Classic Ampeg Failure

Darknut · #1 07-23-2011, 05:01 PM

Even though Ampeg stuff is ridiculously popular I've never been a fan especially the newer stuff.

Last nights gig pretty much exemplifies my experiences with Ampeg.

My band did a show with Denny Laine (McCartney & Wings) & Mitch Ryder.

The Venue provided backline:
the bass rig was a Classic SVT 810 rig. I took my rig just in case but decided just to use the SVT to make it easier on everyone.
The sound checks all went fine but about half a measure in the first song the SVT started shutting on & off!
I thought it was my wireless crapping out at first so I switched to a cord & it seemed fine for a second but then it became obvious that it was the amp.
luckily my own rig was not far away & the stagehands quickly got it on stage.
This is just one of many times I was around when Ampeg gear failed ... why its so popular is beyond me?

Ric5 · #2 07-23-2011, 05:06 PM

I have an Ampeg B2 and B3 ... both heads a 100% solid.

Both have great tone.

BulbousMoses · #3 07-23-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darknut

Even though Ampeg stuff is ridiculously popular I've never been a fan especially the newer stuff.

Last nights gig pretty much exemplifies my experiences with Ampeg.

My band did a show with Denny Laine (McCartney & Wings) & Mitch Ryder.

The Venue provided backline:
the bass rig was a Classic SVT 810 rig. I took my rig just in case but decided just to use the SVT to make it easier on everyone.
The sound checks all went fine but about half a measure in the first song the SVT started shutting on & off!
I thought it was my wireless crapping out at first so I switched to a cord & it seemed fine for a second but then it became obvious that it was the amp.
luckily my own rig was not far away & the stagehands quickly got it on stage.
This is just one of many times I was around when Ampeg gear failed ... why its so popular is beyond me?

Sorry to hear you had to endure that little song and dance. That said, ANY amp can fail regardless of the name on the grill cloth. Because Ampeg is a very popular brand, you will probably see more failures, statistically, than other brands. I run an Ampeg Micro VR rig and I have yet to have a problem. Maybe the house rig wasn't properly maintained..it's really hard to say what caused the failure. It does suck to experience equipment problems, however and it's not uncommon to be put off whatever brand it was that failed..

Plays_For_Dog · #4 07-23-2011, 05:26 PM

Almost a 1/2 hour and no JimmyM post?! He must be out fighting crime and corruption with his Fridge cab.

RickenBoogie · #5 07-23-2011, 05:34 PM

Rented backline is most often the most mis-used and abused gear you'll ever play through. Condemning an entire brand is foolish and whole-heartedly wrong. Your experience is hardly a fraction of the total number of Ampeg gear in the world, and insignificant in the big picture.

Buster Brown · #6 07-23-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Rented backline is most often the most mis-used and abused gear you'll ever play through. Condemning an entire brand is foolish and whole-heartedly wrong. Your experience is hardly a fraction of the total number of Ampeg gear in the world, and insignificant in the big picture.

+1

Darknut · #7 07-23-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Rented backline is most often the most mis-used and abused gear you'll ever play through. Condemning an entire brand is foolish and whole-heartedly wrong. Your experience is hardly a fraction of the total number of Ampeg gear in the world, and insignificant in the big picture.

Your right about backline gear being much abused & I realize my opinion is insignificant in the big picture same as yours. My bad opinion of Ampeg is not based on this one bad experience ... I've seen & been subjected to many Ampegs failures in my 30 years playing & at this point you couldn't pay me to own one.

waleross · #8 07-23-2011, 06:07 PM

First compliments on the venue you played and +1 on rented rigs. Its just like renting a car, if it has high milage then you will have more problems. With different players sharing the same rig problems occur. Any brand can and does break down eventually.....................

JimmyM · #9 07-23-2011, 10:47 PM

I've used rented Ampeg gear all the time all over the world over the past 12 years and there have only been 3 or 4 occasions where I had problems. I've had tube Ampegs last over 10 years without so much as a rebiasing. Got a good hard 7 months on my Micro VR so far, too

I respect your decision not to use it, but it's as reliable as anything out there and still sounds like Ampeg to me.

Quote:

Almost a 1/2 hour and no JimmyM post?! He must be out fighting crime and corruption with his Fridge cab.

LOL! No, nothing that dramatic...just flying to a gig where they better have me an SVT and 810 or else I'll...I'll...well, I guess I'll play the gig anyway

**peledog** · #10 07-24-2011, 12:08 AM

Tsk tsk. Excuses, excuses JimmyM!! I kid.

