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The new tc electronic BG500.

#61
Just used my new BG500/210 yesterday at rehearsals with my band for the first time - fantastic sound! I was with nearly no tweaking able to get that fat, boomy, but still well defined sound, that I want from both my Viola and my Ubass.

It almost blew the rest of the band out of the room with the volume at "3"....
 
#62
Tubetone Question

Watching Uffe's demo of TC's new Blacksmith head explanation of Tubetone, he plays a few lines demonstrating it's range:


When I try to achieve that "slight nasal quality" there on the Blacksmith's demo with my BG500-210, all I get is the gradual wool, then eventually the sound of a buzzy blown speaker/full out fuzz sound - a bass effect/sound I don't care for. Note: this is my description-the speaker is fine.

So, has the Tubetone circuit been improved in TC's newer amps? If not, how can I achieve that great slight nasal tone using my BG500-210's Tubetone control? I like the clean 'throat' without the 'blown/fuzz'.
 
#63
BackToTheGroove said:
Tubetone Question

Watching Uffe's demo of TC's new Blacksmith head explanation of Tubetone, he plays a few lines demonstrating it's range:


When I try to achieve that "slight nasal quality" there on the Blacksmith's demo with my BG500-210, all I get is the gradual wool, then eventually the sound of a buzzy blown speaker/full out fuzz sound - a bass effect/sound I don't care for. Note: this is my description-the speaker is fine.

So, has the Tubetone circuit been improved in TC's newer amps? If not, how can I achieve that great slight nasal tone using my BG500-210's Tubetone control?
Click to expand...


As far as I know, it is the same, and my RH450 Tubetone sounds just like that demonstration. Remember, the tubetone interacts greatly with both the pre gain volume AND the post EQ/preset volume (i.e., the tubetone knob in shift mode). If you have that pregain too low, you will hear very little impact of the tubetone. If you have the post gain shift volume too high, both the tubetone and master will behave in a very jumpy, all or nothing way.

So, make sure your pregain is set at a level that ,when you play your E string as hard as you ever would, the knob is set just below the level that the clip light comes on. And, then try setting the post EQ volume at around 1 o'clock or so (using the tubetone know in shift mode). Now, you should hear some nice warmth and a bit of increasing grit from about the 7 to 10 o'clock level of the tubetone knob.

Hope that helps.

Edit: I'm assuming the BG500 controls work the same as the RH450.. they might not.. sorry. Not sure if there is a 'shift mode preset volume control' on the BG500.
 
#67
I'm seeing a lot of reviews based on the specs and pictures that I can see for myself online. Writing a review solely based on the specs is like reviewing an album by reading the cover and looking at the pretty art work.

I would love to know how the amp actually sounds, considering the price and the inconvenience of the weight. Has anyone out there actually played through this amp who can provide some valuable feedback on it?
 
#68
fretlace said:
I'm seeing a lot of reviews based on the specs and pictures that I can see for myself online... I would love to know how the amp actually sounds, considering the price and the inconvenience of the weight. Has anyone out there actually played through this amp who can provide some valuable feedback on it?
Click to expand...

1- Read my review (#46) here, I own it and play though it. Read RTL's and Tom Bowlus' also in this thread, other's as well, #47 included his own vid.
2-other posts have included sound examples, here is Bassida playing the BG500: YouTube - BG500 bass combos - hear how they sound
3- on TC Electronic's site there are also sound samples and video demo of features. The sound samples seem to have been moved over to the BH500 (same head) product descriptions.

I don't find the weight an "inconvenience" as you describe, its only 70 lbs. For a combo not made from aerospace materials this is very reasonable, especially considering price. A bass rig should be solid - I've heard user descriptions of the GK's MBs rattling themselves across the floor that end up pointing against a wall - so I'd rather have something I don't have to put a brick on top off to keep in place ;)
 
#73
I own the 2x10' model and it's a great combo. Maybe not that light and easy to carry around but I've owned SWR super redheads, Ampeg and Hartke combos and concidering I got this one for 550$ new it's a real bargain compared to combos that play as loud and clean as this one. Also, although skeptical at first, I have to admit that the price made me buy it but know I prefer it over the other much more expensive combos. This one is dynamite and the tube tone and spectracomp features as well as the tuner fits my taste very well. The tube tone is much more useful IMO than the aural enhancer on the SWR and I'm usually pretty picky about compressors destroying your dynamics and sound but this one is very good.
So 5 stars in my book and though a bit heavy it's not worse than other high effect combo amps. I agree additional wheels and tilt back possibility would make it even better but it serves me great as is.
 
#74
Just got my own BG500/210 and I absolutely love the tone and the crazy amount of volume it produces for a combo amp, I really can't play it past 1-2 in my apartment or I would get evicted!
Only drawback are the cheap memory buttons, actually one of them fell off as soon as I got the amp (going to get it repaired for free at local guitar shop) but I would be totally happy only with 2 preset slots really. Anyone else having problems with buttons on BG500?
Overall, if you're looking for a reasonably priced amp that produces great tones and has enough volume for average gigs (you know, bars, small clubs etc.) you should seriously consider BG500, it's absolutely a killer for it's price.
 
#75
basmicke said:
...and the tube tone and spectracomp features as well as the tuner fits my taste very well. The tube tone is much more useful IMO than the aural enhancer on the SWR and I'm usually pretty picky about compressors destroying your dynamics and sound but this one is very good.
So 5 stars in my book...
Click to expand...

The head is so perfectly thought out for Joe the Bassplayer: TT, SC and the tuner is like getting three usable pedals for free. Memory slots are icing on the bass cake. Sold my BG-210 and now have the BH500 (same) head, paired with an Avatar B410NEO. Shazaam! Now I have the sound that's been in my head (with all the voices ;) ). :bassist:
 
#77
My Guitar Center finally has a piece of TC Electronics gear: the BG500-115. I played it for a while today, and was very impressed. I found the Tubetone knob to be very useful; kind of like a built in VT Bass Character knob.

Big drawback for me was no speaker out.

This one was priced at $649, but the GC employee said the Father's Day sale would take $100 off.
 
#79
Played my BG 500 210 a couple of more loud gigs and this thing keeps on surprising me. Every gig is a new experience and over the years I've gotten used to the feeling that live acoustics and electric bass is two things that is not really compatible. But the power and push of this small thing (compared to it's sound that is) really can take on some of the much bigger bass systems I've played.
As long as players want to be traditional and swear by the classics that's fine but this one is kind of a secret it seems and I don't mind ;) I think sooner or maybe later this amp and combo will get it's breakthrough, it is that good.
 

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