Bergantino AE212 - Just Released

[LilRay]

Thank you!! That was the best demo of any pedals I've ever heard. Never wanted any pedals until I heard your clip.

That's how Greg'll get ya. It's all part of his eevil plan.
One clip and BAM, you're seperated from your dinero.

He's good, He's very good, after all he separated Ken from his cash on the Berg AE212.



God Bless, Ray

 

[Jerry J]

Thank you!! That was the best demo of any pedals I've ever heard. Never wanted any pedals until I heard your clip.

I'd bet if you went to Rocket Music that your first pedal would be free. But you have to guarentee that you buy your next half dozen pedals from him.

They truly are an addiction. Much more fun than a necessity for sure....well except for a filter or two.

 

[RocketMusic]

As my good friend Cameron McLaughlin likes to say, pedals are all about bringing different "textures". If you let yourself go and listen to the tone they're creating, you WILL play differently. With the octave and envelope filters, I find myself hitting the blues scale pretty hard, lots of flat 3rds and flat 5ths. They make me want to bring the Stank (yes, with a capital "S"). With the phaser solo'd, I went straight to something major scale and pretty. Then when it got really dirty and swirly, I went to holding my notes longer and letting the tone do the talking. And on and on.

That stuff is almost subconscious for me now. I just instinctively react to the different tonal textures that the pedals provide, so the pedals really do change the way that I play. For that reason, if no other, they're just great for breaking you out of your playing ruts. They can be very inspirational.

 

[RocketMusic]

Oh, and I forgot to add: Mwah-hah Hah-hah-haaaaaaahhhhh!!

Yes, I'm an evil, GAS-giving son-of-a-gun!

 

[Musicman20]

I think the voicing of the RH450 results in the sound kind of 'sinking into this cab'. I spent quite a bit of time with it, really working the EQ center and shelving points and boost/cuts, and it just sounded dead and dull with the AE212. It's just not a good match.

The LMII sound fabulous to me, and with the AE212, it does sound 'louder' when really pushed.

Oh heck, what a shame. My RH450 is my favourite 'small' amp, despite the great sound of my LM3.

I might have to hold back or go for the HS410 now.

 

[Envincibal]

Ok Ken, here's another one for you then.

Can you comment on how the AE212 stacks up against gk's series II neo 212? The few reports I've seen indicate it may be a (surprisingly?) solid alternative to the berg.

I'd love to hear that the GKNeo212 is an alternative... that might hold off the urge to buy one of these Bergs (I have the GK and love it)

 

[KJung]

Oh heck, what a shame. My RH450 is my favourite 'small' amp, despite the great sound of my LM3.

I might have to hold back or go for the HS410 now.

I don't think the RH450/HS410 would float my boat either... depends on the tone you want (it also has that somewhat polite upper mid response and not a lot of brightness up top that, to my ear, makes the RH450 sound a bit 'dull'). The TC cabs sounds great with the RH450, and in the Berg line, the brightness and tightness of the AE410 seems to mesh VERY well with the darker, smoother, more polite RH450. IMO there. That TC RS210 is just a fabulous cab, and is voiced JUST RIGHT for the RH450. Highly recommended.... two would just kill with that head.

 

[tombowlus]

I'd love to hear that the GKNeo212 is an alternative... that might hold off the urge to buy one of these Bergs (I have the GK and love it)

In all honesty, I would expect that the GK Neo212-II will compete pretty well with the AE212. My guess is that most folks will prefer the AE212, but the GK isn't going to be blown out of the water. I should have an AE212 here before too long, and I'll be sure to make this comparison.

 

[I Forget]

In all honesty, I would expect that the GK Neo212-II will compete pretty well with the AE212. My guess is that most folks will prefer the AE212, but the GK isn't going to be blown out of the water. I should have an AE212 here before too long, and I'll be sure to make this comparison.

Cheers Tom, that'd be great.

 

[kevmoga]

In all honesty, I would expect that the GK Neo212-II will compete pretty well with the AE212. My guess is that most folks will prefer the AE212, but the GK isn't going to be blown out of the water. I should have an AE212 here before too long, and I'll be sure to make this comparison.

