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Why doesn't everybody like exactly the same amps?

#41
"Ampeg haters?" Really? So you think there are alot of guys here that would NEVER fly the 'Ampeg flag?' Seems to me that the majority of Ampeg-related threads and individual posts are pretty much Ampeg-positive. From from I've seen, heard and owned.. Ampeg delivers alot more than it doesn't IMO.
 
#43
CrashClint said:
Yeah Jerrold, I want to know if my SVT4 Pro is not putting out the wattage that it should.
Click to expand...

I never could get enough volume from my SVT 4 powering 2 410 hlf cabs. Power hungry cabs, underrated power output from amp???? I dunno! I was only battling 1 guitarist w/ a 2x12 combo amp and a drummer w/ no PA support. I was able to get great tone, just not enough volume to be heard. Had it turned all the way up w/ the gain set for occasional clipping, too??? Replaced the amp w/ a Carvin B1500. I was able to play with the volume at 3 and gain at 2.5, had better tone IMO & the band's opinion, and by then we had a singer w/ a PA going too. So, IME the SVT 4 is overrated when it comes to power output.
 
#44
I purchased my first Ampeg product in 1963, the microphone equipped endpin or amp peg. I still have it but Double Bass pickups have come a long way since then. The same is true of the SVT I purchased in 1969 and sold eight or nine years later.

As companies were sold and bought and as the industry grew so did the junk.

I see the SVT and 8-10" as more of a fashion statement today. Unique tone and massive volume? Definitely, back in the day PA's didn't do bass, you had to have a big enclosure/s. Today it's simply not necessary. On the other hand a Precision Bass and an SVT is automatic "Old School" and the lust is completely understandable if not somewhat laughable.

The one amp I regret selling was my acoustic 360/361.
 
#46
Here is my experience :

I had a SVT3pro with the 810 classic by ampeg. The sound was good, it was my second amp after a marshall basstate combo.
But the cab was too big for little gigs so I searched a 410.

I went to the store in Paris and I asked for trying the two classic 410 cabs in the shop. It was OK, it sounded like my 810 with less power but it was what I wanted.
Then, the saler told me to try other cabs. So I tried the EBS pro evolution 2000 and I was shocked bythe quality and the dynamic. The svt 3 never sound like this :eek:

ONe year after I tried a fafner and then I understood the ampeg sound doesn't worth the price.

Two years ago, I was in studio and I had the choice between a SVT4 and a little mark by markbass. I try both and I choose the markbass one to record...

I am definitly not an ampeg bassist.
 
#47
SVT3 and SVT4 aren't what I'd like to call representatives for Ampeg. Altough they are the most common amps I guess, I don't like em either. Play the SVT3 often at rehearsals... absolutely nothing special.

Like my SVT better... love it
 
#49
rpsands said:
They cost too much and they only make one sound, and they overrate the hell out of the wattage on their solidstate amps. All but two of their cabs sound like crap to me (The 4x10HLF and the 6x10 sound great).

There are just better buys for tube heads and most of them are lighter and can make more sounds than Ampeg can. For solid state heads, they're anemic.

My hate is mostly because they are overpriced though.
Click to expand...


That nails things exactly for me...


- georgestrings
 
#51
I don't hate Ampeg, only if I have to play on one (like festival backline), and I wouldn't buy one. 5% of their products I liked, but the big myths were all big disappointments for me. (for me) muddy lows, clacky, ear hurting highs, not enough volume according to the fridgerator size and weight.
(ok, you must have found out, I have a Markbass LMK, and it won over SVTII Pro heads, and I carry it in may tiny gigbag, and not with two roadies)
 
#52
realdeal said:
and +1 to that.

I don't have "issues" with Ampeg haters or dislikers, use what you want; I use several heads and love doing so.
But when they incorrectly state as an absolute that "Ampegs sound muddy" and so on, in that respect-

Don't blame Ampeg for your mud-like tone. That's how you're hitting it. I can get superb, rich, clean, fat, and sparkling signature tone from either my Hybrid or all-tube Ampeg.
Also plenty of volume and headroom.

Lucky Me!
Click to expand...

Won't pretty much anything sound muddy if you EQ it that way?

I don't own an Ampeg, but I have nothing against them either. The one's I've played thru sounded mighty fine IMHO.
 
