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Bergantino Forte HP

dave hope

dave hope

Dec 16, 2016
366
1,107
#1
I’m really not asking a question, I’m just desiring to share something about the Bergantino Forte HP. This is the best bass head I’ve ever had the privilege of owning.
I paid for mine, so I am not an endorse pushing a freebie.
I’ve been playing bass since 1965, and have owned everything from my first Fender Bassman up the current Aguilar AG 700 (which is a good amp), but the Forte HP is in a league by itself.
I play old school bass, so I can’t say whether it’s a good slap style head. But the quality and tone of this amp is impeccable. Hope this is helpful to someone.
God bless, Dave Hope (founding member of Kansas)
 
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#4
dave hope said:
I’m really not asking a question, I’m just desiring to share something about the Bergantino Forte HP. This is the best bass head I’ve ever had the privilege of owning.
I paid for mine, so I am not an endorse pushing a freebie.
I’ve been playing bass since 1965, and have owned everything from my first Fender Bassman up the current Aguilar AG 700 (which is a good amp), but the Forte HP is in a league by itself.
I play old school bass, so I can’t say whether it’s a good slap style head. But the quality and tone of this amp is impeccable. Hope this is helpful to someone.
God bless, Dave Hope (founding member of Kansas)
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave, appreciate the shoutout and feedback.
 
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#5
dave hope said:
I’m really not asking a question, I’m just desiring to share something about the Bergantino Forte HP. This is the best bass head I’ve ever had the privilege of owning.
I paid for mine, so I am not an endorse pushing a freebie.
I’ve been playing bass since 1965, and have owned everything from my first Fender Bassman up the current Aguilar AG 700 (which is a good amp), but the Forte HP is in a league by itself.
I play old school bass, so I can’t say whether it’s a good slap style head. But the quality and tone of this amp is impeccable. Hope this is helpful to someone.
God bless, Dave Hope (founding member of Kansas)
Click to expand...
Dave,
Thank you very much for your post and kind words. I can't begin to tell you what an honor and pleasure it was today to get your call sharing your excitement about your new forte' HP! I hope you continue to enjoy the amp, and as you become more familiar with its feature set, begin to unleash all the tones waiting inside the amp for you to discover. In fact, my product specialist, Lee Presgrave @husky123, is a wealth of information to help you dial in all your favorite vintage tones. Don't hesitate to reach out to him any time regarding using the various features of the amp.

Anyway, just wanted to say again how nice it was to get your call this afternoon and then come home from work and see your post here. Best wishes for continued enjoyment in all that life has to offer you!

Jim
 
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#6
jblock said:
Glad to hear it's good for old school playing. I've been debating the Forte or a Mesa Subway map. Are you using a specific cabinet(s) with the Forte?

Oh, and you are a bass playing monster. Those basslines on all the Kansas albums you played on still blow my mind.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the band
I alternate between Bergantino HDN 210 cabs, and a Aguilar SL 410.
The Bergs got more bite for louder playing. I’m just playing locally now, and have to keep it down in volume at times. The Aguilar cab is more mellow/vintage, and not as edgy.
Love both brands of cabinets for what they are.
PLUS, I’m 70 and the light weight and great sound is very agreeable for this old farts back. Lol
 
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#11
husky123 said:
Variable drive, high pass, low pass, punch, 2 bright choices, tighter, quicker, more visceral power section, bottomless headroom.
Click to expand...
Bassheart365 said:
I own its predecessor, the Forte. Can't say enough good things about this amp. Love the simplicity. But the HP is tempting. Any reason to upgrade besides having more power?
Click to expand...
That’s a hard one to answer, I’ve never owned a Forte, just the Forte HP. Depends on your financial wiggle room. I have a bad case of curiosity, so I have to check out anything that looks interesting.
 
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#12
I just picked one of these up to pair with my NV412 cab - and to (theoretically) replace my SV-II non pro. I have to say that I am extremely pleased with this amp. It hits every button I could want in a bass amp .. incredible tone, flexibility, built in FX (compressor and drive) and weight. It's like going from a dinosaur to a spaceship, that sounds very, very good.

Great job Jim !
 
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#13
So... are the compressor, HPF, and distortion worthy of the elimination of three stompboxes? I realize it's relative, and they won't have the control of dedicated stompboxes, but it's tempting to pick up a Forte HP and ditch the stompboxes if they're all built into the head!
 
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#14
Hambone70 said:
So... are the compressor, HPF, and distortion worthy of the elimination of three stompboxes? I realize it's relative, and they won't have the control of dedicated stompboxes, but it's tempting to pick up a Forte HP and ditch the stompboxes if they're all built into the head!
Click to expand...
The comp, drive, and hpf (and lpf) are all great...that said, I’d suggest listening to some YT clips, to see if it’s what you want to hear (better yet—demo an HP, if possible)...

Here’s the most recent drive demo I could find...


I believe there’s some comp demo’s as well. The HP is a superb head...love mine! The coolest feature...Jim keeps improving the HP circuits—your amp purchase won’t become obsolete, with the built-in capability to update firmware!
 
Last edited:
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#15
kevk said:
The comp, drive, and hpf (and lpf) are all great...that said, I’d suggest listening to some YT clips, to see if it’s what you want to hear (better yet—demo an HP, if possible)...

Here’s the most recent drive demo I could find...


I believe there’s some comp demo’s as well. The HP is a superb head...love mine! The coolest feature..Jim keeps improving the HP, and your’s won’t become obsolete, with the built-in capability to update firmware!
Click to expand...

Thanks Kevin. Speaking of "improving", new update very soon! Jim
 
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#16
dave hope said:
I’m really not asking a question, I’m just desiring to share something about the Bergantino Forte HP. This is the best bass head I’ve ever had the privilege of owning.
I paid for mine, so I am not an endorse pushing a freebie.
I’ve been playing bass since 1965, and have owned everything from my first Fender Bassman up the current Aguilar AG 700 (which is a good amp), but the Forte HP is in a league by itself.
I play old school bass, so I can’t say whether it’s a good slap style head. But the quality and tone of this amp is impeccable. Hope this is helpful to someone.
God bless, Dave Hope (founding member of Kansas)
Click to expand...
I love the Forte and my Reference 112’s...and Jim Bergantino is a man with a lot of integrity...aaand, I bleed Bergantino... but the real reason I’m replying to this post is so I can tell all my friends I had a nice conversation with Dave Hope from Kansas last night! Seriously Dave, you are one of the best bass players ever and I’m glad you’re still playing and doing well✌️❤️
 
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