Mattia Bigi takes bass to next level with RH450 and RS210

TC Electronic equipment:
RH450, 2xRS210
Website: www.extremateam.com, www.antonacci.it

For over 20 years Mattia Bigi has played bass for some of the biggest acts in Italy. He’s underpinned the groove for Milan-based heavy metal outfit Extrema through their most successful era, and currently plays with million-plus selling Italian superstar Biagio Antonacci. From the lighter side of pop and rock to the full force of thrash metal, Bigi is the man to rely on – no matter what low-frequency demands are made on his consummate bass playing skills.

Artists with this much experience can often be stuck in their ways – if it ain’t broke then why fix it? – but not Bigi. When it comes to getting great tone, he’s seen and heard it all… but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped searching. Long a convert to the sound of tube amps, he’s recently joined the ranks of world-class players who’ve been blown away by TC’s RH450 and the range of cabinets that perfectly compliment this innovative and powerful bass amplifier…

“RH450 and RS cabs? A friend of mine bought one back from the NAMM show in January so that’s when I got the chance to try it out. The first thing that struck me was just how much sound you can get out of such lightweight cabinets! For me… that was a big surprise. Right away the sound got me, but with RH450 it’s also about the design and the attention to detail – especially the EQ section, which is really powerful yet very easy to use and understand.”

“Of course trying out a new product is one thing, but the real test comes when you gear up for those ‘real world’ working environments – the tour rehearsals, recording sessions, the live gigs… so back in March [2009] we started to rehearse and put the tour set-up together, which would be the perfect opportunity to see exactly what this amp was all about.”

“Well, the tone is just beautiful while the power amp responds so quickly to transients. I already own several all-tube amps, but I have to say that TC’s TubeTone recreation of the tube sound is extremely plausible and very truthful! But then that’s not all – SpectraComp is a killer compressor too!”

“The FOH guy, who’s also the sound engineer on all of Biagio's records, has always been a bit sceptical about amp D.I.s as he generally prefers D.I. boxes. But he had to completely lose all of his preconceptions this time. In fact, comments from the guys in the band and all the tech guys were so positive that they’ve confirmed all of my impressions of RH450 and the RS cabs.”

“So far I've tried different RS cabinet configurations alongside RH450, and for me I get best results with two RS210s stacked vertically. Which brings us on to the transportation factor… too many times I’ve had to carry heavy amps and cabs up and down stairs or move them about the place, especially late at night after rehearsals, gigs and… beers. But now I can spare my very last energies for something definitely more pleasant!”

“Ultimately RH450 has been conceived and built with a very clear concept… but there’s also so much innovation going on in there – good work, TC!”