Ampeg ba210 v2,anybody have a review ?

[bftbassman]

Recently got into Ampeg, got my first pf500 and love it, flip top and how it sits in the mix has really impressed me. Also the "Ampeg" growl i always heard about turned out to be true. Interested in the new v2 series for some back n forth to practice when we dont do a full gig set up and want to just jam and write. Anybody have one ? would really appreciate some actual use feedback, thanks !

 

[iagtrplyr]

Just picked up the new 210 yesterday, but waiting for the weekend to try it out, though I did listen through the Aux In with headphones lady night.

It's a good-size amp, but wasn't hard to move compared to my old B2 combo at nearly 90 lbs.

Build-quality seems very good, though the knobs feel a little flimsy. What's not flimsy is the double-tolex covering. I'm sensing weekend warrior-worthy, no doubt. Also, for those concerned, fan noise is at a minimum. One low E note will surely wipe out any extraneous noise!

I'll try it out this weekend and offer my thoughts on what I hear. Much the same as you, bftbassman, I use a Rumble 500 head/115 cab, but wanted something with not only Ampeg tone, but a different overall vibe than what I currently have. I'm excited this may be that amp.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Minor setback tonight. First time playing through the amp this weekend and within minutes I noticed a buzzing sound coming from one of the tens. At lower volume it wasn't as noticeable, but anything after 9:00 on the volume produced a definite distortion. I pushed in and out each driver to find the culprit.

I then pulled it out of the cab, moving the cone in and out, and sure enough a crackling sound was audible. The other driver was completely silent after doing the same thing.

So I'll be bringing it back to my local store (I knew better than to order it online) and we'll go from there.

The other thing that was easily noticed was how little hoss was coming from the piezo tweeter. That's because there was hardly any sound coming from it at all. The only time I could hear anything was with the volume cranked, treble cranked, and the Ultra Hi engaged. Boy, Loud Tech must've really listened to all the complaints about hiss from the v1s and literally dropped this tweeters output to about nothing. I would've liked a little more with the treble set at noon, but if much rather have a working ten.

I'm not dropping the thought of owning one of these new Ampegs, but this is my second BA model in a row within the past year that has had problems upon its initial use.

I could've sworn my Fender Rumble rig across the room was snickering at me tonight!

 

[RRDieselbass]

I've been just about ready to pull the trigger on a Rumble 500 and then I saw this new Ampeg for 100 bucks less. I've had a couple of Ampegs and also Fender amps in the past and I must admit I think Ampegs usually sound better, but ever since Ampeg moved overseas I've heard nothing but problems about them. So now not exactly sure which to buy...

 

[iagtrplyr]

Update: I returned the original BA210 v2 purchased last month and was given a brand new one today. Ampeg decided to trade amps instead of doing a driver swap.

The old one had become really sweet sounding after loosening up the noisy speaker. I actually had mixed feelings doing the trade, but am already in lust with the new one. It needs some time to break in, but already has that awesome Ampeg tone pouring out. You really have audition this one if you're in the market for a combo.

 

[JimmyM]

Ampeg's first couple years overseas were rough because they had a giant idiot in charge, but they booted him in 2008. Since then, everything has been pretty solid overall, except the SVT 7 Pro and PF500 had a little bad spell when they first came out. But I've had a 7 Pro for 6 months now and it's been flawless and I've got several other pieces of new Ampeg gear, and all of them still work fine. The PF350 did fall down and go boom a year and a half ago, but it was a simple fix and it still works great. Of course, as you can tell by the previous post, any amp can break, even the finest handmade gear made by elves in a hollow tree, but I've got a BA112 v2 that's been kicking it for me several nights a month since September, and I've not seen any broken ones in stores, and customers are pretty hard on demo amps.

 

[iagtrplyr]

JimmyM, like many of us, I've followed along with your amplifiers. I know you've influenced quite a few, and I've always appreciated a friendly comment whenever I've had something to ask or say myself.

As I was picking up the new combo today I asked my dealer his recommendation for an extension to the 210 and he came up with the Portaflex 210 cab.

On paper it looks like it would match up, but I wondered how the drivers would mix together being they're different. He has one in stock, but I didn't have time today. I'm thinking maybe using the four tens for larger venues and the combo for everything else.

We stacked the combo on top of the inverted lid of the ext. can and it fit perfectly with the combo height just right. I dunno, but it's an interesting thought.

I'm still very happy with my Rumble 500/115 cab, but that Ampeg tone from the combo has stolen my heart.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on playing the v2, but I know you may not have had the opportunity to play it yet.

 

[JimmyM]

Well that was very nice of you to say, bro...thanks very much!

