Buying Ampeg - Need Help Please

[scottrolf]

I have my heart and mind set on getting an Ampeg but need model advise please.
I will be playing in small to medium size venues both indoors and outdoors un-mic'd. Will consider both combo's or head/cab configuration.

Thanks.....

[gjbassist]

PF-500 head and a couple of PF-115 or PF210 cabinets. Very portable and sounds great! One cabinet for smaller gigs and two cabinets for larger ones.

Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex 500W Bass Amp Head: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex and PF-115HE Stack: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

PF-500 head and a couple of PF-115 or PF210 cabinets.

Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex 500W Bass Amp Head: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex and PF-115HE Stack: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

+1

Just don't get a 210 and a 15. Get two 210's or 2 15's.

Since I like 15's I would get 2 of the 15 cabs. That would be a killer setup.

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by scottrolf

I have my heart and mind set on getting an Ampeg but need model advise please.
I will be playing in small to medium size venues both indoors and outdoors un-mic'd. Will consider both combo's or head/cab configuration.

Thanks.....

Although, I love my B-15NC, if I were looking for an new amp I'm not sure that I'd limit myself to Ampeg. Most of their gear,

with the exception of the new PF 350 and PF 500, and the 210 and 115 matching cabinets isn't what I'd call, easy to transport.

I was also impressed with the B100R and B200R nice amps, but I suspect that the new PF's sound better.

Of course the SVT in all it's variations is a very impressive amp. Just to heavy for my tastes. Just my thoughts

Ric

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

+1

Just don't get a 210 and a 15. Get two 210's or 2 15's.

Since I like 15's I would get 2 of the 15 cabs. That would be a killer setup.

+2 (or whatever). I would encourage you to try out multiple models, but the PF500 with one or two PF115's should be on your short list. If you can afford the upgrade, I really dig the SVT-7Pro with one PF115, and I presume it would rawk with two.

[BassGen]

If weight isn't an issue for you step up to something that has tubes for preamp at least. My SVT6 Pro kicks ass and has killer tone. They are very heavy but offer a TON of overhead (1100 W @ 4 Ohms) so it will do any venue you would ever need to play without PA support. Granted the SVT6 is not in production now but there are likely used ones out there. I happen to run mine through 2 Mesa 410 Powerhouse cabs (Talk about a heavy rig!).

But like I said I absolutely love how my basses sound through it. Tubes are warmer sounding than solid state.

[rhino333]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

+2 (or whatever). I would encourage you to try out multiple models, but the PF500 with one or two PF115's should be on your short list. If you can afford the upgrade, I really dig the SVT-7Pro with one PF115, and I presume it would rawk with two.

+3 Got a PF500 and used it with my Classic 4x10 HLF for the first time the other night at one of the larger clubs in town. The sound guy told me the tone was fantastic and that he had to take me out of the mix because the stage volume was enough. I was only 50% turned up.

[scottrolf]

Excellent.....thanks for the replies/reviews folks!

[beans-on-toast]

Here is a recent related thread that might be of interest to you.

[ButtUglyJeff]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

+2 (or whatever). I would encourage you to try out multiple models, but the PF500 with one or two PF115's should be on your short list. If you can afford the upgrade, I really dig the SVT-7Pro with one PF115, and I presume it would rawk with two.

+1 one to his +2

I have a PF500 and 2 PF115s, and its a great setup, both tonally and ease of transport...

I'd post a photo, but I posted too many already. Everybody's sick of it...

[scottrolf]

Coming from the guitar world to bass, I would never consider anything but a tube/valve driven amp. However it appears that may not be the case with bass?

[beans-on-toast]

Your amp choice and power requirements will depend on the type of music that you play.

The current crop of solid state amps sound pretty good and provide very good value for the money. They are well suited to small and medium sized venues.

I feel that nothing beats the tone of a good tube amp but you pay the price in terms of cost and weight. I like my B-15 for a rich clean tone. Louder I go with an SVT.

[scottrolf]

Understood.....thank you.

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by beans-on-toast

I feel that nothing beats the tone of a good tube amp but you pay the price in terms of cost and weight. I like my B-15 for a rich clean tone. Louder I go with an SVT.

Ditto. But my SVT and 8x10 weighs in at around three times that of a 100 watt guitar head/4x12 cab and is usually considered the equivalent setup . It really does depend on your gig. I play with groups where my B15 is enough volume (competing with an AC30, fender deluxe, keys, drums, etc) and groups where my SVT/8x10 is just cutting it while maintaining a clean tube sound. I'd worry less about the topography and more about getting a sound you like in a package you're happy with.

[gjbassist]

BTW I did my first two gigs with my PF-350 and PF-115HE a couple weeks ago. I received more complements on my tone in two gigs than I had in the past two years!

[dereksilloway]

SVT 6