Ampeg Bass Amp Question

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

A buddy of mine, we'll call him "Sherman," is looking at these two amps:

Amp One
Amp Two

The main difference, as you can see from the specs, is that Amp Two features channel switching. Ampeg says Amp One is 300 watts, while Amp Two is 600 watts. Does Amp Two have 300 watts per channel? Is that why they're calling it a 600-watt amp, or what?

Answer me, dammit!!! (please)

- Keith

 

[timorousme]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

Once it gets to the point of 300 watts, does it really matter? You're going to go deaf from the thing anyways.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

Once it gets to the point of 300 watts, does it really matter? You're going to go deaf from the thing anyways.

Three-hundred watts of electric bass is different from 300 watts of electric guitar. Bass amps tend to be higher on the power scale.

- Keith

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

The power rating reflects the size of the output stage; so the 600 watt amp is twice as powerful as the 300 watt amp. (Like how I used my 5 years of engineering degree to figure that out?)

The channel switching is a preamp function - it apparently selects the voicing of the preamp between vintage and modern. No matter which voicing you use, it's still a 600-watt amp.

I don't think a 600-watt solid-state bass amp is really overkill. Bass needs more power to start with, and when it's solid-state, it needs to be bigger still to keep the power stage away from clipping. Also, those amps have two speakers (woofer and tweeter) there must be a crossover in there somewhere, and that will burn up some of the wattage.

Speaking of woofers, does your friend have a dog named Mr. Peabody?

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

Duh! I totally spaced on the fact that the channel switching was only at the pre-amp stage. Again: Duh!

Thanks again, Rich -- and yes, this Sherman fellow does indeed have a dog named Mr. Peabody. Care to take a ride in the Way-Back Machine?

- Keith

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

600w is a good amount of power for a bass rig- however, probably too much for a single 15" speaker.

Although I haven't been speccing out speakers for a long time, I don't recall seeing a 15 that could handle more than 400w.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

Yeah, but it's not getting 600 watts. A lot of power is getting thrown out in the crossover, and the remainder is split between the tweeter and the 15. I doubt that 15 is seeing even 300 watts.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

I doubt "Sherman" would be using the full power anyway. He's really more interested in the channel switching feature.

- Keith

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Ampeg Bass Amp Question

I doubt "Sherman" would be using the full power anyway. He's really more interested in the channel switching feature.

- Keith

I am guessing "Sherman" would also like the added head room of 600 watts, which really has an impact on bass.