Amp Recommendation for Bongo

[Freddels]

I just saw a GK700RB at GC for $299. It looked to be in nice shape too.

 

[Northray]

Yeah there are a ton on these classified sites. I just liked that one because of all the other goodies.



Yeah for sure if I go the TC route I'm going to keep my cab!
How are you liking your TC head? Pros? Cons? I think I really want to hear from someone with a classic because that way it would be a whole encyclopedias worth of features listing.

I like the Classic 450 alot. For me it's a great fingerstyle/pick head (it does slap well too, I'm sure, but I'm not a big slapper so I'm not the person to ask about that). I use my TC rig with my passive F*nders for traditional country and some classic rock - it does a decent old-school sound. I prefer my Markbass rig for my Music Man basses (as indicated by my signature below). If I were to do it again, I'd probably get the RH450 simply because they've gone down in price so much here in Canada. Two years ago an RH450 was almost $1000 whereas the Classic 450 was between $600-700. Now the two heads are with $50 of each other, so it's a no-brainer to get the built-in tuner, tweakable EQ, and RCA inputs for a little extra.

Like others have said, there might be better heads for the styles of music you like. Also, there was a bit of controversy last year when it was revealed that the TC Electronic amps put out significantly less power than they are rated. That being said, it was certainly loud enough for me before I knew any better, so I haven't been too judgmental.

BUT, since you already have a TC cab (I'm not sure which one it is), I definitely think you should try it out with your cab/bass if possible and see for yourself. Like I said before, the TC Heads sound really nice with TC cabs.

All of the above is my opinion, and from the looks of things we play very different genres of music, so take everything I say with a grain of salt... . YMMV and all that stuff.

 

[Josh]

I had a TC RH450 for a while and traded it. Just didn't work with my two Bergantino 12" cabs - it had too much detail and nowhere enough growl and thump. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for what you're playing either, but I can see where it would be a wonderful head with other more jazz-y styles.

I think you're on the right track with that used GK rig (personally GK doesn't do it for me - I'm not a GK fanboy). You'll get a great tone now, and can take your time to plan your next rig without feeling rushed.

IMO there are too many good choices out there right now for amps and cabs

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Awesome you just summed up my entire though process with that post. All the guys using TC aren't playing my style of music at all so I thought I must be looking at the wrong thing.

I think sometimes I would rather there just be 1 amp that is actually good and I won't feel this urge to get so nit picky on every little thing.

The MB150 puts out 100w and 150w with the 112 extension cab. Has a really nice stereo chorus built-in and stereo DI, which I love for recording. The Fusion is all valve with a horn bi-amp, so is a completely different animal. Great with the fretted and fretless Stringrays that I own and extremely loud (350w with the 8 ohm 112 setup I have and up to 500w @4ohms)! Not sure how the Bongo would work with it, though, as I read somewhere that Bongo and valve don't mix. I don't own a Bongo, so I can't say from experience - just something I read. I'm sure someone hear can/will correct me if I'm wrong!

I'm also very happy with the 212 Neo cab. Portable and really "clean" sound, especially with the horn.

I play and record good old rock and roll through my gear. The MB150 gives me a smoother sound than the Fusion, which I like use when I want a more aggressive presence in a track.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Any chance you can remember where you found the thing about the Bongo and the valve?

Awesome to hear about the Neo cabs. I think if I go the GK route I am getting some form of Neo. I just think they look horrid. Really not one of the nicest looking things I've seen but hey for portability and and tone, I will sacrifice aesthetics any day. Which is something I'm told a lot when it comes to the Bongo itself. That's a whole other discussion...

I hope I can get my hands on an MB150. The fact you said you record with has made me think that maybe I'm just underestimating it. Is there a way I could hear a recording or two?


Thanks for comparing the two for me that helps me differentiate between them somewhat. Still I got to get to a store and try these things. I've been rearranging all my schedules to make time for this.

I just saw a GK700RB at GC for $299. It looked to be in nice shape too.

Yeah, that one guy must have just really wanted to get his money worth back for it. I'll look for something a lot cheaper than what he's selling it all for. Hopefully if that is the case I could buy a rack + a tuner for super easy convenience and have some form of protection for my head.

I like the Classic 450 alot. For me it's a great fingerstyle/pick head (it does slap well too, I'm sure, but I'm not a big slapper so I'm not the person to ask about that). I use my TC rig with my passive F*nders for traditional country and some classic rock - it does a decent old-school sound. I prefer my Markbass rig for my Music Man basses (as indicated by my signature below). If I were to do it again, I'd probably get the RH450 simply because they've gone down in price so much here in Canada. Two years ago an RH450 was almost $1000 whereas the Classic 450 was between $600-700. Now the two heads are with $50 of each other, so it's a no-brainer to get the built-in tuner, tweakable EQ, and RCA inputs for a little extra.

Like others have said, there might be better heads for the styles of music you like. Also, there was a bit of controversy last year when it was revealed that the TC Electronic amps put out significantly less power than they are rated. That being said, it was certainly loud enough for me before I knew any better, so I haven't been too judgmental.

BUT, since you already have a TC cab (I'm not sure which one it is), I definitely think you should try it out with your cab/bass if possible and see for yourself. Like I said before, the TC Heads sound really nice with TC cabs.

All of the above is my opinion, and from the looks of things we play very different genres of music, so take everything I say with a grain of salt... . YMMV and all that stuff.

I have an RS210 in case you were wondering.

Thanks for the comment I wanted someone's opinion on TC so I could put them down to rest. I still want to try it out for myself but at least it is one I can soon cross off my list. My MM bass is my main instrument so I am going to be looking for the perfect head for it. I play my jazz according to what I'm playing. Usually just my drop tuned stuff but now I'm rambling.

As I said before, I'm realizing that all the people who play TC aren't even in the same ballpark of music as me.