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The new tc electronic BG500.
- Thread starter MIJ-VI
- Start date
WOW!
Can this girl ever cook on the 5'er! Hope Tal don't see her.
Combo sounds alright to me.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Nice quick review, RTL! 
TC sent me a 1x15 BG500 recently, and yes, it is a bit heavier than I was expecting, but I have been very impressed by its tone, and just blown away by its volume!
It far exceeds my expectations for volume coming from a 1x15 combo. 
The tone certainly differs a bit from the RH450 & RS cabs, and yes, saying that the RH450/RScabs produce more of a vintage, slightly wooly, Ampeg-ish tone, but the BG500 produces a more balanced, even, full and articulate tone is a good way of putting it. So far, I'm impressed!
TC sent me a 1x15 BG500 recently, and yes, it is a bit heavier than I was expecting, but I have been very impressed by its tone, and just blown away by its volume!
It far exceeds my expectations for volume coming from a 1x15 combo. The tone certainly differs a bit from the RH450 & RS cabs, and yes, saying that the RH450/RScabs produce more of a vintage, slightly wooly, Ampeg-ish tone, but the BG500 produces a more balanced, even, full and articulate tone is a good way of putting it. So far, I'm impressed! 
Read my review of the BG500 115 here: Invalid Link Removed
Like Tom, I was blown away by the sheer amount of sound coming out of a small package.
Like Tom, I was blown away by the sheer amount of sound coming out of a small package.
I just thought I'd follow up on this thread and let you know that I was really happy that TC Electronics went out of their way to send me a new and working version of the BG500 2x10, after I'd first bought one from a 3rd party that unfortunately turned up broken during transportation.
Hats off to Uffe and the Team for creating such a good product and then for such great customer service....
Some of the bigger companies could definitely take a lesson from TC's Customer care.
My BG500-210 arrived a few weeks ago. Crazy busy, so haven't had a lot of time on it yet. Few user reviews exist, so I'll try to add something half way intelligent here. I am not a working pro.
So, why choose the BG500-210?
Have begun playing again and wanted features for practice and gigs. Didn't want used, and set budget at $800 CND (give or take).
Bought the BG without playing one - my town has limited bass amp brands and models to try in this price range. Using TC's website [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] with vid clips and sound samples, and the few user reviews found, helped my decision. Invalid Link Removed next best I could find to buying locally. Funny though, when the BG was first advertised I thought, "that's it." and after a long amp hunt, I came full circle.
First impressions:
Controls are very flexible, where small adjustment makes a difference. The features are precise and will further hone that tone to perfection. These features and TC's reputation were factors for my choice over GK's MB212. Maybe a BG500 212 would be the perfect rig? Input Gain peak LED is good to have. The tuner is accurate and the in-tune LEDs also work to find the values of your memory sets. The in-tune bar also doubles as the compression monitor. The two Contour choices I'm not really sure about yet and seem almost the same. They scoop the mids, but with no foot switch to engage them...
Rolling down the mids gives a richer sound IMHO, especially the low-mid. Upping the bass by +1 or +2 gives it proper fullness and true percussive thump. I thought long and hard about the 115 vs 210 for this reason, so am satisfied the big bottom is there. Great thump/crunch for my '54 copy Pbass. My J bass sounds like a growling bell.
SpectraComp is subtle and really tightens things up as much as you want. 1 to 4 seems like all that is required. TweeterTone brings a presence that I can describe as if someone moved closer to you and whispered with focused clarity into your ear; very clear and depending on your bass, is pretty much hiss-less. Very nice TC. TubeTone brings warmth and a bit more oomph, and thoughtfully placed at the end of the control row as the final sound shape option. Small adjustments make measurable results, and found each bass has its sweet spot with it. Lots of TubeTone gives a Fuzz-face type of distortion - growl seems best controlled by Gain and Mid use, which has worked out perfectly for my Ric.
The cabinet has a nice gentle arch to the front and the black carpet looks sharp and professional. On the face, a simple tone printed, or bare metal, on the panel would be cleaner (like TC's usual style) as would smaller rounded knobs. Flip-out handles are sturdy and the 70 lbs doesn't bother me, but will track down a telescoping amp handle to make things easier, and safer on stairs.
Overall the BG is a solid, quality piece of gear; practically conceived and puts out tremendously thunderous clear sound! VERY pleased (so far) with my BG500-210.
Congrats TCE, Cheers!
So, why choose the BG500-210?
Have begun playing again and wanted features for practice and gigs. Didn't want used, and set budget at $800 CND (give or take).
Bought the BG without playing one - my town has limited bass amp brands and models to try in this price range. Using TC's website [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] with vid clips and sound samples, and the few user reviews found, helped my decision. Invalid Link Removed next best I could find to buying locally. Funny though, when the BG was first advertised I thought, "that's it." and after a long amp hunt, I came full circle.
First impressions:
Controls are very flexible, where small adjustment makes a difference. The features are precise and will further hone that tone to perfection. These features and TC's reputation were factors for my choice over GK's MB212. Maybe a BG500 212 would be the perfect rig? Input Gain peak LED is good to have. The tuner is accurate and the in-tune LEDs also work to find the values of your memory sets. The in-tune bar also doubles as the compression monitor. The two Contour choices I'm not really sure about yet and seem almost the same. They scoop the mids, but with no foot switch to engage them...
Rolling down the mids gives a richer sound IMHO, especially the low-mid. Upping the bass by +1 or +2 gives it proper fullness and true percussive thump. I thought long and hard about the 115 vs 210 for this reason, so am satisfied the big bottom is there. Great thump/crunch for my '54 copy Pbass. My J bass sounds like a growling bell.
