Ampeg VL 502

[Fonzie]

Was looking into what Tom Delonge used in the early days of Blink (big fan), and I found that he indeed used the Ampeg in the Cheshire Cat era. Anyhow, can anyone offer me some opinions on the amp if you've played it? Reliability, sound, maintenence, etc.. Thanks alot dudes.

 

[devastone]

Re: Ampeg VL 502

I haven't used one, but I think Paul Gilbert did back in the day. They were designed by Lee Jackson.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Ampeg VL 502

That's funny that DeLonge used them. I always think of them as 90s death metal amps.

They're basically Lee Jackson modded JCM800s with tons of gain. Legit amps that aren't hip or trendy so you can still buy them pretty cheap.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Ampeg VL 502

That's funny that DeLonge used them. I always think of them as 90s death metal amps.

They're basically Lee Jackson modded JCM800s with tons of gain. Legit amps that aren't hip or trendy so you can still buy them pretty cheap.

+1

I'm not sure about reliability, but Empty Pockets nailed it in terms of tones.

 

[formula73]

Re: Ampeg VL 502

More or less the same as a Metaltronix but with a few problematic Molex connectors (same issue as first run Bugeras) because Ampeg cheaped out.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Ampeg VL 502

I was really excited by those VL series Ampegs when they first came out, but when I tried one out in a store my enthusiasm dimmed. Besides not being able to get a good lead sound out of it (maybe needed to be cranked more than was possible in the store), there were issues with the construction, for example the amp in the store was pretty new but already the knobs were coming loose and were wobbly. I think maybe they were a good design by Lee Jackson that didn't get the quality treatment in manufacturing by Ampeg. I passed on them after that.
Al

 

[Fonzie]

Re: Ampeg VL 502

Hey thanks for all of the replies so far guys, really appreciate it- reading every one!