Help me choose an ampeg head!

[charger_289]

im going to buy my first half stack so ive decided to go used and my bands guitar player recommended ampeg to me. so i found 2 listed online i was looking at

Ampeg B2R-E
Ampeg B500DR

the b2re is for 420 (Canadian) with a "2U SKB Roadcase". the b500dr is for 400 with the footswitch and a "2U gigbag". just wondering what you guys would recommend. hopefully some of you have experience with one or both. im pretty new to this so any advice you can give would be much appreciated. if you are totally opposed to buying used electronics voice your opinion as well. im kinda weary about buying used alectronics because you jsut dont know what state they are in, even if they look great on the outside they could give out at any time.

[Hollywars]

None of these are the real "ampegs" your guitarist is thinking of. He's thinking of the all tube, 300-watt, 100+ lb SVT's. I'm not sure if either of the amps you are looking at will get you the sound you are looking for.

However, buying used electronics is generally pretty good in all of the cases I've done it. You get more of a return for the money you put in for when/if you have to sell it.

[test dude]

First, why does it have to be ampeg? Ampeg is a large popular brand but different brands make different sounding gear for price wise anyways. I own the b2RE and am dissatisfied with it. What cab will you be going through? I have an ampeg 410hlf and this thing has the balls if you pair it with the right head. I have used a gallien krueger 800rb and fell in love with the sound. I also purchased it for only 300$ (american) Id say seriously look into gk, 800rb or 700 rII if you could find decent prices on them, which you should. Good luck. And again, search the forums for yoour best answers!!

[charger_289]

thanks guys. im looking at buying an ampeg 410 hlf so i'll probably go ahead and get that if you recommend it test dude. the only reason i narrowed it down to ampeg is cuz thats wut my guitar player recommended and since it was relatively easy for me to search for those and i found two i thought i would ask

in terms of tone my band plays pop rock/indie type stuff behind female vocals. dont know what these amps will sound like with my fender jazz bass with american pickups. i like to get a pretty warm, full, kinda tone, doesnt have to be that bright, i have flats on my jazz. i realize to truly get the tone i want i would need a tube amp but they are harder to come by and more expensive and since this is my first i'll settle for now

[Beck McCartney]

I agree, that the two heads you've listed hear, are not great amps. They are the lesser series ampegs. Also, the new ampegs don't sound like the vintage ones. I just got a 70's Ampeg V4B, and I love it. It's all tube and not super heavy. It's only 100 watts, which I find to be more than enough, and It sounds as good (if not better) that the 300 watt SVT. They go for about $600-$800 USD.

As far as modern amps with a vintage ampeg tone, I would suggest the Ashdown ABM 500 EVO II. They have the new EVO IIIs out now, so the IIs go for a good price used. The only difference is a built in compressor on the new ones, but I have heard that it's not very good. The Ashdown heads have a Solid State Pre, and a Tube pre that you can mix together with the "Tube Grind" knob. It can get a nice vintage Ampeg SVT grindy tone.

Another good option is to pair any amp that you prefer with a Tech 21 VT Bass pedal. It emulates an SVT very well.

Good luck on your search.

[charger_289]

hey test dude can you describe the gk 800 rb a little more. i found one i might buy. i comes with eden cab
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ235012114

[brekfustuvluzer]

its going to work best as a modern sounding amp in my opinion. really strong and clear with punchy mids and bright highs and a tight low end.

[JimmyM]

if you go ampeg, get at least an svt 3 pro imho.

btw, the all tube svt's are only 80-85 lbs., not 100. you can say that's a small difference, but you'd notice it on a girl