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Ampeg B2 vs. B2R

A

AJHS-1stTrumpet

Jan 5, 2007
37
1
#1
Hello. I currently don't own a bass amp (I practice at low volumes out of my guitar amp) and have been considering getting some decent used gear for my first "rig." I've been looking a lot on ebay, and two amps have caught my eye recently, the Ampeg B2 and B2R. As near as I can tell, these heads are identical, but the B2R tends to go for a bit higher. Is there a quality difference or something I should know about? Otherwise, I'm probably going ot buy the cheaper B2. And also, which cabs would you guys recomend with this head? Thanks for your help!

AJHS
 
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#2
When we look at specs, the b2r is the rackmount head of the b2 combo...

If you meant the b2-re VS b2-r, the b2-re gives around 100 watts more power in 4 ohms and 50 watts more in 8 ohms than the b2-r

Not sure about the difference in sound, never tried both side-by-side.
 
#4
Well, that is the detail which confuses me. I've read what you said on this site and others, but I've seen several heads advertised as a "B2", with pictures showing that that's what is written on the front, and then B2Rs. The heads themselves look a tad bit different as far as the overall cosmetics, but seem to be the same amp.

For instance, here's the picture of the "B2" I'm considering.
b85b_12.jpg


And here's a picture of the "B2R" I'm considering.
869a_1.jpg


Are these the same amp?:confused:
 
#5
renniw said:
When we look at specs, the b2r is the rackmount head of the b2 combo...

If you meant the b2-re VS b2-r, the b2-re gives around 100 watts more power in 4 ohms and 50 watts more in 8 ohms than the b2-r

Not sure about the difference in sound, never tried both side-by-side.
Click to expand...

And even the B2RE is over rated and under powered.

If you are set on getting an Ampeg because of "the name", at least get a different model.

If you are not stuck on the brand, then the money you would pay for the B2's could go alot further when spent on other brands such as Carvin, GK, etc.
 
#6
I'm not too concerned about the power argument, because the most power I've ever needed was 100 watts. If these things sound like crap, then I'll consider something different, but I don't have the money to buy a professional amp. If these aren't any good, what other name brand heads can I pick up for under 300 on ebay? :confused:
 
#8
AJHS-1stTrumpet said:
I'm not too concerned about the power argument, because the most power I've ever needed was 100 watts. If these things sound like crap, then I'll consider something different, but I don't have the money to buy a professional amp. If these aren't any good, what other name brand heads can I pick up for under 300 on ebay? :confused:
Click to expand...

Gallien Krueger is great value- I think you can get a backline 600 or 400RB in that price range.
The Ampeg Pro series is great but the B series is ...... not.
 
#9
Well, my original question was never answered. I have the opprotunity to get the "b2" amp for 200 used. I understand the amp is not worth the current $600 new. All I really want to know is whether this amp sounds decent and works reliably. I have never needed to turn my church's 100 watt rolland up more than half way, so the fact that the 350 watts doesn't sound as loud as other 350 watt amps doesn't bother me. And I don't expect it to sound as good as an all tube ampeg SVT. If there are any people who have owned this amp, I would love to hear your impressions of it.
 
#10
My understanding is that the B2 is the immediate predecessor of the B2R and is basically if not exactly the same. It makes sense that the B2's are a little cheaper than the B2R's because they would be a little older. (The B2RE is a much more recent addition.)

I have an old B2 combo -- the same head combined with a cabinet and 15" speaker -- that I bought it on eBay many years ago. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it weighs in at over 80 lbs., but that obviously isn't an issue for you if you're just buying the head. I think it has excellent tone (and control thereof), although I often run through a Sansamp to fatten up and tube-ify the sound a bit. I assure you it is as loud as you'll ever need. And except for the little sliders on the EQ section which invariably snap off, it's built like a tank.

Assuming it is in good working condition, I think $200 is a pretty good deal. I'd go for it!
 
#11
AJHS-1stTrumpet said:
Well, my original question was never answered. I have the opprotunity to get the "b2" amp for 200 used. I understand the amp is not worth the current $600 new. All I really want to know is whether this amp sounds decent and works reliably. I have never needed to turn my church's 100 watt rolland up more than half way, so the fact that the 350 watts doesn't sound as loud as other 350 watt amps doesn't bother me. And I don't expect it to sound as good as an all tube ampeg SVT. If there are any people who have owned this amp, I would love to hear your impressions of it.
Click to expand...

