does ampeg care for customers? do they read our comments?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by KJung

My inside sources basically told me that Ampeg just makes what JimmyM tells them to make.

Let me tell you, if they did, they'd be out of business in a year

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by KJung

My inside sources basically told me that Ampeg just makes what JimmyM tells them to make.

Pretty sure Dino, Hodgy, and JimmyM have all the say in that company...

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The PF500 was the top selling solid state bass amp in 2011 and had over 10% of the market. I don't think it did quite that well in 2012 since it wasn't new anymore, but it's still a big seller and one of the very few micros you can find almost anywhere. Now we might have different definitions on what the market leader is, but sales, to me, are a pretty giant indicator.

The reason they were the market leader was because they kept breaking and people needed to re-buy them


seriously though, I think the whole reason their market share was ahead of everyone else's was because of their larger distribution network. If all that is offered in your area for lightweight heads are Ampeg's, which one is going to sell more?

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The PF500 was the top selling solid state bass amp in 2011 and had over 10% of the market. I don't think it did quite that well in 2012 since it wasn't new anymore, but it's still a big seller and one of the very few micros you can find almost anywhere. Now we might have different definitions on what the market leader is, but sales, to me, are a pretty giant indicator.

Bingo. Obviously Ampeg is making something people like.

[Tractorr]

Originally Posted by willsellout

seriously though, I think the whole reason their market share was ahead of everyone else's was because of their larger distribution network. If all that is offered in your area for lightweight heads are Ampeg's, which one is going to sell more?

A) The internet. I can get any micro head I want.

B) Big box stores carry more than Ampeg. In fact I have been to a few that didn't have any PF500 but had other micro heads.

C) While many mom and pop music stores carry Ampeg they almost certainly carry other micro heads as well. I have not a once been to a small music shop that only carries Ampeg. I have actually been to more small music shops that don't carry new Ampeg at all.

I think the main reason that the PFs outsell other micros is that for the money nothing else touches the sound and says Ampeg on the front.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by Tractorr

A) The internet. I can get any micro head I want.

B) Big box stores carry more than Ampeg. In fact I have been to a few that didn't have any PF500 but had other micro heads.

C) While many mom and pop music stores carry Ampeg they almost certainly carry other micro heads as well. I have not a once been to a small music shop that only carries Ampeg. I have actually been to more small music shops that don't carry new Ampeg at all.

I think the main reason that the PFs outsell other micros is that for the money nothing else touches the sound and says Ampeg on the front.

At least where I am it's quite different. Most shops don't have anything other than Ampeg, Peavey, Trace Elliot and Ashdown. Sometimes some smaller offerings from Mashall and other produces. Markbass? Nope. Genz Benz? Nope. Aguilar? Nope.

Yes, you can buy any amp you want online. Yes, the micro amps make it even easier on the postage. But you still can't try out an amp online. You can read reviews, you can listen to clips, but you still can't try it out. That makes a huge difference.

I certainly wouldn't say the Ampeg PFs are all that in terms of sound (IMO, and I love the signature Ampeg tone).

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by willsellout

seriously though, I think the whole reason their market share was ahead of everyone else's was because of their larger distribution network. If all that is offered in your area for lightweight heads are Ampeg's, which one is going to sell more?

Two points...

1. I have never gone to a music store and seen only Ampegs for bass amps. Nor have they been the only micros at the store, ever. I would venture a guess that a store that carries only Ampeg does not even exist.

2. Products with large distribution networks have those networks because they sell. They sell because people like them. The second those products stop selling, stores delete them from their catalogs and the manufacturer quits making them. If a lot of a company's products don't sell, stores quit carrying the entire line, and the distribution network for the company eventually goes away.

3. Your premise depends on the idea that people are stupid and can't think for themselves in order for it to be considered true. Just remember that the folks you think are stupid think the same about you

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by Tractorr

A) The internet. I can get any micro head I want.

But the average player isn't your average TB user. Kids who just walk into box stores to buy have two primary options when it comes to lightweight heads: Markbass and Ampeg.