I had something similar happen to me, though it wasn't Ampeg. It was a Fender, not sure of the model - but it frizzled and died in 5 minutes. I was shopping for a new amp a the time (a long time ago) and was looking at the 'new' Rumbles, Crates and Peaveys (yeah, budget was tight). Ended up getting a Peavey TNT after the experience with the Fender.

georgestrings · #11 07-24-2011, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Rented backline is most often the most mis-used and abused gear you'll ever play through. Condemning an entire brand is foolish and whole-heartedly wrong. Your experience is hardly a fraction of the total number of Ampeg gear in the world, and insignificant in the big picture.

Agreed - most Ampeg gear is pretty reliable, if properly maintained, and not overly abused...

- georgestrings

prd004 · #12 07-24-2011, 03:18 AM

I have used nothing but my SVT-III PRO or my B100-R for every gig I have played since mid 1994, every rehearsal too. Never had one single issue, ever. Not even a blown fuse, I still have the originals in there. I would say it's some of the most reliable gear you can use.

I would guess that you hear stories of Ampeg failure due to the fact that it is the most popular brand, and out numbers all the others (maybe combined), so much so that it seems like there are a lot of failures. Also like others have mentioned, rented backline amps are treated like redheaded stepchildren, and rental cars, and has very little implication as to how a piece of Ampeg gear will work for you if you owned it.

rodl2005 · #13 07-24-2011, 04:40 AM

Me three.
Used Ampeg gear for yrs & not ONE problem.
+1 re rented gear, it's a crapshoot!
Still, lucky you had your gear at the ready, & congrats on the gig.

klokker · #14 07-24-2011, 04:59 AM

Whenever I show up to play with gear provided its always been Ampeg. Stands to reason then that if I have a problem with house gear it will probably be Ampeg.

Darknut · #15 07-24-2011, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

just flying to a gig where they better have me an SVT and 810 or else I'll...I'll...well, I guess I'll play the gig anyway

LOL!

RickenBoogie · #16 07-24-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darknut

Your right about backline gear being much abused & I realize my opinion is insignificant in the big picture same as yours. My bad opinion of Ampeg is not based on this one bad experience ... I've seen & been subjected to many Ampegs failures in my 30 years playing & at this point you couldn't pay me to own one.

No, I meant your 30 yrs of experience and use of Ampeg gear is hardly a fraction of the total, not just the one night's problem. I feel for you bro, honest, it's just that you're condemning an entire brand based on only your own very small slice of the Ampeg pie. It's easy to get disgusted and "damn them all", but you're missing the bigger picture.

Turock · #17 07-24-2011, 08:56 AM

In my 40 years of playing bass, Ampeg gear has been the most reliable, trouble-free gear I've owned. Never had any problems with supplied Ampeg backline gear either.

Buster Brown · #18 07-24-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darknut

Your right about backline gear being much abused & I realize my opinion is insignificant in the big picture same as yours. My bad opinion of Ampeg is not based on this one bad experience ... I've seen & been subjected to many Ampegs failures in my 30 years playing & at this point you couldn't pay me to own one.

That's wild....

I have been playing Ampeg (on and off - mainly on) for 30+ years as well and have experienced 1 problem in all that time (and that includes backline gear).

We were playing an outdoor festival in 1980 and I had a SVT shoot craps on me. Stage hands changed it out (with another SVT) and we moved on.

Nowadays I use the Heritage line and couldn't be happier...

Not a bad track record when you think about it, but it does serve to point out that individual experiences are always better than collective assumptions.

lfbassguy · #19 07-24-2011, 09:53 AM

i've had some probs with ampeg in the past too. but i still love mine. shoot i've had probs with g-k, (i've never had one stay running, and i've owned 4 of them), carvin, hartke, fender, swr, the list goes on....

JimmyM · #20 07-24-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

LOL! No, nothing that dramatic...just flying to a gig where they better have me an SVT and 810 or else I'll...I'll...well, I guess I'll play the gig anyway

Well it was close...they had an SVT-CL and a 410HE. Hey, not my 4 ohm tube head running at 8 ohms

But it was a good little rig. Worked fine, too. Used my Dano Longhorn. Freaked out the crew at first since they're used to me playing Fenders, but the soundman on that gig is so good that I don't ever say a word to him...I just know that it'll rock. And it did. I even played well.