NWB - Community Blog

Depends really Ampeg do some good solid state amps and some good valve amps, some good single cabs and some massive SVT 8x10s etc so I would say it depends on what you are looking for in your sound.

You could spend twice as much on Ampeg gear and it may not suit you.

I went from Trace Elliot gear to Eden and when I got the Eden gear I was dissapointed as it wasnt a vast difference (to my ear at the time) It took me a while to get the best out of my Eden stuff where as the trace gear was a simple plug and play and press the button that said trace sound.

12 months down the line I had to use a similar trace elliot rig for a gig and I was horrified at how crap it sounded.

What I am trying to say is dont just buy because its more expensive it may not necessarily be the right decision.

what sort of music are you going to play? and how do you want your bass to sound

ive always thought Ampeg stuff sounds awesome

I personally would not change a thing. You have the same Hartke amp and 4x10 as me, and unless you have cash burning a hole in your pocket, I'd stick with what you've got. I have a friend who is obsessed with Ampeg gear. He has a SVT Mega-Bastard head and 8x10 cab. Yes it sounds great, but not "X" amount more than a Hartke. He isn't playing in a band at the moment though, which is a shame, so I don't see the point myself, unless you are a "gear-head". . Just think about the venues you play at? Is it really worth spending all that money, when you have a good sound anyway?
(Cue gear-heads with £££s replying in disgust! lol)

Ta
Andy

I see your playing classic rock in competition with 2 guitars so would suggest that if you have the headroom with the gear you have now and can compete with the volume buy a sansamp BDDI that will give you an SVT sound through your existing cabs and save you a fortune, or by all means borrow mine for a gig and see how you get on, they are a neat bit of kit

...although I would have bought Rob's gear (Eden Rig & Thunderpants Bass) if I had the dosh! LOL

+1 for Rob's comments.

Thats the other option Jon I have a mega rig up for sale, lol

thats it we all need a bass day where we can bring our rigs and bits of kit and swap ideas about

If it's any use, I'm just a drummer, but you sound fekking awesome as it is Jon.

I think you just like buying toys like the rest of us!!!

AYP

as long as you all learn this..

classic

"Talk about bum cakes, my girls got'em".. Top tune!

Give over
Yooz only go dum dum dum dee dum anyway.
Fookin bassist!
Jon, I've heard your kit and its tight and loud, sounded great t'me. Looks nice as well( I know that doesn't count )
Our fat-fingers uses Ampeg gear, 4x10s, sounds awesome everytime with his Fender P.

Mark

Mind you hartke is great kit too

Our bassist switched from Hartke to an Indie vcombo with an extra 4x10, and we noticed a huge difference.
Personally, I feel that I've put years into my playing, and therefore I like to have the best equipment available to enhance my own experience, if not everybody else's.

Rob

Andy.....Love the "mega bastard"....if we put that in the van, the van would wheelie!!!.....lol

Not a huge fan of Ampeg myself - Slade used it and weirdly got a
rubbish sound when we supported them. I played through their rig
and it was huge and disappointing (but that's just judging by MY
personal taste).

I upgraded to Hartke from Trace Elliot.
Never parted with the TE's, thank God.
Lose a guitarist - make more room for essentials!!

I've used my hartke 3500 head for about 14 years now and is just about the best sounding, most reliable amp I ever used. not impresseed with Ampeg - loud (but do you need it? - my 3500 has never been past 5 on the master vol.) Combined with A Trace 15" spkr I get an awesome sound. I find the Hartke ali speakers prone to cracking though...the VX paper ones are better

Hi. I use the same hartke head as yourself (3500) and looking at the comments im not alone. But i use an ampeg 4x10 cab, and i must say it is the best sounding rig i have heard.

So my advice would be maybe a new cab. The ampeg/hartke combination is awsomme

I think the Ampeg SVT 8x10" valvestate rig is the best sounding amp ever made but some of the other stuff I've heard leaves a lot to be desired if you ask me. I really like Hartke gear and have fond memories of my 8x10" cab. That being said, I'm a real sucker for that Trace Elliot sound! My AH-1000 head is the business.