I was recently captivated by this amp at a local music shop and was wondering what anyone out there has heard about it. I've been unable to find a single review on it, but it looks and sounds absolutely killer. I currently use a GK 800RB and a Mesa Boogie Walkabout as my heads and a 4x10 and 1x15 as my cabinets. I'm probably going to be trading in the Walkabout but I was going to see if I should also trade in the GK 800RB for this head. Any and all help is appreciated!
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Ampeg B500 DR
- Thread starter MrDBrownstone
- Start date
Last November, I had a B500DR for almost a week before I took it back to the store for a refund. It had lots of great 'gimmick' features, (watching the lights move was fun) but it was SERIOUSLY lacking in output. Compared to my old Portabass 250 the B500DR sounded more like a weak 50 watts (used with the same Ampeg PBH210 4ohm cab). I used the B500DR for one set before putting my PB250 back into service. To play with the band the B500DR was clipping and distorting well below our normal stage volume. The settings on the B500DR: gain was between 7-9 and the master 8 - 9, eq's at bout 6 - 7. The PB250 at stage volume runs at about: Gain 4, Master 3 to 5, similar Eq and no clipping or distortion. I think there is a valid reason the B500DR amp is being discontinued, it just doesn’t produce the sound levels equal to its quoted power ratings and hefty price.
Unless you really have a need for multiple foot switch able EQ settings, you can find better bang for the buck with other heads.
Now, I’m the first to admit I may have just gotten a bad unit, but I’ve tried other B500DRs at different store with similar results. I’m totally unimpressed with the sound and value for the money the B500Dr offers.
Unless you really have a need for multiple foot switch able EQ settings, you can find better bang for the buck with other heads.
Now, I’m the first to admit I may have just gotten a bad unit, but I’ve tried other B500DRs at different store with similar results. I’m totally unimpressed with the sound and value for the money the B500Dr offers.
M-m-monster bump! I'm curious about this as well, I just got the chance to play one of those through a 4x10' and a 1x15' cab and liked it a lot more than I expected, my band's music is pretty heavy and I managed to bury my guitarist's Mesa amp easily. I'd really like to know if someone else has ever come across one of those.
Zombie thread, BUT, did that dude actually trade a Walkabout and GK for the crappiest Ampeg head ever made???
Crappiest head Ampeg ever made? To tell you the truth, it indeed sounded pretty good to me and seemed to have enough headroom to bury my guitarist's Mesa amp easily. My bandmates really liked it as well. Maybe I tried out a later version or something? The manual was printed in 2004, if that indicates anything.
I bought one of these two years ago, kept it for a couple months. I left a review about it on the TB product reviews.
Basically, the amp was plenty powerful, and I liked the fact it would load down to 2ohms. The panel controls were a piece of cake to set, and I really liked how programmable it was because I switch between active and passive basses, so all I had to do was click the footswitch and my settings are dialed up.
The amp sounded huge and was plenty loud, could easily drown out a metal band, so I think dewbass4 up above had a serious problem with his.
I did not keep it because I'm simply a tube amp tone guy. I did find that the B500DR seemed to keep up with the volume of my Mesa 400, but to me the Ampeg really needed a compressor to keep the dynamics of the sound in check, because it seemed no matter if you played hard or played with finesse the sound coming out was the same.
Basically, the amp was plenty powerful, and I liked the fact it would load down to 2ohms. The panel controls were a piece of cake to set, and I really liked how programmable it was because I switch between active and passive basses, so all I had to do was click the footswitch and my settings are dialed up.
The amp sounded huge and was plenty loud, could easily drown out a metal band, so I think dewbass4 up above had a serious problem with his.
I did not keep it because I'm simply a tube amp tone guy. I did find that the B500DR seemed to keep up with the volume of my Mesa 400, but to me the Ampeg really needed a compressor to keep the dynamics of the sound in check, because it seemed no matter if you played hard or played with finesse the sound coming out was the same.
I guess I might have been a little harsh, (I had a BA500, thought they were the same), but compared to the 2 amps in the original post, that still seems like trading down to me.
gotta say I've been rocking a b500dr for the last 3 years... In my opinion pretty versital... I get some great sounds from it especially coupled with my bse410hlf (the horn is orgasmic) 4ohm and a peavey 210 also 4ohm ... But retardedly under powered, even when running at 2 ohm I clip before I'm audible over my guitarist 100w head... Very dependable head, but unless your planning on getting mic'd often keep searching... BTW a new head isn't in the budget... can anyone recommend a decent power amp to throw in my rack?
never mind... recently picked up a crown XTi1000... when run as a preamp this thing makes some great sound
