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TC Electronic BG250 Club (Part 2)
- Thread starter drpepper
- Start date
No, just as it gets louder. When i turn the eq knobs and the tubedrive it even changes the tone of it (more like a hiss)
Lol, no deal for me. I've never even talked to the guy. He's referred to often by name here on TB so I was just following suit
Just to follow up on this Zoom B3 > Aux In thing, I tried it out at a fairly mellow band practice. I tried a few amp simulations. It sounded good, but I'd have to say the overriding character of the BG250 comes from the speaker/cabinet. The sims sounded good, but switching between them didn't show as much difference as they do through my Uber 410, and they didn't sound so significantly different from the BG250's preamp.
More testing...
Gona take my BG250 to a large backyard party at a friends house in a couple hours. Will be running my Godin Fretless Ultra A5 against two fast-spanish guitars; them thru PA. No PA for me.
I've only used my BG combo for small-ish club blues gigs and loud-ish rehearsals. No buzz or other noise from my combo.
Outdoors, gona be about 81 degrees today, no PA, prolly gona push the combo abit as we get into it. I need to watch out cuz this Godin puts out some huge low end. Looking forward to it.
I've only used my BG combo for small-ish club blues gigs and loud-ish rehearsals. No buzz or other noise from my combo.
Outdoors, gona be about 81 degrees today, no PA, prolly gona push the combo abit as we get into it. I need to watch out cuz this Godin puts out some huge low end. Looking forward to it.
good stuff..
I agree, the BG250 amp/cab certainly has a character of its own.. i have the Uber Quad and to cheat as a speaker test i play music.. and the Quad is more transparent than the BG250, and as i would expect the Uber 410 to be similarly so, then presumably thats why the sims show more differences in that setup....
I agree, the BG250 amp/cab certainly has a character of its own.. i have the Uber Quad and to cheat as a speaker test i play music.. and the Quad is more transparent than the BG250, and as i would expect the Uber 410 to be similarly so, then presumably thats why the sims show more differences in that setup....
Got the amp in preparation for a band audition. Ended up playing at a live gig FOR my audition, and I got the spot. I'll be playing this amp out 2-3 times a month now through a PA. Hope it's as reliable as you all claim 
(no backup).
(no backup).
I'd say as reliable as any other mass produced electronic. I'm not saying that in a smartass sense.
UPS says mine will be here tomorrow
We are playing in a blues competition on Sunday the 24th - I'm going to use it at practice and beat on it a little this week, then decide if I will use it for the gig. I have a GK MB200 head as a backup, but there's no way to access the speaker input on the BG250, right? Worst case I can always just use the DI on the MB200 and/or scrounge a speaker cab. I doubt there will be any issues with the BG though.
We are playing in a blues competition on Sunday the 24th - I'm going to use it at practice and beat on it a little this week, then decide if I will use it for the gig. I have a GK MB200 head as a backup, but there's no way to access the speaker input on the BG250, right? Worst case I can always just use the DI on the MB200 and/or scrounge a speaker cab. I doubt there will be any issues with the BG though.
Well, you can.. it all depends on how much mechanical and electrical aptitude you have and whether its worth it to you..
the speaker is simply clipped onto a 2 pin header onto the amp board, so if you wish to make this an amp/cabinet vs a combo its not hard...(i actually have been considering this).
My thought was to put a speaker out socket on the back of the amp, then make a cutout in the rear of the cab for a regular speaker connection..though pulling the driver would be needed to wire this up.. alternatively (and much easier), would be to put a speaker in socket next to the speaker out..
so drill some holes, mount a couple of 1/4" sockets and some soldering.
it all depends on how much mechanical and electrical aptitude you have and whether its worth it to you..the speaker is simply clipped onto a 2 pin header onto the amp board, so if you wish to make this an amp/cabinet vs a combo its not hard...(i actually have been considering this).
My thought was to put a speaker out socket on the back of the amp, then make a cutout in the rear of the cab for a regular speaker connection..though pulling the driver would be needed to wire this up.. alternatively (and much easier), would be to put a speaker in socket next to the speaker out..
so drill some holes, mount a couple of 1/4" sockets and some soldering.
