Ampeg BA115 or Acoustic B100?

ElectraPhoenix · #1 06-30-2010, 06:04 PM

I'm in need of a good sounding and loud 1x15 combo amp. There's two I'm looking at right now: the Acoustic B100 and the Ampeg BA115. Both are combo amps, and both are 100w of power. There's a used Ampeg at my local GC that's $250, and the Acoustic is $250 new, so I'd pay $250 either way. Which one should I get? I know that a 100w 1x15 is loud enough for what I need; my school has an Ampeg BA115 that's really loud; I was loud enough to be heard over our school's huge band at the assembley in the gym. The high school uses a 1x15 too, and I've played there with the school's Ampeg so I know it's loud enough for the performing arts center, and assumably some smaller place like a bar/club where I might play. This all said... which should I get? Same speaker size, same watts (so assumably the same volume), same price, etc... which one will be better? This is probably going to be my one amp purchase for at least a couple years, so I need something to last me a while and sound really good (although if I really need it, I can buy and extention cab) and I happen to know the Acoustic has an external speaker out, but I'm not sure if the Ampeg does...

thanks for all the help!

jelwood · #2 06-30-2010, 06:13 PM

Why don't you play through them both and decide for yourself? I have heard that some of Ampeg's newer combos are total failures, but I'm pretty sure those were just the BA600/BA300 models. I had an acoustic B100 and it wasn't loud enough to compete with an 80 watt 12 inch speaker Peavey guitar amp and a hard hitting drummer. Dunno how you can possibly be heard over your whole school's band. Maybe you guys just play quietly.

That being said, the B100 had good tone to it. And you're right, I don't think one is going to be necessarily louder than the other since they are both just a fifteen, even if Ampeg might measure wattage differently than Acoustic. For future reference, when it comes to volume, sensitivity and speaker area are what really matter. If you're comparing wattages, most people will laugh at you

I know someone who's had a B200 for a few years now, so these amps can at least make it that long.

Jaco who? · #3 06-30-2010, 06:49 PM

Neither. Save a little more and check out the new GK combos.

mgauge · #4 06-30-2010, 06:53 PM

if I was pressed, I prefer acoustic.

Of course, your ears are the true judge..

forget those and go Aguilar!!! OOPS!

tuba4 · #5 06-30-2010, 07:03 PM

You should be able to find a good used Acoustic B200 for sale on CL for around $200.

My daughter bought a basically new one with an extra 210 cabinet for my grandson for $200 a few months ago and I have a new B200 combo myself and really like it.

EagleMoon · #6 06-30-2010, 07:05 PM

GK definitely. The Ampegs aren't very loud, and the Acoustics sound really dull, at least to me.

ElectraPhoenix · #7 06-30-2010, 09:24 PM

how is the GK MB-115? Loud enough for club sorts of gigs? (and I swear, I was loud enough with that Ampeg... I was somewhere between half and three-fourths volume, and people said that they heard me over the band)

but yeah... will the GK MB-115 last? and be gig worthy? and loud enough? thanks again for all the help. I've heard a lot of good things about the GK... lots of people endorse those amps... plus, it's 33 pounds.

ElectraPhoenix · #8 06-30-2010, 11:04 PM

I've read a lot of reviews of the Acoustic B100 (there's one on my local Craigslist for $200!) and a lot of people say it's great. I've read a lot of reviews saying that it's loud enough to be heard over drums and guitar amps... which is what I need. Honestly, my two guitar players use small Line 6 amps, and I've been using a Kustom 16w "practice" amp... and it's honestly loud enough for it... I need a larger 1x15 combo that I can use for school band, jazz gigs, and my rock band. The 16w wasn't super loud, so I need something that's gonna be louder... like the Acoustic, and I've honestly heard great things about it. The GKs do seem great though... but the Acoustic has a line out so I can drive another cab if I wanted to.

EagleMoon · #9 06-30-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectraPhoenix

I've read a lot of reviews of the Acoustic B100 (there's one on my local Craigslist for $200!) and a lot of people say it's great. I've read a lot of reviews saying that it's loud enough to be heard over drums and guitar amps... which is what I need. Honestly, my two guitar players use small Line 6 amps, and I've been using a Kustom 16w "practice" amp... and it's honestly loud enough for it... I need a larger 1x15 combo that I can use for school band, jazz gigs, and my rock band. The 16w wasn't super loud, so I need something that's gonna be louder... like the Acoustic, and I've honestly heard great things about it. The GKs do seem great though... but the Acoustic has a line out so I can drive another cab if I wanted to.

I had one of the Acoustic B100 combos for a time, but sent it back. Really sounded lifeless. I've also heard positive reviews on these little combos on here but that's not been my experience with them. I think they get the good reviews because of their cheap price. I would get the GK. You're going to get better tone out of it.

