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Bergantino AE212; Part 2!!

#81
tombowlus said:
I heard all of those heads, and was fairly impressed. The TH500 sounds just like the Tonehammer pedal - go figure! The AGS isn't as aggressive as the Aggro, but can add a little hair. The Streamliner 900 was very warm/round/vintage, and quite nice. The ShuttleMAX 9.2 is super flexible, and can do just about any tone you'd like.

That being said, what really blew us all away was the GK MB800. It packs a very visceral punch, and is the first micro head I have played that you really feel in your gut. Sure, gain matching is king; this was NAMM (which is a terrible place to actually hear things); we didn't do a direct A/B/C, etc., but based upon first impressions, at least, the MB800 really impressed. In fact, we gave GK one of our Best of Show Awards for the MB800. :cool:

Tom.
Click to expand...

I bet that GK is just a hammer, given how loud the MB500 is already. Not really my thing tonally, but I imagine that head would be the 'volume king' among micro's. I assume it is a ways out from going into production and distribution.
 
#82
+1 to Ken. I don't expect the TH500 to compete with the 900 watt heads that Genz is releasing in terms of power. What will attract folks to the TH500 is the Aguilar name and that signature warmth they are known for. The Drive control on the TH500 is pretty much a "variable vintage" knob, much like the Tubetone on the RH450. Since it's an analog circuit, it sounds really good and is easy to set just by twisting it to taste. The Aggie uses the same Ice module that many of these micros are using, so it should have a very honest power rating. Aguilar isn't what I think of ever when it comes to glistening, glassy highs (at least not in the SWR sense). Rather they are a bit controlled and "sweet" sounding. I LOVE the AG500 and DB750 tone. From what I've heard, the TH500 is different enough from those two to set it apart, but similar enough tonally to be an Aguilar product. For folks who think the AE212 is a bit too modern or voiced a bit to wide up top and down low, the TH500 will be (I think at least) a great option for them to narrow the voicing a bit and take things in a more vintage direction without going with something like the Streamliner.

Of course, you could always go with the Streamliner or one of the other Shuttle 9 heads and use the Tone Hammer pedal with it for more flexibility. I personally don't think there is a better preamp/DI pedal on the market than the Tone Hammer. Extremely flexible EQ, warm vintage overdrive capability, 18v operation for maximum headroom, high output to drive a power amp, and a pristine DI for excellent quality sound to a mixing console. Again, with the power of the Shuttle 9.0, the TH will drive the absolute snot out of the AE212. You can even set it up through the preamp of the Shuttle and use it as a stompbox overdrive, essentially making the rig a sort of two-channel unit. The Aguilar overdrive is a bit different sounding than what you get when pushing the Shuttle's tube preamp.

Another option is the Max 9.2. You could put the Tone Hammer into the FX send/receive on the tube channel, and you'd have extra warmth there.

I'm rambling. I love my Tone Hammer. It sees 10-15 hours a month on professional gigs where it is given lavished praised from other pro's who know good sound when they hear it. I am not a pro! So this pedal helps me pretend I am! I can't overstate the pedal's value to me enough. Sorry! :D
 
#84
KJung said:
I bet that GK is just a hammer, given how loud the MB500 is already. Not really my thing tonally, but I imagine that head would be the 'volume king' among micro's. I assume it is a ways out from going into production and distribution.
Click to expand...

I think they said a month or so on the MB800.
 
#86
Chef said:
I'm really glad I've waited to get back into a micro-head.
The amount of lightweight slaughter-heads coming out in the last few weeks is stunning.
Click to expand...

Great for the 'large cab 8ohm guys', or those who use two very large 8ohm cabs. A cab like the AE212 cab easily be pushed to full performance with 500 watts, so not a lot of application for mega watts for players like me.
 
#87
KJung said:
I'm assuming the Streamliner is a little bit more of a 'specialty voicing' (which is why I bought one for my amp stable)... more in the tone universe of a DB750 or whatever... a bit fatter, wider, tubier. I'm assuming that head is going to speak better with the AE410 than the AE212. We shall see. I should have one in about 3 weeks for review and clips with these cabs!
Click to expand...
You're very close. The amp they spent a lot of time with when targeting what tone to try and adopt as much as possible from was the Sadowsky SA-200, which one of them owns (I can't recall which).
 
#88
Vic said:
You're very close. The amp they spent a lot of time with when targeting what tone to try and adopt as much as possible from was the Sadowsky SA-200, which one of them owns (I can't recall which).
Click to expand...

