What pros are using Bergantino cabs?

[jmattbassplaya]

I'm not a pro by any means, but I've always thought that if I were to go pro I'd just use Ampeg, GK, Fender, and EBMM gear. Why? Because it's widely available. If I break anything on the road I can replace it immediately. I can't say the same about a Berg cab, Lull bass, or even (to an extent) Aguilar head. They just aren't as common at your local music shops. I'd have no problem finding a GK 700RBII, Fender P, or Ampeg 8x10.

 

[pickles]

The bergs I tried were very unique sounding. Very polarizing for players, love it or hate it. I think if I were forced to use them exclusively I could adapt and make them work, but I just got inconsistent results from them because they were so different from what I'm used to.

Whereas is there's an ampeg, eden, aguilar, etc, they sound like I expect and I can get a good sound quickly.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Pro means you get paid to play. A narrow definition, I know, because the title reflects attitude and experience also.

Amen to that!!

I use Acme cabinets. While it's great to see someone else using Andy's cabinets I really don't care that much. My cabinets only have to satisfy my goals.

 

[GregC]

Nice list! I wonder how many stick with the Woods vs. spreading around to different brands. For instance, I've seen Bona with Epi, Glock and others. That's the nature of the game, though. I bet the upright players (where Woods is definitely popular) switch out gear less frequently--at least, based on the level of activity in TB's DB forums.

From Link Removed page: "The following is a partial list of purchasers: Richard Bona, Peter Brown, Steve Brown, Hugh Burrows, Charlie Byrd, Wade Cambern, Dave Carpenter, Larry Carter, Aldo Cavalli, Jeff Chambers, Bob Chandler, Emmet Chapman, Candy Chase, Ken Ciuffreda, John Clark, Scott Colley, Robert Compean, Chick Corea, Glen Moore, Paul Morin, Chris Morrison, Jim Robitaille, Steve Rodby, Vinny Sansone, Saheb Sarbib, Billy Savege, Jane Scarpantoni, Glenn Schuetz, Lynn Seaton, Cleveland Eaton, Mark Egan, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, George Mraz, Joey Lauricella, Phil Forbes, Mike Formanek, David Friesen, James Genus, Michael George, Bruce Gertz, Lincoln Goines, Jim Hall, John Patitucci, Barney Kessel...and many more!"

EDIT: I just found a list of WW purchasers straight from a WW brochure. See attached.

Not all bassists, but many. In addition to that list, Jimmy Johnson, Will Lee, and Steve Swallow are all known to use them. Jimmy Johnson's personal rig is a WW and 2 EV 12s. Will Lee uses his for local gigs around NYC at least some of the time.



That was my thought, too. Give Jim Bergantino another 25-30 years and you'll see a similar list.

 

[GregC]

I'm not a pro by any means, but I've always thought that if I were to go pro I'd just use Ampeg, GK, Fender, and EBMM gear. Why? Because it's widely available. If I break anything on the road I can replace it immediately. I can't say the same about a Berg cab, Lull bass, or even (to an extent) Aguilar head. They just aren't as common at your local music shops. I'd have no problem finding a GK 700RBII, Fender P, or Ampeg 8x10.

FWIW, I see the Aggie 750/751 used frequently on the late-night shows lately--and I don't watch those shows much. Maybe it's backline, or maybe it's their touring rig of choice.

 

[GregC]

The bergs I tried were very unique sounding. Very polarizing for players, love it or hate it. I think if I were forced to use them exclusively I could adapt and make them work, but I just got inconsistent results from them because they were so different from what I'm used to.

Whereas is there's an ampeg, eden, aguilar, etc, they sound like I expect and I can get a good sound quickly.

Huh, that's weird. I've only tried the NV610 (which I own), the NV215 and the HS410, but I don't find them to sound very unusual. Maybe some of the other models do.

 

[JimmyM]

FWIW, I see the Aggie 750/751 used frequently on the late-night shows lately--and I don't watch those shows much. Maybe it's backline, or maybe it's their touring rig of choice.

