I Don't Dislike Ampeg

[chaosMK]

I used an all Ampeg rig a good 5-6 years ago, for about two years. I dug it at the time but didnt know what I was doing in terms of tone, technique, etc.

In my most recent incarnation of playing bass in bands, I slowly pieced together my current Mesa setup (Bass 400 with KT 88's, Powerhouse cabs). I cant complain about it, soundwise.

However, the other day I was doing some live studio stuff with one of my visiting buddies and decided to plug into the SVP/Power amp setup into SVT 8x10 cabs (the non ported ones) that the studio had. I dialed in a pretty similar tone/EQ to what I use on the Mesa. I can't say I didnt like this tone! Not quite as bright or complex in the upper midrange as my Mesa sound, but it has some awesome thickness in the low mids.

 

[Jazzman]

The SVP/Power amp setup didn't have power tubes.

 

[Bryan316]

I don't hate Ampeg... but I sure got tired of them. Yes, a SVT-CL into a Fridge is still a mofo of a bass rig, and I sure wouldn't turn it down if offered as a backline. But I prefer different tone and feel these days.

 

[Ryan L.]

Ampeg is what works for me, I guess. I've tried other stuff, but have come back to Ampeg again for "my sound".

 

[RickenBoogie]

I have a small Ampeg rig, V4BH on an SVT15E. It's my favorite amp for practice, low level jams, and recording. It has THAT tone. But, yeah, I use the big Mesa rig for all out destruction with my band, nothing else comes close. Still, I'll always keep that little Ampeg rig, just for the warm fuzzies.

 

[fenderhutz]

Ampeg man converted to Mesa. At least for the power side anyway. I like Avatar cabs.

I have owned almost every Ampeg piece out there. Mesa 400+ was the added the mid range I was missing from Ampeg and a better "growl" IMHO.

 

[funkadelickbass]

I used to hate ampeg because i thought it was over priced for the sound...then I got a good deal and now I love it...

 

[pedro]

I used to hate ampeg because i thought it was over priced for the sound...

I don't hate them but I can't justify the cost vs. benefit. This past week I tried an SVT Pro 6 and it sounded wonderful but the price tag was insane.

 

[Transverz]

I have a small Ampeg rig, V4BH on an SVT15E. It's my favorite amp for practice, low level jams, and recording. It has THAT tone. But, yeah, I use the big Mesa rig for all out destruction with my band, nothing else comes close. Still, I'll always keep that little Ampeg rig, just for the warm fuzzies.

Hmm. I've been wondering about that V4BH. 100w right? So it can't get above practice volume levels? Or it can be pushed higher but it starts to lose bass and go into massive overdrive?

 

[RickenBoogie]

It'll get fairly loud, more than your average 100 watts, but not loud and CLEAN. Still, it's a great little head, sort of a mini SVT.

 

[Plain Old Me]

I used an all Ampeg rig a good 5-6 years ago, for about two years. I dug it at the time but didnt know what I was doing in terms of tone, technique, etc.

In my most recent incarnation of playing bass in bands, I slowly pieced together my current Mesa setup (Bass 400 with KT 88's, Powerhouse cabs). I cant complain about it, soundwise.

However, the other day I was doing some live studio stuff with one of my visiting buddies and decided to plug into the SVP/Power amp setup into SVT 8x10 cabs (the non ported ones) that the studio had. I dialed in a pretty similar tone/EQ to what I use on the Mesa. I can't say I didnt like this tone! Not quite as bright or complex in the upper midrange as my Mesa sound, but it has some awesome thickness in the low mids.

Ever try the 400 into the Ampeg 810?

 

[Transverz]

It'll get fairly loud, more than your average 100 watts, but not loud and CLEAN. Still, it's a great little head, sort of a mini SVT.

Thanks for the info... so, a mini SVT, as in like 50% of the volume? 75%? I know this is a little hard to quantify. I'd love to give this head a try but have heard conflicting results from people. Some people say it is only a practice amp or very small rooms. Others say it can handle any gig, aside from super large venues where PA is needed no matter what amp you use. Which direction is it closer to? BTW I don't play clean at all. Warm, light overdrive for the usual sound, and would love a creamy, overdriven sound for aggressive playing. Would it be a good fit for me?

Just as a reference, the GK 1001RBII I'm playing now is way too much volume for me as I can't get that GK grind with all its massive headroom. Never thought I'd be saying that but the GK is some pretty awesome stuff. I'm maybe realizing that either I need a smaller GK amp or a lower wattage tube amp. Just something that allows me decent headroom for medium gigs with no PA, but not so much volume I can't get it to its sweet spot.

eh?

 

[allexcosta]

I hate it...

 

[FrankDV]

I tried an ampeg svt cl the other day day at GC. It wasnt bad but it didnt blow me away either(especially for the price). Can anyone tell me why everyone raves about these amps?

 

[JimmyM]

I love Ampeg amps, but I sure do hate moving SVT's.

 

[pedro]

Thanks for the info... so, a mini SVT, as in like 50% of the volume? 75%? I know this is a little hard to quantify. I'd love to give this head a try but have heard conflicting results from people. Some people say it is only a practice amp or very small rooms.

I just got my V4B, so take all of the following with a huge grain of salt but to my ears it has a different sound than the SVT - softer and perhaps closer to the B15. As for the volume, I'm told that in order to get 'twice' the audible volume, you need to have something like 10 times the watts. The SVT I believe was 300 watts and the VB is 100. My guess is that both heads thru the same cabinet and the SVT would be louder but nowhere near 3 times as loud.

 

[rodl2005]

I got a V4BH AND an SVT2 Both usually played into a Berg,NV610.
The V4BH has got plenty of volume for most gig-& an awesome sound!!! But the SVT2 has the headroom-which is NEEDED for some gigs, & just plain 'nice to have' for ALL!!! ;-)
V4BH is about 1/2 the volume-I dunno THATS REALLY hard to say! Probly more like 2/3 -again -difficult to judge! SVT has the clean headroom, that is there where the V4BH will run out. If the V4BH DOES go into the overdrive area-IMHO it still has plenty of guts & punch, just has some tube OD on it too- 's fun IMHO.

 

[coreyfyfe]

im all about the v4. cant say much for the new v4bh since i havent played one, but my original v4 is definitely loud enough for any gig. if you want strong tube tone for aggressive playing thats definitely the way to go.

i tried to check musicians friend for price and they say the v4bh has been discontinued, and its not on the ampeg website, but either way, the price i found online for the v4bh was 900, and you can find a decent vintage one on ebay or craigslist for 400-600. mine was 500 in mint condition.

i think the v4bh was using 6L6's but if you get a vintage one and the mods (if necessary, depending on model) to use 6550's you'd have a higher output amp with great svt growl at gigging volumes.

 

[ROCtristan]

my current rig is all ampeg (b2re head and a 6x10) and i'm getting tired of it. i got it all for free because my band's old bass player abandoned ship and left it all at our practice space. i suppose it's good for getting it free? i just can't get a good heavier tone out of it. i bought a boss ds-1 to try to overdrive it a little but it ended up sounding pretty lame. any suggestions?

 

[denton57]

my current rig is all ampeg (b2re head and a 6x10) and i'm getting tired of it. i got it all for free because my band's old bass player abandoned ship and left it all at our practice space. i suppose it's good for getting it free? i just can't get a good heavier tone out of it. i bought a boss ds-1 to try to overdrive it a little but it ended up sounding pretty lame. any suggestions?

A tube head.