Old Ampeg

Philbiker · #1 05-17-2010, 08:20 PM

I was jamming with my cousin this weekend, his basement is like a rock and roll museum. Getting ready to use his little Ashdown head into the old Peavey 2-15 cabinet, when he asked me if I'd like to use his old ampeg instead. Sorry the cell phone pic is so bad. Yeah, the chassis is crooked, but the thing sounded good. Quite tubey, and it broke up a little when I really dug in. It sure was nice to have my SansAmp ParaDI to use as an outboard EQ - the EQ on these old amps is pretty limited stuff.

JimmyM · #2 05-17-2010, 08:55 PM

well i disagree about the limited eq, but i guess in this day and age where amps come with 10 band parametrics and 31 band built-in graphics, i guess i could see where you might think that initially.

**B-string** · #3 05-17-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

well i disagree about the limited eq, but i guess in this day and age where amps come with 10 band parametrics and 31 band built-in graphics, i guess i could see where you might think that initially.

The difference between glits and function? I'll take the V4-B eq over a 10 band monkey slider any day!

JimiLL · #4 05-17-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

well i disagree about the limited eq, but i guess in this day and age where amps come with 10 band parametrics and 31 band built-in graphics, i guess i could see where you might think that initially.

I get your point Jimmy, but the ol 3-band eq is quite outdated....

Sure you can get some widely varying tones.... but it can make it harder to lock in on "that" sound.

Personally, I love 5 band parametrics.

JimmyM · #5 05-17-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

I get your point Jimmy, but the ol 3-band eq is quite outdated....

Sure you can get some widely varying tones.... but it can make it harder to lock in on "that" sound.

Personally, I love 5 band parametrics.

i actually prefer the 2 band baxandall tone controls. hasn't been a sound i wanted that i couldn't get with it.

Jefenator · #6 05-18-2010, 02:17 AM

Two-band rules!!!!

My ideal amp would have just a volume knob with the ideal tone all ready to go. My old Ampeg is actually pretty close to that - with all 3 bands at 12 o'clock, I'm as happy as a fly on a pie.

Bassmec · #7 05-18-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i actually prefer the 2 band baxandall tone controls. hasn't been a sound i wanted that i couldn't get with it.

If I wanted more eq I would consider that to be an outboard specialist
job, like this legendary quality line level eight band mono, 4 band stereo parametric inserted between the pre and power amp sections:

Or far more economically a quality single band instrument level parametric like the old Yamaha NE 1:

good for finding and removing a dominant resonant frequency.
Apart from that the less Eq you have to use the better and most importantly phase coherent your tone will be.
Adding more cheap tat to the front panel is not really very useful
to me as my bass guitar and speakers don't have that many problems that I cant deal with with a gibson passive bass, An NE 1 a passive bandaxial bass control, treble control and presence.Simples

KramerBassFan · #8 05-18-2010, 05:19 AM

Simple controls all the way.

Sure, use a big multi band EQ for PA, where you may need to remove a bit of that muddy bass.

But on my amps? No thanks. I'll take simple any day!

Philbiker · #9 05-18-2010, 06:29 AM

The Ampeg has Bass, Treble, Bass boost switch and Treble boost switch. Also, the frequencies that the bass and treble operate at is not really what I like. I used a '65 Bassman for years and the treble and bass controls of that were more to my liking.

Anyway, the Sansamp has bass, treble, and parametric midrange so my outboard eq was pretty simple, but I thought it made it easier for me to dial in a tone I liked than the bass/treble on the Ampeg. Heck, if I was using an active bass that would have done the trick, but the EQ on Tony's old Dyna-Bass is not working so I used it in Passive mode. Sounded great!

nysbob · #10 05-18-2010, 06:42 AM

If you can't dial in a good sound with stock ampeg EQ, there's something really wrong with your axe.

coreyfyfe · #11 05-18-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

The Ampeg has Bass, Treble, Bass boost switch and Treble boost switch. Also, the frequencies that the bass and treble operate at is not really what I like. I used a '65 Bassman for years and the treble and bass controls of that were more to my liking.

Based on the picture/description that looks to be a late 70s V4B which means it also has a mid control with a 3-band selector.

Anyways, I'll take simple over parametric any day.