Ampeg B-3H

U.S. made, St. Louis to be exact, in August of '95. I play modern/alternative rock along with hard rock classics. I prefer the smooth, rounded, deep tone which this amp delivers on. I use a Tech21 SansAmp DI set at the SVT setting though a SVT410HLF cabinet. This is a good combination for me. I have also played this amp though a Peavey 115 cabinet and had equally good results. I don't use the effects loop or footswitch inputs, but they are there if you do. The nine band EQ (push off/pull on) really makes this solid state head shine. At 150 watts (4 ohms), it really feels like it is much bigger as I rarely feel the need to set the volume above 3 or 4.

I play both active (B.C. Rich Mockingbird) and passive (Fender P-Bass) guitars. The Fender seems to be a better fit. I have had no feedback issues with either one although I do prefer to keep the 410's tweeter turned all the way down to keep the hum of the active bass at bay. I think that is more of a cabinet issue than that of the amp as I did not have that problem with the 115 cabinet.

For a ten year old amp, I have had no problems with it other than lubing the pots (eventual maintenance on all amps and guitars). I am not the first owner of it, and likely not the last, but it has served me well. It has a convenient single hand on one side and rubber feet on the other which comes in handy when setting it down to open doors and such.

I have never had to deal with Ampeg. Their website is helpful and likely has any owner's manuals you are looking for other than the vintage gear. My amp came with the original one, so I didn't need to hunt one down.

I have been playing bass for just shy of 20 years. I have had several amps and guitars, but I am hooked on Ampegs. Look around, most of the pros are. If you've got the big bucks, go with a MesaBoogie. But if not, you will be hard pressed to not find an Ampeg you don't like. The B-3H is a good, small club amp. I don't have any complaints about mine. I will eventually replace it with a more powerful model that has a tube pre-amp as my primary, and keep the B-3H as a back-up. It is lightweight and doesn't take up much space, about the size of a B2R except that it doesn't need to be rackmounted. It has plenty of bang for the buck.

the b3-h is simply the amp part of the b3. it's a sturdy little solid state amp. it's a fairly basic amp. it has a switchable 9 band eq, effects loop, gain, drive, volume, bass, ultra mid, and high end knobs. it puts out 150 watts @ 4 ohms. it also has an XLR out on the amp with a -20dB pad which i have had to use often.

i tweak this amp ALOT. you can get a really nice variety of sounds from the amp. through the past year, i have mostly played a brand of modern rock with but i have also used it for blues, and even a country(not my favorite) show with it. usually, i set the bass and high controls to 12 o'clock and drop the ultra mid to about 10 while playing with the eq to make the sound i prefer. i have played it through a 15" cabinet and you really have to crank up the mids to get the cut that i like out of the amp. the 4x10's make it sound really nice. the only problem i have had is that the high's cause the amp to buzz a little bit. i have only played my fender p-bass threw it so i really don't know how it sound with other guitars. i also use a boss bass overdrive pedal with my rig and the low end REALLY sticks out with the pedal but it seems to really put a strain on the amp. when the distortion is on, the limit light is pegged.

as for reliabitity, this amp has never messed up on me. i have probably played about 20 shows with it over the past year. i have never had any real problems with it, functionality wise.

never dealt with them. they have a decent website.

overall, it's pretty decent little amp. it's been a good first gig amp for me but it's just gotten to the point where it's not enough for me. it's not a tube amp or anything, but it's got a good tone and in situations where you aren't playing loudly, it's more than enough. it's much better than a little 30 watt combo or for small gigs.