That Ampeg sound

[GwenOnBass]

What happens when you run a VT Bass Deluxe into a BA108? It makes awesome sauce. I do it every day.

The VT Bass Deluxe gives me an Ampeg tone on every backline head I've ever plugged into. And sounds great to me through FoH.

 

[BaltBass5]

So I’ve caught up on the reading here and wanna start by saying that I have owned and played extensively:

Ampeg SVT-CL
SVT 4 Pro
SVT 3 Pro
SVT 7 Pro
PF 800

THE Ampeg sound is the SVT-CL. The 4Pro gets close. The 3 and 7 are completely different but still sound Ampeg-Like. The PF800 wasn’t even in the same ballpark. Just my opinion.

Also, for everyone claiming the SCR can get that close....do you really believe that? A $200 solid state pedal can sound almost the same as a $1700 All Tube beast?? If that were the case, no one would need anything other than the SCR.

Let the flames fly.

 

[klokker]

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.

I would NEVER buy a bass amp or cab that didn't have that bark or "honk". It's magic in the mix. Why do these higher end cabs major in it? Someone chime in, help me out, and state the obvious here. The tone that works in the mix is rarely the tone you like in your bedroom that's bassplaying info. at it's most basic.

The Genz Benz amp will also be MUCH more the actual tone of your bass, so the statement that Ampeg is more the "sound of your bass" just isn't true.

The Ampeg "baked in tone" is fine if that's your thing. Chase it. I do to a certain extent. But even there, the classic Ampeg tone that works the magic has a kind of hi-end clang to it. Again, it doesn't sound that great on its own, but really works in the mix.

I really think you need to rethink that bark or honk obviously. I have found it to be a very good thing once you get out of the bedroom.

 

[macmanlou]

Also, for everyone claiming the SCR can get that close....do you really believe that? A $200 solid state pedal can sound almost the same as a $1700 All Tube beast?

The OP said he likes the BA-108 tone, which he's been chasing with his Shuttle. He said, "Not really after a tube or overdriven tone, just something I seem to be missing on the Genz Benz."

There are several pedals that can mimic the Ampeg solid state tone stack. A couple of them are made by Ampeg.

 

[DonaldR]

Also, for everyone claiming the SCR can get that close....do you really believe that? A $200 solid state pedal can sound almost the same as a $1700 All Tube beast?? If that were the case, no one would need anything other than the SCR.

OP never said he was looking for an SVT sound. He said he was looking for an Ampeg sound and he likes his BA108. An SCR-DI is the same preamp as an Ampeg BA combo.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Here’s another option: try a Catalinbread SFT pedal in front of the Genz.

 

[Jim C]

It just occured to me that a Mesa Walkabout is an option.

I have had a 3Pro and 7Pro; did not like either and they sure didn't sound Ampegy enough for me.
The SVT2 Non Pro is awesome.
A real SVT or V4B are good options although I will assume that 100 watts may not be enough for your gigging rig.
An Ampeg SVP-CL (pre-amp) sounds really close with a decent power amp.
The Mesa WA can get really close to Ampeg land thanks to the basic design and the super adjustable equalizer.
I think there is some magic going on with the driver tube in addition to a 12AX7 preamp tube.

I have not had experience with the PF series.

As stated above, there are some pedals that can get close.
The VT gets the most positive reviews, but Linden, Catlinbread SFT, and One Control Sonic Silver peg also get good reviews.

 

[nsop]

THE Ampeg sound is the SVT-CL. The 4Pro gets close. The 3 and 7 are completely different but still sound Ampeg-Like. The PF800 wasn’t even in the same ballpark. Just my opinion.

Also, for everyone claiming the SCR can get that close....do you really believe that? A $200 solid state pedal can sound almost the same as a $1700 All Tube beast?? If that were the case, no one would need anything other than the SCR.

The SCR-DI will not replace a SVT-CL or any other stadium-class tube rig, of course. But the SCR is a very practical device and it is usable in many situations. As a stand alone DI, in front of a small class D rig, as a quality headphone amp. What it does, it does well, but it all depends on the specific applications/needs.

 

[Bigbri]

The previously mentioned Ampeg SCR/DI is the preamp stage of an Ampeg BA series amp complimented by some additional features (i.e. speaker emulation circuitry). Going straight into you amp’s effects return with that box should get you pretty close (depending on your cab) to what you’re after. I run an SCR/DI into my SWR SM-400 driving a Goliath Junior II 2x10 cab all the time.

Alternatively, the Barber Linden EQ is the closest thing out there to getting a B-15N tone I’ve heard so far. And I’ve got the real thing to compare it to. Awesome little preamp at a very reasonable price.

But, as others have said, if you absolutely want the real Ampeg sound, you’ll need to get a real Ampeg amp eventually.

That's what I was going to say....B15N. 212 as an extension.

 

[Alexander]

I would NEVER buy a bass amp or cab that didn't have that bark or "honk". It's magic in the mix. Why do these higher end cabs major in it? Someone chime in, help me out, and state the obvious here. The tone that works in the mix is rarely the tone you like in your bedroom that's bassplaying info. at it's most basic.

The Genz Benz amp will also be MUCH more the actual tone of your bass, so the statement that Ampeg is more the "sound of your bass" just isn't true.

The Ampeg "baked in tone" is fine if that's your thing. Chase it. I do to a certain extent. But even there, the classic Ampeg tone that works the magic has a kind of hi-end clang to it. Again, it doesn't sound that great on its own, but really works in the mix.

