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Amp Makers with Best Quality / Support
- Thread starter McBass18
- Start date
The budget is going to make it tough. At $500-600 retail, backtrack the write up by the retailer, transportation / shipping, etc and you'll end up with a product that costs maybe $150 to build. There will be cost cutting measures made to be able to reach a price point but can have a negative impact on reliability. I think most things are made to last about two years now. Seems like everything I buy, small appliances, last about that long. Go used, but then you likely don't have a warranty since few transfer. Fewer bells and whistles, fewer things to break, probably more money put into the guts. I'd look for used Markbass or GenzBenz. The Bugera Veyron would fit in your budget, but the jury is out on long term reliability.
It's irrelevant anyway. Some people like Ampeg, some people like Mesa. Whatever.And you are a ________ ____________!
We really don't need to compare the CRAP from ampeg
to the products of Mesa Boogie
do we?
Right, because you never ever saw Ampeg amps in use before 1996.
Anyway, way to come off as the mature one.
Based on many of the recommendations in this thread (e.g. Genz Benz), it seems not many people agree with you.
And if they sourced all American parts and made them 100% here, then the same people complaining about overseas manufacture would be complaining about prices.
I've said plenty of negative stuff about certain Ampeg products I don't care for on here. So much for your theory.
And yes, SLM was good at promotion of Ampeg. But it's the MI equivalent of buying a well-known department store...the hard work of brand establishment has already been done, so it's hardly the same as starting from scratch.
Anyway, I'm not going to go back and forth with you. You are dismissed.
And yes, SLM was good at promotion of Ampeg. But it's the MI equivalent of buying a well-known department store...the hard work of brand establishment has already been done, so it's hardly the same as starting from scratch.
Anyway, I'm not going to go back and forth with you. You are dismissed.
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Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Ampeg was around in the 1970s, for sure. By the early 1970s, if you were a bass player, you had the choice of an Acoustic Control stack or an Ampeg stack. I'm not sure when the first 'fridge came out. JimmyM probably does. I know when the first Acoustic 360 came out, because that's what I play through. As far as customer service is concerned, there isn't any for Acoustic Control, since they have been dead and gone since the early 1980s. The old amps are like Peavey amps, though. If you get one that's in decent shape, any competent tech can fix it, and it will be pretty close to bomb proof anyway. Those things weigh about the same as a medium sized semi-truck, but there's always a downside to everything.
1969. But Ampeg existed for 20 years before that, too, and all during the 50's, their amps were mainstays on the New York jazz scene.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
A friend plays through a 1964 guitar amp when we get together, and we are all (or should be) aware of B-15s and the like. I was thinking about the earliest earth shaking amps that actually could handle bass guitar frequencies and not fall apart. It was Ampeg or Acoustic, and that's about it. I believe the Rolling Stones hauled a bunch of 'fridges around in the early 70s, and that put Ampeg on the map again, as if they actually needed it.
By the way, I'm still waiting for the B-15 to show up to see if tubes are all they are cracked up to be...
By the way, I'm still waiting for the B-15 to show up to see if tubes are all they are cracked up to be...
Thanks @Slipbass81. I might take the SVT out for a couple of gigs. My sister and I grew up as roadies for his band. When he died, I got his SVT she got his Jazz bass. We both grew up to play bass in different bands and the Jazz was stolen while her band was packing up after a gig about 5 years ago. Since then I've been cautious to bring it out since it was a good memory hauling it around as a kid (felt pretty strong the first time I did it). My kids (11 & 9) now help me, so I might have them lug it in with me to a few gigs. Then have a couple of cokes afterwards like I used to with my old man.
Anyway, excuse me for the nostalgic moment. You all have given me a lot to think about. Based on your advice I think I'm going to spend some time thinking about this and might save some more money up to increase my options. Also, based on several suggestions, I think I'm going to try and buy new based on valid points about warranties. I live in central michigan, we have a guitar center and some smaller local shops, but the bass amp inventory is slim. Any suggestions for somewhere in the Chicago or Michigan areas with a good selection of the options that you all have proposed.
Thank you all very much. It sounds like we all have brands that we like and others we could do without. Looking forward to the search for my new, main gigging amp.
If you are going to keep making these baseless opinions can you at least include facts/stats that prove your point. The only thing Jimmy said negative about Mesa is a true fact.
Even though he is endorsed by Ampeg he praises other brands and will give honest opinions (including negative) about certain Ampeg gear if people ask. Just because some of us are endorsed by a brand does not make us their sales rep. We use their gear and they think we are worth giving a discount to so we continue to use their gear.
No need to apologize for the story, it would have been awesome if my old man played bass and had an SVT to hand down. I wouldn't be as concerned about the amp being stolen. Unlike old Jazz basses they are not worth as much and it's not easy to run away with an 85lbs amp. I know in Chicago there is the Chicago Music Exchange and Chicago Bass club which have a lot of gear to try out. For warranties I would do some research but I would possibly order through Guitar Center since they are located within driving distance for you to have the amp serviced. But don't take my word for it, I don't have much experience with using a warranty there.
But, if I was in your shoes I would 100% use the SVT for all gigs. If you need a smaller cab for it go for an Ampeg 212av.
Yep! She's back in all her glory. Sakes alive this amp sounds good.
I vote Genz Benz used. Seen a few Streamliners in the classifieds lately for ~550. If I were a smart man, I would buy a second one.
Yes, and check what the amps were that were used on the Rolling Stones tour that yielded the classic Get Yer Ya Ya's Out album.
Great point Gaolee. Bass players in my area used either one of those two brands back in the early 70s. I actually went with the Ampeg over the Acoustic but it was pretty much an even split among the local club bassists.
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