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NAD: Glockenklang Bugatti // Acoustic Art

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Zentner, Dec 30, 2019.

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  1. Dec 30, 2019 #1
    Zentner

    Zentner

    May 5, 2003
    Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    If you search on talkbass, you'll find threads from me asking about this rig in 2003, and it's taken me this long to collect each of these components. I eventually found the preamp in Switzerland and the poweramp and cabinets in Germany. The line driver is directly from Glockenklang.

    The cabinets are early Acoustic Art Mk.IIs from their Natural Wood series. Tweeters were replaced with the current 2" domes and an attenuator was added to each cabinet by Glockenklang's recommendation. These cabinets aren't for the faint of heart--they're super heavy but the sound is natural, clear, and thick.

    The poweramp is the older Bugatti 300 with XLR speaker outs and "The Poweramp" printed on the rear. Massive iron transformers and Campbell's soup can-sized capacitors live inside the chassis and weigh a ton.

    The preamp took the longest to track down and includes a fully discrete Class A signal path and dedicated stereo outs. The switches, knobs, and circuitry are beautifully crafted, and the EQ is hands down the best I've heard. When you turn the knobs, you don't immediately notice the difference until you turn off the EQ section and hear the dry signal. It is subtle, but the player won't ever confuse a pbass with a jazz through this rig--each bass sounds like itself with the exact right amount of adjustment.

    The preamp and poweramp are both 220v, so I'm using a step-up transformer to run them.

    This rig is really new for me, and it will take some time to truly understand how each of my basses sound through the amp. I feel really lucky to have finally found these pieces and excited to share my story with the community.

    Much love Talkbass.

    20191230_181122.jpg
     
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  2. Dec 30, 2019 #2
    Arthur U. Poon

    Arthur U. Poon

    Jan 30, 2004
    SLC, Utah -USA-
    Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Basses
    Now THAT’s some awesome gear!!! Congratulations!!!!
     
  3. Dec 31, 2019 #3
    jeff7bass

    jeff7bass Inactive

    Apr 9, 2009
    I wanna hump your amp.
     
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  4. Dec 31, 2019 #4
    MarkA

    MarkA In the doghouse. Supporting Member

    Sep 26, 2008
    I salute your dedication, sir. Thanks for sharing.

    Also, is that a fretless Carl Thompson with a doublebass-style extension?

    Might that void the warranty? And not in front of the kids, please.
     
    Arthur U. Poon likes this.
  5. Dec 31, 2019 #5
    Zentner

    Zentner

    May 5, 2003
    Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    It is, indeed. Low C with a gate for standard E made by myself. Details here: Carl Thompson mods
     
  6. Dec 31, 2019 #6
    MarkA

    MarkA In the doghouse. Supporting Member

    Sep 26, 2008
    Cool - gave it a quick look. Will come back to read it through, later. Again, thanks for sharing.
     
  7. Dec 31, 2019 #7
    jeff7bass

    jeff7bass Inactive

    Apr 9, 2009
    Throw the bass in, make it an unholy threesome! ;)
     
  8. Dec 31, 2019 #8
    chadds

    chadds

    Mar 18, 2000
    That is class kit! We appreciate your patience and perseverance. Whoa!
    I have the BAC pre and it’s amazing. Obviously designed for bassists it’s clear and warm and does complex harmonics. As Wolf said years ago you can play a low note let it sustain and play some high notes and they all come out like out of two amps. Talking about it is cheating on Monique so I have to stop.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2019
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  9. Dec 31, 2019 #9
    emjazz

    emjazz Supporting Member

    Feb 23, 2003
    Brooklyn, NY
    That's a lot of "best of the best" right there. Wow. I remember seeing and hearing the great Jerome Harris play through a a Glockenklang rig that was similar at a guitar trade show many years ago. It was one of the best sounds I've ever heard (doesn't hurt that Jerome was playing of course). At some point Chris Stambaugh ended up with the fully integrated head with the Bass Art pre....that was the best sounding amp ever, only equaled to hearing a Millenia TD1 through a Glockenklang power amp. GKlang makes some of the best bass amplification in the history of the instrument. Enjoy!
     
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  10. Jan 4, 2020 #10
    Zentner

    Zentner

    May 5, 2003
    Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    I haven't had a chance to play wigh a TD-1 yet, but the EQs in those are incredible. Can you describe the tonal differences between the Glock and the Millennia?
     
  11. Jan 4, 2020 #11
    emjazz

    emjazz Supporting Member

    Feb 23, 2003
    Brooklyn, NY
    Has been far too long unfortunately. Those are the two that always made an impression though.
     
  12. Jan 4, 2020 #12
    dirkcalloway

    dirkcalloway

    Nov 5, 2008
    upload_2020-1-4_18-53-43.gif
     
    emjazz likes this.
  13. May 22, 2020 #13
    Zentner

    Zentner

    May 5, 2003
    Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    Definitely unfortunate. Always interested to hear about awesome gear. :D
     
  14. May 22, 2020 #14
    Kirk Bryant

    Kirk Bryant

    Aug 23, 2004
    Aloha, ..Or., not nearly as tropical as it sounds!
    Overdose load of greatness right there. I still have my first and only Glock, a Soul II head.
    I gigged that amp exclusively for 12 years through different combinations of cabs, sadly, none were glocks.. Enjoy your newfound sonic bliss. Stay safe.
     
  15. May 22, 2020 #15
    Les Fret

    Les Fret

    Sep 9, 2009
    That’s very cool a C extension on electric bass. A bit like the Kubicki thing.

    That’s some big power amp you have! It’s massive. Why did they make it 4 units? I have played on a Glockenklang Heartcore amp for many years. Good amp but it they had some problems with overheating in those days.
     
  16. May 24, 2020 #16
    squarepeg

    squarepeg

    Dec 21, 2010
    Slovenia
    There's a Heart Rock coming my way.
     
  17. May 24, 2020 #17
    Emperor Elite

    Emperor Elite Supporting Member

    Oct 20, 2004
    New Jersey
    \
    I've been playing a Bass Art Pre with a QSC setup, but just picked up a Heart Core. Can't wait to get it. Congrats on your awesome setup.
     
    Zentner likes this.
  18. Jul 18, 2020 #18
    Zentner

    Zentner

    May 5, 2003
    Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    Late reply, but 4U because there are giant transformers and caps that pretty much necessitate this size of chassis. It's a really beautifully designed piece of gear.

    20191223_210727.jpg 20191223_210737.jpg
     
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