TC Electronic BH250 and Bam 200

[RayLawrenceJr]

Friends, these micro bass heads are kinda cool. I want a tiny rig like this. It's a tiny powerhouse with built in DI and fits in a gig bag too. Not sure what model I will go with yet. The BAM 200 will do what I need it to do. TC Electronic makes some cool products. That 208 bass cab is small and loud. I am looking for a compact rig with enough volume to get the job done. These amps seem to have the right stuff. I don't use effects with my bass playing.

 

[jj.833]

TC BH250:
+ good 'true' sound
+ bypass switch
+ built in tuner (this is cool - you can plug and play)
- no gain knob
- the white effects knob is of no use

Trace Elliot ELF:
+ gain knob - you can optimize loudness very accurately
+ sounds great with bass guitar
+/- compression that can't be turned off - you either like it or not
- not very good sound with double bass

Just my opinion!

 

[RayLawrenceJr]

I don't like using much compression. Kinda kills dynamics in some situations. That bam 200 is a straight forward amp. I use a clip on tuner. Some folks I play with like to use the same tuner. A community tuner that everyone uses. Some folks like using 432 tuning so a built in tuner won't work for that since those are set to 440.

The Elf is cool too. I like the TC Electronic stuff more. Just haven't settled on on model yet.

 

[bigtone23]

I love my BH250, but if you don't need the effects and tuner, may as well get the BAM as it's smaller, too.

 

[RayLawrenceJr]

I love my BH250, but if you don't need the effects and tuner, may as well get the BAM as it's smaller, too.

Thank you. I may choose the bam 200

 

[Wicked G]

TC BH250:
+ good 'true' sound
+ bypass switch
+ built in tuner (this is cool - you can plug and play)
- no gain knob
- the white effects knob is of no use

Trace Elliot ELF:
+ gain knob - you can optimize loudness very accurately
+ sounds great with bass guitar
+/- compression that can't be turned off - you either like it or not
- not very good sound with double bass

Just my opinion!

White effects knob is of no use? I have to disagree with that as that knob makes a huge difference on all of the TonePrints.

OP, if it is possible to try I would suggest that as both heads may sound quite different. I have no experience with the BAM200, but the BH250 is a really cool head that can sound quite tuby and thick next to other amps. IMHO and IME but YMMV.

 

[RayLawrenceJr]

I love tube amps but those are too big to fit in a gig bag.

 

[Cheez]

I got the BAM 200 yesterday. Sounds great at home and through headphones. I'll be using it with BG in a band setting tomorrow night with a 4 ohm Bag End 210. Folk/rock originals band with a drummer. Medium sized outdoor patio with PA support. I can share my thoughts on it's usefulness after that. We'll see.
It IS itty bitty! Really will fit in the pocket of my cargo pants.

 

[RayLawrenceJr]

Please let me know how that BAM 200 does on the gig. I read some great reviews on it. I hear it works great with a 410 cab. I want to try it with a 15 cab.

 

[SgtHulka]

AFAIK, the BAM 200 is modeled specifically with the same specs as the elf. Therefore it should sound similar or the same.

 

[Smokey Lynx]

I just bought the TC BQ Thrust 250 which is really in the same family as the BAM and BH.
It is really working out well for me although I think 250 watts is a stretch. I use a D'addario clip on tuner and no effects so didn't want the BH
The BQ's 2 Mid Switches, hi and lo , are really a good feature. Also, the gain and master control along with decent one knob on board compressor.
Sound is good , XLR out with post and pre eq. Lightweight.
The active passive switch is marked wrong but not a factor . Active /up and Passive /down.
Plus under 200 out the door .
Things I don't like... The tiny flimsy mini toggle switches for active/passive and the compressor on/off.
No 1/4 inch Aux in Jack , just the tiny 1/8th inch Jack.
I would be happy to give TC 20 more dollars to get those.

