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Double Bass Concern: New TCBam200 Bass Amp Head gets hot!

B

BHBassman

Jan 5, 2013
221
16
USA
#1
Greetings! I just bought a TCBam200 Bass Amp head as a backup after reading many good reviews. Tried it in my home using the proper cables and different speaker cabs, on a low volume (Grand Piano, Acoustic Bass & Drums) Jazz Gig.
Actually fits into an iPad cover along with the cables.
Good sound, enough volume for that Gig, but concerned that the amp head gets hot quickly while using and that it will go into protection mode and shut off.
Anyone else have this issue? Is the heat expected for such a small amp case?
Googled the issue and tried to email TC Electronics but the email came back.
Called Sweetwater, but was told it shouldn't be a problem, but I have 30 days to return or exchange the amp...
Thanks.
 
#4
Their are so many components crammed into that tiny chassis they had to have a cooling fan, but their is also a pretty massive heat sink.
The heat sink is supposed to get warm when the BAM 200 is cranked and that’s a good thing. That way it wicks the heat away from the power supply
and protects all the internal components. So the heat sink and fan work together to cool the amp. If the amp is shutting off you should return it.
 
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#5
Tried to contact the TC Electronics Tech support email, came back as a non-working email.
Good to hear that
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
Both of mine get warm with the gain and master straight up into a 4 ohm load but I’ve never had a problem. The fan is very quiet so be sure yours is coming on. Work it hard to be sure it’s not a bad one.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Tried, but the email didn’t work.
I tried with a GK MBX112 & a MarkBass Traveler 15” - both ohm cabs. Plenty of ventilation & hear a whirring(fan?)from the amp- which quickly got very warm.
Good to hear your amps still work.
 
#8
Ric Vice said:
Their are so many components crammed into that tiny chassis they had to have a cooling fan, but their is also a pretty massive heat sink.
The heat sink is supposed to get warm when the BAM 200 is cranked and that’s a good thing. That way it wicks the heat away from the power supply
and protects all the internal components. So the heat sink and fan work together to cool the amp. If the amp is shutting off you should return it.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Not shutting off, fortunately.
Just tried it again with a new cable, UBs & a 5-String BG.
Gets warm faster than other amp heads I own.
Hopefully it'll be OK-esp. as a backup amp.
 
#13
bass4u said:
I've had the Bam200 since they were first introduced. Played numerous shows using a SWR 8x10 in a loud rock band
Gain set at 50% and the master never had to go past 40% to be very loud. The amp gets warm but it has never shut off. I've probably used it on at least 50 gigs using different cabinets without any issues.
Click to expand...

Good to hear this!
Thanks.
 
#14
BHBassman said:
Thanks. Hopefully not.
Just used my GKMB800-did get warm, but the Bam seemed much warmer.
Click to expand...

Think of how large your GK MB 800 is compared to the TC BAM 200. Your Legacy MB 800 has two cooling fans and vents on both sides of the chassis. That allows air to flow
directly across all the components, including the power supply where most of the heat comes from. "In goes the cool air, out goes the hot air. The BAM has tiny round aperture
that pulls air across the components out the back of the amp. The BAM will get warmer.
 
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#15
Ric Vice said:
Think of how large your GK MB 800 is compared to the TC BAM 200. Your Legacy MB 800 has two cooling fans and vents on both sides of the chassis. That allows air to flow
directly across all the components, including the power supply where most of the heat comes from. "In goes the cool air, out goes the hot air. The BAM has tiny round aperture
that pulls air across the components out the back of the amp. The BAM will get warmer.
Click to expand...
Thanks Ric!
Never understood that about Class D Amps.
Used my GKMB500 Wed. & played through a Jazz Club’s Aguilar 500 last night.
All are great sounding heads.
 
#16
I just watched Joseph Lapore play a concert with Paul Wertico and a host of the best players here in St. Louis. He was using a BAM 200 into a Razors Edge 12" Cabinet. That amp
kicks way above it's weight class. While I sold mine, it's a very good option for players who do fly in's as guest performers.
 
#17
Very cool! I do like the sound, just afraid to push it because it got warm.
Thanks again for your input, Ric.
Again-bought this head to fit in my amp head backpack with cables for emergencies.
Have had two major issues on big Gigs-with my GKMB500 shutting itself off/going into protection mode, (during a big wedding at a huge upscale wedding factory in NY, after the UB Jazz set with a 10 pc. horn Band -then the 1st BG song-playing TOP’s ‘ A little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing’, which has a great pumping Bass line
Somehow I had my bag next to me and quickly switched to my Ampeg PF350 & actually finished the song.
Brought the 800 to a GK repair tech-had it on his board for 2+ hour$ and found no problem!?!
Recall having to plug into the leader’s cheap extension cord, which was plugged into another-could be the reason?
Also-my GKMB800 burning up from a loose screw-UB Jazz Trio & low volume.
Fortunately had a second head (GKMB200)to finish the Gig.
Learned my lesson-always carry a spare!
 
#18
That’s kinda weird, isn’t it. I’ve only had two amps, each was a Walter Woods fail during a gig. My first Woods MI-100-8 had a faulty power supply. I did drop a GK 200MB Combo ( not to be confused with the newer MB200 head) when the shoulder strap on the padded carrying case slipped, when I was headed to the parking lot after a gig. It took out the power supply transformer that was located in under the speaker in the bottom of the cabinet. So stuff does happen.
 
#19
Ric Vice said:
That’s kinda weird, isn’t it. I’ve only had two amps, each was a Walter Woods fail during a gig. My first Woods MI-100-8 had a faulty power supply. I did drop a GK 200MB Combo ( not to be confused with the newer MB200 head) when the shoulder strap on the padded carrying case slipped, when I was headed to the parking lot after a gig. It took out the power supply transformer that was located in under the speaker in the bottom of the cabinet. So stuff does happen.
Click to expand...
I know how to get a sound out of any amp and owned Polytone, Peavey, AI Coda, Hartke Kickbacks & GKs-all reliable. Also have used GKs for decades-my own & Backline.
Two amp fails & trips to the repair man-too many for me!
Now I rarely bring only one amp to a gig.
 
#20
I'm glad I ran across this post because the little tc electronic bam 200 I have gets pretty warm between sets .
I'm running this little nugget through two diy cabinets each having a 15 inch Peavy BW Speaker with 4 ohms .
Open for suggestions.
Thanks
 
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