Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM

[Jim Bergantino]

Yes I do Steve. Jim sent it to me as soon as I registered the amp. I have to say you were right in your description. It really is way less complicated than I imagined. It's a tinkerers dream and at the same time sounds amazing doing nothing. My worry was for naught. I doubt there is a problem room that couldn't easily be corrected with the B. I had very little time to do anything before the gig, though I did set the compressor, CN212 profile, slight overdrive, and frequency centers at home. Turned it on, did a minor tweak and never changed it for the entire 4 hrs. It sounds so good! Crazy good in fact. Everything I was wishing it could do was there. I took a stroll out front to hear the DI. I've been using a Noble that I'm in love with, so the bar was set high. Honestly, the Noble is going up for sale as is my Empress compressor. (another piece I've been loving since the day I got it)

Jerry.

Don't know for sure, but I think you're the first to post during an actual gig! ;-} Thanks for the report and glad to hear everything worked out for you, including the new firmware I just sent you. One thing I would like to point out based on Jerry's post (hope you don't mind Jerry), is that just the Noble DI and Empress Compressor alone cost the same as a new B|AMP! We've also had 3 reviews on the B|AMP and 2 out of the 3 reviewers purchased their B|AMP (the 3rd had an endorsement deal with another company).

Like I always say regarding pricing, it's not the actual price, but the value. If players add up what they cart and place on the floor in front of them, and compare that to what the B|AMP offers, the price of our 700watt Class D head will be far less (and even "free" in some instances!) than all the competing Class D amps using the same power module, and sound the truest of them all. Plus you get all the other extended features including the 3 or 4(with pedal) memory recalls, the newer world-class O/D and Distortions, VRC compressor, tuner, VHPF, VFBF, programmable bright filter, fully parametric eq, studio quality DI, firmware upgradeable (just think if you purchased your B|AMP 2 years ago when it first came out and it wasn't upgradeable!) and of course, the one thing that started all this, the Profiles. All that and now our optional wireless Bluetooth pedal, which allows switching between 4 memory locations, plus muting, from up to 30 feet away! Value? That's ultimately for the customer to decide.

On a slightly different note, these type of posts often remind me of my mother's father, an Italian immigrant tailor, who always said you're going to spend the same amount of time making a suit whether you use the cheapest material or the best material, and your time is worth something, so always use the best material. This is very reminiscent of the saying, "Anything worth doing is worth doing right", and has been my guiding philosophy since starting Bergantino Audio, including our new amp, the forte', which is dedicated to my loving mother, Pauline Forte Bergantino! ;-}

 

[husky123]

Jerry.

Don't know for sure, but I think you're the first to post during an actual gig! ;-} Thanks for the report and glad to hear everything worked out for you, including the new firmware I just sent you. One thing I would like to point out based on Jerry's post (hope you don't mind Jerry), is that just the Noble DI and Empress Compressor alone cost the same as a new B|AMP! We've also had 3 reviews on the B|AMP and 2 out of the 3 reviewers purchased their B|AMP (the 3rd already had an endorsement deal with another company).

Like I always say regarding pricing, it's not the actual price, but the value. If players add up what they cart and place on the floor in front of them, and compare that to what the B|AMP comes with, the price of our 700watt Class D head will be far less (if not free!) than all the competing Class D amps using the same power module, and sounds the truest at the same time. Plus you get all the other extended features including the 3-4(with pedal) memory recalls, the newer world-class O/D and Distortions, VRC compressor, tuner, VHPF, VFBF, programmable bright filter, fully parametric eq, firmware upgradeable (just think if you purchased your B|AMP 2 years ago when it first came out and it wasn't upgradeable!) and of course, the one thing that started all this, the Profiles. All that and now our wireless Bluetooth pedal, which allows switching between 4 memory locations, plus muting, from up to 30 feet away! Value? That's ultimately for the customer to decide.

On a slightly different note, these type of posts often remind me of my mother's father, an Italian immigrant tailor, who always said you're going to spend the same amount of time making a suit whether you use the cheapest material or the best material, and your time is worth something, so always use the best material. This is very reminiscent of the saying, "Anything worth doing is worth doing right", and has been my guiding philosophy since starting Bergantino Audio, including our new amp, the forte', which is dedicated to my loving mother, Pauline Forte Bergantino! ;-}

And that sir, is why you're one of the best in the business.

