Ampeg B3 Combo

Prampli amp and transistors, power of 100 watts, hp 15 inches.
switch between instrument with active / passif.line out, XLR DI output and footswitch between
to trigger the 9-band equalizer.
adjustable bass, midrange, treble, Drive setting to simulate lamps prampli,
of gain and output volume push / pull to turn on the legalization 9 bands.
no effect (good).

UTILIZATION

Trs simple rules, all rglages flat, the sound is deep and brilliant, ampeg what.
is easily obtained all the sounds you want, the drive can be very useful for dirty sound
remains despite the trsdfinit hp 15 inch.
is certainly one of the best combos I had 150 watts between mains.j have had the chance to use it on scne before buying and to play with a drummer
a guitarist, a keyboard and a singer in a group of blues / rock style popa chubby twice a week (one year) in an Irish pub. (without transplanting in the PA)
LJE and I quickly realized that he would like the road!
bought used I did not have notice of what I have not seen lack the simplicity of use.

SOUNDS

This amp suits all styles of musique.super versatile.
I used a Fender Jazz Bass Geddy Lee, a standard jazz bass us a noguera
merger, musicman sterling.tout trs sounds good and grain of the instruments is respect.
we can get the sound you DSIR and refined with the 9-band equalization (which can be
set off via a footswitch, niquel to pass over during the chorus).
personal little trick: if you push the drive back and decreases the saturation approaches a
saturation lampe.trs convenient for its remains sounds vintages.le Defines even a few meters. (very important for small scnes or sound is not welcome)
TRS is a good amp to play in groups if you want a sound worthy of the name without breaking
tirelire.il its no longer manufactured but is still in any case it is occase.en
much better than the new MODELS BA112/BA115.un of the best value qualitprix
in its class.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used for 6 years in RPET and scne.il has never shown any signs of faiblesse.avant this amp, I had a TRACE ELLIOT 715 and there is photo.j not love it particulirement report his / power / prix.je have sold because
I wanted an amp smaller and less lourd.seul the Galien Krueger MB 150 S convinced me.
otherwise I think I keep my ampeg B3.j have tried it much more expensive amps that
forcment not doing more! or even less! there are better, but still a matter of taste and budget. (and transport!)
If you are looking for an amp that sounds, not too expensive, portable and a ampeg b3 Submitted opportunity to you, try it!
Today, if I had to change the amp, I think my choice would go to Eden or ASHDOWN
SERIES ABM.faudras break the pig, but hey!

- What kind of amplification (lamp, transistor ,...)?
Transistor
- What is the power delivered?
120 Watts
- What are the settings, the effects? ..
EQ 2, 1 3 bands (Low, Medium, Treble) and a 9-band graphic, the graphic can be put in standby, otherwise, the two EQ work together. There is also a Gain knob and a button Drive, ideal for connoisseurs of his property and yet super grimey metrizable

UTILIZATION

- The configuration is it simple?
Very, button names are very explicit, however, requires knowing what sint frequency sound and an equalizer to use the graphic EQ, but ...
- Gets it easy to sound good?
Yes and no matter what the sound desired, the preferred musical style, ... This amp is really versatile and great for all styles

SOUNDS

- Will it fit your style of music?
Altogether, and should be yours, whatever it is.
- With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?
I use a Squier Standard P-Bass Secial, and I tried it with an Ibanez Rickenbaker 4001 and whose name I do not know, I have never been disappointed
- What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold ",....)?
I get the sound I want except with an active bass pickups: the distorted sounds are then difficult metrizable

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
I know at least 2 years ...
- What is so special that you like most and least?
I like everything except weight
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
An HH Electronics and Fender jsaispasquoi
- How would you rate the quality / price?
I do not know, I had occasion
- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes

