Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM

[rodl2005]

Hi Rod,

There's a profile on our website for the AE410 which you can easily download and load into your amp via thumb drive.

Jim

Great. Thanks Jim.
But not for the NV215?

 

[Edgar]

All drives have been wipe clean, formatted in FAT32 and a single file was on, Version 3.0 renamed bampfw.hex (every single time, multiple times).

The AD is useless/clueless so, I have less than 48 hours to make my mind if I want to return it.

I really don't know what else I can try. In respect to Jim's products, I got the feeling that my situation is the exception. By logic, my problem seems to hovers around the USB port/USB flash drive.

Someone is not talking or, someone is not listening.

To tell the truth, I'm not even interested in the compressor/fuzz effects that this upgrade offer. They might be amazing but, I play clean 95% of the time. Version 1.2 with my HDN112 profile selected is impressive.

I'm already sold.

My nickel (we don't have pennies here in Canada), Jim might have tap in the future of bass amplifier design... just like Apple change the face of the mobile phone with the iPhone.

Will keep you posted.

DAY 5

Still unable to upgrade the software from Version 1.2 to Version 3.0.

It's official, I've already spent thrice the time trying to install the software then playing the amplifier.

Working closely with Jim to solve the issue.

The silver lining, sounds great with Version 1.2 and operates flawlessly. Starting to guess that the USB port might be the culprit (unit was on display at the AD...) or, it's the guy writing this post.

Will keep you updated (pun intended)!

 

[Doug Parent]

Carvin PA head went up in smoke during sound check last night. One hour before the client comes in for dinner. End up running a Mackie mixer into the aux input on the B/Amp. Switched to 2 ohm operation and ran two bass cabs and two PA cabs all night without a hitch. B/Amp to the rescue.

 

[SteveC]

Carvin PA head went up in smoke during sound check last night. One hour before the client comes in for dinner. End up running a Mackie mixer into the aux input on the B/Amp. Switched to 2 ohm operation and ran two bass cabs and two PA cabs all night without a hitch. B/Amp to the rescue.

Wow. That's pretty impressive. Pretty creative as well. Well done MacGyver.

 

[Munjibunga]

Carvin PA head went up in smoke during sound check last night. One hour before the client comes in for dinner. End up running a Mackie mixer into the aux input on the B/Amp. Switched to 2 ohm operation and ran two bass cabs and two PA cabs all night without a hitch. B/Amp to the rescue.

Whoa.

 

[Edgar]

DAY 5

Still unable to upgrade the software from Version 1.2 to Version 3.0.

It's official, I've already spent thrice the time trying to install the software then playing the amplifier.

Working closely with Jim to solve the issue.

The silver lining, sounds great with Version 1.2 and operates flawlessly. Starting to guess that the USB port might be the culprit (unit was on display at the AD...) or, it's the guy writing this post.

Will keep you updated (pun intended)!

PROBLEM SOLVED!

I spent a good chunk of yesterday's afternoon at the AD with the B|Amp.

Working with them and with Jim on the phone, the software was upgraded from Version 1.2 to Version 3.0.

There was no issue with the unit.

The inability to download the bampfw.hex file was coming from the keys I/we where using.

This is a picture of some of the keys I own and use frequently. Both of them work flawlessly. I keep the one on the left on my keychain (with heavy OTFE).

It's a USB 2.0 thumb drive bought at the Apple store 3 years ago.

The one on the right is a USB 3.0 and when a dialogue is established between it and a USB port, a little light located at the end blinks frenetically.

I'm no expert but, it seems to me that the B|Amp didn't like any of my USB 2.0 flash drives. I don't understand it but maybe Jim will be able to shed some light on this or, will disprove this theory.

There might be other variables that I'm not aware that would explain why some users had to try a few flash drives to install the software.

Regarding the use of USB 3.0, the ones I had managed to gathered didn't successfully download the Version to the unit. I was going through the motion and the LED on the various keys where blinking. In my book, it meant that everything was "working". By "working", I was ruling out the keys as the culprit and, seems like the USB port was defective (or flash drive formatting/software corrupted/...).

Wrong.

After trying various keys at the store with a salesman and the store manager, a 3.0 with a blinking LED did the trick.

What I observed is the following:

Because of the recess port and cutout size on the metal fascia of the B|Amp, some keys don't make a proper connection, they need to be inserted a bit more (1-2 mm) to operate properly.

The problem, in my case, was that the outer body of the keys we tried had a diameter that limited the penetration depth when hitting the faceplate (don't quote this out of context please...).

They connected enough to make the LED blink but, the contact wasn't proper and the data wasn't migrating. Using a USB 3.0 key with the size/design of the one picture on the left seems like the way to go for future updates.

