With all these D Class amps using ICE Power Supplies, I find the Quilter 800 who doesn't use ICE and Demeter we're hands down the Best, But the GK is an incredible amp also.
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TC Elec BH550 vs GK MB500
- Thread starter Resonance129
- Start date
Since you are looking for opinions, I have a TC BH250 that I would gladly trade for any GK amp. There's my opinion of GK vs TC. And I like TC (Helicon) stuff. The TC tone is just not my cup of tea.
I honestly don't know that I care for the BH250 either. I mean, it got me through a gig, but the amp only has a 3-band EQ and doesn't even feature a gain knob. It just feels strange to use for me. And I had a bad experience with a BG250 before that. I don't know why I tried another TC amp after those bad experiences, but I personally don't know that the BH550 and BH250 experiences are interchangeable.
thoroughly diggin' my BH250. been playing big-ish rooms lately, and utilizing maybe 1/2 available volume- the post-EQ PA sound sounds like a huge version of my dial-in, and my stage sound with either an Aggie 2x12 or my 'Fraken15" is both subterranean & baritone guitar-like as needed.
i had the MB200 and it was classic GK with a tiny footprint, tone appropriately GK-scooped, but the BH250's got more NYC-pre-dawn air in its mids, to my ears. I'm not quite sure why it's thought to be underpowered- it kicks aplenty.
i had the MB200 and it was classic GK with a tiny footprint, tone appropriately GK-scooped, but the BH250's got more NYC-pre-dawn air in its mids, to my ears. I'm not quite sure why it's thought to be underpowered- it kicks aplenty.
I love my BH800. It has a killer tone, PLENTY OF POWER, and so easy to dial in. Most of the time I run an 8ohm 2x10, but when I need a little more, I take my 4ohm 4x10. I do suggest spending a little more and get the 800. Its better to have it and not need it, than wishing you had just a little more.
I am curious about the Quilter 800, which is even more simple than the TCE.
I am curious about the Quilter 800, which is even more simple than the TCE.
Here is what I do to help with such decisions. Ask yourself: "If I had the money and purchased both, then set them in the middle of a room, which amp would I plug in and play first?".
If you can answer this question, you know which one you really want.
Having said that - I purchased a new combo amp about one year ago and looked at several similar models from the popular manufacturers: Ampeg, Acoustic, GK, TC Electronics, MarkBass, Fender. I personally liked the GK better for overall tone, and thought the TC amps sounded a little too "modern" for me. But that is just my opinion.
jonesn4bass
Commercial User
I have no experience with the TC, but I will add another +1 to the MB500 being a wonder, fat, little amp. I'm very satisfied with mine.
I was in the same boat as you a few years back, looking at the BH500 or 450 at the time. There was the usual concerns and badmouthing of power ratings at that time as well. I ended up with the MB500 and am very pleased. That said: I don't use it in an application where I need to milk the power for all its worth, so even if some (not all) TC's are underpowered, that wouldn't be an issue for me. I only ended up with the GK because it was came up used first.
Honestly, if someone wanted to trade me for a TC with a built-in tuner, I'd probably do it. The less to bring to a gig the better!
I was in the same boat as you a few years back, looking at the BH500 or 450 at the time. There was the usual concerns and badmouthing of power ratings at that time as well. I ended up with the MB500 and am very pleased. That said: I don't use it in an application where I need to milk the power for all its worth, so even if some (not all) TC's are underpowered, that wouldn't be an issue for me. I only ended up with the GK because it was came up used first.
Honestly, if someone wanted to trade me for a TC with a built-in tuner, I'd probably do it. The less to bring to a gig the better!
I own both (and other amps)...
Between the two, I prefer the GK...
The GK is more articulate.... the TC is more traditional sounding.
Quality wise... between GK and TC... I've had more issues with the TC.. thin vinyl.. buttons that mysteriously fall off (then they directly sell replacement parts) and so on.
Either is fine... comes down to preferences.
Between the two, I prefer the GK...
The GK is more articulate.... the TC is more traditional sounding.
Quality wise... between GK and TC... I've had more issues with the TC.. thin vinyl.. buttons that mysteriously fall off (then they directly sell replacement parts) and so on.
Either is fine... comes down to preferences.
- Jan 26, 2014
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- I teach lessons and perform live music in and around San Diego CA. Sometimes I even make money doing it!
The outputs on the back of modem instrument speaker cabinets ARE PARALLEL, so chaining cabinets is no problem. They will be calculated as usual, with 2 8ohm cabs totaling 4Ohms together. I will soon be making this exact amp choice for a new practice/backup amp. I tried the higher end TC's at NAMM a couple years ago and wasn't blown away but I'm going to give them a chance. The Hartke class D amp looks interesting too, and suffers similar inflated wattage complaints as the TC. My expectation is I'll end up with the GK based on reviews and sound clips I've heard, but I've walked out the door with different toys before, we'll see. Happy hunting...
