My US made Ampeg 4x10HLF VS Off shore 4x10HLF rant...

I just picked up a brand new off-shore produced Classic 4x10HLF. Prior to making this purchase I did a ton of research and even considered buying used to get an American one, since apparently the new Ampegs made overseas are not at par with the U.S. made products.

I played through a US made Classic4x10HLF - I gigged with it on several occassions and used it for recording so I knew what it was all about. Despite some negative feedback I made the decision to purchase an off-shore Classic 4x10 HLF. I got a good deal on a mint condition floor model.

After plugging into my off shore Ampeg 4x10 HLF and owning it for close to a month, I gotta be honest - if anybody can actually tell a significant difference in sound between the US made one and the overseas one, I think its all in your head.
There is virtually no audible difference whatsoever.

Now I know its all very subjective and what I hear will not be the same as what others hear blah blah blah, but really, if there is a difference, you're not going to tell when you're playing with your band on a stage in front of hundreds of people. The difference will not be significant enough to play a factor....at least not to me, which says a lot because I am VERY picky!

I'd like to see somebody take "the ampeg challenge" - play through both cabs blindfolded with the same head, same bass, same EQ setting and tell me which one is the US and which is the Off Shore.

Are some people more dissapointed because they're made overseas yet cost the same as they did when they were made in the U.S?? Do you think that because its made off shore its inferior in quality? I used to think that if its made in the USA, its going to be superior to its overseas counterpart. Lately I've found that this doesn't matter.

To those that played through both US and off shore Classic 4x10 HLF models and noticed a difference, can you please share your experience? Maybe I am missing the point here?

This is my first Ampeg product and I have another on the way. So far I think I will be a very happy owner for a long time to come.

/rant

 

In general everyone's right - only time will tell how well they hold up after a few years of gigging. My comments were mostly for those who said they prefer the sound of the American built 4x10HLF's. I just really don't think there is a difference and if there is I'd really like to know what they think that audible difference is. I really don't notice any.

 

I didn't know about that! Could someone dig up the post?