• 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 Heritage Line

#21
Alembicplyr said:
...i'll be dammed if i'll pay MSRP, that's for sure.
Click to expand...

The MSRP on the CL is $2380, but the typical retail price is $1700. Based on a quick search of the MF site, it looks like the street price on Ampeg products is roughly 28% off MSRP.

A $3299 MSRP will probably sell for somewhere under $2400 (about $400 more than the current VR). If anyone pays MSRP, they've been robbed by the retailer.
 
#22
Sounds interesting, but I agree with JimmyM about the pricing structure.

I'm just glad I got my USA made VR when I did. All the tone of the vintage SVTs, with modern features (IEC Power, SpeakOn), none of the protection circuit nonsense of the CL, and it was made in St. Louis. I got it new for a chunk less than what MF was asking. I couldn't be happier.
 
#23
JimmyM said:
this pisses me off. the prices of the slm made stuff were exactly the same prices that loud charged when they moved. and now that loud is finally moving some stuff back to the usa, they're going to jack up the prices to that degree? and then when they won't sell, they're going to say, "see? you people didn't support us when we brought it back to america!"

unless they charge the exact same amount as the chinese products, this is a ******** scam. slm was able to keep the prices reasonable and build in america. what's with loud where they can't?

put my money where my mouth is? how dare they!!!
Click to expand...

Gigantic +1 on this.
 
#24
megadan said:
Gee, I wonder how many people who complained about off shore manufacturing are going to put their money where there mouth was, and buy these USA made products when they're side by side with overseas products in the store. Not many me thinks.

JimmyM makes a good point, though, the prices never came down and now they'll go up. Still, if you don't like it, then quit yer belly aching!
Click to expand...


Or, buy from another manufacturer that hasn't screwed it's customers with inflated prices and substandard gear - I'm just sayin'... Are *some* players SO married to the Ampeg name that they'll bend over like this???

FWIW, I own 2 Ampeg cabs, but I paid a fraction of what they go for new - just in case anyone thinks I'm just another Ampeg hater...


- georgestrings
 
#25
georgestrings said:
Or, buy from another manufacturer that hasn't screwed it's customers with inflated prices and substandard gear - I'm just sayin'... Are *some* players SO married to the Ampeg name that they'll bend over like this???

FWIW, I own 2 Ampeg cabs, but I paid a fraction of what they go for new - just in case anyone thinks I'm just another Ampeg hater...


- georgestrings
Click to expand...

Honestly the one thing that has kept me on-board with Ampeg so far (aside from the sound, obviously) was the price-point. If it jumps above $2k, then I think for that much money I might would venture towards something like a Reeves or comparable amp.

Who knows, I may eat those words. These things may come out and sound like a pure bassgasm...
 
#26
I wonder if the 'Classic' will be a US version of the SLM Classic, or a recreation of the '70s SVT. If the former, they are still home to Mr. Cock-Up, if the latter, then bring it on! It'll be interesting to see what they come up with. They will sell if they do it right.

I'd never buy a new one myself with so many originals around with another 40 years in 'em.
 
#28
JimmyM said:
i have a 69 svt and a 64 b-15n. i'm bassgasming already. but i really wanted a new b-15n. looks like it'll be way out of my league.
Click to expand...

You're assuming that the pricing for a new US built B15 is going to be near that of the SVT, they haven't said anything publicly about that yet, so you never know. If they're going to bring another B15 reissue to the market, even if it is built in the US, I would hope they learn their lesson from the last time and keep prices to a point where they aren't dwarfing the originals. Then again, if they bring out a faithful B15 reissue for $2K it could make the real things much more valuable....
 
#29
It's really pretty simple. If you don't want it, don't buy it. If the market can't or won't support the pricing, then the manufacturer will have to either abandon the plan or revise it. Let's vote with our ears instead of judging the product before we even hear it based on price alone.
 
#30
I understand US labor is expensive but WOW!!! Don't the royalty of Loud know that we're in a recession? Perhaps the ivory towers they dwell in are so high they don't hear the news? Expensive and heavy aint working for this guy. Glad they've decided to make a reissue a REAL reissue instead of altering features. By the way, aren't the original SVT's going for less than the reissue will sell for? How's THAT gonna work?
 
