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Ampeg B-200Rs $280, Shipped

#83
Lync said:
Mine buzzed on C/C#. I returned it and just bought the Carvin BR515N today...

The B200r sounds great though. If it doesn't buzz (or if the buzzing doesn't bother you), it is a really good deal.
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I know. I thought it sounded awesome at low volumes (before the buzzing kicked in). I really wanted this amp to work out for me. I think Ampeg is phasing the line out though. I was thinking about their newer BA300/600 amps but I've heard that those have issues too. I guess Ampeg is going down the tubes when it comes to Quality Control. I would really like to get a Mesa Walkabout Scout but I just cannot afford to spend that much money.
 
#84
Sorry to hear about the bad luck, and I apologize if I somehow I contributed to you buying one and being dissatisfied. Mine works like it it supposed to, and sounds great. I dont' know if I am just lucky or I baby my gear enough the problem has not surfaced yet, but mine looks and sounds great. I have a bunch of amps anyway so it's not life or death to me if this one works out or not. I am still feeling like this was a great deal and I have a really nice amp I got for less than $300. I think the tube pre on this thing works better than any other I own, and it actually has more of a tube sound at lower levels than my VB2 or my V4BH, both actual all-tube amps.
 
#86
No worries, it was no one's fault but mine.... or Ampeg's... :smug:

Anyway, I think I'm going to try one of those little Micro VR stacks out and see if that doesn't work out for me. Sweetwater has their own 2 year warranty on top of the manufacturer's warranty and they are just over in Indiana so it's not a long shipping distance.
 
#87
Haven't had a chance to play it yet but I did get it out of the box today. It appears I did indeed get a brand new one, as the box and packaging were all sealed properly and all the contents were in their proper place. The appearance is beautiful, no overt damage from shipping (the double boxing helped I'm sure). Here's a few pics of the front and back. The only visible defect I've found is the where the bottom left screw has been so tightly screwed into the chassis that it has dented in (see pic 3 below). That may be what they've been doing at the factory to try and correct the rattle problem these have had. I'll find out I guess when I take it home tonight and plug it in. Stay tuned ...

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#88
Alright, just finished putting it through a pretty long test with both my Fender P-fiver and Ric 4003 and so far it's passing with flying colors. No rattle from the amp even a with both gain and master at level 5. My wife sat behind the amp to listen and could hear only slight buzzing (nothing like the buzzing in the rest of the room!) which is normal for any bass amp at that volume. I'll second what others have said about this amp sounding better as it warms up. It sounds good cold but it sounds fantastic after about half an hour. It handled the low B on my P-bass without complaint. Very happy so far!
 
#92
Well ... after turning the amp down it turns out my amp's chassis is indeed buzzing when hit a D or D# but I couldn't hear it at high volume. Since it only buzzes on those two notes, and since I can't hear it from the amp when playing at "band volume" (as opposed to "bedroom volume") I'm not going to sweat it. In fact, if I turn down real low to say "speaking volume" the buzzing stops. I noticed too it stops if I push on the chassis with my hand, either on the back or pushing up underneath, so if I really wanted I could probably stick a block of wood or something similar under the chassis and that would cure it too, but again it's too minor to worry about (at least for now!).
 
#95
Sounds like you got a good one. I have heard though that the buzzing gets worse as time goes on. Lowbrow had one and said it progressively got worse. Doesn't mean yours will though.

I sent mine back to Zzsounds yesterday and I ordered a SVT Micro Stack from Sweetwater. I'm looking forward to giving this one a try. The only complaint I've heard about these is that the fan is loud.
 
#96
kirkm24 said:
Sounds like you got a good one. I have heard though that the buzzing gets worse as time goes on. Lowbrow had one and said it progressively got worse. Doesn't mean yours will though.

I sent mine back to Zzsounds yesterday and I ordered a SVT Micro Stack from Sweetwater. I'm looking forward to giving this one a try. The only complaint I've heard about these is that the fan is loud.
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MusiciansFriend is offering a $100.00 rebate if you by both (SVT Micro Stack) head and cab.
 
#97
jbassbob said:
MusiciansFriend is offering a $100.00 rebate if you by both (SVT Micro Stack) head and cab.
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Yeah, the rebate is through Ampeg directly so any dealer is offering the rebate. They seem to be pushing this little guy pretty hard. Everyone that's used it likes it a lot. I messed on one at GC for a while and liked it. Sounds like LOUD Technologies might have got something right.
 
#98
kirkm24 said:
Sounds like you got a good one. I have heard though that the buzzing gets worse as time goes on. Lowbrow had one and said it progressively got worse. Doesn't mean yours will though.

I sent mine back to Zzsounds yesterday and I ordered a SVT Micro Stack from Sweetwater. I'm looking forward to giving this one a try. The only complaint I've heard about these is that the fan is loud.
Click to expand...

Just finishing up a few hours of playing it again today, this time with my Epi Jack Casady, and thankfully getting nothing but beautiful tone. Seems like tightening up those screws was all this one needed. Hope that remains the case over time, as you say.

Hope the SVT Micro stack works better for you. Sweetwater takes great care of me so you're in good hands if there are any problems. :bassist:
 
#100
I just brought home a new B200R from Apple Music in Portland. It was on the floor but fresh out of the box, and set me back $625.

I could have maybe saved a buck on line but I like buying locally and after reading some of the mail order horror stories it felt good to pick this one off the tree for myself.

I love this thing so far. I did like the sound of the B115HPT, and the tuner was uber-cool. But I really love the B200R. It's sound IMO was very similar to the B115HPT, but what I like more about the B200R is the simple straight ahead 4 tone controls, and the bass-boost, mid-cut & treble-boost buttons.

And the look of this thing is as bad as it's sound. Right now it is the most imaculate thing in my house, with it's shiny blue tolex and silver/black grill. I am going to rue the first ding in it like I do when a new guitar gets a first ding.


Oh and about the Micro SVT. I wanted one in the worst way. Until I realized it keep up with the drummer and guitar player. And my #1 priority with this gear purchase was to get a giggable amp.

Maybe I can pick up on used some day as a living room practice amp, they sure do look awesome.
 

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