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TecAmp S212/Puma500 Ultra Light Rig
- Thread starter KJung
- Start date
So, I have had a chance to play through my combo for a few hours at home and I'm VERY impressed with this product. 
For those who have just tuned in... this is a 47 lbs, 8 ohm, Puma 500 212 Combo, with a Mid-High (paper cone) driver that has no tweeter attenuation.
First off, I'd like to say that at just over $2k this combo is a STEAL... so far, the tone is equally as tasteful as my previous Berg stack w/TD-1 (which was over twice the price new) and the build quality is superb. The Pumas pot's are some of the smoothest I've encountered and have a nice soft detent at 12 o'clock, the push buttons are also nice... the fan is digitally controlled, the grill is bomber, everything looks really, REALLY nice.
Upon plugging in flat, I noticed the articulation right away. I think this may be a bit of the 'neo' thing, but this cab speaks very nicely. It goes far deeper than my old stack, and has great pitch recognition all the way down to the low B... which was something that I was really missing in my old rig.
It's got a great tight, snappy voice that can get massively punchy at higher volumes. I would say that this combo, even it's 8 ohm configuration would give a berg stack a run for it's money! I'm guessing it's very efficient.
The high end on the this combo is nice and soft and I think helps calm things down a little, very reminiscent of a studio monitor. Use of the 'taste' knob allows it to go from bright and aggressive or to a darker... warm tube-like tone. Very Impressed here... simple, clean and powerful.
I removed the tilt-back casters immediately, and have replaced all four corners with good rubber feet. I'd rather it sat solidly on the floor than on two dinky wheels and a pair of goofy feet
This combo is SO light at 47 lbs that I will never need to roll it around. I am shocked how something that sounds so massive can be made so sturdy and above all things... this light. 
To sum it up for now... Good job Tecamp!! I've got some hours to put on this combo, and get it out on the gig,
so...
Pat.
For those who have just tuned in... this is a 47 lbs, 8 ohm, Puma 500 212 Combo, with a Mid-High (paper cone) driver that has no tweeter attenuation. First off, I'd like to say that at just over $2k this combo is a STEAL... so far, the tone is equally as tasteful as my previous Berg stack w/TD-1 (which was over twice the price new) and the build quality is superb. The Pumas pot's are some of the smoothest I've encountered and have a nice soft detent at 12 o'clock, the push buttons are also nice... the fan is digitally controlled, the grill is bomber, everything looks really, REALLY nice.
Upon plugging in flat, I noticed the articulation right away. I think this may be a bit of the 'neo' thing, but this cab speaks very nicely. It goes far deeper than my old stack, and has great pitch recognition all the way down to the low B... which was something that I was really missing in my old rig.
It's got a great tight, snappy voice that can get massively punchy at higher volumes. I would say that this combo, even it's 8 ohm configuration would give a berg stack a run for it's money! I'm guessing it's very efficient.
The high end on the this combo is nice and soft and I think helps calm things down a little, very reminiscent of a studio monitor. Use of the 'taste' knob allows it to go from bright and aggressive or to a darker... warm tube-like tone. Very Impressed here... simple, clean and powerful.
I removed the tilt-back casters immediately, and have replaced all four corners with good rubber feet. I'd rather it sat solidly on the floor than on two dinky wheels and a pair of goofy feet
This combo is SO light at 47 lbs that I will never need to roll it around. I am shocked how something that sounds so massive can be made so sturdy and above all things... this light. To sum it up for now... Good job Tecamp!!
I've got some hours to put on this combo, and get it out on the gig, so...
Pat.
So, I have had a chance to play through my combo for a few hours at home and I'm VERY impressed with this product.
First off, I'd like to say that at just over $2k this combo is a STEAL... so far, the tone is equally as tasteful as my previous Berg stack w/TD-1 (which was 3x the price new) and the build quality is superb. The Pumas pot's are some of the smoothest I've encountered and have a nice soft detent at 12 o'clock, the push buttons are also nice... the fan is digitally controlled, the grill is bomber, everything looks really, REALLY nice.
Upon plugging flat, I noticed the articulation right away. I think this may be a bit of the 'neo' thing, but this cab speaks very nicely. It goes far deeper than my old stack, and has great pitch recognition all the way down to the low B... which was something that I was really missing in my old rig.
It's got a great tight, snappy voice that can get massively punchy at higher volumes. I would say that this combo, even it's 8 ohm configuration would give a berg stack a run for it's money! I'm guessing it's very efficient.
The high end on the this combo is nice and soft and I think helps calm things down a little, very reminiscent of a studio monitor. Use of the 'taste' knob allows it to go from bright and aggressive or to a darker... warm tube-like tone. Very Impressed here... simple, clean and powerful.
I removed the tilt-back casters immediately, and have replaced all four corners with good rubber feet. I'd rather it sat solidly on the floor than on two dinky wheels and a pair of goofy feet
To sum it up for now... Good job Tecamp!!
so...
Pat.
Pat, this in no way helped as the plan for me was to get the IP stack when I move to a new rig......no help at all.
LOL! Sorry Bro
At this point, I could not recommend the berg stack based on the fact that there's a huge price/weight advantage here. If neither of those are considerations, and tone is all you crave, the IP's are tough to beat... especially the ER's.
