| Reviewer
| James Fitzgerald
|
| Experience
| 6
|
| Email
| basssopotamus76@yahoo.com
|
| Review date
| August 11 2003
|
| Manufacturer
| Ampeg
|
| Model
| BA-210SP
|
| Price
| $669.00
|
| Item owned for
| Less than 1 month
|
| |
|
| Dimensions
| 21 x 21 x 15.5
|
| Weight
| 76 lbs
|
| Power
| 220 Watts
|
| EQ
| parametric 3 band
|
| Speakers
| 2 X 10", piezo tweeter
|
| Other
|
|
| |
|
I just got this amp a little over week ago, but Ive already gotten a good
feel for it as I used it at a gig and have practiced with it almost every
day. I bought it because I needed a powerful amp that could handle rooms
and small bars, and I was sick of running my jazz through the PA... This
is the largest amp I have ever owned, so I was at first impressed with the
210s ability to make the walls and windows in the practice room shake and
rattle (this was a little childish, but fun nonetheless!)
There seem to be a wide range of sounds and tones this amp can put out
with the right tweaking. Personally, I hate tweaking (I would rather git
playin), and fortunately this amp seems to cater to both tweakers and
non-tweakers alike. One thing I have noticed is, the 'low' is quick to
overpower if you turn it up, even over '5'. So I keep it under five to
maintain a somewhat even sound. The pre-set 'style' switch hasnt seen
much use from me, other that the middle 'flat' option. But recently I
have begun to experiment with both the '4' and '5' options, and they are
pretty nice. This amp seems to be pretty versatile.
The effects are an interesting addition to the BA line (I previously owned
the BA-112). The controls seem adequate to blend the sounds together, and
the foot switch is a useful tool for switching around four programmed
effects. Unfortunately, there is no mixing of effects together (to my
knowledge). But the effects themselves arent all that bad. Oy course,
they are all digital and run through the same processor, so all you analog
freaks out there might scoff. Personally, I dont use them much, save for
the SVT modeler and the chorus, but this is only because my bands sound
doesnt really need effects. The 'square wave' (#15) effect is somewhat
bizarre and if you arent careful with the levels it can be really loud and
ugly, and possibly blow out the speakers.
This amp is really solid, weighing in at 86 lbs. Note: the website says
its 76 lbs, and the manual says its 86 lbs. In any case, this thing is
pretty heavy and requires two people to carry it safely. Personally, I
dig heavy, solid things because to me that's a mark of quality. Im sure
this thing could survive some pretty brutal treatment...
All in all, Im satisfied with the BA-210SP. Its the most powerful Ampeg
Combo bassamp (BA series), and it definately delivers the classic ampeg
sound that we all dig so much. Im pretty sure this amp will last a very,
very long time, and I doubt I will need to upgrade any time soon. At
least until we start playing stadiums ;).
peace
| Construction
| 100% | 
|
| (damned heavy!)
|
| Clarity
| 98% |
|
| (still looking for that perfect 10. until then, this will do nicely)
|
| Versatility
| 95% |
|
| (exceptional
| 0% | |
| Volume
| 100% |
|
| (a very loud 220 Watts)
|
| Portability
| 75% |
|
| (again, damned heavy!)
|
| Value
| 95% |
|
| (exceptional)
|
| Overall
| 95% |
|
| (a very nice, solid, loud amp)
|
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