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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I've been very happy with all my GK MB heads (200, 500, 800) and had no reliability issues at all. Like most of the GK amps I've played, they sound stronger than their rated power. I have no experience with TC bass gear at all.
It depends on the tone you want. I find a GK sounds like a GK, while the TC seems to have a more versatility. I generally just bring my BH800 and have my tuner and compressor (via tone print) right there built in.. The BH has a warm clear sound that is more laid back and more of what I prefer. I feel like I can get close to over amp sounds with it via the EQ. I used it for all types of music, but if I really feel like I ned my best tone, I still bring my Streamliner.
As much as I like TC Electronics and have a handful of their pedals, which are great, I'm skeptical of their ability to produce good amplification and speakers. The TC Electronic BH550 looks ok but for a little bit more you could get a Mesa D-800 which is one of the most versatile class Ds available. You can go anywhere in the world and plug it into anything, I know which one I would take.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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These days the best, proven value and quality for my money translates to Mesa, GK and Aguilar. None of those brands have ever let me down in performance and when I have a question or concern, the customer support folks seem as concerned about me getting a satisfactory answer as I am. Between those brands, most every voicing I'm interested in is available/achievable, so I see no reason to look elsewhere.
I haven't played either amp specifically, but I've played a few TCs and a few GKs over the years and currently own the GK MBF500. The voicing of the two is pretty different, so if you are trying to buy based solely on comments here, you won't know what you're getting. Make sure to play at least one similar amp from each manufacturer to know which sound you prefer. I could never find a sound that was quite right with the TCs, but they weren't bad. I love my GK sound with just minor EQ. But, that's all dependent on a lot of different factors including bass, cab, and what sound you are after.
I've played thru the GK MB500 and the TC BH800. I can't imagine the BH550 lacking power. It's a whole different animal than the RH series amps.
The GK definitely doesn't lack power, either. Boils down to the sound. The TC is thick to my ears and easy to control. The GK is more zingy and "modern."
Get one and enjoy. You'll have a nice sound either way.
The GK definitely doesn't lack power, either. Boils down to the sound. The TC is thick to my ears and easy to control. The GK is more zingy and "modern."
Get one and enjoy. You'll have a nice sound either way.
You gotta love personal opinions. There's an entire chorus of people saying GK is bright and modern and TC is traditional and vintage sounding, and then one user calls TC too modern sounding. It doesn't invalidate the opinion, of course, but I just love that diversity.
I did, though. TC definitely improved upon what I was personally getting with Aguilar, and it isn't even close to the same price range, really. The BH550 is often cheaper than a TH350, never mind a TH500. I had my TH500 for over a year before "upgrading" to a TC.
I must admit, I think the Mesa D800 sounds really good, I've tried it enough, and the 2 ohm thing would be cool for if I ever needed it. But once again, not really in the same price range.
As for GK, I don't quite know how they get grouped in with Mesa and Aguilar, which compete at a higher price range but also manufacture in USA, etc. I've heard of plenty of stories of dissatisfaction about GK quality since they moved production to the Far East. I've also heard plenty of stories of satisfaction. So that seems about on par with most companies at this price range. Even if I prefer another amp to my departed TH500, I would never question that Aguilar or Mesa just has a better reputation than TC in most regards but...
Al Kraft
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They are simply a brand that I've had good experience with over the years and GK's sound/voicing covers territory I haven't been able to quite reproduce with Mesa or Aguilar gear. I would agree that there seems to be a higher variance in user reliability experiences with GK, but I've had mostly good luck.
The TC pedals I've heard and used are excellent, so I have no reason to doubt that their other equipment is equally fine. I've never had the opportunity to play or hear any TC bass equipment, but there are a lot of fans out there. Once I find what I like and the quality remains high, I tend to be a pretty loyal customer.
This really can't be overstated, I think. If you want the GK sound, get a GK. You can have the finest amp in the world but if it's not a GK, and you need a GK sound, it won't sound like a GK.
I would have to fact-check to be certain, but I believe that TC has "only" been making bass amps since 2009, whereas GK has been making them since the 1960's. Just as a matter of simple chronology I would say GK is more vintage. I'm sure GK has made minor tweeks to their bass amp Eq, but from what I have read, it remains mostly unchanged for many years. GK may sound more modern than an old Ampeg flip-top or Acoustic 360 for example, but to my ears, compared to TC - TC is more modern.
I think TC's Tone-Print feature is interesting, but not enough to override my preference for the GK tone.
