Ampeg B-4R

I bought this amp used a few months ago from someone who bought it through Guitar Center around 2003. It has standard Ampeg Bass/Treble, an "Ultra Mid" (cut at 400hz or boost at 800hz), a graphic eq, a "texture" mode to emulate overdriving a tube, the amp can be run in bridged mono or stereo, and you can bi-amp with this amp also. There's a tuner out that stays active if you engage the mute via the front panel switch or an optional footswitch. I wish that it came with Speakon connectors, but it doesn't - you have to use the 1/4" connectors or the bananna jacks.

I've used this amp with a SWR Henry 8x8 cabinet, several David Eden cabinets (410XLT, 210T, 115XLT) and a few basses (Lakland 4-94, Wal 4-string, Tobias Classic 5.) I play mostly rock/heavy rock with this amp. It's not noisy and since it's solid state it's very consistent with how it sounds. The amp does a decent job of overdrive considering that there are no tubes, but an outboard pedal would do better for distortion (something like a Fulltone Bassdrive would do the trick.) The real downfall of this amp (to me) is the excessive amount of low mids that seem to be present, especially around 300-500hz. It seems a bit middy and boomy and it's hard to tame, especially if your guitar player is already monopolizing the low mids. VERY IMPORATANT NOTE: if you have an Ampeg B2R, THIS AMP WILL NOT SOUND LIKE A B2R ONLY LOUDER. This is why I bought the amp and it disappointed me in that catagory... I spent a whole practice working with the band to get the best sound I could with this amp, and as a final "test" i busted out my B2R at the end of practice... we all agreed hands down that the B2R beat the snot out of the B4R. Go figure.

The Mute switch on the front panel doesn't work, but the footswitch will mute the amp. I find the fan inside the amp to be a bit loud, also. That said, the amp still works.

I called for a service center and was given a phone number to a center that has been closed since Hurricane Katrina (it's been 10 months.) When I've called for technical questions, I got the "annoyed" attitude and a short and terse answer. I was also told that they have a new policy that even if the manufacture date indicates the amp would be under warranty, they will not work on it without proof of purchase. That's kinda weak, in the past they'd just take care of you.

I've been playing for about 14 years. I've owned Ampeg, SWR, Eden, and GK. If this amp were to be lost or stolen, I'd replace it with something else. It's a nice amp, but the Ampeg B2R I've had for years puts it to shame even though it's got less features and a very similar preamp (and costs a lot less.) Again, let me reiterate this for anyone who likes their B2R and thinks the B4R is a higher wattage version: Ampeg stated to me that the B4R was designed by completely different engineers and is not intended to sound the same. The B4R has substantially more "ugly" low mids than the B2R.

This is a highly effective and versatile bass amp.I am shocked that this head is solid-state,sounds very warm and tubelike.The options and features are actually intimidating at first.Graphic eq,tube-texture,bi-amp crossover...and enough raw power to shake foundations.
Many useful tones.

This is a great sounding bass head.It has much "classic character" like the SVTs and is also capable of more modern sounds as well.It is clean and bright but can also be over driven like a tube amp.The power of this head is in a word---BRUTAL! I highly recommend using a pair of 4 ohm cabs for maximum wattage.This amp loves my passive FENDER 4 strings AND my active TOBIAS 5 string Growler.

I have only had this amp for a few months but I have total faith in AMPEG/SLM products.This is not my first AMPEG,..just the best.

I have yet to have any problems with this or any other AMPEGs but I have contacted them a few times before for support and advice(speaker compliment,specs..etc) and they are fast and friendly.Also,they have an 800 number which I like.

This is a tremendous value.Probably the best solid-state bass head out there.I have been playing bass since the mid-80's and this is by far my fav pro amp.

This is my first bass head, and I couldn't be more satisfied. More power than I'll probably ever need, and so much tonal control that it's not even funny. With a 9-band graphic EQ, Texture (Tube-emulation) feature and 5-way Style knob, if there's a sound that you're looking for, this thing can do it. A few built-in effects would have a plus, but i'm not complaining. This head can be used in a biamp mode, too.

Thios head has so much tonal control that it's not even funny. With a 9-band graphic EQ, Texture (Tube-emulation) feature and 5-way Style knob, if there's a sound that you're looking for, this thing can do it.I like a warm, low, jazzy, 70's style tone, with not a lot of of mid or bark, and the B-4R does it wondefully, and I'm still able to dial in enough treble and high-end to be able to slap and pop like mad.

I've only had it for a few days, but I can tell that this thing is going to last for a while. So far my band still plays in my garage, but i'm confident that this head will be perfect for almost any gig. Also, while buying, the guy selling it to me couldn't say enough good things about it.

I never had any problems with it so far, but I have had some questions before about other amps, and they were incredibly helpful and quick in getting back to me.

For a head with this much power and such a broad array of features, the B-4R is a very wise buy.

Being a bassist for a long time, I'm very pleased with the features on this amp. The Graphic EQ has my most favorite frequencies for slight boost, and my least favorite for cutting (sweeeet). I've never used the 5 point tone shift knob. The manual is a recommended read so know how to use the knob in context (not to mention th eother features!!!).

I play various styles professionally and this head mixed with my Eden 212XLT & 215XL are a deadly combo. Upright sounds killer!!! But I've run it though numerous Cabinets and the Mesa 8x10 sounded best, and loudest with 1000 watts of juice. Not that I'm biased but I liked the Sound slightly better the Mesa M-Pulse 600 I compared it to. Always has done me well in the studio, except when the transistors get hot. The heat activated fan slowly gets faster and louder, and I have to keep the cab well seperated.

OK I admit, I dropped it a few times when the tiny wheels of my Cab got caught in the cracks of the pavement, and bent the front a tiny tiny bit, it's heavy so it fell hard. The thing's a rock, no problems with it yet, and I've owned since DEC 2001. It gets some heavy use.

Never had to call them.

I play heavy music, I play light music. I bought this with my rock band in mind, but it has never disappointed me with every bass (including upright) I've plugged into it. It's got that punch/warm Ampeg tone. Tends to be brighter than a Gallien Kruger, Trace Elliot, or SWR. Very accurate EQ. I may never sell it! Plus may I recommend a compressor and distortion pedal through the BLENDABLE effects loop?!?! Nice Tone!!!!

1350watts peak, 1000watts coninouse bridged mono!! Solid State Pre and mosfet solid state power amp(s). Can Be Run in Mono, Sterio, bi-amped! Effect Loops, 7 band graffic EQ, Style Selector, Gain, Mid knob, treble, bass knob, Varible Limiter, You can even turn off the EQ, Tuner OUt put, Varilbe Fan, This Thing Has More Fecture that I can list and in Loaded Up the Ass With Power!!

Any sound you want...With my Ibanez EDB-605 I can get from a Freidly Korn sound by droping my tuning, cutting the mid's and jacking up the treble, and adding some Gain...or Twicking it out to get a les claypool sound. Jack up the gain and turn on the Tube Emulation Circut switch and get a awsome grinding Distrotion. I play through 4 15in speaker and the sound is only a little past half way and I can wake up the naborhood for 4 blocks!!!I know this buy having 4 cops comming to my house!!

If you house has shitty electrical stuff installed you will throw the amp braker a lot!! Other than that Its the shit

6 year warenty...My amp was factory refurbished

Best Amp I have ever Used