Ampeg BA-220SP 210 Combo

I bought this amp used for under $600.00. This thing was like new when I got it, and I saved about $200.00 over new. Since I am cheap, I checked this thing out at the mucic store first, and liked it... I just could not justify the price tag. The amp is a '03 model, and is very versitle... sound, style, head phone jack, fx (15 in all), and 220 watts of output. It is mounted on four casters, with handles on the side and is very easy to move around. Ampeg says it weighs 86 lbs, and this seems about right. This is what I like: The Ampeg name (I have used these estensively 25 years ago from gospal to heavy metal and they were great). The volume from the 'oldies' (I used an old B25 (loaded with 2 x JBL 15" drivers) and powered by 100 W Marshall and Fender heads, and this thing would rock the block. This is what I don't like about the BA-220SP: 1. It is just barely loud enough for a practice session after the tone controls are set for that 'punchy' SVT sound. It will not cut it for a gig, and this disapoints me to no end. In my mind this does not live up to the Ampeg name and I am putting this up for sale as it will not rock my world. 2. The hiss is almost unacceptable, and I am easy to please. I think this would turn a lot of players off. I could over look this if it 'raised the roof', but it does'nt. 3. I don't like the fx. Some just don't work (like the octivider), and some are so similar I don't theink they should be considered as different (chorus vs. flange for example).

Well, I kind of addressed this above. In the music store the sounds turned me on with the 5 different styles, and the 3 EQ (tone) knobs. I mean it rocked. Unfortunatley, at home and in the practice session, it sucked. After setting the EQ to the proper sound, the volume was more like a 25W amp, not a 200W amp. No distortion is noted however.

I have not dealt with the factory as of yet. I don't think I will as I don't think there is anything wrong with the beast per se, I just don't think that it gets the job done. I will spend my efforts looking for my first love: an SVT, which I know will get the job done.

I own a Fender P bass which sounds great, and a reproduction Rickenbacker 4000 bass which plays great but just does not have the punch of the Fender. Like I said, I have this sucker for sale and am looking for an SVT (hard on the back but easy on the ears), so I would not be sorry if this thing were stolen, other than it is very easy to move around and sound great at 70 db or less.

My Opionion: Not worthy of the Ampeg badge.