Bergantino forte hp Vs. Eich T1000 Vs. Aguilar AG700

I have an Eich T500, which is similar to the T1000. I play mostly small combo and big band jazz. The amp is quite versatile- super clean and powerful. It has a “ Taste” knob, which allows you to quickly adjust your tone from clean to a more vintage sound. Took me a while to figure it out, but it makes it easy to change your sound. I use the amp for both fretted(active and passive)and fretless(piezo). Build quality is exceptional. I like it quite a lot.

 

I wouldn't discount the GK Legacy 800. The Forte is a killer amp though.

 

Had an Eich T900 which I liked very much—well built, pretty clean tone...but now have the Forte HP.

HP is an outstanding amp with a plethora of usable features on board, and allows for free firmware improvement/update—your amp investment doesn’t become obsolete. I’ve had mine since they were released...the amp is far better now, and cool knowing it will stay current—at no additional cost.

The latest firmware update provides beautiful “tube-type warmth” amp tone, and a killer OD/Fuzz option.

Lastly, the built-in LPF effect can be included in the DI signal...invaluable for church use, imo.

 

HP has a 4-band eq...here’s the specs from the Berg website:

• 4-Band Tone Controls: Bass: +/-10db @65hz, Lo-Mid:+/-10db @250hz, Hi-Mid: +/-10db @ 1khz, Treble: +/-10db @ 3.5khz
• Bright Switch: Selectable between 2 khz @ +6db and 7 khz @ +8db
• Punch Switch: +4.5 db @100 hz

I use Berg cabs, however, some HP players do use other brand cabs. As I understand it, the HP voicing was design as a generic profile... @Jim Bergantino or @husky123 might chime in with more detail.

I’d recommend asking HP players over in the main Bergantino thread, for their experience with non-Berg cabs.

Club Bergantino! Let's See Those Rigs!

 

I don't know the other amps listed, but I've been using an Aguilar AG700 for the last 3 years and I'd recommend you at least listen to one. Before that my main amp was a TH500. The Bergs and various Mesa Subway amps look very interesting. I briefly owned a D800 but so far I haven't felt inclined to sell my Aguilar. The AG700 is loud and provides a big and high quality tone from deep lows to high highs.

The guys who make these amps are all at the top of their game. They are all high quality and personal preference will be the decider.

 

i have been a B2 owner for many years and run them with an eden wt550 or an EA iAmp 800.. both sound great with the b2 and sound thunderous with 2 of them.
You can find both on the used market for decent $$

 

I have not played an Eich. I have owned the Aguilar AG 700 and now own the Berg Forte. I love Aguilar equipment, but to my ears the Bergantino delivers what I'm looking for.

It's worth noting that while I was shopping heads, I owned the Forte, the AG 700, and an Aguilar TH500 at the same time. I spent about a month rotating the heads, playing them through a pair of Aguilar SL 112s, an Aguilar SL 410, a Berg HG 310 and Berg HG 410.

The Forte is simple, has the power for about any application, delivers punch and is very transparent. I liked the TH 500 a lot, but the Forte was simpler to set up and was warmer and delivered more punch. The transparency was better too. The AG 700 is a lot of amp. I found it difficult to control in finding what I wanted tonally at reasonable volume. It was just too much amp for me.

You may have a different experience using your Acme cab. I am a believer in the theory that the cab is just as important as the head. I've found the Berg HG 310 and HG 410 cabs to be superior to anything I've played since jumping on bass in 1964. The HG engineering with one speaker facing the rear of the cab....IE: in the 310, two face forward, one faces rear; in the 410, three face forward, one faces rear.....creates a 360 / surround sound effect. The sound, literally envelops you as a player. The cabs are big and punchy and allow the transparency delivered by the Forte to be preserved. Again, remember, I did side by side testing with cabs as well as with heads. I found everything Bergantino to be superior....to my ears.

So, what am I playing now? I have sold all other bass amplification equipment. I own:

• Two Forte heads.....in case I need a back up
• Two HG 310 cabs
• One HG 410 cab.

I use a single HG 310 for smaller or acoustic set ups. I use the HG 410 for larger and outdoor settings. I sometimes stack the two HG 310s and run the Forte at 2 Ohms if I need more power or just want to have some fun. The Forte is switchable between 2 and 4 Ohms.

So, my money is where my mouth is.

Please check all specs on the Bergantino website: bergantino.com . Other brands to compare are easily Googled.

My Bergs are the best rigs, hands down, I've ever played. The best part is Jim and Holly Bergantino are just great people and Jim is a brilliant sound engineer, specializing in bass. The second best part after the sound, is the Forte and HG series cabs are lightweight.

I hope this is helpful. Best of luck in your search.

Best wishes.

Koog

 

I've had all 3. Not even close!! The Eich T-1000!!!

 

Otto....I do not have the HP, just the regular Forte. I prefer the simplicity.

After playing 10 inch cabs for years, I found the Aggie SL 112s to be not up to my expectations. The 12s lacked the focus I like from 10s. The Forte sounded very good with the SL 410, but the Berg HG 310 and HG 410 were both better to my ears. The differences were in the 360 degree sound created by the Berg speaker positioning, the Bergs delivered greater transparency relative to each instrument I played in my comparisons, and I felt there was more clarity and punch to the Berg cabinet response....with both Berg cabinets.

All very subjective, of course, because we all hear differently and develop individual preferences from there.

The Aguilar SL 410 is a great cab and did well with the Forte, but the Berg cabs were head and shoulders better. Very likely because Jim Bergantino engineered them to perform specifically with the line of Bergantino amps. Together, they are like a matched set.

Hope this is helpful.

Koog

 

man, IDK, that eich t1000 might be great, but every video clip I see is slap and pop crap. Any amp will sound just like that!

 

This is a 2-10 cab at 300 watts RMS. I think a perfect amp would be the Gallien-Krueger Fusion S 500 about $950.
I know its expensive for 500 watts but the sound is amazing with its 3 pre amp tubes.
There previous version is pretty much similar in power and sound and used would be much less as these amps came up in price (as many good amps do). Still hard to find.
As was said previously. The Older WT 550 by eden. The ones they had a problem with was the WT 800 C versions. They are amazing amps (B and A) The WT 550 would be an excellent option. Semi weighted. But great sounding.
Hard to find. Not many shown for sale. Even companies such as B&H advertise used ones at 900 dollars with a wait of 2 weeks delivery. Not familiar with their new line.
For lower wattage cabs I rather push it with a lower wattage amp then use a high wattage amp and being careful with the power. But that's me and many will disagree.

 

Yeah I was a little worried when getting mine due to those videos, but it turned out to be an incredible fingerstyle amp. Punchy as all get out.