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So... Ampeg B200R or BA115???

#6
i've only played the ba-115 and the B100R (the smaller version of the b200r minus preamp tube). personally... i can't stand the ba-115. i played one for a few months in my current band while i was jostling around my bigger rig... and i really did not like the tone. just dead, murky, noisy... everything i don't care for in a combo.

i've only played the b-100r once, for a live radio performance and the amp sounded far, far better. the EQ was more usable, and it just seemed to have better voicing. given i like a bit of drive to my tone, and the b100r could definitely do that, while the b115 seemed clean no matter how hot you run it. something else to note... the ba115 is not loud by any means, i assume the b200r could get far louder, and the addition of the preamp tube would probably help warm up the tone quite a bit.

IMO, the two amps are in a different league.
 
#7
I've heard not a single kind word for the B-200R. Apparently the vibration issue is really atrocious.

That's a really stupid defect to have gone on this long. I don't know exactly what the specific problem is and can't see how you can screw up such a simple thing as mounting a speaker.

They had a huge shipment of factory refurb B-200Rs on MF recently, so maybe they've found a fix and will change production, if they haven't already -- but I'd have to be sure of this before I bought one, especially considering the hefty price for what is ultimately just a 200W import combo.

I have a lovely little Yellville-build B-100R here I got for $269 new at a GC sale (remember when there were great deals at GC?), but there's not much you can do with a 100W amp.
 
#8
After my B200R developed the now-famous rattle, I bought an Acoustic B200 1-15 combo.

No preamp tube, but the Acoustic ably took the place of the Ampeg as it also has a well-voiced EQ and comparable power.

I for one never liked the tone stack of Ampeg's BA line, the B200R is really a different animal tonally -- very old-school rock n' soul. The Acoustic can achieve a similar vibe; a little less warm but without the technical issues.
 
#9
My B200R rattles too.. but it sounds like it's coming from the chassis??!

It's too bad because it sounds good and it's perfect for the band I'm playing in right now... but that rattle drives me nuts.
 
#10
sssmmike said:
My B200R rattles too.. but it sounds like it's coming from the chassis??!

It's too bad because it sounds good and it's perfect for the band I'm playing in right now... but that rattle drives me nuts.
Click to expand...

Ditto on both points -- rattle comes from where the transformer is mounted to the chassis. Tried tightening the transformer mounting screws, which only made it worse. I loosened them a bit again and the rattle went back to its previous unacceptable but not as loud level.
 
#13
Lowbrow said:
Ditto on both points -- rattle comes from where the transformer is mounted to the chassis. Tried tightening the transformer mounting screws, which only made it worse. I loosened them a bit again and the rattle went back to its previous unacceptable but not as loud level.
Click to expand...

That's exactly where mine was coming from. I tightened those four screws when I first got it and the rattling stopped for about half of band practice.

To the OP, I would recommend this combo if it wasn't for the problems. The sound I get with this amp and a P-Bass is a beautiful thing.

But...

Aside from the rattling I've also had other issues, like the pre-amp tube going bad after only owning for 2 weeks. In order to remove the chassis to replace the tube, you'll need a pry bar because they press it into the cab so tight that the amp chassis was bent up on all corners.

It's sad, because any time I turn the amp on, I expect it NOT to work. :eyebrow:

**

Hey Lowbrow, they're gonna have to build me a pretty big coffin cuz I'm takin' quite a few P-basses to my grave. :bassist:

-Mike
 
#14
:cool:

I;n not a fan of the BA115.
Tone is not there for me.

I like the B200R.
But have heard there is a lot of problems with this amp.

Solution, B100R.
Great tone, sounds great live.
Built like a tank.
Make sure it's a USA model. (2007, or back)
 
#15
Solution, B100R.
Great tone, sounds great live.
Built like a tank.
Make sure it's a USA model. (2007, or back)
Click to expand...

I just bought a used USA model b100r

Sound is spectacular, it's 100 loud watts, so you're covered for small medium gigs and hopefully for bigger gigs they'll mic it up, i'm thinking about purchasing a small stand for it too, just to get it up above knee height and angle it, but it's been awesome for me so far. I replaced an ashdown 180 watt 15 inch on top of a 4x10 for the ampeg and it still does almost just as well! get the b100r and :bassist:
 
#16
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:

I;n not a fan of the BA115.
Tone is not there for me.

I like the B200R.
But have heard there is a lot of problems with this amp.

Solution, B100R.
Great tone, sounds great live.
Built like a tank.
Make sure it's a USA model. (2007, or back)
Click to expand...

+1

The B100R i played through sounded really nice. It was the amp they kept at the radio station (Indie 103.1, for any Angelenos out there) as backline. I didn't have any time to EQ, so we set it flat, set the volume and threw one of the radio vocal mics in front of it. I didn't get exactly the tone i love, but hell, it sounded decent. Actually, there's a recording up on my band's myspace if you want to hear it in action (the recording is from a streamed version, what actually came out of the radio sounded a bit less digitial, alas). Anyway:

Link Removed

it's the second song, Walking Sleep (live on radio). hopefully myspace's player will actually work for once.
 
#17
Lowbrow said:
Ditto on both points -- rattle comes from where the transformer is mounted to the chassis. Tried tightening the transformer mounting screws, which only made it worse. I loosened them a bit again and the rattle went back to its previous unacceptable but not as loud level.
Click to expand...
Not like you should have to kludge a fix for a brand-new amp, but what about isolating the X-former from the chassis with felt or rubber washers?

Haven't tried the B-200R but I agree that the B-100 has a lot more mojo than the BA115.
 
#19
I've had a B200R since they first came out. I went through 2 - first blown by fantom power, second with the horn problem. I've never had the rattle problem, and so far my sounds great. I always get complements when sharing it with other bass players at gigs. It did blow the preamp tube after rolling it down the street, but that's to be expected. It just fits in the trunk of a cab, so there's no need to worry about a designated driver getting back from gigs!
 
#20
Well if you can find a way to get the Acoustic combo go for it, I've had a BA115 for 2 years and I regret spending $350 for it.

I don't know anything about a 200W BA115? Mine is 100W. It works good as a monitor in small/medium gigs.. Don't hope for much more than that.

The amp does have a terrible tweeter hiss, I disconnected mine and I'm much happier with it. (Still don't like the amp, though :smug: )
 

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