 

[kjones]

Jerry.

Don't know for sure, but I think you're the first to post during an actual gig! ;-} Thanks for the report and glad to hear everything worked out for you, including the new firmware I just sent you. One thing I would like to point out based on Jerry's post (hope you don't mind Jerry), is that just the Noble DI and Empress Compressor alone cost the same as a new B|AMP! We've also had 3 reviews on the B|AMP and 2 out of the 3 reviewers purchased their B|AMP (the 3rd already had an endorsement deal with another company).

Like I always say regarding pricing, it's not the actual price, but the value. If players add up what they cart and place on the floor in front of them, and compare that to what the B|AMP comes with, the price of our 700watt Class D head will be far less (if not free!) than all the competing Class D amps using the same power module, and sounds the truest at the same time. Plus you get all the other extended features including the 3-4(with pedal) memory recalls, the newer world-class O/D and Distortions, VRC compressor, tuner, VHPF, VFBF, programmable bright filter, fully parametric eq, firmware upgradeable (just think if you purchased your B|AMP 2 years ago when it first came out and it wasn't upgradeable!) and of course, the one thing that started all this, the Profiles. All that and now our wireless Bluetooth pedal, which allows switching between 4 memory locations, plus muting, from up to 30 feet away! Value? That's ultimately for the customer to decide.

On a slightly different note, these type of posts often remind me of my mother's father, an Italian immigrant tailor, who always said you're going to spend the same amount of time making a suit whether you use the cheapest material or the best material, and your time is worth something, so always use the best material. This is very reminiscent of the saying, "Anything worth doing is worth doing right", and has been my guiding philosophy since starting Bergantino Audio, including our new amp, the forte', which is dedicated to my loving mother, Pauline Forte Bergantino! ;-}

He's definitely not the first to post from a gig!

The B had a lot of hurdles for me. Could it actually sound as good as a tube amp? (I had been a tube snob.) Would the tons of features tick me off with excessive complication? Would the update procedure be annoying? Would I ever use the overdrive or distortion?

Once I waded one by one through those issues I worried about whether it would have enough power.

All those questions were answered. All I can say to people is that it works perfectly well out of the box, and as you're ready for features and possibilities, it will be ready as well.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

And that sir, is why you're one of the best in the business.

Thank you Lee, very humbled and honored.

 

[bucephylus]

He's definitely not the first to post from a gig!

The B had a lot of hurdles for me. Could it actually sound as good as a tube amp? (I had been a tube snob.) Would the tons of features tick me off with excessive complication? Would the update procedure be annoying? Would I ever use the overdrive or distortion?

Once I waded one by one through those issues I worried about whether it would have enough power.

All those questions were answered. All I can say to people is that it works perfectly well out of the box, and as you're ready for features and possibilities, it will be ready as well.

+1

There is this unfortunate thread elsewhere in this forum with a lot of nasty discussion regarding whether or not Class D has the "heft" of either SS AB or tubes. Those poor souls talking down Class D are simply uninformed. The B| could have only been improved by being named QED.

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

He's definitely not the first to post from a gig!

 

[rodneyat]

Jim,
Thanks for your post and your insight. As I have shared with you in the past. I was not even looking for a new amp. But when I stopped by your booth at Winter NAMM 2016 to demo the HD210 and 112 together since I was looking to go that route with my rig (already had a HD410 and HD112). But was looking for more modularity. I played them with the B|Amp and was sold instantly. I sold my other amps and went all Bergantino. I bought an HD210 and B|Amp the following week at the Atlanta Bass Gallery. And then when I was about to purchase a Darkglass pedal to add some color to my sound. You came out with the OD and Distortion upgrade. That's a lot of value in an amp

You always amaze me. Just when I think your stuff can't get any better

 

[Rocksolid]

Just did the 4.31 update. I like it.

A frustration of any set up with multiple presets, is what happens when you use a guitar with more or less output? It changes how your OD responds. I feel like this is a good work around. I can crank up the blend a bit with lower output basses, rather than having to run a clean boost in front or adjust each memory patch.

 

[mwbonsall]

Just did the 4.31 update. I like it.

