Just bought a Bergantino Forte D and a NXV112 to use at home and I am very happy with it overall. Volume is not really a need right now but it’s there if and when I need down the road. I’m just wondering how many of you Forte owners out there also use additional tone shaping pedals with it like an eq or preamp pedal. I find I can get close to the tone I’m looking for but need to use an Empress parametric eq pedal to fine tweak it. That being said I’m running a passive precision bass and like to sculpt a little more midrange out then what the 4 band eq offers.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 Forte Owners
- Thread starter MattF007
- Start date
I've been very happy with my Forté (original, without the drive) and NXV212 rig. I've used a Berg Super Pre and a SansAmp BDDI in front of it to add drive and "colour", but I mostly just play it clean. I recently got an Origin Effects Super Vintage to try out, which I'm hoping can replace my very old SansAmp.
So you run the Super Pre into the front of the Forte through the instrument input? Curious if it can fit on top of the Forte head or is it too big. I can’t seem to find any dimensions for it.
I always was intrigued by the Berg stuff. However, I will say although they likely serve all the great praise they get, I was not overly impressed with their amps. Their cabs however are great, but I just could not get over the hump to "just need to have either." But that is just me, put the tomatoes away!
Too sterile for my tastes. It had high power at 2ohms which I wanted.
I bought an EBS Fafner.
I do like the concept of the Bergantino company.... small, founder still working the company, U.S made, but their products are not for me..I've owned and tried some cab lines too.
Can't fault the quality and I wanted to like them...but.
I bought an EBS Fafner.
I do like the concept of the Bergantino company.... small, founder still working the company, U.S made, but their products are not for me..I've owned and tried some cab lines too.
Can't fault the quality and I wanted to like them...but.
I'm surprised you can't get it done with the Empress alone. (assuming you've tried it using the Punch & Brite?)
Full disclosure; I "swapped out" my Forte for the HP) I kind of wish I'd kept the Forte for it's "simplicity" but went for the HP for it's expanded features,
but they both have the same PURE Berg "voice".
It's one of several amps I own, each of which has it's own "voice" that fits within my tonal preferences.
The cab you're using (??) can also make a big difference.
In front of the amp, I have the Aguilar DB925, VT, and the Empress Para EQ DLX II, any of which I may or may not use - depending, but it takes all of them very well.
There's probably various pres you can try to find the sound you like, but at the end of the day - especially with the para eq - if it's "native voice" isn't working for you - it might be time to try something else.
The amps I've tried that I had to rely on external devices to get a sound I like eventually got sold....
The Forte is super clean and uncolored. It's one thing playing it by yourself and quite another playing it with a band. I think the Forte allows the bass to sit well in a band mix and you can really be heard. I especially like the compressor.
I have a Forte D. Run the controls about flat. Sometimes use the drive knob for dirt. I also have a Geddy Lee sansamp, dug sansamp and EBS sheehan. Depends on my gig and mood
I think that is the Berg thing, sitting in the mix.
I have a HP2 and it sounds great with my Darkglas and Harke cabs.
The head allows the cabs to present THEIR voice.
I think that the frequencies Jim picked, sit well in the mix, as compared to the bass tone by itself.
My Sadowsky bass when I first got it, I wasn’t blown away with it’s initial tone compared to my Fender, but in the mix is when that bass pops.
Same for the Bergantino stuff imo.
I have a HP2 and it sounds great with my Darkglas and Harke cabs.
The head allows the cabs to present THEIR voice.
I think that the frequencies Jim picked, sit well in the mix, as compared to the bass tone by itself.
My Sadowsky bass when I first got it, I wasn’t blown away with it’s initial tone compared to my Fender, but in the mix is when that bass pops.
Same for the Bergantino stuff imo.
I really haven't thought about changing gear since I put my older Forte and Subway cabs together. I run a BDDI but hardly turn it on. My usage is a little different and I don't play live but I think its hard to beat.
