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I Have the Ampeg Itch!

#21
TXLawDawg said:
While very close through a TH500, it's just not quite the same. Ended up selling my TH500, keeping the PF500, springing for the V-4B and well, the VT bass pedal is still here but the poor thing hasn't been used in awhile. :D
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+1

But that VTBass is very very close. :D

I liked my PF-350, but felt it was not enough watts for what I need. Probably would have been happier with a PF-500, but I loved the small light package of the PF-350.

However, for small, wickedly powerful, and light, the GK-MB800 is my "ointment." :cool:
 
#23
lilcrate said:
I have a Aguilar Tone Hammer 500, but have recently been gassing to try an Ampeg head out. What would be a good comparable (as far as power, features, etc) head to test the waters with that is fairly affordable?
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By all means, try them out, but frankly I think your Aguilar is already a better amp than any of the "affordable" solid-state Ampeg heads I've heard.
 
#26
Linnin said:
Avoid Ampeg Like The Palgue! Their reputation for catastrophic failure is well earned, and well avioded.
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No, it isn't. They are simply the most high profile bass amp company, so failures are very well publicized. Ampeg SS and hybrid failure rate is no worse than any other company's, and their tube amps are stone reliable.
 
#27
I had the itch and ended up purchasing both a 1972 blackline SVT and a SVT-CL.

I LOVE THEM BOTH!!! The 72 has more air in the sound and is way superior but the CL gets the job more than done. Better handles on the CL fer chur and it's a little lighter.

It took me nearly 10 years of trying to find the sound with various solutions including pre-amps, pedals, etc, to finally give in and buy the real thing. And in my limited experience, nothing sounds like the real thing.

Now I am gassing for a Micro-VR stack for practice to replace my Genz Benz.

re: reliability - I had issues with a Heritage SVT-CL that I ordered at the beginning of the project, but no issues with either head I have.
 
#33
As usual, I'm even more confused after a thread lol, but seriously, thanks a lot for everyone's input. I do appreciate it.

I guess I'm not "entirely" worried about reliability if I buy from GC due to return policy. If it is a lemon I should know within 30 days I would think, but obviously not always.

I see a lot of Ampeg hate, but I really don't get it since it could easily be the most used amp I've seen and the tone I've seen at live shows from Ampeg is nothing short of amazing.

I don't know if I will like it better than the Aguilar, but I am willing to give it a try and hold on to both until I decide or even forever. I just want to make sure I'm giving Ampeg a fair shot and not buying one of their heads that doesn't sound good or isn't reliable or whatever.
 
#35
Sid Fang said:
Which of the all-tube Ampeg heads do you consider to be "affordable", as described by the OP? I love my old SVT, and appreciate the V4B, but those are heads that retail in the high side of $1000.
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Yes. If it is clear that I am not giving Ampeg a fair shot by not spending in the 1k range, then I will wait until another time in life to give them a try. I'm not even looking to spend as much as $500 to test the waters. If I do love the Ampeg I try then I may sell my TH500 and get a higher end Ampeg.
 
#37
lilcrate said:
Yes. If it is clear that I am not giving Ampeg a fair shot by not spending in the 1k range, then I will wait until another time in life to give them a try. I'm not even looking to spend as much as $500 to test the waters. If I do love the Ampeg I try then I may sell my TH500 and get a higher end Ampeg.
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My PF500 sounds good...real good. Is it all the tube goodness that my V-4B is? No. But, it definitely has the Ampeg sound without spending the coin to go all tube.

Edit: Having also come from the TH500, what I found was that I could get the TH500 close to the Ampeg tone (especially with a VT Bass pedal) but that I can absolutely nail the tone of the TH500 with the PF500 with the press of a switch and turning a few knobs. To me, the TH500 had something in the mids going on that I could never dial out. I wouldn't go so far as to say that the TH500 is mid-forward (though there have been some comments as to such and a thread floating around here about it) but I think what sets them apart, for me, is the ultra high and low switches on the Ampeg. The TH500 is absolutely relaxed in the highs where the Ampeg can get more "glassy" up top - especially with the ultra high engaged (I don't use this, just a little too much high for my tastes - no complaints with the amount of highs from TH500 either). I do use the ultra low switch though and, for me, this is where Ampeg can get a big, fat tone that the TH500 couldn't quite copy. Don't get me wrong, the TH500 sounds good but I think that overall the Ampeg can achieve an overall "fatter" sound that was what I was shooting for. Of course, just IMO and YMMV. Hope this helps.
 
#40
Stealth Fighter said:
OP, if you want to try Ampeg on a budget, buy a PF-350. I bought mine new with full warranty over two years ago and have had ZERO issues with it. Cost < $250.00 at Musician't Friend.
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This I would agree with. If you somehow find yourself short on power you can use the effects send/pre amp out and the "Ampeg sound" from the preamp is there for a second poweramp.
 

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