Forte or Puma 900?

A

arca_tern

Supporting Member
Sep 16, 2017
384
259
4,561
British Columbia, Canada
#1
Hey all.

Looking to pick up a new head to go with a new cab (fearful 12/6 I'm haggling over)
I had a mesa d800 that had a lot going for it but ultimately was too dark sounding.
Also have had gk mb500 that was good but "upgraded" to the mesa.
My only bass is a passive MIM Geddy Lee jazz, have some pedals like omnicabsim mini, muff, oc2 type octaver.

The two I'm looking at (used) are
Bergantino Forte
Tecamp Puma 900

Forte:
Pros:
-have played through one in a music store out of town (not through my own bass or cab)
- great clean sound, lots of clarity, easy to tweak, 2ohm stable (but doubtful ever needed)
- buying from authorized dealer so have 90 day warranty on used gear + optional extended warranty
Cons
- size/weight - 6.2lbs, larger form factor
- power at 8 ohms (350 watts) for the Fearful cab
- more expensive (~$100USD more)

Puma 900:
Pros:
- arguably more power - 900 @4ohm (some here on tb have said measured at ~750) and at 8ohm (650watts)
- size/weight - much smaller, 2.4 lbs!
- taste knob - easy to dial in different tones?
- cheaper by ~$100USD less
- comes with a carry case
Cons:
- haven't played through it, less demo's online - less sure of it's tonal qualities
- buying used through classifieds - no returns, warranties, etc etc
- no 2.67 or 2ohm operation.

What are the tonal differences between the two?

I know the forte offers more clarity than the mesa, does the puma as well?
If the puma and the forte are in the same tonal ballpark, part of me feels like getting the smaller, more powerful amp and saving some cash.

Anyone have input?
I've seen threads exalting both but hard to tell fact from fanboi sometimes.
 
#4
chris_b said:
For me, out of those 2, Berg every time.

But what about the Forte HP?
Click to expand...

Too complicated. Would go B Amp before that. Also bigger and heavier and don’t need the watts. I’m leaning towards the berg because if I don’t love it I can return it. And also seen Jim the man himself both on a local bass Facebook group and also on these boards. More love from him than tecamp for sure
 
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Reactions: petch and Joshua
#9
Update is that I called into the shop (it's out of town) the moment my contact there was in, and the Forte had already sold that morning (within 90 minutes of the store opening)
He thinks more are coming in soon (trade-ins for the Forte HP) but not sure if I can wait and may just go for the Puma as not having a head is driving me crazy.
 
#19
arca_tern said:
Hey all.

Looking to pick up a new head to go with a new cab (fearful 12/6 I'm haggling over)
I had a mesa d800 that had a lot going for it but ultimately was too dark sounding.
Also have had gk mb500 that was good but "upgraded" to the mesa.
My only bass is a passive MIM Geddy Lee jazz, have some pedals like omnicabsim mini, muff, oc2 type octaver.

The two I'm looking at (used) are
Bergantino Forte
Tecamp Puma 900

Forte:
Pros:
-have played through one in a music store out of town (not through my own bass or cab)
- great clean sound, lots of clarity, easy to tweak, 2ohm stable (but doubtful ever needed)
- buying from authorized dealer so have 90 day warranty on used gear + optional extended warranty
Cons
- size/weight - 6.2lbs, larger form factor
- power at 8 ohms (350 watts) for the Fearful cab
- more expensive (~$100USD more)

Puma 900:
Pros:
- arguably more power - 900 @4ohm (some here on tb have said measured at ~750) and at 8ohm (650watts)
- size/weight - much smaller, 2.4 lbs!
- taste knob - easy to dial in different tones?
- cheaper by ~$100USD less
- comes with a carry case
Cons:
- haven't played through it, less demo's online - less sure of it's tonal qualities
- buying used through classifieds - no returns, warranties, etc etc
- no 2.67 or 2ohm operation.

What are the tonal differences between the two?

I know the forte offers more clarity than the mesa, does the puma as well?
If the puma and the forte are in the same tonal ballpark, part of me feels like getting the smaller, more powerful amp and saving some cash.

Anyone have input?
I've seen threads exalting both but hard to tell fact from fanboi sometimes.
Click to expand...
There's one other amp that I know isn't colored unless you want it to be. The iAmp (euphonic audio). I have one and can get most any sound I like on any stage. YVMV
 
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