#54
Ampeg set the standard for certain things in bass guitar amplification - that can't be denied. A lot of companies recognized their efforts and put their own spins on things - you see it in the marketing hype that manufacturers put in their product descriptions "get that old tube head sound" or players who remark that they wanted "that SVT sound without the weight".
While a lot of people might not be into Ampeg products per se (myself included), one can't deny Ampeg has made a contribution to bass (and maybe guitar?) amp and cabinet concepts & technologies that has carried over into a lot of the sounds we are into today.
Their current products haven't tickled my ears, but I don't hate 'em for it. I just don't buy 'em.

The only thing I hate about Ampeg was from having "that damn 8x10" fall out off the van onto me one day...but that's my issue :) it was a great sounding cabinet.
 
#55
I own a B100R, and it is a 96 model. If I am not mistaken I think it is one of the US made ones.

Anyway the tone is awesome, I can get a lot of sounds with it. Yet, I have to really push it harder than I want, when I am playing it with a drummer and a guitarist.

I prefer GK, and thats my next purchase.
 
#56
notenslaved said:
Ampeg set the standard for certain things in bass guitar amplification - that can't be denied. A lot of companies recognized their efforts and put their own spins on things - you see it in the marketing hype that manufacturers put in their product descriptions "get that old tube head sound" or players who remark that they wanted "that SVT sound without the weight".
While a lot of people might not be into Ampeg products per se (myself included), one can't deny Ampeg has made a contribution to bass (and maybe guitar?) amp and cabinet concepts & technologies that has carried over into a lot of the sounds we are into today.
Their current products haven't tickled my ears, but I don't hate 'em for it. I just don't buy 'em.

The only thing I hate about Ampeg was from having "that damn 8x10" fall out off the van onto me one day...but that's my issue :) it was a great sounding cabinet.
Click to expand...


+1

It's funny how a lot of folks "hate" ampeg but "love" products which have copied the sound.
 
#57
I have an Ampeg B100R and B200R, both combos, and both kick ass. To my ears, they sound better than the Fender combos and others I tried. They work for me.

I have played Ampegs I like, and ones I did not like. Same with Mesa Boogies. Never tried a Walkabout, but want to, and the Fathom has me yearning.

Amps are just tools, not important enough to "love" or "hate" I just use them. In a crunch, I can get a decent enough tone out of any amp with at least 100 watts to play a gig.

I also have a Kustom Groove Bass 210c combo that ROCKS, it is different from my Ampegs, though, but I can use it well enough.
 
#59
allexcosta said:
We don't hate Ampeg, some people just love it too much...
And I can't help but think that they haven't tried anything else.
Click to expand...

I disagree.
I own and gig with Mesa Boogie, Trace Elliot and Genz-Benz rigs in addition to my main set up, a 3-PRO with Classic cabs and a V4BH for the studio and when I want to sound totally tubular.
I've owned SWR, Eden, G-K, Hartke, Fender, and probably a few others I'm forgetting about.

Ampeg has a tube-path preamp in the PRO series Hybrids that no other mfr. replicates. No matter where it's built, that's another issue which is tiring at best.

I totally understand and would agree with any bassist that may play an Ampeg and move on to something else. If you didn't like the tone you get, then why stay with it???
But for many of us apparently (see "Ampeg Club" thread eg) the sound works.
I've taken my Ampeg rig on the road with flawless sound and no problems.
Currently, I work every weekend playing R&B at a very healthy if not deafening level, at a venue with great FOH.
I get a tone in the mix which nails what I'm looking for and is as pristine or as dark and deep as I want it to be.
No issues with volume or headroom; I work in a well-managed room with a competent soundman. We don't need to measure or be concerned with output wattage. The rated power of my 3-PRO whatever it may, be is more than adequate.

It so happens that all my Ampeg is SLM-neither "vintage" or Overseas built. I have played through vintage gear, no major differences to my ears, I have used the LOUD product and have not seen or heard any difference.
I respect views of the sadness of Ampeg being sold and moving offshore, but it happened.
I respect some views on the possible QC problems with new products, I do think that there's a LOT of BS in reporting them too. Really.

I think posters who say their "Brand X" "buries an Ampeg e.g. need to grow up soon. Whatever.

I think that those who state as an absolute that Ampegs sound "muddy" are ridiculous.
SO does George Porter (I've talked to him about it!); so would Duck Dunne, so would Bootsy, so do I.

Finally, I support Ampeg because it has a great history, and I wish to see it continue to be available to those who love and
know how to utilize it's tone.

YMMV. So what?:confused:
 

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