Compared to my ultra-compact Gallien Kreuger 12” combo, the Ampeg seems bulky, but its comfortable handle and relatively light weight (48 lbs) make it an easy one-hand load. The fixed cord is a bit of a hassle; it doesn’t easily stash in the back. A small trough or some cable wrapping posts would be a big help.

The top control panel on the B-50R is simple and elegant. The large “chicken head” knobs are easy to tweak, and the controls are few. There’s no input pads, mid-sweeps, master volumes or other clutter like that; just Volume, Bass, Lo Mid, Hi Mid, Treble, and of course, the On/Off switch. It’s intuitive and effective; non-technophiles will love it. For chaining up additional amps or running a line to a PA, I’m glad to see the Line Out 1/4” jack, tucked away on the back.

So far so good, but this amp’s real forte is the tone. Warm, rich and bold, it’s just the thing for bass. At realistic playing volumes, the Ampeg has a much stronger low end than the smaller Gallien Kreuger (apparently size does matter). The highs are also surprisingly potent, given the lack of a tweeter. Using my P-bass onstage with brushed drums and an amplified acoustic guitar, the Ampeg easily held its own. That’s pretty impressive for 50 solid state watts!

The B-50R is not transparent like many modern bass amps try to be; it has it’s own distinct sound. While this seems to agree very well with an electric bass in rock and blues settings, I found that some important nuances were missing with my upright bass. The Ampeg gets you heard in a Jazz setting, but not with the gourmet, flavorful character I’m used to getting from my hi-fi rig. On the other hand, I never did like that rig for electric bass. So for settings where too much refinement is a liability, the Ampeg is much more at home.

The Ampeg B-50R doesn’t do everything, but it’s undeniably a very cool box. For the discriminating beginner, it’s affordable, simple to operate and provides enough volume for jamming and light gigs. Unlike most budget amps, this one sounds so good, you might never outgrow it.

Construction	95%
(Solid and very pretty.)
Clarity	95%
(Surprisingly good highs for a no-tweeter design)
Volume	100%
(Really great for it's size and wattage.)
Portability	95%
(A great overall package!)
Value	100%
(Great value!)
Overall	100%
(Nice going!)