Might it be time for a 212 shootout? Seems like a lot of new 212s coming online, especially in the vertical configuration (e.g. Lophat, Baer, Barefaced in addition to Berg). Would be great to have a comparison

 

[tombowlus]

Might it be time for a 212 shootout? Seems like a lot of new 212s coming online, especially in the vertical configuration (e.g. Lophat, Baer, Barefaced in addition to Berg). Would be great to have a comparison

I have been doing some informal mini-shootouts, lately (having all this gear on hand, I can't really resist!), and I did do one involving about 8-10 2x12's (though no LoPhat, Baer, or Barefaced...). In this little mini-shootout, I had decided that the top two contenders were the Glockenklang Double and the GK Neo212-II, though this was admittedly a purely subjective affair (no measurements were taken), and it did not involve an AE212 (nor did it involve my beloved HT212, which is still one of my favorite 2x12's). If I had to guess, I'd suspect that both Berg 2x12's would be right up there at the top of the pack.

I am hoping to incorporate some "shootout style" comparisons in BGM in the future, though we are going to be more focused on making accurate measurements/comparisons than actually declaring a "winner" (or "Editor's Choice").

 

[KJung]

I have been doing some informal mini-shootouts, lately (having all this gear on hand, I can't really resist!), and I did do one involving about 8-10 2x12's (though no LoPhat, Baer, or Barefaced...). In this little mini-shootout, I had decided that the top two contenders were the Glockenklang Double and the GK Neo212-II, though this was admittedly a purely subjective affair (no measurements were taken), and it did not involve an AE212 (nor did it involve my beloved HT212, which is still one of my favorite 2x12's). If I had to guess, I'd suspect that both Berg 2x12's would be right up there at the top of the pack.

I am hoping to incorporate some "shootout style" comparisons in BGM in the future, though we are going to be more focused on making accurate measurements/comparisons than actually declaring a "winner" (or "Editor's Choice").

+1 Without clips that let the reader evaluate 'shoot out comments' in the context of the player's tone goals, technique, basses, etc., and also without checking out the cabs with various heads to control what I call the 'mix and match' issues (i.e., some cabs sound a lot better with some heads versus others), shootouts are not particularly useful as an evaluation tool IMO.

 

[tombowlus]

+1 Without clips that let the reader evaluate 'shoot out comments' in the context of the player's tone goals, technique, basses, etc., and also without checking out the cabs with various heads to control what I call the 'mix and match' issues (i.e., some cabs sound a lot better with some heads versus others), shootouts are not particularly useful as an evaluation tool IMO.

Well, for me it was useful, as my only goal in doing so was to see which ones I liked best for my own purposes. I hadn't really even planned on sharing any of this with TalkBass, but since the question was posed, I'd thought I would respond.

But I will go further to say that while clips are helpful, I find that they are much more helpful when you get to hear a variety of players, as opposed to multiple clips from one set of hands. So in other words, keep having Jason come over, and get Mike there, too!

 

[KJung]

Well, for me it was useful, as my only goal in doing so was to see which ones I liked best for my own purposes. I hadn't really even planned on sharing any of this with TalkBass, but since the question was posed, I'd thought I would respond.

But I will go further to say that while clips are helpful, I find that they are much more helpful when you get to hear a variety of players, as opposed to multiple clips from one set of hands. So in other words, keep having Jason come over, and get Mike there, too!

+1 all the way! It's a shame the Michigan GTG thing died a quiet death with the closing of the LDS retail shop. We rarely all get together any more. Fun when we do though!

The cool thing about the little Zoom Q3 or whatever its called is that it is so easy to operate, so high quality, and at $200, there is very little reason that those who have enough money and to be lucky enough to own various rigs can't include a quick clip with any review. Simple, easy, low cost, and the recording quality is amazingly high and accurate with a decent playback system IMO! At least that puts the words in some sort of context for those reading the reviews.

 

[Doug Parent]

Been following this thread and your past demo's with interest Ken, thanks for taking the time. I went back and forth between the orange tolex LDS 12/12/6/1 and the AE212 and could not come up with anything conclusive. How would you compare the two? Is the AE212 a little warmer?

 

[jnewmark]

Well, for me it was useful, as my only goal in doing so was to see which ones I liked best for my own purposes. I hadn't really even planned on sharing any of this with TalkBass, but since the question was posed, I'd thought I would respond.

But I will go further to say that while clips are helpful, I find that they are much more helpful when you get to hear a variety of players, as opposed to multiple clips from one set of hands. So in other words, keep having Jason come over, and get Mike there, too!

What would be even more helpful would be a clip that has the cab and head in a band setting, so you can hear how it cuts through, ( or does'nt cut through ) in the mix. Alot more involved getting the whole band together just to demo some gear, but worth it, imho. For me, the ultimate test is on the gig, and with a band setting clip, you would get a better idea of how it sounds, as opposed to a great player noodling around on it solo. Not that I don't appreciate Kjung clips !

