Product: Ampeg BA-112
Price Paid: US $279
Submitted
06/15/2000
at
02:32pm
by
Anonymous
Features
:
9
Made in 1999. Versatile as all get out. Style selector pretty well sets you up with any sound you'd ever want. I do wish it had an effects loop cuz I use a Tech 21 Bass Driver that I like to just put in the return of the loop. Oh well. Headphone jack, yes, but I haven't used it. The CD In is a neat option for practicing along with a cd. I also wish it had an XLR out, but then again, it's not really a gigging amp except for very small venues. It is all solid state but you'd never know it. I guarantee I could blindfold any number of professionals and switch off between this and a tube amp and they'd never be able to tell the difference. Never. As I said, not really enough power for anything but small gigs, but if you can keep it in front of you and the drummer you might be Ok for stage volume.
Sound Quality
:
10
Sounds awesome. I use a cheap Lyon (by Washburn) normally with just the humbucker on, and a Hamer Cruise (now there's a bass). It has almost no noise whatsoever. It can make any sound you want except distortion (you can't MAKE it distort!). From warm, deep tones, to nasally fretless Jaco tones, it does it all, and very well. My thought is that this should be THE studio recording amp now.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
I've had it a year - no problems. It's an Ampeg. And yes, don't confuse or associate it with Crate. Their bass amps really do suck!
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never had to deal with them.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing about 2 years. If it were stolen or lost, I would probably get the larger 100-watt BA-115 (it's big brother) so I could gig with it better. This little guy has a lot of volume, don't get me wrong, but no one should plan on gigging with a 50-watter.
I love it's great sound and it's ease of use.
I compared it to the Hartke Kickback 12, both good, I just liked the sound of this one better, and knew the Ampeg name to be more reliable and didn't want to pay another $200 or so. Also compared it to the famous SWR Workingman's 12. I just don't get what's so great about that amp. Doesn't seem to have the range of tones and volume that it should have at the price. Maybe it's just me. Though I have gigged with some SWR head/cabinets that absolutely rock.
This is the best combo/practice/recording amp you can buy.
