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No love for Ampeg B2RE?

Fletz

Fletz

Jan 16, 2009
4,658
3,007
New Jersey
www.facebook.com
Disclosures
Hartke artist
#1
So, I love every single thread I've read/started/contributed to here on the Talkbass Forums. All of you have been great at giving opinions, advice, laughs, etc. on just about every topic.

As I mentioned somewhere else on the forums, I was suffering from GAS and trying to get a new amp head for myself. I've been playing a GK Backline 600 after selling a Hartke 3500 that was 16 years old or so (too much of an 80s sound). I liked it, but felt I could do a little better. Not wanting to spend a TON of money, I went to my local Guitar Center and played an Ampeg B2RE head through the same SVT410HLF cab I have at home and really actually liked the sound.

As I do, I came home messed with it, still liked it alot then went on the boards here to get the buzz on the head and woah! It is a hatefest for this thing. Granted, I haven't gigged with it yet, but I like the tone. I played with the gain, the EQs (both the three band knobs and parametric 9 band) and am getting some nice clear tone. Upping the gain I get a little overdrive and a load of grill rattling bass.

So... is there anyone out there who LOVES their B2RE? Anyone?
 
#4
I've been gigging with a B2RE for about 4 years now. I also use a Sansamp programmable bass driver and an FMR RNC in the input chain. I use the Sansamp for most of my tone, and the Ampeg to adjust for the room.

I've gotten plenty of compliments on my sound.

The B2RE is just a simple power amp with EQ, in my opinion. There might not be much to love, but I'm not sure what's there to hate.

After 4 years, I'm upgrading to a substantially more powerful amp. I have no specific complaints about the B2RE, just looking for more power.
 
#6
I have the Ampeg B2-RE bought new and I like it a lot. Currently it is running (2) 8 ohm ampeg 15" cabs and it gives a great sound. Its great for small gigs with power to spare. I have also hooked it up to the 410hlf (1). The one thing is that the fan is a little loud but not defective "loud" . Maybe those in the "hate" fest don't own it, I have more powerful Ampeg heads but in its class its great. . :cool:
 
#7
Glad you're happy with your amp, and that's what's really most important...

Regarding the OP - I have found the B2RE to be overpriced and underpowered, with somewhat of a "blah" tone to it - it's literally the quietest 450 watts on the market...

At any rate, I don't know why someone would start a thread like this other than to convince themselves that they hadn't made a buying mistake - after all, why would you care what others think about your amp???

Since you asked, there it is - and I can assure you I've played the B2R and B2RE WAY more times than I wanted to on provided backlines...



- georgestrings
 
#8
Jason P Bass said:
I've been gigging with a B2RE for about 4 years now. I also use a Sansamp programmable bass driver and an FMR RNC in the input chain. I use the Sansamp for most of my tone, and the Ampeg to adjust for the room.

I've gotten plenty of compliments on my sound.

The B2RE is just a simple power amp with EQ, in my opinion. There might not be much to love, but I'm not sure what's there to hate.

After 4 years, I'm upgrading to a substantially more powerful amp. I have no specific complaints about the B2RE, just looking for more power.
Click to expand...

this is exactly what I do with mine, cept I run a Hartke Attack instead of sansamp. Also use a BBM, Bass Xciter, and Korg Multi into it. I can get a surprisingly good tone, but I'm totally cranking this thing all the time. I'm buying an SVT 4 Pro so I can ditch a couple of the pedals and just get some pure amp tone.
 
#10
Gee fellas, thank... ;)

Yeah, I was just curious as to why no one liked it. I guess, for what I want, it's great. I want loud clear reproduction of the sound of my American P- and J- Basses. I'm not playing stadiums or giant venues, so 450 clean watts out of a 410 is solid. I guess I was just trying to see what people thought and if they hated it because it broke down alot or if there were issues I should be on the look out for.
 
#13
I used a B2R for several years for practice and gigging. I sold it to a friends son who has used it for several years now also. It is a very basic amp but it always worked and always had a decent sound. I finally needed more power so I upgraded.
 
#14
the last people i would look for approval over my rig are on talkbass. but if someone asks me, i'm giving my honest opinion. and sorry but i don't care for the b2re. that doesn't mean nobody should play it. a lot of people do and do just fine with it. and i'll defend to the death your right to play one if you can afford to buy it.
 
#16
I currently own a B2RE to go along with my 410HLF. I have found it to be predictable, dependable, and versatile enough and loud enough, and it's rack-mountable. I believe I got it on sale from MF website which was part of the appeal at the time. It seems to be really stout; I have not heard of reliability problems. With that said, I don't place a lot of demands on it (it's mostly a basement warrior). In addition, I am now in the process of replacing it (and the 410HLF) with lighter, smaller gear that better fits my space and playing needs. In today's market it is now not as good a value as some other products at list price, IMHO.

People associate Ampeg with SVT so strongly that I think it's hard for some to consider other products from the company. Some people have never forgiven Ampeg for developing solid-state products (people can really hold a grudge!) or for going overseas for manufacturing (along with 90% of American manufacturers, especially those in price-sensitive markets). I have no complaints; I liked the essential features it offered, including the EQ. effects loop, etc. It should give you years of service.
 
#17
It isn't that the B2RE is a bad head. It's just that given the price point, it's performance and tone are middle of the road at best... I had one and an earlier B2R - which seemed better tonally to my ear. I gigged the RE through a Bag End 2x10 for a few gigs. It was OK, not exciting and I had to run it flat out in what was a relatively quiet setting. That part I did not dig at all...

Maybe the biggest flaw in the B2Re is that it isn't a Gk 700 RB II - same price point basically and a much more capable piece of gear... doesn't sound like an Ampeg* - but then neither does the RE ...

One thing I will say positive about the B2Re I had - it seemed to be well constructed. I have no doubt that it would survive many years given my uses. If you use one, dig the tone and it's loud enough for ya - carry on!

*Ampeg sound. As I see it, pretty much it's the tbe line that defines it. Their solid state heads do something different... maybe it isn't a bad different but when I think Ampeg - I'm thinking B15, V4B, SVT ... not The SVT 4 Pro, 3 Pro, B2, et al...
 
#18
I only use mine cuz I got it for $75. To me, I think the tone is sterile and barely audible. I play in a mathcore-ish type band so it's really not for me, I can get by with my extra preamp and using this as just power. I just think for most rock bands, the B2R just doesn't cut it tonewise. I guess in genre's where SS is more friendly it would be ok. Poor kids in rock bands just get this cuz it's ampeg and it's cheap and it just doesn't suit that application very well. (myself included)
 
#19
Fletz said:
Which Sansamp model do you use exactly? I was thinking about going that route. And, do you run it into the preamp on the back or do you chain it through the effects loop OR do you go straight into the input?
Click to expand...

This Sansamp

I go bass -> Sansamp -> FMR RNC -> input on the B2RE.

I have tried different setups with the FX loop but this seems the most sensible.

FWIW, I'm going from the B2RE (I paid $550 new, for 450W at 4 Ohms) to the Carvin B2000 ($700 new, for 1350W at 4 Ohms). The "price point" criticisms of the B2RE seem valid to me. Overall volume has been a recurring problem for me.
 
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#20
It`s funny how Fletz asks " is there anyone out there who LOVES their B2RE? Anyone?"

One guy strokes himself why he don`t like it,because he`s played it tons of times,and the other pats himself on the back saying he was asked his opinion and the other guy strokes him for agreeing with him... and all Fletz asked was "So... is there anyone out there who LOVES their B2RE? Anyone?"
 

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