I use B2 that I picked up for $150. I run a 2x10,8ohm cab with it and have to keep track of the volume to avoid being too loud, and that would be at Blues and Rock gigs. This is also with the EQ (both) set relatively flat, and the main and master set at 12:00. I don't have any expeience with the B2re, but it's my understanding that it's been marginally uprated. I really have nothing but good to say about the amp short of it vibrates solder joints open from time to time. Judging by what you're gonna use it for? You got a hit there. prices? $200 pretty good, $600? no way! BTW? I paid $650. for my B4, but that's another story.......
 
#13
I have an old MIA B@RE I got for a sweet deal off the NAMM show demo when it came out... I don't think it sounds 'bland', but it's no tube killer. It has just enough power to keep up with a rock band in a practice space with high ceilings. I hit the limiter pretty often.

The B2RE is pretty much the minimum I would accept, volume wise. The B2 is weaker, so I would pass.

But another guy in the thread assures you it's more than enough power. So it really depends on what the bass is doing in your band and what kind of band it is. In a surf band it's loud enough, in a punk band it isn't. :D
 
#14
The b2r is an improved version of the b2. The b2r the fan always runs. The b2 doesn't.

They both sound the same. I use a b2r as my main amp. I love the sound. I have the b2 as a backup and a b3 as another backup and a behringer as a small at home practice amp.

I find the b2r to be loud enough. I run it about 2 or 3. If I need more volume then I run the b2 as a slave to the b2r or I run a line out to the pa or I put a mike on one of my 10s.
 
#15
troyus said:
But another guy in the thread assures you it's more than enough power. So it really depends on what the bass is doing in your band and what kind of band it is. In a surf band it's loud enough, in a punk band it isn't. :D
Click to expand...

Right, that was me. But now that you mention it: On those few occasions where I really need more ooomph, I add an Avatar 2x10 cab on top of the 1x15 built into the combo. Now it's 350W into 4 ohms, and I don't think I've ever pushed the master volume beyond half (12 o'clock) with this arrangement. Unless you're playing punk in a VERY large venue, you can get all the volume you need from this head. But, keep this issue in mind when choosing a cab or cabs to go along with it.
 
#17
I own a Ampeg B2re, but have not used it since I got my Hartke, It is pretty decent amp not the best but much better then the b2 IMO. It has 450 watts @ 4ohms, lots of features. It is over rated power wise ,but the 100 extra watts makes a big difference with these two amps from my experience. It would work well with a 4ohm cab to get all the power from it or two small 8hm cabs. for a cab, I would recommend Avatar. A 4ohm 2x10 rated at 500 watts rms, for a small but portable rig and more then decent, great price on these cabs new and a lot of bang for the buck.:bassist: here are the specs on the B2re for comparison feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions on these amps http://www.ampeg.com/products/b/b2re/index.html
 
#19
AJHS-1stTrumpet said:
Oh, and on the issue of cabs, I don't know anything. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for? I know I want to start with one 8 ohm cab so I have room to expand if need be.
Click to expand...

i have B2 (blue B2 on front right side) i use it for rehearsals thru an ampeg 6x10 at 4ohms/350w. it sounds great to me.... it is what it is and if you can get it for $200 or less jump on it. (USA MADE ALSO) and that in itself make a difference to me in every way.

its got nice big bottom and i really dont care for the EQ that much, but its nice to have. never gigged with it, but im sure it would do the job.

i have used alot of stuff over the years and rt now i have all ampeg gear. SVTHEAD/6x10hlfcab/B115combo/B200Rcombo/B2head and im happy with all of it. but if you want the truth that lil B200R rocket bass amp is the best $$ spent and best cab/combo i have ever heard.

grab that B2 if you can... you can always sell and upgrade. try lots of things.
goto your local shop and play dif stuff till you find what you like, then look for it used or for a good deal.

as for the cab, i use the 6x10 and sounds fine. i did play it thru an old yamaha 15 years ago and it sounded good. so that your choice and price range.

best of luck! 808man
 

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