Analog Stomp Boxes-"Smokin'" Solid State 1x12 Combo

Anyone Familiar with the Behringer Ultrabass BXL1800A(Aluminum Cone) 
Combo Bass Amp I have some issues and I'm wondering if it's just 
mine? If anyone could "throw me a bone here" I'd really appreciate it.

Also, I'm an experienced Veteran Bass Player with tons of Pro Gear 
(massive full tube-powered STACKs… other than this Combo I just 
bought, the smallest other Amp I have is a Vintage '72 Ampeg B-15N 
Port-a-Flex (even this 1x15 cabinet is far from "portable".

I picked this Ultra Bass up new for $250 (sounds very much like a 
Hartke Kickback 12 only more features and less than half the price) 
very light and compact slant-back, fit's in the front seat of my 
Celica Convertible…
The amp was purchased for lower volume practice and very small gigs. 
I must say (owning  4x10 and 1x15 Hartke XL cabs), this thing sounds 
pretty darn good (especially for the price)- that is, if you're into 
the sound of Aluminum Bass cones... My problem is this, when I plug 
various analog stomp boxes into the front of it (almost all my pedals 
are modded... mostly true-bypass, Military grade caps, and Burr Brown 
OP amps), I get it to SMOKE... That's right, SMOKE!!  I am pretty 
dependant on using lots of compression (Us a HQ EBS Multi-Comp for 
sustain, not as a limiter) and also Active EQ (Modded Boss GE-7B)at 
all times.  I have a Keeley Modded Boss CE-2 Chorus, and some 
other "toys" (envelope, octaver, phase, flange, delay, etc.)that I 
mostly use one at a time (which seems to work fine for the most 
part). The problem seems to be whenever I use any kind of Overdrive, 
Distortion, or Fuzz box is when the amp starts to make a nasty smell 
(but seems to work fine- especially after disengaging any pre fed 
distortion). I've tried Modded- Russian Big Muff, Boss ODB3, Rocktron 
Sonic Glory, Boss Metal Zone, and a Plethora of TS 808 type boxes. 
They all seem to try and "Cook" this little amp (never happens on any 
of my Tube Amps or Pro Rack Mount Solid State gear). Even though the 
amp has built in Compressor, Overdrive, Octaver (they all sound like 
crap so I don't use any of them) there seems to be some type 
of "limiter" circuit (maybe for Speaker clipping protection??)that 
can't handle the "un-clean" tones. I can't tell if it's the actual 
Speaker that is smoking (not likely) or maybe some ballast resistors 
inside... but my band mates all complain about the STINK!

I have not tried running my FX through the built in effects loop (not 
sure if that would make a difference?), but I don't want to destroy 
the amp (even though it is still under factory warranty, I read how 
the factory is very slow and LAME when it comes to service.  Now I 
know that Behringer is cheap junk for the most part (although I have 
seen pro sound companies using their rack mount gear and such), but 
read also where the recent Hartke stuff (also made in China) can be 
just almost as bad for reliability and I know 1st hand, that their 
customer service completely BLOWS!  The reason it seems to be 
a "limiter" is that the amp from 0-5, gets very loud, but very little 
difference above 5 (except when I bypass my EQ/Compressor- then it 
gets louder but seemingly not any louder than a peak threshold…. If 
that makes any sense?).  Maybe I should "bite the bullet" and just 
trade it in on a Hartke Combo (making sure it doesn't SMOKE with 
pedals 1st) since this is kind of what I am looking for (Great for 
FUNK-Slappin').although I don't know if they still make a 12"?

Any thoughts here?  Anyone ever used Behringer's Bass Stuff?

Thanks in advance,

John LaPietra





------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bassplace/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bassplace/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    mailto:[email protected] 
    mailto:[email protected]

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    [email protected]

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/