I have one being shipped to me now, Zzounds is selling them for $279 new . I figured at that price at worst I could pull the amp out, plug the hole and still have a cool looking Ampeg 15" cab. At best it might acutally work and be a decent amp. I always wanted a B-15 but couldnt' see it being practical volume-wise, but if the B200R is not a lemon I may be able to gig with it, 200 watts is plenty for what I do. I've followed the threads here on TB so I am well aware of the issues with these amps. But $279 new I could not pass on, even if it's just a sexy box... if it's a dud, I will post on it.
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Ampeg B200R
- Thread starter bassvi
- Start date
Ampeg B200R should be fine. I think they've worked out the bugs that plaugued this amp a while back. And, between the B200R and the Acoustic B200, no question, the Ampeg sounds better to me.
There is no hole to plug if you just want to use the cabinet. There are 4 screws on each side and the amp can be removed, although it's a tight fit. The amp sits in the back of the cab. The amp has a 1/4" plug which goes into the cab, 2 sockets in the cab, one with the horn, one without. 4ohm 15" speaker with 2 ports in the rear, very easy to use with a different amp. I never have, because I like how mine sounds. Other than the B-15N, this is the only other combo I use.
Gigable, with XLR out with a separate volume control. Excellent price, enjoy!
Edit: If you search the "amp guts" thread, I took a picture of the amp sitting on top of the rear of the cab. You can see the back of the cab which is enclosed, although the vinyl covering stops where the amp goes. You can also see the preamp tube.
Gigable, with XLR out with a separate volume control. Excellent price, enjoy!
Edit: If you search the "amp guts" thread, I took a picture of the amp sitting on top of the rear of the cab. You can see the back of the cab which is enclosed, although the vinyl covering stops where the amp goes. You can also see the preamp tube.
really? i tried the Acoustic B200 at GC, which sounded awesome, and was better than the Ampeg BA115. I only wish that they had the Ampeg B200R also, to compare....
B200R sounds a lot better than the BA115. BA115 is a nice combo for the money, but the B100R and B200R kick its ass. At least IMHO. Acoustic B200 is nice, but there's no comparison with a B200R, if you ask me.
Well I just ordered one of these. With shipping it was just $291, and since I intend to use it mostly for in-home practice I'm sure it will suit me just fine.
Yeah, the Blue Diamond Rocket Bass amps, (B100R, B200R), are nothing at all like the BA series, (BA115, BA115T, etc) There's absolutely no comparison.
otaypanky
Commercial User
I ordered one for $279 this morning at about 9am. I got a confirmation email shortly afterwards. By the afternoon I had another email from Zzounds that said my order was cancelled because they didn't have any ~
I have a U.S.A. made B100R and like it a lot. I sure was psyched to think I was getting the 200
Did you folks that ordered today get cancelled?
I have a U.S.A. made B100R and like it a lot. I sure was psyched to think I was getting the 200
Did you folks that ordered today get cancelled?
Sorry to hear that, but I would be willing to bet if you want one bad enough there will be more on the market probably near this same price very soon. It seems like they are blowing them out similar to the Peavey VB2's awhile back. ( and I've been very happy with my VB2! ) My order status is shipped and there is tracking info, so I assume I have one coming. I will definitely be giving it the once over when it gets here to see if everything is ok.... if I read correctly, you NEVER connect or disconnect the tweeter while the amp is powered up, it blows something internally if you do (even though this is not in the manual.) True?
Between the two, I'd go for Ampeg B200R for at price. A few downside for B200R would be that it's pretty heavy. Handle's quality isn't as good so it was taken off while lifting with couple years of use, when you use XLR out, speaker will be turned off (meaning you can't use it as monitor)
otaypanky
Commercial User
I've always been told if you run an amp without a speaker load you can fry it, so I'm not surprised there were so many people who had that happen. A warning label would sure have been helpful.
When I called to ask why they cancelled my confirmed order they flubbed around on the phone then they offered me 15% off my next purchase for cancelling my order. I don't think they'll be getting any more new ones, just B stock, which they have priced at the same $279. Minus 15% brings it down to $237.
That's a great price. It's a terrific sounding amp of it doesn't develop the rattle -- one of the best combos I've ever used.
I ordered mine Monday and according to UPS it is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I did notice soon after ordering mine they stopped showing new ones available on the website so I may have taken the last new one. (sorry)
I'll give a review after I've had a chance to mess with it a while.
Only all-tube amps or solid state amps with an output transformer (very rare...the Warwick Hellborg is the only one I know of being made these days) can't be run without a speaker load. What probably happened is that the unplugging caused a transient that fried the tweeter.
I was jerked around about a year ago when I ordered a B200R to use as my 'old school' combo plus Precision set up. I got really excited about the traditional valve pre amp approach, but during the wait I had a chance to investigate the problems with the Chinese manufactured units that all seemed to blow up when the tweeter cable was unplugged. Apparently someone in the chinese plant thought the PCB could be made better (cheaper?) with a minor modification without checking back with the designers, the result of which we are all aware.
Everything can be made just a bit cheaper.............and just a bit worse. Unfortunately whilst the money men are allowed to send perfectly good products to low cost (read quality) regions, we all act as final quality inspectors for their shoddy goods. Rant over!
Everything can be made just a bit cheaper.............and just a bit worse. Unfortunately whilst the money men are allowed to send perfectly good products to low cost (read quality) regions, we all act as final quality inspectors for their shoddy goods. Rant over!
Agreed, but bear in mind that Jaime Engen, the idiot who was responsible for that and many other stupid decisions that bankrupted LOUD, has been sacked along with his handpicked braintrust of college boys with no common sense. The new head of LOUD actually seems sincere in wanting to return quality to LOUD products.
That was a old problem that was fixed a long time ago.
I shut mine off if I switch the plug from horn to no horn anyway.
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