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TC Electronics BG250: Reliability results in yet? The verdict?

Dependability results of the TC Electronics BG250 combo

  • No dependability issues after regular use

    Votes: 23 76.7%

  • Minor issues but not enough to return unit

    Votes: 2 6.7%

  • Major issues after warranty expired

    Votes: 2 6.7%

  • Dead On Arrival and replacement worked

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I hate it and don't recommend it

    Votes: 4 13.3%
  • Total voters
    30
alaskaleftybass

alaskaleftybass

Will Hanbury, Jr.
In Memoriam
Mar 21, 2012
9,920
22,352
Sitka, Alaska
#1
I noticed that once again the TC Electronics combo has dropped another $50 to $349.99. I don't understand the minds of marketing and can't figure if the company is taking a loss to fill the market with these combos or if the $349.99 is a more realistic price point.

I want a combo with these similar specs, and I'm considering three others, but the weight and price as well as class D power make this unit appear attractive.

Living on an island in Alaska, I'm kind of wary of buying a fairly new combo loaded with new technology, but it's weight and reputation for putting out a solid low end are very enticing.

So, after buying one of these combos, would you owners mind joining an unscientific survey about their reliability, especially if you've been using them on a regular basis in a full band?

I welcome any comments you have on this amp, plus problems and either happy endings or horror stories.

Thanks in advance.
 
#4
I'll let you know as soon as I get mine. (See the BG250 club thread) Not worried about the new technology. Good thing because by the time I get it the "new technology" in the amp will be about as current as an Apple C computer.:hiding:
 
#5
As a resident of an island in Hawaii I had the same concern. Mine has been awesome so far (the Bh250, not the combo). If you like a lot of highs it helps to have a horn in your rig because Class D amps aren't as efficient in the treble range. I've gotten a lot of compliments on the tone since I got this amp though.
 
#6
I've used mine for a little over a year now. I originally purchased the combo to use in smaller venues but I quickly began to realize that it works quite well with PA support just about anywhere my band plays. There is one outdoor venue where it is probably at it's comfortable limit, but I have been very happy with mine so far and there have been no performance issues at all so far. I don't really use the onboard effects at all so I can't speak for the dependability of that feature.
I did a run of Godspell recently too where I used the tube emulator for the whole thing and it worked well too.
My 2 cents, I hope it helps.
 
#11
I have this combo and absolutely love it. I have had it for almost a year now, and used it on a number of gigs. Never had a single problem with it (the one problem I thought I had, that turned out to just be a bad cable, TC Electronic was very responsive with customer service and help, even though I didn't actually need it). They are not taking a loss by lowering the price point, I think maybe they are just trying to reach out to more bassists, I work in a music store and most the bassists I recommend this combo to have never heard of it. I highly recommend it though, I have gotten a lot (and I mean a lot) of compliments on the sound this thing produces and it has worked excellent in gigs. Highly recommended!
 
#14
I've had mine for about 7-8 months. I got the tweeter vibration that has been documented. Sent it back (shipping back at my expense, return on their expense) and they replaced the tweeter. Works and sounds great. I really like the tone & the light weight. I can get it to sound very full, deep, punchy, and loud. I ended up using the Spectracomp toneprint and like it a lot.
 
#16
I don't own one, but I've read a lot about it and the Spectracomp is a really cool feature and could add to the overall lifespan of the amp. Why? Because you can compress the spikes in the lowest frequencies while letting the mids and the highs go through. In high volume situations, this could really benefit your amp as well as your sound. Most compressors squash everything at high volumes so people tend to turn them way down or even off. Risky.... This design lets more usable volume come through as compared to most combos of similar size and power.

The TONEPRINT is brilliant also. TC's engineers are obviously very capable.
 
#17
Thanks Jeff. I remember in the 80's Peavey had a built-in compression for their combos but it was nowhere as sophisticated. I'm almost ready to pull the trigger but I'm such a meat and potatoes guy, i.e. 80's rock, that I'm wondering if I want to use the built-in features. Still, for the money it sounds like the best bang for the buck.

I was kind of considering the Peavey Max 115 II with 300 watts and a 15, but to me it seems like even Peavey isn't the same company it was when the amps were built in Mississippi. Still, you don't see many reliability issues on TB for Peavey....
 
#18
Even ignoring the Tubedrive and Toneprint - it's a great amp for the money. I bought mine on a whim and now it has become my main gigging amp. I did get a LeCover cover to protect it.
I rarely use the Tubedrive and have a chorus loaded in the Toneprint for the 3 songs I use it on.
 
#20
tbirdsp said:
Even ignoring the Tubedrive and Toneprint - it's a great amp for the money. I bought mine on a whim and now it has become my main gigging amp. I did get a LeCover cover to protect it.
I rarely use the Tubedrive and have a chorus loaded in the Toneprint for the 3 songs I use it on.
Click to expand...
This good to hear. Mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow after a 2 week journey around the country.
 

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