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Bergantino IP112 - Holy @*#&!

Big String said:
Can anyone comment on how the SVP-CL compares to say a Aguilar DB659. I've got a Demeter 201S that I use with my IP310 and its sounds good, but I want some more midrange cut/punch.

The 659 is very "aggie" sounding - thick and fat, with a nice amount of stringy-ness. The CL sounds completely different IMHO, much more aggressive and in your face, with more bloomy bass. The CL also tends towards the punchy midrange while the 659 seems smoother and more tube-like.
 
I completely trust you and never doubted your words for a second! It really is a great piece of gear, especially coupled with the IP cabs, that adds rich, complex, meaty tones to compliment the fingerstyle player. It's one pre that will be in my arsenal for quite a while (though it may be sitting next to a Berg Line Driver someday :D ). I'll post further thoughts on the TV/IP rig after I give it a few gigs in the upcoming weeks.

Nightbass said:
No, I assured you when you asked that I didn't modify it, and I truly doubt if the previous owner did, either, as the insides are all spray painted with blue paint! Hasn't been dropped by me, either, and as Tom illustrated, it can take a dive off the roof of an Audi. :)

Sorry you're having problems with it. If you want a refund, just holler.

Nightbass
 
I auditioned a Bergantino IP112 this afternoon :D, after which, I drove straight home and read this entire 12-page thread.

I don't think I'll have to look any farther for my ideal rig, but I do have a few questions (Bass Alone in San Diego did not have any documentation on hand, I was too mesmerized by the sound to think of such mundane details at the time, and I couldn't find this info on the Bergantino website):

How long is the power cord, and is there some place to store in on-board?

What kind of warranty is provided?

Has anyone tried it tilted back or on a chair (Is it advisable or even necessary)?

Can someone post a close-up photo or describe the back of the cabinet and amp with its connections, fuseholder, etc.?

I'm ready to drop two large and pick one up, but I'll need to buy a pre-amp/DI first for my passive P-bass and upright. I pasted Tom's pre-amp recommendations (Thank you, kind sir) into a Word doc for further study, but I'd like to know if there are any units that are particularly well suited to both EB & UB.

Before I jump in feet first and snag an IP112, can anyone tell me the price of the IP212 and IP310? If they're not prohibitively more expensive, I may wait until I can to play through both of them before proceeding further.

Fascinating thread - Thanks in advance!
 
Here's a pic of the back of my IP 310; it has the same basic amp unit as the IP112, but with a different DSP program (also the 112 can drive an external cab, @500w/8ohms IIRC).

IMG_0754.jpg


They're both great, but I preferred the feel and sound of the IP 310. The power cord has a blue speakon-type connector, so it's not easily interchangable with normal power cords, and it's about 6 feet long. There is no place to store it in the cab. The amp is also protected on the back side by four "feet" which stick out. All iin all, it's pretty sturdy, but I would still leave the cover on it while moving it. You can also sort of see the balanced DI output and the input, which is also a balanced connector. Sorry about the lousy quality of the picture; someone else had posted a better pic at one time but I think it's gone.
 
The amp section looks the same on the IP112 except there is a speakon out for an extension cabinet (EX112 or HT112). Note that the cover for the IP112 has a pocket that you could put the power cable and other small accessories. The IP112 also has two DSP settings. One is for single cab operation, and the other is if you run an extension cabinet. If I remember, the cost of the IP112 was around $1899 with the IP310/212 round $2200. The IP112+Extension cab will run you more than a single IP310/212. You have to decide if size is a deciding factor. I was trying to move to a more modular cab size and the IP112 fit that bill, otherwise the IP310 or IP212 would have been the clear choice sonically. I think the warranty is 3 years. Jim's releasing a line driver pre some time this year, but there are some great pres out there. Some fellow members made some great suggestions that you can find in a thread I started while I was inquiring about the Bergantino stuff.

Check this thread is you haven't already:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259750&highlight=IP112


Good luck,

Cheers
 
I hate all you guys. I've been away from the board from some time due to teaching / traveling, came back to town needing a new rig and start to read all this crap. Geez. I have GAS, so bloated.

