Ampeg BA-115HP Users Need Opinions

[shawshank72]

http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ba115hp/
This amp pops up at times up north but nobody has it in stock nearby.
Can this keep up in a band setting with the 220W or is it a weak 220W?
Are these the import models?
Overall just any experience with them is appreciated.

 

[shawshank72]

Hmmm
Strange no replies to an ampeg thread.

 

[JimmyM]

It's not a weak 220w, but nobody can answer if it'll be enough for situation but you.

 

[Old Fart]

Jimmy is right. It's a nice amp, but has its limits. It was underpowered for the band I was in, but if they had kept the volume thing under control it would have been fine.

 

[jehhorton]

Here's my experience with them:

1. Get the MIA (first year only, I think). Chinese ones have rattle problems.
2. Plenty of power if you let the pa do the work. If you're trying to fill a medium sized club, you'll need more amp. I've played mine outdoors for 3000 people, but was in the pa (which is the right way to do it, imho. High stage volume is overrated).
3. XLR out is very cool, but not attenuated. Some systems will need to pad the board input to avoid clipping.
4. Built in tuner and mute button are very handy.
5. Biggest drawback - Cannot add cabs, no amp out.
6. It's a little heavy, but comes with pop-out casters.
7. Parallel inputs (0 and -15 db)O can act weird if you use both of them.
Overall, if you get the MIA version, it's a great small footprint amp which will give you that classic ampeg sound on the "2" setting on the "style" button. I've heard there's a fix for the rattle in the chinese version, but I would be cautious buying one.

 

[shawshank72]

Thank you.

 

[experimental bassist]

I have a similar amp, a BA210, not sure how helpful but I'll share what I can:


Mine's an older SLM American made version.

220 watts, more than loud enough for what I do, a moderate volume blues band with low stage volume and PA support most of the time.

On board tuner, works great.

XLR out, works great.

Nice Ampeg tone. Already mentioned, style on "2" and EQ a bit of mids and you have that Ampeg sound, oh yes.

It's been perfectly reliable.

It's small, doesn't take up much room on the stage or in the station wagon.

It has casters.

It's heavy, but has a handle on the top AND two robust handles on the sides, so that helps.


A similar thread FWIW: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ampeg-ba115hp-1057044/




Anyway, here's my BA210 with it's younger sibling my BA112: