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TC Electronics BQ500
- Thread starter Toyoman
- Start date
Not discontinued. It's a pain, but you can easily get one from Thomann.
https://www.thomannmusic.com/tc_electronic_bq500_bass_head.htm
They were in stock as recently as a couple of weeks ago and apparently will be again very soon.
https://www.thomannmusic.com/tc_electronic_bq500_bass_head.htm
They were in stock as recently as a couple of weeks ago and apparently will be again very soon.
I won't comment about the 'bland' sound, but I question the testing process that led to the opinion about no high end. I just put my BQ-500 on the spectrum analyzer and found it to be pretty much razor-flat out to 16KHz and about 4dB down at 20KHz. I'm not sure how much more high end is to be expected from a bass guitar amp.
Well, from a voicing standpoint, "razor flat" is often detrimental to someone who likes more high-end. There are bass amps out there that have a low-treble bump baked in to push more high end out of a bass cabinet.
It does have some EQ knobs. The Hi-Mid (peaking-type) EQ seems to be centered about 1k and the Treble (shelving) EQ starts at about 2.5KHz. In fact, I had to bump the Treble knob back a smidge to get the flat over-all response. But I get it -- if you're looking for an amp with a baked-in characteristic tone, this would not be it.
Edit: For the record, TC spec's the EQ points as 80, 400, 800, and 10K. I'll buy all that, except that 10K one seems awfully high compared to the response I measured. But the range is remarkable, I think -- +/- 15 dB. I would say that HF shelf is at least that, maybe more.
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I just bought a BQ500. Testing it side by side with a Mesa D800 and my old 400RB using a pair of Bag End 15’s.
I am amazed at the tone of this thing. The D800 is darker, slightly less focused but beautiful sounding. The 400RB can cut through any mix and has for 35 years but I always wanted a tad more bottom from it in some rooms. The BQ500 honestly has the hi-mid centered better at 800hz (similar to a GK at 1k), whereas the Mesa chose 480hz.
I’m thinking the BQ is staying… which is saying a lot!
I am amazed at the tone of this thing. The D800 is darker, slightly less focused but beautiful sounding. The 400RB can cut through any mix and has for 35 years but I always wanted a tad more bottom from it in some rooms. The BQ500 honestly has the hi-mid centered better at 800hz (similar to a GK at 1k), whereas the Mesa chose 480hz.
I’m thinking the BQ is staying… which is saying a lot!
I'm still trying to figure out how to eq mine to my liking. I'm still finding the high end muffled.
Yeah, it's definitely the amp. Used it yesterday at rehearsal. I had to boost the treble on my bass to get a decent slap sound. Treble turned all the way up on the amp. It will be relegated to backup status. Gonna look for something else.
You rock guys/anti-tweeter cats would love it. I may be selling.
I don't understand this. Are you concerned that there isn't a ground/lift switch on the direct output XLR connector?
If it's an issue, it can be addressed with a simple adaptor that you make yourself, or purchase here: Hosa GLT-255 XLR Female to XLR Male Ground Lifter
Admittedly, it's not as convenient as just flipping a switch, but it can resolve the same kind of ground loop issues. It sort of seemed to me, from my experiences several years back, that many of the 'ground lift' switches on amps weren't implemented in a way that actually isolated the chassis ground from the XLR output signal, so just flipping the switch had no apparent effect. It would be advisable to have a decent direct box in your kit in any case, IMHO.
Admittedly, it's not as convenient as just flipping a switch, but it can resolve the same kind of ground loop issues. It sort of seemed to me, from my experiences several years back, that many of the 'ground lift' switches on amps weren't implemented in a way that actually isolated the chassis ground from the XLR output signal, so just flipping the switch had no apparent effect. It would be advisable to have a decent direct box in your kit in any case, IMHO.
