TC Electronics RebelHead 450 - Rebel with a Cause

[seanm]

I was impressed with the videos. Seems to be a well thought out amp. I love the idea of a tuner on the amp. EA dropped the tuner from the iAMP500.

I didn't see an input clip led. And I am also wondering about the price. All those different outputs have to increase the cost.

 

[ihateusernames]

Nice ideas. Personally, I'd get a lot of use from the varied settings simply from switching basses. I can never find preamp eq settings that translate perfectly from one active to another, or the actives to passive. With this feature and the tuner built in I could leave a good bit of things at home.

And to think, I've already placed myself in the mini amp market....

 

[John Wentzien]

I like their ideas.. Can't wait to try one!

 

[cassanova]

I don't know if it will sound good or not, but I do like the features it has to offer. Especially being able to have another bass run into it. I also really like the built in tuner, compressor, and memory feature to save a few settings, that would come in quite handy on gigs. This head would definitely be a time saver on gigs when it came to swapping out basses or making some sound modifications on a gig.

 

[Matt Dean]

I like that TC has rethought some of the standard form factors/interface characteristics. Also, if they designed their bass gear like their studio gear, I'd like to try one... might result in GAS!

 

[TheBass]

The amp combines some cool ideas. Even if it will not be a success I'm sure other companies will come up with similar heads.

 

[ehque]

For me, however, this release will probably be overshadowed by the Littlemark Tube 800 and the LittleMark 800.

Just my hunch.

 

[Psychicpet]

For me, however, this release will probably be overshadowed by the Littlemark Tube 800 and the LittleMark 800.

Just my hunch.

maybe around these parts.

I just don't get the "fanboy fervor" @ TB towards MarkBass.

When I had the use of an older (yellow and heavier) Little Mark head it was amazing. Really great tone.

but to my ear, all of the new black and orange lightweight heads and cabs just have a certain something to them that is really missing. but then that's me, who am I ?? I mean frickin' Dominique DiPiazza, arguably the best on the planet (aside from D.James) uses them so they must have something going on, not to mention Hadrien, Jeff, and the other amazing players that are signed on.

anywho.

this release from TC is very exciting in the fact that their tone options for recording bass is amazing and sounds killer so I can only imagine that that will transfer quite well into the live setting with the REBEL.

...and their cabs without top handles, with rear ports, and the fact that you have only 1 speaker out on the back of the head

 

[iualum]

I'm not in the market for speaker cabs, but the RebelHead appeals to me quite a lot. I really like the feature set, and I love the interface: versatile without being complicated. Knowing TC, the tones are there in spades.

At this time I don't need 2 ohm operation, so the only downside is that I frequently play without PA support, sometimes at crazy loud volumes where 450 watts would not be enough.

...take a gander at Bill Fitzmaurice Designs, http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/ ...450 should be plenty powerful enough...

 

[TheWolf]

No Rumor of a price yet? They have thought of everything, look at the road cases how could you not order that...even if all it does is sit in your Bass room

 

[Webtroll]

those cabs are gorgeous!

 

[SteveC]

I like the built in tuner and compressor as well as tube drive. I have 2 pedals - tuner and comp - that I could quit hauling around. I wish my Genz Benz had a comp and tuner built in.

 

[burk48237]

I don't need an amp, but this one does impress me. I suspect that TC will get things like the DI and EQ right. And I doubt you'll be listening to any radio stations thru it.

They make seriously quality stuff. As far as wheels, buy a dolly. I throw my TF and Cab on a dolly, bass on my back and I have one trip in and out. No big deal.

 

[Bassflute]

maybe around these parts.

I just don't get the "fanboy fervor" @ TB towards MarkBass.

When I had the use of an older (yellow and heavier) Little Mark head it was amazing. Really great tone.

but to my ear, all of the new black and orange lightweight heads and cabs just have a certain something to them that is really missing. but then that's me, who am I ?? I mean frickin' Dominique DiPiazza, arguably the best on the planet (aside from D.James) uses them so they must have something going on, not to mention Hadrien, Jeff, and the other amazing players that are signed on.

anywho.

this release from TC is very exciting in the fact that their tone options for recording bass is amazing and sounds killer so I can only imagine that that will transfer quite well into the live setting with the REBEL.

...and their cabs without top handles, with rear ports, and the fact that you have only 1 speaker out on the back of the head

got an email from a 'very famous bass player' who shall remain nameless, and he said there are 'more products to come' from tc. And that this is one VERY loud little unit. The wattage ratings are very conservative, and the speakers are very efficient.

I'd like a stereo version, double the power, with one of their effects racks built in.

And I don't personally see the problem with side handles, rear ports, and 1 speaker out. They DO make speakon splitters in all configurations - check the Neutrik site. BTW, is THAT not an amazing company - Neutrik - they have revolutionized audio and now ALL connectors including power. From Lichtenstein. Whoda thunkit.

And I will reserve pre-judgement on speakers from a company as venerable as tc/Dynaudio till I actually hear them. They make some of the finest speakers on planet earth, right up there with Genelec, B&W, Tannoy, etc. Also, did you know tc OWNS Tannoy...amazing. They made the air raid sirens in London in the second world war. I think they invented outdoor public PA horns in the 20's; one of the oldest speaker companies on earth. They have been amazing speakers since the early days of high-end high fi - my dad's friend, long since deceased, had a pair of early 60's Tannoy's that sounded totally astonishing, even by contemporary standard.

Love your Bass Buddy, bass buddy! Thanks. How's the battery consumption on this thing?

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[greenboy]

Haven't really read the lit or manual yet - is the Rebel using DSP - ie, going analog-to-digital for the front end? One would almost suppose so since TC has done multiband compression and multieffects preamps in the past using DSP and is now doing some stomp boxes that would best be done in the digital realm.

And then there's also that AES/EBU connector...

 

[4Mal]

Sure looks that way. Seems to me that TC has done some really cool stuff in the upper end and some really not very cool stuff at all in the lower end. I'm very curious to see where this head falls. Could be a real winner - or a real loser. Time will tell.

I haven't read all 6 pages of the thread - Is there price and availability on this yet ?

 

[seanm]

Haven't really read the lit or manual yet - is the Rebel using DSP - ie, going analog-to-digital for the front end? One would almost suppose so since TC has done multiband compression and multieffects preamps in the past using DSP and is now doing some stomp boxes that would best be done in the digital realm.

And then there's also that AES/EBU connector...

With the memory save feature, and just the look and feel of it, I think the front panel would have to be digital.

 

[greenboy]

With the memory save feature, and just the look and feel of it, I think the front panel would have to be digital.

It's easy enough to do digital controls and still have an analog preamp/components. ADA is just one of several that did it maybe a decade ago. But it's obvious after looking in the manual (and signal flow schematic) that the Rebel is a digital modeling unit.

 

[zac2944]

Really cool looking gear! The cabs look a bit too small though. I'm sure Rebal cabs get loud, but I wouldn't expect much deep bass from them due to their small size. This would be especially true with the 2x12. I would expect a midbass hump (which is where the perceived loudness comes from), and a low end that quickly drops off below 70Hz-80Hz (think Schroeder 1212 tone). Can't wait to check this stuff out. I hope GC carries it.

 

[Gilsonite]

Nice I love Micro Amps...