Thoughts on Overseas Vs Usa Made Ampeg

Michael777 · #1 07-05-2007, 05:51 PM

What is everybody's take on the Overseas Produced Ampeg???

**Eric Perry** · #2 07-05-2007, 06:04 PM

This thread won't last long, but I'll bite...

My current Ampeg (SVT-III Pro) will most certainly be my last.

GregC · #3 07-05-2007, 11:53 PM

There's been a lot of debate, but I don't think people should jump to any conclusions about quality without actually trying an overseas-made model. And I could be wrong, but I don't believe anyone has posted a single review of one yet.

Michael777 · #4 07-06-2007, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric618

This thread won't last long, but I'll bite...

My current Ampeg (SVT-III Pro) will most certainly be my last.

In Actuality I have played Ampeg for 20 Plus Years and was just wondering other people's takes on this situation.

**Eric Perry** · #5 07-06-2007, 09:42 AM

The reason I said that is because this topic has been brought up before and it has turned into a flaming war. I'm surprised this one's as calm as it is.

I love my SVT, but based solely on *the move*, I'll be looking elsewhere when I need a new head.

jazzy grille · #6 07-06-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric618

The reason I said that is because this topic has been brought up before and it has turned into a flaming war. I'm surprised this one's as calm as it is.

I love my SVT, but based solely on *the move*, I'll be looking elsewhere when I need a new head.

I agree with you on the move. IMHO I fully support the free-market but I cant stand when a manufacturer moves prodution overseas. It just happens too much. (trying not to go politcal on this

)

As for quality I think that there really isnt a deviation that I have seen, but there has been an increasing number of threads here on TB about customer service horror stories that have really pushed me (as well as others) away from ever getting an Ampeg again.

**Freddels** · #7 07-06-2007, 10:31 AM

Wherever it's made it all comes down to QC. If they make a good product then that's what it's all about.

jazzy grille · #8 07-06-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

Wherever it's made it all comes down to QC. If they make a good product then that's what it's all about.

If we were talking basses I would agree with you.. But, when it comes to amps there are alot more parts that can fail due to cutting corners that can not be seen by even the best QC tech, especially with SMD components. Most big companies go for the cheapest resistors and caps which in turn has a higher failure rate per 100,000 peices than most components have per million pcs.

**Freddels** · #9 07-06-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy grille

If we were talking basses I would agree with you.. But, when it comes to amps there are alot more parts that can fail due to cutting corners that can not be seen by even the best QC tech, especially with SMD components. Most big companies go for the cheapest resistors and caps which in turn has a higher failure rate per 100,000 peices than most components have per million pcs.

Made here or there, nothing is stopping them from using the cheap parts if that's what they intend to do. But just b/c it's made overseas doesn't automatically = bad product.

jazzy grille · #10 07-06-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

Made here or there, nothing is stopping them from using the cheap parts if that's what they intend to do. But just b/c it's made overseas doesn't automatically = bad product.

I just cant see a company moving production over seas for cheaper labor just so they can spend more money on quality components.

So we agree to disagree....

**Freddels** · #11 07-06-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy grille

I just cant see a company moving production over seas for cheaper labor just so they can spend more money on quality components.

So we agree to disagree....

Why do you assume they have to spend more money on components to build the same product? If the components are made overseas they may actually save on shipping. It's not just labor that they save on, it's also taxes (which play a big part in business decisions).

main_sale · #12 07-09-2007, 01:38 PM

I own several USA production Ampegs including a SVT-VR. I have zero plans to purchase an "Off Shore" Ampeg. I bought them because of their reputation as a generally well made, reliable American product. There probably is a place for an "Off Shore" Ampeg but at "Off Shore" pricing levels and not USA product pricing levels. Peavey was heading towards Chinese production but reversed that decision. To me, their products are once again of interest to me, especially their VB-300.

fenderhutz · #13 07-10-2007, 06:55 PM

Unless you plan on never shopping at a Wal-Mart again no one can really complain about what Ampeg is doing with their product line. We are a greedy revenue driven country. From what I understand they are keeping all flagship items made in usa. The lower B series is getting moved overseas. You imagine shipping 8x10's by freight? It would negate they money saved making them. I would rather see Ampeg move there low end stuff to China to stay competitive than going out of business and the industry standard amp go away.

I don't agree with Loud Musics approach after the St Louis Music buyout, but I also don't see their bottom line financials.

Most people will buy an Italian made MarkBass and call it boutique, whens the last time you have heard of a quality amp coming from Italy? Why doesn't MarkBass setup a factory here? Why is everything that comes from Asia considered cheap? I have played some Korean guitars out of the box that play 10 times better than the low end American stuff. It's an old quality stereotype. I bet this same conversation happened when Fender moved shop to Mexico. It's product discrimination. Wait until we see what they actually do and if the products are cheaply made.

Michael777 · #14 07-11-2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Unless you plan on never shopping at a Wal-Mart again no one can really complain about what Ampeg is doing with their product line. We are a greedy revenue driven country. From what I understand they are keeping all flagship items made in usa. The lower B series is getting moved overseas. You imagine shipping 8x10's by freight? It would negate they money saved making them. I would rather see Ampeg move there low end stuff to China to stay competitive than going out of business and the industry standard amp go away.

I don't agree with Loud Musics approach after the St Louis Music buyout, but I also don't see their bottom line financials.

Most people will buy an Italian made MarkBass and call it boutique, whens the last time you have heard of a quality amp coming from Italy? Why doesn't MarkBass setup a factory here? Why is everything that comes from Asia considered cheap? I have played some Korean guitars out of the box that play 10 times better than the low end American stuff. It's an old quality stereotype. I bet this same conversation happened when Fender moved shop to Mexico. It's product discrimination. Wait until we see what they actually do and if the products are cheaply made.

Actually the Entire line is now made in Vietnam, so it's not just lower line stuff.

**Eric Perry** · #15 07-11-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael777

Actually the Entire line is now made in Vietnam, so it's not just lower line stuff.

Wow. Really???

fenderhutz · #16 07-12-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael777

Actually the Entire line is now made in Vietnam, so it's not just lower line stuff.

Ampeg has just lost my favor.

Mesa it is or old Trace stuff.

fenderhutz · #17 07-14-2007, 03:09 PM

My local Ampeg just went through a rant with me about how all of the SVT 4 PRO's he has gotten in the last couple of months over half have crapped out.

EASonBass · #18 07-14-2007, 05:52 PM

I don't think it really matters where it's manufactured. Many highly regarded amp companies manufacture off-shore. It comes down to more of the process and QC vs location in my mind.

fenderhutz · #19 07-15-2007, 04:03 PM

I am still all about at LEAST trying one out after the switch. I talked to my local Ampeg dealer and he stated they were still at least making the tube heads in the US. Is this the case?

Michael777 · #20 08-28-2007, 09:47 AM

Well Gentleman We got the First Overseas Produced Ampeg Amplifiers and I have to Say I hear no Difference Between My USA made Amplifiers and the Overseas models. I have owned SVT 4's For Around 7 Years So I do Speak from an Informed point of View on this...So It Seems to me All is well on Ampeg Amplifiers!!!!!