bottomfeed Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 The older I get the more interested I become in lighter weight, smaller options .... ( my 14 stairs to my front door at the end of the night are a bit of a pain!) ....but don't want to sacrifice sound quality etc.. I've not had a combo for many years & generally prefer separates... These lil' babies look interesting!... I've not tried 'em yet but wondered if anyone else has, or even owns one? [url="http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ba300/210.html"]Ampeg BA300210[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I see you have no responses yet so I gather that no one has tried one! When I was looking at getting a combo this too was on my list, but from what I've read in several forums Ampeg SS amps ain't so hot (though I never got to try one, so I don't know for definite). If you have a look at my post (what combo for £6-700) you'll see I had quite a list to narrow down. I ended up splashing that little extra on a Markbass combo from the Bass Merchant. I had not tried any MB stuff before, but had heard them in the Guitar Centre in Vegas & was impressed so decided to take a chance & just buy without trying & to be honest, I love this combo so far. I can get just about any tone I want just with 2 dials! I haven't touched the EQ dials yet. Have used it a couple of times at rehearsals & is plenty loud enough for that (was the first time I have ever been asked to turn it down by a guitarist!!!). And this thing weighs less than my wee Vox 1x12 combo but about 4 times the size. My advice here is have a go of the MB combos & see if one of them would suit you. They're light, excellent quality & loud (300 watts on their own & 500 with a cab attached). If you get a shot of an Ampeg BA300 let us know what it's like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomfeed Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 hmmmm.... thanx for that, I'll look into the MarkBass stuff... SoundControl have the Ampeg stuff in, so when I get a chance I'll check that out too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I've tried the BA200 version and it does indeed have 'that' tone. The problem is there isn't very much of it - it is not very loud at all, as in not much better than a decent practice amp. I am guessing this is the issue with the SS from Ampeg? Although the 300 (and 600) has a valve in the pre-amp, so maybe this can improve things somewhat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 [quote name='HarryPotter' post='185875' date='Apr 26 2008, 12:31 PM']I've tried the BA200 version and it does indeed have 'that' tone. The problem is there isn't very much of it - it is not very loud at all, as in not much better than a decent practice amp. I am guessing this is the issue with the SS from Ampeg? Although the 300 (and 600) has a valve in the pre-amp, so maybe this can improve things somewhat?[/quote] I've got 2 solid state Ampegs. One 50W b50R - which is great - but is a practice amp. It's really good for acoustic stuff though. I've seen the b200r being used at gigs - and being loud. I've also used a b100r in a studio and it was great. I've also got a 150W biamped b3158 - which is a full on gigging amp. It's louder than the 150W suggests. Although I use a valve head / 2 cabs now as our drummer is so f*cking loud. The ba500s are also good loud solid state Ampegs. - I'm sure these ba300's would be fine too. I'm sure the markbass stuff is better, but isn't it more expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 The Markbass CMD 102P can be had for less than £800. Shop around on tinterweb. I know the Ampegs are about £700 for the 300 watt combos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumour6 Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Hi there, i've got an Eden Nemesis NC410 (4x10 320w) combo that 's available...(my eyes are bigger than my garage) result of a GAS attack and i had always wanted to try one... I've already got a Peavey Databass which does me for small gigs fine.. If you're at all interested mail me. Good luck... sooo much gear so little time..... Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomfeed Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 well tried the BA300 1x15 out yesterday.... didn't seem like 300watts to me... quite a nice tone to it... the sound 'style' switch suited me best in position 1 or 2, the rest were too lightweight & middley .... maybe I thump a bit hard at times but a limiter was cutting in & I didn't like that..... not gunna hold me breath about that one!... think I will look for separates, gone off the combo idea... may need a trip to Exeter or Poole to try the Mark Bass..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spychal Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Anyone seen anywhere that is stocking the BA300/115 amps around the London area? I quite fancy trying one out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I tried out a BA100 and was very disappointed with the lack of volume, and it struggled to make a decent sound. I was looking for a BA300 to try but they didn't have any higher power ones at the time. I don't think I'll bother now - the BA100 has killed my enthusiasm. I'll stick with my Peavey Databass that I know and like (and can lift!