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TC Electronic BQ500 Review

#81
I got a new BQ500 from Sweetwater last week. All switches work properly and I like the li'l bugger! I have other more powerful/fancier heads, but this thing works just fine to amplify a quality bass guitar. Yea, the fan is REALLY quiet! This drives my Ampeg Heritage SVT410HLF just fine, and the 4 band eq is pretty good. The frequency points make sense and each knob affects exactly what I think it should. I haven't played with the "Thrust" much yet.

For the money it's a no-brainer. I'm putting together a smaller, lightweight rig for playing out in smaller situations, and this is perfect for that purpose. I'm going to get a Mesa SW115 to pair it with, and I think that'll work out nicely.
 
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#82
I owned one for about 6 months. I just ignored the reversed input switch and didn't use the Thrust control, it just added a sound that didn't appeal to me. I also own a GK MB500 and the BQ500 honestly could get just as loud as the GK.

it's a good sounding amp, I just didn't need another 500 watt amp so i sold it to a good friend and bought a TC Bam 200. The Bam 200 will surprise you.
 
#83
I'm also not a big Thrust user. The amp is compressed enough sounding already for my taste. Don't remember if I said it already or not but the DI out also sounds pretty good on this amp. This amp tends to "blend in" with the band rather than really poke through or stand out. That could be desirable if that's what you're after.
 
#84
I want to pair it with a very lightweight cab (possibile 1x15'').
Unfortunatly all TC Electronics cabs seems very very heavy (>20kg) and also it seems they are mainly out of stock.
Any suggestion on other brands cabs? Or is it better to wait to see if TC Electronics is going to produce any new models?
 
#85
EmpInfNed said:
I want to pair it with a very lightweight cab (possibile 1x15'').
Unfortunatly all TC Electronics cabs seems very very heavy (>20kg) and also it seems they are mainly out of stock.
Any suggestion on other brands cabs? Or is it better to wait to see if TC Electronics is going to produce any new models?
Click to expand...

I never tried it with any of the TC cabs but it sounded great with others. It doesn't really color the sound too much so didn't seem to need a specific cab (IMO).
 
#86
Bringing an old thread back from the dead LOL.

Bought a used BQ500 as a backup in case my GB Streamliner had any issues ( as it's had 10 hard years of service ).
Quite pleasantly surprised.
It's obviously not the quality of the Genz Benz, but has more than enough power, decent EQ points and a fairly transparent sound.
It may even get promoted to "gig amp" for the odd gig.
 
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#87
Here’s some more love for the BQ500

I bought it to fill in for my Markbass Tube 800 which has been waiting for a part for six months! My trusty old GK 800b was doing ok but was missing something through my 2x12 Markbass cab with my 2000 US Deluxe Jazz. My Sansamp Para, Tone Hammer, Spectracomp, and MXR bass comp helped get me near where I wanted to be, but I was still missing that finger funky goodness for the classic RnB band I play in.

The BQ500 paired with the MB NY 121 cab does the trick. It’s such a small, simple lightweight rig with ample power for a decent sized stage with a 7 piece band, and I can hear myself just the way I want it. I use a dash of Thrust to smooth things out a little. I don’t bother with any other preamps or comps, just a tuner.

I’m intrigued to hear if I still like my MBT800 as much as I thought…
 
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#88
I'm with the 'good enough' crowd on this one. The BQ500 is my main amp. It has way more than enough power for my use cases. I actually like how the EQ works, enough so that I put up with the quirks of the gain knob and the meh Thrust. I typically use no effects or preamps whatsoever, even the ones in my active basses are turned off or set to neutral.

I pair the amp with TC RS112 cabs (one or two depending on the size of the band and the expected stage volume). These are 14 kg each so not back-breaking.
 
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#89
musicman556 said:
I got a new BQ500 from Sweetwater last week. All switches work properly and I like the li'l bugger! I have other more powerful/fancier heads, but this thing works just fine to amplify a quality bass guitar. Yea, the fan is REALLY quiet! This drives my Ampeg Heritage SVT410HLF just fine, and the 4 band eq is pretty good. The frequency points make sense and each knob affects exactly what I think it should. I haven't played with the "Thrust" much yet.

For the money it's a no-brainer. I'm putting together a smaller, lightweight rig for playing out in smaller situations, and this is perfect for that purpose. I'm going to get a Mesa SW115 to pair it with, and I think that'll work out nicely.
Click to expand...

Welp, since this thread has come back around I guess I should also update with my experience over the last 2 years. In the time since I have added an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500, Mesa TT800, and a GK Legacy 800. Yes, they're in a different price bracket. I don't use pedals for tone/drive, etc, and eventually realized I wanted more from my amps than just flat reproduction.

I have given the BQ500 to a friend who is a great guitar player but just starting on bass. He took over my spot as bass player when my wife and I decided to start attending a different church earlier this year. He added a Hartke 210 and is having a great time learning the low end!
 
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#90
musicman556 said:
Welp, since this thread has come back around I guess I should also update with my experience over the last 2 years. In the time since I have added an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500, Mesa TT800, and a GK Legacy 800. Yes, they're in a different price bracket. I don't use pedals for tone/drive, etc, and eventually realized I wanted more from my amps than just flat reproduction.

I have given the BQ500 to a friend who is a great guitar player but just starting on bass. He took over my spot as bass player when my wife and I decided to start attending a different church earlier this year. He added a Hartke 210 and is having a great time learning the low end!
Click to expand...
Hi, Does the fan of the bq500 cineast in often in home practicing situations? I’m allergic to to fannoise
 
#91
mowif said:
Here’s some more love for the BQ500

I bought it to fill in for my Markbass Tube 800 which has been waiting for a part for six months! My trusty old GK 800b was doing ok but was missing something through my 2x12 Markbass cab with my 2000 US Deluxe Jazz. My Sansamp Para, Tone Hammer, Spectracomp, and MXR bass comp helped get me near where I wanted to be, but I was still missing that finger funky goodness for the classic RnB band I play in.

The BQ500 paired with the MB NY 121 cab does the trick. It’s such a small, simple lightweight rig with ample power for a decent sized stage with a 7 piece band, and I can hear myself just the way I want it. I use a dash of Thrust to smooth things out a little. I don’t bother with any other preamps or comps, just a tuner.

I’m intrigued to hear if I still like my MBT800 as much as I thought…
Click to expand...
Hi, Does the fan of the bq500 cineast in often in home practicing situations? I’m allergic to to fannoise
 
#92
From my memory the fan was quieter than some, noisier than others. In a quiet room I heard it when not playing or talking.

if you don't want ANY fan noise, look into the Mesa D350. It doesn't have or need a fan. Yes, it's more expensive than the BQ500, but it's also a crazy great amp.
 
#100
@Redbrangus is accurate. No go for 2x 4ohm cabs.

BUT... you WILL (theoretically) be able to get the maximum amount of power available from the BQ500 with just one 4ohm cab. So... if you believe the 500w/4ohm rating and the cab is also rated at or above 500w, you POTENTIALLY can give it the beans. Pay attention for sounds of stress, etc, and don't go crazy with the low EQ boost. I find that 500w really is a LOT of volume with a good cab/cabs. Like... way more than I need most of the time. You might find that one cab and the BQ500 provide more volume to your ear than you brain thinks it should! :laugh:

I have been gigging with a single Subway 115 and Aguilar ToneHammer 500 recently, and it's been PLENTY loud to keep up with (and overpower) a HEAVY handed acoustic drummer and 2 loud guitarists.

Yes, I moved on from my BQ500 awhile back, but it was always a fine amp. Hope you get to rock out to your heart's content! Best of luck!
 
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