#31
There is no reason to pay these prices when there are other fine quality, made in America, tube bass amps for far less by companies like the Fender Bassman 300, Eden E300, Green, Peavey, Traynor, Divided By 13, Reeves. There are even smaller boutique brands that seem to be able to produce a product for less. Sadly, the new Ampeg has taken one of America's great music brands and nearly destroyed it.
 
#32
i'm sure they'll sound wonderful. vr's and cl's made by loud sound wonderful already, and this will be more wonderful piled on top. but when you pile it on top of the whole loud scenario, it just seems like more of the same.
 
#33
dingwallfanatic said:
It's really pretty simple. If you don't want it, don't buy it. If the market can't or won't support the pricing, then the manufacturer will have to either abandon the plan or revise it. Let's vote with our ears instead of judging the product before we even hear it based on price alone.
Click to expand...

That pretty much sums it up. IMO it's unlikely that their strategy is to extort unreasonable profit from Ampeg lovers that absolutely MUST buy the amps.
Even if it is (:rollno:), complaining about pricing won't influence Loud, but no sales will certainly get their attention. ;)
 
#34
kayakbass said:
I understand US labor is expensive but WOW!!! Don't the royalty of Loud know that we're in a recession? Perhaps the ivory towers they dwell in are so high they don't hear the news? Expensive and heavy aint working for this guy. Glad they've decided to make a reissue a REAL reissue instead of altering features. By the way, aren't the original SVT's going for less than the reissue will sell for? How's THAT gonna work?
Click to expand...
very well for me in 20 years, i hope!
 
#35
Given this announcement and Ashdown's new tube head line this could be the start of "Tube Head Wars" :eek:

Sounds like interesting happenings for 2010 and I think we (the consumers) will end-up the winners!

I'm hoping for some news from NAMM.
 
#37
ducknturtle said:
There is no reason to pay these prices when there are other fine quality, made in America, tube bass amps for far less by companies like the Fender Bassman 300, Eden E300, Green, Peavey, Traynor, Divided By 13, Reeves. There are even smaller boutique brands that seem to be able to produce a product for less. Sadly, the new Ampeg has taken one of America's great music brands and nearly destroyed it.
Click to expand...

+1

With regards to Green or Electric Amps, my old roomated ordered one of their amps. They said it would take 3 months to deliver, it ended up taking a year. He had to get the Washington State Attorney General involved to stoke a fire under their butts. They had a barrage of excuses and the costumer service was horrible. Coincidentally he loves the amp. It's his favorite and he owns a 72 SVT, 74 V4B, some vintage Sunn, and Sound City stuff.

I'm really curious, as stated before, about B15, and what price point they come up with for it. Also if they go with 30 watts like the original (YES!) or 100 watts like the reissues.
 
#39
kayakbass said:
By the way, aren't the original SVT's going for less than the reissue will sell for? How's THAT gonna work?
Click to expand...

Going pretty well for them as it is. Vintage SVTs in fair condition already sell for less than a new SVT-VR that's made in asia. I think, given quality build, quality components, good tubes (JJ/SED > Sovtek/Svetlana IMO), and modern features (DI out, etc) people may be ok with paying a bit more. Or it will just drive sales of the asian models. Think of what fender is doing now/already did - they moved production from US to japan, japan to mexico, or even US to mexic for amps, for a lot of their stuff and raised prices. Didn't seem to slow them down. They will price what the market will pay for what is perceived, whether real or not, as higher quality brand name product.
 
#40
coreyfyfe said:
Going pretty well for them as it is. Vintage SVTs in fair condition already sell for less than a new SVT-VR that's made in asia. I think, given quality build, quality components, good tubes (JJ/SED > Sovtek/Svetlana IMO), and modern features (DI out, etc) people may be ok with paying a bit more. Or it will just drive sales of the asian models. Think of what fender is doing now/already did - they moved production from US to japan, japan to mexico, or even US to mexic for amps, for a lot of their stuff and raised prices. Didn't seem to slow them down. They will price what the market will pay for what is perceived, whether real or not, as higher quality brand name product.
Click to expand...

Good point but most of the Fender amp sales numbers are guitar amps, not bass amps. Given what I've heard about Ampeg's quality these past few years I just don't see this plan really working as they plan. Not when you can get a vintage peice cheaper than a new one and have that vintage peice appreciate in time.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back