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The Bergantino Forte HP or HP2
- Thread starter Pep
- Start date
This is from Jim regarding the drive feature:
No. BSD stands for Bergantino Smart Drive which is a term we came up with for our one knob drive. As you know, whenever you increase the level into most, if not all, drive circuits, the volume increases as well and usually you will have to adjust the output volume to compensate. With our BSD technology, we have come up with an algorithm in the software which automatically adjust the make up volume as you increase the drive level, thus "Smart Drive". We also utilize the same technology with the VRC on the forte' amps.
No. BSD stands for Bergantino Smart Drive which is a term we came up with for our one knob drive. As you know, whenever you increase the level into most, if not all, drive circuits, the volume increases as well and usually you will have to adjust the output volume to compensate. With our BSD technology, we have come up with an algorithm in the software which automatically adjust the make up volume as you increase the drive level, thus "Smart Drive". We also utilize the same technology with the VRC on the forte' amps.
That's a shame. There are a lot of people have been waiting for a real world comparison between the two. I guess I will have to wait for the hp2 to arrive downunder as I certainly won't be selling my hp1, but keeping it as a backup. While the Bergantino service and support is excellent I did have a brief period where there was an issue with my hp1. I will be selling my Mesa 800+ which had become my backup and just go out with two hps. My guitarist reckons I should use two separate stacks at once, He is such a fan of the hp.
You're lucky to have guitar player like that unless he's trying to justify a larger rig for himself.
I know. He is a great guitarist who has always been about tone rather than volume. 35 years we have been playing together now.
FYI: The firmware for the HP2 is now available for download at the Bergantino website!
I just bought the HP2 this weekend. They actually had a used HP in the shop and I A-B'ed them to see the difference. Everyone in the shop thought the HP2 was just a better sounding amp. It certainly had a LOT more headroom. It was worth the extra $300 it cost me for the HP2 for sure. Just sounds immaculate.
Thanks for this. Really useful information. The first side by side comparison I have found.
I felt really fortunate to compare because I was very close to just buying the HP without trying it. Then I realized they weren't EXACTLY the same amp, plugged it in and even the other guys in the room thought there was a big difference. The tone was very similar, but the HP2 just had a lot more oomph to it. Just felt like a much more stout amp with certainly better headroom. By the way, I set all the settings on both amps exactly the same and A-B'ed them through a Reference II Series 112 speaker, which I also bought. So, it was an exact apples-to-apples to comparison.
Also, I never thought I'd buy a 12, but man, does it sound good. I've always been a 10s user, but this just covered so much range. Definitely going to get a second in the near future for bigger gigs.
Question for those of you who have experience AB'ing a Forte HP or HP2 against a Noble tube preamp + amplifier. I use the latter combination with a QSC PLX 3602, which puts 1,250 watts @ 4 ohm into a Barefaced Super Twin 212. How does the HP/HP2 w/firmware compare/contrast with a Noble in a 4ohm configuration? That question includes output through the 1/4 inch jack --> cabinet and through the DI --> FOH/board. I'm mainly wondering if the Berg's firmware is good enough to approximate the rich, open 3D tone of the Noble?
A side question (or maybe part of the main answer?) is about the HP2's additional 3dB boost of headroom I've read about here on TB. Is that related to possibly producing the 3D sound I hear with a Noble?
For what it's worth, I just asked Perplexity.ai to compare these and here is the result:
A side question (or maybe part of the main answer?) is about the HP2's additional 3dB boost of headroom I've read about here on TB. Is that related to possibly producing the 3D sound I hear with a Noble?
For what it's worth, I just asked Perplexity.ai to compare these and here is the result:
The Bergantino Forte HP2 and the Noble tube preamp offer distinct tonal characteristics. The Forte HP2 is a modern marvel of Class D bass amplification, delivering 1200 watts of power with clarity and articulation across all frequencies. It features a 4-band EQ, variable lowpass and highpass filters, drive circuit with Bergantino Smart Drive technology, and user-adjustable parallel compression. On the other hand, the Noble tube preamp provides a classic, warm tube tone that many seek in studio and live settings. It offers a big, authoritative tube amp sound with its preamp just on the verge of breakup, creating a rich and harmonically complex tone. While the Forte HP2 excels in power, clarity, and precision tone shaping, the Noble tube preamp stands out for its vintage-inspired warmth and character.
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I have the HP2 and have no plans to change. Used Saturday night with a Greenboy fEarless F215. I was subbing for a buddy. All I can say was the old pro in the group said they'd never heard a bass sound so good and punchy. That's good enough for me.
I feel sorry for my buddy when he returns to play next weekend. Here's a pic of my office that night.
I feel sorry for my buddy when he returns to play next weekend. Here's a pic of my office that night.
i went to order a new HP2 yesterday and saw the bags were out of stock.
i emailed jim and he said unfortunately the bags won't be in for months.
so, i thought it over and re-read what folks have said and decided to get a used HP rather than wait + spend the extra money on an HP2. needing the amp quickly + a case/bag is non-negotiable made the choice for me.
it seems to only real difference is what drives are upload-able, and that if berg drops a newer and better drive it'll only be available for the newer amp. and of course, a bit more headroom.
obviously that more headroom is cool but it's a 1200 watt amp. is anyone (on a HP original) really pushing that master volume past noon very often?
i emailed jim and he said unfortunately the bags won't be in for months.
so, i thought it over and re-read what folks have said and decided to get a used HP rather than wait + spend the extra money on an HP2. needing the amp quickly + a case/bag is non-negotiable made the choice for me.
it seems to only real difference is what drives are upload-able, and that if berg drops a newer and better drive it'll only be available for the newer amp. and of course, a bit more headroom.
obviously that more headroom is cool but it's a 1200 watt amp. is anyone (on a HP original) really pushing that master volume past noon very often?
Order your HP2 and then order this bag. It's a Gator and I use it for several amps including a Mesa WD800 and a TC Electronics RH750. it's actually better than the Bergantino bag unless you're stuck on it saying Bergantino.
Here's a link.
Gator G-MIXERBAG-1212 Mixer Bag
Here's a link.
Gator G-MIXERBAG-1212 Mixer Bag
I like the soft case, but I like my hard case better for protection.
Harbor Freight aluminum case was $40 and offers protection better than my soft case.
HP2 fits snugly inside.
Harbor Freight aluminum case was $40 and offers protection better than my soft case.
HP2 fits snugly inside.
That's a great option as well. Or you buy the rack ears and mount it in a rack case. Lots of options.