 

[KJung]

Been following this thread and your past demo's with interest Ken, thanks for taking the time. I went back and forth between the orange tolex LDS 12/12/6/1 and the AE212 and could not come up with anything conclusive. How would you compare the two? Is the AE212 a little warmer?

Hey Doug,

I just put up a comparison of those two (with direct links to the clips) in RPSANDS 'high end cab' thread, which is a fun one.

They sound quite different to me, although the strong (and very nice!) voicing of the Puma500 brings them a touch closer together on my particular clips than they really are.

The 1212/6/1 (Fearful, LDS, whatever) is a BIG box, with those low frequency, almost subwoofer drivers (the 31012LF Neo's). So, the low end is extended quite low, and is very round and powerful, versus the somewhat tighter AE212 with I would guess more standard drivers (or at least Jim's take on a 3012 or 3012LF... just guessing there).

The mids of the 1212/6/1 are very smooth with that mid driver crossed over at 800 hz... no mid distortion or grind. The AE212, like most other two way cabs, has that bit of break-up when pushed in the upper mids. I LOVE that sound, and in a mix, it sounds very good to me for my tone goals... very musical versus the more pure upper mid voicing of these 12/6 and 15/6 type boxes.

Finally, the top end of the AE cabs in general has a bit more low treble content, due I assume to the lower crossover point of the tweeter in a 2 way box versus the tweeter only handle the upper treble in a 3 way box.

I greatly prefer the AE212 to the 1212/6/1, but that's more of a personal tone goal thing (I like it punchy, bright but a bit grindy and 'some mid character' up top, and not a ton of airy, upper treble sizzle). For those who are after a more pure, almost studio monitor type tone (not really 'flat', but more 'pure and clear'), the 1212/6/1 kills... more wide and even and deep and sizzly than particularly punchy.

IMO there. Both are great for what they are, and IMO are among the best cabs I've played, regardless of driver configuration.

K

 

[Jerry J]

+1 all the way! It's a shame the Michigan GTG thing died a quiet death with the closing of the LDS retail shop. We rarely all get together any more. Fun when we do though!

The cool thing about the little Zoom Q3 or whatever its called is that it is so easy to operate, so high quality, and at $200, there is very little reason that those who have enough money and to be lucky enough to own various rigs can't include a quick clip with any review. Simple, easy, low cost, and the recording quality is amazingly high and accurate with a decent playback system IMO! At least that puts the words in some sort of context for those reading the reviews.

As a reader and follower of the posts, personal shoot-outs, one player clips I feel that we all gain a better insight into what is going on with the equipment reviewed. I personally piece it all together and come to my own conclusion. So I do find value in youtube clips by one person, comments from one of my favorite gear-o-holics, music store owners and just overall comments in general. So it all has distinct value and is very much appreciated.

I know that my tonal goals are very different than anybody elses around here and I take that into consideration.

I think that we all really need to get together and go to Ken's next gig for the real evaluation.

 

[KJung]

As a reader and follower of the posts, personal shoot-outs, one player clips I feel that we all gain a better insight into what is going on with the equipment reviewed. I personally piece it all together and come to my own conclusion. So I do find value in youtube clips by one person, comments from one of my favorite gear-o-holics, music store owners and just overall comments in general. So it all has distinct value and is very much appreciated.

I know that my tonal goals are very different than anybody elses around here and I take that into consideration.

I think that we all really need to get together and go to Ken's next gig for the real evaluation.

Come on out. I've had a TB contingent at a club gig not that long ago (Vic, Dr. Cheese)!! That's really fun for me. I don't do many club gigs any more, but always try to spread the word when I do. TBer Ric Vice has been out a few times also. Fun! The contractor I work for on these club gigs always calls it a 'bass summit' when I'm subbing, since quite a few local players who aren't on TB typically come out also.

+1 to your comment. If you can remove the comments of those associated directly with a company, and spend the time reading the good and bad comments from a variety of players, the truth usually emerges!

 

[jnewmark]

Come on out. I've had a TB contingent at a club gig not that long ago (Vic, Dr. Cheese)!! That's really fun for me. I don't do many club gigs any more, but always try to spread the word when I do. TBer Ric Vice has been out a few times also. Fun! The contractor I work for on these club gigs always calls it a 'bass summit' when I'm subbing, since quite a few local players who aren't on TB typically come out also.

+1 to your comment. If you can remove the comments of those associated directly with a company, and spend the time reading the good and bad comments from a variety of players, the truth usually emerges!

Would that be a good time to bring that little Zoom with you and do a full band clip with the AE212 ?