Ampeg BA-112

Facts: 50 watt, 1-12" speaker, 5 preset eq switch, bass, mids, treble, volume. 0db, -15db, and RCA inputs. Unbalanced line out, headphone out. Limiter. Tilt-back cabinet. 39lbs.

Opinions: Plenty of volume for practice and probably for many gigs as well. I would love to see a version with 100 watts and an XLR out without having to go up in size and weight to a BA-115. Also, for me, the amp would be better equipped to eliminate the RCA inputs in favor of an XLR out -- this would probably balance out cost-wise and would make the amp more professional.

For it's size and weight, it sounds very good. It's quite versatile and the 5 presets make it a breeze to dial in a tone you are looking for. I compared it to the GK backline 10" & 12" models (which couldn't handle low-end very well and had a completely useless "gain" channel), Hartke A35 (This amp was very impressive and I almost bought it).

Additionally, I own a Carvin PB100-10 which is 100 watts with a 10" speaker and weights in at 36lbs. The Carvin sounds really good too, but needs to be repaired.

Anyway, back to the BA-112... Really a good sounding amp with good output and low-end handling. Don't let the 50 watts bother you -- a 100 watt amp is really only 3db louder -- significant but not huge...

I have never owned an ampeg product before, but there reputation seems to be impeccable... I expect this amp to last, but one never really knows...

I've never dealt with them directly and have no clue as to how they would be...

To sum things up, I had almost certainly decided on a Hartke A35 for a practice amp and I stumbled across this brand new BA-112 at Guitar Center for $199 -- same exact price as the Hartke. The Ampeg usually sells for $350+, so I couldn't pass it by.

That being said, while the Hartke sounds better and handles low-end better than the GK backline 10" or 12" models, the Ampeg is a step up into another class -- beyond a practice amp into the realm of amps that could be used for performance... For the same $199, it was an easy choice and if you come across the same deal, I urge you to not pass it up. For $199, there is nothing I am aware of that is even close.

2002
yes, christian contemporary, hip hop/dance beats, rap beats
2, no, no , yes
gain level, mute switch with tuner and or effect out, tweeter
, practice, studio
solid state, 5 way style switch

200 fender mexican precision bass, split coil humbucker
very warm mellow sound
slight hiss from treble (common on all amps)
very versatile, can pretty much do it all
slight distortion when maxed, built in limiter controls it well
not brutal at all, i prefer a litle growl, but would prefer it with a gain level rather than maxing the volumes

this cube is a motherfucking tank, if i dropped it from a building, id 1.)probably kill somebody 2.)break the sidewalk and it would still play

3 year warranty, never had any trouble

This amp was made in 2001, love the style selector switch it saves me a ton of time in eq'ing. also the RCA conectors are a big plus for hooking up a cd player, and the tilt back feature is also very nice. In my humble opinion by far the best practice amp for the money.
It has also been awesome for playing gig's with my jazz quartet its awesome for small venues and playing with lots of acoustic instruments.
For my Rock/Funk/R&B gigs I do have a big rig with plenty of power, but this amp rock for monitoring during those times.

I play a Fender P bass with Bassline pick ups and also use a Jazz bass with stock pick ups. both basses sound great through it in any style, I only use it for small jazz gigs and its perfect in that setting, but when i practice with it at home I have found it to be very versatile in every single style I play

this is one solid little amp, I've had it for about a year and a half and have had no problems with it, have used it several times without a back up. I do baby my equipment though and knowing Ampeg I'm sure my great, great grand kids will play through it.

Never had to deal with them.

I've been playing for over 15 years, I play out a lot in many diferent styles, primaraly Jazz/Funk/Motown/Blues/Latin.
For the big room gigs I have an SWR Workingman 4004 with a 2x10 and 1x15 Avatar cabinets, i like to use this little amp for monitoring.
I would defenely buy it again if it were lost or stolen, it's perfect for around the house and small gigs. great sound and built to last.
I bought this Ampeg because my 1970's B-15 portaflex got too heavy to carry around and I like to keep it in the studio for recordig, (sweetest tube amp ever)

The other reviews have listed the specs. I use this for most gigs, unless I really want to show off with my TubeWorks 7200-15. My wife bought this for me after my heart surgery because it was lighter. I haven't needed it, but I agree a line out for recording would probably beat the RCA jacks.

I play jazz on a Washburn 4-string fretted and a Carvin 5-string fretless, both with Thomastick Jazz flat-wounds. I haven't noticed distortion, but I don't push it past "4" (out of 11? LOL)

I don't even think twice about throwing this in the car & taking off. It's an Ampeg, guys!

Never needed it.

