• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

China Ampeg

Status
Not open for further replies.
tom dicus

tom dicus

May 17, 2017
668
1,009
63
Wasilla, AK USA
Disclosures
i suck at bass but will never give up
#1
Does anyone have experience with the US Ampeg VS the China Ampeg cabinets?
I want to have the Ampeg sound with my SVT7PRO and my all tube VB2.
I see an 810 cabinet for sale but it’s a China manufacturer.
Is there a sound difference between the US Eminence speakers and the “no name” China ones?
Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7dollarbologna
#3
tom dicus said:
Does anyone have experience with the US Ampeg VS the China Ampeg cabinets?
I want to have the Ampeg sound with my SVT7PRO and my all tube VB2.
I see an 810 cabinet for sale but it’s a China manufacturer.
Is there a sound difference between the US Eminence speakers and the “no name” China ones?
Thanks
Click to expand...
My Ampeg 212av is made in China and it sounds great! I think Ampeg has a competitive advantage over companies like, for example, Aguilar that make a similar product (DB212) that is made in the US for much for $$. For example,

Ampeg SVT-212AV = $700 (China) vs
Aguilar DB212 = $1050 (US)

Both cabs have very similar specs...one is $300 more expensive.

Buy from a good vendor that has a good return policy...that’s your best insurance...regardless of where the cabinet is made.

Having said allll that...the US Ampeg Heritage 810e is a much better cabinet than the Ampeg 810e that is made in China. These are different cabs (weight, asthetics, etc) though that are priced accordingly.
 
#4
The two big differences for me are the Chinese cabs are made of plywood instead of OSB chipboard, and the speakers got pretty dark in the early 2000's, and could often be muddy, and once they moved to China, that problem got fixed. Now the US cabs made in the 90's sound great and many of them are holding up very well in spite of the OSB, but I'm not a fan of the American ones from the early 2000's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: REMBO and SirMjac28
#5
Interesting observation.
Considering the condition this particular unit is in, I’m going to guess it’s a newer unit.
It looks brand new.
Could this cabinet, with the over seas speakers, sound as Ampeg-like as any other Ampeg cabinet in new like condition?
I plan to use my VB2 as my main amp for this cab.
Thanks for the great insights from everyone!
 
#6
tom dicus said:
Could this cabinet, with the over seas speakers, sound as Ampeg-like as any other Ampeg cabinet in new like condition?
Click to expand...

Yes, and I think you may be a bit too hung up on the import vs domestic thing.

Ampeg hasn't to my recollection, released any NON-Ampeg sounding cabs ever. Ampeg sounds like Ampeg be it domestic, import, or any number or combination of speaker sizes. While I understand that's a vague statement, what I mean is their 15's or 10's or 12's sound similar to their other 15's, 10's or 12's and all retain much of the characteristics we've come to expect from them. You won't plug into one and think, "wow, this sounds like a (some other brand) cab".

As always, try before you buy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnnynitro, bobyoung53, SirMjac28 and 2 others
#8
The made in China 810 cabinets are excellent. Plywood construction. Good Eminence speakers, not budget models. I’d take a newer model over an older SLM one any day.

The speakers should have Eminence codes on a magnet label. If not, maybe the speakers were changed.

They should look like the one below.

A303CD25-EA07-4C8B-B7A0-3957A043B2F2.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: SirMjac28 and DaveDeVille
#10
blubass said:
Yes, and I think you may be a bit too hung up on the import vs domestic thing.

Ampeg hasn't to my recollection, released any NON-Ampeg sounding cabs ever. Ampeg sounds like Ampeg be it domestic, import, or any number or combination of speaker sizes. While I understand that's a vague statement, what I mean is their 15's or 10's or 12's sound similar to their other 15's, 10's or 12's and all retain much of the characteristics we've come to expect from them. You won't plug into one and think, "wow, this sounds like a (some other brand) cab".

As always, try before you buy.
Click to expand...

I'm right there with you as long as we're talking about sealed cabs. A ported 610 or the 410 hlf sound exactly nothing lime a sealed Ampeg cab. But all the classic style sealed cabs sound very similar to my ears. The 2-15 doesn't react as quickly but I actually like that. :cool:​
 
#11
two fingers said:
I'm right there with you as long as we're talking about sealed cabs. A ported 610 or the 410 hlf sound exactly nothing lime a sealed Ampeg cab. But all the classic style sealed cabs sound very similar to my ears. The 2-15 doesn't react as quickly but I actually like that. :cool:​
Click to expand...

Lol yes, I agree :thumbsup:. Unfortunately I type faster than I can think at times. I should have stated their sealed cabs are similar to their sealed, and ported similar to ported. Often, even their ported cabs are similar in flavor to their sealed stuff, but with an extended low end presence which can wash out the mids and upper mids if one isn't careful with the EQ.
 
  • Like
Reactions: two fingers
#12
DaveDeVille said:
i can tell you that from my own experience , the SVT-212av cab has been a workhorse .
it sounds great and has been very reliable .
i have no concerns about the fact that it was built in China ...
View attachment 2826639
:cool:
Click to expand...

Beautiful rigs!!!!!!! Just out of curiosity, which do you like better between the fliptop and the heritage?
 
#13
I have a newer (about 4-5 years old) 810e and and older USA 810 that is NOT an e, to me the only difference is the weight. The older one is heavier than the newer one but I have not noticed any difference sound wise on stage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Horrorble
#15
blubass said:
Yes, and I think you may be a bit too hung up on the import vs domestic thing.

Ampeg hasn't to my recollection, released any NON-Ampeg sounding cabs ever. Ampeg sounds like Ampeg be it domestic, import, or any number or combination of speaker sizes. While I understand that's a vague statement, what I mean is their 15's or 10's or 12's sound similar to their other 15's, 10's or 12's and all retain much of the characteristics we've come to expect from them. You won't plug into one and think, "wow, this sounds like a (some other brand) cab".

As always, try before you buy.
Click to expand...

Though I understand they've gotten better, to my ears the 410HLF had no apparent Ampeg DNA regarding tone. Woof city.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JB1962 and 3rdstone
#16
I had a USA 810 from about 2004 and now I have a Chinese 810 that's just a few years old. Build quality is the same as far as I can tell (both built great), but the Chinese cab sounds way better to me. It's punchier than the USA one. Both have their pros & cons, and the rest I think is just empty nationalistic silliness. I'd try both if possible and see what your ear likes. I did like my USA one, but I prefer the slightly brighter quality of the Chinese one. I'll also echo that the Chinese made 212AV is absolutely killer as well. Good luck!
 
#17
two fingers said:
I'm right there with you as long as we're talking about sealed cabs. A ported 610 or the 410 hlf sound exactly nothing lime a sealed Ampeg cab. But all the classic style sealed cabs sound very similar to my ears. The 2-15 doesn't react as quickly but I actually like that. :cool:​
Click to expand...
610 does. I used one on a gig a couple years ago and was blown away how much it sounded like the 810e.
 
  • Like
Reactions: carsbybigd and two fingers
#20
I guess we're only talking SLM vs. Loud China? I had a 70's Ampeg 8x10 that was amazing. However the original drivers blew, sadly, and I replaced them with a set of Eminence 810's. Way better at high volumes. It sounded so good, in fact, that our recording studio bought it from me when I had my custom cabinets made. The best part is: I still get to record with it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red Planet
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back