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moody Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 [quote name='xgsjx' post='186085' date='Apr 26 2008, 06:33 PM']The Markbass CMD 102P can be had for less than £800. Shop around on tinterweb.[/quote] I'm actually taking delivery of one of these tomorrow, can't wait! If you fancy a bash, it's in Nottingham - drop me a PM if that is any use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraktal Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 [url="http://www.cheapguitardeals.co.uk/shop/item.asp?itemid=974"]http://www.cheapguitardeals.co.uk/shop/item.asp?itemid=974[/url] Cheapest markbass I have seen, apart from the 12" combo wich is not as loud as this one apparently Basically a 500w combo with 1x15" in a cube 46x48x48cm and 18kg weight. I would have bought one if only they shipped to Spain, unfortunately they sell to UK lucky bastards exclusively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdurborow Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 [quote name='xgsjx' post='185861' date='Apr 26 2008, 06:07 AM']I see you have no responses yet so I gather that no one has tried one! When I was looking at getting a combo this too was on my list, but from what I've read in several forums Ampeg SS amps ain't so hot (though I never got to try one, so I don't know for definite). If you have a look at my post (what combo for £6-700) you'll see I had quite a list to narrow down. I ended up splashing that little extra on a Markbass combo from the Bass Merchant. I had not tried any MB stuff before, but had heard them in the Guitar Centre in Vegas & was impressed so decided to take a chance & just buy without trying & to be honest, I love this combo so far. I can get just about any tone I want just with 2 dials! I haven't touched the EQ dials yet. Have used it a couple of times at rehearsals & is plenty loud enough for that (was the first time I have ever been asked to turn it down by a guitarist!!!). And this thing weighs less than my wee Vox 1x12 combo but about 4 times the size. My advice here is have a go of the MB combos & see if one of them would suit you. They're light, excellent quality & loud (300 watts on their own & 500 with a cab attached). If you get a shot of an Ampeg BA300 let us know what it's like.[/quote] ~~~ The best word to describe this amp is TONE. The 12AX7 tube preamp and solid state power amp do a great job producing the SVT sound. Upon hearing the BA300 at rehearsal the first time, our lead guitarist said several times, “I can’t believe the tone coming out of that thing”. I researched many combo amps within the 250 to 400 watt range (SWR, GK, Fender, Eden, Ampeg, and Ashdown) for about six months. My criteria were specific and it whittled the list of possible contenders down considerably. The amp must have: 1. A tube preamp for warmth 2. 10-inch speakers for tight clarity 3. No less than 300 watts for punch 4. A 3-band EQ for full spectrum control 5. A variable compressor for attack balance 6. Weight less than 75 pounds 7. A price less than $1000 With the BA300’s Ultra-Hi and Ultra-Lo switches, Bass, Mid, Low, Horn Level controls and Style selector, I can dial-up almost any sound (tone) I desire. However, I strive to achieve a clear, warm, tight sound with some punch. I play a Fender Precision bass with flatwound strings (with medium-high action) and I usually have a foam-mute stuffed under my strings near the bridge. With my Precision’s treble control on 10, and the BA300’s preamp volume slightly past mid-point, bass at -3 db, the mid at -15 db, and the treble at +3 db, the sound is amazing. My need for simplicity is another reason why I chose the BA300. Its simple controls are noteworthy -- I just plug in, adjust the EQ and volume, as needed, and play. I typically don’t use the Ultra-Hi or Ultra-Lo settings and I leave the Style Selector flat and the Horn Level at mid-point. I have two issues with this amp: It is not loud (I have to mike the cab in order to be heard) and the DI has a bit of a hiss to it. If I keep the BA300’s master volume at mid-point and use a good dynamic microphone about 3-4 inches from the center of the speaker grille, the tone is perfect for my style/sound and it sits in the mix extremely well. Overall, I am very pleased with the BA300/210. I’ve subsequently read in several forums about the suspect quality of the new Ampeg combos. Knowing this, I guess I took a gamble. But in my case, the gamble has paid off -- I really love the sound of this amp and its ease of use. ~~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 [quote name='bottomfeed' post='184852' date='Apr 24 2008, 08:12 PM']....The older I get the more interested I become in lighter weight, smaller options .... ( my 14 stairs to my front door at the end of the night are a bit of a pain!) ....[/quote] Ampeg are not light. Not even close. Very few combos will be as light as your amp and 1x12 cabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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