TC Electronic RH750 ???!??

[Vic]

Vic I'm sure there are dozens of threads comparing the RH750 to the GB Streamliner 9.0. I'm just wondering if you ever at the opportunity to do so.

Also if I remember correctly I believe you use a Mesa M9. How does the RH750 compare to that?

Thanks.

The SL900 is a totally different beast. It's much more scooped sounding... huge lows and really crisp highs. This was often discussed in its thread(s). It's got some really great tubey character, and I do like them, but I feel like it's a lot harder to control than the RH heads. Plenty loud tho... no doubt. The M9 is just a machine of destruction. It's also more modern sounding than the RH... bigger on the lows and highs, but stronger in the mids (without EQ) than the SL. With EQ of course the playing field can be evened out a lot tonally, but right now I'm really happy with the M9 and the RH (and a few other heads).

What I consider best tonally about the RH is that it seems very tight and controlled, but the TubeTone and the way they do the amps character when you push it is really cool. It's like a modern take on classic behavior the way they manage tone and dynamics when you push it. For me personally, it's all the things I liked about, say, an SVT, but none of the things I hated.

 

[tombowlus]

As a 5 string player which of the two combos you guys recommend with the RH750 RS210/212 or RS210/210?

I have not tried it with the RH750 yet, but with the RH450, I preferred the RS210/RS212 (with 4 or 5-string) to a double stack of either the 210 or 212. That is personal preference, though, and I could easily see other folks preferring a different cab combo.

 

[Neil]

The SL900 is a totally different beast. It's much more scooped sounding... huge lows and really crisp highs. This was often discussed in its thread(s). It's got some really great tubey character, and I do like them, but I feel like it's a lot harder to control than the RH heads. Plenty loud tho... no doubt. The M9 is just a machine of destruction. It's also more modern sounding than the RH... bigger on the lows and highs, but stronger in the mids (without EQ) than the SL. With EQ of course the playing field can be evened out a lot tonally, but right now I'm really happy with the M9 and the RH (and a few other heads).

What I consider best tonally about the RH is that it seems very tight and controlled, but the TubeTone and the way they do the amps character when you push it is really cool. It's like a modern take on classic behavior the way they manage tone and dynamics when you push it. For me personally, it's all the things I liked about, say, an SVT, but none of the things I hated.

Vic you are so correct about the M9....I just sold mine though because the top end in particular was just too modern sounding for me. I did love how quick and responsive that head was.

Kjung has a clip comparing the RH450 to the SL900. I don't know if the 750 is a different animal but you can hear the 450 is a bit more tight or mid-focused while the SL seems to sound more open with bigger lows. Based on his sound clip I actually prefer the SL but who knows....in a live mix the RH just may cut better.

 

[John D Harris]

I have not tried it with the RH750 yet, but with the RH450, I preferred the RS210/RS212 (with 4 or 5-string) to a double stack of either the 210 or 212. That is personal preference, though, and I could easily see other folks preferring a different cab combo.

A bit thicker with a bit bigger lows vs. punchier?

I usually prefer the default punchier nature and then add in a bit of heft with EQ, but as you said 'personal preference'.

 

[Dr Funk]

Based on his sound clip I actually prefer the SL but who knows....in a live mix the RH just may cut better.

Based on those clips so did I and at home it sounded great. Unfortunately the SL900 was mud in the mix, especially in the low range shared with kick and keys it simply was lost. Regardless of eq settings however radical. The RH750 oth, refuses to get lost in the stage mix it just drives it.
Also I agree with Jarrett, the input gain needs to be low to get the best from it, no gain light flash period. All IMHO of course.

 

[engedi1]

I also agree that amps with too much low end tend to get lost a bit. I used an IAMP 800 which had ridiculous bass extension and my speakers would really be straining to produce those 33 htz sub harmonics. The tone in the practice room was great, but in the mix I had to really crank it up, and then I was "too loud" I don't get as many too loud comment with the RH450. I tend to get more of "the bass mix is perfect"

 

[Eublet]

I also agree that amps with too much low end tend to get lost a bit. I used an IAMP 800 which had ridiculous bass extension and my speakers would really be straining to produce those 33 htz sub harmonics. The tone in the practice room was great, but in the mix I had to really crank it up, and then I was "too loud" I don't get as many too loud comment with the RH450. I tend to get more of "the bass mix is perfect"

I agree here. It always has THE right tone in the mix, even when I don't think it does. The RH450 is the perfect gigging tone in the mix IMHO. It's not boomy and muddy, nor is it razor sharp and clickety clackety. It's warm, full and present. Even when I think I need more of this or more of that, somebody will come tell me how frickin' great the bass sounded later.

 

[JimmyM]

My 69 SVT is 5000w. I'm adapting TC's wattage measurement method.

 

[Musicman20]

Nice one!