A frustration of any set up with multiple presets, is what happens when you use a guitar with more or less output? It changes how your OD responds. I feel like this is a good work around. I can crank up the blend a bit with lower output basses, rather than having to run a clean boost in front or adjust each memory patch.

I use two basses and both have a different output. But, I know where to set the gain for each so it is no big deal to twist the gain knob without fussing with anything else.

Mark

 

[Jim Bergantino]

Just did the 4.31 update. I like it.

A frustration of any set up with multiple presets, is what happens when you use a guitar with more or less output? It changes how your OD responds. I feel like this is a good work around. I can crank up the blend a bit with lower output basses, rather than having to run a clean boost in front or adjust each memory patch.

Feel free to email me for the 4.31C6 firmware which has the newer parallel compression.

 

[Rocksolid]

Feel free to email me for the 4.31C6 firmware which has the newer parallel compression.

When did this come out Jim? Interested to hear what differences you expect over the current compression?

I should clarify... as some one said in reply to my post earlier, gain changes will change the impact of the ODs more efficiently than changing the blend, but mids make such a difference also. The blend function is great for rolling the clean as dirty on the fly.

 

[Jim Bergantino]

When did this come out Jim? Interested to hear what differences you expect over the current compression?

I should clarify... as some one said in reply to my post earlier, gain changes will change the impact of the ODs more efficiently than changing the blend, but mids make such a difference also. The blend function is great for rolling the clean as dirty on the fly.

I made an announcement here on TB about it a couple weeks ago. We haven't released the final version yet, as I need to make one small adjustment to make sure the O/D doesn't get mixed with clean, as it was never my intention to do so. With this version, you can just put the Aux knob fully CW to achieve the same result when selecting the O/D effect.

 

[Ryan L.]

I'm now officially the proud owner of a B|Amp-it arrived yesterday. Foot switch is on its way direct from Bergantino, and the carry bag is on its way from Rocket Music.

And as luck would have it, my remaining Warwick basses sold last night, so now I'm in the clear to order cabs now too. (Without my wife making me sleep in the garage).

 

[David A. Davis]

Congrats Ryan. What cabs are you going with?

 

[Ryan L.]

Congrats Ryan. What cabs are you going with?

Right now I'm heavily leaning towards the 210/112 combo. Not totally decided on the HDN's or the References yet.

Edit: Unless I decide to go with a complete 12" setup. Then I'll go with either a pair of HDN112's, or a single HDN212.

 

[bucephylus]

Awesome.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[jthisdell]

Right now I'm heavily leaning towards the 210/112 combo. Not totally decided on the HDN's or the References yet.

Edit: Unless I decide to go with a complete 12" setup. Then I'll go with either a pair of HDN112's, or a single HDN212.

Modular is definitely the way to go. A single Berg 112 will handle a lot of gigs and rehearsals unless you are really loud. If all of your gigs are loud then a 212 makes more sense.

 

[kjones]

Modular is definitely the way to go. A single Berg 112 will handle a lot of gigs and rehearsals unless you are really loud. If all of your gigs are loud then a 212 makes more sense.

IME this is really wise advice. I can't tell you how many calls I've done, even in front 250 or so people, with just the 112. Admittedly, those were low volume calls. Love the flexibility of being able to pull up and tailor the equipment for the gig, and the B with the 112 and 210 give me that flexibility.

 

[kevk]

Right now I'm heavily leaning towards the 210/112 combo. Not totally decided on the HDN's or the References yet.

Edit: Unless I decide to go with a complete 12" setup. Then I'll go with either a pair of HDN112's, or a single HDN212.

We're all trying to give you our honest experience/advice with Jim's different cab offerings. Since you can't try before buy...I'd suggest emailing or calling Jim directly, to get his thoughts, given your specific gig needs and tonal desires. He's one of the best with customer support!

 

[Ryan L.]

We're all trying to give you our honest experience/advice with Jim's different cab offerings. Since you can't try before buy...I'd suggest emailing or calling Jim directly, to get his thoughts, given your specific gig needs and tonal desires. He's one of the best with customer support!

I sincerely appreciate all the advice you guys have given me, it's been a great help. I will reach out to Jim as well, to get his thoughts on it also.