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Ampeg going down the tubes ?

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#21
well, where the tolex was ripped on the particle board one, the wood looked like abunch of wood fibers held together by glue. I thought that MDF looks alot more like masonite with a smoother surface to it? this stuff looks like if it got wet, it would swell up and crumble apart, just like particle board.
 
#22
yes, I believe you are right.

I believe the particle board has the actual chips in it, and MDF just looks like... I don't know, a bunch of saw dust. Smoother and such.

Of course I may be wrong so please feel free to correct me.

It almost sounds like they did a good thing by moving production. I would much rather buy a well made product from over seas than a cheap product made from particle board that I pay about 1 grand for either way.

Just a thought...
 
#23
me too.

as far as Ampeg's (Loud) customer service, i have no complaints with them either. they have always answered my email and phone calls promptly and professionally, which is more than i can say for my recent experience with GK (no flame intended, just a comparison).

BTW, inside of the imported Ampeg amps and cabs, the PCB's still have the SLM logo's silkscreened on them too.
 
#25
bongomania said:
Sounds like George Carlin to me. :p
Click to expand...

I'd say more Jerry Seinfeld...

Anyway, what is this sudden thing I've been hearing about Ampegs not being as good as they're made out to be? I seem to be behind on this, could someone direct me to where I could find the answer to this, whether it be a reply here or via PM? Because I was thinking of buying my first Ampeg sometime in the near future, but not if they're "going down the tube" :D
 
#26
I can tell you, as someone that is working on bringing some bass gear to market, the decision to keep everything "Made in the USA' is very difficult. Everyone says they want made in the USA, but is everyone really willing to pay for it? The cost difference to make everything here is staggering and that difference has to be made up by you, the consumer. If made in the USA is really that important to everyone, then why are products like the LMII and the Shuttle selling so well? One can only assume that features and tone count first and the fact that these products are made overseas, makes them a good value.

Doing business overseas is very difficult. I would guess that Ampeg is going through a bit of a transition period of getting it done overseas. It does take some time to work the kinks out and I'm sure that Ampeg will be around forever making great products.
 
#27
Baird6869 said:
I have only been playing Ampeg for 20+ years so what do I know?

One thing I do know is that the Viet Nam made gear is not even close in sound as the USA stuff. I own tons of Ampeg.. but all MIA.

I will never buy any non-USA Ampeg.

P.S. I am not even being patriotic as I am Canadian!
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That's weird, I tried a Vietnam reissue and a US vintage, and the reissue sounded better.

Same thing happened when I sold my Guild Starfire and kept the Dearmond (poor man's Guild). It was the better bass.

Just because the guy who put it together speaks English doesn't mean it's better...
 
#30
fenderhutz said:
I disagree. At band volumes the import stuff sounds horrible. Better than Behringer, but not Ampeg quality.
Click to expand...

You know, quite honestly I am a bit curious b/c we just played a show at House of Blues. Being the opener, I just used the HOB bass rig which used to be an SWR 750 with 2 Goliath 410's. However, they have gotten a new rig: SVT into an 810. I'm thinking, right on. Now I didn't have much time for setup and soundcheck, but I couldn't get a good sound (playing a P-Bass no less). Honestly, my experience was always that a P into an SVT was pretty idiotproof! I thought my sound sucked on stage (although the gig was killer). We're opening up for RATT on the 28th there, I"m going to take a look at the back of the head this time and see if it is one of these new ones (hate to bring my rig for a less than hour set + HOB roadies set it up and tear it down). Do they say LOUD industries or Made in Vietnam somewhere on the back panel??????
 
#31
NOLA Bass said:
You know, quite honestly I am a bit curious b/c we just played a show at House of Blues. Being the opener, I just used the HOB bass rig which used to be an SWR 750 with 2 Goliath 410's. However, they have gotten a new rig: SVT into an 810. I'm thinking, right on. Now I didn't have much time for setup and soundcheck, but I couldn't get a good sound (playing a P-Bass no less). Honestly, my experience was always that a P into an SVT was pretty idiotproof! I thought my sound sucked on stage (although the gig was killer). We're opening up for RATT on the 28th there, I"m going to take a look at the back of the head this time and see if it is one of these new ones (hate to bring my rig for a less than hour set + HOB roadies set it up and tear it down). Do they say LOUD industries or Made in Vietnam somewhere on the back panel??????
Click to expand...

both
 
#32
Ampeg needs to bring back the straightback 810 with a decent set of speakers. The towel bar design is OK, but between the bigger internal volume and the crappy speakers they use now, it's all just so rumbly that I have a hard time hearing. But that straightback cab with the CTS's is nice and tight and has just enough low end to make it sound massive but not like the trunk of Snoop Dogg's car.