 

[KJung]

Based on those clips so did I and at home it sounded great. Unfortunately the SL900 was mud in the mix, especially in the low range shared with kick and keys it simply was lost. Regardless of eq settings however radical. The RH750 oth, refuses to get lost in the stage mix it just drives it.
Also I agree with Jarrett, the input gain needs to be low to get the best from it, no gain light flash period. All IMHO of course.

Remember , the SL900's EQ is VERY different from the typical solid state amp. A slight reduction of the low end (or a lot of reduction, depending on the cab) will result in the mid complexity to come screaming out.

That being said, the RH line of amps is much more mid oriented, which is not a bad thing.

I like both amps. I settled on the Streamliner for my tubey needs, but totally understand those who chose the RH750. The RH450 is quite a hammer... I would think the 750 can knock a wall down.

There is a bit of 'personal approach' to the decision also. I really like the old school simplicity and the interaction of the gain and EQ band of the SL900. Once (like with the Mesa heads) you figure this out, it is very cool and gets very simple.

On the other hand, the feature set of the RH series is overwhelmingly amazing, and literally everything on that amp is useful and musical. I found myself using none of it (not even the tuner, since I couldn't see the darn thing on my 410!), but if you are one that uses your amp or pedals for a lot of different voicings on the gig, it is quite stunning.

Both amps are, IMO, at the top of the class

 

[Jazzdogg]

<SNIP> the input gain needs to be low to get the best from it, no gain light flash period. All IMHO of course.

Are you managing the gain conservatively to maximize S:N and maintain a clear, distortion-free signal, or for other reasons?

 

[Dr Funk]

Are you managing the gain conservatively to maximize S:N and maintain a clear, distortion-free signal, or for other reasons?

Yes.

 

[4-string]

What gig bags are people using with this amp?

I use the TC gig bag, very nice bag IMO.

 

[Duke21]

I use the TC gig bag, very nice bag IMO.

4-string, you used to play on Ashdown? ABM? How is the TC compares to Ashdown? Can it give you the same kind of sound?
I see Evenstadmusikk have TC amps, was actually a bit surprised to see the TC amp prices in Norway. I thought they would be a bit higher.

 

[4-string]

Yes, I had an ABM 500 2x10 combo that I paired with either an Ashdown 4x10 or an Eden 1x18. It's been a while though. After what I remember, the ABM sounded rather crappy set flat (no eq, pre-shape off), so it's kind of hard to compare really. I would say that the ABM had more bloom in the lows though.

I currently play an Ashdown MK-500, which is also a great amp, but different from both the ABM and the TC. Especially with the HE engaged, it is much more open and airy up top, and feels a lot quicker.

I used to have a Thunderfunk TF750 - that one is probably the closest to the TC IMO. I never quite got along with the TF, and ended up selling it in favour of the MK-500.

The TC is definitely as loud (or louder) as any of the others, and it has a way of sitting very pleasantly in the mix IME. I used the mixed 210/212 stack, and am very happy with this rig soundwise. Add the killer features, and you have a winner.

 

[Jarrett]

Had second gig (first loud gig) with the RH750 last night with the 5 piece group and really liked it. I used two SWR Golight 2x10 cabs stacked vertically and dug the sound. I was able to keep the volume at a decent level and hear myself really well all night. I ran the input very low and think I had the master just past noon. I think the EQs were all at noon with like one click of Spectracomp and no Tubetone. Sounded good all night.

 

[tombowlus]

A bit thicker with a bit bigger lows vs. punchier?

I usually prefer the default punchier nature and then add in a bit of heft with EQ, but as you said 'personal preference'.

Yes, the lows were bigger, but somewhat to my surprise, I found the mids to be more open with the mixed combo, though they still sounded relatively balanced. That was what sold me (because I could get the lows to be very similar with any of the stacks with a little EQ).

 

[remo]

what is the tuner like? when compared to something like a Korg Pitch black?

 

[Jarrett]

what is the tuner like? when compared to something like a Korg Pitch black?

I had a Korg prackmount tuner prior to this that I loved, but my rack was 30lbs. This tuner works well for me. Tracks fast enough, imo.

 

[KJung]

what is the tuner like? when compared to something like a Korg Pitch black?

Tuner is very similar to the pitchblack. Reasonably fast tracking, decent accuracy but not true strobe (fine for 'on the gig tuning'). Very usable and high quality. I assume similar to the polytune in 'mono mode'.

The only downside to the design IMO is that if you aren't using the foot controller (which has a tuner display built into it... slick!), and have a single cab (i.e., a cab(s) that doesn't come up to eye level), the overhanging protective lip on the case prevents you from seeing the tuner when you are standing close to your rig without bending over.

I ended up going back to my turbotuner 'in line', even with the TC head. If you are using the RS cabs (or others) in a two cab vertical stack, this is a non issue.