Falling out of love with...

[lowregister]

A while back I messed around with a few amps of friends and was wholly disapointed by them. One in particular was a Line 6 Combo amp, all it could do is BOOM, barely any real tone control.

Then I found ampeg BA-115, a 15'' combo with great tone controls. However, since playing with it for a while I think I need something else.

I play a Warwick Corvette Standard Bubinga and it is naturally a very mid heavy bass, so are ampeg amps--mid heavy.

There are two things that might be standing in the way, 1 is that I do not have to right speaker configuration, perhaps I need something other than a 15''--another is that the BA-115 is only 100 Watts--I may need more to get the sound I'm looking for. I do not however need more than 250 Watts with what I'm doing right now.

The sound I'm looking for is lame and generic--fat full bottoms with some crisp highs and just an overall warmer fuller sound. Even a heavy midscoop on the Ampeg doesn't fulfill it, I can just tell.

Are there any other disenfranchised Ampeg'rs out there? What could you guys recommend for me. Please remember, I am looking for something more than just a booming amp.

Many thanks all!

P.S. I have searched the gambit of preamp pedals, EQ's, and strings, it's definately the amp.

 

[Korladis]

The BA-115 is a small combo amp. You might not think so after lugging it around, but it is. It's only 100 watts solid state as well.

There is a huge variety of different 15" speakers and enclosures that use them, with quite a big range of sounds. I'd upgrade at least to a head + cab setup, depending on how much volume you need. Go out and try a bunch of stuff and see what you like.

 

[rpsands]

I'd roll with an MB115 combo, myself.

 

[B-string]

I left Ampeg for Gallien-Krueger, never happier! First the 800RB then the Fusion 550, still want a 700RB II.

 

[JimmyM]

ok, everyone name off their favorite amps now...

really, you can't buy by tb consensus. if you can't try stuff out that you're interested in, search on it and get comments and reviews. people are pretty brutally honest about what they like in amps here.

 

[RickenBoogie]

All true. But the bottom line is, you're playing through an amp that's essentially an over-sized practice combo. When you're ready, ($$), go out and play EVERYTHING you can find. You'll get a good feel for what sounds like what, and if you look for used gear, you could put together a really nice rig for between $500-$750.

 

[MIJ-VI]

I've found that in the absence of an opportunity to audition prospective amps first hand, decent headphones + competently done YouTube videos/gear reviews (like those produced by Ed Friedland, for example) can be useful in homing in on a new rig prospects.

Here's one of Mr. Friedland's reviews which furthered my interest in PJB amps: Phil Jones Super Flightcase

(Afterwards I found some of his YouTube reviews of the smaller, PJB Flightcase, and the smaller still PJB Briefcase which confirmed that neither of those two micro rigs would meet my needs.)

 

[Lo-E]

I gotta agree with RickenBoogie. Everybody's got their thing, but to really know what you like, you've got to go out and play through as many amps as possible. Park yourself in a good music store and start checking the stuff out.

Also, Madison has a good music scene. Go out and see lots of bands and take note of what other players are using and whether or not you dig it.

Good luck!