• 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 love em hate em?

#42
steveinohio said:
Your missing the point in my post. Do the research and find out who is making quality stuff
Click to expand...

As I mentioned in the post above, someone wanting an AMPEG is probably going to buy one, regardless of "Who is making quality stuff". Why do you think companies like Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz (who make notoriously unreliable products) are still in business? It's because people who want them are willing to put up with the hiccups (and sometimes complete meltdowns) that will happen along the way. It's the price of admission when nothing else will do it for you. Most Ampeg stuff I've played through doesn't really do it for me, but I'm definitely not a hater. I've also never heard a GK anything that sounded like an all-tube SVT.

Are you sure you're not missing the point here?
 
#45
RTL said:
As I mentioned in the post above, someone wanting an AMPEG is probably going to buy one, regardless of "Who is making quality stuff". Why do you think companies like Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz (who make notoriously unreliable products) are still in business? It's because people who want them are willing to put up with the hiccups (and sometimes complete meltdowns) that will happen along the way. It's the price of admission when nothing else will do it for you. Most Ampeg stuff I've played through doesn't really do it for me, but I'm definitely not a hater. I've also never heard a GK anything that sounded like an all-tube SVT.

Are you sure you're not missing the point here?
Click to expand...

Cool man. Try a 1001. It will suprise you. I know what your saying about the hiccups in quality. I bought my SVT in October. Its been in the shop three times. Even though I love the Ampeg sound that experience made me not want to "pay the price of admission" again when going for something lighter. Thats why I picked a GK. My only point was to do your research so you dont have to deal with any headaches. Know what stuff has had issues and what has been reliable.
 
#46
steveinohio said:
Cool man. Try a 1001. It will suprise you. I know what your saying about the hiccups in quality. I bought my SVT in October. Its been in the shop three times. Even though I love the Ampeg sound that experience made me not want to "pay the price of admission" again when going for something lighter. Thats why I picked a GK. My only point was to do your research so you dont have to deal with any headaches. Know what stuff has had issues and what has been reliable.
Click to expand...


what SVT did you buy? was it the CL, VR, 350? i just grabbed the VR and id like to avoid any potential issues if i can.

what were the problems you encountered?
 
#53
Stupid question and have been out of the loop for quite some time. Would anyone have links telling what happened to Ampeg? I know some of their stuff started getting made in Vietnam and that's about it, along with stories of "the older heads with the blue writing" are better than the newer stuff. I used to own an svt3pro and 810 cab I picked up back in 96, reluctantly sold in 01. Now I want to get back into Ampeg, but as much as I love them, I'm thinking of exploring Mesa.

So what's the deal with Ampeg? An svt4pro through 810s still make my heart thump, but I prefer my Ampeg be made in good ol STL.

Thanks!!!
 
#54
What happened is that LOUD moved to Asia, set up shop, then rushed everything to market after outsourcing every single part from Asian manufacturers. They made a lot of crappy amps, they let beancounters make engineering decisions, and generally dropped the ball. I'm not hearing about any major problems with recent LOUD stuff, but I personally have experienced 2 out of the 3 LOUD SVT-CL's I've used in the last year having major problems, while having problems with only one SLM SVT-CL in a 10 year period.

When it works, it's as good as any head in their history, but LOUD has had a horrible QC track record.
 
#55
I can only add that I have just bought a new SVT VR, yes it is a Nampeg, and at this point I couldn't be happier. No faults to date and behaving flawlessly along with that tone that I have been dreaming about ever since I sold my last SVT years ago.
 
#60
LOVE the tone and power. HATE the price and weight. Got a used SVT-CL USA in December, and it's in the shop for the second time for an elusive "crackle". Getting chips replaced now and a new fan. But is sounds DAMN good.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back