I've been playing bass for almost 40 years (scary), electric for almost that long. I play duo up to dance band on this amp. I have to watch that I don't overpower the band. But I can balance a jazz guitar, w/ or w/o drums. I would probably buy it again, even though everybody and his brother makes a combo.

Bought new late in 1998, perhaps the first year of this model. I needed a small, inexpensive clean amp for a one-time solo piano gig at a place where my existing keyboard rig definitely wouldn't fit. I initially tried out some 40- and 60-watt guitar amps and even some made-for-keyboard combo amps, but they were all weak compared to this. The only features I needed were the small footprint, one input (from a choice of padded or unpadded), versatile EQ and a completely clean, sound at all volume points. The headphone out and CD-in jacks didn't matter to me when I bought it, but I'm glad to have them now rather than reverb or any other effects a guitar amp might've had. I pretty much defeat the 5-position Style switch by leaving it at 3 (flat, no boost/cut) but I credit Ampeg's thinking with respect to those who use the amp for electric bass.

This amp is whisper-quiet, punchy and terrifically clean. Yeah, it's tailored for bass guitar but we keyboardists have been jonesin' on bass amps for years because guitar amps overcolor your keyboard's tone and a PA-system setup usually sterilizes them. Nothing beats a good compact bass amp for a small setup, if you can find one with enough power. This amp's 50 watts is cutting it close, but with a fairly flat EQ, there's no noticeable distortion at full volume and that's plenty loud anywhere I'd be using this amp instead of my regular setup.

It hasn't seen much use since I bought it, but it's been perfect so far and I am completely confident in Ampeg's inherent quality. I played guitar in bands for many years using an Ampeg V4 head that stood up to incredible demands without flinching. I suppose most of the original American amp-building techniques have given way to outsourcing and modern assembly methods, but Ampeg has a big name to uphold, so I'll trust this amp to be at least as dependable as any other new amp out there.

It's now out of warranty and I've never dealt with the company. Again, the Ampeg reputation implies they would be easily accessible if I needed their services. But I can't weigh in on this category.

I played guitar and keyboard professionally for 7 years, then keyboards alone for another 15. Yep, I'm old, and old enough to have used plenty of gear, good and bad, for both long and short periods of time, respectively. For the record, I bought this amp to be used with an Alesis QS8 keyboard, set to one piano patch, for one night. What else that keyboard does and what else I own didn't figure into my decision to get this amp, so I'll leave it at that. The amp come through beautifully that night - I even had to run a mic through it for a few announcements during a break. Since then I've used it just a few times with my hollow-body Gretsch Double Anniversary (with a pedalboard) as well as my other keyboards, whenever using a small amp made sense. But honestly, I wish I had more reason to use it - it's a real winner of an amp for just about anything you can plug into it. I would certainly buy it again, though it seems every month a new made-for-keyboard combo amp is released so eventually one of them really *should* work for keyboards better than this bass amp. At this price point and small size I won't wish for it to be anything more than what it is, a very professional, straightforward and dependable workhorse amp for small gigs or rehearsal.

I don't remember when I bought it (I'm the only owner).. It's a solid state 50 watt amp with a single 12 inch speaker. It has a 3 band EQ, 5 way Db selector switch (actually great for changing up sound) but otherwise pretty basic.
This is my practice amp. And as far as practice amps go, Ampeg probably makes the best. For it's size and power, it is actually pretty loud. Its been used as my amp in small (really small) clubs.

Not going to bore you with a bunch of info, just know that it is a great, clean little amp. I've always liked the sound to practice.

This amp was dropped 5 feet. Still sounded great that night. Down the stairs, still worked. Had a drunk person jump up and down on it... can you say tank. I think I could throw this out an airplane, and besided the obvious cosmetic damage, I could power it right up.

don't know, never tried

For a practice amp.. a 10, for anything else... well, lets just say this shouldn't be used for anything else (unless you are playing somewhere where you bass rig just won't fit or would blow out all the windows in the place.

Its incredably easy to set the tone because of its 5-way style selector a little dream to any beginner and perfect for practicing with the big dogs

I play with a 1980s fender precission and a kramer barrretta 522s/p-bass both come through amazingly a tiny bit of dist afer you crank it and dig in

Never broke or malfunctioned i would definately take it without a backup

Never talked to customer support

Ive been playing for quite some time 5-6 years considering im 15 but i know quality when I see it id be nice to have a dist cont on it It sound great from incubus to metallica and more A bargain for such an amazing little pig

Quite a versatile little combo. The style selector switch brings up a wide variety of great tones without tweaking. The standard tone shaping controls are there as well to dial in the precise sounds you want.
I found the rca inputs very useful for plugging my 4-track into for recording and playback. The sound quality is excellent, though volume must be controlled from the external unit. The cabinet design seems to be highly efficient- produces a lot of sound and depth for only 50 watts.

