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The new tc electronic BG500.

#141
Bongolation said:
There are a bunch of reports of these dropping the pushbuttons off which, though disgraceful, is not significant if you can find them and glue them back in -- but is anyone having more serious problems over the long haul? Or are these rock-solid amps?
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These are not rock-solid amps. :spit:

I went down and bought this thing.

It had been on the floor for less than two weeks and had apparently never even been plugged in or used.

All the buttons were in it, so I gave a great sigh of relief and had the guy load it up for me.

Drove two miles home and when I got it in, I noticed a missing button.

I found it in the vehicle where it had fallen out when the amp had been laid on its side. All three of the memory buttons were broken and fell out in my hand when I tipped it forward and tapped on the top.

The problem is that the buttons don't fit the switch shafts, so when you push the button to activate the switch, one of the two tines on the back breaks off. From that point, the only thing holding it on is gravity and the grease on the shaft, which would also prevent the button from being glued back on. :rollno:

The headphone bezel had also fallen off in the floor.

This on an amp that hasn't even been turned on yet!

What's going on here? :mad:

All this Oohing and Ahhhing over this fine "Danish" amp and TC's boutique reputation and this being a pro-grade amp...

It's nothing but more cheap Chinese mill product, end of story.

I don't know if these amps were initially decent and TC downsourced to cheaper contracting or if they've always been problematic, but such product doesn't appear to me to be likely to last, much less is it of pro quality. They look like they are being dumped for a reason.

Everyone buying these seems to be griping about these defective buttons, and they're right. These are junk.

I can't trust a circuit this complex with a build this negligent, sorry. :(

Great way to ruin your reputation, Uffe! :rollno:

Invalid Link Removed
 
#147
JAUQO III-X said:
I did. And you still seem to have experienced the worse of those who have voiced a few problems.
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If you think so, you need to read closer, but so what?

CriswellPredicts.jpg


CRISWELL PREDICTS...that those who still have their buttons will not for long.

But at least you can take it back and get your money back.
Click to expand...

Gonna. It's not the buttons as such, as I imagine someone will shame TC into sending a half-pint of them to every disgruntled buyer. It's the implications of this negligence that unsettle me.

At the end of the day, for all the hype this is nothing but another sub-pro Chinese mill amp with a one-year guarantee (in the US).

When stuff starts falling off the front panel before you even play the thing and you look at those painted-on ventilation holes, you get that sinking Behringer sensation of doubting the amp will last more than two weeks beyond warranty, especially with such a complex circuit.

Face it, it just doesn't inspire confidence. :(

Done with the amp, done with the thread. I wish you luck with whatever amps you buy and play. God bless! :)
 
#148
Bongo,

Sorry you had the issue that you did. I can understand how your experience, as you say, does not inspire confidence.

I believe that many have put a bit too much confidence and anticipation behind a particular brand without consideration that each product from that company will vary. The point of a company having several different product lines is for each product to reach a different segment of the market. This being TC Electronic's move to reach a budget minded segment really isn't unique, and I applaud the move. Many times have company's had issues with the roll out of a product line: especially when reaching for a different segment of the market than they are used to having. Often times the correct problems that originally were unforeseeable.

I think of the lack of success of Caddillac in regards to reaching the younger market: The Cimarron and the Catera were both utter failures. I actually owned a late model Catera and have to admit: really nice car for the money...but it had it's quirks! Anyone who had driven or been a passenger of the vehicle could tell you that it was very nice for what it was worth. It gave you a bit of what Cadillac was known for: Luxury, and power; but it stopped right there!!! LOL!

I see this as the same. Great sound, features that TC Electronic enthusiast have dug in other products. Build quality the same....NOPE! BUT THAT'S OKAY, because they are not charging me $1500!!!!
 
