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tc electronic blacksmith

#61
That still doesnt sound like nearly enough to charge $1000 more to have a 4 band parametric rather than a 12 band graphic plus a few presets. Not to mention, a parametric EQ is a lot harder to work if you have to keep switching back and forth between frequency and level.

As far as the automatic voltage switching, I guess that would be helpful if you're touring the world, but wouldnt you have to use a different cable anyway? For most people that just gig "domestically" that would just be an additional cost that doesn't really pay for itself in actual use.

Regarding power, Trace is generally regarded to underrate their amps, and TC is known to overrate their amps just because they "sound loud". So saying the TC has a "heap" more power isn't necessarily the case. But even still that only gives the TC maybe somewhere between about 3-6 db of headroom of the Trace, which is about the difference between more or less efficient cabs.

And for weight, technically I have a 1210 but without the cab/speakers (but it's the same as the AH-600-12 head). So it weighs about 28-30 pounds.
 
#64
It's not really about "wants and needs", but more about how does TCE justify charging so incredibly much for such an amp.

I don't know, I was never at all interested in their amps to begin with (they've been making bass amps for what, 5 minutes?), and when I heard about how they straight up lied about their wattage ratings because they "sound loud" I was pretty much turned off completely. So I'm always a bit puzzled/curious when people choose TCE amps over ALL the other stuff that's out there between new and used, ESPECIALLY at the crazy high prices they charge.

Personally, if I was going to spend like $3000 or more on bass gear, I would look for some great deals on an amp and cabs (like I have) and then spend the rest where it will count, on an amazing bass or 2. To spend $2500 on a mass produced SS head just seems foolish to me.
 
#66
jungleheat said:
It's not really about "wants and needs", but more about how does TCE justify charging so incredibly much for such an amp.

I don't know, I was never at all interested in their amps to begin with (they've been making bass amps for what, 5 minutes?), and when I heard about how they straight up lied about their wattage ratings because they "sound loud" I was pretty much turned off completely. So I'm always a bit puzzled/curious when people choose TCE amps over ALL the other stuff that's out there between new and used, ESPECIALLY at the crazy high prices they charge.

Personally, if I was going to spend like $3000 or more on bass gear, I would look for some great deals on an amp and cabs (like I have) and then spend the rest where it will count, on an amazing bass or 2. To spend $2500 on a mass produced SS head just seems foolish to me.
Click to expand...
For me it is totally about wants and needs.
Point me in the direction where I can buy a cheaper amp that a can
*Keep up with a band
*flexible EQ
*great compressor
* Be able to plug two leads into (one to my bass the other to the foot switch) and be able to mute my bass and tune. change 3 totally different tones. From full on dirty. To reggea tones to clean and transparent, all with the push off a button or foot switch
Those are my needs. I am happy to pay extra to get what I want.
My bass is cheap it does what I want. I am not going to bag someone for spending a grand more then I did for their bass.
 
#69
Arai, pretty much any 300-500w head can "keep up" with probably 90% of bands and playing situations.

Flexible EQ, that's not that hard. Most amps go for graphic EQs, but there are some that have semi-parametrics (like the SWR SM series, Eden World Tour, etc...) for a LOT less than $2500.

Great compressor, again, lots of amps have this. Knowing TCE, the amp probably does have a nice compressor, so maybe there's some edge there.

For the 2 cables thing, all you need is a $50 ABY box. You could probably make one for $15.

So that basically leaves the 3 presets. It is a fairly cool feature, but again, not worth anywhere near $1k. For that much you could just buy 2 or 3 nice EQ/preamp pedals and maybe even a loop switcher if you wanted, and still have a few hundred bucks left over for hookers and blow.

If you're happy with the amp, that's cool, but it seems like you definitely overpaid for what you got.
 
#70
Just as an example, the SWR SM 900 has pretty much all of that (no compressor, although it does have a limiter; and only 2 different footswitchable EQ settings) and you can get them on ebay all day long for about $600. Meaning you could have 2 of them (which means you would have a backup if one went down), have one additional EQ setting available, and add an outboard compressor and STILL be about $1000 under the cost of the TCE.
 
#71
jungleheat said:
Arai, pretty much any 300-500w head can "keep up" with probably 90% of bands and playing situations.

