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Why AMPEG?... Are they that Good?

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#41
I've owned a few Ampegs and quite a few non-Ampegs. I'm currently using an SVTII non-pro and love it with my Berg NV425. I wanted the all tube grindy midrange that Ampeg is known for. I love it! I do not like their hybrid amps at all or their B series. I did like the SVT III that I had about a decade ago. I enjoyed Ashdown, Eden, SWR and many other brands, and with my constant gear change, will surely enjoy quite a few more in the future. Get what sounds good to you. nuff said, or get more cowbell
 
#42
Well, I can see that most of the people is really happy with earlier Ampeg amps, mainly Classic and SVT II models but:

what about modern Ampeg heads:ex. SVT 4 Pro which is quite popular and used among professionals?

:hyper:
 
#43
PauBass said:
Well, I can see that most of the people is really happy with earlier Ampeg amps, mainly Classic and SVT II models but:

what about modern Ampeg heads:ex. SVT 4 Pro which is quite popular and used among professionals?

:hyper:
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Personally, I think the SVT-4 Pro is lame. You can do much better for less money with a Sunn 1200s/Fender Bassman 1200, or a Genz Benz GBE1200. Both crush the SVT-4 Pro in more ways than one.
 
#44
Funny you mention crushing the SVT-4. This morning I A/B'ed my "new" 23 year old 800RB, and my SVT-4, and the 800RB crushed it. I was absolutely amazed. I ran both through an SVT-610, and the 800RB made my nether regions shake. Absolutely dogged that SVT-4. Now, not that the SVT-4 is bad, but I wondered why a 300 watt amp seemed louder than a 1600 watt amp. Hmmmm......Bad thing is, you only get one tone with the 800, and can dial in about anything you want with the SVT-4.

On my way home, I stopped by GC, and the Ampeg sales rep was there. I told him about what I just did, and he just told me to check the cable.:rollno:
 
#45
seamonkey said:
Ampeg has preserved all their classic sound rigs in Ampeg SVX along with IK. No need anymore to really buy one of their amps if you occasionally need some certain Ampeg sound. I'm seeing more and more IEM and less on stage clutter and logos lately.
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And to hear why I think this must be sarcasm all one must do is follow [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
and decide for themselves.
 
#47
Burning_Sphere said:
and I really dislike muddy and damn quiet ampeg cabs :(
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It's the only way to get the tubes breaking up in an SVT-CL :smug: I don't understand why people need 300watts of tube powarrr - just hit your guitarplayer in the face when he starts talking about buying another 412 cab :smug:

I love my V4BH, the clear, phat, warm tone of the pre-amp with the thick, compressed distortion/overdrive of the powertubes - and 100watts is all I'll ever need :)
 
#49
I personally love my Ampeg rig and have had a great experience with it. I'm not in a signed act but we do tour and it has held up night after night ever since I purchased it.

I can't expect to put a rig through that much hell and ask more than that in terms of it delivering the tone I like and the reliability that I've grown to trust.
 
#52
I have a brand new SVT810E (diamond tolex) and a pair of SVT12HE cabs for smaller gigs. I love both setups and am very pleased with all three cabs.

I actually "upgraded" from Eden cabs which i had grown tired of. I had an old 2x10t and a 1x15 and my sound was not tight or punchy.

The 810 cuts through like nothing I have ever heard before. I don'tknow how anyone could call this cab muddy. Mine is definately made in the US and its all plywood constuction (no partical board)

The two single 12 cabs are freaking amazing! these cabs have not gotten much attention but I have used mine with a loud rock band and had no issues at all cutting through and being heard. The tone of these cabs is gorgeous. Growly and tight with lots of punch and clarity. Each cab handles 300 rms and 600 peak. I hear they are possibly being discontinued due to poor sales. I am so glad I picked up a pair and having three Ampeg cabs makes me want to get at least one Ampeg head!!
 
#56
I'd say Ampeg's rep comes from its older equipment. Those amps forged the sounds of rock n roll as we know it. SVT's and V4's hammered out serious power and tone. Alot of newer bands and players use different stuff like Aguilar and SWR for that NU-tone, but they won't sound like original ampeg stuff unless its affected with several pedals and compression. Truth being told though, if ampeg continues to make a reduced quality product as it has been lately, there fame will fade. OH yeah. I PLAY AMPEG!
 
#57
Most everything in the world is made (at least in part) in China. Americans & the rest of the West should be pleased of this because it means more buying power from their USD or Euro. Plus, donlt forget it is China that now owns more of America's debt than any other nation. Just think 30-40 years ago people snickered at Made in Japan.

On a personal note, My Chinese-made Squier smokes the MIM Fender Jasses I tried out.


srxplayer said:
Sorry to be the one to break it you, but that's exactly were they moved some of the prduction to. There was talk of Vietnam but the gear I have seen at GC says "Made In China". Maybe it is Vietnam, China thinks they own everything.

Not everything Ampeg makes is going to be built in China. Only the Combos and the B-Series heads and Cabinets. Their high-end / Flagship line like the Pro- Series and SVT tube heads are staying US made.
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#58
Are you sure it isn't your head, strings or p-ups that are the problem? I mean this is all subjective but I have no problems with mud :) Ampeg SVT-CL + SVT810E = Rock & Roll.

No way will I believe that an all solid state Ashdown will surpass the Ampeg Classic. It may be very good and get close but its like comparing a Peavey Bandit to a Vox AC30.

Burning_Sphere said:
Crabby:
810 cab is not muddy :) but 410HLF is
and I still can't understand why it has 98dB while (also rock sounding) Trace Elliot 1048 (4x10") cab has 101dB (and is damn louder and cuts thru better)
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#59
All I know is that I plug my bass into "Ampeg" and I get the tone I hear in my head. It's thick, it rumbles, it's got that rattle to it and at the same time I'm getting punched in the chest.

It mixes well with the guitars, bridges with the drums, and makes a spot for the bass to sit sonically that allows me to be felt and heard.

I haven't found anything else that really makes me happy.
 
#60
PauBass said:
Why most of the bass players in known bands are using Ampeg?
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I see a lot more Eden, Ashdown, SWR and Aguilar rigs these days than I do Ampeg. However, the bassist for my favorite band these days (Don Bennett with Marcia Ball) still uses Ampeg and has for decades. There is a certain cachet about using the "real deal", but for me it is vastly overcome by the tonal possibilities and ease of portability of my Genz Benz / Accugroove rig.
 
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