So the input on these is an XLR? Has anyone put a SansAmp in front of an IP212 yet? Sorry, I didn't mean instrument input, I meant for the preamp.

I'm still debating on this route or just getting 2 112's to go with my current SansAmp / QSC rig. Help me!
 
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time and effort to post the picture.

I cannot figure out why so many manufacturers who produce otherwise excellent products stint on power cords; were it I, I'd include a 12/3 cord at least 15-feet long and build in a current analysis display that would immediately let me know if the outlet was improperly grounded, had the hot and neutral reversed, had inadequate voltage, etc. - and I'd include a place to stow the cord on board the rig.

So many venues have improperly wired electrical outlets, and outlets situated more than six feet away, that I would find such features valuable; their inclusion would tell me that the manufacturer is exceeding my expectations by providing features for bassists playing gigs out in the real world.

End of rant :D
 
Jazzdogg said:
Thanks Pako!

Interesting information. I wish Bass Alone had the other units in the store to test drive. Guess I'll wait unitl I can check out more Bergantino gear in person; buyer's remorse is a bear!

For sure. I made a huge gamble when I got mine. I am a 12 hour drive from the nearest Berg dealer.... I was confident I could sell it here on TB if it didn't meet my fancy.

A power cord as you described would be great, but then it would make my Furman useless..... :)
 
Jazzdogg said:
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time and effort to post the picture.

I cannot figure out why so many manufacturers who produce otherwise excellent products stint on power cords; were it I, I'd include a 12/3 cord at least 15-feet long and build in a current analysis display that would immediately let me know if the outlet was improperly grounded, had the hot and neutral reversed, had inadequate voltage, etc. - and I'd include a place to stow the cord on board the rig.

So many venues have improperly wired electrical outlets, and outlets situated more than six feet away, that I would find such features valuable; their inclusion would tell me that the manufacturer is exceeding my expectations by providing features for bassists playing gigs out in the real world.

End of rant :D


I hear you on the rant. My Bergie doesn't get moved, so it's not an issue for me, but I can see where the power cord length (six feet or so, I should check) could be a real hassle. On the positive side, the speakon-type connector means the power cord doesn't vibrate out of its socket like it did on an old combo amp I have; even the power cord on the IP310 oozes quality. On the down side, it could be longer, and you can't just walk into a store and get a replacement beacuse of the unusual connector on the end. The moral is: DON'T LOSE YOUR POWER CORD if you get an IP cab.

As for the input, it IS a balanced (three prong) variety, and a @3 foot 1/4" phono-to-balanced adapter cable is included, which is good for connecting the IP310 to a preamp sitting on top of the unit. In my situation, however, I have a Sansamp pedal sitting on top of the IP310, since I'm using it until the line driver is released or I get another preamp, and the adapter cable is not long enough to put my pedal on the floor, as my IP310 is sitting on an unused Avatar B212 to keep it out of the reach of my autistic daughter (who has no respect for my gear). :D

I'm thinking of ordering a custom cable (longer adapter cable) from butchonbass (Link Removed) who is a TB member who custom makes cables of all descriptions, which have received high praise from some TB regulars. He could probably whip up a longer power cable with the speakon-type connector end for a Bergantino IP cab for not too much $$$ if that's what you need. Before you go ordering though, you should probably get a good look at the exact form of the connector for the power cord; I barely looked at it when I was hooking it up, but IIRC, it was very similar to a speakon connector.

Also, I believe the IP 310/212 sells for around $2399, but I could be wrong. Mine was a birthday present from my wife, who is the best thing that ever happened to me. :hyper:
 
cheezewiz said:
Hey Curt, I'm not Tom, but I've played all his gear! I REALLY like the Low End True Voice Preamp with the IP gear. It ads a bit of mid "dirt" for lack of a better word. I'm sure Tom will be along shortly to recommend a few more preamps he has good luck with combining with the IPs.

I did a google search and was unable to find a source.

Can someone please provide a website?

Thanks!
 
