My Apologies to Ampeg

MK1 · #1 08-07-2011, 03:31 PM

Dear Ampeg,
I apologize for anything bad I ever said about you
Sincerely,
Matt

I started playing bass around 1998 and started seriously looking for a rig around 2001/02. I went to all the local music shops really hoping to come home with an Ampeg rig. I just couldn't do it, I tried the SVT Pro 2,3,4 through either an 810e or 410HLF and I could not stand the way they sounded. I ended up with a GK 1001rb and 410sbx+. Since then I have gone through a bunch of heads and finally landed on the 800rb but was still playing 410sbx.
All the while I took any chance to bash Ampeg I could. I could not understand why anyone would waste their money on them. When ever I played a show with a supplied backline I would always dread when they used an 810e. When I had to play shows like that I made sure to let everyone know how much I hated the rig.
When I needed a new cab I was looking used. Everyone at the music stores were telling me "you want to find one made by SLM" so I looked and listened and they all still sounded like they had wet blankets over them. So onto TB I went trying to figure out what people saw in Ampeg. After a little research I realized the SLM era was not exactly a bright spot in Ampeg cab history.
Long story short... I'm totally eating my words. I just bought an '08 810e and this cab is amazing it's like my 800rb was made for this cab. My opinion of Ampeg has completely changed, I now see the appeal. Is this going to make me me sell my 800rb? In a word... No. But now I would not hesitate to give my money to Ampeg.
So now I must say,
Thank you Ampeg for making great bass gear.

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 08-07-2011, 03:37 PM

Roughly the same story for me. When I was looking to get my first 'real' rig I went straight to Ampeg because of their reputation. To say the least, I was very disappointed with them in the store. Ever amp and cab sounded muddy and as if it was covered by a blanket. I ended up settling with a Markbass rig instead. Fast forward a few years, I was getting tired of the Markbass and wanted to try something new. At the time I was selling, trading, and buyer gear like crazy, and one day an Ampeg SVT CL popped up in the classifieds that looked to be in great shape. I was GASing to try an all tube amp so I thought, "What the hell. If I don't like it I can sell it local and cut even." I ended up loving the thing to death, and now I'm all about Ampeg amps. I think they are some of the best in the business, and they'll be my go-to amps for years to come.

JimmyM · #3 08-07-2011, 08:04 PM

You're welcome.

I should add that overall, I thought SLM Ampeg gear was pretty excellent. Except those doggone OSB cabs. But the owner truly thought OSB was a superior wood to plywood, and it wasn't done to try to hoodwink anyone. And Eminence had trouble with a cone supplier in 2000 and switched suppliers, and unfortunately, switched the tonal balance to going lower at the expense of highs.

I'm finding a few people who actually like the darker cabs better than the bright ones, though. I guess if you don't play with much treble to begin with, you might prefer it. For me, though, the new 810e's are a lot more like what I expect when I plug into an Ampeg cab.

robbotbass · #4 08-07-2011, 08:12 PM

I like the Hartke sound myself.... But if Ampeg CL Tube head was a lady I wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating crackers.

JimmyM · #5 08-07-2011, 08:20 PM

I like Hartke stuff as well, but Hartke doesn't make tube amps. Tube amps have tubes in the preamp and big honking power tubes. Hartke makes hybrids.

Turtle71 · #6 08-07-2011, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I should add that overall, I thought SLM Ampeg gear was pretty excellent.

I agree, I have a SLM era SVT410HLF, I have found it to be one of, if not THE best 4X10 for a 5-string player...

But, back to the OP's story, It's really cool to hear your story come full circle like that, congrats on the new cab!!!!!

robbotbass · #7 08-07-2011, 08:40 PM

True I like the Hartke Hybrids

onosson · #8 08-07-2011, 08:43 PM

I haven't been a huge fan of most of the newer Ampeg heads that I've tried (I love the older SVT heads, no question) but I just played a gig last night on an SVT-2 Pro through an 8x10, and it was really great. Took about 5 seconds to dial in a nice tone (mids on 1st setting at 1:00, bass on about 3:00) .... once I bypassed the SansAmp rackmount they were using for a DI, that is!

grendle · #9 08-07-2011, 09:55 PM

Love my Hartke 3500, hate their cabs though. Found an old Svt 8x10 cab and it was like they were made for each other. Still haven't found an ampeg head that sounds any good though.

