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OT: Ampeg blues...................

RitchieDarling

RitchieDarling

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2006
Messages
2,052
Location
Bass Heaven, AZ
:( :( :( Well, I just had the unpleasant task of returning my Ampeg B-4R to my local music store. I had purchased it as an upgrade from my Ampeg B-2R. Unfortunately, it was completely gutless. The thing was rated at 1000 watts in bridged mono mode. But to be honest, it barely had the volume of the B-2R.

And so now, I am ampless (is that a word)......... :confused:

The guys at the LMS recommended an SVT4PRO. However, after this disappointing experience, I am not so sure I want to try another Ampeg.

Ok, so make with the comments, recommendations, scoldings, and other such nonsense......

I am depressed............... :( :( :(


Ritchie
 
Ritchie. Here my .01 cent.

I dont hate Ampeg. I dont love Ampeg. I had an SVT Classic, and wanted to hate it. I actually was impressed with that amp.

HOWEVER. Aside from the all tube stuff (Pro and B series) I find Ampegs wattage to be rated a bit high. A watt is a watt, but I think my old GK 1001RB-II at 700 watts (4 ohms) would crush the Ampegs rated in the 1,000 watt range in volume and headroom.

Just something to think about, as you may be discovering the same thing I did.
 
i cant understand someone may rate ampeg as bad amp. if you were not happy with B-4R go back to whats prove to make you happy.
its nothing bad with ampeg, thats for sure,maybe you had enough of it. try other amp. eden and aguilar comes to mind....
 
Trav, what kind of cab did you use with your SVT? I've got an Ampeg preamp wiht a big power amp and two Avatars and I'm still dialing, looking for the magic
 
As much as i have wanted to get rid of my Ampeg SVT CL in favor of a lighter amp.. i find i cant part with it. a SVT 4 Pro i think can dial in a sound pretty close to it and from what I remember from sharing bass rigs, Ive been nothing less than impressed.
 
RitchieDarling said:
:( :( :( Well, I just had the unpleasant task of returning my Ampeg B-4R to my local music store. I had purchased it as an upgrade from my Ampeg B-2R. Unfortunately, it was completely gutless. The thing was rated at 1000 watts in bridged mono mode. But to be honest, it barely had the volume of the B-2R.

And so now, I am ampless (is that a word)......... :confused:

The guys at the LMS recommended an SVT4PRO. However, after this disappointing experience, I am not so sure I want to try another Ampeg.

Ok, so make with the comments, recommendations, scoldings, and other such nonsense......

I am depressed............... :( :( :(


Ritchie
Click to expand...

My experience EXACTLY with this head. I had a GK 800RB a ways back, stopped playing for a while and sold it. When I joined my current band, I needed a head and was able to get a b4r.

I was never anything but disappointed with it. I eventually got an 800RB again, and had them both at the same gig. I used the b4r for the first set, and during the break, switched them out. The 800RB which is rated at 350w @ 4ohms BLEW it away volume wise.

My dad was at the show and commented on how when I plugged the 800RB in, it was like BRRROOOOM compared to the other, and he is just a non-musical normal guy (meaning he wasn't particulary listening for the bass, but once the 800RB was plugged in, it was overpowering for a second till I turned it down.)

I haven't looked at another amp since, but lately I'm gassing for a GK 1001RB. I may have to get me one of those and see how it stacks up.
 
sandman@midlife said:
Trav, what kind of cab did you use with your SVT? I've got an Ampeg preamp wiht a big power amp and two Avatars and I'm still dialing, looking for the magic
Click to expand...

First ran it with my old GK Neos (2x12/1x15). Then I ran it with a Bergantino HT210S.

Sounded good with both.

I just couldnt handle the weight. A pinched nerve in my back at that time lead to the demise of the SVT Classic.
 
My GK 1001RB-II is one of the dang loudest amps i've ever heard... and I love it. :D

Never have I had the need to crank it past 9 o' clock.

The 1001RB-II is the perfect head IMHO. TONS of headroom with the best tone i've heard.

:cool:
 
Go for a separate preamp and power amp. For half the price, you can have just as good a sound (and probably better, depending on the preamp you buy), and twice the power. No brainer.

I think many people buy an all-in-one head because they want a GK/SWR/Ampeg/Eden/Trace nameplate on their rig, to be like the full page adverts in magazines, when in fact a component rig with a quality preamp and a workhorse poweramp is a very smart option. Who cares if your guitarist has never heard of Aguilar/BBE/Demeter/Alembic preamps or Crown/Yamaha/QST/Mackie power amps? When you plug in and turn up, they will shut TF up.
 
Only reason I went with my WT550 Eden head was the size (well and the tone also). I never wanted to have a power amp / pre-amp deal simply because of the size (1 or two more rack spaces required). Logistical decision for me. BTW, it replaced an Ampeg SVT3-Pro head I owned for 8 years. I like the Eden much better - more power & less weight.
 
I agree with Mark. I have an Ampeg preamp going into a QSC power amp driving 2 4x10 cabs--it's just an insane rig! PLENTY o' headroom and punch. And this way, if I want to experiment, I can swap out the preamp and try a differnt one....Beats getting a whole new head....

Todd
 
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