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The new tc electronic BG500.
- Thread starter MIJ-VI
- Start date
Calm down guys, geeze. Ampeg, GK and SWR (just to name a few) have been making 70+lb 210 combos for years and people buy them because they are affordable. With the MSRP around $1000, these should go for about $700 easy on the street. Considering the features, that'll be a decent entry level gigging combo. Folks who want something lighter and "cooler" can always get their other combo. My guess is that these combos will easily compete if not trump their main competitors, the Ampeg BA210, GK Backline 210 or the SWR Workingpro 115.
tc electronic BG500/210 (70.5 lbs): Invalid Link Removed
Gallien-Krueger MB210 (33 lbs.) List Price: $855.00
tc's Polytune Polyphonic Pedal Tuner Invalid Link Removed
While the weight and wattage differences between the BG500/210 and the MB210 are known, their comparative speaker sensitivities have yet to be determined.
Gallien-Krueger MB210 (33 lbs.) List Price: $855.00
tc's Polytune Polyphonic Pedal Tuner Invalid Link Removed
While the weight and wattage differences between the BG500/210 and the MB210 are known, their comparative speaker sensitivities have yet to be determined.
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From the looks of things, I agree. Right now, I usually use a G-K 700RB-II head and Neo112 cab, plus a pedal board with tuner, overdrive, and usually a compressor. Something like this, while heavier than I'd like, would condense those three components into one, and it has features I would use that are absent from the new G-K MB combos. Assuming the tone and power work for me, I could envision getting one. The easier set-up at gigs might be worth the slight weight penalty.
Also, bump for any new info, experiences, etc.
I tried the 15" version of these earlier today. I'm definitely not the best to review it because I don't have much experience with amps, but oh well. It's a great amp IMO, I could great tones out of it in seconds, nice deep tones for jazz, hifi slap, gritty rock, etc. Tried it with a Geddy Lee jazz, a Squier fretless jazz and a Rickenbacker, I was able to make them sound exactly like I wanted them to sound. I've always struggled with compressors, but this is just one knob and can really add some nice punch, its great. Tubetone is nice.
All in all its really great IMO. I'm using a 80's Peavey TNT combo atm, which is sooo heavy, so I was pleased with the BG's weight. I don't think it offers any more than the Rebelheads featurewise but this combo is much cheaper! Lack of extention speaker output is a bit of a bummer but it has more power than I'll ever need anyway... I think I'm gonna have to get this amp!
All in all its really great IMO. I'm using a 80's Peavey TNT combo atm, which is sooo heavy, so I was pleased with the BG's weight. I don't think it offers any more than the Rebelheads featurewise but this combo is much cheaper! Lack of extention speaker output is a bit of a bummer but it has more power than I'll ever need anyway... I think I'm gonna have to get this amp!
so.. What I really don't understand is how the RH 450 ISN'T loud enough for those of you wanting more.
i mean.. what the frack kind of shows are you playing????
i mean.. what the frack kind of shows are you playing????
Thats exactly what I'm thinking! This has even more power than the RH, and is much cheaper! The only real benefit of getting a RH setup is weight and a couple extra features (which i personally don't need, I like the simplicity of this amp)
the difference between 500 watts and 450 watts is 10%. That is not even noticable in a band context.
I think they should have gone bigger or smaller in watts, not something which occupies the exact same middleground in watts.
But then anyone who owns a TC powercore is not surprised to see TC make missteps. they make brilliant stuff, but can be out of touch with the market.
I think they should have gone bigger or smaller in watts, not something which occupies the exact same middleground in watts.
But then anyone who owns a TC powercore is not surprised to see TC make missteps. they make brilliant stuff, but can be out of touch with the market.
seriously, i traded my old SVT "fridge" completely out for my rh450, using my swr 410, it is just as loud or louder than my old SVT head. so asking (beggin) for bigger wattage seems ridiculous to me. so I ask again, 'WHY, oh why. would you need more???"
the only reason i could possibly assertain is that your playing in a small ass room against two full marshall stacks at full gain. but even then.. i think i would be fine.. (of course, i wouldn't be doing that. I'd either get them to turn down, or leave.)
the only reason i could possibly assertain is that your playing in a small ass room against two full marshall stacks at full gain. but even then.. i think i would be fine.. (of course, i wouldn't be doing that. I'd either get them to turn down, or leave.)
The RH450 just isnt loud...in fact all amps I test just aint loud....
...cant figure out why but they all sound kinda "furry" to me and they all have this annoying "Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..." sound when cranked hard at rehearsal.....
...cant figure out why but they all sound kinda "furry" to me and they all have this annoying "Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..." sound when cranked hard at rehearsal.....
The RH450 just isnt loud...in fact all amps I test just aint loud....
