What is everybody's take on the Overseas Produced Ampeg???

This thread won't last long, but I'll bite...

My current Ampeg (SVT-III Pro) will most certainly be my last.

There's been a lot of debate, but I don't think people should jump to any conclusions about quality without actually trying an overseas-made model. And I could be wrong, but I don't believe anyone has posted a single review of one yet.

This thread won't last long, but I'll bite...

My current Ampeg (SVT-III Pro) will most certainly be my last.

In Actuality I have played Ampeg for 20 Plus Years and was just wondering other people's takes on this situation.

The reason I said that is because this topic has been brought up before and it has turned into a flaming war. I'm surprised this one's as calm as it is.

I love my SVT, but based solely on *the move*, I'll be looking elsewhere when I need a new head.

The reason I said that is because this topic has been brought up before and it has turned into a flaming war. I'm surprised this one's as calm as it is.

I love my SVT, but based solely on *the move*, I'll be looking elsewhere when I need a new head.

I agree with you on the move. IMHO I fully support the free-market but I cant stand when a manufacturer moves prodution overseas. It just happens too much. (trying not to go politcal on this :p )

As for quality I think that there really isnt a deviation that I have seen, but there has been an increasing number of threads here on TB about customer service horror stories that have really pushed me (as well as others) away from ever getting an Ampeg again.

Wherever it's made it all comes down to QC. If they make a good product then that's what it's all about.

Wherever it's made it all comes down to QC. If they make a good product then that's what it's all about.


If we were talking basses I would agree with you.. But, when it comes to amps there are alot more parts that can fail due to cutting corners that can not be seen by even the best QC tech, especially with SMD components. Most big companies go for the cheapest resistors and caps which in turn has a higher failure rate per 100,000 peices than most components have per million pcs.

If we were talking basses I would agree with you.. But, when it comes to amps there are alot more parts that can fail due to cutting corners that can not be seen by even the best QC tech, especially with SMD components. Most big companies go for the cheapest resistors and caps which in turn has a higher failure rate per 100,000 peices than most components have per million pcs.

Made here or there, nothing is stopping them from using the cheap parts if that's what they intend to do. But just b/c it's made overseas doesn't automatically = bad product.

Made here or there, nothing is stopping them from using the cheap parts if that's what they intend to do. But just b/c it's made overseas doesn't automatically = bad product.

I just cant see a company moving production over seas for cheaper labor just so they can spend more money on quality components.

So we agree to disagree.... :D

I just cant see a company moving production over seas for cheaper labor just so they can spend more money on quality components.

So we agree to disagree.... :D

Why do you assume they have to spend more money on components to build the same product? If the components are made overseas they may actually save on shipping. It's not just labor that they save on, it's also taxes (which play a big part in business decisions).

I own several USA production Ampegs including a SVT-VR. I have zero plans to purchase an "Off Shore" Ampeg. I bought them because of their reputation as a generally well made, reliable American product. There probably is a place for an "Off Shore" Ampeg but at "Off Shore" pricing levels and not USA product pricing levels. Peavey was heading towards Chinese production but reversed that decision. To me, their products are once again of interest to me, especially their VB-300.

Unless you plan on never shopping at a Wal-Mart again no one can really complain about what Ampeg is doing with their product line. We are a greedy revenue driven country. From what I understand they are keeping all flagship items made in usa. The lower B series is getting moved overseas. You imagine shipping 8x10's by freight? It would negate they money saved making them. I would rather see Ampeg move there low end stuff to China to stay competitive than going out of business and the industry standard amp go away.

I don't agree with Loud Musics approach after the St Louis Music buyout, but I also don't see their bottom line financials.

Most people will buy an Italian made MarkBass and call it boutique, whens the last time you have heard of a quality amp coming from Italy? Why doesn't MarkBass setup a factory here? Why is everything that comes from Asia considered cheap? I have played some Korean guitars out of the box that play 10 times better than the low end American stuff. It's an old quality stereotype. I bet this same conversation happened when Fender moved shop to Mexico. It's product discrimination. Wait until we see what they actually do and if the products are cheaply made.

