Ampeg B2 vs. B2R

[freshbass]

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.

any amp is only as good as the player using it. Having said that, these are good amps for your needs, I'd advise you to get the Made in USA model.

 

[freshbass]

 

[freshbass]

other than all tube it's hard to go wrong w/ a toroidal output transformer and a mosfet preamp. Are there some "cheaper" components ? yes....but the ones I played sounded almost as good as my 1st yr eden traveler 300.

 

[Raw N Low]

other than all tube it's hard to go wrong w/ a toroidal output transformer and a mosfet preamp. Are there some "cheaper" components ? yes....but the ones I played sounded almost as good as my 1st yr eden traveler 300.

These are solid amps for the working musician. I had a B2Re and while it wasn't the fanciest amp in terms of tone, preamp tubes, and looks, it was a very reliable US-made amp. It even made it a popular Ampeg Shootout video on YouTube that shows what the amp is capable of.

Besides, if you decided to run some effects in the single chain and stack it with another pedal pre...know what I'm saying?

 

[musicman556]

I had the B2RE for over a decade, bought new around 2003, I believe. It was... fine. I used it with a 4ohm Ampeg 410 HLF cab. Worked fine the entire time, and while I had no solid complaints, I also never really loved it. It just... sounded. Not great, not bad. I too play at church, a bigger church when I lived closer to Nashville, and now a smaller church. I never needed more power than the amp gave me.

However, I've gotten newer amps since and have gotten a lot more character and satisfaction. I still use the same speaker cab most of the time.

I say all of that to end with this... you won't go WRONG with the B2 series... but you may not be enthralled with it, either. Finding a good deal on one will remove the sting if you change your mind and end up reselling in the future. Happy bass playing!