B) Big box stores carry more than Ampeg. In fact I have been to a few that didn't have any PF500 but had other micro heads.

Antecdotal evidence.

C) While many mom and pop music stores carry Ampeg they almost certainly carry other micro heads as well. I have not a once been to a small music shop that only carries Ampeg. I have actually been to more small music shops that don't carry new Ampeg at all.

Once again, antecdotal evidence. These are your experiences, but your experience don't carry much weight when taking into account a worldwide network. I'm not saying my opinion is the right one, but you can't deny distribution is a factor in Ampeg's position.

I think the main reason that the PFs outsell other micros is that for the money nothing else touches the sound and says Ampeg on the front.

Weird statement.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

I certainly wouldn't say the Ampeg PFs are all that in terms of sound (IMO, and I love the signature Ampeg tone).

I think they're as all that as $400 can buy.

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Two points...

1. I have never gone to a music store and seen only Ampegs for bass amps. Nor have they been the only micros at the store, ever. I would venture a guess that a store that carries only Ampeg does not even exist.

That wasn't my position.

2. Products with large distribution networks have those networks because they sell. They sell because people like them. The second those products stop selling, stores delete them from their catalogs and the manufacturer quits making them. If a lot of a company's products don't sell, stores quit carrying the entire line, and the distribution network for the company eventually goes away.

Absolutely. I'm not saying they don't sell. They sell because they are everywhere, they are priced right, and they have brand familiarity. I never said their distribution was the only reason. But it is most certainly a factor.

3. Your premise depends on the idea that people are stupid and can't think for themselves in order for it to be considered true.

This is a logical fallacy. My opinion does nothing of the sort.

Just remember that the folks you think are stupid think the same about you

Way to represent your company.

[CL400Peavey]

Can we keep this on topic and positive?

Does Ampeg listen to its customers? *shrug* that is in the eye of the beholder. They havnt gone Effing up their line of tube heads too badly. too many companies screw up a good product to "keep it current..."

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by willsellout

Way to represent your company.

I don't work for Ampeg. Besides, it was a joke. Didn't you see the smiley? Come now...we all know the smiley is universal joke communication.

Anyway, I would never buy an amp I didn't like just because it said Ampeg on the front. I don't know many people who would. And witnessing LOUD's near-total collapse in 2008, neither would most people.

[klejst]

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

+1

And keep in mind, just because a few people post on an internet forum saying they want something doesn't mean there is a demand (or is even realistic, doesn't so much apply here, but you get my point) to produce and distribute thousands of pieces of product.

That, and if it doesn't sell well enough to warrant production, they stop it, regardless of how praised it might be here. Mesa 400+ etc comes to mind.

+1 to this response as well. We all hate to see great gear be pulled from mainstream production however there is generally a reason for it. May not make sense to the consumers or seem like the best choice, however the companies have a reason they did it.

[Tractorr]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I think they're as all that as $400 can buy.

Exactly my point. There are certainly better sounding micros but not with the wattage at that price tag

[B-string]

Does Ampeg listen, no. Ampeg is a brand name. LOUD Tech I am sure does listen but comments and suggestions on social network sites is only one source for marketing/design decisions. They, I am sure greatly appreciate the input from all sources and in the end it will be a part of the greater business plan for the brand.

[2meterbassman]

"does ampeg care for customers? do they read our comments?"

Sure - if you write it in mandarine/chinese.....;-)

Greetz

[superbassman2000]

Just because they don't listen to you, doesn't mean they don't listen at all.

[JimmyM]

Fact---they do read comments on here. Maybe not every single one but they read most.

[Tim1]

Cheaper B15 and American made??? I'm in, I just hope they build enough to get them down to this end of the world.
Yes, we do represent a very small portion of bass players on this forum and our greatest service is to each other but it is also very useful when a company rep is available on the forum. Having Hodgy on line (and I think Jimmy too is pretty close to the company) is a huge plus for Ampeg to my mind.

[arai]

interesting that they never reply to threads were people have problems with their amps