Unless you plan on never shopping at a Wal-Mart again no one can really complain about what Ampeg is doing with their product line. We are a greedy revenue driven country. From what I understand they are keeping all flagship items made in usa. The lower B series is getting moved overseas. You imagine shipping 8x10's by freight? It would negate they money saved making them. I would rather see Ampeg move there low end stuff to China to stay competitive than going out of business and the industry standard amp go away.

I don't agree with Loud Musics approach after the St Louis Music buyout, but I also don't see their bottom line financials.

Most people will buy an Italian made MarkBass and call it boutique, whens the last time you have heard of a quality amp coming from Italy? Why doesn't MarkBass setup a factory here? Why is everything that comes from Asia considered cheap? I have played some Korean guitars out of the box that play 10 times better than the low end American stuff. It's an old quality stereotype. I bet this same conversation happened when Fender moved shop to Mexico. It's product discrimination. Wait until we see what they actually do and if the products are cheaply made.


Actually the Entire line is now made in Vietnam, so it's not just lower line stuff.

Actually the Entire line is now made in Vietnam, so it's not just lower line stuff.Wow. Really???

Actually the Entire line is now made in Vietnam, so it's not just lower line stuff.

Ampeg has just lost my favor. :hmm:

Mesa it is or old Trace stuff.

My local Ampeg just went through a rant with me about how all of the SVT 4 PRO's he has gotten in the last couple of months over half have crapped out.

I don't think it really matters where it's manufactured. Many highly regarded amp companies manufacture off-shore. It comes down to more of the process and QC vs location in my mind.

I am still all about at LEAST trying one out after the switch. I talked to my local Ampeg dealer and he stated they were still at least making the tube heads in the US. Is this the case?

Well Gentleman We got the First Overseas Produced Ampeg Amplifiers and I have to Say I hear no Difference Between My USA made Amplifiers and the Overseas models. I have owned SVT 4's For Around 7 Years So I do Speak from an Informed point of View on this...So It Seems to me All is well on Ampeg Amplifiers!!!!!

Personally, I would be upset if my employer closed shop and moved to another country in order to cut expenses, and left me out in the cold. I'll keep my Ampegs, but I won't buy anything new by them.

Why is Made in America better?

Dang! I just looked at the back of by BA112 and lo-and-behold: MADE IN CHINA. Still, I do like the amp. I looked at some of my other gear:
Carvin LB70-USA
Fender P-Bass-USA
P-Bass Lyte-Japan
Squier II-Korea
P-Bass Special-Mexico
Danelectro-China
Guild Pilot-USA
B100r-USA
Peavey Nitrobass-USA
Ampeg 115 and 210-USA
Zoom B2-China
E-H Big Muff-Russia
Sennheiser Mic-Germany
Sennheiser Headphones-Ireland
Oktava Mics-Russia
Levi's Jeans-Mexico
Puma sneakers-China

I guess quality control is what really matters, not where something is made. Heck, my Chrysler is made in Mexico! I'd still be irked if I lost my job if my company moved somewhere else and I got screwed (it happened to my dad) but I guess that's the way the world works now. Oh well...

... I'd still be irked if I lost my job if my company moved somewhere else and I got screwed (it happened to my dad) but I guess that's the way the world works now. Oh well...The world works like that because we as consumers allow it to work. If everyone stopped buying Ampeg, LOUD would reassess their move fairly quickly I assume. Same goes for every other company that screws over American people to line a few pockets.

Agreed. That's why WalMart can flourish while smaller mon-and-pop store have to close their doors. Thankfully, there are companies out there like Dr. Bass and Avatar that remain fairly independent.

I am still all about at LEAST trying one out after the switch. I talked to my local Ampeg dealer and he stated they were still at least making the tube heads in the US. Is this the case?

Nope, I was just in my local GC. and the SVT classic head said assembled in Vietnam as well as the 810. They must be saving a pant load to ship a 810 cab from Vietnam.
I was told by a former employee that everything was outsourced after 4/28/07.