Flexible EQ, that's not that hard. Most amps go for graphic EQs, but there are some that have semi-parametrics (like the SWR SM series, Eden World Tour, etc...) for a LOT less than $2500.

Great compressor, again, lots of amps have this. Knowing TCE, the amp probably does have a nice compressor, so maybe there's some edge there.

For the 2 cables thing, all you need is a $50 ABY box. You could probably make one for $15.

So that basically leaves the 3 presets. It is a fairly cool feature, but again, not worth anywhere near $1k. For that much you could just buy 2 or 3 nice EQ/preamp pedals and maybe even a loop switcher if you wanted, and still have a few hundred bucks left over for hookers and blow.

If you're happy with the amp, that's cool, but it seems like you definitely overpaid for what you got.
Click to expand...

You forgot the tuner. :D

I have ditched the pedals and I don't want to go back. And the whole aby thing is even more cables.
So again point me in the direction of an amp that gives me what I need for cheaper.
 
#72
jungleheat said:
Arai, pretty much any 300-500w head can "keep up" with probably 90% of bands and playing situations.

Flexible EQ, that's not that hard. Most amps go for graphic EQs, but there are some that have semi-parametrics (like the SWR SM series, Eden World Tour, etc...) for a LOT less than $2500.

Great compressor, again, lots of amps have this. Knowing TCE, the amp probably does have a nice compressor, so maybe there's some edge there.

For the 2 cables thing, all you need is a $50 ABY box. You could probably make one for $15.

So that basically leaves the 3 presets. It is a fairly cool feature, but again, not worth anywhere near $1k. For that much you could just buy 2 or 3 nice EQ/preamp pedals and maybe even a loop switcher if you wanted, and still have a few hundred bucks left over for hookers and blow.

If you're happy with the amp, that's cool, but it seems like you definitely overpaid for what you got.
Click to expand...

Go ahead. Buy all those pieces and parts, stick them in a row onto a pedalboard, your AB switch, the patch cables, the power supply, nerk around with the different pedals and their settings, and their voicings, and viola!. This works for you. You're happy. You didn't get fooled by anyone, and you have all the features that others are paying - get this part, 'cuz it's important- THEIR OWN MONEY for. It's coming out of their pockets, not yours. See where we're heading with this?

It's not a cult, it's an Amplifier. No one is going to force you to buy this amp. It's not going to be the sole manufacturer of bass amps, left on the planet- EVER. Why this irrational compulsion to convince everybody that they must see it as you do?

I swear to god, if I ever have to fly over long stretches of water, I'm taking a TCE amp with me. That way, if we crash, all I'll have to do is send up smoke signals saying "This TCE amp is great!" and somebody, somewhere is going row, swim or walk across the ocean just to tell me what's wrong with it.
 
#75
Sumtingwong said:
I swear to god, if I ever have to fly over long stretches of water, I'm taking a TCE amp with me. That way, if we crash, all I'll have to do is send up smoke signals saying "This TCE amp is great!" and somebody, somewhere is going row, swim or walk across the ocean just to tell me what's wrong with it.
Click to expand...

ROFLMFAO

This may be sig worthy!
 
#78
Moderator Insert:

Attn All:
We as Mods have Zero Tolerance for going down a contentious, ill-mannered TCE power is/isn't thus and such path again.
Let me say it again:
We have no tolerance for going down an ill-mannered TCE power is/isn't thus and such again.

If you can manage to discuss such a thing civilly, fine.

If we get paged in here, repeatedly, to sort out 4 pages of quoted/repeated/added to insultery and other shenanigans, we'll shut this whole thing down, and hand out liberal infractions to the lot of you.

I don't at all like what I've read back the last page or two, and there are several of you that I've talked to about such things very, very recently.

Repeat offenders will be dealt with more harshly.

Carry on.
 
#80
Mod Insert, Part Two

You guys are all grown ups here.
If you haven't read the rules, now would be a great time to do so.

Rule One:
treat each other with kindness, politeness and respect.
Name calling, baiting, accusing, confrontational language: we're done with that here.
See the sticky at the top of amps if you haven't.

Rule 5:
no questioning moderation in public.
I don't know how that can possibly be made more clear.

Next time I get paged in here will make a third strike, and this one will be closed.

Behave, and treat each other like friends, or it's done.

It's *completely possible* to disagree politely, with nice language.
It's *completely possible* to make your point once, effectively, and let it go.
 

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