Ampeg B-328

2001

This unit is very vesatile in the sense that with the right bass you can use it in most small to mid size gigs regardless of style. I have the 2x8 1 tweeter configuration. (Like my sound clean on the high end)
It has one input with a on/off switchable 9 band graphic-eq and a "Ultra mid" section that gives a pretty good bite to 400-700 range but if you over do it...it becomes quite muddy.

I use it in various recording settings, both analog and digital. I find it more warm on tape but that's only because it's "Tape". But it's perfect for running the "Balanced out to to any interface or console. Digidesign Pro Tools with the right plug-ins make it sound like you're running 6 feet of rack mount gear behind hit.

As well the amp gives a suprizing punch in the live setting if you are mindful of your actual proximity to the unit and stage volume from other intruments around you. The "Drive" feature allows you to get considerable pressence and sustain when you couple it with a high gain structure.

I am playing a Yammaha BB 5-string with active pickups.

The amp is perfect for the gigs I play ranging from Jingles, Sound Design, Theme or Score all the way to Classic Rock (Rush), R&B, Funk (Parliment Funkidelics)and Progressive Jazz Styles, Bill Connors, Alan Holdsworth etc.
I have not had to combat too much noise out of the unit. (Yet have not had it around alot of RF signal or extreme lights)

Sound wise the amp seems to be very versitile, but I feel alot of that is in the intrument. How you sweep from passive to active and were you roll off the high end on the bass itself. However the graphic EQ on this little powerhouse can emulate just about any sound "as long as extreme DB is not part of the equation".

Very dependable amp and I would have no problem using it locally without any backup amp. Ampeg has been at it long enough to know what we want, and I commend them in trying there best to keep it small yet deliver that Ampeg sound.
Service comes through my local Vendor "Murphy's Music" Irving Texas.

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Yes there are several Ampeg authorized service shops in town.
Didn't ask how long the warranty was....I have never seen an Ampeg rig of any size that was poorly built, Been playing on them (and other rigs too) since 1979 till now.

I have been playing bass for 25+ years and as of late mostly in a recording setting. The additional equipment I own at this time is centered toward production work rather than live settings. I have a VS-1680 Expanded with the CD-Writer. An Alesis QS8 Master Controller, that I use in conjunction with Emagic's Logic Platinum 4.61 audio and sequencing.

I really like the Ampeg B3 becasue it's portable and light-weight. I have not found anything I hate about it.

I compared it to the Hartke Kickback series..both the 1x15 and the 1x12. It has more punch than the Hartke 1x12 and it's cleaner than 1x15, yet it lacks the low end punch given by the Hartke 1x15 (" No-Duh it's a 15)....I do wish it was 2x10 instead or 2x8.

All in all it's a great buy with the Classic Ampeg sound.

150 watts of all solid state electronics into 2 '8 inch speakers. May seem small, but can really hold the low end. All the goodies, like -15 dB pad, 9 band graphic EQ, a way to switch off the piezo tweeter, "ultra-mid", and a direct balanced line out (which is great for recording) and alot of other stuff u can probably read about at thte manufacturer website.

Playing it with a Fender Marcus Miller signature with active jazz pickups. Has a little bit of hiss, but you can take off the tweeter and it's almost gone. Distorts at high volumes and extreme settings, but that happens with all solid state amps. The amp is the oppitimy (sp?) of variety. You can play anything from funk to jazz to metal with this thing.

It's solid state electronics, which you can pretty much always rely on. I've never used a backup when using solid state amps, just doesn't seem necessary. I've never had any problems with this amp, nor do I expect to in the next 20 years. The shell is made of wood, and I don't think it would break if I dropped it down stairs.

never had to deal with ampeg

Excellent amp. It's light enough to carry with my bass in the other hand, and powerful enough to play with a damn loud drummer. The whole light thing is more important that you think if you've ever tried carrying a 87 lb. monster up stairs! The only reason I give it a 9 is because it hisses. I HIGHLY recomend this for smaller to medium gigs, and especially recording. This is probably one of the best amps out there for the money.