The Delta sounds OK but on the low notes of a 4 string it breaks up if I play loud. Oh well I tried. Just trying to improved on what it was. Probably go back to the original speaker. Maybe next time.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Ampeg B-100r Rocket Aficionados
- Thread starter barroso
- Start date
I just notice something about my B100R. I can turn the gain all the way up & the clip light doesn't light up. The green signal lights up but the red clip light doesn't. I think the preamp section has been the problem all along. Looking in to getting someone to look at it again. I really love this amp. Just want it to sound like it used to. Hopeful still. Suggestions are appreciated.
Assuming that it sounds like it is working, my guess would be that the little red light is just burned out. I think most of us lost the green light a long time ago!
That’s likely a huge factor affecting your tone. Without the preamp working at peak capacity, you really don’t know how hard the preamp is hitting the main amp section. So your tone won’t be as Ampeggy as it could. Hold off forming an opinion of the new driver until you get it fixed. I’d be tempted to swap out the old/new drivers just to hear the REAL difference.
It would be helpful if you could describe what it is that is missing or added to the sound of the amp that leads you to believe that it is malfunctioning in some way.
I think most B100R users aren't worried about the lights. Clipping is clearly audible. If you are not sure what it sounds like simply play through the amp while gradually turing the gain up (master volume set around nouns you'll hear preamp overload) - at the onset, the amp sounds a little brighter - this transitions into obvious heavy distortion. This is an important thing to learn to recognize.
I currently have a Delta 15 in my B100R, and I do not get distortion from the driver on low bass notes when played clean, as loud as it will go, which is very loud. However, I do not fully boost the bass and use the bass boost button to get lots of low bass from the Delta. It's just not going to produce a lot of loud, low bass. It's forte is in the mid-upper bass and the mids. To use it with a 200w head (without fear of destruction due to over-excursion) I would recommend using two of them. That would be a formidable rig.
I think most B100R users aren't worried about the lights. Clipping is clearly audible. If you are not sure what it sounds like simply play through the amp while gradually turing the gain up (master volume set around nouns you'll hear preamp overload) - at the onset, the amp sounds a little brighter - this transitions into obvious heavy distortion. This is an important thing to learn to recognize.
I currently have a Delta 15 in my B100R, and I do not get distortion from the driver on low bass notes when played clean, as loud as it will go, which is very loud. However, I do not fully boost the bass and use the bass boost button to get lots of low bass from the Delta. It's just not going to produce a lot of loud, low bass. It's forte is in the mid-upper bass and the mids. To use it with a 200w head (without fear of destruction due to over-excursion) I would recommend using two of them. That would be a formidable rig.
It used to get very loud. Gain wide open, no clipping audible, no overload. Why I'm thinking something in input stage. But I'm no amp tech. Even wide open no clipping. This used to be my favorite amp. Now, not so much. I just running out of ideas. Maybe it's just getting old or maybe I'm just getting old.
I’m right there with ya, Bobby Bass. I’m 65 and no amp tech either.
But I know that amps can be diagnosed and made to shine with replacement parts and bits. Me... I think I’m stuck with the parts I got.
It does sound like there is an amplifier problem. These are an easy to work on, relatively straight forward design, and so should be fairly easy (and inexpensive) to repair.
Now if I can find someone to work on it. I have had two different tech work on it. Described the same problems & gave them both schematics. That's not what they fixed. I guess I'll look for another amp tech. Any suggestions? I'm located in North Carolina.
@Bobby Bass - My B-100 doesn't clip with all my basses, just the ones with hot output. Try running a pedal with some boost to see if the clip light fires, you might just have a lower output from your bass that doesn't drive the preamp into clipping territory.
It's just a Pbass (mexican) Tried it with a Sadowsky preamp pedal. Still can't make it clip.
Another experiment you could try is connecting your B100R Line Out jack to the power amp-In (or fx-return) of another amp & cab.
Hi all,
I am the proud owner of a B100R I saw on craigslist for $150. I am not sure where it is made, but it is in immaculate condition. I dont think the original owner played it all.
My bass has quite a wordy name; it is a Fender Deluxe Active P Bass Special. I picked it up a year ago at Sweetwater in Indiana. I had some labella flats put on by a local luthier who did a full setup and some tweaks. It has barely left my hands since. I am still fairly new to bass (played guitar badly for years) but I honestly cant see myself outgrowing this guitar or amp anytime soon.
I am looking for some advice on a pre or compressor to run between the bass and amp. Sound wide I am going for that motown type sound. I have my felt picks and sponge by the bridge
Thanks in advance.
Oh and FWIW, my fav setting is buttons out - 6446
I am the proud owner of a B100R I saw on craigslist for $150. I am not sure where it is made, but it is in immaculate condition. I dont think the original owner played it all.
My bass has quite a wordy name; it is a Fender Deluxe Active P Bass Special. I picked it up a year ago at Sweetwater in Indiana. I had some labella flats put on by a local luthier who did a full setup and some tweaks. It has barely left my hands since. I am still fairly new to bass (played guitar badly for years) but I honestly cant see myself outgrowing this guitar or amp anytime soon.
I am looking for some advice on a pre or compressor to run between the bass and amp. Sound wide I am going for that motown type sound. I have my felt picks and sponge by the bridge
Thanks in advance.
Oh and FWIW, my fav setting is buttons out - 6446
Rather than compression, I suggest overdrive, as all of Jamerson's tracks were pretty dirty. There are a lot of OD pedals that will do it credibly, but the one that truly nails that Jamerson vibe IMHO is the Ampeg Scrambler. If you listen to his soloed tracks, he initially hits the preamp and tape machine hard with overdrive, and as his notes sustain, the sound cleans up. All of them clean up to a degree, but the Scrambler cleans up in a way closest to what I hear out of Jamerson. You might prefer a different pedal, and to be sure, a lot of them sound great doing the Jamerson thing, but the Scrambler is my favorite.Hi all,
I am the proud owner of a B100R I saw on craigslist for $150. I am not sure where it is made, but it is in immaculate condition. I dont think the original owner played it all.
My bass has quite a wordy name; it is a Fender Deluxe Active P Bass Special. I picked it up a year ago at Sweetwater in Indiana. I had some labella flats put on by a local luthier who did a full setup and some tweaks. It has barely left my hands since. I am still fairly new to bass (played guitar badly for years) but I honestly cant see myself outgrowing this guitar or amp anytime soon.
I am looking for some advice on a pre or compressor to run between the bass and amp. Sound wide I am going for that motown type sound. I have my felt picks and sponge by the bridge
Thanks in advance.
Oh and FWIW, my fav setting is buttons out - 6446
I've found Youtube demos generally pretty good when trying to compile a short list of pedals to check out.Thanks @JimmyM - off to youtube I go
Hi all,
I am the proud owner of a B100R I saw on craigslist for $150. I am not sure where it is made, but it is in immaculate condition. I dont think the original owner played it all.
My bass has quite a wordy name; it is a Fender Deluxe Active P Bass Special. I picked it up a year ago at Sweetwater in Indiana. I had some labella flats put on by a local luthier who did a full setup and some tweaks. It has barely left my hands since. I am still fairly new to bass (played guitar badly for years) but I honestly cant see myself outgrowing this guitar or amp anytime soon.
I am looking for some advice on a pre or compressor to run between the bass and amp. Sound wide I am going for that motown type sound. I have my felt picks and sponge by the bridge
Thanks in advance.
Oh and FWIW, my fav setting is buttons out - 6446
Learn to play with fingers rather than the pick, if that’s the sound you want. Big change in tone, for free.