+1 The SA-200 tonal target has been mentioned a few times on the thread. That is a good thing for me, since I describe the SA-200 as 'the only all tube head I don't hate'.:D
 
#89
KJung said:
+1 The SA-200 tonal target has been mentioned a few times on the thread. That is a good thing for me, since I describe the SA-200 as 'the only all tube head I don't hate'.:D
Click to expand...
ALMOST the same here... there are other tube heads I do like... maybe not enough to pay the money or put up with the weight, but I do. That said, of them all, the SA-200 is right at the top of the heap. I REALLY liked that head when I last played through it.

I only briefly got to hear the Streamliner at NAMM, and it did sound very good to me, but I couldn't tell you how much SA-200 it actually had in it.
 
#90
bassadicct said:
I am buying a new cab this week for my f500 and can't decide in the ae212 or 410. I play in a country band mostly and it will be used as a stand alone cab. I use a variety of basses but my main squeeze is a Lakland 5502.
Click to expand...
Nice choice in instruments! I have owned five different 55/44-02 instruments. They are my favorite simply because of the versatility of them. I've not had a chance to hear an AE410, but the AE212 is a great match with those basses. For country, I'd suggest the AE212 is the better cab of the two from what I've heard of the AE410. It's deeper and a bit less aggressive, so it should really shine in a country band where you don't want to have too much zing or aggression. You'll be able to put a bit more pillow under the band, and as Ken has suggested, if you want more grind just dial it in with your very versatile F500.
 
#92
Vic said:
You're very close. The amp they spent a lot of time with when targeting what tone to try and adopt as much as possible from was the Sadowsky SA-200, which one of them owns (I can't recall which).
Click to expand...

Roger Hart is a proud SA200 owner.
 
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#93
I was interested in seeing if anyone could provide feedback comparing the original IP112+HT112 extension cab, to a Shuttle 9.0 + AE212 setup.

I currently use the IP112+HT112 setup and have loved it the past few years, but am considering a change. Recently acquired the shuttle 9.0 from a TB'er and was considering pairing with an AE212. I play in a couple of fairly loud rock bands, and want to keep up in situations where I may not have PA support. Im looking for enough mids to cut through the mix, but also enough lows so the band can "feel" the bass. Reviews of the AE212 seem great, but was hoping I could get a direct comparison.

Im open to considering an AE410 as well, but I kinda like 12s, like the AE212 footprint and weight better! With that being said, an AE410 has not been ruled out either. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!:bassist:
 
#94
tombowlus said:
I heard all of those heads, and was fairly impressed. The TH500 sounds just like the Tonehammer pedal - go figure! The AGS isn't as aggressive as the Aggro, but can add a little hair. The Streamliner 900 was very warm/round/vintage, and quite nice. The ShuttleMAX 9.2 is super flexible, and can do just about any tone you'd like.

...
Click to expand...



I'm quite stricken with GAS for a Max 9.2.



tombowlus said:
...

That being said, what really blew us all away was the GK MB800. It packs a very visceral punch, and is the first micro head I have played that you really feel in your gut. Sure, gain matching is king; this was NAMM (which is a terrible place to actually hear things); we didn't do a direct A/B/C, etc., but based upon first impressions, at least, the MB800 really impressed. In fact, we gave GK one of our Best of Show Awards for the MB800. :cool:

Tom.
Click to expand...


Are they coming out with an 800W MB Fusion?
 
#97
lo-freq said:
Thanks!

I know (assume?) they're worlds apart tonally.

The "probably forthcoming" MB800 Fusion and the Genz Streamliner 900 would be a great comparison to check out (and to tie this all back to the current thread) using the Berg AE212.
Click to expand...

Yes, they do sound pretty different, despite the similar use of a 3-tube, 6-stage preamp and class-D/SMPS configuration. The Streamliner is more warm/full/round/vintage, and the Fusion is more open/articulate/aggressive and harmonic. You can bring each closer to the other via EQ, but their tonal centers certainly have their own personality.
 
#99
Willem said:
Since this cabinet is so popular, and the tonal differences between the AE and HS line have them aiming at different crowds, does anyone have any idea why Mr Bergantino hasn't come with a HS212 in that vertical format?
Click to expand...

Pure guess on my part, but I would think he feels he has the 12 non neo thing covered pretty welll with the HTER stack. Also, the HS line is a direct decendant of the Sadowsky SA line, that only had a 210 and 410. I would think he's putting most of his efforts into the neo driver market, since there is so much interesting stuff coming out from Eminence (i.e., the speaker manufacturers seem to be putting most of their R&D, at least on the bass and PA speaker side, into neo driver development).

Again, pure guess there, although a bit of an educated guess, however with zero input directly from Jim:)
 
#100
Thanks Ken. I figured something along those lines, like maybe he just hadn't found the right 12" driver that's up to the HS task.

But neo or not, he has to make a HS flavored vertical 212. That's such a cool looking and convenient format. And the way I interpret the tonal differences between the AE410 and HS410, a HS212 has a reason to exist!
 

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