I try to keep track of trends in rented backline, and Aguilar is starting to make a move into backline companies' availabilities. It's getting to be uncommon where you're in a major city and can't get a DB751 from a backline company. Even in Orlando you can get a DB751 rig. But for the most part, it's Ampeg, Hartke, GK, SWR, and Eden.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

FWIW, I see the Aggie 750/751 used frequently on the late-night shows lately--and I don't watch those shows much. Maybe it's backline, or maybe it's their touring rig of choice.

That's good because I use Aguilar But personally, I haven't seen them pop up too much yet. It's still largely Ampeg where I'm at.

 

[chadds]

I'm not a pro by any means, but I've always thought that if I were to go pro I'd just use Ampeg, GK, Fender, and EBMM gear. Why? Because it's widely available. If I break anything on the road I can replace it immediately. I can't say the same about a Berg cab, Lull bass, or even (to an extent) Aguilar head. They just aren't as common at your local music shops. I'd have no problem finding a GK 700RBII, Fender P, or Ampeg 8x10.

Can't say I've ever broken a cab.
I do know that having a personal relationship with a small maker can get you a replacement anywhere and almost anytime. Specifically that these manufacturers want you working and/or happy. They stand behind their stuff.
If the stores are closed on Sunday you think you're gonna get a cab drop shipped to you from ( insert name )?

 

[echoSE7EN]

Backline availability aside...I remember reading an interview some place where the player being interviewed listed the difference between HIS stuff, and his band's touring rig. The most interesting thing I took away from it -- a lot of cool and boutique stuff gets used at home, and in the studio, but once you start stringing together 100 tour dates, the wear and tear that can occur (and the resulting breakage and/or damage) can make a certain piece of kit or manufacturer simply impractical for the road. Point being, Bergs are awesome (IMHO), but if you're in Fargo and your cab falls off the truck and is then stepped on my a rampaging steer, two seconds before it's struck by a meteor...what is the possibility of replacing it for the show, or the next gig? Unless a local store has a Berg, you'll be playing DI or backline rent until you can replace it.
Berg is relatively small in production compared to Ampeg, GK, Markbass, GB, etc., some of which can be found at the 1000s of GCs.

 

[chadds]

Backline availability aside...I remember reading an interview some place where the player being interviewed listed the difference between HIS stuff, and his band's touring rig. The most interesting thing I took away from it -- a lot of cool and boutique stuff gets used at home, and in the studio, but once you start stringing together 100 tour dates, the wear and tear that can occur (and the resulting breakage and/or damage) can make a certain piece of kit or manufacturer simply impractical for the road. Point being, Bergs are awesome (IMHO), but if you're in Fargo and your cab falls off the truck and is then stepped on my a rampaging steer, two seconds before it's struck by a meteor...what is the possibility of replacing it for the show, or the next gig? Unless a local store has a Berg, you'll be playing DI or backline rent until you can replace it.
Berg is relatively small in production compared to Ampeg, GK, Markbass, GB, etc., some of which can be found at the 1000s of GCs.

Well said. Especially that steer meteor part that actually happened over in Goober, Idaho.
So steer clear ya hear?
If the GC ain't open it ain't gonna matter whether you're playing store brand or boutiqo uniqo.

 

[Robdrone]

From Link Removed page: "The following is a partial list of purchasers: Richard Bona, Peter Brown, Steve Brown, Hugh Burrows, Charlie Byrd, Wade Cambern, Dave Carpenter, Larry Carter, Aldo Cavalli, Jeff Chambers, Bob Chandler, Emmet Chapman, Candy Chase, Ken Ciuffreda, John Clark, Scott Colley, Robert Compean, Chick Corea, Glen Moore, Paul Morin, Chris Morrison, Jim Robitaille, Steve Rodby, Vinny Sansone, Saheb Sarbib, Billy Savege, Jane Scarpantoni, Glenn Schuetz, Lynn Seaton, Cleveland Eaton, Mark Egan, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, George Mraz, Joey Lauricella, Phil Forbes, Mike Formanek, David Friesen, James Genus, Michael George, Bruce Gertz, Lincoln Goines, Jim Hall, John Patitucci, Barney Kessel...and many more!"