I really think you need to rethink that bark or honk obviously. I have found it to be a very good thing once you get out of the bedroom.

My Ampeg rigs sound great by themselves and even better in the mix!

And not everyone wants a transparent bass rig. I like the sound of my PBass much more after it hits that Ampeg versus a more transparent (and to my ears “sterile”) amplifier. Those two ingredients (P bass and Ampeg amp) when blended are simply magic. IMHO of course!

Glad there are all kinds of rigs for all kinds of players. To each their own!

 

[Dave Hill]

Best Ampeg video ever, IMO.
LOVE the B-15:

 

[G On Bass]

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!

I run Scrambler>PhatHed PD7>SCR-DI. The Scrambler is almost always on, and the SCR-DI, when I use it, is set with the Ultras both on for that grit. Honestly, I rarely if ever use the Scrambler part of the DI.

 

[drummer5359]

An Ampeg CL through one SVT 212AV

Or maybe two

I also have a SVT 810E that lives in the garage. The 810 only comes out to play once or twice a year, the 212 cabs are in use the rest of the time. I know the 212AV is ported, but with the tweeters turned off it sounds more like an 810 than any other Ampeg cabinet. I'm not the only nut that has come to this conclusion.

 

[Plutonium244]

I would NEVER buy a bass amp or cab that didn't have that bark or "honk". It's magic in the mix. Why do these higher end cabs major in it? Someone chime in, help me out, and state the obvious here.

Several things. First, I would imagine that despite the fact that you personally would never buy a higher end transparent cabinet, they "major in it" because, apparently, a lot of people want that. Clarity on the stage is important. And, if you're playing through a PA, your cab is not going to be the source of "your sound" for the audience nyway. It's pretty much just for you.

As for whether transparent is good or not for cabs, that's entirely an individual choice and I see, and utilize, both sides. Indeed, depending on the gig, I switch back and forth between Barefaced 10's (colored, vintagey just bit) and 12's (neutral/transparent). Generally I prefer the transparent ones and then add my color, rather than just letting the cab be my color. I want the cab to convey my sound, not be my sound, usually. That said, I also love a tube Super Bassman 300 through some 6x10 Barefaced. Barky as I wanna be.

Also, if you have a barky amp you like, maybe you don't need a barky cab, and a transparent one will convey your barky amp sound. Bark + Bark = a f@*#load of bark. Barkage can also come from your instrument, and a transparent cab will let you hear the carefully cultivated bark from your chosen bass and amp.

Finally, in general, I say live and let live. If you want that Ampeg tone, that's great-- it's a classic tone-- but I can't really fathom the worldview it would require to say that I "couldn't understand" why someone, let alone a lot of people, would make a different choice.

 

[klokker]

Several things. First, I would imagine that despite the fact that you personally would never buy a higher end transparent cabinet, they "major in it" because, apparently, a lot of people want that. Clarity on the stage is important. And, if you're playing through a PA, your cab is not going to be the source of "your sound" for the audience nyway. It's pretty much just for you.

As for whether transparent is good or not for cabs, that's entirely an individual choice and I see, and utilize, both sides. Indeed, depending on the gig, I switch back and forth between Barefaced 10's (colored, vintagey just bit) and 12's (neutral/transparent). Generally I prefer the transparent ones and then add my color, rather than just letting the cab be my color. I want the cab to convey my sound, not be my sound, usually. That said, I also love a tube Super Bassman 300 through some 6x10 Barefaced. Barky as I wanna be.

Also, if you have a barky amp you like, maybe you don't need a barky cab, and a transparent one will convey your barky amp sound. Bark + Bark = a f@*#load of bark. Barkage can also come from your instrument, and a transparent cab will let you hear the carefully cultivated bark from your chosen bass and amp.

Finally, in general, I say live and let live. If you want that Ampeg tone, that's great-- it's a classic tone-- but I can't really fathom the worldview it would require to say that I "couldn't understand" why someone, let alone a lot of people, would make a different choice.

I didn't mean to be intolerant of other peoples preferences. I'll buy live and let live. It's just been my experience that bark or honk has really helped me to sound great in the mix. I wouldn't buy a cab or amp/cab set up without it.

 

[MrCash]

Best Ampeg video ever, IMO.
LOVE the B-15:

Wow great video!

Amazing how the b2re that gets a right bashing sounded pretty decent.

 

[pht2356]

Just get an SVT and 810e. You know it's the right thing to do

Only thing better is svt with two (2) 810's

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

I’m not a Shuttle fan. I have one provided at our rehearsals in a school band room (BL is a band director), so I’ve logged a lot of time on it over the past 3 years. It’s a gutless wonder, but it sure beats hauling my rig in for the day.

I’m going to get blasted for this but, as for the “Ampeg” sound, I think anybody that plays one for any significant amount of time, if they were honest with themselves, would find it a tonal compromise to own some of the more popular rigs of today.

After playing through my Eden rigs for the last 8 years, which is also a classic sound, and while there is no doubt some incredible new equipment designs out there, most of what I seem to run across is pretty underwhelming.

 

[David Jayne]

I'd love to get the whole head/fridge setup but my gig schlep absolutely will not accommodate it. Maybe someday!

 

[Skyvalley]

Thanks for all the replies. I built the BAJA Ampeg style pre-amp from link below. Very pleased so far, played a rehearsal last night and sat well in the mix. Plugged it straight into the effects return on the Genz Shuttle.
Guitar FX Layouts: Baja Ampeg SVT Bass Amplifier