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

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Blabbity blabbity boo. How many watts is that TC amp of yours again?

ah yes, let the pointless bickering and personal attacks begin.
how surprising in an Ampeg related thread ... about whether Ampeg listens to comments on web forums no less.

ha. too funny.

I do remember someone from Ampeg popping in here sometime back (besides Hodgy, who does seem like a stand up guy). An Ampeg social media manager or some such. He basically told folks here who had some issues with Ampeg gear that they were cry-babies or something on that level.

so classy.

so, I guess they do listen. However, it's really more how they react to what they hear that matters.

enjoy the thread.

[solitario]

wow, I dont know yet if I did right or not starting this thread.

Maybe I didnt explain myselft righ and thats because I dont speak english. there are hundred of post here, in ukbasschat in spanish bass forums, in ampeg facebook site... everywhere, asking for some of the products I was talking about. probably internet forums are just a 1%, maybe not.

a 4ohm light portaflex cabs wont make a big diference in volumen with a pf but many people who has a pf also have a cl or a vr and use the pf for smaller gigs or for backup amp. a 410 4 ohm will be a good cab for use it with both, many people buy 410hlf for vr or cl but that dosent mean that cab sounds great with them, no mater what you do with the eq, hlf are boomy, heavy, too gib and a pita to carry them.

2 210av cab can be good for a vr but again, they are 2 cabs and is a risk if you wnat to use them with a pf500.

in the other hand... a pf 800... for those who need more volumen. ok, if you need 800W in a gig and a cab that can haddle that much power, the cab or cabs are going to be BIG, there would probably be PA and, imo, if you need 800w of power for a gig im sure there are people loading amps in that gig so... whats the reason for a 800w light weight amp? maybe is a comercial hook for those who only care about W, I dont know.

a 100W vale head or combo can be a good product.

BTW someone wrotte that ampeg never answer post here when people have problems, totally agree. imo is a mistake not to be in the www, nowadays is you have a brand you have to participate in forums and marketing online. I have wroote loud some times with questions and problems and sometime they answer some other dont, my feeling? I cant trust in them.

again this is my opinion and my english is not good so dont hit me too hard

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by pfschim

ah yes, let the pointless bickering and personal attacks begin.
how surprising in an Ampeg related thread ... about whether Ampeg listens to comments on web forums no less.

ha. too funny.

I do remember someone from Ampeg popping in here sometime back (besides Hodgy, who does seem like a stand up guy). An Ampeg social media manager or some such. He basically told folks here who had some issues with Ampeg gear that they were cry-babies or something on that level.

so classy.

so, I guess they do listen. However, it's really more how they react to what they hear that matters.

enjoy the thread.

Never happened. Not even once. The incident you're referring to is when a bunch of false rumors started flying about one of their newer models (I think the Heritage B-15), and he made a little comment about gossip at a sewing circle that got whiny babies on here all panty-bunched. And he was completely right about that, but soon apologized because so many folks on here cried about it. Personally, I think he should have said it again, but I guess that's why I don't have his job

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by solitario

again this is my opinion and my english is not good so dont hit me too hard

solitario, your completely entitled to your opinion. This is the interwebs after all. Your English, while not perfect, is perfectly understandable IMO.

that being said, I'm sure Ampeg/Loud, like any other consumer product company, combines all kinds of input to shape their product directions. Do they always get it right? probably not. Do they want to satisfy as many customer expectations as they possibly can (i.e. product range, features, price point) while turning a profit ? I'm certain of it.

So, my guess is that if you really want a product or feature from them, do all that you can, with as "big" a voice that you can generate (as many other people as possible), to let them know what you want and why.

good luck.

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Never happened. Not even once. The incident you're referring to is when a bunch of false rumors started flying about one of their newer models (I think the Heritage B-15), and he made a little comment about gossip at a sewing circle that got whiny babies on here all panty-bunched. And he was completely right about that, but soon apologized because so many folks on here cried about it. Personally, I think he should have said it again, but I guess that's why I don't have his job

hoo boy, yeah JimmyM, that would be a form of corporate communications/relationship suicide on their part I would think.

I can just imagine .... "to all you users/customers out there who are unhappy ..... baba booey"

[B-string]

[insert rim shot]

[Jerrold Tiers]

It's always been "interesting"......

Back during the SLM times, there was an Ampeg forum..... but once it was started, the marketing folks ignored it, probably because running one takes time. It got to be such a mess that it was closed....

That's how I got here..... I told the product manager (Tommy Wilson) that if he would keep up with that, I'd deal with TB, where the Ampeg questions, rumors and bad "internet truth" were out of hand.....