That's what I'll try when Jim release the auto-wah/phaser/B15 emulator on Version 3.5.

There you have it folks!

 

[bucephylus]

Yay!

 

[Kirk Bryant]

And so once again we see that while patience is a virtue, perseverance takes work. Congrats Edgar!

 

[rodl2005]

The eagle has landed. no pics so it ain't really happening of course. But my B-amp arrived yesterday and I'm already liking it far more than the Magellan 800 I swapped it for. Thanks to George at (Aus's ) Bass Gear Direct for doing me a nice deal
Absolutely nothing wrong with the Magellan . ...it just didn't 'floor me' - the Aguilar TH500 did (& still does) - where as the B-Amp sounded fantastic even thru my cheapo headphones at work. ...and then today I tried it thru my Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115 and it's a thing of beauty! Crystal clear , but not cold sounding and the VRC comp and Drives/distortion/fuzzes are cool too.
Am looking forward to the next gig (Wed night) where it'll be used with both upright and electric bass.
Dunno what it was about the Magellan . .... I liked the Shuttles more. ... just me n my tastes I s'pose.

Pics to come as soon as my photobucket site starts working again

 

[rodl2005]

Oh and. ..
I'm playing my '77 Gibson G3 w/ flats on thru it now. GLORIOUS! The Drive on 2 (OD gain on 5 - I'm yet to FULLY grasp all the possibilities... but that's another beautiful thing of this amp. .. lots to learn, try and experiment with)
& the comp on 4 & 5 iirc.
Thickens up ALL the notes and, again, sounds great.
I used it with my round wound loaded Stingray 5 earlier and got, what I think, the best slap feel/tone I've ever gotten outta a Class D powered amp.
Y'all know that I'm a tube amp fella. ... my fave is my Super Bassman - just SO thick n lush - & also love my Ampeg V4B AND my Aguilar TH500. But I wanted a good quality, lightweight amp that was totally different to the Aggy. ..it HAD to be reliable, powerful & easy to use.
I went with the Genzler Magellan - great amp with terrific quality and tons of power plus a HEAP of EQ possibilities, cool switching and drive options .
But I've returned to the Berg family (not that I'd left. ... I've got an AE410 & a NV215) &, gee it feels great to be with the B-Amp!

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Hey @rodl2005, had you also tried the Mesa Subway800? When I tried it I wasn't overly impressed I've been wanting one of these newer super heads but haven't had the coin to spring for one of the more expensive ones so when I came on a deal for a PV MM1000 for $425 I couldn't pass it up. But I know that heart really wants to try the B amp and the Glock Blue Rock. But those have to wait until I get a new used car that I've been saving for. And for the record I like the PV but it's not on the level of the B or BR I'm sure.

 

[rodl2005]

@Kirk Bryant Nup. There's no Mesa dealer in my city dagnabbit!!! But the B-Amp DOES fit nicely into the, very nicely made and padded, Mesa Walkabout bag!
I'd've loved to have tried out the Mesa Subway. But I would've had to have either bought one without trying it - therefore paying return postage etc. ...IF that particular dealer did indeed do return deals etc. ..
And TBH, even the B-Amp didn't REALLY turn me on initially. But the recent (free) download-able upgrades - sold me on it. And the touted Bluetooth footswitch has me even more keen.
I've mentioned (many times ) about my love for all tube amps. ...so the B-Amp didn't really excite me- at first . The recent firmware upgrades with overdrive, distortion & fuzz . ..and the nice compressor. ....plus, of course the many TB'ers raving about it. ....swayed me in its direction.
Also, my nothing but positive experiences with Berg cabs in the past, really helped.
I've had (pretty much in order) - firstly a NV610, NV215, AE112 x2, AE212, Sadowsky SA410 {Berg designed} & AE410.
I've only got the AE410 & NV215 left of my Berg cabs, but I love them both.
I don't even think there's a Peavey dealer left here. ..or if there is. ..no sight of the new D class amp.
Anyway, at present, I'm noodling away with the B-Amp & my 77 G3 Gibson. .....and loving it

 

[SteveC]

The eagle has landed. no pics so it ain't really happening of course. But my B-amp arrived yesterday and I'm already liking it far more than the Magellan 800 I swapped it for. Thanks to George at (Aus's ) Bass Gear Direct for doing me a nice deal
Absolutely nothing wrong with the Magellan . ...it just didn't 'floor me' - the Aguilar TH500 did (& still does) - where as the B-Amp sounded fantastic even thru my cheapo headphones at work. ...and then today I tried it thru my Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115 and it's a thing of beauty! Crystal clear , but not cold sounding and the VRC comp and Drives/distortion/fuzzes are cool too.
Am looking forward to the next gig (Wed night) where it'll be used with both upright and electric bass.
Dunno what it was about the Magellan . .... I liked the Shuttles more. ... just me n my tastes I s'pose.

