeed68 said:
alright, rookie question...line driver...anything like a di box, or am i in left field on this one?

i know...some first-day ****,


tom
Click to expand...

The idea behind the line driver is that it is basically a high quality, no-frills (or in this case, few frills) preamp. Think of the 'wire with gain' concept. The Line Driver/DI, happens to also have a high quality DI. It's really just a preamp with a variable high pass filter and a DI. But it also happens to sound very, very good, IME/IMHO.

Tom.
 
#50
I've been getting alot of use lately with my IP-153 and loving it.. Everything from a few outdoor gigs, one with a Dance/Showband and one with a Led Zepplin tribute band, to a few indoor gigs... This cab just kills, plenty of power and it has everything I need from highs to lows and all points in-between.. I've been using a Presonus Tube D.I. with it which I like, but I need a simple preamp with a separate volume control for the line out.. I'm wondering if Jim's line driver might have that or if theres something else I may try...
 
#54
tombowlus said:
The idea behind the line driver is that it is basically a high quality, no-frills (or in this case, few frills) preamp. Think of the 'wire with gain' concept. The Line Driver/DI, happens to also have a high quality DI. It's really just a preamp with a variable high pass filter and a DI. But it also happens to sound very, very good, IME/IMHO.

Tom.
Click to expand...

the 153 with the larger Aguilar preamp? Just curious. And the Trace V type? Which pre do you like best with this IP and your fave MTD? How about Marilyn... which pre and this cab?

I WAS going to get two IP112's to go with my HT112's, but now...

I do need a bigger system for Pub rock & Reggae gigs... that 15"... biamped...yaaaaaaaahhhhh......my back.........

I bet it sounds just f****** amazing (JFA in future posts).

So it's about as heavy as a conventional 4x10"? The IP 153 I mean.

BTW, Ms. Munro (Marilyn) is a trip; hollow-sounding initially, BIG dynamics and total change of character when you dig in. I kind of like the stay-out-of-the-bands-way mid-scoop-deep-bass that this bass has when you're accompanying, then when you dig in it steps right up, man! A great rock and roll bass, and lovely for soloing.

BTW and completely OT, on your next trip to Mexico, bring yourself back some Corralejo tequila - ridiculously big blue bottle, makes people laugh just by looking at it, all embossed and stuff, gold label, looks like a party just sitting there; it's as smooth as a really good cognac! >$20.00

Cheers
Cameron

PS....http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305809&highlight=Should+Tom+Bowlus
 
#55
The IP153 weighs the same as an IP310. It's a reasonably portable package. Their depth is less than GIIIs. I likey.
I put NOS Sylvanias in my Kern which is on the IP153. Holy Butter Tone Batman! Clear with warm punchy mids. Theirs a NOS JJ in the 12au7 position which is the buffer for the DI.
I must repeat. Playing chords is like playing through two amps. You are.
 
#57
The Kern does sound great with the IP-153, but the Kern sounds amazing with anything.. My favorite preamp...
I've just been using a Presonus Blue Tube preamp with my
IP-153.. I've found it to be all I need.. Nice and simple, just a volume control and a drive for alittle grit..
 
#58
Joelc73 said:
They are not available.
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:confused: Man, don't make me drive to MA and do some 'convincing.' :p

Actually, I am not sure what Jim's long-term plans are for the IP153, but one result has been that he subtly tweaked the DSP on the IP310 to bring its low frequency performance a bit closer to that of the IP153 (meaning, not quite as hella deep sounding, but even more tight/controlled).

Regarding preamps, the V-Type works very well for my rock gig (and is possibly the best 'rock-n-roll preamp' that I own), but you will get more flexibility from something like the DB 680, Demeter HBP-1, Millennia TD-1, or Phil Jones P-1. Those last two, the TD-1 and P-1, tend to be my top two faves right now for a really clean, yet full, and very flexible tone. Either of those with one of the larger IP boxes would just kill with the Marilyn MTDs, and would really show off their broad tonal range, big, huge sound, and explosive dynamics. :D

Tom.
 
#59
SCT1422 said:
The Kern does sound great with the IP-153, but the Kern sounds amazing with anything.. My favorite preamp...
Click to expand...

And then there is the Kern. Good point, that IP-777 is pretty much my favorite tube preamp, too (with the V-Type just being a bit more aggressive and raucous in the attack, and with the TD-1/P-1 being a tad more chameleon-like). You really cannot go wrong with that Kern pre, IMHO. :cool:

Tom.
 
#60
It's hard to choose between them now. The IP153 showed the deficiencies of the IP310. Subtle but noticeable in a side by side. After the software rewrite, OMG. The IP310 is my choice for sweet growl. But hey the IP153 is the momma. Add the Ex115 and it's a vision blurrer even outside.

Pres. Yep the Kern rocks. Yet the Glock is the thing too. It is so warm and yet SS pristine and precise. My guitarist says Glockeklang stands for "really loud 9mm".:)
 

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