Pat.
EDIT: What'd you mean this in no way helps your plan... I just may have helped your back and your bank account.
EDIT: What'd you mean this in no way helps your plan... I just may have helped your back and your bank account.
Ha Ha! How true! I've been using Jim's cabs for so long now though. I really love them. They sound great in every room I play. Maybe I should just look into the 112ER's and the Tecamp head. That could work.
Yeah!! I've been a Berg man for years too... but the original 112's just didn't have enough booty for me. Then I rocked the HT115's for a while, great cab's but bigger AND heavier. After all that, I was going to go with a new ER stack, but the price was killin' me! So, I sold it all... and bought the puma 212 combo. This combo weighs out the same as one IP112ER! And as a long time owner of the old IP stsck, I can honestly say this stuff is without a doubt, in the same ballpark.
But back to your point, IMO ther Bergs are awesome and I'm willing to bet the Puma 500 would KILL with a pair of 112er's!
Pat.
Thanks for the info and pics! I'm undecided on the whole micro amp thing. It's tempting to go the inexpensive route and hope that I get bang for the buck, but I know from trying out tecamp gear that I would be very satisfied with the product after dropping the cash. I'm still saving my pennies and looking at options!
I was initially VERY apprehensive in taking the plunge on this gear. I've never owned/played a 'micro amp' or lightweight neo rig prior to this combo, and didn't have the opportunity to 'try before you buy.'
Right now, I'm really excited about the decision I made... I feel like this stuff really is the future of bass gear. Light, loud and very high end. Even if I began to feel like I've made a compromise in the tone department (very unlikely at this point
) I would still keep this combo because it's SOoo easy to schlep around. I think I'd be pretty hard pressed to find anything that works better for me, at any price point! IMHO
Pat.
Excellent! My s212(II) is FINALLY on the way. It should be through customs this week, and is scheduled to ship to me on Tuesday... so probably a Thursday or Friday delivery date
Thank God... I'm excited to hear how you think the porting benefits the low end. I'd love to have one of these compact, lightweight Tecamp cabs, but it's a lot of money to drop on a wager that they'll be in the ballpark of my Whappo Jr in terms of bass reproduction.
Excellent! My s212(II) is FINALLY on the way. It should be through customs this week, and is scheduled to ship to me on Tuesday... so probably a Thursday or Friday delivery date
Nice man! Looking forward to hear your impressions, and maybe a A/B with the front ported cab?
I took the Puma and the XS115 to a theater venue where i will be playing a show for a week. What a nice combination to, very warm and tight. Love it.
There was no room for the M212, but this rig can play pretty loud, and not break up.
Its really different from the M212 off course, but that little cab sounds like two 112's (EBS, GK, Aguilar) And is almost as small as most 112's. Cool little rig indeed!
There was no room for the M212, but this rig can play pretty loud, and not break up.
Its really different from the M212 off course, but that little cab sounds like two 112's (EBS, GK, Aguilar) And is almost as small as most 112's. Cool little rig indeed!
I was originally thinking of buying an XS115 cab with the puma 500 head. If there was a 115 combo in their lineup, I would have bought it instead of the 212 combo! I bet that's a smokin little cab.
My needs (as far as volume goes) sit somewhere right between a single 115 and a 212... so an 8ohm 212 combo it is!
Guys,
Can I ask what genres you are currently playing? I have one mellow project and one louder rock project. I'm interested to hear about the Tecamp Puma's ability to project with a couple of guitars. Not so much a volume thing (because we play at reasonable volumes) - more presence and punch in the mix with a band.
I'm liking what i hear about the Puma but I want to understand if it is about uncoloured clarity (like EA) or if it has a vibe of it's own.
Thanks.
Can I ask what genres you are currently playing? I have one mellow project and one louder rock project. I'm interested to hear about the Tecamp Puma's ability to project with a couple of guitars. Not so much a volume thing (because we play at reasonable volumes) - more presence and punch in the mix with a band.
I'm liking what i hear about the Puma but I want to understand if it is about uncoloured clarity (like EA) or if it has a vibe of it's own.
Thanks.
You'll probably want to wait for Ken to chime in on this one 
I've only had my rig for a couple weeks and haven't even gigged with it yet!
But IMO, Tecamp certainly has a voice of it's own... and with these smaller cabs along with the puma, it's ALL about clarity and punch!
FYI, I'm a player in the same boat as yourself... I occasionally play in a rock/blues cover band and frequently do some more mellow creative work with my old music school buddies. I already have a good feel for what this rig is all about, and I'm confident that it will KILL in a live band situation given my personal needs. (not at all about volume)
But hey, I could be wrong... only time will tell with these things.
Pat.
I've only had my rig for a couple weeks and haven't even gigged with it yet!But IMO, Tecamp certainly has a voice of it's own... and with these smaller cabs along with the puma, it's ALL about clarity and punch!
FYI, I'm a player in the same boat as yourself... I occasionally play in a rock/blues cover band and frequently do some more mellow creative work with my old music school buddies. I already have a good feel for what this rig is all about, and I'm confident that it will KILL in a live band situation given my personal needs. (not at all about volume)
But hey, I could be wrong... only time will tell with these things.
Pat.
