Ampeg Sound

Youngspanion · #1 06-29-2010, 11:28 AM

Does the Ampeg sound, the specific tone you get from an ampeg, come from the Tubes or does the SS heads have the same warm round full loud tone?

thanks

Youngspanion · #2 06-29-2010, 11:30 AM

I've a sudden intrest in Ampeg because last week I played in a club called the Parkside Lounge on Houston st. in Manhattan and although I do not know what exactly I played through, I know it was an Ampeg combo amp with a 2x10 cab. All in one combo.
Don't know the wattage but I think I am going to go back there and see exactly what it was. It was super.

Chasarms · #3 06-29-2010, 11:33 AM

Even SS Ampeg amps have an Ampeg "voice." I have a late 80s SS Ampeg, the SVT 200T, and it has a very classic Ampeg sound. Obviously, the SS amps don't sound the same as the tube heads, but they are by all means Ampeg.

Floridabwoy · #4 06-29-2010, 11:40 AM

VT BASS -> SS = AMPEG

stiles72 · #5 06-29-2010, 02:33 PM

It comes from the blue tolex.

I have a B100R that is solid state, and it's 90% accurate to my '63 B15 Portaflex.

anderbass · #6 06-29-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

I do not know what exactly I played through, I know it was an Ampeg combo amp with a 2x10 cab. All in one combo.

That was probably one of the BA210 combo models.

And yes, most Ampegs models are voiced to give a fairly similar tone to the one you played, although lots of Ampeg players (including me) consider the BA-series combos to kinda be low cost/entry-level models, and that they don't sound anywhere near as good as some of Ampegs more expensive or vintage separate head/cab models.

Youngspanion · #7 06-29-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderbass

lots of Ampeg players (including me) consider the BA-series combos to kinda be low cost/entry-level models, and that they don't sound anywhere near as good as some of Ampegs more expensive or vintage separate head/cab models.

I'm sure. In fact I feel like I'm becoming an Ampeg fanatic. I thought that it sounded that good. I play an SB-2 and I usually play through a Markbass Littlemark II head and either a Shroeder Mini 12 or an Epifani PS112.

And I loved the Epifani sound that I got but the Ampeg..........

Thats the sound of my daydream

DaZombieWoof · #8 06-29-2010, 03:45 PM

FWIW, Ampeg does have a particular voicing they go for with most all they make. If you like it, it is bliss. If not, it is annoying. They are playing off their heritage amps which were tube. Some would say Loud Technologies is milking that heritage. I like the old V-4B, B-25B, and B-15 series.

anderbass · #9 06-29-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

I'm sure. In fact I feel like I'm becoming an Ampeg fanatic. I thought that it sounded that good. I play an SB-2 and I usually play through a Markbass Littlemark II head and either a Shroeder Mini 12 or an Epifani PS112.

And I loved the Epifani sound that I got but the Ampeg..........

Thats the sound of my daydream

You should probably at least try out a Sansamp VT pedal through your current gear before deciding to buy an Ampeg. You'll probably be surprised at how close it sounds...

JimmyM · #10 06-29-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaZombieWoof

Some would say Loud Technologies is milking that heritage.

how is that? by keeping ampegs available? actually, i like newer svt cabs better than the last batch of cabs slm made from 2000-2005 or thereabouts. at least loud doesn't use chipboard.

personally, as much as i love the vt pedal and how it duplicates ampeg tones very well, ain't nothing quite like the real thing. you notice it right away when you plug in. some will be perfectly happy with solid state or hybrid. some must have tubes. your state of bliss is highly dependent on how flexible you are.

RandomRaab · #11 06-30-2010, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngspanion

I'm sure. In fact I feel like I'm becoming an Ampeg fanatic. I thought that it sounded that good. I play an SB-2 and I usually play through a Markbass Littlemark II head and either a Shroeder Mini 12 or an Epifani PS112.

And I loved the Epifani sound that I got but the Ampeg..........

