are ampegs really worth the money? What seems to be the difference between ampegs and brands like fender and peavy and acoustic?
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Ampegs vs good value brands?
- Thread starter Cole Louis Allar
- Start date
Tube heads and cabs, yes. I find Ampegs to have a fat, warm musicality to them that is easy to dial in and just works.
If you're looking at combos, I think there are a lot more options there. I personally loved the Fender Rumble combo I played at GC recently as much (if not more so) than anything else.
If you're looking at combos, I think there are a lot more options there. I personally loved the Fender Rumble combo I played at GC recently as much (if not more so) than anything else.
To me, Ampegs are worth their money.
They have that signature sound that I like.
I won't tell you other brands are inferior.
A lot of brands have good stuff and not so good stuff.
They have that signature sound that I like.
I won't tell you other brands are inferior.
A lot of brands have good stuff and not so good stuff.
Ampeg has the most dominant bass legacy, perhaps because its guitar amps never took off. While Fender also has a bass legacy from the original Bassman, it would be fair to say it is better known for its guitar amps imo. Fender is of course best known for Ps, Js, strats and teles. Both Fender and Ampeg make both solid state and tube amps. I think a more relevant question would be what is the difference between Ampegs/Fenders and brands like Peavey/Acoustic? Personally I consider Ampeg and Fender to be in the same playing field, two sides of a similar coin.
Ampeg IS the industry standard, has been for years. Wait till you play an SVT3 through an 8x10. Every bassist should do this at least once.
The thing that I admire about both Ampeg and Hartke, is their devotion to bass. Fender, Peavey, and others tend to view bass as an afterthought, but not those 2.
I agree with the initial part of your statement, although we are now seeing other amps start to appear more imo. Personally I would modify the latter part of your statement to "every bassist should play through an all tube svt into an Ampeg 810 at least once", then I would agree with it. IIRC the SVT3 does not have a tube power amp section. My appreciation of Ampeg heads and their legend stems from the all tube SVTs, less so those with transistors in them. Of course YMMV.
I dont consider Ampeg a value brand but I would probably take anything from the SVT line (even the 3) over the other makers you mentioned. Their all-tube SVT and SVT-2 are kings and are difficult to outclass. IMO the B100R is one of the best sounding solid state amps around for the money.
SVT3? Must have been a typo. Everyone knows I can fart louder than and SVT3 and I do quite often.
Based on what????
Just because they are a bigger company and have a wider range does not mean other areas are an "afterthought". Who has not played a Precision or Jazz at least once?
Not knocking Ampeg, I love it, but let's try to be at least a little objective
Starting to wonder if this is just going to turn into an Ampeg vs the rest troll thread, and what's the point of it. I need the holidays to end so I can get back into my classroom and off the computer
+1 on the SVT3 and farting louder than it can play!!
There are a number of tube bass amps at or near the Ampeg price point including Mesa, Orange, and even Fender. Ampeg's price is consistent with the cost of goods and being a premium product. You will also find other groupings of amps at other price points, for example the $800 micro head seems to be a thing now.
Me. Never even touched a Fender in 30+ years of playing.Based on what????
Just because they are a bigger company and have a wider range does not mean other areas are an "afterthought". Who has not played a Precision or Jazz at least once?
Not knocking Ampeg, I love it, but let's try to be at least a little objective
Both Ampeg and Hartke actually push the envelope for us. Fender gives us new paint on 45 year old reissues.
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
Easier it is to hear the brand name, the more you are paying for marketing instead of amp.
Based on what????
Just because they are a bigger company and have a wider range does not mean other areas are an "afterthought". Who has not played a Precision or Jazz at least once?
Not knocking Ampeg, I love it, but let's try to be at least a little objective
Pretty sure the OP was referring to Fender, Peavey, and other's bass amplifiers, not the basses. I don't entirely agree with that, but I do appreciate the devotion to bass amplification by Ampeg, Hartke, GK, EBS, Genz Benz (or Genzler) and a lot of other makers
Not a typo but a misnomer on my part. I meant a 70s SVT, which with an 8x10 I owned at one time.
Honestly? You have never played a Fender Jazz or Precision at least once in 30+ years of playing?? Amazing. I stand corrected.
"Fender gives us new paint on 45 year old reissues" - what on earth do you think Ampeg does with the CLs, VRs and Heritages???
I am probably more of an Ampeg fanboy than Fender at heart but the Fender Super Bassman and 100T both go some way beyond just "giving us new paint on 45 year reissues." (Even if I do consider the introduction of autobias as one new step too far)
I respectfully agree. I made a decent living for many years using Peavey bass amps. They were always solid, bulletproof and reliable. Fender? Maybe. Peavey? No way.
Well, sonny, a long time ago, when I was working at Radio Shack, a little old lady came in locking for a portable radio. I asked if she wanted to see the best, or the cheapest. She replied, "Young man, the best is always the cheapest."
Those words of wisdom have kinda stuck with me...
Those words of wisdom have kinda stuck with me...
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