The svt cl is 2500 but i got the svt 7 pro for about 800. With an 810e, it's probably not the svt cl sound (ive never used one) but it sounds pretty good and was about 1700 total.
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Ampegs vs good value brands?
- Thread starter Cole Louis Allar
- Start date
I know, I was ballparking for the whole-shebang high-end models. The point was that the OP asked if the cost was worth it. A $500 amp isn't "worth it" if it's not the sound you're going for - still less a $1500 or $3000 rig.
Well, Ampeg sort of invented the idea of bass amplification. Everette Hull invented a pickup for the double bass in1946. It was called the Amplified Peg. Hence came the name Ampeg. Jess Oliver designed the portaflex in 1960. That was the amp. About all there were then was the bassman and the portaflex. In 1969 Ampeg introduced the SVT (Super Valve Technology) with 2 8x10 cabs and a 300 watt head. Fender countered with the Super Bassman and Super Bassman II. The II was only 100 watts, but had two cabs with 2x15.
I have owned and played both. I prefer the sound of the Ampeg. But, my favorite club gigging Ampeg has always been the V4B. The SVT was designed for stadium gigs and works well there. I found, in the 70s, the SVT was too much for club gigging. At the volume you needed to make the SVT really sound like Rock & Roll, it was too loud for an average club.
Someone said only Ampeg and Hartke focus on bass. I would add Fender to that list, but I will agree the Fender guitar amp line is deaper. Hartke started with the aluminum drivers in about 1984-85. I can't seem to find info on when they started with their amps. I personally don't have much appreciation for their amps, but I had 1x15 XL transient attack for several years and really liked it.
I have owned and played both. I prefer the sound of the Ampeg. But, my favorite club gigging Ampeg has always been the V4B. The SVT was designed for stadium gigs and works well there. I found, in the 70s, the SVT was too much for club gigging. At the volume you needed to make the SVT really sound like Rock & Roll, it was too loud for an average club.
Someone said only Ampeg and Hartke focus on bass. I would add Fender to that list, but I will agree the Fender guitar amp line is deaper. Hartke started with the aluminum drivers in about 1984-85. I can't seem to find info on when they started with their amps. I personally don't have much appreciation for their amps, but I had 1x15 XL transient attack for several years and really liked it.
If you think they are, or you think they aren't, either way you are right. Go listen to them and then you'll know for yourself. It's like asking how does chicken taste different than turkey.
I've never been all that too impressed with Ampeg and lump them in with other "value" brands. Their stuff isn't bad by any stretch, but I've always leaned more towards the Genz-Benz or Gallien Krueger stuff. The Ampeg stuff just seems a little too generic/mass produced to me. I don't get the impression that people working in the design or manufacturing groups are passionate about the product.
I finally buckled down and bought an Ampeg Heritage B-15N last summer. It was nothing short of glorious and made me completely understand why it is one of the most iconic amps of our time. I ended up selling it because my Fender Bassman TV 15 gets the job done just fine but I would buy another B-15 in a heartbeat if funds allowed.
I don't even know what that means, especially since GK and Genz Benz are/were as mass-produced as anything. But I can guarantee you that the people making Ampeg stuff these days are as passionate about what they're doing as anyone in the business.
The Amplified Peg was a pickup, not an amp.
Can't comment on "one of the original". Haven't been able to conceptually grasp multiple originals.
The portaflex was not introduced until 1960. the Bassman was 1951 IIRC.With all due respect, (and i will admit i glossed over the Leo reference until you pointed this out, my bad)neither company during the "Leo" years made a high wattage bass amp! Both the Bassman and Portaflex are both dismally low wattage by today's standards and both from 51' and 52', didn't Leo sell to CBS in 64-65?? Ampeg released the SVT in 69', the 400PS was in 70' ...anyways you are correct in your point, but I did miss the Leo reference, Apologies
That used to be true, but they've gotten rid of the non-Ampeg sounding Ampeg gear
Ampeg is good gear, but at the end of the day, a good player can get a good sound from anything. Hell, I saw a guy last summer in Nashville with a homemade washtub bass with a cheapo microphone under the tub into a no name amp, sounded fantastic and they guy did more with just one string than most do with 4. I like the Ampeg stuff (especially the 410HLF cabs) but Used Hartke for the last 12 years due to price and also since every other bass player in town is using an Ampeg 810e and tube head. I'll be switching to Peavey now since I just got an old Mark 8 and 2 1516 cabs. Its all personal preference really as to the sound you want..
I got to play through an SVT 4 with a 610 cab for a couple of months at this practice place in town. It was glorious. However, it is not practical for 90% of the gigs I play. So, it depends on your situation. If you play a lot of medium/large venues and outdoor gigs, and you want that tone, then yes.
I don't think there is a good way to answer the OP, because there are so many good choices available today and it comes down to what works for you.
I don't think there is a good way to answer the OP, because there are so many good choices available today and it comes down to what works for you.
Big Hoss
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For what it's worth, Ampeg is now more or less a "good value brand". They aren't a cheapie like Behringer or Peavey, but on more of an even keel with Fender. The big thing is sound. The Ampegs that are market equivalent of the Fenders definately have different voicings to them. that can be a good or a bad thing depending on your taste. An Ampeg BA210v2 for example is the rough equivalent to my Fender Rumble V3 500. I would never say they sound like each other, each has their own unique voice. I personally preferred the Fender. I think they are street priced within $50.00 of each other.
I disagree with Peavey being a "cheapie". Inexpensive yes. Its crazy reliable. I just got my 20+ year old mark 8 head and 1516 cabs and they are still in gigging shape and sound thunderous. Behringer, well I agree with you there...
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
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- 4,234
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I was referring to price points. Peavey gear seems priced in range with Behringer. Whereas Ampeg and Fender seem about neck and neck, or close to.
Thats simply not true!!
2 example's...
The 400PS!View attachment 782608 435 watts of crushing bass amp, by all accounts it has clean headroom for days!! Only downside(besides being 80 lbs), you needed to run it through *3* cabs to get that full power!!
Which spawned the much more practical 300PS!View attachment 782611 I have one of these in storage on the mainland!! This was Fenders attempt at competing with the SVT, but it sounds nothing like it except both being 300 watts/all tube!! Clean headroom for days, warm yet uncompressed, sweet highs, tight lows and LOUD, crushingly LOUD!! They made this more club player friendly with it having an output for only one cab(either 4 or 8 ohm)...you can level small buildings with this, the only head that comes even *close* IMO is the SVTII non pro!! They only made the 300PS from 75'-80', I bought mine from one of my bass instructors for $600, it does weigh 76 lbs. though
I think they were just left in the dust by Ampeg's reputation, as to why they didn't sell that many...
The thing with the 400PS is that it requires three 4-ohm cabs for the full 435 watts. They have one in a local store. That thing is at least 100 lbs.
The tone and quality of Ampeg and Fender amps surpasses that of Peavy and Acoustic in my honest opinion. If you like the sound of them better, I think it's worth the increase in cost. If we're talking combo amps, that increase in cost probably isn't even that much.
Are Ampeg worth the money? Lets look at this: if they were not, then there will be others companies they do F.E Peavey, Fender, Hartke etc etc. Dont you think being a business Ampeg will do something to become worthy? My friend Cole, the first thing you need to forget when you buy things is if they "worth the money" or "which one is more worthy". That will take you nowhere. You need to ask is if you like the Ampeg head or heads you have in mind. Remeber, if there were not "worthy" brands then they wont be in business and therefore there will be a Monopoly of 2 or 3 "Worthy" ones.
