• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

AMPEG BA115HP ***???? Distorting?

ChrisPatterson

ChrisPatterson

Guest
Mar 9, 2012
20
2
53
Gadsden, Alabama
#1
So I just purchased an Ampeg BA115HP (single 15") on Monday...had my first rehearsal with the band last night and found that the amp is distorting at loud volumes. No distortion at low volumes. If anyone has had any experience with this combo, Id love to hear about it. I got 30 days to take it back and get something else.
 
#3
Gain is about 5, master volume is about 8, Bass is about 7, mids at 5 Treble is 5, I keep the Style selector on 1 or 2. I do use a ZOOM B2 pedal but even without it I still get some distortion at loud volume. I play a Fender Precision (passive). Maybe Im just pushing it too hard?
 
#6
Not enough volume with that amp. I had one and it just doesn't do it in a band setting. Sold it. Add to that it is f'in heavy.

I second the Acoustic suggestion. I've tried one of those out. Seemed to be a good bit more volume plus they pump out more mid range which I think sounds better in a band setting.

GK has some great little combos for the price to take a look at as well.
 
#7
Nothing wrong with your amp, it is just a tad to small for cutting it in a rock band.
Any way, does it distort on low or high notes? With you settings you boost the lows quite much and either the amp will distort or the speaker will fart at high volume.
Put it on position 3-5 and cut the low a bit, it will manage better then.
 
#8
I have one I bought used and cheap for rehearsal and it is definitely underpowered.
If I had a loud drummer or guitard, I would be selling it. There is a great review on this site that I should have read prior.

I love the Ampeg sound but most of the time, you pay a little extra for the reputation.
 
#11
SmittyG said:
I had one and had to get rid of it for the same reason. VERY under-capable amp for the price range and the weight. I've used small combos as my primary amps for years and that Ampeg is the single biggest disappointment of the bunch.
Click to expand...

This Ampeg is damn cheap for what you get. It is just that many think it is a SVT jr. For a 100w combo it is quite fine. Buy something bigger if you want more db. You will also have to pay more, maybe at least 2x more to be sure it will cope with a drummer etc.
 
#13
lmfreeman9 said:
HP is rated at 220 watts, which is why it is such a disappointment.
Click to expand...

Ok, it is the 220w version... I thought it was the usual BA115 which is 100w. Here in Norway the BA115 100W is a real good deal. The BA115HP version with claimed 220W seem like a "bad" investment. It cost much more then the regular version but with 1x15W no way it will be much loader then the 100W version. better then to buy the Ampeg Micro CL or even better the Micro VR then the BA115HP....
 
#15
Well whether 100w or 220w (not enough wattage difference to make a significant volume increase BTW though it does give you more headroom), of course it's going to distort at those settings. That's cranking it very hard. Just because the knobs go to 10 doesn't mean that you're going to have clean tone all the way up to 10. You're just trying to get more out of it than it's designed to put out.
 
#18
i play in a pop/rock/alternative band, and i use a ba115hp. it was bought second hand, in mint condition. i love it. i regularly gig at a big club in my hometown. the sound guy has complimented twice, at two different gigs. once for having a good tone and stage volume, and again for being impressed that the amp has a built in tuner. i rehearse, gig, and record with this amp. i have never had an issue with volume at rehearsal or gigs, and my tone on the recordings ive done is excellent. i always just sit the amp on the floor (on its casters), i never use a stand, or anything. i always hear myself fine. i use p basses, both single coil, and split coil, as well as a jazz. all passive. i just did an acoustic gig last week with no drummer. i used my fretless p. had terrific tone, and way too much volume. just played a full electric gig with our drummer three days before that, where we were as loud as we could possibly be. my amp sounded great, on stage and through FOH. i can turn my amp up pretty loud, and i dont start to hear any distortion until i have the volume almost all the way up. at that point its way too loud to be usable anyway. i heard somewhere once that these amps have a preamp tube in them. if they do, that could be your problem. i definitely do not agree with the general consensus that the amp is under powered.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back