TC Electronic BH500 - Good or Bad Choice?

[Mr Antt]

If you can, try it out WITH your band-some sort of 'return' deal.
IF it cuts it for you-fine, if not, return it.
Bottom line- if you like it!
I don't agree with TC's advertising specs/policy, but if it works for you, thats what matters. Goodluck.

It's mainly a search for something to fight of the college Orchestra, 35Watt's just wont cut it I'm afraid. I'm looking for that warm, deep tube sound without having to pay insane amounts of money, which I wont see for years to come for a real tube amp. I'm after something that is crisp, and clear but at the same time has a full, deep feel. And for me, looking at videos, reviews, the BH500 seems like it'll do the job perfectly.

 

[Ben Heard]

If you're looking for warm and tubey, I don't think GK will do it for ya. Then again, they are crisp with really quick response.

 

[vin*tone]

It's mainly a search for something to fight of the college Orchestra, 35Watt's just wont cut it I'm afraid. I'm looking for that warm, deep tube sound without having to pay insane amounts of money, which I wont see for years to come for a real tube amp. I'm after something that is crisp, and clear but at the same time has a full, deep feel. And for me, looking at videos, reviews, the BH500 seems like it'll do the job perfectly.

Yeah it sounds right down your alley. The Ashdown Touring combos look like they might fit the bill too.

 

[Mr Antt]

Yeah it sounds right down your alley. The Ashdown Touring combos look like they might fit the bill too.

I'll check them out, thanks. Honestly though, I'm really leaning towards this head though.

 

[4-string]

I almost ordered one of these, because they were the first TC amp to hit the market that included the TweeterTone IIRC. Really nice feature set, and at a great price point.

 

[Mr Antt]

I almost ordered one of these, because they were the first TC amp to hit the market that included the TweeterTone IIRC. Really nice feature set, and at a great price point.

Exactly, the price just makes it the perfect deal. For £400 I can get the amp, and speaking cables and speakon Y adapter. Cannot complain there.

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

I have the BH500 and two BC 2x12 cabs, was a two for one cab deal .
Regards the watts issue, my previous amp was a GK MB210with an MBE115 which together were rated at 500 watts, this is regarded as a loud amp but running individually side by side with the TC BH500, the BH was noticeably louder so does that mean that the GK watts figure is wrong as well, I dont see how a 236 watt amp would be louder than a 500 watt one ?
More to the point, I can get sounds out of the BH that I could not get from the MB210, it is more than powerful enough for my two guitar rock band
Its about time we had a realistic measure of amp power

 

[Mr Antt]

Its about time we had a realistic measure of amp power

I thought that would be how long the ringing in your ears lasts for?

 

[DuShauh]

I have the BH500 and two BC 2x12 cabs, was a two for one cab deal .
Regards the watts issue, my previous amp was a GK MB210with an MBE115 which together were rated at 500 watts, this is regarded as a loud amp but running individually side by side with the TC BH500, the BH was noticeably louder so does that mean that the GK watts figure is wrong as well, I dont see how a 236 watt amp would be louder than a 500 watt one ?
More to the point, I can get sounds out of the BH that I could not get from the MB210, it is more than powerful enough for my two guitar rock band
Its about time we had a realistic measure of amp power

+1 I had the same GK rig, and had the exact same results ! And...it was not just a matter of an A & B comparison to my ears, standing near the rigs. I had someone verify the same results in various spots in a huge ballroom. The BH500 was noticeably louder,(and more importantly for me, better sounding) all the way around. Not at all a slam against the GK MB210, I actually liked that combo. In fact, I sold that combo and bought the MB500 thinking that it was the combo driver that was lacking. Playing into a single 15" (which I still use with the BH) the results were the same. Head to head, exact same "everything" else. But supposedly the GK is in accordance with the specs... Hmmm what does this mean?? The answer will vary from person to person. But for me,regardless of what the specs say, or if this redefines how amps should be rated, I am a happy camper with the BH500(236).

 

[BurningSkies]

I have the BH500 and two BC 2x12 cabs, was a two for one cab deal .
Regards the watts issue, my previous amp was a GK MB210with an MBE115 which together were rated at 500 watts, this is regarded as a loud amp but running individually side by side with the TC BH500, the BH was noticeably louder so does that mean that the GK watts figure is wrong as well, I dont see how a 236 watt amp would be louder than a 500 watt one ?
More to the point, I can get sounds out of the BH that I could not get from the MB210, it is more than powerful enough for my two guitar rock band
Its about time we had a realistic measure of amp power

Without getting too involved, its in knowing how compression works. By reducing the transient peaks (or crests) you can bring the volume up on the rest of the signal, raising the overall volume of the bulk of the output and making it seem louder than an amp that doesn't have the same compression scheme.

