TecAmp amplification club.....is there such a thing yet

[Scott McArron]

FYI, the EQ points are the same, but the voicing of the amp is VERY different. I had my original Puma500 and the Puma500 protype at the same time. The low end of the newer model is much more restrained (not sure if that is due to different hi passing or what). The mid mids are also a bit more pronounced.

This was done based on player feedback. The original mega-fat Puma voicing sounds GREAT for certain types of music, and always sounded amazing at home, but tended to result in a bit too much deep low end and 'smoothness' for many. So, the revised voicing results in a tone profile a bit closer to the Markbass F500 when set flat.... punchy, articulate. However, the Puma is much purer/cleaner in the mids, and has a more extended and crystal clear top end.

The Puma500/900 was BY FAR the best sounding amp (assuming you want clean and relatively accurate) that I heard at NAMM, and the size of the units is otherwordly given their output.

+1!!! I totally concur!! And my 500 sounds amazing through the Berg HD112/210 stack!

 

[Dee-man]

Well, for better or worse, I took the plunge yesterday and have a 900 headed my way next week. I know it won't be the same as my prior powersoft 500, but hope it still retains that inherent warmth and creaminess. I was partly pushed over the edge by J.Wolf's fine review in bass player mag, or whatever (was that you or another J. Wolf?), so thanks for that.

 

[J.Wolf]

Well, for better or worse, I took the plunge yesterday and have a 900 headed my way next week. I know it won't be the same as my prior powersoft 500, but hope it still retains that inherent warmth and creaminess. I was partly pushed over the edge by J.Wolf's fine review in bass player mag, or whatever (was that you or another J. Wolf?), so thanks for that.

That was me, for bass musician magazine. Glad you enjoyed it! . Having ab'd those two amps, its hard to pick a winner. although they're slightly different, theyre both exceptional in their own right. Also the fit/finish/build quality feels somewhat evolved in the 1u pumas, very nice!

Looking forward to hearing your impressions.

 

[Dee-man]

Thanks, JW. I've been trying out a bunch of amps lately and the tecamp aesthetics, etc. are much to my liking. I should get the amp in 10 days or so and will get back to you. Take care til then, DM

 

[moretolife]

Dee Man, give us a review when you get it.

There was a lot of Puma love after Namm, for whoever recently received one, can you also give us a review?

 

[diglo]

I mght be putting my Puma 1000 up for sale. It's an older one with the powersoft.

 

[Dee-man]

Will do MTL. Good luck to you, Diglo, if you decide to sell. Great TBer, by the way, folks.

 

[TinyT]

Oh Yeah, please count me in ... I've been using tecamp gear for the last 5 years or so (and tech soundsystem gear long before that) and it's everything I have ever wished for in bass amplification! my current setup consists of two L212 and a blackjag 700 amp! my most insane tecamp setup was a badbull 2000 with two L410 yanking out a total of 2000 watts!!! yes, it was LOUD but also crystal clear, punchy, silky and smooth in the highs and the lowend was just INCREDIBLE ... also at medium volumes!!! Bass heaven ...

 

[mroekalea]

Please count me in I'm using à tecamp 612xl with à fender bassman 100.

 

[Scott McArron]

Playing another gig with my puma500 1u and am reminded with every note how awesome this thing is! 3lbs? And glorious tone? And Well thought out EQ, aux in for practicing, mute button... This thing is amazing!!! And into a 4ohm load is much more than I need on the typical gig.

 

[Scott McArron]

and a pic of the rig from this weekend's gig...

 

[tombowlus]

and a pic of the rig from this weekend's gig...

Nice rig! Going the debadged route, eh?

 

[Scott McArron]

Nice rig! Going the debadged route, eh?

Thanks! Yeah, those Berg sticker badges kinda look more like an afterthought to me so I removed them for a cleaner look.

 

[monsterthompson]

i know this is a #onepercentamp issue, but does anyone have experience with the current 500 vs 350 and how the Class A/B vs D plays out? i'm currently fascinated with these little guys and there isn't much qualitative info out there.

i'm currently waiting on a fEARful build i ordered, and considering possible amp options (currently own an M6) that are lighter and/or different animals that might justify the cash outlay. i know the cab will handle gobs of power, but i'm not looking to blow down the little pig's brick house.

 

[KJung]

i know this is a #onepercentamp issue, but does anyone have experience with the current 500 vs 350 and how the Class A/B vs D plays out? i'm currently fascinated with these little guys and there isn't much qualitative info out there.

i'm currently waiting on a fEARful build i ordered, and considering possible amp options (currently own an M6) that are lighter and/or different animals that might justify the cash outlay. i know the cab will handle gobs of power, but i'm not looking to blow down the little pig's brick house.

The Puma900 would be the way to go with a fEARful 15/6, since it is 8ohms, and can easily handle the 500 watts or so that Puma puts out. The Puma900 at 8ohms can easily keep up with the M6.

The older class D 500 was a bit smoother and deeper than the current class D 500, due to a revoicing of the pre to add a bit more punch, and a more controlled low end. The current 500 and 900 sound pretty much the same to my ears.

If you are getting a 1212/6, the Puma500 would probably be fine, given the 4ohm impedance and higher efficiency of that model.

 

[monsterthompson]

15/6 from Mike in composite

Thanks for the info.

Is anyone out there in the LA area with a Puma and willing to let me check it out?

 

[B String]

15/6 from Mike in composite

Thanks for the info.

Is anyone out there in the LA area with a Puma and willing to let me check it out?

I'm asking the same question. Anyone in LA have one of these bad boys?

 

[emjazz]

Hey all....I finally got a good recording with my own rig. I was using one older Berg HT112 with my Powersoft Puma500. The amp is set flat but my onboard eq (Nordstrand pre) has the bass and mids boosted. I still think it's a good representation of how this amp sounds. It sounds giant but still clear. It reminds me a bit of my old Ashdown ABM500 in that way, but with less of it's own character. I'm playing a lot of effects and sounds in the beginning, but you can hear the regular bass sound at 7:20. (This is my own group called Willful Creatures).

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[monsterthompson]

Thanks for the clip! Any chance you could do one with the bass solo and the EQ flat, while changing the Taste filter knob? I'm curious what it does to a signal. I'm expecting something like the VLE on Markbass stuff.

 

[KJung]

Thanks for the clip! Any chance you could do one with the bass solo and the EQ flat, while changing the Taste filter knob? I'm curious what it does to a signal. I'm expecting something like the VLE on Markbass stuff.

The taste filter is interesting, and is a bit more 'active' than the VLE on the MB heads, and is, in a way, similar to the VLE when turned clockwise and a 'reverse VPF' when turned counterclockwise.

So, when turned clockwise, the treble and eventually midrange is rolled off, for a Motown or DUB sort of voicing. When turned counterclockwise, the lows and highs are rolled off and the mid mids are boosted, for that sort of 'mwaw' fretless type tone.

Quite frankly, I found the taste knob a bit too extreme for me, and pretty much left it alone. But, nice to have for a quick and somewhat extreme change to the tonality of the amp for some contexts.


Andy.... GREAT clip... sounds great!