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Why AMPEG?... Are they that Good?

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#102
For years I had 2 old fender 412'sand a Peavy MKIII driving them and thought this was great. It was a unique sounding rig and I liked it for many years.
Over the years though I had to use many of a supplied back line which consisted of an Ampeg amp and Ampeg 810 cab. They were "OK" but I was never really sold on Ampeg gear even though I knew many Bassplayers used this set-up.
A couple of times I went through an Eden backline and always seemed to love the tone of these amps and cabs.
So when I could finally afford to buy some high end gear, I endend up buying a WT800 a D410XLT and D410XST.
To my ears, this has it over Ampeg tone any day.
 
#103
I'll invert that last post.
I've had the classic SVT/810 provided as backline probably 20 times at different gigs; mostly larger, generally outdoors. Last time was at the incredible Piccolo-Spoleto Mardi-Gras type festival in the AMAZING!! and beautiful city of Charleston SC.
That isn't the Ampeg rig of choice for me. Give me a B-15 or SB-12 in the Studio, or my 3-PR0, or the one, the only, the discontinued V4BH and I've found the tone I like.
Played through a Demeter rig- all-tube power amp, H series pre, both speaker cabs (at Demeter's own recording studio no less) No thanks- Good, but.
Bought Eden gear. Nice. Very clean, wide-range of tones, amazing headroom, etc.
Couldn't wait to sell it and get some of my $ back. The all-tube circuits of Ampeg float my boat, as does their Pro-series hybrid designs.
I'd be stoopid to take gear recommendations from anyone; they'd be stoopid to listen to mine.
I talked briefly with Marcus Miller after an insane performance here in LA. He's so good it's painful, and he's really a nice guy.
When we discussed gear (I told him I like his sound, etc) he smiled, said "Ah, Man, it doesn't matter, I like to try different rigs sometimes, but I'm at the point where it's not even important anymore- My foundation is what I go for, and I can get that with any amp/speaker."
Marcus is a pretty smart dude.
 
#104
I love my rig. Plain and simple. 4PRO head pushing an 810E cab with a DBX compressor and Warwick Thumb Bolt-On bass. Can't ask for anything better. I've tried SWR, Hartke, Eden, Mesa and Avatar. SWR and Hartke I thought was just terrible. Couldn't get a decent sound, I blew a speaker in the Hartke cab. Eden stuff was decent but still didn't have what I was looking for. If I wasn't using Ampeg i'd definately be using Mesa or Avatar cabs. Head wise, i'm not sure what i'd use if I didn't use ampeg. My first head was a B2R head and I loved it. Then after that I bought the 4PRO and love it. So to me yes Ampeg is that good.
 
#107
I think the really good Ampegs are perfect for groove bassist that actually gig in loud rock bands.

And a terrible choice for many bedroom boinkers that are seeking a combination of a subwoofer
and a overly bright and presant, modern clangy sound to show off their fretboard acrobatics with.
 
#108
Dr Stankface said:
Best answer you'll get right there.

To me, Ampeg = :spit:
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To each his own; gotta give that up....:spit:

And yes, the muddy horrible sound, so indistinct and muddled, no hi-fi, no presence... of FENDERS and AMPEG ...like that dude... what's his name James, um Jamerson? I believe.
Yeah, man! Fenders and Ampeg! What a clueless combination!:eyebrow: :

It's all good.:D
 
#109
anderbass said:
I think the really good Ampegs are perfect for groove bassist that actually gig in loud rock bands.

And a terrible choice for many bedroom boinkers that are seeking a combination of a subwoofer
and a overly bright and presant, modern clangy sound to show off their fretboard acrobatics with.
Click to expand...

well said . . .

I think that I fit in that first group "groove bassist that actually gig in loud rock bands" . . .
 
#112
realdeal said:
To each his own; gotta give that up....:spit:

And yes, the muddy horrible sound, so indistinct and muddled, no hi-fi, no presence... of FENDERS and AMPEG ...like that dude... what's his name James, um Jamerson? I believe.
Yeah, man! Fenders and Ampeg! What a clueless combination!:eyebrow: :

It's all good.:D
Click to expand...

Some people make them sound good.

For the stuff I mainly play (in the pocket groovin'), my StingRay 5s sound best with GK and Mark Bass. I've gigged Ampeg stuff and it just doesn't work for me. :p

Of course, if we all liked Ampeg then bass playing wouldn't be as fun now would it? :)
 
#113
Dr Stankface said:
Some people make them sound good.

For the stuff I mainly play (in the pocket groovin'), my StingRay 5s sound best with GK and Mark Bass. I've gigged Ampeg stuff and it just doesn't work for me. :p

Of course, if we all liked Ampeg then bass playing wouldn't be as fun now would it? :)
Click to expand...

Absolutely, My Man!!:D
I loved my GK 400RB and MB-150S (incredible little rig w/ an extension cab btw!!).. I'd play thru an 800RB or a 1001 in a heartbeat, and love doing it!

MarkBass is wonderful gear; almost went for a LMII but in the end liked my new Neo-Pak (with a Wizzy M-Line) a little better!

Totally dig working with My Mesa Buster Rig-- Tubular!