Well, I did, and he "sorta did"..... which isn't really his fault, as he WAS pretty busy..... really the Ampeg forum shouldn't have been started in the first place without someone assigned to look after it.

And he should have been all over TB.

[B-string]

If I can say this without upsetting anyone? Probably not.
SLM bought the rights to use the name "Ampeg" for their products and the rights to continue past products that had the "Ampeg" name attached to them. SLM's name was placed on the back burner. Just my personal observation that people try harder when the products they produce have that company's name boldly prominent instead of a footnote? JIMO.

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by B-string

If I can say this without upsetting anyone? Probably not.
SLM bought the rights to use the name "Ampeg" for their products and the rights to continue past products that had the "Ampeg" name attached to them. SLM's name was placed on the back burner. Just my personal observation that people try harder when the products they produce have that company's name boldly prominent instead of a footnote? JIMO.

I get your point in general, but we all see the name plate on the front of the gear B-string - Ampeg - and that's what we attach our opinions to.

If that's how SLM thinks of this, and I have no idea if they do/don't, that's really too bad for such a huge brand in the bass gear universe.

[KramerBassFan]

For what its worth, I'm on another forum (its in my name ) where members of the community can talk to a Brand Rep - and its a mess. Not the forum itself, but how people act when a new product comes out. We wanted this, or that and it should cost this, or that.
To the point where the Rep doesn't really even post that much anymore.

Take it for what it is.

That and 9 times out of ten, what the people "want" just isn't realistic to produce.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by pfschim

I get your point in general, but we all see the name plate on the front of the gear B-string - Ampeg - and that's what we attach our opinions to.

If that's how SLM thinks of this, and I have no idea if they do/don't, that's really too bad for such a huge brand in the bass gear universe.

Fair enough. Let me offer this personal opinion also, that if you purchase the rights to a prominent name like Ampeg you look at that name as a cash cow. A good gamble to survive, Magnavox did well with the name until that corporations eminent demise more due to other less performing divisions.
Hard to argue that if it says Ampeg someone will buy it good or not so good just to have that "name" on stage behind them?

[TheRealKong]

I thought about having a SVT 25 years ago but did not want to carry around the 810'' fridge. So I talked to a custom cab designer here in germany, he made me a sealed 410''-cab with the original specs of the upper half of the well known fridge in 4 Ohm, sealed and no tweeter.

What can I say: It is a hell of a cab! It is a unique piece of gear, and many bassplayers I meet on gigs keep on asking me things about this cab.

This cab designer builts only three kinds of cabs: a musicman 212'' replika, the same in 115'' and the sealed 410''. He does it not for his living, so there are not so many cabs built in a month, lets say four or five.

But he makes people happy! The 212'' and 115'' Musicman-cabs are fine for vintage tone with lots of punch, and the 410''-cab nmakes a SVT sound as it should.

Ah, and yes, there is a 8 Ohm version available if you want to go classic Ampeg tone and full stack.

So says Kong.

Cheers

Uwe

[Kmonk]

I don't think they read emails, never mind comments. I was in a band about 11 years ago that had a "cost" deal with Ampeg where I could buy at dealer cost. After I left the band, I contacted Ampeg multiple times about getting the same deal with my new band. They never responded. I still use Ampeg but have been offered a reduced cost deal with EBS and am considering switching to them. My only concern is that there isn't an authorized retailer or service center in Massachusetts.

[jastacey]

If Ampeg is listening/reading ...why no make All the SVT's with the test ports and balance control and biasing procedures like the NON-PRO and like the old SVT's, the red/green lights are ....well not very good

[B-string]

Ease of use for most players to have red/green no-go/go lights. Cert requirements I am pretty sure will not allow holes to intentionally place metal objects into.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

<SNIP> Would be nice if they did a 4 ohm 410he, though. But then again, I wouldn't buy it. I'd rather use two 210av's or an 810e.

Me, too! I've come to greatly prefer a vertical stack of 2X cabs to a 4X10; they're easier to haul, each cab weighs less, and I can hear myself more clearly and easily (without turning up as loud) when drivers are closer to ear level. Come to think of it, I've never enjoyed using a 4X10 unless I was standing several feet away from the cab so I could hear myself clearly.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by solitario

I have seen soome new products today in ampeg website. a 800W portaflex head and a B15n with exacly same W as the b15... I know what bassist want from ampeg, it has been posted many many times averywere, If I know it how is it possible that ampeg product manager dosent? I think they do know what we want or need but they dont care about us.

people want a sealed 410 4ohm cab to use it with VR and Classics, people want a 4 ohm portaflex cab to run pf heads at full power without need to carry 2 cabs, people wanted a 100w valve head or a 100w valve portaflex like b15r... have you ever read something similar to what I'm saying? Im sure you have.

but... nothing happends! I have tou use my beautifull vr with a gallien krueger cab because ampeg wants me to carry the fridge to small clubs or buy a 410hlf wich sound horrible with valve heads and its hard to carry because its a tilt desing instead of 4 wheels and 1 handle in the back like the fridge but you have to be a dwarf or brake your lower back to carry it because it only has 2 wheels.

well... I love ampeg tone, I have always used ampeg, I will allways use ampeg but c'mon show some respect for customers, listen to us, not everything we say but how about just a little bit?

