Hmm. $720 CAN. That's like $435 USD, right? Obviously I looked. Still not interested.
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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
- Start date
These are the most interesting combos I’ve seen from Ampeg in a long time. The design is a really cool version of the Portaflex livery, and they’ve finally managed to bring the weight down to a reasonable level. Looks like Yamaha is a good influence on the company.
I have to say I really like the look of the new Ampeg combos too. I've never owned an Ampeg, so I am not familiar with the 'baked-in tone' everyone references. I also like the tone I have now a lot. I am nonetheless intrigued by these new Ampegs based on the aesthetics and their reputation.
If I didn't already have 3 different size Rumbles(40/100/200c)and if I could test them at a GC* or wherever, and if they didn't sound too " 'peg-y", I might be interested.
Nah.
*I stopped in at the WPB GC Saturday(I was in the area for something else so WTH). The bass room had about 6 amps, one a monster, and maybe 7(?)basses-there's usually 20+. The guitar wall, which normally has at least 100+, had maybe 15. Lotta empty hooks. The place looked like it might be going under.
Yeah, I'd be interested in that 15" combo if I hadn't just bought a new rig.
This may be a perfect example of business synergy. Ampeg has a great brand history but their products were getting a bit staid (see the thread titled "Is Ampeg Done For?" Answer: No). Yamaha has deep pockets to fund new R&D and serious distribution channels, not mention a pretty strong history in engineering too.
Our local music gear store went out of business in the Fall. Pretty sad, since it was the only store in a city of around 80 000 souls. It was very poorly managed and I never had a good experience there. So I bought most of my stuff online from Reverb, eBay and Amazon. The way of the future I suppose.
It is sad. With COVID and Amazon (and others) only the ones with good customer service will survive. I support our local one as much as possible but they are not very competitive and don't always have what I want.
The P bass I just bought was $100 less thru Reverb and my local store would not even consider a discount from MSRP. Strange thing was, my discounted one came from another Fender dealer in another state.
- Oct 22, 2015
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- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Thirty-four pounds for an Ampeg 1x15 combo, now we're talking. But not really something I need right now in the absence of live music for physically present humans. Realistically, the PJB BG-400 combo and C4 extension will carry any indoor gig I'm likely to see 'round these parts. That I have a whole 'nother modular rig is a piece of good fortune owing to the temporary marriage of the Elf to the C4. Individually, or together, it's a lot of horsepower.
One way to go is up — in the fairy tale land of imagination where I'm looking at festival gigs with no FOH — here there is always room for watts.
The other way is to go down — in the fairy tale land of imagination where I can pull it off with a Rumble 40, or a PJB Double Four, or the Foxy Voxy ....
The way that's maximally useful to me is a Fender Studio 40. Because there's probably no end to recording. And the perfect amp for the imaginary acoustic gig.
One way to go is up — in the fairy tale land of imagination where I'm looking at festival gigs with no FOH — here there is always room for watts.
The other way is to go down — in the fairy tale land of imagination where I can pull it off with a Rumble 40, or a PJB Double Four, or the Foxy Voxy ....
The way that's maximally useful to me is a Fender Studio 40. Because there's probably no end to recording. And the perfect amp for the imaginary acoustic gig.
It's all about customer service. If your store is poorly managed and does not make the customer feel special when inside, then they won't come back inside.
A local music store owner once gave me an earful of "poor me" that sounded like someone who could not see his poor displays, second-guessing his customers, and generally sloppy store were his main reason for going under. Nope, blamed everyone else, including the President at the time. Yes sir, they were all out to get little ol him.
I got the same vibe from the folks at the local store here that went under. Just as a brief example, it took them three months to get me bass strings. The next time I needed strings I just went online and got them in two weeks. I have lots of stories about that place that are similar, as I kept trying to give them my business. Eventually I gave up and so too did many others it seems.