Pics to come as soon as my photobucket site starts working again

It's post like this that keep me from pulling the trigger on a Magellan. I have always loved Genz Benz gear and use a Shuttle now, but have been debating something with a bit "more" these days. I played a Magellan a few weeks ago and it was nice. Very "Genzler" sounding and really nice. But I read about the Bergantino and watch videos and I'm very impressed and torn.

 

[Burwabit]

It's post like this that keep me from pulling the trigger on a Magellan. I have always loved Genz Benz gear and use a Shuttle now, but have been debating something with a bit "more" these days. I played a Magellan a few weeks ago and it was nice. Very "Genzler" sounding and really nice. But I read about the Bergantino and watch videos and I'm very impressed and torn.

I've been very torn too. I would love to have/play both side by side to make a decision. I sold/traded two amps including a Streamliner and a Mesa D800 to get a B|Amp to go with my new HDN212 but I ended up getting a Genzler before I got my money out of the 2nd one. I may end up getting a B|Amp and selling the one I don't bond with, but it's a hard call.

 

[kjones]

I've been very torn too. I would love to have/play both side by side to make a decision. I sold/traded two amps including a Streamliner and a Mesa D800 to get a B|Amp to go with my new HDN212 but I ended up getting a Genzler before I got my money out of the 2nd one. I may end up getting a B|Amp and selling the one I don't bond with, but it's a hard call.

What kind of music are you playing, and what kind of tone are you looking for?

 

[Burwabit]

What kind of music are you playing, and what kind of tone are you looking for?

I play both kinds of music.

Seriously, mostly country and rock. Think college bar gigs or Texas wedding band type of variety in most of the bands I play with. I want enough grit/character in the tone where I don't need to run a pedal. My other rig is V4B/212AV. I lean towards a rounder tone maybe, but I still want to cut through with clarity. I've played/play with bands that are all Telecasters and others that are Gibson/strat types. As I travel more for work, I'm having less time for bar gigs. I'm talking about joining a church band as a next step, but that'd be new for me.

 

[kjones]

Oh, I get the reference!

I am pretty sure the B would work great for you. What I do in that setting is use the Overdrive effect. Make sure the gain stage is set correctly, then dial in about four. If you're like me and are a relatively light player, it will barely sound on to you until you A/B it, at which time you'll see it's just starting to fatten it up with a tube-type feel. Then, just dial it in to taste.

On the church band, do it! I would say to professional musicians that the biggest drawback is the extremely wide range of players you will be placed with, but that's just the time when I put my instructor's hat on. It's a pure joy to be the conduit that channels all your real-world gritty experience to them. We have a young girl who goes to a religious High School in my worship band, and she hasn't seen much of the world. When I give her advice about playing and performance from my bar gigs and honky-tonks over the years, I have to dial the situations and language WAY back when I use them as examples!

Although I love the rock gigs I play, as well as the musicals, the worship setting is the one that is most satisfying to me for too many reasons to even mention. Take a look at the Praise and Worship thread if you have any questions.

 

[relwof]

And LOL on your wife "analysis" ;-}

Jim

Hopefully we'll all be laughing, happy, and... I think I better grab some gift certifcates for a really nice local spa. Because Atlanta Bass Gallery has one less B|Amp in stock. Which would be bad enough, but I also took their only HDN410...

 

[relwof]

So I'm normally more the ask permission than the ask forgiveness type, but I, um kinda slipped this time. Fortunately Costco had some nice spa certificates. And chocolate. Now all I need is a bottle of Baileys and I'll be, well, at least started. MIght take a while to melt this iceberg...

 

[rodl2005]

I've been very torn too. I would love to have/play both side by side to make a decision. I sold/traded two amps including a Streamliner and a Mesa D800 to get a B|Amp to go with my new HDN212 but I ended up getting a Genzler before I got my money out of the 2nd one. I may end up getting a B|Amp and selling the one I don't bond with, but it's a hard call.

I s'pose it's different strokes. .......... I bought -and couldn't get rid of quickly enough- a GB Streamliner.. all the talk of it being 'tubey' etc etc. . I found it just didn't suit me at all . But. ..love me the Shuttles.
The talk of the Magellan hitting hard etc etc. . just didn't work for me either. I've not gigged the B-Amp yet but. ..wow. .so far. ..it presses all my buttons.