Amplifier advice, please

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:55 am

I'm now a two-Rick (and one Hofner) bassist, and my next step is to upgrade my amplifier. I don't have a regular gig yet, but I figure that I won't need a large setup, nothing like an Ampeg SVT, so that's out. I currently have a Crate B100, 100 watts with a single 15" and a small equalizer. It's OK, but I'd like something with more guts. I've played through a used Gallien Krueger B700 combo with two 10s, and that sounded great, but I hesitate buying a used amp. So I'm hoping you fellows (and gals) can make suggestions for either a combo or separate head/cab set that would sell for around $1,000 or less, that will be sturdy, easily transportable (would have to fit in the back seat of my Honda Accord), and would deliver the sound we all want from our Ricks. Also, what accessories are advisable? I'll be playing classic rock and pop, small halls and maybe some outside under-tent festivals. Thanks in advance!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:04 am

Ampeg BA210

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:41 am

Yeah, you can't go wrong with an Ampeg. They make a lot of different models, combos, and piggyback, I prefer at least 4 X 10's myself. Much fuller sounding.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:44 am

Paul,
I recommend the versatile Ampeg B-100R.
Sounds good, looks cool.

I've been very happy with mine.

$499.99 from MF. $1,000 can get you 2 of them to double the pleasure, both visually and sonically.

B100R User Reviews at Harmony Central

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 10:14 am

Actually I use 2 B15T's which I think are identical internally to those, they are 100 watts with a 15, Solid state with 4 tones, and ultra hi and ultra lo, also the tone centers on the low and hi mids are changable, and two of them sound great live, I don't know about one though, they are not real powerful, I took the heads off the removable plate and stack them.
They were supposed to be a modern Solid state B-15, but weren't very successful, so I think ampeg took them and made them into combo amps.
I'm not positive about that though, but I've tried them in the stores and they sound the same and if memory serves me correctly, they have the same controls, mine also have compressors, which are pristine in mine, LOL

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 10:44 am

I was informed (perhaps misinformed) that Crate was made by Ampeg, so wouldn't the Ampeg B100R be practically the same as what I have now? I'm not crazy about the lack of transient "bite" that I get with the 15", and maybe that's why I prefer the 2x10" sound? Discuss. I'm getting verklempt!

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 11:05 am

Hey Paul, I'm in the same two RIC, wimpy amp situation myself (mine is a Carvin with the same set up). I'm not sure that this size amp has enough oomph to overcome a drum kit. A rule of thumb that I've read is that the amp should have enough power so that it never needs to be turned up more than half way.

If I hadn't just put on a new roof I'd look at this Ampeg b2r 4x10 set. 350 watts should be plenty, I would think. MF has the set for $1049, shipping included.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030828135153216043027159282121/g=bass/search/detail/base_id/100235

Good luck!

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:18 pm

Try the Ampeg Portabass series. I have the head and it sounds great through all my cabinets (custom made EV 1-10, Mesa/Boogie 1-15, '68 Sunn 2-15). I am considering one of the Portabass combos but no one has them yet around here to try.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 3:17 pm

I have a Ampeg B2R head and a homemade 410 cab loaded with Carvin speakers I use for rehearsing, and a Carvin R1000 with an Ampeg BSE410HLF that I use for gigging. Both sound great for clubs, bars, ect. More than enough power. The ampeg cab goes about 90 lbs. and is fairly compact.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:31 pm

I recently purchased a new-in-the-box Ampeg Portabass 250 watt amp through e-Bay for $450.00 including shipping. I built a 2x12 Thiele ported cab finished in that Ampeg Blue Diamond look with Carvin 400 watt speakers for another $450.00 or so. This rig is small and LOUD and should be all I need unless it's a really big outdoor gig or something like that. But just in case, I have another cab loaded with EVM 12L's and an Ampeg SVP Pro pre-amp into a 600 watt stereo Rickenbacker power amp. Ya..that's the ticket!

rob · Post by **rob** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:46 pm

My most recent amp purchase is an SWR LA Series with 12 inch speaker. For a little amp, it does pack a really good punch! I paid around $250 for it.

The only thing I don't care for, is that it does put out a loud "squeak" when turned on. So, what I do is put a 1/4 inch headphone jack adaptor in the headphone jack prior to turning on, and pull it out when on. It sounds kinda dumb, but this amp does kick but with power! You might have to lay off on the treble with this one, though.

rickde · Post by **rickde** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:00 am

Any Ashdown combo.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 10:55 am

The B2r is a good head, that is a great deal with a 4 X 10 cab. It is a pro set up, you'd be able to play most rooms with that, and that is a good deal, I'd like to pick one up myself, that is one of Ampeg's bargains, I think.
And Crate is made by St. Louis Music which owns both companies, I think they are separate though, I know they sound very different, I think Crate is their bargain basement brand, they are ok for the money, but I think they are in a different class than Ampeg.
Is the B2r 350 watts at 4 or 8 ohms? If 8 you'd need two 8 ohm cabs for the 350 watts, I think it would be around 200 with an 8 ohm cab, which would still be plenty though for most situations.

dougp · Post by **dougp** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:04 pm

The various Ampeg B2 amps (I used to have the 4x8 combo version) are 200W @ 8 ohms & 350W @ 4 ohms. I found it to be drastically underpowered at 8 ohms when competing with a 50W Mesa/Boogie combo (DC-5) and loud drums, but the 350W at 4 ohms was just loud enough. I eventually replaced it with a preamp/poweramp (700W @ 4 ohms) setup so I could have some headroom when playing with loud bands (current guitarist uses either a 50W Marshall or 70W? Twin Reverb half-stack).

Yes, Ampeg & Crate are both made by SLM these days; I've been very impressed with the durability/reliability of modern Ampegs (cabs, heads, and combos), and very un-impressed with those qualities in Crates.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 10:17 am

I know you said you don't need anything like an SVT, but you can pick up a second hand one (head and cab) for probably $1000.00 if you look around, and you'll never worry again about purchasing another amp, because you won't need one, 300 watts out of a tube amp sounds like a 1000 out of a solid state amp for some reason, (tiny bits of distortion perhaps, which is really barely audible at full rated power, also the 8 X 10 cabs are very efficient compared to a lot of the cabs made today.)And they sound good anywhere from a club to a big stage.
I too am impressed with the new Ampegs, and they have quite a diverse line up too. I have used them for years and never really had any problems that wasn't self inflictd (old tubes)