TUEP · #10 07-01-2010, 08:36 PM

Of the combo amps I have owned. Crate, Ampeg, GK Backline, Hartke, and Acoustic. I have the Acoustic now and it was my favorite combo I have owned next to my old Ampeg B100R. I love the B100R. In fact its loud enough, has a quite speaker and has very little of that white noise you hear in speakers. I always managed to get pro tones out of that little thing. If you can find a 90's Made In USA one used, I would jump on it.

Govier966 · #11 07-01-2010, 08:45 PM

i think you should try and get a b200 so you can get an extension cab. i think the b100 has a line out but it is for DI not speaker cabs. im saying this because you guitarists will eventually realize small line 6 amps suck. My band was like this but they went from roland cubes to fenders. My 400 rb and 2x10 couldn't keep up with the volume, speakers blew after a year.

get something you can expand.

HeadyVan Halen · #12 07-01-2010, 08:48 PM

Ampeg. Tone is too good to pass up. Bass at 7 o'clock-Mid's at 4-Treble at 6. Play on Style #1..really, really nice tone. For performance, play on Style #2.

It's hard to beileve it will be enough to get through Guitar amp and Drums, but you know your sound better than us. You will have to push it hard however.

TUEP · #13 07-01-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Govier966

i think you should try and get a b200 so you can get an extension cab. i think the b100 has a line out but it is for DI not speaker cabs. im saying this because you guitarists will eventually realize small line 6 amps suck. My band was like this but they went from roland cubes to fenders. My 400 rb and 2x10 couldn't keep up with the volume, speakers blew after a year.

get something you can expand.

It has both the line out and extension cab out. I push mine through a 8 ohm 4x10, and it doesn't bypass the 15. So I can get pretty loud with 100 watts 1x15, and 4x10. Nice headroom for 100 watts to.

ElectraPhoenix · #14 07-01-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUEP

It has both the line out and extension cab out. I push mine through a 8 ohm 4x10, and it doesn't bypass the 15. So I can get pretty loud with 100 watts 1x15, and 4x10. Nice headroom for 100 watts to.

and I do suppose that tone is all a preference... I'll have to take my bass in (it's being rewired/fixed right now, waiting for new pups so I don't have my main bass around) so I can't judge which has the better tone... so I might lose the craigslist deal on the Acoustic and the used Ampeg... oh well. I'll figure this all out. I did really like the tone of the Acoustic, even running it flat, with an American Jazz. we'll see. the Ampeg might have more tonal versatility... but again, we'll see.

TUEP · #15 07-02-2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectraPhoenix

and I do suppose that tone is all a preference... I'll have to take my bass in (it's being rewired/fixed right now, waiting for new pups so I don't have my main bass around) so I can't judge which has the better tone... so I might lose the craigslist deal on the Acoustic and the used Ampeg... oh well. I'll figure this all out. I did really like the tone of the Acoustic, even running it flat, with an American Jazz. we'll see. the Ampeg might have more tonal versatility... but again, we'll see.

The Ampeg is gonna have a bit better traditional tone. Yet, I love my Acoustic for what it can do! If I were you I think you would get more out of the Acoustic. I can crank the gain up and really let it rip and the mid lows are very awesome on this amp. I cut through over a hard hitting drummer with ease.

MRDOOM · #16 07-02-2010, 12:44 AM

I really dont have much experience with ampeg, but I own an acoustic B100. It sounds great by itself, but when I play with a drummer, I have a little trouble hearing myself, even when turned up all the way. I can still hear it, but it doesnt come through quite as well as i would like it to.

tjh · #17 07-02-2010, 05:55 PM

whichever you buy, if you buy it used, you will be able to resell for near what you have into it should you decide it is not what you were looking for ... if you are the first to buy new, you will be the one to take the hit on it ... it also makes the decision a lot less critical ... JMHO

JimmyM · #18 07-02-2010, 10:19 PM

neither are my favorite amps ever, but i think the ba115 sounds a little more lively than the b100. it isn't a bad combo for the money, but for a little extra i think the ba115 is worth it.

ElectraPhoenix · #19 07-02-2010, 11:00 PM

anyone have any experience running the B100 with an extra extension cab? how much louder will it be? (if my guitarists do get bigger amps and I need to be even louder than a 1x15) how about the B200?

TUEP · #20 07-02-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectraPhoenix

anyone have any experience running the B100 with an extra extension cab? how much louder will it be? (if my guitarists do get bigger amps and I need to be even louder than a 1x15) how about the B200?

I run mine through a 4x10. It gets pretty beefy, In fact I am surprised by the headroom it had. It will push its own 15 and a 4x10 decent enough for 100 watts. But if your looking to expand with a cab I would suggest getting the B200. Its 50 dollars more an has more head room that the B100, and I would assume it would do a bit better tonally with an extension cab. Now if your needing a amp quick, then I would suggest the B100 because it has a lot of options for what you pay. That is if your strapped for cash.