UPS says mine will be here tomorrow
We are playing in a blues competition on Sunday the 24th - I'm going to use it at practice and beat on it a little this week, then decide if I will use it for the gig. I have a GK MB200 head as a backup, but there's no way to access the speaker input on the BG250, right? Worst case I can always just use the DI on the MB200 and/or scrounge a speaker cab. I doubt there will be any issues with the BG though.
Played with the new BG a little today.
First off - I think the reports of this amp being noisy are mostly because of the HUGE amount of gain possible between the gain control and the master. I played my passive Am Std Jazz (DR Lowrider rounds) through it. At first I set the gain as it says in the manual - made it clip then backed down a little. Control ended up at about 7. It was pretty noisy. When I backed the gain down to 5 it was much better, and I can still get plenty loud using the master. Speaking of that - this thing can get STUPID loud! I really lke the Tubedrive too - it's awesome to put just a little tube "hair" on the tone. Also don't understand those who report this amp being "muddy" - I find it plenty bright. Actually I think the tweeter isn't even needed. I've got the treble down to about -3 and the mid -1. Haven't had a chance to play with the Toneprint yet (the supplied chorus is pretty annoying to me, I'd never use such an effect). Probably mess with the compressors and an octaver. No smart phone, so I'll have to do USB.
So for now, I'm pretty impressed. I will play it at practice Wed night with full band, will report again.
I can see the "tolex" covering being pretty fragile, will probably order one of the padded covers.
First off - I think the reports of this amp being noisy are mostly because of the HUGE amount of gain possible between the gain control and the master. I played my passive Am Std Jazz (DR Lowrider rounds) through it. At first I set the gain as it says in the manual - made it clip then backed down a little. Control ended up at about 7. It was pretty noisy. When I backed the gain down to 5 it was much better, and I can still get plenty loud using the master. Speaking of that - this thing can get STUPID loud! I really lke the Tubedrive too - it's awesome to put just a little tube "hair" on the tone. Also don't understand those who report this amp being "muddy" - I find it plenty bright. Actually I think the tweeter isn't even needed. I've got the treble down to about -3 and the mid -1. Haven't had a chance to play with the Toneprint yet (the supplied chorus is pretty annoying to me, I'd never use such an effect). Probably mess with the compressors and an octaver. No smart phone, so I'll have to do USB.
So for now, I'm pretty impressed. I will play it at practice Wed night with full band, will report again.
I can see the "tolex" covering being pretty fragile, will probably order one of the padded covers.
My BG250 is doind great.. Still use it everyday.. I have the B3 hooked up to it as well and have to be careful because between the different TonePrints for the BG250 and the B3, before I know it I can spend 1 hr just playing with different tones..
Loving these 2 togethere..
Question to anyone else that has this combo. I normally use one or the other.. Meaning If I am using the B3 I dont use any tones on the BG250 and if I am using Tones on the BG250 I dont use my B3.. Do any of you use them together?
Loving these 2 togethere..
Question to anyone else that has this combo. I normally use one or the other.. Meaning If I am using the B3 I dont use any tones on the BG250 and if I am using Tones on the BG250 I dont use my B3.. Do any of you use them together?
More testing...
The BG250 does seem to pick up more 60-cycle hum than my GK MB200 head, but really only noticeable when I roll off the tone controls on my jazz (which eliminates the hum canceling). With both pickups wide open (how I usually play) the noise almost disappears - pretty much the same as the GK, maybe just a tiny bit more. Having the Tubedrive engaged increases the noise too. I'm a little worried about how noisy the DI will be, have to see.
With nothing plugged in the amp is quiet. I can make it hiss if I crank the treble, but duh.
Just messed with the Spectracomp and the Roscoe Beck "Harmonic Butler" octaver - kinda like the octaver.
For my playing just the Tubedrive seems to provide a bit of compression.
This amp definitely has some "character" - in a good way, especially with some Tubedrive engaged.