Small combo de150W 4 Ohm, is behind what is written ... 33kg ... sometimes it feels heavy in the cellar stairs with curves and no light, 5 or 6 kg less would have changed things but hey, I was always told that the heavier the better it sounds ... The two side handles are well placed and it is rather small, it helps. The four rubber pads below are perfect when one poses a stampede after a bit steep, it's soft and sweet as sensation, one feels that it damps vibrations very well. . . Some nice functions, only one input jack 6.35, followed by a -15 dB attenuator, perfect when using a tube preamp like Pre PreSonus, which boosts the signal greatly ... Then from left to right is gain (with a red LED indicator saturation input, very useful) Drive, Bass, Ultra Mid, Treeble, the nine bands graphic EQ, 40, 80, 150, 300, 600, 900 Hz, then 2, 5, 8 KHz, and finally the master output ... Behind, there is an entrance / exit for the effects loop (in jack 6.35) which I sometimes use the output (send) to enter into a recorder like the Zoom R 16 for example. Jack said a 6.35 "Footswitch" I've never known what it can serve. . . . There is also a balanced XLR output with the opportunity to assign the signal "Pre or Post with a switch .. and another switch allows attenuation - 20 dB, useful when the meter console facade plays "glue-you-to-ceiling" .... I tested the differences between "Pre and Post" to see what changed between the two, I noticed that on any two labels stuck at this part of the amp, the sound guys like that can quickly know what the interested. In this case (it's a bit complicated, I hope you will follow ...) when the "Pre" is activated, it affects the gain, EQ (classic and chart) and the Master, which means you can grind these sections without consequence for the signal sent from console, EXCEPT Pad - 15 dB ... this one if you release when he is in action, the sound guys jumped behind the console ... And when it is "Post", whatever you like on your amp mods includes facade EXCEPT exit "Master", ie you can only adjust the output volume without risk or consequence on the signal sent to Console, front, all other changes, for example on the EQ or gain agree facade. . . We may add that there is a limitation somewhere just before the output signal, which is manifested by the ignition of a small red LED very discreet on the right side of the front of the amp. Finally on the characteristics, is a speaker of 15 inches, ie a 38 cm I do not know the brand ...

UTILIZATION

Ergonomics is we-don't-be simpler, one branch, we adjust the levels (personally I cut out the "Master", then I adjust the "gain" until just before saturation, then I exit reopens "Master" until the desired level) and then corrects any grain with the EQ on the Ultra-Drive and Mid.

SOUNDS

The sound is good! . . . It's a small amp, so do not ask him too much in terms of pure power, but he has a great sound! Quite "elastic" is to say that to make music "hard" or ultra-precise, it will not be the top, fans of metal go your way. . . nothing to do with a Trace Elliott example, is more flexible, "damped". But against the grain there, and it is quite true. I used a Fender Mexico JazzBass all at standart fact, the base model ... for one year, then recently my copy "Precision-JazzBass" ... that is to say an ESP brand kit consists of a handle and a copy Accuracy JazzBass body copy, "powered" by a micro kit "Crel JB 42" I just made the acquisition and installation . Well I very much felt a big difference in rendering, a sign that the amp is fairly neutral, so I think we need to pay attention to the coupling instrument / amp with the B3 because he does not cheat much talk of restitution sound, except the feature "depreciation" that I mentioned above. Small flat, the microphones "Crel" sound serious! ........... Much more detail, where I nags with "Fender Mexico," I ask quietly with "Crel" nuance in the game is allowed again, I can adjust my attack, it responds as I play, a joy and I'm sure the amp likes! .... More sound with less power, it's a bit what happens. . . Negative side to return to the B3, I do not like the color enough medium overall size of the beast requires. . To have a big bass sound, go your way, you always miss the "breath" of a kind a corny big 8 X 10 inches. . but it is very logical .. and we are here in a little power for the bass. Sometimes I cut squarely the 150 Hz on the EQ graph, this frequency amplifier puts forward but is too medium, missing the kick in the ass for a good 40/50 Hz ... I do not like either the 2 KHz, which is very aggressive, and I wonder why the corrector 8 kHz was installed on this amp, except for a hiss of breath, it does nothing, I would have preferred a 60 or 200 Hz instead. . . Ironically, I happened to feel much better after repeated boosted the knob Ultra Mid "then it seems to me that he works around 150 Hz (a little higher I think, and with a width wider band). When the "Drive" cradifie it a bit but it's not my thing. To compare a tad, I used to repeat a Ashdown (model spread) and Hartke (model also widespread...). The Ashdown cheat a lot, it's serious artificial breath, much less accurate than the Ampeg B3, a little razzle-l'oeil. . and Hartke is not bad but less "consistent" as to what is Ampeg grain, which saves the Hatrke is his power. In summary, with the Ampeg, I enjoy a certain authenticity, some of its veracity, there are a lot of grain, it does not cheat .... but it is a bit feeble in power. For jazz, there is no problem, but rock moments on sturdy, it is a little behind, even if the grain leaves always perceptible to the listener ... ultimately what saves him is his grain, a nice well rounded, rich and full to the nuances. Are you with sound, no problems ...

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it around 1992, almost 20 years. . . Apart from a small vacuuming every two or three years followed by a shot of WD 40 on the knobs, I've never done anything on this amp. . I think the HP might need a remenbranage one of these days but I wonder if I go not an Electro-Voice instead. . . I want a model of HP not too powerful, someone has a clue? I paid about 600 Euros nine, finally the time was of the Franks ... approx. 4200 Francs 1992. . Regarding the choice, I'd do it again with closed eyes, considering the services that made me this wonderful little amp with a good will to move mountains .... 50w with more and less than 5 kg I would swoon. . . An excellent companion.