Ampeg practice amp

[Philhodson]

Hey all,
Last thoughts for the end of the year!

Which Ampeg would be a good practice amp. One that would be a good sounding ( I.E that classic SVT tone) amp.
Something that would be “house friendly”

Thanks in advance!

Phil

 

[Bent77]

Budget?

the 115 is a great amp. It isn’t the “classic SVT” but something between it and a b-15

The 210 does well, good midrange. This has an external speaker jack (though I’ve seen some guys jumper 2 115s together...)

The built in Scrambler is actually very versatile.

 

[pfschim]

I would say that your not really going to get an SVT type sound out of one of Ampeg's smaller 'practice amp" products like the BA series. They work fine for what they are but they don't really deliver very much of that kind of sound. Of course, a lot of the SVT sound is the amp AND the classic 810 (or perhaps the 410), so its not a knock on those smaller amps that they likely won't do what you want.

My own somewhat limited experience with Ampeg gear (BA112, PF500/PF115HE, SVT 6Pro and tons of SVT backlines) would suggest that something like the PF350 and a cab like the PF115HE or PF112HLF might get you closer to your stated tone goals than any "practice" sized amp. It would also offer the benefit of a giggable amp whereas the smaller practice amps won't.

Another possibility I can suggest is, if you have a decent computer/laptop and reasonable headphones, maybe try something like an iRig interface and Amplitube software which offers a series of Ampeg certified models. This would give you reasonable SVT, B15, V4B sounds and definitely be "house friendly'

Either that or just get an SVT and an 810 cab and don't crank the volume

 

[Kestrel]

I have an Ampeg BA115 v2 that I use as my practice amp. I also have an older USA made BA112. Anyway, the current v2 BA series amps sound great. I highly recommend them if you want a combo amp and like that Ampeg tone. Plus the BA115 v2 can get plenty loud enough to shake the walls, but yeah... it’s no SVT.

 

[Guy Tensen]

I bit the bullet and got a PF350 an PF115 as a new practice rig this summer. It’s nice to have a practice amp that has some meat to it. No regrets. Plus I can add the cab to my gigging rig if I need it.

 

[JxBass]

Ampeg SVT Micro VR or Micro-CL.

 

[Petethebassman]

I bought last week an Ampeg BA 108 v2 combo. With one 8-inch speaker and 20 watts it won't break down walls with volume, but for house-friendly low volume practice in an apartment it's a good choice. It's not a SVT, but it has a warm, round tone I like.

 

[Jim Burkland]

Micro VR , Red with Cab

 

[Skullheadrac]

SVT7Pro.
It has a 1/4" headphone jack and doesn't require to be plugged into a cab. Then you could easily get a small 210 cab or smaller after the fact and easily gig with it too.

 

[sedan_dad]

PF350 Great little head. Into a 210 AV. Double up on the cab when it's gig time.

 

[Kenova]

Ampeg PF-20T, small tube beauty, here are few samples:

 

[SJan3]

Hey all,
Last thoughts for the end of the year!

Which Ampeg would be a good practice amp. One that would be a good sounding ( I.E that classic SVT tone) amp.
Something that would be “house friendly”

Thanks in advance!

Phil

I have the BA110v2 and love it. It's great for practice, recording, rehearsals and even low key gigs. I'm fussy and have no complaints about this amp.

 

[DanGroove]

Budget?

the 115 is a great amp. It isn’t the “classic SVT” but something between it and a b-15

The 210 does well, good midrange. This has an external speaker jack (though I’ve seen some guys jumper 2 115s together...)

The built in Scrambler is actually very versatile.

I have the 210 and am very happy with it. As he said it isn't quite the classic SVT sound, but it also doesn't cost $1500 and weigh 1500 pounds (okay 98 pounds to be fair) like a SVT-CL head does. I had an older model BA155HPT that is/was a great practice amp as well. I have had it about 15 years and it needs service now for a weird distortion, but it did very well for me for a very long time and was stored in not climate controlled conditions for about 10 of those 15 years.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

PF-20t or one of their Classic micro heads.

 

[COYS]

The videos for the BA series advertise the Scrambler feature as being something of an SVT flavor, although I am a beginner and would not know myself. Maybe something to check out. Might be good enough for the practice room

 

[Bent77]

I have both the ba-115v2 with the scrambler and the SVT

The Scrambler is not bad. But there’s only one SVT sound

 

[krfoss]

Micro svt and 210av.
You can also do a headphone set up and get a great svt sound just for your ears.

 

[2F/2F]

FWIW, I have been a lifetime Ampeg player, but I chose the Rumble 40 for this purpose. Low price, low weight, better e.q. controls than any 3-band Ampeg, and lots of useful features. 1/8" input, headphone output, XLR out. The e.q. controls give you all the control you need to make it sound pretty much however you want; no need to obsess over something like, "Does it have the SVT sound?" – because it has good controls. Lots of great sounding at-home usefulness for 200 bucks...plus it can be gigged with acoustic instruments, and even with moderate volumed electric bands, if you have a decent PA at the venue.

If 40 is not enough, there are higher powered models that aren't a ton more expensive, bigger, or heavier. I.e. they can still qualify as "at home practice amps" in my book. E.g. the 100.

 

[FenderP]

YOu could also take a different approach. Instead of a combo, get one of the SVT/Ampeg tone stack pres/pedals, a speaker, and a power amp if needed. Or just get the pre and possibly use it to feed your computer or headphones.

 

[Spooge]

I bought last week an Ampeg BA 108 v2 combo. With one 8-inch speaker and 20 watts it won't break down walls with volume, but for house-friendly low volume practice in an apartment it's a good choice. It's not a SVT, but it has a warm, round tone I like.

I also have a 108, think it’s 35w. Has aux in and headphones and a decent eq section. But I pretty much only use it for silent practice.