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,154
- 256,525
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
I know it's strings and not a combo amp, but strings for My Ray arrived in today's post. When the bass is back from Santa's Workshop, I'll play it through my combos 
Looking at these Rocket combos tells me none will replace my Ampeg BA108v2+ Because I don't see a volume knob for the AUX IN, and that's actually an important feature for me <ahem> for practice. And while I appreciate none of these Rockets look like practice amps ... isn't the standard understanding "you should be able to practice with your gigging amp"? And of course the long rabbit hole of "what good is a practice amp if you can't gig with it?" &c &c
Once simply does not discard a good practice combo amp
Looking at these Rocket combos tells me none will replace my Ampeg BA108v2+ Because I don't see a volume knob for the AUX IN, and that's actually an important feature for me <ahem> for practice. And while I appreciate none of these Rockets look like practice amps ... isn't the standard understanding "you should be able to practice with your gigging amp"? And of course the long rabbit hole of "what good is a practice amp if you can't gig with it?" &c &c
Once simply does not discard a good practice combo amp
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,154
- 256,525
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
The "big" music store here is linked in with, and has always been linked in with, the local schools. Band instruments, and all what goes with. The music store on the other side of the river caters to a more rockin' crowd. They're the ones who carry the Fender Rumbles. I lifted each one "just to see" and how on earth did I walk out of there without buying one?
They also had a BC Rich Warlock for sale. I didn't ask to try it
The new strings for My Ray came by mail from the usual place. Didn't bother to ask either brick and mortar to special order strings I could have in under a week.
Well, I certainly don't:I know it's strings and not a combo amp, but strings for My Ray arrived in today's post. When the bass is back from Santa's Workshop, I'll play it through my combos
Looking at these Rocket combos tells me none will replace my Ampeg BA108v2+ Because I don't see a volume knob for the AUX IN, and that's actually an important feature for me <ahem> for practice. And while I appreciate none of these Rockets look like practice amps ... isn't the standard understanding "you should be able to practice with your gigging amp"? And of course the long rabbit hole of "what good is a practice amp if you can't gig with it?" &c &c
Once simply does not discard a good practice combo amp
Gotta admit the new Ampeg 12 combo at 25lbs would be ideal for my needs. I'm getting tired of the Acoustic 12 combo
Local store gone. Nearest GC doesn't carry 'my' strings. Good store is 43 miles one way in a direction I rarely go. (I was there Saturday 'cos they're doing some tweaking on my 67 TBird that I don't have the tools or the ability to do.) SW gets me my strings in a week or less, no sales tax, free shipping, and my sales guy, Jeff, is good people.
.
Nothing to see here. Pleeze to be movink along.
I am vishink to beg reporters to stop pesterink me! I cannot talk about Combo Club Clubhouse. I have been sworn to secrecy on pain of pain by an Excellency who shall remain unnamed.
And any of you members who may, or may not, have triggered a special code, or codes, on a previous generation of badge are reminded of the terms of their probation that a Most Benevolent Excellency negotiated for them to remain at liberty as long as they do not talk to certain International Inquisitor correspondents, colleagues, agents or assigns. You know who you are @RodRy!
A word to the wise ... ...
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Nothing to see here. Pleeze to be movink along.
What I tell ya, pure genius. He also performs at birthday parties but is kinda expensive. Shh...
I do want to warn ya about that badge contraption thingy he mentioned. I tried a prototype a few months ago, beamed it on my Fender Stage 800 and it wound up at Dog’s house! I have no idea how or why that happened and 007 isn’t saying much, but he promised I should get it back soon.
At least, that’s what he says...
I am vishink to beg reporters to stop pesterink me! I cannot talk about Combo Club Clubhouse. I have been sworn to secrecy on pain of pain by an Excellency who shall remain unnamed.
And any of you members who may, or may not, have triggered a special code, or codes, on a previous generation of badge are reminded of the terms of their probation that a Most Benevolent Excellency negotiated for them to remain at liberty as long as they do not talk to certain International Inquisitor correspondents, colleagues, agents or assigns. You know who you are @RodRy!
A word to the wise ... ...
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When I was selling my amp this week I figured I might as well take advantage of their 10% coupon they give you when you sell stuff. Didn’t have a single short scale bass string. Ugh.
GC is what it is. A spot to quickly sell stuff and check often for used goods especially amps since shipping makes buying a used amp not really worth it. I will say the sales guy who took care of me was very professional and clearly knew what he was doing. Not always the case there.
Yep, I try to give my business to local small businesses. I want them to succeed, and I'm happy to be a return customer and bring friends with me when I come in again. Sadly, it's not always enough, and a few of my favorite places have closed down (Fido Coffee just up the block
).
I think We all do but my experience with many locally owned businesses is often a sort of surliness combined with general poor customer service. Of course they call us Massholes for a reason I guessYep, I try to give my business to local small businesses. I want them to succeed, and I'm happy to be a return customer and bring friends with me when I come in again. Sadly, it's not always enough, and a few of my favorite places have closed down (Fido Coffee just up the block
