TC Electronic BAM200 Head for Jazz Guitar

**Gitterbug** · 04-13-2021, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by jjang1993

Does anyone know if this amp head has universal voltage? Like does it have the 100-240V indicator letting you know if it can be used in the US and EU?

I just looked at one. It says 220-240V but 50/60Hz on the back. I know they exist in USA.

**Ray175** · 04-13-2021, 08:50 AM

The user manual quotes 2 ranges for voltage, one for US and Canada and another for elsewhere. Looks to me like there is a North American model and a different model for elsewhere, and that the “elsewhere” model will not work in the US without a step-up transformer......

**Bach5G** · 04-13-2021, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by jjang1993

Does anyone know if this amp head has universal voltage? Like does it have the 100-240V indicator letting you know if it can be used in the US and EU?

I do not see a switch that would allow one to select voltages, unlike, for example my DV Mark unit.

**Herbie** · 04-13-2021, 01:11 PM

I had to join the wagon last autumn but forgot to write about it. The price and all the praise made me buy one too. The first notes made me grin – all knobs noon and I was in the classic warm Polytoneland!

I played with it some weeks and enjoyed but finally I missed the reverb too much. I don’t like pedals with my jazz rig and the thought about stuffing a DIY digital reverb inside it went thru my brain, but eventually I realised that my Quilter TB202 takes me to the warm classic jazz sounds with the reverb AND to other sounding landscapes too. BAM sounds great in jazz but for me it was too much a one trick pony, so I sold it. (For a bass player...)

But when TC adds a reverb to it, the GAS might start again...

**Bach5G** · 04-13-2021, 01:22 PM

I thought of running it with a Flyrig, but it’s twice the cost of the BAM.

**Gitterbug** · 04-13-2021, 02:10 PM

I've played many gigs with the BAM. The warm tone kinda offsets the lack of reverb. However, I'm not addressing discerning, critical audiences. Today, with many brands actually being parts of bigger concerns (VOX = Korg, Trace-Elliot = Peavey, TC Electronic = Behringer etc.), it's difficult to engage in a dialogue with a manufacturer, no matter how good you ideas might be. I've made proposals to Gallien-Krueger and Fender about tweaking their 200W bass amps into jazz guitar amps by simply removing something bass-specific and adding a reverb. No response. Haven't found a channel to VOX or TC Electronic. But keep your senses awake on April 26 U.S. time - something potentially important TBA.

**christianm77** · 04-13-2021, 02:34 PM

I’ll be using a BAM and a FlyRig for Fridays album launch (along with a TOOB Metro for monitoring.)

**christianm77** · 04-13-2021, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by gitterbug

i've played many gigs with the bam. The warm tone kinda offsets the lack of reverb. However, i'm not addressing discerning, critical audiences. Today, with many brands actually being parts of bigger concerns (vox = korg, trace-elliot = peavey, tc electronic = behringer etc.), it's difficult to engage in a dialogue with a manufacturer, no matter how good you ideas might be. I've made proposals to gallien-krueger and fender about tweaking their 200w bass amps into jazz guitar amps by simply removing something bass-specific and adding a reverb. No response. Haven't found a channel to vox or tc electronic. But keep your senses awake on april 26 u.s. Time - something potentially important tba.

ooooo

**Ray175** · 05-26-2021, 08:47 AM

Ran a little test yesterday in anticipation of receiving some new gear which should be arriving shortly. My main amp is a ToneMaster Deluxe and the second amp is the BAM200 into a Toob 6.5" Metro BG. I've just received a Toob 12S with a Jensen Blackbird from Gitterbug (thanks Markku!) where the sound delivery is something like Celestion Gold, and which will be driven by the Quilter Superblock UK shortly expected from Thomann. I plan to experiment with a stereo sound (for the first time) with my ES-175D into both the ToneMaster and the Superblock UK which should have some very different sounds (Fender clean from the ToneMaster and Vox Top Boost chime from the Superblock UK). In anticipation of this I hooked the ES-175D into both amps via the stereo output of a chorus pedal (all controls at minimum, so no delay/frequency changes) - although later I will be using a Morley ABY Mix pedal ordered at the same time as the Superblock. Two different (digital) reverb approaches - spring on the Tonemaster and plate via a Fender Tre-Verb into the BAM200/Toob 6.5BG
Since I play wireless I sat at the opposite side of the room with an amp in each corner and after some level balancing was delighted to hear how well the sweet balanced sound of the BAM200/Toob 6.5 BG complemented the mid-scoop of the ToneMaster Deluxe through the neodymium speakers.
Conclusion? Sure, as we all know, both amps are great individually, with very different voices, but putting the BAM200 in tandem via the Toob 6.5BG added an additional richness compared to playing the individual amps. Makes me wonder if I should have chosen an ABC pedal to hook into three amps

(ToneMaster, BAM200 and Superblock UK) - life is full of these wonderful discoveries!