SpectraComp is subtle and really tightens things up as much as you want. 1 to 4 seems like all that is required. TweeterTone brings a presence that I can describe as if someone moved closer to you and whispered with focused clarity into your ear; very clear and depending on your bass, is pretty much hiss-less. Very nice TC. TubeTone brings warmth and a bit more oomph, and thoughtfully placed at the end of the control row as the final sound shape option. Small adjustments make measurable results, and found each bass has its sweet spot with it. Lots of TubeTone gives a Fuzz-face type of distortion - growl seems best controlled by Gain and Mid use, which has worked out perfectly for my Ric.
The cabinet has a nice gentle arch to the front and the black carpet looks sharp and professional. On the face, a simple tone printed, or bare metal, on the panel would be cleaner (like TC's usual style) as would smaller rounded knobs. Flip-out handles are sturdy and the 70 lbs doesn't bother me, but will track down a telescoping amp handle to make things easier, and safer on stairs.
Overall the BG is a solid, quality piece of gear; practically conceived and puts out tremendously
thunderous clear sound! VERY pleased (so far) with my BG500-210. Congrats TCE, Cheers!
- Aug 25, 2001
- 1,260
- 0
- Disclosures
- Owner - FretSpot.com; Vice President - Springfield Music
FWIW, I just did a quick review of this combo. Some audio problems at the end, but the amp came through nice and clear! 
http://www.youtube.com/springfieldmusic#p/u/6/xX36Tdv0o7g
http://www.youtube.com/springfieldmusic#p/u/6/xX36Tdv0o7g
Ah-HA! I've finally figured out why tc's bass rigs are comparatively overweight! 
It's YOU Mr. Uffe Hansen!
You're decades away from developing a bad back! To you these amps you've developed are already light enough!
Have you played a gig yet with it? I'm thinking this might be the answer my problems of wanting a nice piece of gear but lacking the funds and ability to justify why I should spend so much when I'm still very much learning how to play. My chances of ever playing live are very very slim
. But if I do it will be at what I would call low to medium volumes(no clubs around here are that big or allow loud stuff anyway).
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I gigged with the BG500-115 this past weekend while filing in with my buddy's country band. This was the first time I had gigged with a combo in a while, but I was quite impressed. It held up very well with two guitars, keys, and a moderately loud drummer. I therefore deem this combo to be "gig-worthy!"
I gigged with the BG500-115 this past weekend while filing in with my buddy's country band. This was the first time I had gigged with a combo in a while, but I was quite impressed. It held up very well with two guitars, keys, and a moderately loud drummer. I therefore deem this combo to be "gig-worthy!"
Agreed! Used it with three guitars, keys, loud drums and percussion and never felt like I was pushing. Lots of bottom from a small package. Compared favorably with my usual setup of Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 with two 112 cabs (600 watts).
I gigged with the BG500-115 this past weekend while filing in with my buddy's country band. This was the first time I had gigged with a combo in a while, but I was quite impressed. It held up very well with two guitars, keys, and a moderately loud drummer. I therefore deem this combo to be "gig-worthy!"
If Tom said it it must be true
Thanks for the conformation Tom your one of the most trusted people on TB. Now all I need is money and to put the call into Donovan( He has better prices then the big stores do btw ) and start rocking
nasr:
No not yet, but the more I play it the more I know I made exactly the right choice. This might help: the other amps I had on my final Amp Hunt list were: GK MB212 or 210, Hartke Hydrive115 or 210, Acoustic B200, Ampeg HP115.
I played the Ampeg HP115 before and then after I bought the BG. The first time I played the Ampeg I thought wow, this will do! Glad I didn't buy it. After playing my BG the Ampeg was obviously not even in the same ballpark: that has nothing to do with the volume either as both amps I played at low to med-low volumes. The sound richness and quality is where the BG kicked it - then add the Tweetertone and Tubetone adjustment + the 3 memory locations and you don't have to think about which is the better amp. I didn't have the chance to play the other amps on my list, but have the feeling the BG would excel over each of them for the same reasons.
One point: TC Electronics should change the output route for the stereo/CD/mp3 input. You have to use whatever you've plugged into it with headphones. It would be better to have the choice: having the sound route directly through the drivers, or plug in the phones for silent practicing.
Just bought an RH450 and am thinking of getting the RS210c to go with it -
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Anyone A & B these against the BG500 - 210?
Interested to see the difference, especially cab wise, as I haven't played through an RS210 cab yet.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Anyone A & B these against the BG500 - 210?
Interested to see the difference, especially cab wise, as I haven't played through an RS210 cab yet.
This thread sure is interesting. It went from dire hatred for this amp, to adornment for it, in two short pages. 
I was just researching it since the guys at my local guitar shop sure praised it. Much like what this thread tells me; it all comes down to personal preference.
I was looking for a suitable replacement for gig duty, considering I sold my old David Eden Metro. It'll be interesting to see how this thing compares. At CAD $730: it doesn't seem too bad.
I was just researching it since the guys at my local guitar shop sure praised it. Much like what this thread tells me; it all comes down to personal preference.
I was looking for a suitable replacement for gig duty, considering I sold my old David Eden Metro. It'll be interesting to see how this thing compares. At CAD $730: it doesn't seem too bad.
I'm with you I didn't think much of this combo until I found this thread. I was all set that this would be what I would own and then they came out with the BH head and the RC cabs and now I'm not to sure. But I'm waiting for reviews (mccartneyman is getting one in soon to review) and prices which will influence my choice.