I haven't got to play the BA210 yet, but if its cab sounds like the PF210he, that would be very cool indeed. They do have pretty similar designs, eh? Maybe it would work.

 

[bftbassman]

Ampeg's first couple years overseas were rough because they had a giant idiot in charge, but they booted him in 2008. Since then, everything has been pretty solid overall, except the SVT 7 Pro and PF500 had a little bad spell when they first came out. But I've had a 7 Pro for 6 months now and it's been flawless and I've got several other pieces of new Ampeg gear, and all of them still work fine. The PF350 did fall down and go boom a year and a half ago, but it was a simple fix and it still works great. Of course, as you can tell by the previous post, any amp can break, even the finest handmade gear made by elves in a hollow tree, but I've got a BA112 v2 that's been kicking it for me several nights a month since September, and I've not seen any broken ones in stores, and customers are pretty hard on demo amps.

Yeah Jimmy, thanks to your "open & honest" Ampeg post..it lead me to my PF500..i was taking a bashing big time for wanting to get that...but i read everything i could on it and ..i was searchin for a sound i had in my mind for awile..i am a metal guy but i love motown..growing up ..Temptations and Black Sabbath..lol ..what a mix..but i never found an amp that could do both. I am a 1 bass 1 amp guy with 1 pedal just for boost. The pf 500 has blown me away...now i took a lot of time to learn the gain structure...i think most buy this amp and expect a majic tone right out the box. 100% honest statemen here> have 2 settings and i am amazed at how i sit in the mix and for recording, it has chaged my whole approach...i never recorded with such ease..such unique sound before..the growl Ampeg has is so distintive and you can have it for all genre's with just a ll knob tweaking. its that sumthin sumthin tone wise at the end of the note that Ampeg goes...i am headed to having to play live again this summer after CD is done...i fell in love with my pf500 so much i think its staaying right at my mini home studio...i wanted to go portable for practice so i was looking at new BA, will i get that sound i have now ? or since i need to build a rig anyway should i just go pf800 ? And another question for you..i am a 15" guy, tell me about Ampeg 2x15's(used to play peavey & Laney pro versions)i dont mind a 2x15 so weight doesnt matter to me on this. i play in E but very deep sounding E in my EQ. tell me about the pf series cab being matched to the head or the pf800 on top 2x15 cab if you could, thanks as always !

 

[Felix1776]

I've had the 210v2 since January. It's my first bass amp because I converted to bass in the last six months. I played guitar for about 15 years. I'm pretty happy with it so far. It has good tone. The controls are straight forward. I like the headphone out and the aux in. I plug my ipod in to it and jam to songs I'm learning. I don't like the scrambler effect or the horn which I leave off. It could be the room I practice in but it does sound sort of boxy to me at loud volume. It seems to sound better at 1-2 on the volume. I honestly think it could be the room though as I usually play in my spare bedroom and I've got the amp set up in the corner. I'm planning on moving it out to my loft at some point and cranking it to see what it'll do in a more open space. We'll see. Overall, I'm happy with it. I wanted an amp with bedroom practice features but also with the tone and power to play with others if the opportunity arises. I think it's pretty loud as it is. If/when I add a 210 ext cab, I fully expect this thing to roar.

Anybody had an extension cab hooked up yet?

 

[JimmyM]

BFT, still haven't gotten to play a BA210 yet. But all their amps sort of sound similar to a degree. Whether or not that degree is workable for you or not, I don't know

 

[RRDieselbass]

I saw one at Guitar Center today. I didn't play through it (they were too busy and I couldn't find a salesman, also had limited time) but turned it on and looked it over a bit and wow, it looks killer.
My only quality issue was the power cord in the back seemed a little loose even though it was plugged in all the way. All the front knobs felt pretty good and it reminded me a bit of my old SVT from the early 80's with a couple of 10's attached. Nice and compact and the tilt back feature is cool. Not as light as the Fender Rumble (my other possible choice) but felt manageable, weight wise. Damn, I think this is my next amp.

 

[JimmyM]

That could have been a worn out cord. They tend to get moved from amp to amp a lot at the stores. The plug on my BA112 v2 is pretty tight with my AC cables. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

 

[RRDieselbass]

That could have been a worn out cord. They tend to get moved from amp to amp a lot at the stores. The plug on my BA112 v2 is pretty tight with my AC cables. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Ok thanks, I actually considered that after I posted that it may not have even been the designated cord. I really like this amp and like it a lot more than the Rumble even though I haven't actually played through either one yet. Visually and stylistically speaking I'm leaning toward the Ampeg. Even with the raving reviews of the Rumble I just feel better about buying an Ampeg since this might be my one and only and last bass amp I buy.