...cant figure out why but they all sound kinda "furry" to me and they all have this annoying "Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..." sound when cranked hard at rehearsal.....
hahahahhaaha
The BG combo was made the way it was, and the materials they made it with, to fit a certain price range.
Which I'm happy to say is exactly in this particular Joe-Blo-I-Ain't-a-Pro's price range.
On the threshold of buying (clubbass.ca), but 115 or 210... suggestions? (no speaker-out on these puppies).
Which I'm happy to say is exactly in this particular Joe-Blo-I-Ain't-a-Pro's price range.
On the threshold of buying (clubbass.ca), but 115 or 210... suggestions? (no speaker-out on these puppies).
Grrrr..
After waiting ages to get my hands on one of these..
I was hoping to be able to do a review of the 2x10 version, but unfortunately the one I ordered has turned up broken in transit, looking in the manual it seems to have gone into self protection mode and won't admit any sound through the speakers
The headphones out is working on the amp, so I can hear how it might sound (very sweet), but without the thump coming from the speakers I can't be sure.
I'm now doing a reclaimation and it might be another couple of weeks before I get another amp in my hands. (I have no local dealer, so my only choice was ordering on-line)
I can't really blame TC Electronic for any of this, just frustrating when a new toy shows up and you can't use it. I have attached a picture where you can see it looks like it may of taken a clout to the grill.
Bad luck I guess lol.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
After waiting ages to get my hands on one of these..
I was hoping to be able to do a review of the 2x10 version, but unfortunately the one I ordered has turned up broken in transit, looking in the manual it seems to have gone into self protection mode and won't admit any sound through the speakers
The headphones out is working on the amp, so I can hear how it might sound (very sweet), but without the thump coming from the speakers I can't be sure.
I'm now doing a reclaimation and it might be another couple of weeks before I get another amp in my hands. (I have no local dealer, so my only choice was ordering on-line)
I can't really blame TC Electronic for any of this, just frustrating when a new toy shows up and you can't use it. I have attached a picture where you can see it looks like it may of taken a clout to the grill.
Bad luck I guess lol.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Well, I have to admit it...
The BG500 2X10" won me over. Yeah, it's basically the anti-Shuttle, and at first, I didn't really understand why it even existed in the first place... But seriously, this thing is awesome.
Bass Emporium has had one for a few weeks now, and I'm extremely impressed with its tone. It doesn't have that Ampeg-ish woolyness that the RH and Classic heads do - it's more even, full, articulate... Just a great sounding amplifier. All I did was set it flat, and bam! Instant awesomeness. They put a little "EQ suggestions" thing on the top of the amp, but I ignored it and found plenty of good tones on my own. I like the way the preamp is voiced - definitely solid state, but plenty of warmth, and as mentioned above, no muddyness or woolyness. I went from wanting to hate it to strongly considering purchasing one in about 30 seconds.
Yes, it's heavy and definitely bigger than I was expecting, but honestly... If my Shuttle 6.0-12T combo sounded this great, I would have kept it. This is the kind of amp I wouldn't buy for the sake of ultimate portability, but it definitely would shine as a "keep at the rehearsal space" or "don't need the big rig" kind of amp, as it definitely has the power and the tone to hang with a full band.
I think I get what TC was going for when they designed this thing. A simple, powerful, all-in-one, professional grade combo which uses more conventional components to keep the price down. Sure, it weighs twice as much as the Genz-Benz 6.0 210T, but it's a little more than half the price (BE is selling it at $799, if I remember correctly), and I honestly think it sounds better.
The BG500 2X10" won me over. Yeah, it's basically the anti-Shuttle, and at first, I didn't really understand why it even existed in the first place... But seriously, this thing is awesome.
Bass Emporium has had one for a few weeks now, and I'm extremely impressed with its tone. It doesn't have that Ampeg-ish woolyness that the RH and Classic heads do - it's more even, full, articulate... Just a great sounding amplifier. All I did was set it flat, and bam! Instant awesomeness. They put a little "EQ suggestions" thing on the top of the amp, but I ignored it and found plenty of good tones on my own. I like the way the preamp is voiced - definitely solid state, but plenty of warmth, and as mentioned above, no muddyness or woolyness. I went from wanting to hate it to strongly considering purchasing one in about 30 seconds.
Yes, it's heavy and definitely bigger than I was expecting, but honestly... If my Shuttle 6.0-12T combo sounded this great, I would have kept it. This is the kind of amp I wouldn't buy for the sake of ultimate portability, but it definitely would shine as a "keep at the rehearsal space" or "don't need the big rig" kind of amp, as it definitely has the power and the tone to hang with a full band.
I think I get what TC was going for when they designed this thing. A simple, powerful, all-in-one, professional grade combo which uses more conventional components to keep the price down. Sure, it weighs twice as much as the Genz-Benz 6.0 210T, but it's a little more than half the price (BE is selling it at $799, if I remember correctly), and I honestly think it sounds better.
