Quality check: Ampeg or Mesa

YogaBear · #1 07-08-2010, 02:56 AM

Hi guys,
My second post:
Because I hate to ask witch is better(everybody has it's own taste of amps), I want to ask this:
Wich is better in quality sound and endurance?
An ampeg svt pro 2
An ampeg svt vr
An ampeg svt cl
Or a mesa/boogie Bass 400+
Or, if anybody has something else in their minds, post it!

Cheers, and I know it's a little bit late for al you -6 gtm.
It's 11am here.

waleross · #2 07-08-2010, 06:44 AM

I had poor experiences with the Ampeg VR and the Svt 2 Pro. Both were purchased new and for various reasons had to be returned. Now I have the SvT-CL which so far sounds great and is problem free. Most recently I bought (new) a
Fender TB1200 which I have in my rack and a Fender 300(my fav. ) both are keepers and power my Cabs. I have read reviews for the Mesa Boogie heads but have not yet played any. As you know this equipment is $$$costly and you have to do your Homework and send stuff back ASAP if they don't work like they should. Best of luck ........

**JayAmel** · #3 07-08-2010, 06:47 AM

I'm pretty sure the Heritage SVT-CL may be top notch in the quality check dept.

KarateKid25 · #4 07-08-2010, 06:55 AM

I've had a mid nineties SVT-CL for 18 months or so now. Sounds great and never had any issues.

Jim C · #5 07-08-2010, 07:01 AM

Quality of sound is subjective so you're on you're on there
Mesa hasn't made a 400 in years although their QC seems to be very high from day 1 to the present
Ampeg gear from back in the day was great; newer equipment has had some issues most notably solder traces on the SVT 3Pro
Many here have had great luck with newer Ampeg tube gear and I've never had a problem with my SVT-CL although it is from the 80's

YogaBear · #6 07-08-2010, 08:44 AM

Haha thanks guys,
I was planning to buy a mesa, but one of my teachers(bassist) had a 350H, he said he smashed it around and it never broke.
My conclusion:
Ampeg is real muscle, mesa is more subtle.
Ampeg: fender precision
Mesa: fender jazz bass
Just like the video on youtube that I can't find.

Cheers

YogaBear · #7 07-08-2010, 08:45 AM

I kinda like subtle ninja mojo.

**JayAmel** · #8 07-08-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YogaBear

Haha thanks guys,
I was planning to buy a mesa, but one of my teachers(bassist) had a 350H, he said he smashed it around and it never broke.
My conclusion:
Ampeg is real muscle, mesa is more subtle.
Ampeg: fender precision
Mesa: fender jazz bass
Just like the video on youtube that I can't find.

Cheers

Not sure things are as simple as that.
Also, there's a big difference between an SVT-350H and a real all-tube SVT. IMO, it's easier to break an all-tube amp if you smash it. Don't make such general conclusions over that one example, this could be somehow deceptive.

dDaddybass · #9 07-08-2010, 10:10 AM

If I had 2K, I'd buy Mesa.

Buster Brown · #10 07-08-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayAmel

I'm pretty sure the Heritage SVT-CL may be top notch in the quality check dept.

You are indeed, correct.

I can't speak to the newer (Non USA) stuff - to be honest, I haven't played it...but the new Heritage line is out of sight!!

Grabbed the new 8X10 and recently got the CL....all I can say is........Damn.....just......Damn

JimmyM · #11 07-08-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YogaBear

Haha thanks guys,
I was planning to buy a mesa, but one of my teachers(bassist) had a 350H, he said he smashed it around and it never broke.
My conclusion:
Ampeg is real muscle, mesa is more subtle.
Ampeg: fender precision
Mesa: fender jazz bass
Just like the video on youtube that I can't find.

eh, you're trying too hard to generalize. you really can't. you can make a mesa sound muscular and you can sound subtle on an ampeg. you can do the same things with precision vs jazz as well. it's all in HOW you play, not what you play.

No Malarky · #12 07-08-2010, 12:47 PM

YogaBear: In my opinion, A Mesa 400+ would be the way to go if you can find one.
My only Ampeg experience is with my '73 V4B, and I use all Mesa stuff now so I am biased to them.
The 400+ has been out of production since 2007, whereas the Ampegs are more common.
Personally, the older Mesa/Boggie D-180 amp is my choice, although I do have a 1990 400+ that is a killer amp.
Good Luck with whatever choice you make.

No Malarky · #13 07-08-2010, 12:48 PM

Did I say Boggie? I stink on ice!

Jeff Scott · #14 07-08-2010, 04:42 PM

Mesa!

Grantini · #15 07-30-2010, 09:24 PM

I've had my 400+ for eight years, played and gigged it hard, seen it mistreated in the back of the van, and waited too long every time to retube it. It is a tank... I've never had a repair except for retubing. It works, it is simple, and in the event of a nuclear war you can use it for shelter. I've only owned an Ampeg fliptop amp so that probably isn't a good comparison.