TC Elec BH550 vs GK MB500

[honeyiscool]

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.

You're correct from a chronological perspective, of course, but the way people talk about bass guitar tone tends to be stuck in the time warp mindset where if you have clear highs and big lows and lots of attack, it's considered modern regardless of the fact that bassists have been playing with those kinds of tones for 30+ years (perhaps Marcus Miller started it all?). But I think there's a perception where if you sound like Sly & the Family Stone, you're playing with vintage tone, and if you sound like Flea, it's considered modern. Not all slappers slap with that kind of tone either, Claypool and Stanley Clarke certainly don't.

I just feel like TC has a basic tonal character that sounds more like Ampeg/Aguilar/Fender, i.e. what people often refer to as vintage tone, than one that sounds more hi-fi like GK. All these amps can actually get into each other's territories pretty readily, but I feel that there's the sound that these amps want to be making, and TC generally wants to sound like a vintage-style amp.

 

[wave rider]

If I remember correctly, it has been at least three years since all GK production returned stateside.

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...

 

[honeyiscool]

That's cool! I wasn't aware that they'd brought the MBs state side.

 

[Resonance129]

Ended up going with the MB500. Gotta try it out since I've never heard this amp in person before, but there's luckily a decent return policy.
As I said before, I like a lot of features of both amps, but decided on the MB500 mainly for the inherent brightness of the amp. Playing rock so that'll come in handy, not to mention even with other genres, I feel like that clarity will be a perk.
I like the contour switch, the double Speakon outs on the back, and the output at 8ohm for my cab: 350w. The BH550 runs at 315w @8ohm. Not a terribly huge difference, but a difference...
I'll miss out on the TonePrint effects and having a tuner integrated into the face of the amp (I really like that feature), but I have a feeling the MB500 will shine.

Thanks again for all the input and information. Don't know what I'd do without this site.

Still learnin...

 

[Steffen Thrana]

You're correct from a chronological perspective, of course, but the way people talk about bass guitar tone tends to be stuck in the time warp mindset where if you have clear highs and big lows and lots of attack, it's considered modern regardless of the fact that bassists have been playing with those kinds of tones for 30+ years (perhaps Marcus Miller started it all?). But I think there's a perception where if you sound like Sly & the Family Stone, you're playing with vintage tone, and if you sound like Flea, it's considered modern. Not all slappers slap with that kind of tone either, Claypool and Stanley Clarke certainly don't.

I just feel like TC has a basic tonal character that sounds more like Ampeg/Aguilar/Fender, i.e. what people often refer to as vintage tone, than one that sounds more hi-fi like GK. All these amps can actually get into each other's territories pretty readily, but I feel that there's the sound that these amps want to be making, and TC generally wants to sound like a vintage-style amp.

I totally agree. In this short YT video I use roundwound strings, Warwick bass and TC Electronics BH550 basshead.

 

[Hammock]

Steffen, do you remember how you tweaked those knobs on the BH550, for that sound? Loved it!

 

[jeff7bass]

I have another view on the TCE "scandal". Through the use of modern technology they were able to make a 290w amp sound as loud as a 450w amp. Their unique application of compression gave the user the ability to clean up their sound in a way other amps could not. A guitar playing buddy of mine was playing their pedals way back in the late 90's, and he said they were the best he's ever played. Especially the chorus, which by the way, Jeff Berlin was using to create a great stereo sound with his dual Markbass combos when I saw him. They have some seriously cool features and with the "scandal" behind them, seem to be a making high quality amps now (based on reviews), especially considering their prices.

 

[Steffen Thrana]

Steffen, do you remember how you tweaked those knobs on the BH550, for that sound? Loved it!

Thanks I’m pretty sure bass, high mids and treble where at 12, low mids at 13. The Tone print “Tube Warmth’ N’ Comp” engaged It’s a great and highly versatile amp!

 

[Hammock]

Thanks Steffen, I will try it out .

Another thing. Have you used the balanced output? I find it very low on my BH800. I get only a third (or something) on the meter.