PS 30 seconds after posting I received a text message from Thomann saying the Superblock is at last on its way - things are really looking up today !! Yippee!

**Gitterbug** · 05-26-2021, 09:10 AM

Hi Ray! Can't wait for your SuperBlock comments. My US & GB have been stuck with FedEx Finland since last Thursday. They have finally processed them and my son's going to pick them up, as I'm toiling at the country home over the weekend. I hear from a horse's mouth that the SuperBlocks are selling really well, so those considering better act soon. This is not paid content, as my own verdict is still out there.

Cheers,
Markku

**sgosnell** · 05-26-2021, 10:37 AM

Depending on the wireless system you use, there might be a somewhat better solution. I have the Line6 Relay G10 system, and there are two different possibilities. The first is to just use the XLR out to one amp, and the 1/4" output to the other. It's also possible to use two receivers coupled to one transmitter, which can let you run 4 amps, or two using just regular instrument cables. If you have one of the simpler 1/4" systems like the Xvive, that isn't possible, of course. I have an Xvive system, but I rarely use it, because I prefer the G10 for multiple reasons - better sound, better connection options, and I don't have to turn off the switches every time I stop playing.

**Ray175** · 05-26-2021, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

Depending on the wireless system you use, there might be a somewhat better solution. I have the Line6 Relay G10 system, and there are two different possibilities. The first is to just use the XLR out to one amp, and the 1/4" output to the other. It's also possible to use two receivers coupled to one transmitter, which can let you run 4 amps, or two using just regular instrument cables. If you have one of the simpler 1/4" systems like the Xvive, that isn't possible, of course. I have an Xvive system, but I rarely use it, because I prefer the G10 for multiple reasons - better sound, better connection options, and I don't have to turn off the switches every time I stop playing.

Thanks for the comments!
Not sure which XLR out you're thinking of... If it's the Superblock UK, then it already has a 25w solid state amp which I want to use to provide Vox and Marshall sound profiles only via external speaker cabs. I certainly don't want to inject it into the ToneMaster or the BAM 200.... If it's an XLR out from a wireless receiver, then that doesn't apply because mine (Boss WL-50) sits on my pedalboard in front of my pedals and doesn't have an XLR out, simply a 1/4 jack socket. Maybe I've misunderstood?

**sgosnell** · 05-27-2021, 09:22 PM

I said, depending on the wireless system you use, and then said I use the G10, and described its specs. I don't know anything about the Boss, but the Line6 has both XLR and 1/4" outputs. Most wireless systems don't. That's one of the main reasons I have the Line6.

**Ray175** · 05-28-2021, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I said, depending on the wireless system you use, and then said I use the G10, and described its specs. I don't know anything about the Boss, but the Line6 has both XLR and 1/4" outputs. Most wireless systems don't. That's one of the main reasons I have the Line6.

Thanks for clarifying - now I understand your suggestion. Not a good solution for me, because I want to free my guitar from the pedalboard which is cabled to my amp(s). To take your approach, I'd need a second wireless kit between the pedalboard and amp to be able to take the post-pedalboard signal via an XLR out from the second receiver..... We have different needs, which call for different solutions, none of which are the only possible or "absolutely" best one - that's part of the fun!

**Woody Sound** · 05-28-2021, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Herbie

But when TC adds a reverb to it, the GAS might start again...

I gotta have a little bit of verb. That is the ONLY thing that has kept me out of the inexpensive micro market.

**Gitterbug** · 05-28-2021, 08:59 AM

First impressions on Quilter Superblocks likely within a week. Mine are in but I'm not until Tuesday. In the meantime, my rock guitarist son is trying them out. Ray175 should have his any time.

**aviavi** · 06-30-2021, 03:28 PM

I have a BAM200 connected to a DV Mark Neo Classic 1x12 (18 lb.) speaker cabinet. I'm running an HX Stomp XL into it, with the Princeton ("Princess") model (without a cabinet model) and a bit of Double Tank reverb, and it sounds very good. I've A/B'd it to a couple of tube combos I have (Deluxe Reverb II and Reverend Kingsnake) and it holds it own. The DRII is my favorite, but it's heavy and not loud enough for all gigs.

Anyway, even without the HX Stomp Princeton model, it sounds good, but having the model gives more tone control flexibility and seems to add extra depth/amp realism. The question for me is whether it will hold up in a loud gig setting. The BAM200 has a big volume jump in the last 10% of the gain knob range, but it also sends it into deep compression, so that area might not be useable - we'll see. But the sound to weight ratio of this rig is extremely high - which is what I was striving for.