If I have any issues with Ampeg these days, it's because their 810 is no longer what it used to be.
 
#33
Yeah, I found two things:

1. I know it is a tube head but I should be able to have a sound that doesnt' have that fuzzy overdriven tube sound going. Just nice and fat should be easy to get (because that is my past experience with an svt into an 810)

2. For an 810 behind me, it did not cut through the guitar cab next to it very well. I could hear and feel more out of my Epifani PS410 on a similar size stage, so maybe that bit about the change in cabs is spot on.
 
#34
troyus said:
That's weird, I tried a Vietnam reissue and a US vintage, and the reissue sounded better.

Just because the guy who put it together speaks English doesn't mean it's better...
Click to expand...

Its not weird but easy to explain. Most likely the US vintage that you played was in bad shape. Can easily happen to a 30yr old head. Well serviced Vintage SVTs sound a tad better than the VRs. At least thats my experience.

Though the VRs keeps up really good and make a nice alternative route when shopping for a brandnew amp. So I am sure, that the VR delivers - soundwise. Time will tell if there are still that many running units around in 30 years, just as the old ones.
 
#36
Rhythm5 said:
I can tell you, as someone that is working on bringing some bass gear to market, the decision to keep everything "Made in the USA' is very difficult. Everyone says they want made in the USA, but is everyone really willing to pay for it? The cost difference to make everything here is staggering and that difference has to be made up by you, the consumer. If made in the USA is really that important to everyone, then why are products like the LMII and the Shuttle selling so well? One can only assume that features and tone count first and the fact that these products are made overseas, makes them a good value.

Doing business overseas is very difficult. I would guess that Ampeg is going through a bit of a transition period of getting it done overseas. It does take some time to work the kinks out and I'm sure that Ampeg will be around forever making great products.
Click to expand...

GK manages to make a nice product for a good price here in the 'States.
 
#37
Hoss said:
Its not weird but easy to explain. Most likely the US vintage that you played was in bad shape. Can easily happen to a 30yr old head. Well serviced Vintage SVTs sound a tad better than the VRs. At least thats my experience.

Though the VRs keeps up really good and make a nice alternative route when shopping for a brandnew amp. So I am sure, that the VR delivers - soundwise. Time will tell if there are still that many running units around in 30 years, just as the old ones.
Click to expand...
I think there will be. The VR is an excellent sounding amp, and pretty easy to work on by today's standards. Like I've always said, I've never met an SVT I didn't love. And one guy on here, Johnk10, owns both and said he made a couple NOS tube changes to the VR and it sounds every bit as good as his old ones.

For a while, there were some bad reports on VR's once they moved. Those seem to be fewer these days, so maybe that's a good sign.
 
#40
I've had my B200R for , I think a little over a year now, & it's made in China. I gig with it , as my main amp these days with out a problem . I bought it because, I didn't want to lug my heavy BA500 at 89lbs around all the time { bad back } , & I wanted a 200 or a 250 watt combo amp with an XLR out. I loved the Mark Bass Combo , but I didn't love the price. I was looking at a used Mesa Boogie Scout, when I saw this Ampeg B100R. I played it, loved it , & I bought it. I took it to a jam to try it out in a live situation { I got crushed by the drummer, & my guitarist } I was bummed { just not enough power}. I took it back , & found out that Ampeg made a B200R with a tube pre-amp. I said order me up one. The first one I got, wouldn't even turn on . The store sent it back for a replacement, & let me use a Fender Bassman 250 with 210s until it arrived. Note:{ the Fender Bassman 250, is a nice amp}. Once I received my replacement B200R, I took it to a jam with some friends. It preformed better than the B100R. My drummer, & guitarist were telling me to turn down. Bottom Line: I'm very happy with my B200R. I really love the tone of this amp , almost as much as my BA500 { which is made in the USA } , The BA500 combo amp is awesome.
 
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