Alternate Bergantino B Amp Choices- Looking for neutral "voice"

BoatTox

BoatTox

Dec 13, 2022
20
11
301
#1
Hi all, recent lurker and subscriber to this great forum site. So sorry for the long post. I’m looking for some direction on a choice of a versatile d class amp. I ask my questions first and then put my reasoning below so you don’t have to read if you aren’t interested. Thank you in advance for your replies. I have done quite a few searches and I think this is specific to not be a rehash of some type d amps. Most of those focus on wanting the head to have a signature sound.

My interest has been getting a Bergantino B Amp MK II, but there are none available, and there is not a signup/wait list at the main site. The modeling features and an all in one solution to grow with me any direction my little heart desired was my main draw. As of right now, there is no eta I may need to look at other options.

Given my reasons below, I would like your thoughts on any of the following or any different suggestions.

Forte D, Genzler M800 , and Genzler M350 I’ve been told these have the cleanest sound and that many others are less clean/have a signature voice. I’m interested in anything from boutique to good quality versatile amps. I just want one that really gives me a way to find my voice as I’m sure it will change a lot over the next 2 years and onward.

Reasons: I’m looking for an amp head that handles different styles of bass cleanly. Something that will play electric, acoustic with pickup, bass uke with pickup, and maybe one day an upright. I also have dreams of playing all genres of music as I grow and would like to not be changing out amp heads all the time.

Ok I will try to make this as short as I can, but a I’m a chatty Kathy by nature. I was playing guitar but have a ganglion cysts that flairs up, and so I have changed over to learning bass. This is a totally new adventure for me that I started a month or so ago. I’m pushing 50 so I do care about weight if I need to move it around to play with other people. I don’t see me ever playing in anything larger than a small venue, and most likely just at home. I know overkill.

My plans are the following. I work from home now and have 5-10 min intervals throughout the day to pick up and play/practice. I have 2 sons that play a combination of drums/guitar/piano. I probably will not ever gig but would love to meet and play with people from time to time, so I do want portability. I mainly will play in my home office, and I realize that many of these are powerhouses, but I have some play money, and I like to invest in nice things. That is part of the fun, no?

Current Gear:

Sire M7,Taylor Gs mini acoustic/electric, and Kala Bass acoustic/electric, Fender rumble 15

Gear arriving in the next two months: RevSound RS210 cab (David was great to visit with), 1st gen GK 400RB (my vintage ride)

Guitar gear that might integrate, not sure yet: Headrush looper pedal board with expression pedal, Headrush PA speaker, HX stomp, Beat Buddy with foot switch, Positive Grid spark, and Nordland custom overdrive.

As you can see I’m very interested in playing around with modeling (just the tech geek in me) so I would wait on the B Amp, but I'm not sure there is an option to buy one in the next 6-months to a year. Any help is appreciated.
 
#4
Based on what you have, if you just can't wait, you could buy a light-weight PA Power amp to power your speaker cabinet, and use whatever DSP solution you want. The HX stomp will plug into a PA amp quite handily and the amp will reproduce what you send it. The HX has effect send-return loops for your distortion pedal, too. You'll get all the modelling abilities of whatever modelling preamp you select.

Your bass cabinets will run fine off the power amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoatTox and Obese Chess
#5
frankie5string said:
Based on what you have, if you just can't wait, you could buy a light-weight PA Power amp to power your speaker cabinet, and use whatever DSP solution you want. The HX stomp will plug into a PA amp quite handily and the amp will reproduce what you send it. The HX has effect send-return loops for your distortion pedal, too. You'll get all the modelling abilities of whatever modelling preamp you select.

Your bass cabinets will run fine off the power amp.
Click to expand...

I want to clarify that I understand. HX stomp to powered PA amp to RevSound cabinet? Then, just like guitar find modeling choices for pre amp and pedals?
Previously, I would set up my HX stomp directly into my PA powered headrush speaker, and that was all I needed.

Two questions. Any companies you suggest to make good powered PA amps? And is there a place on talk base to discuss HX stomp base modeling presets?

thank you.
 
#6
BoatTox said:
I want to clarify that I understand. HX stomp to powered PA amp to RevSound cabinet? Then, just like guitar find modeling choices for pre amp and pedals?
Previously, I would set up my HX stomp directly into my PA powered headrush speaker, and that was all I needed.

Two questions. Any companies you suggest to make good powered PA amps? And is there a place on talk base to discuss HX stomp base modeling presets?

thank you.
Click to expand...

I like QSC, Crown, and Yamaha power amps. I have a QSC amp in one of my rack bags to do exactly this.

Yes, there is a thread dedicated to the HX Stomp patches here:
#3502
and general use here:
#5461
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoatTox
#7
This is a ton of help. Thank you so much. I will add those. I've been working with a few people discussing my setup and I think I may have good solutions. When I get them setup and finalized I let you know, again thank you for the help.
 
  • Like
Reactions: frankie5string
#13
I have experience with the Berg Forte and the Magellan 800. Both are great amps. The Berg is (IMHO) more neutral than the Genzler but to me the Genzler has more tone shaping ability. I like the fact that the Berg will go to 2 ohms.
 
#14
+1 for the Quilter Bass Block 800. I have one going through a GR Bass 212 Slim cabinet and it is very crystal clear.
BB800GR212sBaruke01.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zoot H Rollo, Chris_will_do, BassParrott and 1 other person
#18
If you want a clean bass sound with versatility, it's really hard to beat the Mesa Subway amps. Almost sterile in how cleanly they reproduce sound. The 800+ is a fantastic amp with more power than you'll ever need. The built in Hi-Pass Filter is a cheat code to getting a good sound in pretty much any room.
Flip the "deep" switch and the entire personality changes.
I've had some really nice stuff over the years, SWR's, Carvin BX1500 an BX1600, the Subway is superior to all of them.
Recently I supplmented the pre-amp with a Khan VTDI. My god, all of that tight clean sound suddenly richened up with some tube harmonics. Mesa has the WD series with a tube pre, but I've been told they aren't on the same level.

Honorable mention to Demeter amplification. Shockingly good setups, but it's hard to get in-out of the deal for under $2000.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MaxSpinrun and BoatTox
#19
Lowend65 said:
If you want a clean bass sound with versatility, it's really hard to beat the Mesa Subway amps. Almost sterile in how cleanly they reproduce sound. The 800+ is a fantastic amp with more power than you'll ever need. The built in Hi-Pass Filter is a cheat code to getting a good sound in pretty much any room.
Flip the "deep" switch and the entire personality changes.
I've had some really nice stuff over the years, SWR's, Carvin BX1500 an BX1600, the Subway is superior to all of them.
Recently I supplmented the pre-amp with a Khan VTDI. My god, all of that tight clean sound suddenly richened up with some tube harmonics. Mesa has the WD series with a tube pre, but I've been told they aren't on the same level.

Honorable mention to Demeter amplification. Shockingly good setups, but it's hard to get in-out of the deal for under $2000.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the detailed response. I will look into those as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back