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Which 100W combo? Ampeg or Ashdown

Which one would you choose in my situation?

  • Ampeg BA115 Used

    Votes: 56 75.7%

  • Ashdown 5 fifteen New

    Votes: 18 24.3%
  • Total voters
    74
Obstacle 1

Obstacle 1

Sep 13, 2005
476
0
Australia
#1
Hey all, I am proud to present your daily question on which combo to get..

I am looking at either of these 100w combo's:

- Used Ampeg BA115 around +$450 AUD USED
- Ashdown 5:15 $399 AUD NEW

I would be using the combo for home practice as well as rehearsals with 2 g******** and sometimes one of em jumps on the drums :D.

Why a measley 100W combo you ask? because it is more than 15W and its managable cost wise. It seems that here in Australia if you want a half decent rig you are looking at $1200 easy.. $700 for a new behringer rig. I dont want to spend that much now as I have other things to save for.

So the point being which of these would you go for?
I am also aware of the tweeter hiss of the Ampeg, I would probably just disconnect it.
 
#3
Hey Auito, thanks for the reply!

I have played through one before but not with my current bass which sounds a lot different than my old one. It sounded good but that was a while ago, it did have the tweeter hiss but its not That much of a problem.

How easy is it to disconnect the tweeter? Does it sound "better" without it?
 
#4
If you can find an Ampeg B100R the sound is so much better than the Ba115. The B 100r Sounds much more like a tube amp and the Ba 115 is definately not a warm sounding amp I had both Ba115 Sounds much more modern than warm. The B100r Is warm . Just depends on what you can find and what sound you want.
 
#5
Hey Nighttrain I have read about the B100R on here but I am yet to see anyone selling or owning one in Australia. I am sure there is one out there somwhere :)

If the BA115 isnt warm then how would you describe it? more punchy?.. its great trying to explain tone :p
 
#7
I tried the Ampeg BA115 and the BA115HP. I was expecting it to be voiced to sound like an old Ampeg and it didn't in the slightest. I like really warm tone and I just couldn't get that out of this amplifier. It sounds a lot more modern than I wanted. I suspect this might change over time, because the speaker sounded a bit stiff. I think with the speaker properly broken in it would sound a bit looser, if that's the right word.

I haven't tried the Ashdown 5-15 but I have tried loads of MAGs and they are fantastic for the price. I suspect the same is probably true of these.

After trying the Ashdown I played a Peavey TNT115 and I thought it sounded a lot better and was a lot more versatile than the BA115HP. It was also about half the price. I know the pricing of stuff is very different in Australia, but I'd recommend that amp over either of these if you can find one.
 
#10
I've had an ashdown mag300 rack head for two years now, probably the best amp I've owned since my trace elliot.. As far as reliable, the amp doesn't even get warm (no joke) after 3 hours with a 4x10 cab hooked up.. Loud too, normally keep it below 1/4 way up and its loud enough for any stage situation I've been in, even outdoors. I've played it up to about 3/4.. amp still doesn't get warm, but its too loud without earplugs.

I really tend to think any amp is reliable as long as the owner isn't a complete tool... Even Ampeg's have failures...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302719
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/product/Ampeg/BA-115/10/1
And if you go by the reliability rating at harmony-central.com, the ashdown is better ;)

I've also tried the ampeg and it sounds nothing like an ampeg rack unit.. so if you're looking for that sound from the BA115 you're not going to find it. When I was looking at combos before going to a rack-n-stack setup I tried all the 100watt 15" combos from big names (to me) i could.. SWR, ampeg, Fender. I ended up taking a fender bassman 100 15" combo (the old logo combo, not the new boxy one). It is by far my favorite of those brands named and even though it was used (from a church) it had no wear and was only $200 US.

I second the Roland suggestion.. I played a Roland D Bass 2x10 combo and its my next amp for sure. I never heard anything sound so amazing. expensive (the one I played was $825 lightly used), but the sound was jaw dropping... Try one you'll be amazed.
 