I don't have a lot of experience with the newer Ampeg stuff, but I've had several negative experiences with the made in USA SLM Crate products. An amp tech that I know and trust told me that St Louis Music had been using lower-quality components and the build quality really went south in the last few years. Made in America sure as hell ain't what it used to be, guys. On the other hand, manufacturing a product in a facility in a third-world country that pays extremely low wages and then selling that product for a premium price is total BS.

Made in America sure as hell ain't what it used to be, guys. On the other hand, manufacturing a product in a facility in a third-world country that pays extremely low wages and then selling that product for a premium price is total BS.
+1 on that.

Well those extremely low wages that are reference are low in US dollar but when you can feed a family a four 3 squared a day for 2 US dollars that's better than what most factories in the US pay in comparison.

It’s the loss of an entire USA company that is sad. It has nothing to do with where they moved nor QA issues. It has everything to do with their having moved outside the USA at all.

I like and buy non-USA products. MIM Fender amps and guitars, Ashdown, Vox, EBS, AKG, Marshall, etc. But, I am more willing to buy from companies that at least keep a major portion of their manufacturing in their country of origin, be it USA, Japan, UK, etc. What makes Ampeg different is that they bailed out on the USA completely. They are no longer an American company, nor are they an American Icon in the music industry. That was lost, possibly for good. Sad! :scowl:

i have an american made ampeg, and an overseas made ampeg, they are both of excellent quality. i dont see what the big deal is about them moving some (i dont believe all, my pro was made in america recently, within the last two years) of there factories overseas, i will be playing ampeg for many years to come...

Ampeg Rules!!!!!

:cool:
Ran out and bought one of the last USA V4BH heads.

Ampeg WHY overseas?
Is it just the money?
Bad move.

It depends how much control they are going to have over the
contract builders in china . Nobody has a problem with Genz-Benz being made in Taiwan because they have lot of control
on the products being produced and has a good rep .

I agree; it's best to wait and see how the overseas-made products perform and hold up.
I've been using Ampeg for years (all SLM) with no problems and excellent results and of course Ampeg TONE!!

And while I'm somewhat sad to see an "institution" like Ampeg leave US soil, it's very much a global economy today, politics and personal feelings aside.

I disagree with the assumptions that Ampeg quality has been declining; just the opposite I think it improved under SLM, with some very solid gear being made.
Put ANY amp under the same scrutiny insofar as components (capacitors, etc.) and the cabinets, drivers, etc.I'm not sure if some of the claims of inferior items from Ampeg and Crate are valid. Leastwise my gear had no issues whatsoever.

Why don't we wait and see what results from the move?
If the design is the same, and QC is controlled (Why shouldn't it be?), there's every reason to hope that Ampeg will continue to build the same quality sounding units that they did here in St.Louis for years.

Let me say first,that I currently use Ampeg,heads,pre's and cabs.
One the the cabs that I use for rehearsal is an SVT-610HLF,mfg in Vietnam.
The rest of my Ampeg gear is of U.S. mfg.
I also use Eden, and vintage SWR gear.

What I find ironic is...that Ampeg received a major sales,and image boost during the Vietnam War, era.
Due in large part to all the great PROTEST music that was happening at the time.

What a long strange trip indeed!..

~

Why is Made in America better?

This is a very important question

This is a very important question

For those of us (or at least some of us in) America, we've seen too many local factories producing all kinds of material close down with all production outsourced to a foreign country. Huge factories here in town that used to employ hundreds or thousands of workers are deserted. Sure it's a free market economy but it hurts to see it.

Someone here said before that Ampeg is like the Harley Davidson of bass amps and that seems to be a pretty good parallel. Hopefully Ampeg will "come back" much as HD did years ago (although I don't think they were ever made outside of the USA). At the risk of sounding like a jingoist, it's a source of pride for us.

I still have my 810, but no more Ampeg for me. If they come back I'll gladly reconsider. And I'm not an American only buyer, my pre is an Ashdown. I can't buy only goods made in my country but I'm trying harder to do it. Too many reasons to do it, and price is one of the few for not doing it...