I use this amp with a steinberger XLII, a fender bass vi reissue and a fender jazz deluxe. It was able to produce deep lows, throaty mids and clear highs with each instrument. I also plug in a MXR di+ that can drive the hell out of it. The little amp really puts out. I have used it for gigging with a symphony orchestra and stage band for a variety show, and it performs like a champ. I actually tried the next model up, a BA 115 and preferred the sound of the twelve. The only limitation is that it probably is not enough sound for a rock gig where lots of volume is required. A pair of these amps would be easy to move and able to handle most gigs unless you're playing in a coliseum or outdoors without a PA.

My BA-112 has been super reliable. I have owned other ampegs, and I have never had one break down.

Never had to use customer support.

I have been playing about 33 years- I own two Nemesis combos with 2x12's each (love the sound of 12's for bass), a Trace Elliot 350SMX head and a Sunn Coliseum cab, a Hartke 2x10. My only complaint with Ampegs over all the years I have played is they are so damn heavy (ever had to move a SVT head and cab around?) The BA-112 is light and highly efficient. I think the folks at ampeg really know what they are doing with bass gear. I wish they would produce a 2x12 combo or a 4x12 cab for bass. The speaker cover is held on by a velcro-type attachment, and it kept falling off leaving the 12 completely exposed so I had to tape it on. I don't know if that is a defect, but I wish it had a little more secure grill attachment.

As noted, ad nauseum, basic practice amp, 50 watts, 2 inputs (1 padded), 3-band tone controls with a 5-way selector switch, line and headphone outs, CD input. Tilt-back cab is a real bonus to those of us who like to use our amps as stage monitors (this was, in fact, my primary reason for buying this unit). The CD input and headphone jacks very well could save my marriage!! This would be the Holy Grail if it only had a balanced (XLR) output and extension speaker output. I will never understand why ALL amps don't have an XLR output and extension speaker output. If Rogue can offer these at their low prices, it can't be a cost issue.

I've been using an SWR Workingman's 12 in this application (I also have a Peavey Mk VIII head with 2x15" cabs for big venues)(my basses are a Warwick Corvette Jazzman, a Warwick Streamer Standard, and a Fender acoustic bass) . I'm getting MUCH better tone from the Ampeg. I know everyone likes the SWR, but I've never been able to get a great tone out of it. Of course the Ampeg doesn't have the same volume levels, but it's a good trade off under the circumstances (I "line-out" to the PA for gigs). Very versatile, plenty of tones for any style. The mids are a million times better than the SWR's. To keep from getting a horrible nasally "honk", I would have to completely scoop the SWR's midrange. With the Ampeg, I can turn the mids nearly all the way up and still have good tone.

So far, so good. There is a reason most of us end up buying solid state amps, even if we espouse the benifits of tubes. Like it or not, we're musicians, and musicians are inherently a bit lazy and apt to beat up our equipment. This amp can take it. A HUGE thumbs-up to Ampeg for including a power cord storage slot and velcro hold down. I can't count all of the times I've cussed other amp makers due to protruding or dangling power cords (another problem with my SWR).

This is my second piece from Ampeg, and I've always had good luck with SLM. Good websites, good customer service.

At $140 this was a stinkin' steal!! If I had to pay full price ($349) I'd look at a couple of other options (probably the BA-115 for another $100). Since I'm in Texas, I could surely get away with shooting the miserable &*%$#$%^*& that steals it (and would probably do so). I'd highly recommend this amp to anyone looking for a practice or small stage amp. There's a reason why Ampeg has been the choice of pros for 40 years. The stuff just sounds good!

I got this amp used, so I'm not certain what year it was made. Probably 2000. Tilt-back cabinet is a nice feature. It has 50 solid state watts, 12 inch speaker, 5 way style switch, and the usual volume and tone controls.

I use this with a Fender MIM Jazz. Mainly as practice, but I've used it live with the line out DI'ed and it works very well. My styles are jazz and classic rock/bluesy rock. The Ampeg tone is what bass is all about for these styles. And this little combo delivers. It's not enough to hold it's own in a live setting - it needs PA support. But it works perfectly as a practice amp and it does a good job for recording, too.

Based on how other Ampegs have served me, I'd say it's probably bulletproof. I've only had this for 6 months, no problems so far.

I've never needed to contact Ampeg on this amp or any other that I've owned.

This is a very good amp for its intended purpose. It serves well as a practice combo, studio amp, or live performances in small venues with PA support. I have an Ampeg B2 combo for larger venues. In my playing career, I've been convinced that Ampegs are the standard in bass amplification.