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Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM

#501
rmars said:
I've been fortunate enough to spend quite a few hours with a fellow bassist A/B'ing the B/Amp with the Magellan. These are by far the best two class D amps I've played and I love them both. The Magellan(set clean) and B/Amp can be dialed in to get in the same ballpark; at least much more closer than with a Mesa D-800 or TH500.

Here's some things I noted;
-Both amps project VERY well and have a crap load of power. You can really feel the notes and they throw into the room.
-The Magellan can be very clean but I'd say the B/Amp is even more so...and it's not like a overly hi-fi thing or unforgiving, just accurate.
-With the 2 contours and the drive channel I would say the Magellan is more versatile if your looking to vary your tone.
-The HPF and cab presets are super awesome for Berg cab owners. Really nice to dial in out problems with the lowend in the room and tighten things up.
-The Magellan is faster to dial in without having to go to sub menus and the single sweep-able mid is fine by me. I've rarely felt the need for two mid controls.
-B/Amp seems to have a bit more more going on down low (depending on the HPF setting).

The first thing we noticed with both amps set flat is that the Magellan seemed more mid aggressive and initially more impressive/exciting. This made sense as we were using the B/Amp preset that flatten things out. We were able to dial in the B/Amp to get the tones pretty darn close. The clarity of the B/Amp is really something in a mix. I was listening my friend play his live and you could hear the character of the LaBella tape wounds he was using and it was very actuate to the sound of the instrument.

Not gonna lie, if money wasn't an issue and I hadn't taken this year off gigging I'd pick up a B/Amp. For clean tones it's just a little better to my ear and there's something in the highend I like a little more. That said I absolutely love my Magellan and for the moment I've have no amp related GAS.
Click to expand...

I have to say, that's pretty spot-on. Well-stated! :thumbsup:
 
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#506
I am ready for a micro upgrade and have been following the B|Amp discussions with much interest. Unfortunately, in my case, I am still gigging a couple of AE212 cabs. While I have keen interest in the B|Amp, it would need to have the modeling algorithms for the AE cabs for it to make sense. I know this is possible. But, possible and actually happening are two different things. If this is going to remain in the realm of possible, but never happen; well, then I am more likely to just get a Magellan and try to be happy with that. Otherwise, I would have to flip out of the AE cabs into the HDN cabs. And, while I am extremely impressed with what I hear in the HDN cabs, that kind of $4k catharsis just doesn't pass the cost/benefit muster in my case.

I recognize I should call Jim and ask him; but, was curious whether any TB'ers had heard one way or the other as to what the status of AE models was going to be.
 
#507
bucephylus said:
I am ready for a micro upgrade and have been following the B|Amp discussions with much interest. Unfortunately, in my case, I am still gigging a couple of AE212 cabs. While I have keen interest in the B|Amp, it would need to have the modeling algorithms for the AE cabs for it to make sense. I know this is possible. But, possible and actually happening are two different things. If this is going to remain in the realm of possible, but never happen; well, then I am more likely to just get a Magellan and try to be happy with that. Otherwise, I would have to flip out of the AE cabs into the HDN cabs. And, while I am extremely impressed with what I hear in the HDN cabs, that kind of $4k catharsis just doesn't pass the cost/benefit muster in my case.

I recognize I should call Jim and ask him; but, was curious whether any TB'ers had heard one way or the other as to what the status of AE models was going to be.
Click to expand...

Hi Bucephylus,

We obviously didn't do a good job getting the word out, but the profiles for the AE212 and AE410 are available on our website.

Regards,

Jim Bergantino
 
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#509
tombowlus said:
I'm guessing that some of you know this already, but Jim has come up with a "mod" to the B|Amp which dramatically improves its performance with passive basses. I highly recommend this mod, and anyone so interested should contact Jim. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks Tom,

We've been in the process of contacting dealers and asking them to reach out to their customers as well as reaching out directly to all customers who registered their B|AMP. Anyone who has a B|AMP that hasn't been contacted by their dealer our by us, please feel free to do so via email at [email protected] or 508-234-4195 for details and instructions. We will make this quick and easy for you.

Best Regards,

Jim
 
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#510
tombowlus said:
I'm guessing that some of you know this already, but Jim has come up with a "mod" to the B|Amp which dramatically improves its performance with passive basses. I highly recommend this mod, and anyone so interested should contact Jim. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
My friend that has B|Amp contemplating the mod but love the amp as is and doesn't want to mess any of that up. What does the mod do and does it affect/change anything when using an active bass?
 
#511
rmars said:
My friend that has B|Amp contemplating the mod but love the amp as is and doesn't want to mess any of that up. What does the mod do and does it affect/change anything when using an active bass?
Click to expand...

RMARS,

It doesn't effect anything with an active bass, but if he ever uses a passive bass in the future or has an active bass with a passive bypass, he should do the mod. He can call me directly if he has any further questions.

Regards,

Jim
 
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#512
Jim Bergantino said:
RMARS,

It doesn't effect anything with an active bass, but if he ever uses a passive bass in the future or has an active bass with a passive bypass, he should do the mod. He can call me directly if he has any further questions.

Regards,

Jim
Click to expand...
Jim, I don't own a B|Amp (yet) but have spent quit a bit of time demoing the one my friend owns thru my HD212/112 and it's absolutely amazing! If that mod is an improvement that's saying something because it's sounded incredible "as is" with my passive Jazz Bass. Good work!
 
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#513
rmars said:
Jim, I don't own a B|Amp (yet) but have spent quit a bit of time demoing the one my friend owns thru my HD212/112 and it's absolutely amazing! If that mod is an improvement that's saying something because it's sounded incredible "as is" with my passive Jazz Bass. Good work!
Click to expand...

If you played it with a passive bass, it will sound much better with the mod!
 
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#514
Jim Bergantino said:
If you played it with a passive bass, it will sound much better with the mod!
Click to expand...

+1 This is not a subtle improvement. It is quite noteworthy and very worthwhile. More gain, more high end, more "open" tone with passive basses after the mod. :thumbsup:
 
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#517
bucephylus said:
Is the passive bass mod a hardware or firmware mod?
Click to expand...

This is a very simple hardware mod. Most of our dealers' stock is already updated or has been restocked with the current version. If you're considering one, please feel free to check in with me and I will make sure you get the latest rev.
 
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#519
bucephylus said:
I am ready for a micro upgrade and have been following the B|Amp discussions with much interest. Unfortunately, in my case, I am still gigging a couple of AE212 cabs. While I have keen interest in the B|Amp, it would need to have the modeling algorithms for the AE cabs for it to make sense. I know this is possible. But, possible and actually happening are two different things. If this is going to remain in the realm of possible, but never happen; well, then I am more likely to just get a Magellan and try to be happy with that. Otherwise, I would have to flip out of the AE cabs into the HDN cabs. And, while I am extremely impressed with what I hear in the HDN cabs, that kind of $4k catharsis just doesn't pass the cost/benefit muster in my case.

I recognize I should call Jim and ask him; but, was curious whether any TB'ers had heard one way or the other as to what the status of AE models was going to be.
Click to expand...

I don't know, Bucephalus, that TBer who responded to you seems pretty knowledgable about what's going on.
 
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