 

[Mr Antt]

Without getting too involved, its in knowing how compression works. By reducing the transient peaks (or crests) you can bring the volume up on the rest of the signal, raising the overall volume of the bulk of the output and making it seem louder than an amp that doesn't have the same compression scheme.

You're ridiculously smart.. I sort of understand that.

Anyway, I'm still in two minds. Keeping my eyes open for used gear, but if nothing comes up to take my fancy, then the BH500 it is.

 

[BurningSkies]

You're ridiculously smart.. I sort of understand that.

Anyway, I'm still in two minds. Keeping my eyes open for used gear, but if nothing comes up to take my fancy, then the BH500 it is.

There are other dudes here who are way smarter than I'll ever be. I just try to keep a hold of the stuff that counts.

I still think that you can find a nice head for less cash on the use market.

 

[Mr Antt]

There are other dudes here who are way smarter than I'll ever be. I just try to keep a hold of the stuff that counts.

I still think that you can find a nice head for less cash on the use market.

Which is what I'm trying to do, thanks

 

[Marko 1]

Sounds to me like it would be a good choice for you.

I’m glad I didn’t know about the “TC-watts” issue before I bought my BG500 115 combo, ‘cause I might not have bought it.

I’ve been gigging (this is the first Friday I’ve had off in months) that sucker since I bought it, and don’t even think about bringing anything else… I fact, I rarely even come into the amp forum anymore, haha…

There was a gig recently at a particularly-large venue and stage where I decided to bring out and stack my two Fender Pro 410s…

the guitarist, knowing I looked forward to a more sizeable stage rig just for looks asked me if I’d just put the TC combo (still in the band trailer) on the side of the rig and plug into that.

 

[Mr Antt]

I'm still in two minds, as much as this seems ideal there's a feeling that'll I'll regret it. Or that there's something else out there. But I know for a fact, it'll bug me and bug me until I buy one anyway. Same with my bass, I spent ages looking for a natural, through-neck bass. And I passed up so many, then one day by chance the bass I bought cropped up on eBay with 2 hours to go. I love it.

I'll most likely end up getting one of these. In a way it's as though I can sense it. And it does seem as though I'll be happy with it too. Anyway, thanks a lot everyone. You're being really helpful.

 

[Marko 1]

Well, I not only have the TC combo (same head), but also a GK MB500, which is a great head,

but the last time I saw it was when I was looking for something and accidentally opened the wrong case.

 

[Mr Antt]

Well, I not only have the TC combo (same head), but also a GK MB500 head…

Great head, but the last time I saw it was when I was looking for something and accidentally opened the wrong case.

I just like them all, argh! I know when the time comes, I'll make the right decision. I'd love a GK, but I don't think my Peavey's would do one justice. A full GK stack would be great, but that's not happening right now.

Oh well

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

Had a great gig last night, the BH500 rig sounded immense, it was in a fairly large pub and was very busy .
I really like the memory feature on the BH500, for most songs I dont use the memory buttons, I used the following settings for the finger picking songs;

bass -2
low mid +1
high mid +1
treble -1
tweetertone 0
tube tone 2
contour off
spectracomp 2

It gave a lovely middley tone with plenty of punch, I use a USA Fender P-DLX our guitarists use Gibbo Les Paul and SG through valve amps and this setting punched clean through everything with a lot of headroom to spare .
I have set the presets as follows;

1 - fingers as above but with a bit more tube tone
2 - pick for moderate rock songs, EQ flat, tubetone 3 and contour
3 - pick for heavy rock songs as 2 but with tubetone on 5

This head seems to nail most tones I want and small adjustments give noticeable results .

Regards the watts issue, what watts issue ?

 

[Mr Antt]

Had a great gig last night, the BH500 rig sounded immense, it was in a fairly large pub and was very busy .
I really like the memory feature on the BH500, for most songs I dont use the memory buttons, I used the following settings for the finger picking songs;

bass -2
low mid +1
high mid +1
treble -1
tweetertone 0
tube tone 2
contour off
spectracomp 2

It gave a lovely middley tone with plenty of punch, I use a USA Fender P-DLX our guitarists use Gibbo Les Paul and SG through valve amps and this setting punched clean through everything with a lot of headroom to spare .
I have set the presets as follows;

1 - fingers as above but with a bit more tube tone
2 - pick for moderate rock songs, EQ flat, tubetone 3 and contour
3 - pick for heavy rock songs as 2 but with tubetone on 5

This head seems to nail most tones I want and small adjustments give noticeable results .

Regards the watts issue, what watts issue ?

That puts things into a little more perspective, excellent. Thankyou. I can get this head on a finance plan for £37.50 a month, with a minimum deposit of £37.50, with 0% APR for 9 months, and it's payed for. Which is excellent in my opinion.

Good deal would you say?

Anthony.

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

Good deal would you say?

Sounds good to me, I was lucky with mine and got the head plus two 2x12 BC212 cabs for £664