Ampeg versus Fender thoughts

[wintremute]

I like them both. The Rumble 500 is 11.5 lbs lighter than the BA210v2. Both sound great, but that lower weight can be a big plus.

 

[Joedog]

I haven't owned either since the stone age. However, I have heard a few of each live lately. I've heard both brands sound great, and both sound like crap. I think the biggest variable in those cases was the ability to dial in the amp. Too many BP's set up "their sound" in their living room, and don't understand the difference from the LR and a live venue. I know I was guilty of that when I was pretty green. I'd happily rock either. I haven't played much gear that I can't get a decent sound out of.

Edit: going wireless helps a butt load, unless you have a good sound guy, and rely on the FOH for your tone.

 

[pudgychef]

Well to each his/her own. It's all about personal preference like choosing a bass guitar. Fender is a highly marketed brand when it comes to electric guitars, basses, and amps. And in the past 15 years they've purchased a few great bass companies and put them out of business. Fender guitar amps have always had great success, and are some of the most sought after vintage guitar amps on the market. Their higher end guitar tube amps are some of the best designs that many boutique amps are clones of.

Ampeg also has a long history of great guitar amps, but their bass amps are where they made their history. You can bet, that they will continue to be successful with their popularity.

which great bass companies have they purchased and then put out of business?

I am always a little confused when people suggest that Fender, who needs $ according to all the GC doom threads here, would 'kill' brands that were profitable...my guess is that if they stop production on a brand they have purchased, it wasn't profitable and they were willing to swallow the loss for some tech or inherent value in the brand. I am not an economist, but I think part of the definition of a company being 'great' requires it to be able to earn profit.

IMHO - if GB was a cash cow - they would have kept it afloat...same with SUNN...SWR fell out of favor post 90s/early 2000s...I don't buy for a minute that they buy things simply to play evil company monster and crush the dreams of fans of the brands they have purchased.

Why does it seem like Ampeg Bass amps just sound better than Fender Bass amps? It always seems like Fender Bass Amps are Shy on the deep deep lows and low mids where Ampegs seem too be so much fuller sounding in these frequencies. I know it's a matter of opinion and taste but it just seems like Fender Bass amps have always been more like guitar amps instead of real bass amps. Even the new ampeg ba series redesigned combos seem too blow away the fender rumbles in the low end low mids department. Any thoughts and opinions welcomed sincerely growler571

As far as Ampeg vs Fender - its Chocolate vs Vanilla, Strip-loin vs Rib Eye etc...But it is funny to see someone accusing Rumbles of lacking low end - when so many of their critics cite them as having muddy, over-hyped lows.

I miss the Fender TV Bassman Amps - great sound, thick and powerful
I would not bat an eye if provided backline at my next gig was one of the Rumbles V2 or V3 - thick easy to use tone, easily the equal of the BA or GK MB Amps..

The 100T and SB seem to get a ton of love....the new Bassman 800 seems to be a well thought out, solid sounding piece of kit...

The busiest years of my gigging life (100+ shows a year) took place in Seoul, playing on different provided backlines at each venue or club...IMHO it really isn't that difficult to get good useable tone from any of the brands in the last 15yr IMHO...Hartke, Trace, Ashdown, Peavey in addition to Ampeg or Fender..

 

[StatesideRambler]

1. Try them both.
2. Use the one you like.
3. Resist the urge to proclaim the imaginary superiority of your preference over everyone else's.
4. Post on a topic that hasn't been flogged into futility. (Mea culpa.)

 

[Sparky Mark]

I cannot get the sound I want from the passive fender style tone stack.

 

[Kmonk]

I have never been able to get a good sound out of Fender bass amps. I have use Ampeg, GK and Hartke and have liked them but prefer Ampeg.

 

[40Hz]

Um...

Fender amps sound like Fenders.

Ampeg amps sound like Ampegs.

So I don't think I really understand what's being asked here.

 

[west al]

For Tube amps, Fender Super Bassman. For Combos, Markbass Mini CMD 121P.

 

[CRich0205]

Tough question with their whole lineup of amps included. I have an old V4B and a newer SVT 2 pro. Those amps and my 810 sound amazing IMO but I was never that impressed with their combos. I had a first generation rumble 75 that I liked for practicing at the house but I never used it to gig. So I can't even make a semi even comparison between the two.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I haven't owned either since the stone age.

So Stonehenge was a big, pre-historic ROCK concert?
And those are really just a bunch of Ampeg and Fender tube amps and 8x10 cabs?

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I seem to prefer Ampegs.

Me too, I have two old school Ampeg 1x15 combos.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Where on earth is Linnin?
I was pumped when I saw this thread title as I pictured a spirited debate between Linnin and JimmyM.
#disappointed

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Where on earth is Linnin?
I was pumped when I saw this thread title as I pictured a spirited debate between Linnin and JimmyM.
#disappointed

He must be waiting for approval to use the Uranium Isotope option.

 

[Linnin]

Where on earth is Linnin?
I was pumped when I saw this thread title as I pictured a spirited debate between Linnin and JimmyM.
#disappointed

LOL! There is nothing to debate. Fender Forever!

 

[JakobT]

The question from the OP isn't really possible to answer in a meaningful way. It's just his personal taste, which he is fully entitled to, but only he can explain why he feels the way he does. And others might - and do - feel differently, for exactly the same reasons.

 

[jazzbass_5]

Apples to Oranges. Two different sounds imho. Sure you can find likenesses, still different sounds for different styles.

 

[58kites]

I believe Ampeg focused on bass guitars and bass amps right from the beginning of their company.
And have focused on bass amps since the bass guitar thing did not take off for them.
As we all know, Fender started with guitar amps and guitars first.

 

[Artobass]

It's all personal preference, use what sounds best to you.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Played Ampegs for years, have a SB300 now. Both make fine amps.

 

[sub-commandante]

i use both in tube flavour, SVT and Studiobass for different tastes. Both sound great.