Author Topic: Ampeg ba115 (Read 126 times)

mint_bass · « **on:** April 01, 2007, 03:46:10 PM »

Hi

i and was wondering if anyone has played through one or better still owns one so you can give me the low down.

or for that matter any solid state ampeg.

thanks in advance
Andrew

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2007, 01:49:48 AM »

Loud!!!!

ajdover · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:20:52 AM »

I have one. I bought it initially as a practice amp for use at home. It's OK - you'll not get the tube tone, but it will come reasonably close. Not too heavy, and I find the style knob quite useful. Ok for small clubs, but not something I'd take to a medium or large venue. I've never found the XLR out to be useful - I almost always use a direct box.

I also own an Ampeg BA210SP that I use here in Korea. You'd be better off buying one of these, or a higher powered BA115. Reason I say this is headroom. I don't have to push the BA210SP as much to get volume, though I don't need it really loud given the small venues I play here. The BA115 doesn't have the wattage (100 vs. 220 with the BA210), so if that is a concern, I'd recommend something with more power.

It's a solid amp though, great for small gigs, nice tone, fairly portable. It's served me well since 2003.

Alan

dean_m · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2007, 04:05:46 PM »

Hey Andrew,

My name is Dino Monoxelos. I'm actually the product specialist for Ampeg and full time Alembic fan!!!!!

The BA1115 is a good practice amp and can be used for some smaller gigs. It's only 100 watts. Ampeg also makes this same amp with a single 12AU7 in the preamp. It's called a BA115T. Does the tube make that much of a difference? Not a huge difference but it is subtle.

Like Alan is saying though, if you plan on using this amp as a multi purpose gig amp, you might want to consider the higher powered BA115HPT or the BA210SP. The HPT has a tube in it as well and each of these are 220 watts.

One other thing about the smaller BA115. I get a lot of complaints about the horn being hissy. This is in part due to the piezo tweeter that they use as opposed to the 1 compression horn that is used in the high powered BA combos.

I hope this sheds some light for you. If you have any more Ampeg questions, you can hit me here or at ampegsupport@earthlink.net

mint_bass · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2007, 05:36:37 PM »

Thanks guys thats helpful

I went to the shop today and i tried a few different ampeg combos including the Ba115, ba115t and the BA1210sp.

What i wanted it for was i am going back to university soon and i dont want to take my stack so i need something for my room but big enough for a jam if this comes about.

I liked it but the size put me off, although not as big as my stack its still a fair size.

While in the shop i tried a roland basscube and really liked that. its smaller with just a 1x12 but still 100 watts and just seemed a bit more practical for my needs so i think im going to go with that instead. Its also very light and has some cool extras.

thanks again
Andrew

ajdover · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2007, 09:27:31 AM »

Andrew,

If you're looking for something to use at school, try Phil Jones Bass. I have a PJB briefcase that I absolutely love. It's small, has 100 watts, and is perfect for practice and the occasional jam at a low volume (though I probably wouldn't gig with it unless I ran the direct out into the board). You can get them used for about $450, so it's not terribly expensive and the workmanship and quality is top notch. They run off 120V, 220V, have an available internal battery that is rechargeable, and can even run off a car battery. I've taken mine to the beach, and it's a great unit.

PJB also has other small combos that would fit your needs. Give them a try, you might like them.

Alan

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2007, 03:10:13 AM »

I too have a Phil Jones Bass Briefcase and it's a cracking good amp. I used it a couple of weeks ago for a live session at the BBC and it was fine. I was right next to the drummer and he could hear it and myself too.

I put it in the corner of a room with the bass port facing the corner and it was able to deliver significantly more bass.

DI out of the back to the desk and no complaints from the engineer about noise or anything.

If I'm honest it's not gonna give you bass you can feel like a larger combo but it's enough I would imagine for home practice and a small gig where you are playing...ahem... background music.

Interestingly, at the end of the gig I realised the mains supply extension I had plugged into wasn't live so we did the whole 1 hour session ( just 3 songs tho) on the internal battery.

I can highly recommend them.

Jazzyvee

hankster · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2007, 03:51:49 AM »

I would highly recommend the Gallien-Krueger microbass combos. 100 watts (150 with an extension cabinet), very small, loud, great sound for electric or acoustic bass, and durable. I have used one for years. Engineers are happy with the direct line out, it has a great, versatile, defined sound from the single 12.

Rick