I haven't been a bass player for very long, but I've been a music lover my whole life and my friends consider me somewhat of a musical encyclopedia of sorts, and I honestly have never heard of any of these people.

 

[chadds]

A good friend came over for dinner. Before we ate I played 30 min. of different tunes on the stereo.
He said, "I've been sitting here for thirty minutes. You haven't played any music I've ever heard before and I've liked every bit of it. Where did you hear it? How do you know about it?"
A drummer I played with for 15 years only went to bars and listened to radio that played popular music.
He'd heard the Yellowjackets at my house so we went to see them live. He said, "Its a weekday night. This place is packed with folks of every walk of life. How did they know of this group and know to be here tonight?

People know what they know and have been exposed to. Some folks think the only source for music gear is GC or MF. Some people don't know you can pick your own veggies or fruit or select a farmer for your meat and dairy needs. They only think Grocery store.

If I ask a Best Buy employee which is the "better" DVD player he'll say, "well that one has done real well for us". What's that got to do with my request or needs? He's telling me how many they sell.
Which equates to popular.
This could mean excellent quality or folks are buying what other folks are buying.

 

[Pollinator95]

I haven't been a bass player for very long, but I've been a music lover my whole life and my friends consider me somewhat of a musical encyclopedia of sorts, and I honestly have never heard of any of these people.

No offence, but you're not a particularly comprehensive encyclopedia. I play rock and metal pretty much exclusively, but even I know quite a few of those. How can you not have heard of Chick Corea?

 

[Carlo Tanori]

Good post!

I love my Sadowsky SA410 (made by Berg) but I notice more pros using GK, Ampeg, Mesa and even Aguilar.

I honestly can't recall ever seeing a famous bassist rocking out in front of a big bank of Bergs.

+1! Another Sadowsky SA410 owner here. A very killer cab!

 

[Robdrone]

No offence, but you're not a particularly comprehensive encyclopedia. I play rock and metal pretty much exclusively, but even I know quite a few of those. How can you not have heard of Chick Corea?

LOL. That's actually the only one that sounded familiar... I guess my knowledge is more in the realm of rock and roll and popular music. I'm not sure if there is a universe where jazz is considered popular music.

I don't know what any of these cats do, but I assume most are virtuosos, studio musicians or jazz players. I generally enjoy music in a band setting. I like popular bands. I like obscure bands. I like the occasional progressive band (although much less often). I guess the point I'm trying to make is I've never heard of Jaco or Victor Wooten before I came to this site, but I sure as hell have heard of Duff McKagan and Les Claypool. While I'm sure that I have undoubtedly heard most if not all of these people play (with Elton John, Whitney Houston, Shakira or with some classic rock outfit that I know and love) They are far from household names even for someone who listens to a lot of music.

Even when I was a guitar player I never paid attention to guys like Steve Vai or Yngwie Malmsteen. I could appreciate what they could do, but I didn't find it appealing or even particularly interesting for that matter. There's a reason why Nirvana has more hit songs than Dream Theater. lol

It seems that some TBers spend so much time on here that they don't realize that 90% of what we talk about here is gibberish to the outside world and sometimes even to our fellow musicians. I seriously think there should be a glossary of terms for new TBers. When i first came here there was so much terminology that I had to learn to understand what the hell some of you guys were talking about.

I guess sometimes I see a list of names like that, and I'm surprised at how much I don't know.

 

[HolmeBass]

Ok, fine. For the purpose of this discussion, let's say a "pro" is someone who makes 100% of their income touring and recording nationally or internationally. Obviously those guys are using backline most of the time, but I want to know who personally uses Bergantino when they're not on the road. You can make your living playing in GB bands on a local or regional level, but for this discussion, you don't count so much. I'm talking national/international.

