Just wanted to give a big thanks to Ampeg Customer Service

[TheFantod]

I've read some pretty hellacious stories about Ampeg's (lack of) customer service here over the years. I just wanted to share my story.

My rig is a GK1001RB through an Ampeg SVT 410HLF. I bought the cab used from a local church, but it was in almost mint condition. About two weeks ago, the 1" tweeter started cutting out randomly. If I played lower notes it would cut out, creating a really awful muddy sound. But I could pop the G string, and it would come back on. I did a search here and read about failed crossovers, but decided to call Ampeg first.

I called last Friday afternoon. I had to wait on hold for about five minutes ,but got a very professional, knowledgeable, and friendly tech agent. I told him my problem, and he said it sounded like a continuity issue. He said to take the back off and check all the connections before I went and ordered a new crossover.

So I removed the back plate, and sure enough, two of the wires to the tweeter adjustment dial were barely hanging on. I snugged them down, and checked all the other wiring. A couple of other wires were barely hanging on, so I snugged them back down too. I buttoned her back up, plugged in, and played through about 10 songs, loudly. It was perfect, with no more tweeter drop out.

I just wanted to share my positive Ampeg story with the folks here. The guy I spoke with was sympathetic, and gave me all kinds of tests and suggestions. I played my amp all weekend with zero problems.

Oh, and just to stoke the whole "Made In" fire, my cab was made in the USA.

[username1]

I have also had courteous helpfull service from ampeg. No complaints there.

[JimmyM]

The only ones who claim problems with Ampeg CS are making it up.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The only ones who claim problems with Ampeg CS are making it up.

You should add a smiley to this post so that people don't think you're serious ........

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

You should add a smiley to this post so that people don't think you're serious ........

I've never had anything but good and positive things to say about Ampeg CS. I don't know anyone who ever had a bad experience with it either, unless you count stories where they wouldn't repair a 10 year old amp for free. A couple months ago, I read about someone who had chronic problems with an SVT 7 Pro and they replaced it with a SVT 8 Pro because they didn't have any new 7 Pros currently available at the headquarters. 8 Pro's over $2000 and the 7 Pro is $800. That's not customer service?

[Jerrold Tiers]

To be fair, while the idiot was still running the place, CS apparently was largely handled by minimum wage high school dropout labor. They were not very knowledgeable about the product, OR equipment in general.

They had lots of schemes , like sending your unit to Shanghai for warranty service, etc, etc. Most of them didn't work out at all, and things got worse.

The new bunch in charge seems to want to do things right, and it would be very surprising if CS wasn't 250% better since they have taken over. Everything else is.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I've never had anything but good and positive things to say about Ampeg CS. I don't know anyone who ever had a bad experience with it either, unless you count stories where they wouldn't repair a 10 year old amp for free. A couple months ago, I read about someone who had chronic problems with an SVT 7 Pro and they replaced it with a SVT 8 Pro because they didn't have any new 7 Pros currently available at the headquarters. 8 Pro's over $2000 and the 7 Pro is $800. That's not customer service?

Great. But to infer that anyone that has had a negative experience is a liar is, well, ignorant.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Jerrold Tiers

To be fair, while the idiot was still running the place, CS apparently was largely handled by minimum wage high school dropout labor. They were not very knowledgeable about the product, OR equipment in general.

They had lots of schemes , like sending your unit to Shanghai for warranty service, etc, etc. Most of them didn't work out at all, and things got worse.

The new bunch in charge seems to want to do things right, and it would be very surprising if CS wasn't 250% better since they have taken over. Everything else is.

I thought we were talking about current LOUD Ampeg, but yeah, if you're counting that, then OK, I can understand folks having a problem with it. But I never heard anyone complain about SLM CS, that's for sure. I had to contact SLM CS a couple times and they were great. It's a shame Ampeg's still being judged by that 2 year period where the idiot was in charge.

Guy, I never said anyone didn't have a negative experience. I'm just saying that those who do have a negative experience were expecting more out of CS than they should be made to deliver. But yeah, if you count the first two years of LOUD, OK, I can see people having a negative experience. Today I don't see how that's possible.

[20db pad]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

It's a shame Ampeg's still being judged by that 2 year period where the idiot was in charge.

Is JE's name in TB "Voldemort" status? You know, one of the names we can't mention anymore? Not being a wiseacre, just genuinely curious.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by 20db pad

Is JE's name in TB "Voldemort" status? You know, one of the names we can't mention anymore? Not being a wiseacre, just genuinely curious.

Not at all. Jaime Engen. I just prefer to call him "the former head idiot of LOUD who almost ran the greatest name in bass amp history into the ground."

I looked him up to see what he's doing these days, and apparently he works for a company that provides efficiency experts to large corporations. Funny, I thought efficiency experts cut spending and maximixed profits, not the other way around.

[20db pad]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Not at all. Jaime Engen. I just prefer to call him "the former head idiot of LOUD who almost ran the greatest name in bass amp history into the ground."

I looked him up to see what he's doing these days, and apparently he works for a company that provides efficiency experts to large corporations. Funny, I thought efficiency experts cut spending and maximixed profits, not the other way around.

I dig. I'll eat your hat if that guy isn't pulling down at least 100k with benefits at some other company.

In this case, I guess it's okay to hate the player as well as the game.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I thought we were talking about current LOUD Ampeg, but yeah, if you're counting that, then OK, I can understand folks having a problem with it. But I never heard anyone complain about SLM CS, that's for sure. I had to contact SLM CS a couple times and they were great. It's a shame Ampeg's still being judged by that 2 year period where the idiot was in charge.

Guy, I never said anyone didn't have a negative experience. I'm just saying that those who do have a negative experience were expecting more out of CS than they should be made to deliver. But yeah, if you count the first two years of LOUD, OK, I can see people having a negative experience. Today I don't see how that's possible.

While I'm sure Ampeg is a fine company, it is unreasonable to expect that all users will have a pleasant experience from CS, even if their expectations are in line. No company can make everyone happy and it's just silly to imply otherwise. That is all.

[Bluedevilxx]

I recently had someone vandalize my 610 HLF (long story ) and had to replace a driver. The tech I spoke to at Ampeg/Loud flat out told me to check fliptops.net and see what I could find there before dropping the $115 they would charge me. I would have had NO problem paying Ampeg's price, but to see a CS guy trying to save a customer a buck, ESPECIALLY nowadays, now THAT is respectable!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

While I'm sure Ampeg is a fine company, it is unreasonable to expect that all users will have a pleasant experience from CS, even if their expectations are in line. No company can make everyone happy and it's just silly to imply otherwise. That is all.

Right. There are cranks out there that you'll never make happy.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Right. There are cranks out there that you'll never make happy.

And.....even the best customer service team can have weak members and bad days.

[JimmyM]

Well if you hear of such dudes, let me know and I'll get Dino on their asses!