Hi,
I've owned my IP112/EX112 for a few months now and have gigged with it indoors and out. It is simply fantastic. I use a Fender TBP-1 Pre with it. I also use just the IP112 to take to practice so it does double duty. You will not believe how much sound this rig puts out! We played a big outdoor stage and it had no problems keeping up and providing a fat stage sound with the pre on about 5. It sounds better, and I can hear it better onstage than the SVT-IV Pro and SVT 610VLF that it replaced. And I don't need help getting it on and off stage. Jim Bergantino is also a great guy to work with. Go play through one, you will love it!

Bob
 
Hrothgar said:
It (the TV pre) really is a great piece of gear, especially coupled with the IP cabs, that adds rich, complex, meaty tones to compliment the fingerstyle player. It's one pre that will be in my arsenal for quite a while (though it may be sitting next to a Berg Line Driver someday :D ). I'll post further thoughts on the TV/IP rig after I give it a few gigs in the upcoming weeks.

Okay, well I've given the TV pre/IP 112 stack a good run for it's money over the past two months over a variety of gigs indoor/outdoor, small rooms/huge casinos, etc. with a 7-piece '70's - some '80's funk/disco cover band :cool: . And it's been a busy band with no less than two gigs a week all summer.

The rig: Mike Lull M5V w/ 18-volt Bart pre, Mike Lull SS strings ~> TV Pre w/ GE SN7/SL7 tubes ~> Berg IP112 stack. I went with the more modular approach, rather than the 310, since I have been known to do a lot jazz gigs in the past and prefer the versatility.

We've all heard about the IP and all it's glory when plugged directly in. Simply, it's beautiful. But I needed a DI and was hoping for added volume, lowend, and whatever else I could get to maximize the IP's potential. For me, the TV was a mixed bag. It's an extraordinary little desktop pre that finds itself best suited to midrangey fingerstyle playing, ala fusion/jazz. I had heard that the Lowend True Voice has some low-end roll-off (or whatever they call it), but wasn't prepared for what I got.

After almost every set, the drummer would come up and ask me to give it more lowend. But it's just not there :hmm: . And on the other end of the spectrum, the highend is extreme :eek: . On my 18-volt Bart pre I've got the treble rolled as far is it will go, and the bass rolled on as much as it can give, with the midrange down knob down just a hair or two (still need it for presence). Why the TV has a bright switch, I'll never guess. Not only do I have it off, but I have to roll the tone knob down to 9 0'clock or more to relieve the brittleness of a popped G string. I've experimented with lowering the bass tone and turning up the pre to sometimes past 3 o' clock or more to see how I could push it (while watching the IP's clip light to keep things from getting out of control). Alas, still lacked considerable bottom end.

To make it worse, I play part-time in a neo-soul band where I need tons of bass. Not happenning :( . And the B-string? Forget about it...really, the audience usually does since they can't hear it. And the occassional slapping? Like I said before, the high-end is just unreal, and the lowend sounds...well, sonically flat. Like it's lacking meat. I can't slap it hard enough to get those low notes to come out and I can't pop light enough to tame the highend, even given my previously stated EQ'ing.

For those of you who don't slap and don't need the lowend required of neosoul music or B-strings, this setup would be pretty killer. IMO, though, it's a one-trick pony. It's a darn good trick, but it's just one. I've heard some say they haven't experienced what i have with this rig. Just to make sure my pre sounds as it was meant to, I sent it back to Brian to give it a check-up. It's in perfectly running order.

I've also thought that maybe, in part, I just don't like 12's. And that I should just bite the bullet and get the larger 310.

So, anyway, for spits and giggles, I borrowed my buddy's DI last gig and plugged directly into the IP. Now, THAT's a beautiful sound! :hyper: All that lovely bass, perfectly harmonious highs... just maybe a little louder and meatier. Hmm..310? Line driver, perhaps?
 
Hrothgar,
You can get mucho bass with the Fender TBP-1. It also has the first built-in-amp DI I've had that sounds as good as my Countryman. We opened for Billy Currington (country artist) last Thursday for a big outdoor show and the FOH engineer commented on how good the bass tone was. I had to talk them out of using thier Radial DI's since I run a wireless and everything is wired up in my rack. They were happy with the TBP-1 direct sound.

Bob
 

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