That Ampeg sound

[two fingers]

Funny I always thought the Ampeg sound was from a B-15 , Then the SVT later .
The sound on most records is a B-15 . I've always gravitated to the B-15 tone , even when I had a SVT I just tried to make it sound like a huge B-15
Even a couple of Van Halen albums were recorded using a B50R .

I'm with you. I run an SVT-CL.

But OP (unless I misread his question) is satisfied with the little combo. That seems to be Ampeg enough for him, which is fine. To that end, the PF series should get him in the ballpark.

 

[basscapes]

I use an all Ampeg rig, but still have Scrambler and an SCR-DI on the pedal board. When I rehearse with the provided non-Ampeg gear, these go a long way towards getting me back to my comfort zone.

Interesting that the Scrambler pedal and the Scrambler on the SCR-DI don't really sound anything alike... The Scrambler on the SCR-DI seems to "assist" the SCR with getting a "pushed" or "on the edge" SVT drive-tone (when, as you said, used sparingly), while the stand-alone pedal is more of an overdrive effect. At least, that's what my ears have told me!

 

[Spidey2112]

An Ampeg SCR-DI pedal might be worth a try. Quite happy with mine

Ditto!

 

[basscapes]

Man, nothing sounds like an Ampeg except for an Ampeg...I tried an SCR-DI into my GK rigs, and also going direct, it "should have" worked but for me, it didn't, there is something magical about Ampeg amps running through Ampeg 10s, IMHO, I went out and got a BA210 V2 for the project and mic'd it and BOOM, there was the magic. YMMV.
Rock on.

Did you run the SCR into the front of the amp, OR into the "return"? BIG difference!!!

 

[basscapes]

Wait, what? I was under the impression that a speaker sim is one of the main things that the SCR-DI is notably missing.

Dunno either- when recording, the DI tone is exceptional- I find that if I'm using and dirt boxes in front (muff or Rat), they don't sound quite as "buzzy" or sterile; almost as if there were at least some sort of HP/LP filtering going on in there... Hmm...

 

[bass40hz]

Did you run the SCR into the front of the amp, OR into the "return"? BIG difference!!!

Both, neither was to my liking, I do tend to be very picky when it comes to the tone I want, I play through 2 GK NEO 212 cabs...it just wasn't the same as the Ampeg 10s...the BA210 V2 did it ;-)
Rock on.

 

[basscapes]

Both, neither was to my liking, I do tend to be very picky when it comes to the tone I want, I play through 2 GK NEO 212 cabs...it just wasn't the same as the Ampeg 10s...the BA210 V2 did it ;-)
Rock on.

Understandable. Some people can get off on the way the SCR sounds through some rigs and not others.

I'm lucky that my "end of sonic production" is an SVT810 cab (pushed by the SCR into a Quilter BB800)!

 

[bass40hz]

Understandable. Some people can get off on the way the SCR sounds through some rigs and not others.

I'm lucky that my "end of sonic production" is an SVT810 cab (pushed by the SCR into a Quilter BB800)!

If I was 20 years younger with a healthy back I would have a CL and fridge too, those day are long gone ;-) Hell, back in the 80s I was dragging around a Marshall 4x15...those were the days!
Enjoy your rig!
Rock on.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I've got a Ampeg BA-108 practice amp that sounds great for practicing at home, I'm chasing that same tone on my gigging rig. I have a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 with a Barefaced 2x12 cab. It's very loud but lacks the character of the Ampeg. Seems to bark out the notes at volume rather than the Ampeg what seems to be more the sound of the bass. EQ wise I play both setups pretty much flat. Use a compressor with the Genz Benz. I'm wondering how much of a difference getting another pre-amp and plugging it into the effects return would make? I realize as well the room I'm playing in is going to make quite a difference also but I did read on these forums there is an "Ampeg sound" that is in all the Ampeg gear regardless of solid state / tube. Not really after a tube or overdriven tone, just something I seem to be missing on the Genz Benz.

