Ampeg b2re

[TUEP]

I have a SVT-350H I got for $265, new, in a moment of ignorance, but I can't hear it over the sound of the fan.

Never figured that amp out. Gutless, but would be OK for a practice amp, if it wasn't for the unholy racket of that fan.

I thought the B-2Re/SVT-450H was the same circuit except for a nominal 100W boost. No?

Hmmm...my fan is a bit loud when it first cuts on then it quiets down. The trick with the B2R amps is to mess around with the gain and EQ. Once you get them EQed in then they do pretty well.

Its not as "boomy" as other amps in its class...but IMO it delivers really good note definition and mid range that cuts through really well. If I need to beef it up...then a $30 Behringer BDI does amazing wonders for it across the board and I can get the thing pretty beefed up with a good SVT type tone in two GK backline 15's. Took me some messing around but I am pretty happy with it. Also bringing the Ultra Mid down and working with your mids in the graphic EQ section can also get you some interesting and pleasant tones.

 

[Lync]

My opinion is that the B2R when it first came out was the "affordable" Ampeg. It gave people the Ampeg name at a lower price. Thing was...you expected Ampeg to sound killer and crush everyone, but this amp didn't do that. It had an overly aggressive limiter as well as no real grind built-in. It just wasn't the type of amp you expected to come from Ampeg.

Now of course times have changed and you can jump in cheap with the PF series (which sounds great and has that "classic" Ampeg tone).

Still, if you want a clean tone, the B2R is a decent amp. You just have to crank the master to 10 and control your volume with the gain. It also seems to just need to run at 4 ohms to get to the sweet spot of the amp.

 

[bass19021]

Yeah, not typical ampeg but I have found a nice sweet spot by diming the ultramid for more gain, then using graphic eq to tame the mids. And, oh yeah, gain to about 3 o clock. Boost the 80 and 120 hz for some kick! Not bad. Ymmv. But a gk 700 rb is very nice as well!

 

[hyp.spec]

Yeah, not typical ampeg but I have found a nice sweet spot by diming the ultramid for more gain, then using graphic eq to tame the mids. And, oh yeah, gain to about 3 o clock. Boost the 80 and 120 hz for some kick! Not bad. Ymmv. But a gk 700 rb is very nice as well!

My 700rb-II recently crapped out on me, and all I could afford was a used Ampeg B2RE for $200.

Suffice it to say, I'm quite impressed by this amp. Is it an SVT? No, but it works amazingly well with effects and the EQ options are substantial. It also handles my D Standard tuned basses much better than the GK could.

 

[rickwebb]

I have a B2-R i use all the time... On its own, it sounds kinda lukewarm. I usually bypass the preamp section and run one of my SVP-Pro preamps, OR the Tech 21 VT Pedal as a preamp.
Running my MXR M-80 DI into the B2-R's preamp also produces better results. Just my two cents...

 

[SherwoodGreen]

This thing sounds like a neutered ball of cottage cheese falling down a well.

That was funny! It would make a good sig, or a T-shirt!

Several years back, I bought a B2RE; liked it fine; used it frequently, eventually traded it in for a 3-PRO.

I've read much disdain on TB about both of these rigs, and never could quite understand why...Except for the fact that they are used with different cabs, by different players, with different basses, and different styles and tone goals!
Just...Different!
I remember actually reading where a poster...A Moderator, no less said of a 3-PRO: (and I quote)
"I can fart louder than that amp"!

I thought that was ummm, not very well stated to say the least, and it certainly didn't paint a pretty picture, if you know what I mean!

Both the B2RE and 3-Pro are kind of left in the dust today with all the high-powered smaller heads available, and for $500 there are a lot of options.

I think my MB Fusion is awesome, for example, and there should be a used one somewhere for around that price...or less.

I was GLAD to see a number of posters vouch for the "old" Ampegs tho-
I'm not a big fan of "rig-dissing"; everyone has a different opinion based on what they want to do,, and after all- It's only an AMPLIFIER!!!

 

[JimmyM]

Both the B2RE and 3-Pro are kind of left in the dust today with all the high-powered smaller heads available, and for $500 there are a lot of options.

I used to believe that, but I hear from too many folks who aren't happy with the small stuff to believe it anymore. The big iron solid state stuff does have a sound that you just plain don't get with micros. Then again, the reverse is also true and some might favor the micro thing, such as me. But even though I once predicted that micros would put regular SS out of commission, I don't anymore. It's too different and many people still like what it does.

 

[SherwoodGreen]

I used to believe that, but I hear from too many folks who aren't happy with the small stuff to believe it anymore. The big iron solid state stuff does have a sound that you just plain don't get with micros. Then again, the reverse is also true and some might favor the micro thing, such as me. But even though I once predicted that micros would put regular SS out of commission, I don't anymore. It's too different and many people still like what it does.

Jimmy I have both the micros and "sleds" love 'em both!
In my case it's a ThunderFunk 750 and the GK MB Fusion-
I also have (2) all-tube rigs!

I firmly know that I could gig today- well, tomorrow, anyway no problem-o with either the 3-PRO or B2RE- In my experiences, neither lacked volume or tone! Plus, both had good DI's as well, so no issues.

For the record- I'm an old-school big-time Ampeg fan, starting with a B-15N waay back ago, and having had in my arsenal the B2RE, 3-PRO, Portabass 800- (THAT was actually a way-cool rig-) and recently having sold my B15R which also was WAY awesome-no sheet!

Also happily gigged with a couple Classic series cabs-

Right now- I am HOPING to Win the Purple PF-800 rig that they have going on!!

 

[JimmyM]

The thing about the 3 Pro and B2RE is that there is a school of bass player who will never put gain knobs past where the light just starts to flicker, and you can't do that with Ampeg big iron SS amps. So they never find out what they're capable of because they're using their eyes to listen.

 

[SherwoodGreen]

There was/is always talk about the "true" power ratings of Ampegs, especially the 450-watt 3-Pro.
I think Jerrold Tiers addressed those questions/ concerns in the past.

In the mostly mid-size rooms I played; also a few moderate size outdoor gigs (No arenas for me!) The B2RE and my 3PRO had no problems with volume or headroom, with (2) 8-Ohm Classic Cabs. When needed DI to FOH did the trick.

As for the tone:
Both sounded very much like Ampeg to me; and in the case of the 3PRO:
The pre-amp tube path output was excellent- almost SVT-like, one could say!
The vast majority of the time, I was able to get the output I needed without clipping as well.