Reviewer Donko
Manufacturer Ampeg
Model B-3
Price ~$770 Can$

Dimensions About half the size of a fridge
Wattage 150 watts
Speaker(s) One 15
EQ 3-band parametric, footswitchable 9-band graphic
Effects Effects loop, overdrive
Controls Gain, drive, EQ's, master volume, -15db pad switch
Other Pre/post EQ XLR out, limiter and peak LEDs
I have now had this amp for about a year and a half, and it still kicks ass! This amp has a lot of power and can easily dominate nearly all mixes. It is most suitable for small gigs but I am not sure if it would project enough for a really big place. The most impressive thing about the B3 is its tonal variety. With two EQ's and the DRIVE knob, you have a lot of choices at your fingertips. The function of the EQ's comes down to personal preference but there is enough here even for studio junkies to tinker with. So far as the DRIVE knob goes, even with it all the way down the sound has plenty of clarity and punch; boost it all the way with GAIN and you've got a sound that seems to me to be more like a modern fuzz box, even though the manual says "blah blah tube overdrive." As far as volume goes, it's an Ampeg, isn't it? No problems here, but you have to turn up to the twelve o' clock mark or so to blow people's heads off, and this may cause the unit to peak. The sound is full and very bottomy, with growly mids, yet for a 15 has a surprising amount of punch to it. I like. Now I get to complain about something. This amp is heavy! All others in this power range are similar, if not worse, but that doesn't change the fact. Ampeg, at least, grew brains and put two side handles as opposed to one top handle; this makes transporting this lug much easier. The construction is sound, but the control knobs all feel loose. Also, I feel that Ampeg might have provided a 1/4" speaker-out jack as well as an XLR. The pad switch is useless to me as well. On the whole, I think that this is a great amp; with gear like this, finding that good ol' killer tone just gets that much easier. Ampeg just squashes the competition in this price range. Nothing else to say; if you need an amp for $1000 or less, buy it.

Construction 97%
Loudness 91%
Clarity 98%
Tone 100%
Size/Bulkiness 85%
Value 100%
Overall 96%
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