Very disapointed in Ampeg

[unclere]

I recently bought a new portable,combo amp from Ampeg.
Ampeg BA600/115 bass combo.
When i got it i was extremely disapointed,it says it`s a 600 watt combo.Ive owned other amp heads with lower wattage than this
and let me tell you,,
THIS AMP CANNOT BE 600 WATTS!!!!
600 watts should shake fillings out of my mouth when i stand in front of it!!!600 Watts is a lot of BASS POWER!!!!
Then when you crank it up about half way on either channel the speaker starts to pop and distort!!!
Then theres no speaker extension(you cant hook another cabinet to it!!!!!!!!)

For 990.00 bucks i should be getting one kick butt amp,but instead this time i feel like i got the shaft from ampeg.

Heres more info,,

The Ampeg BA600/115 bass combo is the very essence of portability. Although it packs a 15" LF driver, an HF horn (with Level control), and 600 watts of pure Ampeg power into just over four cubic feet, the BA600/115 is supremely transportable. You get Ampeg's legendary tone-shaping thanks to the multi-stage 12AX7 tube preamp, Style control, 3-Band EQ, and Ultra-Hi/Lo switches, all of which make the BA600 the ultimate in versatility. And because you can choose between two channels, the vintage channel and a more modern tone, you get access to both with the simple click of switch.

By integrating a Class D power section and universal switching power supply, we were able to keep the BA600's weight factor low, without sacrificing power output—or our legendary sound quality. The Ampeg BA600 also features a variable compressor, a selectable pre/post XLR tube DI with Level control (the same as our stunning SVT-DI), and an effects loop.

The BA600/115 is ideal for any semi-pro to professional player seeking high-powered Ampeg tone in an extremely versatile and portable package.



RMS Power Output: 600 Watts Class-D
LF Driver: 1 x 15" Lightweight, Custom Designed Neodymium speaker
HF Driver: 1 x HF horn w/ Level control
Preamp: Tube (2 x 12AX7)
Channel Switching:

* Vintage channel
* Modern channel

Tone Controls: 3-Band EQ
Ultra Hi / Lo switches: Yes
Compressor: Yes, variable
Line Out: Yes, balanced, tube-driven XLR and unbalanced ¼" direct out w/ Level control, Pre/Post EQ switch, and ground lift
Effects Loop: Yes
Footswitch: Yes, CH select and MUTE
Removable casters: Yes
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 21 x 23 x 15.25
Weight: 50 Pounds
I have always loved Ampegs quality tone and craftsmanship,but it seems that nowadays spending even a thousand dollars on an amp still wont get you a decent,dependable,amp!

 

[JimmyM]

Wow, that sucks to hear since these combos have been much hyped for over a year. At least you can return it, though. If you want a mini-15" combo that delivers, that Markbass Jeff Berlin combo is the way to go IMHO.

 

[X Wolf]

That is so sad to hear! I've been an Ampeg user and fan for many years and this is the second negative review on this amp that I have read. The new BA600 is a product that a lot of players have been looking forward to trying and it's really too bad but so far it doesn't look very promising.

George

 

[KsPiNeSh]

:: Disclaimer :: I haven't really encountered much of the older Ampeg stuff.

With that said, I have always been very underwhelmed with Ampeg gear, both what I've heard and what I've played through. Never met an Ampeg that I really liked. Always seemed like a lot of hype/mystique without much substance

It sucks to be disappointed with new gear.

 

[Rattman]

Yiiiiikkes!!! Boy am I surprised to hear this sad critique. Those specs look very promising, so its kinda shocking to hear about it's shortfalls. Not taking away anything from the details in the OP.. but I'd have to know: how is the EQ set up EXACTLY.. as well as the gain controls. Using an active or passive bass... and any pedals involved here??

 

[GianGian]

600W from a 15' alone is not asking too much?

 

[allexcosta]

600W from a 15' alone is not asking too much?

I throw 800W on my Bergantino HT115 and it sings.

