Hi! I recently bought a used BA115 and while I love the tone, it really doesn't have much volume until I get the gain and the volume past 5. Cranking it into the 7-9 range it definitely gets nice and loud like I imagined it ought to, but I'm just curious if this is typical for these sorts of amps or if something is off. Basically 5 is a comfortable bedroom practice level. Above 5 is good for jamming in the garage and could even work for a small gig. But below 5 is like it's barely there. I'm pretty new to bass so would be curious to hear some others' take. Thanks!
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Ampeg BA115 Volume
- Thread starter Johnny B Evil
- Start date
Good to know. Luckily it doesn't distort when I crank it. It actually sounds really good. So it'll do for the time being. but I'll probably need something more if we start playing out regularly.
I've a BA115V2 that stays parked in the bands basement rehearsal area.
It's placed on it's side monitor style, angled up, it's also elevated roughfully 1-1/2 feet above the concrete floor on a plastic box.
I run a old SansAmp BDDI V1 into the Ampeg's input set as clean as I can figure how to set it with the SansAmp gain set around 3:00, blend full on, treble 10:00, bass 9:00, drive off, presence 12:00.
Set like this the SA will give the Ampeg a mids boost around 750, it also seems to buffer and serve as a compressor.
The BA is set, distortion off, gain 2 to 4, tone controls to taste.
Sounds GREAT to my ears, clean, clear and loud and is more than enough for rehearsal with a 5 pcs., country/rock group .
I've never gigged the BA but I wouldn't be afraid to as long as I've my SansAmp in front and alittle FOH support.
It's placed on it's side monitor style, angled up, it's also elevated roughfully 1-1/2 feet above the concrete floor on a plastic box.
I run a old SansAmp BDDI V1 into the Ampeg's input set as clean as I can figure how to set it with the SansAmp gain set around 3:00, blend full on, treble 10:00, bass 9:00, drive off, presence 12:00.
Set like this the SA will give the Ampeg a mids boost around 750, it also seems to buffer and serve as a compressor.
The BA is set, distortion off, gain 2 to 4, tone controls to taste.
Sounds GREAT to my ears, clean, clear and loud and is more than enough for rehearsal with a 5 pcs., country/rock group .
I've never gigged the BA but I wouldn't be afraid to as long as I've my SansAmp in front and alittle FOH support.
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my amp can barely have the master volume 10% up without being too loud in my apartment. That's how I like it because it would be enough for most gigs lol
I had a BA115 years ago.
The tweeter blew, and I just unhooked it.
Don't remember volume vs knob position, but I used it on MANY gigs that were more acoustic / country / Americana focused. It was no problem for those. For a rock band with electric guitars, it ran out of juice and did not have enough power.
I used to get BA115s as back lines on some gigs in small clubs around Austin. They always did fine if there was PA support. I actually got complements on the DI sound a couple times.
The tweeter blew, and I just unhooked it.
Don't remember volume vs knob position, but I used it on MANY gigs that were more acoustic / country / Americana focused. It was no problem for those. For a rock band with electric guitars, it ran out of juice and did not have enough power.
I used to get BA115s as back lines on some gigs in small clubs around Austin. They always did fine if there was PA support. I actually got complements on the DI sound a couple times.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
it looks like there are 2 versions of this amp. One is 220 watts and one is 150 watts. I have an Ampeg B3 head which is similar in wattage, with that amp I never turn it above 5 ... it is plenty loud. I typically run one cab for a 8 ohm load or two cabs for a 4 ohm load. Also I run a hot signal in from my pedalboard.