The analogy with Harley is bang on. Ampeg, to me, is the Harley Davidson of bass gear. The SVT is that Ford or Chevy pickup truck. There's soul behind that blue grill cloth.

Have Loud followed the dream of the pursuit of wealth at all cost? Where do you draw the line?

I have been misreading a lot of these Ampeg threads and looking at it, incorrectly, from the position of quality. There's more to it than that.

For those of us (or at least some of us in) America, we've seen too many local factories producing all kinds of material close down with all production outsourced to a foreign country. Huge factories here in town that used to employ hundreds or thousands of workers are deserted. Sure it's a free market economy but it hurts to see it.

Someone here said before that Ampeg is like the Harley Davidson of bass amps and that seems to be a pretty good parallel. Hopefully Ampeg will "come back" much as HD did years ago (although I don't think they were ever made outside of the USA). At the risk of sounding like a jingoist, it's a source of pride for us.

I still have my 810, but no more Ampeg for me. If they come back I'll gladly reconsider. And I'm not an American only buyer, my pre is an Ashdown. I can't buy only goods made in my country but I'm trying harder to do it. Too many reasons to do it, and price is one of the few for not doing it...

Manufacturing in general is heading east. Lots of factories have shut shop here too. It's just the way things are. We are pricing ourselves out of the market in terms of labour. Wouldn't it be great to keep our manufacturing in our own countries. But from a business point of view it makes no sense at all. Would you buy a bass costing 3 or four times as much in one shop than in another? My own engineering degree is manufacturing based so this will hit me more and more as i go on into the future. But it's also so something I have come to accept as a fact of life from manufacturing all the disgruntled American Ampeg fans aren't going to change that corporate decision to move east.


While you see factories shutting down and moving east. Sometimes this a factory doing what it has to in order to keep it's head above water. People don't like firing employs. Sometimes it is a necessary evil and can end up keeping some jobs in America while production is moved east R&D and other knowledge based aspects of the company remain in the country of origin. This can be better option than carrying on regardless the company going bust and everyone losing their jobs. Other times it's nothing but increasing profits regardless of who's effected.


As far as quality is concerned well that depends on the company and not the location. Americans can make things just as half assed as anyone else in the world. However if there is a consistent quality control in place with regular audits and what have you it won't be an issue. However it's up to the company to enforce it's quality policy. It has nothing to do with the country or people working on the floor. If parts were switched out for cheaper ones. Don't think that the move of production is the sole reason for it. The reason is they found a cheaper source of parts. Which would be used irrespective of country.

As for the symbol of America and all that. Well that's entirely in the buyers head. Fact of the matter is, an Ampeg is no different from your toaster your TV your PC or anything else that was manufactured in the east. It's a cold dead lifeless product. Something that, from day one, was designed built and sold for the pure purpose of making money. Your kidding yourself if you believe any other reason. Ampeg would probably still be some guy in a shed if it was "all about the music" or the "ideals" or whatever else. Also what about the electronic components that make up the circuitry in an American Ampeg. Surely they were manufactured somewhere in the east as well. In fact there probably wasn't a whole lot of America in it even when the production was over in the states

Americans can make things just as half assed as anyone else in the world.

No arguement there, after all we gave the world the AMC Pacer...

I don't share the same opinion as all Americans, and I realize that I can't control the world. I can, however, control how I spend my own money and I do have a lot of good choices when it comes to bass amps. Thunderfunk's shop happens to be less than 50 miles from my house, for example.

Well its good you support stuff made in your own country. But I always here about people boycotting this and not buying that but for every one of those people sticking to their principles there's thousands more that just don't care. At the end of the day I see it as an act in futility. Your loss of business to ampeg will have no repercussions to an absolute international giant. However sometimes sticking to your principles is more important than what it actually achieves.

Cool - I think you get my point. I can't reasonably boycott any Chinese made goods or I wouldn't be here (on a computer, on the internet)! My day job involves selling stuff to factories and commercial buildings, and I've never done a project with a Chinese company. I like low prices like anybody else, but there's more to the story in the overall picture. I just try to do what's best for me. :)