**Bach5G** · 10-31-2021, 04:40 PM

I finally got around to spending some serious time with my BAM200, having been asked to fill in on guitar in a 17 piece bag band.

I did have some difficulties dialling in a sound. Between Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, and High, plus a tone control on my guitar, there seemed to be lots of variables.

I finally, or, at least, so far, hiked the Gain and Master, with the Bass and High set at 12:00 (which I understand is flat response) and dialed back the Medium. Is it just me that finds increasing the Medium results in an unpleasant nasal tone? Any amp, not just this one.

It’s going into an Ear Candy/8” Eminence Beta cab.

I’d appreciate any suggestions or advice people might have.

**Franz 1997** · 10-31-2021, 07:00 PM

The BAM does give a useable tone, but i wouldn't put it any better than that. It is a bass amp, after all. Through a beta 10, which is pretty much the industry standard for a ss jazz amp speaker, I find an acceptable tone with bass at about 30%, the mids around halfway, and the treble at about 20%. it's ok with a 175 or similar. Considering the price and the fact that it;s a bass amp, that's not a bad result. Yes, it can sound a little nasal, depending on the guitar.

My suggestion would be to accept it for what it can do, and use it for situations where a great guitar tone is not essential, and an Ok tone will do.
I wopuldn't try to use it for high power situations, it can overheat and distort well before the rated 100w. But it's ok for low volume stuff. It actually puts out about 80w into 8 ohms, max.

The GSS 100w amp gives a much more balanced and satisfying sound, but it needs a separate power adaptor and hardly anyone has heard of it....

**Gitterbug** · 10-31-2021, 07:34 PM

The BAM is warmer than G+K MB200 and less nasal than T-E Elf. Another small bass amp to watch is Warwick's Gnome series. I'll be receiving the basic and pro versions in a week or so, mainly for bass testing and eventual demoing. However, small amp specialist Greg Ruggiero now uses a Gnome for gigs where the SuperBlock US doesn't offer enough clean headroom in combination with Greg's Metro 6.5GP+ cab. He never bonded with the BAM. The SuperBlock is fine with larger, more sensitive speakers (which still sound ok with a little hair) but lacks oomph with the small ones. Whether it's the amp or cab coming short, depends on which you like more.

These Class D amps are labeled bass, largely because the bass community is used to separate heads and accepts Class D and Neo speakers in a totally different way compared to guitarists. To me, they are general/power amps with eq shelves in the right places for guitar. Around me I see BAMs used for keyboard, acoustic guitar, jazz and rock guitar plus bass, and in trials it's fared well with violin, harmonica and what not. Many guitarists today tap dance on their pedalboards and actually prefer a separate reverb as one of the effects they can kick in our out. Perhaps this explains why amp manufacturers have not seen a reverb chip worth the effort and cost. Those chips have also been in short supply as an example of the current component/logistics crisis.

**Franz 1997** · 11-01-2021, 06:13 AM

Maybe I should have put it a different way; consider the GSS 100W amp as another alternative. It's a tiny guitar amp.

It's small enough to easily mount on a Toob, Markuu

. The control centres on the BAM are 80hz, 400 hz ( which is all fine for jazz guitar) and then 4.2Khz, which is more a "presence" control. The GSS amp has 80, 400 and then ( I think) 1.2Khz, which gives a more useable range and doesn't go from very dull to bright in a 5% rotation.

However it does cost more; about 150 Euros I think. Just another alternative, that can't be all bad....

**Gitterbug** · 11-01-2021, 10:37 AM

Franz, thanks! The web gives conflicting messages about GSS amps. If you just google GSS 100W, a text appears on their site, in French, that the product is not available or is discontinued. When you dig deeper, a bass amp appears. Finally, voilà!, you find their range for guitar. Very attractive prices for the small heads! Earlier I've only heard/seen comments about the 12/24W tube version, and they weren't too laudatory.

**Franz 1997** · 11-01-2021, 11:51 AM

Boutique

159 Euros. Yes, the website is a bit confusing. I really like these amps with a standard Beta 10 cabinet: I have a friend in the UK who recently bought a Toob ( don't know which model) and then paired it with this amp, and says great things about the setup. The only downside is the separate power supply. No idea why it is called "bulletpack"...

I still have a BAM which had reverb added by Jon Shaw; I'll be selling that very soon.

**sgosnell** · 11-01-2021, 05:36 PM

I almost bought the GSS Jazz Cat amp, but I was fortunately able to contain my GAS. I believe that Pasquale Grasso used one for awhile in NYC. Boutique I have no idea about the head in question, but it seems attractive with the size and weight advertised.