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Best combo?

#11
I've played the TC and like it, but until I see proof of drastically improved technical service policies, I'm avoiding anything TC Electronics-related. They have given us serious grief over having our FX units and the Lab Gruppen amplifiers repaired. The repairs are always fine and the rates are reasonable, but getting any kind of return correspondence for return authorizations has been a colossal pain in the ass. Having said this, the TC and the Lab Gruppen gear is very reliable. We've needed service only 5 or 6 times in 13 years. (TC Electronics is the US distributor for Lab Gruppen amplifiers, built in Sweden. What is it about those Swedes and kick-ass amplifiers?...:D

If money were no object, I'd recommend the EBS NeoGorm 210. Otherwise, I like all of the other 210 units suggested, except the TC and I hope I can have more confidence in it before too long. TC really does have a good thing going, but if it can't be serviced in a reasonable fashion, what's the point?

Geri O
 
#12
I'm not a combo player because of the weight and bulk.
I prefer making multiple trips to the truck for a lighter load per trip.

If I was looking for a combo, it would probably be the 700RB-II inside a 2x10 combo box. But, at 78 pounds... no thanks.
The head is removable and useful as a stand-alone amp as required.
It appears the 210 combo net speaker volume is less than the standalone cab. Bass extension suffers as a result.

I suspect the 700RB-II can drive the 2x10 into the reputed GK growl, but without the punishing loudness level of the bigger heads.
This amp head has a ton of tone control configurations, which seem very useful.

This is all armchair quarterback speculation, as I play all separates and biamp.
OP, I'd do the 700RB-II and the Neo 210 as separates.
 
#13
Geri O said:
I've played the TC and like it, but until I see proof of drastically improved technical service policies, I'm avoiding anything TC Electronics-related. They have given us serious grief over having our FX units and the Lab Gruppen amplifiers repaired. The repairs are always fine and the rates are reasonable, but getting any kind of return correspondence for return authorizations has been a colossal pain in the ass. Having said this, the TC and the Lab Gruppen gear is very reliable. We've needed service only 5 or 6 times in 13 years. (TC Electronics is the US distributor for Lab Gruppen amplifiers, built in Sweden. What is it about those Swedes and kick-ass amplifiers?...:D

If money were no object, I'd recommend the EBS NeoGorm 210. Otherwise, I like all of the other 210 units suggested, except the TC and I hope I can have more confidence in it before too long. TC really does have a good thing going, but if it can't be serviced in a reasonable fashion, what's the point?

Geri O
Click to expand...

So you recommend against an amp you don't own because the company makes other products that you like, are reliable, and on the rare occasions that they have failed have been repaired properly and reasonably, but the paperwork is a hassle? Or did I read that wrong?
:confused:

at the OP: FWIW, my BG250-115 has been rock solid in rehearsals and gigs for going on a year now. I'm a 15's guy, but if I was a 10's guy, the TC BG250-210 would be in the top 2 or 3 of my list. But again, lots of great choices out there.
 
#14
That's right, and there's more to the story. We bought the Lab Gruppens Before TC took over the distributorship. At that point, it was a few years before any service was needed and that's when we went through 6-8 week ordeals to get the amps repaired (you haven't dealt with that sort of thing, have you? I wish it were only paperwork. And another tip for ya, if you don't have a return authorization number from the tech service department, they won't piss on you if you are on fire).

Trust me, I have my reasons and the paperwork to justify my opinion (which is all I offered, not an edict, just like everyone else around here, in case you didn't notice). And something else I mentioned that you missed, I think the BG25-210 sounds great.

Geri O
 
#15
If you like your Ampeg rig you may want to stick with Ampeg combo.

Although no longer in production, I have gotten A LOT of mileage and A LOT of compliments with my little Ampeg BA210 combo. It's a USA made SLM era model, 2 10 inch drivers, built in tuner, and made before the one with all the effects and what-not.

Used market only sadly for this one, but if you can score one of those on craigslist or ebay you probably will satisfied.

I run the style on "2", about 2'clock on the bass, crank the mids, about 2 o'clock on the highs, crank the gain, and it's got a nice mini-SVT ish tone happening, albeit without the SVT tube grind (solid state you know). If you want tube grind on this one, you want a sansamp pedal or something in front.

Small footprint, great volume for it's size, great Ampeg vibe.


However, if you want new, with your budget you may be happiest with a 210 Ampeg cab and one of their little Portaflex heads on top. Talk about portable, flexible, TINY footprint, and nothing bad to say at all about the tone those little heads are putting out.

Good luck!
 
#16
I was shopping for a 210 combo late last year. I tried many and liked most of them - GK, TCE, MarkBass, Ampeg PF, etc. I think each had their merits and I probably could have picked any of them and been happy.

I found a Markbass CMD102P (b-stock) for 1/2 price and matched it with a new 102HF cab. 6 months later, I couldn't be happier. 40 lbs, 500W (@ 4 Ohms), easy to carry, tilt-back, tons of shaping/emulation features.

Good luck - I believe there are several great options out there.
 
#17
Erik Tomas said:
Shopping for a combo amp, 2x10. So many choices, have tried some, still not sure. $1000 ceiling. Recommendations anyone?
Click to expand...

Do yourself a BIG favor, and be sure to audition the new Fender Rumble 500 2x10 combo when they come out next month. :hyper:

Also as ack recommended, the MarkBass combo is just killer. I heard a 5-string Music Man being played quite loudly through one in a small club and the overall sound was fabulous. Great tone and plenty of volume/projection. An excellent choice to be sure.
 
#20
I agree, nothing beats these Genz Benz Contours at these blowout prices. Basically half price right now. Look for a FOCUS extension cab because they're blowing out too. Sounds like you won't need it but you never know. If nothing else you could grab a micro head later for a whole second rig.
 

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