Cheers

 

[Sav'nBass]

I'm of the same opinion; I have the BH800, love it. heard all the stuff about wattage ratings on other TC gear when I bought this last year, it seems as though people knee-jerk the info now about all things TC. Still waiting to hear an independent word about the BH800 specifically. Sure, it's good to know as much info on an item/company as possible, but I love mine, sounds great. BTW, once you get the hang of it, the TonePrint thing is pretty cool.

The BH550 is my studio/rehearsal/backup amp, and the BH800 is my primary gigging amp. I honestly can't say I've ever faced a situation where I felt that I was even pushing the BH800 hard, and I've used the BH550 for gigs a few times and never thought I needed 250 extra watts. I just decided, when I was shopping, just spend the little extra and get the BH800, since I found a good deal on the BH800. And then when it came time to get a second amp, I just got a BH550 instead.

I think the TC wattage scandal is worth knowing for one basic reason: it might be one of the reasons why it seems really easy to find BH550 or BH800 priced very attractively, whether new or used. It might be because some people are staying away from TC amps, but it's worth knowing that you shouldn't have to pay full sticker price for them. I bought my BH800 for $428 and BH550 for $350. These are incredible prices for the quality of amps I got. You just don't see deals like this on other amps of the same caliber. Hell, I sold my Aguilar TH500 for $549 and it sold very quickly, I probably could have gotten more for it. I don't miss my TH500 one bit, I'm so happy with the TC BH550/800. So yep, try to get the best price possible on the TC BH550 and don't just buy the full price because you might really save a lot.

There's a post on one of the threads here where a couple of users have compared a BH800 with a Mesa D800 and found them to perform similarly, with some favoring the BH800. And nobody questions the wattage handling of the Mesa D800, so I think informally, that BH800 passes. There's just not a lot of talk about either of these amps, but they're really great.

I am actually considering the BH800 for a backup head to my Magellan 800. I was looking at the Aggie TH700 and the Mesa D800 .. or the 800+ but I really can't afford it at this time.. and I hate not having a back up. Good stuff to know..

 

[Low Class]

Steffen, do you remember how you tweaked those knobs on the BH550, for that sound? Loved it!

I found on my BH800 that I got a more vintage tone with all the knobs left of center, usually around 9 to 10 o'clock. No tone print.

 

[Steffen Thrana]

Thanks Steffen, I will try it out .

Another thing. Have you used the balanced output? I find it very low on my BH800. I get only a third (or something) on the meter.

Cheers

Yeah I use it all the time into the audio interface or to FOH. No issues with the signal..

 

[Wicked G]

I found on my BH800 that I got a more vintage tone with all the knobs left of center, usually around 9 to 10 o'clock. No tone print.

I tried those settings once after I had read you posting that somewhere. It sounds pretty cool like that. I used mine at last weeks gig with the EQ set at:
Bass - 11:00
Low Mids - 11:00
High Mids - 1:00
Treble - 2:00
TonePrint - SpectraComp and Drive at 11:00
Talk about a serious vintage tone, it kicked. I've posted before how I much prefer the RH heads, but the last couple of gigs where I have used the BH800, with the SpectraComp and Drive, really had me smiling throughout the show.

 

[Hammock]

Yeah I use it all the time into the audio interface or to FOH. No issues with the signal..

And you are using mic level I guess? I tried that one now (got helped from a TB fellow), and it worked out nice.

 

[And I]

I used to play a GK MB500, it's a great head. Even with the treble knob down though it has a very bright, extended high frequency character to it. So if you're not into treble, you might consider something else.

 

[Steffen Thrana]

And you are using mic level I guess? I tried that one now (got helped from a TB fellow), and it worked out nice.

Yup

 

[Artman]

I have never met a bass cabinet that doesn't have at least two different jacks.

I own two. One is a Sonic 112 that is about 30 years old. It has a single 1/4” jack. He other is a Fender Rumble 112. It has two outputs, but only one of each type.. a single 1/4” and a single speakon jack. Fortunately, my Hartke 3500 and every amp I have ever owned has two speaker outputs. Both cabs sound great, but together they sound huge!