I'm sick of my Ampeg

[B-string]

The old V4-B did slap VERY well, even with flats on a Hofner? Just info not an argument either way. The Gibson and flats might be tough work, I have never owned/played one.

 

[SactoBass]

Even the "all tube" Ampeg SVT's made in the last 10-15 years sound less flavorful (IMHO...YMMV) than the early 70's blue lines. I owned an SVT with 8x10 fridge cab in 2001. I bought it new then. I was expecting (hoping?) to get the tone that the older Ampeg SVT's had (I knew a guy who had a blue line and it sounded great). But I was ultimately unimpressed with the tone from my SVT rig (I tried different basses, strings, etc), and I ended up selling that rig. I also owned an Ampeg "all tube" SVP-Pro preamp that I played through a high quality power amp and good cabs, but again, it didn't provide me with that great blue line tube tone. This experience caused me to form an opinion that the only way to get real tube tone is to go with hand wired all-tube designs that don't have any PCB's or transistors. I am sure there are lots of people out there who will have different opinions based on different experiences. I am just sharing my own personal experience with Ampeg products. I agree with many of the posters in this thread that the OP isn't going to obtain "high class" sound with the gear that he has. I have been there, so I know how he feels. And I respect that he is posting here to ask for opinions from other bassists. My recommendation is, keep trying different equipment until you find the sound that you like. It costs money to do that, but that's what money is for!

 

[Korladis]

Lol, trying to get a slap sound on a bass with flats and mudbucker.

 

[Ruckus13]

Ding, ding.

Low end Ampeg = butt. High end Ampeg is a different story.

Try GK, the Backline stuff is surprisingly decent for low end gear.

You say "ding ding" as if the man made a point. The combo amp reads AMPEG across it. Low end or high end it is an AMPEG product, and one that is overpriced, made in China, and is probably the quietest 220w I have ever heard in my life. You suggest the GK Backline after saying that, a product that is far cheaper than Ampeg products...

 

[Gearhead43]

Lol, trying to get a slap sound on a bass with flats and mudbucker.

hahaha

 

[Ric5]

No matter how I set my ampeg, I always get one of three sounds, dark and mellow, slightly brighter (not by much), or something terrible. I'm looking for something that doesn't break the bank, but can turn my sg reissue with flats from a groove machine to a slap n popper in an instant (and don't say this isn't possible as my crap practice 'drive' combo can do it no problem). I'm looking for something relatively cheap (preferably a combo if need be), any suggestions?

For me Ampeg is the golden tone ... no other amp sounds as good ... I have 3 ampegs ... B2, B2r, and a B3. I play they my DIY cabs with Eminence and Carvin speakers.

 

[dubstylee]

All I can say is, I have a Magnavox Ampeg V4 that I use with my P Bass + Fender Flats, and I have found my tone. My style is fingerstyle groovin', and it fits the bill perfectly for it. It's just FAT tubey thickness on every note, and that's what I like.

 

[Buster Brown]

well, by looking at your profile, you have pretty much one of the lowest end Ampegs.

Those amps have never been known for great sound or quality. I put it basically with the B series heads/cabinets, it's for people who want the name but wont pay for the quality.

I have a feeling you would have a very different feeling if you played through the true (tube) SVT.

+1

Or pretty much ANY of the higher end 'pegs....4Pro - 5Pro 8X10 6X10...you get the idea......

Now, before you go off on me....I'm currently getting ready to part with my Ampeg gear in favor of the new USA Acoustic gear - so there you go....

 

[Krügmeister]

I recently got an ampeg svt-2 pro and I think the tone is awesome through my my NV610.
I also have a Mesa Boogie D-180 and it get's a dirtier gain on the stv-2 pro.
I don't understand the op's point.. I can seem to nail any bass tone imaginable on my ampeg... of course it has a ton of dials and an 8 band eq also

 

[garmenteros]

Flats for slapping...?? tough deal... maybe try an eq pedal between the amp, you'd be surprised what an mxr eq pedal can do to an amp. It might be worth half the amp if you buy new, but if you can get a used late 70s early 80s model for 40 50 bucks you've got yourself a good tool to make any amp useably.