#150
Calaverasgrande said:
This amp makes little sense to me.
A-no extension speaker out? Really? Is there any other combo over 300 watts that doesnt have a speaker out?
B-Only will tune your bass if its tuned to B or E. I tune to C. Lots of Bassists tune to D.
C-Only 50 more watts than the RH450? 900 would be better or at least 650.
D-only 3 presets. If you are gonna give us presets why such a low number?
E-70lbs WITH a s Neo driver? The trend is towards lighter gear these days with most other manufacturers. Genz Benz Shuttle + neo cab comes to mind.
F-Tweetertone?
Look it up, its an Edsel.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

You bring up a good point here. This could very well be an EDSEL! Edsels were actually damned good cars that suffered from a customer base that didn't understand the point of the product. In turn the market began calling it a "lemon", yet in reality, there was absolutely no more quality issues than any other Ford product. Like this amp, the Edsels were extremely powerful

Many folks that held on to their Edsels were quite happy. They are highly sought after on the collectors circuit. I have a feeling if these are discontinued, they too will be sought after!
 
#151
Calaverasgrande said:
This amp makes little sense to me.
A-no extension speaker out? Really? Is there any other combo over 300 watts that doesnt have a speaker out?
B-Only will tune your bass if its tuned to B or E. I tune to C. Lots of Bassists tune to D.
C-Only 50 more watts than the RH450? 900 would be better or at least 650.
D-only 3 presets. If you are gonna give us presets why such a low number?
E-70lbs WITH a s Neo driver? The trend is towards lighter gear these days with most other manufacturers. Genz Benz Shuttle + neo cab comes to mind.
F-Tweetertone?
Look it up, its an Edsel.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

You bring up a good point here. This could very well be an EDSEL! Edsels were actually damned good cars that suffered from a customer base that didn't understand the point of the product. In turn the market began calling it a "lemon", yet in reality, there was absolutely no more quality issues than any other Ford product. Like this amp, the Edsels were extremely powerful

Many folks that held on to there Edsels were quite happy. They are highly sought after on the collectors circuit. I have a feeling if these are discontinued, they too will be sought after!
 
#153
Bongolation said:
...When stuff starts falling off the front panel before you even play the thing and you look at those painted-on ventilation holes...
Click to expand...

Never had any issue with my BG, nor with my BH head.
Agree with you from the aesthetic point of view of the design work on the front panel though. Should be much better, considering TC's usual design sense in their other products, and web site.
 
#155
Yes that sucks..I think there's an element of bad luck also. I actually just tried to pull off the buttons on mine. Couldn't do it. And while I get the "Cheap Chinese Mill Product" idea, well, these days, there's plenty of good stuff coming from China also..it's harder to avoid if you don't want to shell out $1k plus for a Club/Pub and occasional outdoor show combo.

This also happened with the new Ultralite GK cabs...the Carvin BX500...The problems were fixed, people seem to be buying them...we have NO clue as to how many people are happy with their stuff who don't even come here...

Again, For $649 Bucks..yeah..that's a different story and if this was widespread..like the GK/Carvin issues. This amp might be crap. Might be good crap. We'll see, time is going to tell, just like the GK and Carvin amps.

I think the wave of excitement happened is that there were alot of respected TBs who got their hands on this amp...and reported "thumbs Up"....There's going to be snags for sure...I'm going to be watching this thread for a while.
 
#156
Bassmunnky said:
And while I get the "Cheap Chinese Mill Product" idea, well, these days, there's plenty of good stuff coming from China also..
Click to expand...

Phil Jones Bass gear is manufactured in china, and there are few company's that make better gear than Phil Jones.

With that said I bought a floor model last weekend and have had no problems with it. I love the amp and all that it can do. For $350 I dare someone to tell me where you can get a better 500 watt combo new. How about a 500 watt head new for $350. Looked at these when they were $650 and I didn't buy it, but at $350 I ran to the store and have been loving it ever since.
 
#157
I have been gigging mine for about 2 month now, including bumpy roads, outdoor gigs and every other sort of roady circumstances. Nothing has come off so far but I play mine pretty straight and don't actually use the preset buttons that much.
What impresses me is the power and big warm tone regarding it's size.
 

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