The list of Walter Wood's owners/players is pretty extensive and I doubt for a second that he does endorsement deals. Every one of those players bought their Woods, yet you don't see the majority of well-known WW users actually using their WW amps on stage. So why should Bergantino cabs be any different?

I'm not ignorant of how it works. I'm simply curious who's using Bergantino.

As I said, all my cabs are Berg. I've actively gigged with Epifani, SWR, Aguilar, Eden, and others. I have nothing against any of them.

Just for the snark factor, that means that Victor Wooten isn't a pro since he makes some (pretty good %?) of his income off of music education. I bet a lot of "pros" do.

But he's got a Hartke endorsement and he always seems to be using Hartke.

 

[HolmeBass]

LOL. That's actually the only one that sounded familiar... I guess my knowledge is more in the realm of rock and roll and popular music. I'm not sure if there is a universe where jazz is considered popular music.

I don't know what any of these cats do, but I assume most are virtuosos, studio musicians or jazz players. I generally enjoy music in a band setting. I like popular bands. I like obscure bands. I like the occasional progressive band (although much less often). I guess the point I'm trying to make is I've never heard of Jaco or Victor Wooten before I came to this site, but I sure as hell have heard of Duff McKagan and Les Claypool. While I'm sure that I have undoubtedly heard most if not all of these people play (with Elton John, Whitney Houston, Shakira or with some classic rock outfit that I know and love) They are far from household names even for someone who listens to a lot of music.

Even when I was a guitar player I never paid attention to guys like Steve Vai or Yngwie Malmsteen. I could appreciate what they could do, but I didn't find it appealing or even particularly interesting for that matter. There's a reason why Nirvana has more hit songs than Dream Theater. lol

It seems that some TBers spend so much time on here that they don't realize that 90% of what we talk about here is gibberish to the outside world and sometimes even to our fellow musicians. I seriously think there should be a glossary of terms for new TBers. When i first came here there was so much terminology that I had to learn to understand what the hell some of you guys were talking about.

I guess sometimes I see a list of names like that, and I'm surprised at how much I don't know.

Well James Genus has been playing bass with the Saturday Night Live orchestra for a while- if he's still got that gig, I'm not sure. But yeah for the most part jazz / modern jazz artists and bassists in that list. LOTS of great music and players in that list, give it a whirl on Spotify or BandCamp some time. John Pattitucci is an incredibly gifted musician, plays upright and 6-string electric and owns both of them completely, and he writes some beautiful music.

I think the whole "use the standard stuff in case something breaks" line of reasoning is a bit off- wouldn't they carry a spare rig on tour? I guess maybe not the cabinet, but their tech should be able to pop a new speaker in for them, and it seems they would bring a back-up speaker or two for their rig. Who has time to zip out to GC during sound check when you find out your rig is broken?

 

[bucephylus]

IMO pro tours are a whole different animal. For one thing most of the sound is produced by the PA. My only recent reference is Chicago and they didn't even have a back line. Nada. So for that I would just use whatever the sound people / techs wanted. Fine with me.

For gigs where I am doing the hauling I'll use whatever sounds best and fits the schlepp specifications, thank you very much. So far the Berg gear has been a real standout for me. That's all I need to know. YMMV & GL

 

[bucephylus]

Another thing if a bit OT. I am somewhat surprised by posts from apparently younger players saying they never heard of so and so and gee no one really listens to them anyhow. I came up as a young player in Detroit immediately following the Motown era. I remember that all the cats I was playing with were just hungry to learn about earlier and obscure players. We wanted to know about the cats from the 30's and 40's. I can remember pouring over the remainder bins for old vinyl looking for this stuff. Oh and was no Internet or TB back then. MUCH harder to access older info. Now it's like if the Facebook army isn't marking it, then it doesn't exist. Kinda too bad, IMO. Anyhow, ya gotta go with what works, so GL. EOR