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Bergantino Forte

#181
Lowendtech said:
So here I am at the music store. Was thinking I was about to trade my D800+ in on the Forte. Really dig the very open tone/sound of the Forte.
But......
What’s with the pots. They’re quite wobbly and upon pulling one of the knobs off, the shaft is plastic!!!!! They feel quite less than robust.
In comparison to the D800/+ which feel solid as a rock.
I can’t help but feel that if they ever took a little knock, they’d snap off like a twig.
Is it just me? Very curious about this. So much so that I think I’ll hold off for now.
Opinions welcome. Thanks.
Click to expand...
The pots we use have insulated shafts. If you somehow managed to snap one of those (can’t imagine the force it would take to do so) you would have a lot bigger problem than replacing a pot!;-)
 
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#184
I got to play a Forte (through a CN212) a couple weeks back and was very impressed. It seemed like the EQ center points, Q, and level of control were especially well chosen for nice surgical tone shaping. It's one of only a handful of heads IME where you could reasonably use most all the +/- capability on each knob. To me this opens up a lot of voicing options even with the fixed control points.

With the internal fixed HPF set at 40HZ (IIRC) and the bass EQ at around 62 HZ I found the bass control to be one of the few I could crank all the way and not have a mud/booming problem - very nicely done! The high boost was also very subtle and not the least bit harsh or annoying, it just seemed to provide some air/added transparency to the upper register. I was also quite impressed with the compressor. It was subtle and among the best I've ever seen on bass head.

As for power, it seemed to be capable of delivering a lot of sound without breathing the least bit hard. I didn't try the I/Amp, but can only assume it would be even more of a good thing. As a final thought, I found the Berg to be clean in a good, transparent way (not at all sterile, SS sounding) and would imagine DB/acoustic players would find it usable as well.
 
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#185
Jim Bergantino said:
The pots we use have insulated shafts. If you somehow managed to snap one of those (can’t imagine the force it would take to do so) you would have a lot bigger problem than replacing a pot!;-)
Click to expand...
Ah. So is the fact that they’re insulated, is what makes them wiggle a bit up/down, side/side?
Forgive my curiosity, but it threw me for a loop. I’m not used to that.
 
#186
Al Kraft said:
I got play a Forte (through a CN212) a couple weeks back and was very impressed. It seemed like the EQ center points, Q, and level of control were especially well chosen for nice surgical tone shaping. It's one of only a handful of heads IME where you could reasonably use most all the +/- capability on each knob. To me this opens up a lot of voicing options even with the fixed control points.

With the internal fixed HPF set at 40HZ (IIRC) and the bass EQ at around 62 HZ I found the bass control to be one of the few I could crank all the way and not have a mud/booming problem - very nicely done! The high boost was also very subtle and not the least bit harsh or annoying, it just seemed to provide some air/added transparency to the upper register. I was also quite impressed with the compressor. It was subtle and among the best I've ever seen on bass head.

As for power, it seemed to be capable of delivering a lot of sound without breathing the least bit hard. I didn't try the I/Amp, but can only assume it would be even more of a good thing. As a final thought, I found the Berg to be clean in a good, transparent way (not at all sterile, SS sounding) and would imagine DB/acoustic players would find it usable as well.
Click to expand...
I was quite impressed with what was coming out of the cabs. What you’ve said here rings very true.
 
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#187
Lowendtech said:
Ah. So is the fact that they’re insulated, is what makes them wiggle a bit up/down, side/side?
Forgive my curiosity, but it threw me for a loop. I’m not used to that.
Click to expand...
It's funny you mentioned that because I too thought the Berg Forte pots felt a little "light weight/light duty" based on what I was expecting. The pots all worked well - no noise, smooth operation, but I was simply expecting a heavier Mesa-like feel. However, at the end of the day I know that all Berg components are top drawer and so I just had to get over my 1960's bias toward heavy iron means good, lighter plastic/nylon/composite material means bad! :thumbsup:
 
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#188
Al Kraft said:
It's funny you mentioned that because I too thought the Berg Forte pots felt a little "light weight/light duty" based on what I was expecting. The pots all worked well - no noise, smooth operation, but I was simply expecting a heavier Mesa-like feel. However, at the end of the day I know that all Berg components are top drawer and so I just had to get over my 1960's bias toward heavy iron means good, lighter plastic/nylon/composite material means bad! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
The newer insulated shaft pots definitely have a different feel to them than the more traditional pots we all grew up with. But electrically they serve the same function.
 