JimmyM · #10 08-07-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onosson

I haven't been a huge fan of most of the newer Ampeg heads that I've tried (I love the older SVT heads, no question) but I just played a gig last night on an SVT-2 Pro through an 8x10, and it was really great. Took about 5 seconds to dial in a nice tone (mids on 1st setting at 1:00, bass on about 3:00) .... once I bypassed the SansAmp rackmount they were using for a DI, that is!

Dude, that is some hot music. Sounds like you've listened to a lot of European soundtrack music of the late 60's and early 70's.

bassguppy · #11 08-07-2011, 10:08 PM

I will say bassists tastes changing may have something to do with "some" of the recent Ampeg "enlightenment". I was never a big Ampeg fan but I was never a basher either. I just feel my tastes have changed somewhat in what tone I'm looking for.

I now have an SVT-IIPRO, PF-500, & the new portaflex cab (soon to get a 2nd). I'm thrilled with the SVTII, I really like the PF-500. I am somewhat pleased with the PF210 overall but it performed very well at a gig today as the cab sounded very good, a gig yesterday it sounded lacking...hmm..

I did use a different jazz bass at each gig though. passive yesterday, active today.

JimmyM · #12 08-07-2011, 11:19 PM

Honestly, it doesn't really matter what you use. It all still sounds like you playing it. But when I play through Ampeg stuff, I feel like I'm putting myself in the best light and making my job a lot easier. It just hits my buttons like no other. Always has. I used other stuff for a few years, but I was always chasing that sound and not quite getting it until I switched back. I don't like every single thing they make, but the stuff they make that I like is unmatched.

rockstarbassist · #13 08-07-2011, 11:24 PM

But you're still playing GK, so...

Josh Pelican · #14 08-07-2011, 11:24 PM

I've been using Ampeg almost since I started. My first cabinet was a 15" Yorkville, but then I went straight to the 810. I had an Ampeg head, then a Traynor head, then an Ampeg head. I've always been happy with my Ampegs.

There are a handful of people that would say there are better 810 cabinets for the money, but I don't care. Almost every touring band that comes through Halifax has an Ampeg 810. One night I played a show where there was probably five of them on stage. I couldn't move.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

But you're still playing GK, so...

He's using the 810 cabinet, though. One step at a time, man. One step at a time.

onosson · #15 08-08-2011, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Dude, that is some hot music. Sounds like you've listened to a lot of European soundtrack music of the late 60's and early 70's.

Thanks! I'm not sure that's where my influences lie directly, but there's gotta be some connections.

BagelBruin · #16 08-08-2011, 07:07 AM

Damn, jmattbassplaya, I was looking forward to playing to Markbass rig... I guess not anymore!

Ampeg is that rock sound. No matter what company owns the name Ampeg, they would be quite foolish to mess with something that ain't broken!

Through the grape vine I met a former Ampeg executive. He was with Ampeg until it was sold to Magnavox. He is still happy with the product the Ampeg name is producing. His only complaint is that the tolex is not as good as it used to be, and the amps are too loud!

MK1 · #17 08-08-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

But you're still playing GK, so...

If it ain't broke don't fix it. I'm not looking to completely replace my rig (plus I can't afford to). I love the way the 800rb sounds, but I needed a new cab. Before I wouldn't even give Ampeg the time of day, but now if and when I need a new amp Ampeg will be a very strong consideration. I've even been thinking about buying a back up head and I was going to go with the GK MB200, but now the Ampeg PF-350 is looking extremely appealing.

MK1 · #18 08-10-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You're welcome.

I'm not sure if you're joking here, but a lot of your information was integral to me giving Ampeg another shot. I had never realized the cabs were made from a different material and eminence changed the paper in the cones. I'll admit I was one of the people that subscribed to the whole "the overseas ampegs can't be as good as the US made ones" attitude. But the info you supplied assured me that the overseas cabs were in no way inferior to any other cabs made by Ampeg. So thank you Jimmy for doing the legwork to get the lowdown on Ampeg.

For my own curiosity does anyone have the info on SLM/early LOUD serial numbers? All I could find is how to read the later LOUD serial numbers. I know mine was made in '08 (the 5th number is a U), but how do I figure out the month it was made? Is the first number after the letters the month?