 

[brocket]

I've used a BH250 as my main amp for rehearsals and 30+ gigs and it hasn't missed a beat. For gigs I use it with a 2x8 and a 1x12 and I hardly ever go through a PA (we are a mostly acoustic group with a light handed drummer, so I don't need to compete with 2 guitar stacks). I'd agree with other comments about the TonePrint not being all that useful. I keep the SpectraComp on mine, turned up a little to about 9:00. I don't think there is enough control over the other effects to make them of much use to me. I do like having the mute switch and the built in tuner, although the always on tuner is a little silly- I'd prefer the tuner to only turn on when the amp is muted.

I was intrigued when the BAM200 came out. My hesitation is if it isn't quite enough power. I've been impressed with the size of spaces I've been able to fill with "only" 250 watts, but it seems like I've needed most of those 250 watts for some of the bigger spaces I've played. However, I have not played through the BAM200 to know for sure. My BH250 with the 2x8 is great for our rehearsals that are typically unplugged except for 1 vocal mic, but I wouldn't use that for our typical gigs. I've done it once for a stripped back trio gig with PA support, but I mostly just listened to myself through the PA.

I've used some form of Tech 21 VT pedal for most of the time I've played the BH250. I feel that the tone of the BH250 on its own was a little sterile/lifeless/clean, but that's likely more my preference than an amp issue.

Edited to add: I forgot about the BQ Thrust 250 until I saw the post from @Smokey Lynx. Assuming the guts are the same as the BH250, I'd recommend the Thrust version.

 

[nilorius]

I would choose TC BH250.

 

[bigtone23]

I'd agree with other comments about the TonePrint not being all that useful. I keep the SpectraComp on mine, turned up a little to about 9:00. I don't think there is enough control over the other effects to make them of much use to me. I do like having the mute switch and the built in tuner, although the always on tuner is a little silly- I'd prefer the tuner to only turn on when the amp is muted.

I have the Switch 3 foot pedal for mine. Gives you another TonePrint at your disposal as well as mute. SpectraComp and Chorus and I'm happy as a clam.

 

[Cheez]

Please let me know how that BAM 200 does on the gig. I read some great reviews on it. I hear it works great with a 410 cab. I want to try it with a 15 cab.

So, I used the BAM 200 live last night through a 4 ohm Bag End using my ‘95 Sterling. The band was 2 guitars, drums and bass in a medium sized room with everything going through the PA. I’d say we played at moderate volume. With the gain and master at 10 o’clock, my volume was clean and more than adequate. The amp stayed warm during the 4 hour gig, but never got hot (though I wasn’t pushing it like I might’ve without going direct). The drummer and lead player both gave it thumbs up on presence and tone.

Briefly, it’s not a monster, but it’s not wimpy either. For $178 (price most places I looked) it’s very useful, notably because it has a lot of power for its diminutive dimensions (It’s footprint is half the size of my iPad!). And the headphone out sounds great. I’m happy with the purchase. Here’s a fuzzy pic comparing it’s size to my Boss chorus.

 

[LennyJ]

So, I used the BAM 200 live last night through a 4 ohm Bag End using my ‘95 Sterling. The band was 2 guitars, drums and bass in a medium sized room with everything going through the PA. I’d say we played at moderate volume. With the gain and master at 10 o’clock, my volume was clean and more than adequate. The amp stayed warm during the 4 hour gig, but never got hot (though I wasn’t pushing it like I might’ve without going direct). The drummer and lead player both gave it thumbs up on presence and tone.

Briefly, it’s not a monster, but it’s not wimpy either. For $178 (price most places I looked) it’s very useful, notably because it has a lot of power for its diminutive dimensions (It’s footprint is half the size of my iPad!). And the headphone out sounds great. I’m happy with the purchase. Here’s a fuzzy pic comparing it’s size to my Boss chorus.

It looks like the chorus pedal is sitting over the fan hole in you pic????

 

[Arjank]

I do own a BH250 and I'm about to sell it.
The sound is not that good, it kinda 'sticks' to the cabinet.
Recently I bought a Bugera Veyron (tube) and it sounds WAY better.