 

[X Wolf]

:: Disclaimer :: I haven't really encountered much of the older Ampeg stuff.

With that said, I have always been very underwhelmed with Ampeg gear, both what I've heard and what I've played through. Never met an Ampeg that I really liked. Always seemed like a lot of hype/mystique without much substance

It sucks to be disappointed with new gear.

You are of course entitled to your opinion but with all due respect....I've met and used several Ampegs down through the years that I as well as a long list of other players really liked....A lot. Ampeg has made some truly fine Amps and Cabs and they can and have been heard/played at live concerts and countless recordings for many, many years but this new series is a question mark at this point. Ampeg is as we all know under new ownership and I'll be interested in reading some more reviews. Also, as I posted earlier the OP should return this amp, I know I would.

George

 

[Kindness]

600W from a 15' alone is not asking too much?

It is. The amp may be capable of that power, but the cabinet/speaker cannot. Even the impressive 3015/3015LF can't take that.

 

[GianGian]

I throw 800W on my Bergantino HT115 and it sings.

It is. The amp may be capable of that power, but the cabinet/speaker cannot. Even the impressive 3015/3015LF can't take that.

But on full volume? I never thought that a single cabinet could take more then 300W

 

[el_Kabong]

For maximum volume I'd steer clear of the ultra-low button. It says it's +9db @ 100hz, that's a big ask for a combo to stay tight and deliver that at volume.

 

[soong]

From the picture it looks like nothing bigger than 300w.

 

[whitespike]

To me, Ampeg has seen it's heyday. I love the older tube stuff. I still like the speaker cabs a good bit. But I have never like their solid state stuff. The only hybrid items I have liked are the portaflex diamond blue combos. But they aren't really large gig worthy. If you're going Ampeg amp-wise, go vintage for sure.

I used to have a vintage SVT. I loved it, but like anyone else I dumped it because of the weight. Recently I played a new SVT Classic head through a 410HLF. Nothing but mush. It sounded nothing like my old head. I couldn't even seem to EQ the mush out. There just wasn't any punch for some odd reason.

I use an Eden WT400 amp but through Ampeg cabs. I still think their cabs are nice and warm old-school sounding IME. I have two 2X10s, which they discontinued. I don't understand why they don't have 2X10s anymore. I find that really odd. The only 4 ohm cabs they sell are really big. Even the 410HLF is way bigger than a lot of 410s and personally I don't really like that cab. I owned one and dumped it for my current setup. I think the cab is so large that it gets really boomy. They don't have 4 ohms on anything except for the 410HLF, the 610, and 810. Not even a 15 cab can stand alone at full 4 ohm power.

I just think Ampeg has moved on to other things, unfortunately. They constantly come out with new stuff when their old stuf is what made them what they are.

 

[aurian4parker]

exchange it for another one. maybe it's just a bad unit

 

[Kindness]

But on full volume? I never thought that a single cabinet could take more then 300W

There are plenty of cabinets that can take more than 300 watts. There aren't any 15s that I know of for bass cabinets that can take 600 watts.

 

[GianGian]

There are plenty of cabinets that can take more than 300 watts. There aren't any 15s that I know of for bass cabinets that can take 600 watts.

That's what I meant. A single speaker handle more than 300W. I've never seen it.

 

[Hawaii Islander]

There are plenty of cabinets that can take more than 300 watts. There aren't any 15s that I know of for bass cabinets that can take 600 watts.

The Eminence Kappa Pro 15" speaker is rated for 500 watts at 8 ohms. There must be others at 500 watts or higher..

 

[Mike Shevlin]

I know that a while back the first shippment of these combos were sent back to wherever becuase there were some design problems with them. Maybe you got one of these defective units.

 

[Kindness]

The Eminence Kappa Pro 15" speaker is rated for 500 watts at 8 ohms. There must be others at 500 watts or higher..

Run it through WinISD and see what you think.

 

[Hawaii Islander]

Run it through WinISD and see what you think.

I have one in this cabinet:
The big ugly box on the right, under the VOX guitar amp.