I hope they will show some new products in the next 2 days but if they dont is a waste of time to be in namm with just a non sense pf800 and a cheaper b15 wich I guess is not going to be cheap either and only has 30W so it dosent have the quality of the expensive one for the studio and it dosent have the guts and power for live situations.

sorry If there are some spelling or grammar mistakes, my english is not very good. this is just my opinion so please dont hit me too hard.

You sound like one of those women you see on "Cops" who continuously gets pummeled by her boyfriend, but stays with him because she "loves him."

[Jerrold Tiers]

For the bias stuff...... the red lights I suppose work OK, and are almost certainly better than nothing, which is the alternative..... and they don't stop a tech from setting the bias.

I don't particularly like them, but they have their place, and can be useful.

The holes would be fine, it's OK if you can't touch anything "live". The bias test points are very near ground, and barring a massive failure (not covered by safety regs) cannot be "live". It's doable, it just isn't done.

Originally Posted by B-string

If I can say this without upsetting anyone? Probably not.
SLM bought the rights to use the name "Ampeg" for their products and the rights to continue past products that had the "Ampeg" name attached to them. SLM's name was placed on the back burner. Just my personal observation that people try harder when the products they produce have that company's name boldly prominent instead of a footnote? JIMO.

I'm not sure what your point was.....

But the clear understanding throughout SLM was that Ampeg was a respected premium brand with a history. A history shorter than the SLM history (SLM since 1922), but perhaps more significant.

it was believed that an "Ampeg" product had more "weight" than an "SLM" product..... the SLM name was not considered to be a big deal in comparison. The other SLM products at the time were not comparable in brand history.

Everyone from Gene Kornblum down knew that it was something to be lived up to, and everyone made decisions based on whether what they were doing on Ampeg products was "at the Ampeg level" or whether they needed to do better. Ampeg was intended to be and to remain a premium product.

Overall, I'd say that it was considered MORE important to do an excellent job for Ampeg than it would have been for "SLM"... especially since SLM did so many somewhat unrelated things.... "music store catalog goods" distribution (strings, straps, etc, etc), acoustic guitars, string instruments, low end drumsets, Crate, Audio Centron PA....... SLM was diffuse, Ampeg was a focus.

I am not sure if some of the other owners who have operated the brand have thought of it the same way.........

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

You sound like one of those women you see on "Cops" who continuously gets pummeled by her boyfriend, but stays with him because she "loves him."

Well to be fair, Ampeg has said "they won't ever do it again".

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by solitario

<SNIP>

2 210av cab can be good for a vr but again, they are 2 cabs and is a risk if you wnat to use them with a pf500.

in the other hand... a pf 800... for those who need more volumen. ok, if you need 800W in a gig and a cab that can haddle that much power, the cab or cabs are going to be BIG, there would probably be PA and, imo, if you need 800w of power for a gig im sure there are people loading amps in that gig so... whats the reason for a 800w light weight amp? maybe is a comercial hook for those who only care about W, I dont know.
<SNIP>

I used to run Ampeg tube heads back in the 60s and 70s, and I still have a '65 fliptop around here somewhere. But, small, powerful, lightweight gear has become increasingly important to me.

My main amp these days is a five-pound Acoustic Image Focus 2R SIII; plenty powerful for just about any gig I play, it'll handle a 2-Ohm load without breaking a sweat, and it fits in a gig bag. I don't worry about it being "too powerful" because I'm not foolhardy with my gear, and I have several different cabs to choose from; some are "hungrier" than others.

My go-to cabs are ultra-lightweight fiberglass units made by Mike Arnopol, which sound great with DB and electric basses. For most gigs, two vertically stacked cabs with a combined weight of 35-pounds (including the cajon bags in which they are carried), and a five-pound head serve all of my needs quite well. However, If I want to take larger cabs to an outdoor gig, my little AI Focus is more than capable of pushing them to any volume I'm likely to need.

Lightweight, compact, powerful, and versatile come at a price, but it's a price I've paid happily and willingly. I no longer consider myself part of the demographic in which Ampeg is interested. But, it isn't because there's anything wrong with Ampeg's current gear line-up; it's because I've become an old fart and a lifetime of injuries is making me feel even older!