K, From your response it appears that one of the ways they made it run cooler was to roll off a bit of low end. It makes sense in a way, less low end, less work, cooler amp?
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TecAmp S212/Puma500 Ultra Light Rig
- Thread starter KJung
- Start date
I'm sure that is part of it, but I also assume that the power module is quite different (it sure looks different inside the amp). +1 though, that massive low end extension of the original Puma500 must have really put a strain on the amp, given how much power it takes to pump out those very low frequencies.
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
Man, the changes you mentioned in tone are ALL in the right direction for me...now I have some serious GAS for a TecAmp rig!!!
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
I'd be interested in your opinion on mix/match recommendations based on the change in tone...
Hey Jason,
The tone is more similar than different, but I agree, the differences in the mids and low end are in the right direction for me in the mixes I perform in.
If anything, the mix and match would be easier, since the head is a bit tighter and if anything, more even in the mids.
I guess the downside is, the move makes the Puma tone signature a bit less unique, and moves it a bit closer to my Markbass F1 (although the Tec is still fatter down low). That makes the price premium even a tougher hit in the US versus the original models, that sounded SO different from anything else.
Pop over sometime and check it out!
K
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
I won't be putting up a clip. The main difference is in the deep low end, and my little recorder doesn't do a great job of reproducing that stuff going on in that deep bass region.
Anyway, seems like a nice update, although quite frankly, that original 500 is a unique and wonderful voice (especially if you are in a situation where you aren't pushing the living bejeebus out of it!
K
Anyway, seems like a nice update, although quite frankly, that original 500 is a unique and wonderful voice (especially if you are in a situation where you aren't pushing the living bejeebus out of it!
K
Just have to say that....my Puma 1000 into my new M212-8....magical. Just perfection. Incredible sound quality. Love the 12s.
Hi Ken, how are getting on with the upgraded Puma 500. I read your comments with interest as you will know I have a Puma 1000. I wonder if the 500 is now voiced the same as tha 1000, without the deep switch (which I presume is hi pass filter tweak?) It will be interesting to see the "new" 1000 when it comes out. In the meantime I'm waiting for delivery of a Barefaced Midget T for smaller gigs ( to replace wizzy10 + more I hope). Will I get hooked enought to go for a Compact as well, to replaced UL410?
I haven't read all 34pp, but it appears the 212 is voiced close to where a Schroeder 212BMF is with maybe better low end extension.
It went down unfortunately. Sent it back again. I still have my original that I love, and that has been a workhorse for me, but have had issues with this second one. The entire repair and upgrade was a bit of a debacle for me (long story). We will see what happens if and when it is fixed.
In the meantime, still loving my original (loved it so much I bought a second one to use in a second location). That one has not resulted in a happy time for me though
The original s212 was a bit like that... lot's of upper midrange. The current model (with the big rear port) is MUCH deeper and smoother, for better or worse.
I own a Tecamp Puma 212 combo which came with two 12" 4ohm neo speakers wired in series to give 8 ohms (these had had the makers labels peeled off, presumably by Tecamp before fitting). I had a couple of Celestion 12" orangeback 8 ohm neos lying around, so changed them out for the ones that came with the combo, wired in parallel to give 4 ohms. The difference is incredible, this is the loudest combo I have ever owned (it was pretty loud with the previous speakers). Lined it up with my other amps and the Tecamp just blew everything away. It even broke two spotlight bulbs in my living room, which is an unusual side effect I have not encountered before. It also sounds beautiful, from deep rich bass to slapping, cracking funk, the 6" sealed high range driver seems to work as good as the horns I have had in other cabs. And at 46 pounds even a bass player of a certain age has no difficulty heaving it into the van at the end of a long gig. Absolutely recommend Tecamp for power and weight. Standard of finish and quality of the covering material seems a bit iffy tho', but with the built in wheels and light weight it is a winner for me.
Maybe Tecamp should give the option of a 4 ohm combo?
Best regards
Glen
Maybe Tecamp should give the option of a 4 ohm combo?
Best regards
Glen
Hey ken... I'm in the middle of deciding on a new tecamp rig with Glenn at Austin Bass Traders. Talk about thinning the herd... I'm selling pretty much every cab I own to try the 'light and loud' route for a change.
I'm really sick and tired of dragging around 70-100 lbs of gear where ever I go. Pack up, go down the stairs, into the truck, out of the truck, up the stairs, down the hall, up the stairs, on the stage, back down the hall, down the stairs, into the truck, out of the truck, up the stairs and set up again...
My IP112 sounds great, but with my TD-1 it weighs in at around 70lbs! Also, this cab is just TOO small in it's own to do what I need it to, and taking both cabs can be a pain. Besides, I only play small casual gigs these days, so it's time for a big change.
