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Billy Sheehan parts ways with Ampeg?

#141
coronado3 said:
Yeah he used to use custom made cabs. The "bass" cabs were a scoop type of thing and the "high" cabs were front load 15"s. I'll find a pic...

you can kinda see them on this video:
Click to expand...

yes, back in the days before the wheel, billy used those cabs. but ampeg doesn't make them so he switched to something they made when he got his deal.
 
#142
I saw him front row of the 1st mr. Big tour with Rush (presto tour) and he had his dino custom rig. It sounded awesome! He also had that servo-drive thingy for SUPER deep lows. How all of this translated to the P.A., I am not so sure!
 
#143
Hey Gang,

I think one thing has slipped by notice in this thread...Billy Sheehan is using and endorsing our LH-1000 amplifiers and AK speakers. The AK's are our newest high power paper speakers. You can read about them on the Hartke website.

Now before it even starts out there (already has) let me make this perfectly clear, Billy is not being paid to play Hartke. Nor is any artist on the Hartke list. Billy has been working with the Hartke gear for close to a year now and loves what he's getting. These things don't happen overnight and guys like Billy are not for sale. If you doubt me just ask Billy.
 
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#145
I've only just seen this thread (I don't visit TB so much being on the other side of the pond). I met Larry at the lounge around a year ago and we talked a little about Billy Sheehan, echoing his statement above and also about Ampeg moving production. He was frank and open...a really nice guy (unlike some of the asswipes I've encountered over here through the business).

Best
P
 
#146
ZiggyDude said:
Ampeg has a new "Heritage Series" with better quality - you would think if the quality was the only thing this might have held him. Unless - poor quality overall with his name was an issue.

But I doubt that was the only issue. Hartke is not a high quality brand or even the Ampeg level. Last I heard at least.

Maybe he wants to stay USA made - Hartke is last I heard.

Or maybe Ampeg just ain't payin' the big bucks anymore.
Click to expand...

Have you tried the HyDrive gear? In my career I have played through just about everything and I find the HyDrive stuff to be of an exceptional standard. Just because it's not comparatively expensive doesn't mean it's not just as good as some of the really costly equipment. I've had quite a few Ampegs let me down and many other very expensive things I have tried have been disapointing performance wise, reliability wise or were just unjustifiably massively expensive. But I've used Hartke gear for 10 years now and have never had a single issue. Sure, they make a lot of cheaper range stuff too, theres something for just about every budget - but even the cheaper Hartke is reliable and sounds great
 
#147
hey guys - i have an lh1000 that i am ironically using with an ampeg 4x10 and ampeg 1x15 cab... it seems like i gotta get the volume on the head to noon before it really starts kicking in tone wise and power wise..... do you think its the limitations of these cabs holding me back soundwise and volume wise??? I mean they are only rated at 200 watts per cab(?). I just wonder if I use the cabs meant for the head it would make it come to life. Thoughts?
 
#148
shaboda said:
hey guys - i have an lh1000 that i am ironically using with an ampeg 4x10 and ampeg 1x15 cab... it seems like i gotta get the volume on the head to noon before it really starts kicking in tone wise and power wise..... do you think its the limitations of these cabs holding me back soundwise and volume wise??? I mean they are only rated at 200 watts per cab(?). I just wonder if I use the cabs meant for the head it would make it come to life. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

When I first got my LH500 I was a little concerned about how far up I had to crank it, but I was testing it on an Ashdown (ahem.) Used in conjunction with the right cab - HyDrives are obviously perfect - you'll find the LH1000 has incredible power. I've found in the past that the bigger bass heads sound poor at lower volumes and really don't kick out great tone until you really drive them. But my hartke is tonally very pleasing and very punchy at the lower volumes I have to use for some of the club gigs I do.

Hope this is helpful, feel free to ask me anything Hartke related. Or anything else for that matter!
 
#150
I used to go see Talas at the Penny Arcade in Rochester NY in the 70's and early 80's. I was in awe. Sure he can do all the flash but man could he lay the bottom down !
 

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