Thats the sound of my daydream

I went through the same thing. Have a Markbass setup and then after I really got into an Ampeg, I had to have one. To me, its the tip-top, the bees knees of tones.

rodl2005 · #12 06-30-2010, 01:30 AM

IMO Ampeg S.S. amps have quite aggressive mid freq's. I A/B'd my old AMPEG B2R with my current LMII- both thru 2 cabs- an AMPEG SVT410HLF & a Mark Bass HR151STD. I liked both, but noticed the B2R was quite 'mid' oriented. If I dimed the LMII's low mid, & hi mid to about 2 oclock & the LOW control to about 1 oclock- I got the CLOSEST sound outta the LMII to the B2R.
BUT - agree, add a VT bass pedal & it seems U can get a VERY close proximation of almost ANY AMPEG amp!!

diechris · #13 06-30-2010, 01:52 AM

i could never get a tone i liked from an svt3...or svt4.. it put me off to the whole ampeg brand for a long time..

I recently picked up a a couple ALL TUBE ampegs.. and I was just floored.. The tone is there and I never thought there would be such a difference in solid state vs tube tone that would make me switch to all tube..

IMO that ampeg tone is in their all tube amps..

rickdog · #14 06-30-2010, 10:07 PM

The SVT-3PRO is essentially all tubes up to the MOSFET output drivers, which are basically just huge current amplifiers and shouldn't change the character of the sound much at all.

I was a dedicated tube-only player until I tried one... and decided I had to have it. With the gain control cranked up enough to start flashing the Peak LED on every note, I find I can get a cranked up Ampeg sound at any volume I want, or direct into the mixer for recording or PA.

rnilson · #15 06-30-2010, 10:52 PM

I got the ampeg bug too...On the hunt for a V4B

diechris · #16 06-30-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickdog

The SVT-3PRO is essentially all tubes up to the MOSFET output drivers, which are basically just huge current amplifiers and shouldn't change the character of the sound much at all.

I was a dedicated tube-only player until I tried one... and decided I had to have it. With the gain control cranked up enough to start flashing the Peak LED on every note, I find I can get a cranked up Ampeg sound at any volume I want, or direct into the mixer for recording or PA.

I thought power sections didn't alter tone but I got the chance to compare a solid state and tube power amp and there's a bug difference in what I can only describe as a fullness in tone.

the svt 3 was the first ampeg I've used and it's much harsher when pushed then an all tube svt.

M0ses · #17 06-30-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diechris

I thought power sections didn't alter tone but I got the chance to compare a solid state and tube power amp and there's a bug difference in what I can only describe as a fullness in tone.

the svt 3 was the first ampeg I've used and it's much harsher when pushed then an all tube svt.

Two words: output transformers. A a tube or SS power section should both actually sound the same, but tube power has to then go through a transformer before hitting the speakers, and that's where that tone transformation happens.

diechris · #18 06-30-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

Two words: output transformers. A a tube or SS power section should both actually sound the same, but tube power has to then go through a transformer before hitting the speakers, and that's where that tone transformation happens.

never heard much about that but whatever it is an all tube power amp sounds different then a solid state. never knew the exact tone change was the transformers. anywhere I can read up on this?

rodl2005 · #19 06-30-2010, 11:30 PM

When I was talkinre AMPEGS above I was meaning the S.S. Ampegs. I agree the AL TUBE Ampegs are another thing altogether!!! I owned a V4BH, & own a SVTII. Only got rid of the V4 coz the Traynor YBA200 did what IT did & more..... just suited me better.
My 2c

finlover · #20 06-30-2010, 11:33 PM

I've owned several Ampeg pieces over the years: a killer '65 B-15N Portaflex, an '80s all-tube SVT and 8 X 10 cabinet (sounded like God but was too freakin' heavy) and a 410 Pro cab, loaded with heavy duty Celestions. Currently I'm using an SVT-7Pro through a 410 Pro Neo cabinet which I love!

Ampegs tend to have a warm but clear tone that just sounds right to me. I had an SWR amp for a time but it was too sterile or "hi-fi" sounding for my taste. I will say that the 410 HLF cab I tried before I bought the Neo sounded really boomy and mid-rangey--didn't care for it at all.

IMO you can't go wrong with one of the tube preamp/solid state power amp models. The preamp tubes add a sweetness to the tone and makes the amp more responsive to your fingers, while the solid state power section contributes low end beef and definition. In my experience a tube power section can sound a little mushy on the low end, plus it makes for a heavy and expensive-to-maintain amp (ever priced a sextet of 6550s?--SHEESH!) Oh well, my two cents. Hope this helps!