• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Plan for Ampeg BA210

J

jimribs

Feb 4, 2009
21
0
www.rockriverradio.com
#1
I am currently playing through a TKO115 made by peavey, i am not very happy with it at all, bought it 7 years ago, so its lasted me long enough to move on. I was originally planning on buying an All tube Mesa or ampeg amp and separate cabinet, but the price is hindering that decision at the moment. I really wanted a mesa buster bass (discontinued all tube combo amp) but am growing impatient of waiting for them to pop up on eBay and then getting outbid. At any rate, I've decided upon the Ampeg BA210(220 watt) as the amp I'm going to buy until I can afford to purchase a Mesa All tube head. I played this amp quite a bit and have come to really enjoy it. I have a couple questions tho.

1. Is the BA115 (220 watts) a better purchase? I've gotten sick of the limitations of my 15" speaker in my amp, but am not sure if its because of the speaker size or just the amp itself.

2. Should I go ahead and get the one with effects? I've never been much for effects on amps, they always seem weak, and generic. I might have just answered my own question I guess.

3. Is there any all tube combo amps out there? I can't seem to find any.
 
#2
There's an Ampeg combo in a shared practice space I sometimes go to. Its a perfectly reasonable starter combo, but I wouldn't spend additional money on that particular amplifier to replace your Peavey. You'll find it incrementally louder at best, and the tone is, put kindly, Ampeg in name only.

Save your money, get what you really want.
 
#3
#1 that's subjective, #2 no, waste of money, they suck, #3 not that I'm aware of currently. BUT, here's an idea. Don't buy another entry level combo, save your money and buy a Mesa Walkabout Scout 12. It's not an all tube amp, but it does a convincing tube sound, and you won't be disappointed like you will be with that Ampeg combo. There are other pro quality combo's on the market by GenzBenz, Markbass, and others. The amp you're looking at buying is really no better than the Peavey you have now.
 
#4
thanks, but i don't wanna wait! haha, might have to though, i guess. i'm getting really impatient because our two guitarists volumes are dominating mine, and our monitor system is for vocals only. while it does run thru the main pa, even the stage volume of the peavey is not sufficient without distorting the sound.
 
#6
jimribs said:
I am currently playing through a TKO115 made by peavey, i am not very happy with it at all, bought it 7 years ago, so its lasted me long enough to move on. I was originally planning on buying an All tube Mesa or ampeg amp and separate cabinet, but the price is hindering that decision at the moment. I really wanted a mesa buster bass (discontinued all tube combo amp) but am growing impatient of waiting for them to pop up on eBay and then getting outbid. At any rate, I've decided upon the Ampeg BA210(220 watt) as the amp I'm going to buy until I can afford to purchase a Mesa All tube head. I played this amp quite a bit and have come to really enjoy it. I have a couple questions tho.

1. Is the BA115 (220 watts) a better purchase? I've gotten sick of the limitations of my 15" speaker in my amp, but am not sure if its because of the speaker size or just the amp itself.

2. Should I go ahead and get the one with effects? I've never been much for effects on amps, they always seem weak, and generic. I might have just answered my own question I guess.

3. Is there any all tube combo amps out there? I can't seem to find any.
Click to expand...

i own the BA210SP. (the 2x10 with effects.) its a really good practice amp, can sound alright. when im too lazy to lug around all my other stuff i bring this one to gigs sometimes. if your playing alone the tweeter may seem harsh, but in the mix it just helps to chop through. the effects are alright..its nice to have just the one amp to bring to the "im lazy" gigs, and when you need effects theyre there. the envelope filter is really nice, and the SVT emulation is killer too.

the ba115 is the practice amp in the room one of my bands plays in, and i personally dont really care for it as much as the 210.

but in reality, if the opportunity came up i'd sell it. but thats only because ive got two other full rigs (markbass) and dont need all this stuff.

one thing i feel like i should add is that it has an RCA input, and if you go spend the $10 on an adaptor, you can listen to music through it and it actually sounds great. thats what i mostly use mine for these days.
 
#8
uaudio said:
+1 to RB...

Kind of sounds like you might just be starting out, so consider the idea that there are many amps in between a 75w Peavey and an all tube Mesa.

Welcome to TalkBass.
Click to expand...

i've been playing about ten years, i know there's many amps in between the two i've listed, and am kind of trying to find out whats the best in the $700 range. the band i'm in has about 45 gigs between now and august, and i'd like to have the amp before we get going on them. my buddy just played this mark bass amp combo he had, and i have to admit i was much more impressed than i thought i would be.
 
#9
Yes, the mark bass stuff is really nice, really light, really well designed, and really expensive. I have found it light on headroom if you re just using the 15 or the 2x10 combo alone. I would imagine the 300/500 watt 2x10 combo with the 15 ext cabinet would be the deal-io...uh, with heavy duty casters from reliable hardware..
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back