But my Ampegs hold a special place for ME, and my Sterling 4 w/ maple board, sounds absolutely killer thru it- and to me, in-the-pocket includes Etta James, Shemekia Copeland, the great Joe Louis Walker, and Dr. John, among many others! Talk about a POCKIT!!!!

Right now, I have major GAS for a Trace-Elliot rig someone made the mistake of leting me try---- I REALLY dug it. Must.... buy....
Pay Bills....later....!

At least I can console myself with my V4BH thru an SVT-15E, it gets a great tone, almost like my former B-15, or I can add my 4x8 Ampeg Cab and use my 3-PRO to do my thing....

Finally- even if a player doesn't like or use Ampeg- I HIGHLY recommend looking through the book- "Ampeg-The Story behind the Sound"- about $25 on Amazon, etc. Some great pictures and history; and in the end, it's all about the Bass.

Thanks for a sensible reply-Nice to see on TB from time-to-time!!:cool:
 
#114
I was a little worried when I first brought home my new SVT810E cab last fall that I may really miss the hi fo tone of my Eden cabs. But once I started jamming with the boys, by SR5 cut through the mix like never before. I was able to play at a lower volume and have gobs of punch and could be heard so clearly.

I was absolutely amazed at how great it sounded in the mix. Just sitting by yourself and plying through an 810 cab may not seem to compare to the modern hi fi tone that many cabs are tuned for, but there is no denying that Ampeg got it right with the 810 for getting the job done on stage.
 
#116
I had played Fender, Peavey, and Crate amps for years. When I bought my first SVT 4 Pro and SVT 810 E, the sound literally made me teary-eyed. I didn't know that a bass amp could sound so good. After 300+ shows, that rig, along with my SVT 2 Pro and SVT 610 HLF, have been unstoppable workhorses. They are the most durable amps/cabs that I have known. I've tried everything else and keep coming back to the 'peg.
 
#117
Kelly Lee said:
Guys, drop the whole Ampeg/economics/Vietnam/China stuff. Didn't you guys see my post on page 5 (post #94)? :eyebrow: This topic in not allowed at this time.

If this discussion continues, I will start deleting posts and handing out infractions. This is my last warning.
Click to expand...

Could you provide a reason, or link to a post, that explains why we are not allowed to discuss this on the forum? I feel it's a very important topic and people can only benefit by reading about it. As far as I could see, no personal insults were being thrown about, no 'slander' was taking place... I could understand the issue with discussions over Behringers business practises, but why this?
 
#118
PauBass said:
Why most of the bass players in known bands are using Ampeg?
Is it truly about their quality and tone or...Is there any other reason behind, such Ampeg endorsing them as a marketing campaign?
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*sigh* :rolleyes:

I disagree with your basic premise. There is no necessary connection between popularity and quality: just because something is well-known and widely-used, it does not necessarily follow that it is high quality. It means that it has a powerful brand presence.

Ampeg is to every other make of amp as Fender is to every other make of bass - the classic standard. Human nature being what it is, there are those vintage-minded traditionalists who simply will not consider anything else. But that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other products that have advanced the state of the art far beyond its humble roots...

MM
 
#119
NJW said:
Could you provide a reason, or link to a post, that explains why we are not allowed to discuss this on the forum? I feel it's a very important topic and people can only benefit by reading about it. As far as I could see, no personal insults were being thrown about, no 'slander' was taking place... I could understand the issue with discussions over Behringers business practises, but why this?
Click to expand...

NJW, you have been around for past Ampeg/Vietnam/China threads so you know the reasons why. You started the thread I reference below and you posted this (Post #40 of the "Ampeg offshore manufacturing" thread) in reply to my post here (Post #38 by me in the same thread) BTW, that thread is still open and if you want to continue the discussion you can in that thread if there is new and relevant info about the subject. Just keep the politics and flaming out and that thread will continue to survive. I figured this issue had died down to some degree as that thread faded off into cyberspace. It was the one thread allowed for this discussion (within specific guidelines) here at TB because we actually were getting real info from insiders and not just rumor and conjecture. Just don't drag it into other Ampeg threads like this one.
________________________________________________

NOTE: To those of you that I said the topic was not open to discussion I apoligize as I had forgotten about the thread I referenced above. It is still open and you may post there on the Ampeg moving production topic in that thread. However, please make sure to follow the guidelines put forth in the thread so that it will remain open. Here is a direct link to page one of that thread. Ampeg offshore manufacturing
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________________________________________________

As for the thread that we are currently in...this thread has nothing to do with Ampeg's business practices or how they have come to build them overseas. This thread is purely about the quality and use of their product and nothing more. No hijacking will be allowed.

Regards,
Kelly Lee
 
#120
To me Ampeg amps are really good.

Yes, they are the industry standard, they are really nice looking, but the raeson I like them is the sound.

When I play thru Ampeg i have everything I need, warm, thick & huge sound. I can hear the bass thru the mix very well. The sound is at the same time round and correctly aggressive. With the right mids and present but not excessive highs.

To be honest I love Ampeg tone so much but i can not find an Ampeg product which really is ok for me. Maybe a SVT pre with a 200W all tube poweramp usable at 8 & 4 ohm will be the best for me.
 
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