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TC Electronic Rh450/Classic 450 ????

nitrofix

Gold Supporting Member
Jan 15, 2009
1,807
579
Miami Fl
Hey Guys, considering getting A TC Electronic amp and trying to decide which one. My first question is what are the differences between the RH450 and the Classic 450, I know the RH has a tuner,able to store settings but other than that what else ? And as far as if it ever needed repair could any good amp tech repair or do you need to send it to an authorized TC repair place..I would be trading my Markbass LM III for it so buying one new is out..Thanks
 
The RH EQ is more flexible. The frequency mid/shelving points are adjustable. This can be powerful, or it can be something that you don't want to dig into.

The RH supports a footswitch that has controls for presets, mute, and a second tuner display. Handy, but not a deal breaker. I found I didn't benefit much from mine and sold it.

As far as repairs, if needed, you'd probably have to contact TCE and cover your options then.

Judging by forum posts (which I'm not advocating as wise) failures aren't unheard of but are pretty rare, relative to some others.
 
I loved the footswitch. Being able to store preset tones... mute ... tuner.. is great. The tuner on the FS is higher resolution than the one on the head.

+1.

The non-Classic with a footswitch is a great amp and I gigged one for almost 2 years.

Negatives? TC p!$$ed of a lot of people when they blatantly lied about the wattage (it isn't 450w, it is under 300w) and they have had reliability issues (not terrible, but there have been issues).

I loved the tuner, the presets are a great thing to have and I really liked the compressor.

They really do sound great.... And used, they are a great deal.
 
Yeah the foot switch and pre sets are very handy in some situations. I have been gigging the rh450 for over 2 years and get a lot of compliments of the tone from sound guys and other musos
 
I have been playing a Classic450 for over two years as well and I have enjoyed our time together.

The midrange is thick and kicks pretty hard at around 200hz.

Compressor is good.

Depending on your overdrive tastes, the tubetone can also be great.

Secondhand they are pretty much a steal nowadays.

Build quality is fantastic and hefty sounding.
 
I've played an RH-450 now on probably 200+ gigs in various sized rooms, and it's a GREAT amp. No problem to play LOUD in a small room with my HT112ER. LOUDER with my Bag End D10BX-C, and even LOUDERER with both (it will drive a less-than four ohm load without breaking a sweat--still cool).

I've also driven that Bag End cabinet with a Bag End 18" underneath. That stack is ridiculous.

Good tonal options. On the dark side. Built-in Tuner is great. Every amp should have one. The pedal is nice--I have it, and it's great for muting and doing a quick tune-up, as well as having the three preset capability at your feet.

I find it can get extremely bright. Marcus Miller played mine one night, and he really liked the combination of the amp/cab with my Pedulla Rapture J2-5. He thought it sounded great, and commented on it. I was so surprised he didn't rant about the wattage... ;) So, there you go.
 
I've used my RH450 (not classic) for two years. Various room sizes and with 210, 212 and stacked. Sound guys love it - the DI is great. You can spend tons of time with the EQ to dial in your favorite tone. I've never had an issue with the amp (other than replacing some of the knobs - TC sent them free of charge). The wattage issue aside, I'm really pleased with the amp. I love the presets - I have flat, finger style mid boost and mid cut for slap. Look for the RH450 club thread, there are some great tips there.

Best amp I've owned.
 
@peledog...I agree. Overall, my favorite ever amp. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for a used version of the more powerful one. Ironically, I don't want the more powerful one as much for driving a big room/show as much as for powering the little 8-ohm Bergantino a little better on low-B on small-room gigs. That's the only place where it doesn't have quite enough oomph, but that's a first-world problem, to be sure. Total non-issue on the Bag End...I barely get the master to 10 o'clock on that cabinet in order to avoid deafness.
 
Just picked up a RH450 and really like it, gonna take me a while to figure it all out and dial it in but the options seem endless. Played it through my Markbass 2 10" and my Ampeg 2 10" and it sounded awesome. When I just hooked up the Ampeg it sounded really good and then when I hooked up just my Markbass it was a little mid heavy and loss some low end..I will be looking for a TC RS212 or maybe a TC RS210..Overall very happy with this amp.
 
Wow Bruce, we have the exact same gear

Pedulla Pentabuzz or Pedulla Rapture J2-5 into RH450 into HT112ER (& sometimes EX112ER as well). I use one preset for the pentabuzz with ~800 Hz boosted, the tubetone and compression down, and the overall level down a bit. The other two presets I have for slightly aggressive and more aggressive.


I've played an RH-450 now on probably 200+ gigs in various sized rooms, and it's a GREAT amp. No problem to play LOUD in a small room with my HT112ER. LOUDER with my Bag End D10BX-C, and even LOUDERER with both (it will drive a less-than four ohm load without breaking a sweat--still cool).

I've also driven that Bag End cabinet with a Bag End 18" underneath. That stack is ridiculous.

Good tonal options. On the dark side. Built-in Tuner is great. Every amp should have one. The pedal is nice--I have it, and it's great for muting and doing a quick tune-up, as well as having the three preset capability at your feet.

I find it can get extremely bright. Marcus Miller played mine one night, and he really liked the combination of the amp/cab with my Pedulla Rapture J2-5. He thought it sounded great, and commented on it. I was so surprised he didn't rant about the wattage... ;) So, there you go.