#14
Tha Ba115 Is best described as sterile sounding with plenty of hiss . The amp is more of a (modern) Highs and mids amp and when you push the lows so it sounds like Bass it turns to mud. The B100R sounds warm and mellow with nice lows not killer Dub Lows but deep enough and it sounds like there are tubes in there but there are not. If you can find a B100R Used go for it, You will not be disapointed.
Not Bashing Ampeg or anyone else. Just my opinion YMMV.
 
#15
Thanks for all the replies!

Neither. Get a Roland Bass Cube 100. Great little amp.
Click to expand...
The cube retails for like 890 though they were on clearance at allans not long ago for 550 but I missed out :(

A new BA115 is still around $1000 which is pretty crazy for 100 watts and the fact its hissy.

I am keeping an eye out on the trader/ebay for some Peavey gear in my area. So far the only thing is a stack with a 115, a 410 all peavey and a mark IV head for $1200.

Its probably worth noting that the BA115 is on Ebay..so I cant try it out, and theres no guarantee it will work out under 450 in the end :p
 
#16
If you can find one, (blemished made mine affordable!) and can spring for it, the Ampeg BA115HPT is a great combo. That's commin from someone who has one. The tube preamp is a homerun lets me swap tubes to customize the sound. No vintage sound without vintage tubes. Also, using high quality tubes reduces the hiss. You may never need another amp.

Bill
 
#17
The Ampeg Ba115HPT Is not exactly like the BA115 And costs 650.00+ . Never played through a HPT model I am sure the tube helps it out a lot. Who would you describe the bass ? Warm and clear or deep muddy or other (not trying to Diss you or your gear ) Just want to know what it sounds like. I had a BA115 And it was Mud If you got any real Bass out of it and shrill hissy and sterile otherwise.

Thanks in advance for the info.
 
#18
DaRK_CaRNiVaL said:
Thanks for all the replies!


The cube retails for like 890 though they were on clearance at allans not long ago for 550 but I missed out :(

A new BA115 is still around $1000 which is pretty crazy for 100 watts and the fact its hissy.

I am keeping an eye out on the trader/ebay for some Peavey gear in my area. So far the only thing is a stack with a 115, a 410 all peavey and a mark IV head for $1200.

Its probably worth noting that the BA115 is on Ebay..so I cant try it out, and theres no guarantee it will work out under 450 in the end :p
Click to expand...

the BA115 is only $349.99 with free shipping here:
Code: 
http://www.music123.com/Ampeg-BA115-Bass-Combo-Amp-i59884.music

If I had the money I would go for the Ampeg B200R 220 watts RMS, Tube Preamp for $599.99 w free shipping here:
Code: 
http://www.music123.com/Ampeg-B200R-Bass-Combo-Amp-i445830.music
 
#19
MGabeM20 said:
the BA115 is only $349.99 with free shipping here:
Code: 
http://www.music123.com/Ampeg-BA115-Bass-Combo-Amp-i59884.music

If I had the money I would go for the Ampeg B200R 220 watts RMS, Tube Preamp for $599.99 w free shipping here:
Code: 
http://www.music123.com/Ampeg-B200R-Bass-Combo-Amp-i445830.music
Click to expand...

The only problem is that I am in Australia so I cant buy from there :(. it shows how much cost is added on when you buy one from here for $1000, when in the US it works out to $440AUD.

But I have to point out, if I was in the US I would have much more second hand gear to choose from and I wouldnt even be looking at these two amps :bassist:
 
#20
I vote ampeg. Ive seen too many 5 15's on repair its not funny (I've seen two, which is 2 too many). I like the sound of the mags though. Very clear and rocky tone. With your budget, I'd keep my mind open and consider, Fender Rumbles and Peavey TNT115's. I myself picked up a Jade Hurricane 100W combo 15" for $200AUD. SO shop around.
 

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