Confused again - more Ampeg

[awakefie]

A few days ago I posted for opinions on the Ampeg Portaflex series. Again, thanks for the opinions. I am asking for help once again...

Today I went back to the GC to trade my current gear (didn't want to bother with CL) - a Crate 440bx and a Fender BXR-210 for a new PF500 and a 2x10 cab.

I like the portability factor. I played it again and liked the tone. I asked the guy that worked there about the trade and was stunned at his reply.

"To tell you the truth, I would recommend against the Ampeg. There are a lot of quality issues since they started making them overseas. We see alot of these with issues."

He then commenced to steer me toward a MarkBass 400w 1-12 combo. I did not care that much for the MB (sorry MB owners, they're nice, just wasn't my cup of tea).

I also asked about the GK Ultralight. He plugged it in for me and then walked off and never came back.

This is my second experience with this store that left me feeling strange.

I do not want to get into the whole GC sux or doesn't thread. I am considering looking at the other 2 Denver area locations (Colorado Springs and up NoDo). Colorado guys, lend me your ear (and your opinion) about those locations. I am also interested in other stores in the area that may be a good place for me to look.

[rodl2005]

Typical.......... Sounds like a lotta retail muso store ppl.
The ones here in my town say things like, "these new small amps are just a fad" They can't match it with this (S.S.) Fender Bassman 400PRO- which I like as an amp, but......

[JimmyM]

Markbass is a brand that GC has an exclusive on in America. Good stuff, even owned a couple of their amps at one time, ultimately turned out to not be my thing. But salesmen always push stuff their store sells exclusively over stuff you really want. And they'll make up BS to do so.

To be fair, the first couple years Ampeg was owned by LOUD (2007-2008) were not great for quality control. The head of LOUD at the time was kind of a pinhead. But since then, they fired him, hired a guy who actually understands manufacturing and engineering to run the company, and hired really good people to run Ampeg and design their stuff, and quality is greatly improved. All amps can break, even Markbass but Ampeg is making great stuff these days, and if it does break, they have long warranties and great CS. I use a lot of their stuff on the road, and I've played a lot of the newer Ampeg rigs on the road, I've dogged a Micro VR rig for the past 8 months and am getting a PF115/PF350, and they've all sounded great and worked fine, except of course for the PF rig which I haven't gotten yet I may endorse their stuff, but I still have to pay for it, and I wouldn't buy it if I thought it wouldn't work.

[stiles72]

I went to my local GC to buy or order a PF115 - and when I asked about ordering a new Portaflex cabinet, they guy said "Porterflex? Oh... sorry dude, they stopped making those in the 50's"

[coreyfyfe]

LOUD really has seemed to clean up all the early technical fumbles from the move overseas. I haven't heard of many failures with the PF series amps. Granted, they are still pretty new, but given that it's a new product line you'd expect at least a few stumbles and there haven't been many complaints as far as I've seen. If you're really concerned I'd read through the ampeg PF350/500 threads (part 1 and 2) and see what people have to say. I've been using my PF-500 exclusively for rehearsals for a few months now, usually 2-3 days a week for 3-4 hours plus home practice and haven't had any troubles.

[aledeville]

Problem is not that they shipped the production overseas, the problem is that those people want to save way too much money. People at the other side of the world work just as good as you do - if you pay 'em right...

Guys working in music stores can be of the whole range, from bum to professor (IME). His experiences could be right with Ampeg, but they could be totally wrong. I'd check another store or at least another guy working at GC.

[Jbyjnkx57]

I had an SVT7pro that I bought a week ago brand new from our local Ampeg dealer. I used it for two practices and on the second practice literally turned off and died. Never has turned back on. Ampeg is supposed to be sending a new one but we'll see. In addition I ordered a 4x10 about 2 months ago and they said 5 to ten days. Well a month and a half down the road I go back to the dealer and ask what the deal was and so they called Ampeg to find out they've been on back order for about 3 months. Ampeg quality is really variant anymore IMO you never know what to expect....

[rodl2005]

Originally Posted by stiles72

I went to my local GC to buy or order a PF115 - and when I asked about ordering a new Portaflex cabinet, they guy said "Porterflex? Oh... sorry dude, they stopped making those in the 50's"

When I asked about the (then new ) VT BASS pedal @ one of my locals, & I mentioned that it was made by Tech 21, the guy told me the BDDI was exactly the same!
When I stated just SOME of the differences, he got pissed & wouldn't serve me :-/

[bmc]

Originally Posted by aledeville

Problem is not that they shipped the production overseas, the problem is that those people want to save way too much money.

EXACTLY. There are too many examples, today, of quality gear coming out of Asia. It's a mystery why Ampeg doesn't seem to fall into that category on a consistant basis, if the allegations are true.

[RustyAxe]

Mark Bass is a GC brand ... they make more money on it, and the salespeople get a bonus when they sell 'em. Find a store that will sell you what you want to buy instead of what they want to sell, or ... tell the salesperson that you don't need his/her help, and to go get you a coffee while you audition the amp you're interested in.

[Russell L]

Don'y write markbass off too quick. If the 112 combo you tried was the 121P, try something bigger. I have the 121H combo. What a difference in sound due to a larger cab. I run a 151P with it and get awesome sound, and many compliments.