Ampeg B-50R is a fine machine

[Eyesee7]

I also bought mine, sight unseen, on Ebay a few years back for $200. The dummy that sold it just wrapped it in clear tape to protect the front grille I guess, and it was put on the UPS truck like that. Amazingly, there was no major damage in transit but I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the UPS driver carrying it into my shop on his shoulder and fling it down on a workbench!! He thought it was a heavy duty shipping box with something inside! Once I looked it over I noticed the front name plate was broken so don't know if that happened in transit or from the driver tossing it.

Aside from that, I love the sound, although I've never aired it out in public in a gig, and have always wondered if it has enough power to handle clubs/weddings or if I need to look for a B100R.

 

[Rob Martinez]

I also bought mine, sight unseen, on Ebay a few years back for $200. The dummy that sold it just wrapped it in clear tape to protect the front grille I guess, and it was put on the UPS truck like that. Amazingly, there was no major damage in transit but I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the UPS driver carrying it into my shop on his shoulder and fling it down on a workbench!! He thought it was a heavy duty shipping box with something inside! Once I looked it over I noticed the front name plate was broken so don't know if that happened in transit or from the driver tossing it.

Aside from that, I love the sound, although I've never aired it out in public in a gig, and have always wondered if it has enough power to handle clubs/weddings or if I need to look for a B100R.

I gig with the B50R, it can be done!

 

[stiles72]

Never played a B50R, but I own a B100R. and my opinion is that it is the best sounding combo out there.

+1

 

[lsabina]

I don't see why the B50-R would not have enough power to handle clubs/weddings. At smaller venues/weddings, drummers really aren't wailing away (I hope). I too thought about the B100R, but its extra weight ultimately steered me away.
However, what I am thinking about is eventually getting a second B50R, and if I ever do play a larger room/gig (with a super loud drummer), then I would split the signal to input into both simultaneously. I know that that defeats the "extra weight" factor, but hey, two are better than one, right?
Is anyone doing this?

 

[JimmyM]

i do a variation of it with a b-15 and two cabs. that would give you 100w and 212's. that's plenty.

 

[Lobster11]

I've got a B50R and a B100R and love them both. The main difference between them sound-wise is that the 100 has a fuller, deeper bottom end. That's where the extra wattage seems to go; it doesn't sound any louder otherwise.

For an outdoor pool-party gig this summer I stacked the 50 on top of the 100, splitting my signal with a Sansamp BDDI. It was the perfect combo-combo, with the best of both sonic worlds as well as the extra volume. A real bonus was that with one on top of the other, I could hear myself WAY better than with only one of them blasting my ankles.

BTW, splitting the signal into two combos turns out to be a recipe for ground loops, depending on how you connect everything up, so you may need to do some experimenting before using them together. I had serious ground-loop hum when the BDDI was plugged in, but not when it ran on battery power (which I did for the gig). Also, I picked up an Ebtech Hum-X which, as advertised, solves the problem if you plug one of the amps in through it.

 

[birminghambass]

Owned a B100 for a while, recently bought a B200. Same great tone only louder with the option to use the horn. Love it!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I've got a B50R and a B100R and love them both. The main difference between them sound-wise is that the 100 has a fuller, deeper bottom end. That's where the extra wattage seems to go; it doesn't sound any louder otherwise.

That bottom end is what punches through the mix and gets you heard, IME. Mids and highs get masked by the other instruments and the bass player disappears.

I had a B-100R that I enjoyed very much but had to sell to make rent. The B-50 I had for a minute got flipped because it distorted at low volume with an active bass plugged into it.

 

[lsabina]

I hear you, KUNGfu--makes sense. Still, I'd like to try the split. Lobster11 (or anyone), I've heard good things about the Lehle P Split. Any personal experience with it?

 

[6jase5]

I have (2) b100's. Spent less than $200 for each, just takes patience. I had some fun one time running effects in to one keeping the other clean and it was just fun fun fun. I'm sure that the b50's are great as well.

 

[EricF]

Another +1 for Ampeg's Rocket Bass amps! I love my B100R.

 

[sleepytime]

I have a B-100R and I almost pulled the trigger on another one recently. Now I wish that I had done it. I'm also still kicking myself for not picking up a B-200R when I had the chance a while back.

 

[Lobster11]

I had a B-100R that I enjoyed very much but had to sell to make rent. The B-50 I had for a minute got flipped because it distorted at low volume with an active bass plugged into it.

Yeah, one important difference between the two is that the B100R has separate controls for input gain and master volume, but the B50R has only volume. I could see why that could be a problem with a really hot active bass.

I play mostly passive basses so this hasn't been a problem for me. The only problem I've had with my B50R was when I first plugged in a 5-string and discovered it didn't handle the low B string very well. That's what motivated me to go get a B100R. Fortunately, though, I didn't have to sell the 50 to do so, and now I'm the happy owner of both.

 

[Lobster11]

I hear you, KUNGfu--makes sense. Still, I'd like to try the split. Lobster11 (or anyone), I've heard good things about the Lehle P Split. Any personal experience with it?

Sorry, can't help with that. I used a Sansamp BDDI because I happened to already have it, and it did the job fine.

 

[stiles72]

what I am thinking about is eventually getting a second B50R, and if I ever do play a larger room/gig (with a super loud drummer), then I would split the signal to input into both simultaneously. I know that that defeats the "extra weight" factor, but hey, two are better than one, right?
Is anyone doing this?

I'll often pair my B-100R with my '63 B-15, and I split the signal with my tuner pedal. I usually mic the B-15 for FOH, and then use the B-100R to add in any extra stage volume I may need if things start getting loud and edging out the Portaflex.

 

[Tusec]

Wow, they're almost exactly the same size. Pretty cool.

Is the B15 ported like the B100?

How close does the B100 come to matching the B15 tonewise?

 

[stiles72]

The B15 & B100R are the exact same height and depth, but the B-100R is not quite as wide. The B15 is the double baffle cab, so it has 8 oblong ports behind the grill around the speaker. Tonewise they are very similar. The B100R has more EQ options, and with some tweaking it can get close enough for most folks.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I'll often pair my B-100R with my '63 B-15

Bastard. Do me a favor and write me into your will?

Lobster, you explained my problem with the 50 exactly. That amp will never be friends with a hot 5er with strong mids. Too bad for me. I scored that little sucker for a hundred bucks and couldn't use it at all.

 

[SpectorDetector]

I miss my B50r, it was my first bass amp and I regret selling it! Great tone on that little solid state guy....

 

[Tusec]

The B15 & B100R are the exact same height and depth, but the B-100R is not quite as wide. The B15 is the double baffle cab, so it has 8 oblong ports behind the grill around the speaker. Tonewise they are very similar. The B100R has more EQ options, and with some tweaking it can get close enough for most folks.

Interesting, thanks.

I can't wait for this little B50R to get here. I'm on pins and needles!