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Bergantino NV115, Amp Choice?

R

rollopizza

May 17, 2006
399
1
UCLA, OHIO
#1
I know the NV115 is a sealed cab and usually the community tends to lean towards a tube style amp to drive it. The is brings out a big warm tone. However, Is there any solid state amp with a tube emuator that anyone would suggest using with this sealed cabinet. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thank You
rp
 
#2
I recently played the NV115 at Bass San Diego using my Glockenklang Bass Art Classic head. The BAC has some very tube-like characteristics, the warmth for instance, but the highs are more SS-like. I especially liked it with my P-bass, although it sounded great with several basses that I played through it. It is a very high quality amplifier, great tone and great build quality. Plenty of power to drive either one or two NV115s. Used ones are hard to find in the US, although one did sell here on TB about 6 months ago. If you live in Europe you might find a used one more readily. New ones are available in either continent.

Jim
 
#3
I use rack rigs with a lightweight solid state power amp. My amp of choice is the Stewart World 2.1 (no longer in production, I believe).

For tone I have a variety of tube and tube-emulating preamps. For those curious:
  • Reiner Amplification 12AX version (all tube)
  • SWR Interstellar Overdrive (tube)
  • Ampeg SVP-Pro (tube)
  • SansAmp RBI (tube emulating)
  • SansAmp RPM (tube emulating)

I mostly use the Reiner, but like them all. There are pluses and minuses to rack rigs, but one plus is the variety that comes from modularity. Each of these preamps is 1 rack space, and I have two free spaces in my rack, so I carry two preamps. I typically use just one at a time, but it's nice to have the other as backup/alternate. Variety is a good thing. :) Right now I'm using the Reiner and SWR, but I'd like to get the Ampeg back in there at some point, and I also like using the RBI and RPM in tandem.

But I certainly understand the K.I.S.S. appeal of picking just one head and sticking with it.
 
#9
I used a TF550b with the NV215 for about a year. Great rig.

Here's a couple of clips. It's camera audio but the rig still sounds nice. Outdoors using a J with flats, even when the camera moves to the opposite side the bass is full. No PA.



So I suspect a Thunderfunk with the 115 would sound nice. And I think you can cop the Thunderfunk vibe with the F500.
 
#10
I recently picked an NV 115 and couple of amps. A Markbass Big Bang and a GK MB Fusion 800. This cabinet is not quite what I expected. It has deeper lows and clearer highs than I anticipated. In fact I played through the HD 112, the 212 and the CN 212. i also played an HD 210.

After trying all these Berg cabs and found I like the NV 115 and the HD 210 the most, surprising since I had intended to buy the CN212. I bought the NV 115. Previously I used Eden and Accugroove cabs.

Both heads sound great, the Mark Bass is very quick and punchy, I can run it flat. Using the VLE and VPF knobs I can dial in a tone similar to my favorite Ampeg BA 115. Fat and punchy.

The GK Fusion 800 is looser down low and more present up high, a bit scooped and has that grindy GK thing. I find myself dialing back the bass and treble a bit. I could not get the GK to do the tight punchy thing as competently, it's a bit more bright sounding. Still sound great though.

I really don't know which amp I like best. They both sound great but a little different. I had some preconceived notions about the NV 115 until I heard it, not what I was expecting, in a good way.
 
#11
I had a great conversation with Jim Bergantino yesterday about the different cabs he has on his current product line-up. They each have a different focus ie: CN, AE, NV, and HT etc...all appeal to differently to different bass players. My fave was last year was the AE212 it has a nice lower extension, then the CN212 came about and fell in love with the mid clarity. However the NV115 is a different beast. I've played it and I love it. I play it at my firends house with his amp, Aguilar DB750. Tons of low end and low mid that only a 15" speaker can give you but done with the Bergantino flair. plus the highs are clear and the cab just has that old school vibe that I'm looking for. I just recently
joined a latin band an I think it would kick with the Ampeg Baby Bass.
Jim is getting the most out of a 15" than most. PLUS it'll fit in the trunk of my car.
the only fear I have is having to buy a HEAVY tube amp to make the cab warm up.
Now that I have a better idea with your help, Gonna try out my Markbass F500 and Thunderfunk.

I Thank you for your help. Any other info would be helpful.


rp
 
#20
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using the NV115 as the top end with something ported underneath sounds really really nice :bassist:
 

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