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#189
Jim Bergantino said:
The newer insulated shaft pots definitely have a different feel to them than the more traditional pots we all grew up with. But electrically they serve the same function.
Click to expand...
...we got used to carrying light weight amps in little gig bags instead of huge, heavy amps in full size rack cases, and so far that's working out fine for me. Clearly there's no reason to believe high-tech, lighter-weight components aren't equal to or better than the old heavy stuff.

At the end of the day I have 100% confidence that if something has the Bergantino name on it, every bit and piece had to measure up to your high standards Jim...and that's more than good enough for me. Thanks!
 
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#190
@Jim Bergantino, I would appreciate if you could please let me know how I should be using my Tech 21 GED 2112 preamp with my new Forte. The 2112 sums its two preamp outputs to one output in my set up - done through an internal jumper as described in a service manual. So I have a single 1/4 inch TS output.

My options are:
Go in the front on the Forte
Go in the effects return on the Forte
Take the 0db out from the Tech 21
Take the -20db out from the Tech 21

I bought a Crown XLS to use with the GED 2112 a couple of days ago (with the hope of bi amping it as soon as I got a second Berg HDN 112), but it did not meet my needs (recording and playing at home studio, no gigging). I had to return the Crown, and got my Forte today.

:) :woot: :) To say that I am satisfied with my Bergantino purchases (HDN 112 + the Forte) is an understatement. They sound amazing. Thank you for bringing these awesome products to us Sir.

I do however also like my Tech 21 GED 2112 for heavy genres, and I would like to find out what you would recommend - what is the best way to use a preamp like the GED 2112 with the Forte? I of course tried all options already, but would like to find out what you would recommend.

Thanks so much!
 
Last edited:
#191
Junta said:
@Jim Bergantino, I would appreciate if you could please let me know how I should be using my Tech 21 GED 2112 preamp with my new Forte. The 2112 sums its two preamp outputs to one output in my set up - done through an internal jumper as described in a service manual. So I have a single 1/4 inch TS output.

My options are:
Go in the front on the Forte
Go in the effects return on the Forte
Take the 0db out from the Tech 21
Take the -20db out from the Tech 21

I bought a Crown XLS to use with the GED 2112 a couple of days ago (with the hope of bi amping it as soon as I got a second Berg HDN 112), but it did not meet my needs (recording and playing at home studio, no gigging). I had to return the Crown, and got my Forte today.

:) :woot: :) To say that I am satisfied with my Bergantino purchases (HDN 112 + the Forte) is an understatement. They sound amazing. Thank you for bringing these awesome products to us Sir.

I do however also like my Tech 21 GED 2112 for heavy genres, and I would like to find out what you would recommend - what is the best way to use a preamp like the GED 2112 with the Forte? I of course tried all options already, but would like to find out what you would recommend.

Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

Happy to hear you’re enjoying your new forte’ and HDN112 cab. The only difference between going thru the input and effects return is the input gain part of the circuit. My thoughts, not being familiar with your preamp, is to try the -20db output thru the main input and the 0db thru the effects return and see which one works best for you. Be sure to use the OL indicator to make sure your levels are correct regardless of which way you go to avoid any clipping going into the DSP. If you find the 0db output is too hot in level going into the effects return you can also try using the -20db output for that connection as well. Please let me know how you make out or if you have any more questions.
 
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#192
Thank you Mr. Bergantino. This is beyond what any customer could hope for in terms of customer service! Much appreciated.

You confirmed my findings during my first few hours. -20db through the front seems to work really well.

Effects return works ONLY with -20db. 0db seems to be too hot.

Regards.
 
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#196
I use mine with a single HDN112 all the time, just be mindful with volume. If you intend to play really loud i would advise you to add speaker(s).


hztjtao said:
Hi everyone, I read that the forte has 2 outputs power 700w at 4ohms and 800w at 2ohms. I am concern that using just a HDN112 which takes in 350W max at 8ohms will blow it .
Click to expand...
 

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