View other reviews for this product:
Steve_Boudreaux « A Very Good Modern Version Of a Classic Amp »
Published on 07/28/11 at 10:16First, let me point out that I am writing this review years after this particular amp has been disncontinued. I got the one I own only a couple of months ago, and consider myself lucky to have it.
This is NOT a "feature rich" amp. It's basically an amp for someone who will play only blues and classic rock through it. No effects loop, no modeling, not even a bass and treble control. Heck, it does not even have channel switching, and you can't turn the reverb or tremolo off with a foot switch! If you want lots of bells and whistles, you are barking up the wrong tree. Stop reading now and get yourself something like a Line 6 amp- this is NOT the amp for you. Two inputs, quaintly marked "guitar" and "harmonica," and no other connections.
For those still reading, it's got what it needs- a treble-cut ("Tone") can smooth out nerve-grating highs when you need or want that, reverb is nice, and tremolo-equipped amps should ALWAYS have both Speed and Depth/Level controls- any amp or effects box that does not allow you to control both is not worth your time or money. 15 watts may not sound like much, on paper, but they ARE tube watts, which are louder than SS watts, and it is enough for most occasions where you would not mic the amp- beyond that, you have the PA and sound man to help you out.
UTILIZATION
For a blues and rock amp, this little blue thing makes some sweet tones. Only one tone control means you don't lose time trying to get a good balance, just turn the tone control to where it sounds good to you for the moment, and play. The manual from Ampeg includes a nifty section on tubes- worth having the whole thing just for that section, and the section on the amp, it's self is good, too.
It does have it's issues. Tremolo can get very "bumpy" when turned up past about 6- to the point where you just can't bare it. There is a pretty easy fix for this- installing a cap across two of a tube's terminals can mitigate this- my tech did this, but I need to bring it back for a higher-value cap, as it helped, but the issue is still there. A cabinet buzz is too prevelent to ignore, although mine does not seem to have that particular problem- be sure to test for this if you are auditioning one.
SOUNDS
It would be a mistake to put too many pedals in front of this amp. Occasionally, I need my Tube Screamer to get the right fuzz/distortion, but usually, just going direct in from my guitar gives me the tone I want and need. Lots of Fender-ish chimy, clean tones are not to be found here, at least not in the example I have. But if you want power-tube overdrive at reasonable levels, this amp delivers. Blues and vintage rock guitarist, and harmonica players (I am both) should love this amp. Country-clean players may find it does not get quite clean enough, and metalist will hate it. Do not expect to play acoustic guitar through it.
But, tone and mojo are here, in spades.
OVERALL OPINION
The blue-diamond pattern tolex sets it- and you- apart, visually, as does the blue pilot light (I only wish the pilot was on the front, so it could be seen by the audience.) Few amps this size- both dimensionally and watt-output- have a 12-inch speaker (or even room to install one
but this one does, which helps it bring the tone.
Not enough examples on the used market to establish a value, but I'd say if you can get one for around $150-200, after any repairs needed, you would be doing fine.
This is NOT a "feature rich" amp. It's basically an amp for someone who will play only blues and classic rock through it. No effects loop, no modeling, not even a bass and treble control. Heck, it does not even have channel switching, and you can't turn the reverb or tremolo off with a foot switch! If you want lots of bells and whistles, you are barking up the wrong tree. Stop reading now and get yourself something like a Line 6 amp- this is NOT the amp for you. Two inputs, quaintly marked "guitar" and "harmonica," and no other connections.
For those still reading, it's got what it needs- a treble-cut ("Tone") can smooth out nerve-grating highs when you need or want that, reverb is nice, and tremolo-equipped amps should ALWAYS have both Speed and Depth/Level controls- any amp or effects box that does not allow you to control both is not worth your time or money. 15 watts may not sound like much, on paper, but they ARE tube watts, which are louder than SS watts, and it is enough for most occasions where you would not mic the amp- beyond that, you have the PA and sound man to help you out.
UTILIZATION
For a blues and rock amp, this little blue thing makes some sweet tones. Only one tone control means you don't lose time trying to get a good balance, just turn the tone control to where it sounds good to you for the moment, and play. The manual from Ampeg includes a nifty section on tubes- worth having the whole thing just for that section, and the section on the amp, it's self is good, too.
It does have it's issues. Tremolo can get very "bumpy" when turned up past about 6- to the point where you just can't bare it. There is a pretty easy fix for this- installing a cap across two of a tube's terminals can mitigate this- my tech did this, but I need to bring it back for a higher-value cap, as it helped, but the issue is still there. A cabinet buzz is too prevelent to ignore, although mine does not seem to have that particular problem- be sure to test for this if you are auditioning one.
SOUNDS
It would be a mistake to put too many pedals in front of this amp. Occasionally, I need my Tube Screamer to get the right fuzz/distortion, but usually, just going direct in from my guitar gives me the tone I want and need. Lots of Fender-ish chimy, clean tones are not to be found here, at least not in the example I have. But if you want power-tube overdrive at reasonable levels, this amp delivers. Blues and vintage rock guitarist, and harmonica players (I am both) should love this amp. Country-clean players may find it does not get quite clean enough, and metalist will hate it. Do not expect to play acoustic guitar through it.
But, tone and mojo are here, in spades.
OVERALL OPINION
The blue-diamond pattern tolex sets it- and you- apart, visually, as does the blue pilot light (I only wish the pilot was on the front, so it could be seen by the audience.) Few amps this size- both dimensionally and watt-output- have a 12-inch speaker (or even room to install one
but this one does, which helps it bring the tone.Not enough examples on the used market to establish a value, but I'd say if you can get one for around $150-200, after any repairs needed, you would be doing fine.