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TC Electronic bh 500 Bass head

$550.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.0 (12)

4 Reviews

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4 community setups

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Page last updated Mar 22, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated March 22, 2026.

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5.0 (3)

$550.00 1 available Used

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Average Price: $550

Standard/Professional

$200

$801+

Price Tier

In the Bass Amplifier Heads category, TC electronic bh 500 Bass head is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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The TC Electronic BH 500 Bass Head is a reliable and powerful choice for bassists seeking versatility and robustness in their amplification. Designed for both stage and studio, this head offers a wide range of tonal possibilities without overwhelming complexity. With its SpectraComp technology, the BH 500 delivers a smooth, even compression across all strings, ensuring clarity and punch in every note. Additionally, its TubeTone feature emulates the warm and rich characteristics of tube amplifiers, providing classic tones without the maintenance hassle.

The BH 500 stands out with its intuitive user interface, making it easy to dial in the perfect sound. Its onboard tuner is a convenient addition, allowing for quick tuning adjustments between songs or sets. With 500 watts of power, this amp head is capable of delivering sufficient volume for most live performances while maintaining a clear and articulate sound.

Key Features:

500 watts of powerful output
SpectraComp technology for even string compression
TubeTone for authentic tube amp emulation
Built-in tuner for convenient on-the-fly tuning
Versatile EQ section for precise tonal shaping
Compact design suitable for gigging and studio sessions
User-friendly interface for easy adjustments

Product specs

Brand	TC Electronic
Model	BH500 Bass Amp Head
Finish	Red
Year	2010s
Categories	Bass Heads
Electronics	Solid State
Impedance	4 ohms
Number of Channels	1 Channel
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	500
Power Tube Type	None
Reverb	None

FAQs

What kind of tonal characteristics can I expect from the TC Electronic BH500 Bass Amp Head?: The TC Electronic BH500 Bass Amp Head offers a versatile tone with a strong low-end response, clear mids, and adjustable treble, making it suitable for a range of styles from rock to jazz.
Is the TC Electronic BH500 Bass Amp Head suitable for live performances?: Yes, with its 500-watt output, the BH500 is powerful enough for live performances in medium to large venues, providing ample volume and headroom.
Does the TC Electronic BH500 Bass Amp Head work well with effect pedals?: The BH500 is compatible with bass effect pedals and handles them well, allowing you to expand your tonal palette without signal loss.
What are the connectivity options available on the TC Electronic BH500?: The BH500 features a single input for your bass guitar and outputs designed to connect to speaker cabinets with a minimum impedance of 4 ohms.
Can the TC Electronic BH500 Bass Amp Head be used for studio recording?: While primarily designed for live use, the BH500 can be used in studio settings, especially when paired with a DI box for direct recording.

Videos

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TC Electronic

Uriah Duffy about BH500 from TC Electronic

TC Electronic

TC Electronic BH500 - Overview

TC Electronic

TC Electronic BH500 - It's Time to Step up to Bass Amp 2.0!

TC Electronic

TC Electronic BH500 Bass Amp Head

Gear4music Guitars

TC Electronic BH500 bass amp demo

JRB

Reviews

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PROS

Easy to dial in a wide range of sounds
Built-in tuner adds convenience during performances
Compression feature enhances sound control
Tubetone knob warms up the sound effectively
Tweeter knob adds a distinct sparkle to the tone
Versatile sound from Motown classics to heavy rock
Reliable performance for big gigs

CONS

Power rating may be misleading compared to actual volume output
Tone described as sterile by some users
Heavier than many modern amp heads
Some consider other bass amps to offer better value

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about TC electronic bh 500 Bass head.

Features and functionality

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The tube emulation provides a rock tone, with tube gain/distortion effects that work well across hip hop, alternative, and metal genres.
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The presets feature can be annoying to toggle between practice and live settings, despite being generally useful.
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The BH500 includes a tube emulation similar to the RH450's tubetone, providing authentic-sounding distortion from light dirt to heavy compression.
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TC Electronics heads, including the BH series, are recognized for checking essential boxes like volume and DI output, despite their neutral sound character.
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Comparisons

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The weight of the BH500, at 24 lbs, is considered heavy for a class D amplifier head.
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Some users find the BH500 underpowered, suspecting it operates closer to 300 watts despite its 500-watt rating.
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The BQ500 is noted for being a good pedal platform, with real-world output around 250-300 watts, making it comparable to the BH500 for certain users.
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Users often compare the RH750 and RH450 to more premium brands like Aguilar and Mesa, noting the RH series' comprehensive feature set but less exciting sound.
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User experience

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The BH500 has been gigged multiple times without issues, indicating reliability in live performances.
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Many owners highlight that TC Electronics bass heads have a neutral, uncolored sound, which is preferred for those using external pedals for tone shaping.
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Moving an Ampeg SVT 810 cab with the BH500 can be cumbersome, as it's described as being akin to a small fridge, despite having wheels and a handle.
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Build quality

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The BH800 is praised for its sturdy construction and simple controls, making it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.
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Setup and maintenance

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The Ampeg SVT 810 cab, compatible with the BH500, has a 4 ohm/800 watt mono mode, ensuring it pairs well with the amp's 500-watt output.
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Owners advise checking each speaker of the Ampeg SVT 810 cab individually for sound and movement to ensure full functionality when paired with the BH500.
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Value and pricing

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Purchasing an Ampeg SVT 810 cab with a BH500 for $375 is considered a bargain if all components are functioning correctly.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 12 Ratings

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roy_muscutt

209

almost 8 years ago

Not as loud as you think

TC made their rep on studio gear, high quality, high price. This was an attempt to go affordable. (pre the Behringer buy out) Like Behringer amps the power rating is much higher than the actual volume output. Quite a sterile tone. Big heavy head for what it is. As modern amps go, this isnt a good one. Better bass amps out there.