Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

They have great tone, great bottom for a small cab. I think you'll like it.

Let me throw my recommendations in for the Ampeg BA115. I've had mine for a couple of months now and have been extrememly pleased with it. It does have a headphone jack, CD input, and a XLR line out so if needed, I can plug it into our board. I'm truly blown away by it sound, both in tone and volume. It has the bass sound that I imagine bass is supposed to have. And, for all of our gigs we play, it always has enough volume. Haven't gotten much past 6 on the volume. It also has 5 presets - not really effects, but it does provide different sounds. I prefer the 2 preset. Hope this helps.

Here's a pic of my 4003 next to my BA 115. Had to get a pic of the Ric next to the Ampeg logo


06-09-05_2102_jpg.htm (1.3 k)

oops...didn't turn out as I planned...oh well...I thought it was a rather nice photo

Okay, well, I've done my testing of bass amps, which ended up only covering two of them (the Hartke had been sold, so I only got to try out the Ampeg and the Genz Benz). Here is what I found:

Basically, it pains me to say it, but, I didn't like the Ampeg. It may just have been this particular one, but I just couldn't get a good EQ setting. Like, I kept the pickup switch in the middle, and then I started messing with the Ampeg EQ knobs, found my sound, played around a bit, and then I tried switching to the neck pickup only. Pathetic tone, and very little volume. Hmmm . . . so I fiddled with the EQ again, found the tone I was looking for with that, and then tried to switch back to both pickups . . . **** again. I did this several times, switching between all three positions, and EVERY time I switched, the tone and/or output sucked and I had to mess with the EQ again . . . this is unfortunate, because when the EQ was set the way I liked it, it sounded great. But I *hate* messing with amp knobs more than just a tiny bit; I like to set it and go, which is what I could do with the Fender that I'm replacing. So, unfortunately, the Ampeg is a no.

I went and tried the Genz Benz. I think it's brilliant. All I have to do to get any sound is a) mess with the "Shape" knob, or b) turn the bass knob like two notches. That's it; with that, I easily moved from "Roundabout" to "The Real Me" to "Cygnus, Vismund Cygnus" to "The Pass" and they all sounded awesome. Then I started some basic bass riffing just to see what I could do, and it was even better. Growly and punchy all the way. I got everything I wanted out of it, and, considering it's the same price as the Ampeg was, I know which I'm going for.

Not to say the Ampeg wasn't nice. And I can certainly see the appeal, as it sounded brilliant after I messed with the knobs sufficiently. Hopefully other Ampeg stuff isn't like that. But by tomorrow, I'll have bought the Genz Benz.

Thanks for everyone's help!

I too, have not been real impressed with the Ampeg combo amps, particularly the BA series. I prefer the SWR combos (not the LA Series) and the GK combos. I used to have an SWR Super Redhead and currently use a Baby Blue II combo.

I'm telling you, the BA210Sp with the effect set to SVT is pretty cool sounding!

OK, take those ads on tv that advertise new television sets. I have always said, that picture doesn't look any better than the picture on my tv. I know, dumb joke, but let's use that as a backdrop for this. I record myself playing through the BA210, mike it, and record straight to dat. I then post this on my web site and you download the sample of what my setup sounds like. Now, with all that said, it ain't gonna sound any different than the stereo you play it on! {:^)

True, true. I was actually thinking of a BA210, but it's more money than I was willing to spend, and it's even bigger than the BA115 (which, while not big height- or width-wise, takes up a lot of space), so it's not really a good idea for a dorm room. The store with the BA115 did have a BA210 in stock, though, but it wasn't the one with the built-in effects. I would have liked to try it out, but if I'd played any louder, they would've kicked me out of the store.

While I was running through some Rush and Yes songs (ha, Yessongs), several local session musicians and gigsters complimented me, not only on the bass, but my playing as well. I whipped into YYZ and this one awesome funk-playing dude was like, "Whoa! Listen to this kid play!" It was fun, and very, very encouraging.

Robert: I knew you'd like the Genz Benz. I'm surprised that you don't see more name acts using them. Maybe it's because it's a small company. I love the EQ section, and I know exactly what you mean about the shape control. You can go from cheese-slicing treble to massive bottom in just a couple of clicks. On the more powerful heads, you can also get a footswitch that lets you cut the three shape controls in and out of the chain. they also have a very nice tube/FET mix section on some of the amps. I've never used it with a Ric, but I can imagine it sounds great.

Charly, if the sound system you play it on is accurate and flat, it will sound as close to the recording as possible!

While a stereo system might not work, studio monitors would!

I know, I was attempting humor but........

It was a valid point however!