Anyhow, I'm thinking about a Puma 500 with an xs115 (4ohm) and hope that it'll make a nice stand alone rig that will suit my needs. (I usually only playing with a couple guitarists using single 12's, 15's with a med/loud drummer). If I find I need more headroom or that something is missing in the response, I'm going to try the s212 or m212. (look forward to hearing your review on that!)
I can't wait to hear this stuff... and more importantly, enjoy lugging it around.
You are probably hearing the impact of the driver voicing in addition to the impedance change. It can really make a difference though.
From previous discussions on early TecAmp threads, they wanted to keep the ability to add another cab with the combo's, and also to limit the probability that someone would plug in another cab in 4ohm configuration and then damage the amp by running it too hot below 4ohms.
I'm with you though... most who buy a lightweight combo would rather get all the power and volume then can out of the combo, and good quality double 12's should be able to benefit from the couple of hundred extra watts. They should just revise the back panel to not have an external speaker out.
IMO.... I bet it sounds great. I believe the stock drivers are the neo sub brand of Jensen... can't remember the name.
I had originally decided to get the 4 ohm version but was told Tecamp could not offer it with a warranty.... so I got the 8 ohm instead. I haven't had any issues in regards to headroom yet, and I play with a LOUD drummer and two fairly loud guitarists right now. My amp barely even gets warm after a long gig at %80 vol... which also proves it has a lot more headroom to offer with the use of an extension cab.
In a big room, or outdoors with this combo at 8 ohms I would probably need another cab... so having that option is great for me since the 8ohm combo works great for me the other 95% of the time. I'm thinking about picking up passive version of the 212 combo for an extesion cab, because I just love the sound of the mid-high paper cone design of these.
+1 though... they should offer it in 4 ohm and just remove the extension out from the back panel. I probably would have bought one if they did, and I am reluctant to make any driver changes at this point because I'm so happy with it the way it is...
Still... VERY happy with the combo. Zero issues with it and it's been my only rig for about a year now.
-pat
I had originally decided to get the 4 ohm version but was told Tecamp could not offer it with a warranty.... so I got the 8 ohm instead. I haven't had any issues in regards to headroom yet, and I play with a LOUD drummer and two fairly loud guitarists right now. My amp barely even gets warm after a long gig at %80 vol... which also proves it has a lot more headroom to offer with the use of an extension cab.
In a big room, or outdoors with this combo at 8 ohms I would probably need another cab... so having that option is great for me since the 8ohm combo works great for me the other 95% of the time. I'm thinking about picking up passive version of the 212 combo for an extesion cab, because I just love the sound of the mid-high paper cone design of these.
Still... VERY happy with the combo. Zero issues with it and it's been my only rig for about a year now.
-pat
Cool! I haven't had a bit of trouble with my original Puma500 that I purchased around the same time that you got yours. Wonderful sounding head! I have had sound trouble with the second one I purchased that is part of my 'road' gear. I guess it happens sometimes.
Hi Ken
could you please tell me which version of the Puma 500 you use in these two YouTube videos. The sounds in these videos interest me a great deal but I wish to make sure I am listening to the most recently available version of the AMP (with the updated poweramp).
posted on you tube oct 4th
thanks
James
could you please tell me which version of the Puma 500 you use in these two YouTube videos. The sounds in these videos interest me a great deal but I wish to make sure I am listening to the most recently available version of the AMP (with the updated poweramp).
posted on you tube oct 4th
thanks
James
Hey James. That is a beautiful tone, isn't it. Those clips were made with the original Puma500 spec with the Powersoft class D amp module.
I had one of the updated Puma500's for a while with the new 500 watt ICE power module, and it sounded 85% the same. The primary difference was a slightly tighter low end, and a bit more character (i.e., slight distortion) in the midrange (i.e., a bit warmer and tighter). It still sounded like a Puma, but was just a little punchier with a touch less 'pure' midrange, and a slightly less huge low end. In a mix, quite frankly, those moves are probably in the right direction.
I'm sure there are original Puma500's left in the system if you prefer the totally clean, creamy tone profile of the original. If you are in the US, Glenn at Austin Bass Traders would be the one to talk to.
I actually sold the newer one and kept the original, since I could get VERY close to the newer voicing with my F500 with a touch of the VPF filter engaged, which widens the deep lows and upper treble, and softens the lower mids a bit.
Hey Ken
yes it amazing tone
and in your experience this older version does not serve a band mix so well?
it sounds so articulate and authoritative on its own. it actually reminds me of my SVTII that I am looking to down size from!
thanks again
J
yes it amazing tone
and in your experience this older version does not serve a band mix so well?
it sounds so articulate and authoritative on its own. it actually reminds me of my SVTII that I am looking to down size from!
thanks again
J
