• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM

#981
Edgar said:
Hi guys!

I got a "situation" here with a B|AMP and something is telling me that I'm missing on a very obvious detail to fix it but, I just can't put my finger on it.

I'll (try to) keep it short. :)

I bought a brand spanking new B|AMP in November 2016 that John Files sent directly to my local AD just for me. It was meant to be my pratice amp (I got a tour gig rig) that I would keep at home. Perfect head to hear how my basses really sounds like and how much I can be sloppy and suck on a bad day.

Then my friend drop by a few weeks later, right after the HDN112 started to open up real nice.

So, he sits down and start playing the small rig and, fall in love with the tiny set up.

It's not his first rodeo.

The guy is sponsored by my favourite luthier from Hamilton, he gets to organize a Bass Camp event here in Quebec and spend time scheduling master classes with obcure cats like League, Gwizdala and Caron.

He knows good tone when he hears it and that day, his Fodera sounded as if a misty veil that he didn't know was there had been lifted. I had told him about the transparency, clarity, uncoloured and synergy of the setup but, tone speak louder than words (my words so it seems).

Anyway, he calls me two days later and offer me a great trade in exchange of the B|AMP and HDN112. Something that I was bugging him about for quite a while so I agreed.

Fast forward to Thursday evening.

He had that pretty standard corporate gig so I went with him because we had other plans after that.

A very small venue/ensemble stuff.

He went there very light gearwise, just the HDN112, B|AMP and his Noble. He power the B|AMP on and just as the display get lit, the red PROTECT LED turns on.

We double check everything, removed the Noble from the signal chain, check for faulty cables, no luck. The place had no PA so, we didn't try the DI.

Luckily, I had a TH350 in my Portabag and we set it up and the gig went fine.

It has only been 24 hours since the issue arose but the B|AMP is still dead silent. We went through every trouble shooting we could think of but,the red PROTECT LED still lit every single time.

Zero sound coming out of the cab(s), no hiss, nothing. The preamp section respond to the commands (EQ section) but, even after reinstalling the firmware, factory reset... nothing's working (not even the fan when I set it to 2 Ohms). We don't even hear relays clicking on startup.

One thing that I'm wondering is that while we were bringing the gear on the stage, the Noble and B|Amp were in a padded Aguilar carry bag on top of the HDN112 and his bass gig bag strap drag the carry bag on the edge of the cab where it felt down gently on the floor, a 14" to 16" fall.

I mean, could that explain it (The Noble is fine. In fact, both pieces of gear have always been trouble free)?

The B|AMP unit is flawless, not a dent nor scratch since it was protected with padding. I know it's built like a tank and it's meant to be road worthy and reliable so...

Bad A/C?
Fuse?
Ground issue?

Anyone has any ideas, anything he can try or, should he just sent the unit (what's the turnaround time for RO at Berg?) to the tech bench under the limited warranty?

If you have a suggestion or comment, please chime in.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Have you talked to Jim about this yet?
 
#982
My friend wrote to him (or maybe it was John) but since it happened Thursday evening/night, he only did so yesterday (Friday), not giving much time to anyone at Bergantino to reply.

It's his new main amp, he sold his DB750 (that he always loved dearly but was getting a bit tired of the weight) so last night, he hook the Noble directly in the PA (great tone but it was a bit "woolly).

My guess is that we are missing something obvious in the "trouble shooting" area.
 
#983
Edgar said:
My friend wrote to him (or maybe it was John) but since it happened Thursday evening/night, he only did so yesterday (Friday), not giving much time to anyone at Bergantino to reply.

It's his new main amp, he sold his DB750 (that he always loved dearly but was getting a bit tired of the weight) so last night, he hook the Noble directly in the PA (great tone but it was a bit "woolly).

My guess is that we are missing something obvious in the "trouble shooting" area.
Click to expand...

I have heard through John about this and given the amp was dropped and the Protect light comes on and stays on, I would highly recommend you send the amp back to us. The only part of the amp which would trigger the Protect light is the ICE module itself. Please don't attempt to fix it or open the amp up. I will turn it around very quickly for your friend.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mwbonsall, Edgar, Testing123 and 2 others
#984
Jim Bergantino said:
I have heard through John about this and given the amp was dropped and the Protect line comes on and stays on, I would highly recommend you send the amp back to us. The only part of the amp which would trigger the Protect light is the ICE module itself. Please don't attempt to fix it or open the amp up. I will turn it around very quickly for your friend.
Click to expand...

Amazing service once again, Thanks Jim!
 
#985
I'm not shocked at all with Jim taking care of things and responding promptly.

Just got done four hours of show with mine, same thing last night, and about seven hours of double tomorrow. As long as you take care of them they take care of you!

Funny thing about tomorrow, I'm going from a bit dirty and overdriven right over to completely clean. From my 410 to my 112. Versatile is what the B|Amp is all about.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Edgar and David A. Davis
#989
@tombowlus it stroke me today while ready the last issue of Bass Gear Mag, I don't think there has been a full test of the B|Amp, which is surprising since you're a long time supporter of the brand.
Are you waiting for Something special or is there another reason why you don't do it?
 
#991
Here's one for the class, granted I'm still new to the B|Amp game. Does anyone get a tube amp vibe in regards to the warm, richness (is that a word?) and dimension to the B|Amp's notes? It just seems to my ears that there's an extra dimension to the tone that I usually associate with tube amps.
 
#994
Jazz Ad said:
@tombowlus it stroke me today while ready the last issue of Bass Gear Mag, I don't think there has been a full test of the B|Amp, which is surprising since you're a long time supporter of the brand.
Are you waiting for Something special or is there another reason why you don't do it?
Click to expand...

We have actually never done a full technical review of any Bergantino product. I'd love to do one some day!
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevk
#996
husky123 said:
Yeah, I wasn't really meaning the overdrive aspect, more just the way the B|Amp produces and delivers the notes.
Click to expand...

I haven't used a B|Amp yet, but people used to say that about the Avalon U5 as well - it sounded like a tube DI because it's so warm and tube-like even though it isn't. Maybe Jim and U5 designers just have a magic touch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: husky123
#999
husky123 said:
Yeah, I wasn't really meaning the overdrive aspect, more just the way the B|Amp produces and delivers the notes.
Click to expand...
No, it does not have an inherent "tube drive" sound. It does a good job of that with the Overdrive effect, but that's the point. The amp was designed to deliver as uncolored and accurate a sound as possible. The effects circuits were added to appeal to those who want the option of tube warmth or even distortion.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bass nitro

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back