The Genz is going to be much closer to the sound of your bass. The Ampeg is a much more colored tone. If you want Ampeg sound then get a PF head. No use trying half measures.

 

[10cc]

Bout to fire up the SVT CL and two 810’s with @Dave Hill ’s new Ricky!

I went through all of my amps yesterday (something to do on a rainy day) and when I got to the Ampeg, boom! There it was.

Dave is about to “witness the strength of street knowledge”

 

[10cc]

Giving his SWR 750/Megolioth some attention.

 

[basscapes]

If I was 20 years younger with a healthy back I would have a CL and fridge too, those day are long gone ;-) Hell, back in the 80s I was dragging around a Marshall 4x15...those were the days!
Enjoy your rig!
Rock on.

Thanks! Except I'm NOT dragging around an SVT head (as much as I'd LOVE TO). Luckily, teh Quilter BB800 does a great job pushing the 810 with a "tube sound".

Back in "my day" (probably 20 years younger too!), the rack weighed about as much or more than an SVT, what with TWO preamps, a crossover, TWO power amps, and a few rack effects units! Add a pair of 410s and either a 215 or two single 18s (as subs) and it's no wonder I have "paired it down" to a single 810! LOL

 

[basscapes]

View attachment 3213362

The only thing that is "one louder"- run the Ricky's Ric-O-Sound output into a PAIR of SVTs!

Anyway- hope that all the women in your locale are bolted down! They're bound to "Get Loose" once you let 'er rip!

 

[DonaldR]

Ditto for SCR-DI.
Or you can try an Eleven Rack (pretty good SVT model), with poweramp and your cabs. Me I can direct FOH with good results.

 

[LoTone]

I have a Tech 21 VT Bass pedal which is good but not the real thing. I think a lot of that signature tone comes from the 8x10 fridge. Doing sleight of hand tricks on the preamp with pedals is not enough.

 

[macmanlou]

I'll echo the recommendations for the Ampeg SCR-DI pedal, but since you are trying to emulate the excellent little ba-108 you might want to try the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp Pedal first. The BA-108 doesn't have the Scrambler, and if you don't need it you'll save over $100.

On the other hand, the SCR-DI is also a darn good stand-alone headphone amp for practice, especially since it has a level control for the Aux input. And with the DI, if you're using FOH you can leave everything else at home (except your bass of course).

I've used either pedal plugged into the effects return of a GK MB500 with very good results.

 

[disssa]

I distinguish between two Ampeg sounds: between a SVT CL and a 810 or a B-15N
The first one for me is the classic rock sound, the B-15 sounds typically like the 60's. I love both sounds, much more the sound of the B-15.
I own a Invalid Link Removed, which produces exactly this sound! My Invalid Link Removed and my Invalid Link Removed are very close to that sound...
But if you want that typically "Rock-Sound", only a SVT CL and a 810 can help...

 

[Frndmoretti]

Ampeg is the sound I hear in my head when I imagine my music.

Since an SVT head is way beyong my budget, I'll have a sansamp VT copy built for me by a local guy with a mid selector next year.

i'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Phil508]

Put a VTRack or a VT Bass Deluxe in front of it. I A/B'd next to my SVT , can you tell the difference?, maybe, can you tell the difference at a club or rehearsal? no.View media item 16212View media item 18652 (SVT IIP is for backup)

 

[darwin-bass]

I've got a Ampeg BA-108 practice amp ...I have a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 ...I play both setups pretty much flat.

I can't believe it took to post 33 before someone hit the obvious recommendation:

Have you tried messing around with the very adequate EQ sections at all ? I believe you stated you keep everything flat ? Turn those knobs !

The shuttle is flat with the knobs at noon. I'm pretty sure the Ampeg is not. At least my BA108 was not. First thing, EQ that Shuttle!!

Start out by reducing the mids at, say 600 Hz by, oh, maybe 6 dB. Boost some lows. There. Is that any closer? To get the 100% Ampeg sound you may have to spend money (pedal, amp, speakers) but that Shuttle is a great chameleon that can probably close the gap with some careful knob twisting.