The BG250 does seem to pick up more 60-cycle hum than my GK MB200 head, but really only noticeable when I roll off the tone controls on my jazz (which eliminates the hum canceling). With both pickups wide open (how I usually play) the noise almost disappears - pretty much the same as the GK, maybe just a tiny bit more. Having the Tubedrive engaged increases the noise too. I'm a little worried about how noisy the DI will be, have to see.
With nothing plugged in the amp is quiet. I can make it hiss if I crank the treble, but duh.
Just messed with the Spectracomp and the Roscoe Beck "Harmonic Butler" octaver - kinda like the octaver.
For my playing just the Tubedrive seems to provide a bit of compression.
This amp definitely has some "character" - in a good way, especially with some Tubedrive engaged.
Used the BG250 at practice last night - I was impressed, and so were my bandmates. Plenty of volume and everyone liked the tone. I think any "noise" issues were all in my head because I read about some here having problems
I plan on using it at a gig this Sunday, a blues competition. Not sure if I will have PA support, but I'm sure the BG will be great either way.
I plan on using it at a gig this Sunday, a blues competition. Not sure if I will have PA support, but I'm sure the BG will be great either way.
Well I got mine late last week. I have played it out with the band one night, and then my regular bass player used it another night. It is just perfect for the bars we played. It sounded big and full, and had very good blues tone. I haven't done a ton of critical listening to bass, since I am mainly a guitar player, but it sounds really great me. It is light and fairly easy to carry. I wish the box wasn't quite as deep so it would be easier to carry, but we can't have everything can we. In the bass world, it might be as good as it gets. Certainly the weight isn't an issue.
My regular bass player has an Ampeg BA115 combo. It struggles just to barely keep up. The BG250 played our gigs without a sweat. And that is without it even going through a pa. So all is good. I am very happy with my purchase.
My regular bass player has an Ampeg BA115 combo. It struggles just to barely keep up. The BG250 played our gigs without a sweat. And that is without it even going through a pa. So all is good. I am very happy with my purchase.
Users reports of noise/hiss are variable.. to the extent that some folks thought the amp has a fan... so its to each its own, both in preference and in variation between units... suffice to say there were plenty of complaints and issues in the earlier thread.
To my ears and testing, there is noticeable coloration in the low mids of this combo, so i certainly understand why some folks can think it sounds muddy.. but i dont know of anything at this price that is perfect either.
Brightness has nothing to do with muddy, as that term usually refers to the prescence region. Tonally though, its not a bright amp.. the response is relatively flat to slightly shelving at 10kHz...
To my ears and testing, there is noticeable coloration in the low mids of this combo, so i certainly understand why some folks can think it sounds muddy.. but i dont know of anything at this price that is perfect either.
Brightness has nothing to do with muddy, as that term usually refers to the prescence region. Tonally though, its not a bright amp.. the response is relatively flat to slightly shelving at 10kHz...
OK - I suppose "bright" wasn't the correct term to use.
I agree about the coloration of the low mids, but I don't find it muddy.
In my practice room at home with the amp angled up at me I had the bass on +1, middle -3, treble - 3. When I got in a band rehearsal situation it sounded too bassy. I ended up running all 3 tone controls straight up at 0 to get a tone which cut through (passive Am Std Jazz with DR Lowrider rounds).
I'll report how it goes at our gig Sunday (it's at The Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska) - if it doesn't get snowed out
I agree about the coloration of the low mids, but I don't find it muddy.
In my practice room at home with the amp angled up at me I had the bass on +1, middle -3, treble - 3. When I got in a band rehearsal situation it sounded too bassy. I ended up running all 3 tone controls straight up at 0 to get a tone which cut through (passive Am Std Jazz with DR Lowrider rounds).
I'll report how it goes at our gig Sunday (it's at The Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska) - if it doesn't get snowed out
Debating between the BA115 and this - starting to learn towards the BG250. Anyone have experience with trying to get an Ampeg type sound out of it? Anyone have videos of it being used in a live/band setting? Thanks!
