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Ampeg BA115 or...

P

PunchLine17

May 22, 2009
63
0
Ottawa, Canada
#1
I need some advice please! Alright well I have a chance to get a used Ampeg BA115 for roughly $300 but I was wondering if I should wait to find a used BA115HPT or even get it new for $500. Do you think it's worth that extra $150 to $200? Basically I'm looking for portable combo amplifier that I will be using for band practice, direct to mixer recording and when we do gig it will be at small venues with a PA system. What do you guys suggest?

Cheers!
 
#2
I have used the BA115HP and it's actually a pretty impressive combo. I'd say go for the HP or HPT, at least you'll have the options to go louder if needed, and it's nearly the same for factor as the BA115 (may actually be the same, don't recall)
 
#3
PunchLine17 said:
I need some advice please! Alright well I have a chance to get a used Ampeg BA115 for roughly $300 but I was wondering if I should wait to find a used BA115HPT or even get it new for $500. Do you think it's worth that extra $150 to $200? Basically I'm looking for portable combo amplifier that I will be using for band practice, direct to mixer recording and when we do gig it will be at small venues with a PA system. What do you guys suggest?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I'm currently using the BA115HP (without the tube) for some smaller gigs, and I'm happy with it. Tried the BA115, and there is no contest. I can certainly get the volume I want in a smaller venue, and I just plug into the P.A. for the larger shows.
Hope this helps.
 
#4
Well i dont know about the BA115HPT but I have a BA115 and when I first got it I was really excited about having an ampeg. It sounded awesome and I was totally stoked. Then the problems started setting in...may just be my luck but first off its not NEARLY as loud as an amp with that price tag/ wattage should be. I was really dissappointed the first time I played it in practice. ALSO, major problems with hissing and a problem with buzzing that just won't go away. Then again, I have really taken mine to a LOT of gigs (lol when i bought it i didnt consider the fact that I would be getting gigs more often in teh next couple of years). I would HIGHLY reccomend this amp to practice with, just as long as you dont move it around too much or set the volume above five. Seriuosly, Ive had a lot of experience with the BA115 (I know two other people that had them also) and honestly, for $300 you are getting a really nice practice amp but I REALLY wouldn't gig with it.

ALSO, be careful with recording from it, as the direct out has broken and caused my amp to go silent TWICE now, with two different audio guys. If the PA starts crackling and its your bass amp....unplug it and start praying your amp will still work!
 
#5
I have the BA115, and i was actually so impressed with it, I thought about selling it and my big rig and going for one of the more wattage tube preamp ones. I didn't though. There is a DI hiss in mine and I am afraid of spending all the time/effort to get the bigger one and then having the same problem.
 
#7
Just saw this (I'm looking for a BA112) AMS has an non-factory sealed model for $339
Invalid Link Removed

I don't know what non-factory sealed means?

I really liked the tone of the BA-112, but I think it's just under the amount of power I'd need to do a small show or jam. The BA-115 should work.
 
#8
I own a BA115, ans was surprised at it's performance in the group I am currently with. But I had the option to move to a bigger rig(their PV Firebass700, PV TVX410),and am glad I did. I would recommend going alittle bigger then the BA115, cause you can always back off the volume. Not sure of your applications, but would assume to go for the BA115HP. Plus, the BA115 goes for $350 new, so the used one for nearly $300 better be in some great condition. Just my 0.02 Good Luck.
 
#9
Also, just a word of advice when buying used amps you should be careful as to how long the people ur buying from have owned it. In my experience things, things DO go wrong with solid state amps more than tube amps and craigslist sellers lie. A lot. A couple of good ideas for when you look at the amp:
- Play it with YOUR bass, and try it at high volume...make sure it doesnt distort
- Check if any of the knobs are loose...seriously. Finding new nobs that fit can be a pain :hmm:
- Check for marks/scratches
- Take note of how clean the space where the amp was kept is! People who keep their amps in a messy living room with stuff everywhere probably didnt take good care of their amp!
 
#10
+1 on all the great advice. I have owned or still own most of the recent Ampeg products. The combo you have linked looks good enough and since its ampeg I would get it. Still, I am more partial to a head and cab rig. I have an Ampeg 115 cab and its can be powered by most 200 watt and up heads. GK makes some nice heads it doesn't have to be Ampeg. IMO, with even a small rig you get better re-sale value and you can expand much easier...
:cool:
 

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