Ampeg Guitar Tube Amp from the 80s

[UnderTheFlame83]

I been looking online to find an 80s Ampeg amp that I used to own. I don't remember the model. But it was a 2×10 tube combo with 3 channels with reverb and chorus. It was one of the best amps I have ever played through. The reverb and chorus was very good. I sold the amp 20 years ago, and have never seen another one like it since anywhere. Anyone know the model?

 

[jeremy]

there was an ss70c but i dont think it had three channels

 

[richard parker]

there was an ss70c but i dont think it had three channels

Didn't the S/S stand for solid-state?

This maybe:

https://reverb.com/item/3116232-ampeg-ss-140c-stereo-chorus-2x12-combo-guitar-amp

 

[Mincer]

I used to have an SS150H half stack. It was indeed, solid state. It had 2 sounds...dead clean or really scooped and heavy.

 

[ICTGoober]

The tone controls on an AMPEG really work.

 

[beaubrummels]

The only 3-channel tube Ampegs I can find are the VT60 and the VT120, but they only have reverb, no chorus, and are only 1x12.

As far as 2x10 tube-based with effects, the Gemini G20 is only two channel but has Vibrato/Tremolo and Echo and is 2x10. But they are from the early 70's.

In fact, I'm not seeing any tube Ampegs with Chorus, but there is a solid-state model that seems to be a riff on the Roland Jazz Chorus, but it's not 3 channels.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Didn't the S/S stand for solid-state?

This maybe:

https://reverb.com/item/3116232-ampeg-ss-140c-stereo-chorus-2x12-combo-guitar-amp

No, it wasn't that one. Close to the amp I am talking about, but knobs were black and amp didn't have any blue, or casters. That one is 2×12 without the single tube, also.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

The only 3-channel tube Ampegs I can find are the VT60 and the VT120, but they only have reverb, no chorus, and are only 1x12.

As far as 2x10 tube-based with effects, the Gemini G20 is only two channel but has Vibrato/Tremolo and Echo and is 2x10. But they are from the early 70's.

In fact, I'm not seeing any tube Ampegs with Chorus, but there is a solid-state model that seems to be a riff on the Roland Jazz Chorus, but it's not 3 channels.

Yeah, I wish I had taken pictures back then of the amp... or better yet, never sold it.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

The tone controls on an AMPEG really work.

Oh yeah I remember how well the tone controls worked... It's been so long I don't remember all the controls on the back and front, but I clearly remember the tone knob, reverb, and chorus. Distortion and crunch channels was very tasty, too.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Back in the 70s, the VT22 combos used to kick serious butt. Sort of middle ground between a Fender and a Marshall tonewise.
That was before master volumes - they were loud as heck and weighed a ton. But they sounded great.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Back in the 70s, the VT22 combos used to kick serious butt. Sort of middle ground between a Fender and a Marshall tonewise.
That was before master volumes - they were loud as heck and weighed a ton. But they sounded great.

The amp I am talking about was REALLY loud and weighed a ton. I remember me and a friend ran an extension cord out to a tent we were camping out in his backyard one summer. Remember bringing along my strat and him cranking up the amp. Couldn't hear much of anything that weekend after that, but it was fun times.

 

[ICTGoober]

The amp I am talking about was REALLY loud and weighed a ton.

Said anyone who ever owned an AMPEG. They never made crap.

 

[jeremy]

there was a 2x8 amp with reverb and chorus and a 12ax7 maybe there was a bigger version? i you wanna dig through all these, have at it

https://ampeg.com/support/files/Discontinued User Manuals/

 

[Ewizard]

I find it odd to have chorus built-in with a Tube amp? Not a very common thing especially in the '80s. The SS140c, VH140c is about all I can find.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I find it odd to have chorus built-in with a Tube amp? Not a very common thing especially in the '80s. The SS140c, VH140c is about all I can find.

Yeah it is uncommon. I may have to get in touch with Ampeg about this one. I scrolled through most the links above and still didn't find it...

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

there was a 2x8 amp with reverb and chorus and a 12ax7 maybe there was a bigger version? i you wanna dig through all these, have at it

https://ampeg.com/support/files/Discontinued User Manuals/

These are not showing up for me now.

 

[Edgecrusher]

I find it odd to have chorus built-in with a Tube amp? Not a very common thing especially in the '80s. The SS140c, VH140c is about all I can find.

Neither of those are tube amps. More likely the amp the OP is thinking of isnt a tube amp but possibly has a tube gain stage in the preamp.

side note unless it isnt obvious but in Ampeg nomenclature anything that ends in C has chorus.

I have a Ampeg VL503, its a monster its 3 channels all tube. But is 1x12 not 2x10 and there is no chorus.

 

[jeremy]

the ax44c was a 2x10 amp with a preamp tube, reverb and stereo chorus but was 2x8". dunno. ive never seen a real tube amp with chorus, only ss and hybrids

 

[Mincer]

The chorus in those Ampegs sounded great, but the ones I tried were all SS. The VT series was the only one with tubes, I think But I don't recall seeing any of those with chorus.

 

[Edgecrusher]

The chorus in those Ampegs sounded great, but the ones I tried were all SS. The VT series was the only one with tubes, I think But I don't recall seeing any of those with chorus.

The VH140C and its rebranded counterpart the Crate GX130C have been highly sought after in the metal world for a long time. Sadly in those circles the chorus is vastly underappreciated.