 

[JimmyM]

I've played some of the Rumbles. They're fine little amps. My only complaint with them is I found it hard to get the mids I like out of them. To me the Rumbles lend themselves to scooped tones easier than flatter tones, whereas I don't have a problem getting them out of the Ampegs, as well as scooped tones when I need them. I don't know...some like Ampeg, some like Fender, some like both.

 

[bftbassman]

BFT, still haven't gotten to play a BA210 yet. But all their amps sort of sound similar to a degree. Whether or not that degree is workable for you or not, I don't know

I've played some of the Rumbles. They're fine little amps. My only complaint with them is I found it hard to get the mids I like out of them. To me the Rumbles lend themselves to scooped tones easier than flatter tones, whereas I don't have a problem getting them out of the Ampegs, as well as scooped tones when I need them. I don't know...some like Ampeg, some like Fender, some like both.

Great answer, i am a fender Guy all my life and that pf500 i recently purchased, well its that mid bite as i have been referring too almost every post. it has sat me in the mix better and has a distinctive tone only Ampeg has. If you take the time on those pf heads, there are so many tones available bylearning the gain structure. I have a fender Bassman 50 watt tube amp from way back when, It is a killer guitar amp. talk about power and dynamics but with bass i didnt want to have a ton of pedals to get some sounds i wanted. So, i took a chance on the pf500 and found the amp that can do it all for my playing styles and i only have a boost pedal for some intant volume basically. I am so used to it, when we play live this summer i have to get a pf800 so i can have the same settings, that pf500 is staying right next to my desk( just in case i never find one like it again, lol) Now back to my original post about wanting to hear the new Ampeg Ba, i think i solved my question by wanting to go with pf800. Could you tell me about Ampeg 15"s for the road , i have no prob w/ 2x15's (had peavy and laney pro) would you stick w pf cabs? or go something else, i prefer 2 x 15 if possible, thanks !

 

[bassrich]

played one Friday at GC sounded really crisp and boomy at the same time I don't like the wedge though but that is just me

 

[JimmyM]

Great answer, i am a fender Guy all my life and that pf500 i recently purchased, well its that mid bite as i have been referring too almost every post. it has sat me in the mix better and has a distinctive tone only Ampeg has. If you take the time on those pf heads, there are so many tones available bylearning the gain structure. I have a fender Bassman 50 watt tube amp from way back when, It is a killer guitar amp. talk about power and dynamics but with bass i didnt want to have a ton of pedals to get some sounds i wanted. So, i took a chance on the pf500 and found the amp that can do it all for my playing styles and i only have a boost pedal for some intant volume basically. I am so used to it, when we play live this summer i have to get a pf800 so i can have the same settings, that pf500 is staying right next to my desk( just in case i never find one like it again, lol) Now back to my original post about wanting to hear the new Ampeg Ba, i think i solved my question by wanting to go with pf800. Could you tell me about Ampeg 15"s for the road , i have no prob w/ 2x15's (had peavy and laney pro) would you stick w pf cabs? or go something else, i prefer 2 x 15 if possible, thanks !

Personally, I prefer their 10"s cabs because the PF115's go a little low for my tastes, but my tastes aren't everyone's

 

[fenderbassman40]

Anybody have any idea how they sound with an upright bass? The wedge designhas me intrigued and I think it might be the good for my upright.

 

[Felix1776]

JimmyM, like many of us, I've followed along with your amplifiers. I know you've influenced quite a few, and I've always appreciated a friendly comment whenever I've had something to ask or say myself.

As I was picking up the new combo today I asked my dealer his recommendation for an extension to the 210 and he came up with the Portaflex 210 cab.

On paper it looks like it would match up, but I wondered how the drivers would mix together being they're different. He has one in stock, but I didn't have time today. I'm thinking maybe using the four tens for larger venues and the combo for everything else.

We stacked the combo on top of the inverted lid of the ext. can and it fit perfectly with the combo height just right. I dunno, but it's an interesting thought.

I'm still very happy with my Rumble 500/115 cab, but that Ampeg tone from the combo has stolen my heart.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on playing the v2, but I know you may not have had the opportunity to play it yet.

I recently got a pf210he cab to go with my ba210v2. The good: this cab matches up great with the combo and sounds really good. They stack beautifully. That combo with an extension cab unleashes the power. The bad: the pf210he gets farty...bad. I turned the volume up to 5, which is pretty dang loud, to see what it would do. It did well until you get down to D and below. A low B sounds like the speakers are going to jump out of the cab. Not good. Not sure if this is going to be a keeper for me now. It's got me contemplating an svt 7 and 410 rig now. Time will tell.