5 Iconic Ampeg Bass and Guitar Rigs (With Neural Amp Models and Impulse Response)
From the SVT to the B-15, discover the best Ampeg bass amps ever made. Explore their free Neural Amp Models on TONE3000.
For those of us who play bass, there’s a general consensus when it comes to amps: Ampeg is king. That said, Ampeg certainly isn’t the only game in town. Some players prefer the solid-state punch and reliability of a Gallien-Krueger. Others might dig something a little more boutique, like an Aguilar or an Omega. But every bassist knows that Ampeg is the standard by which all other bass amps are measured.
These five legendary Ampeg amps and cabinets represent some of the very best of the brand. Learn about these low-end legends and experience their tones with free Ampeg Neural Amp Model (NAM) captures and impulse responses on TONE3000.
1. Ampeg SVT
The Ampeg SVT is the undisputed heavyweight champion of bass amps. The 300-watt, all-tube SVT remains a symbol of raw power and authority. Its unmistakable tone—warm, fat, and just on the edge of breakup—has graced the rigs of icons as diverse as Geddy Lee, Bootsy Collins, and Peter Hook. While it’s been around for more than 50 years, the mighty Ampeg SVT remains the industry standard for live performance.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Ampeg SVT
The Ampeg SVT weighs 85 pounds. The Ampeg SVT NAM capture weighs much, much less.
2. Ampeg B-15 Portaflex “Flip Top”
If the SVT rules the stage, the B-15 rules the studio. Its flip-top cabinet and 25-watt tube circuit made it a favorite for soul, funk, and jazz recordings throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s. Bassists like James Jamerson (aka “God”) and Donald “Duck” Dunn made history through this amp, which remains one of the smoothest, warmest bass tones ever captured on recordings. The B-15 is the perfect amp if you’re looking for a natural, vintage tone that offers a bit less sustain—and maybe a bit more soul—than the SVT.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Ampeg B-15 Portaflex
The Ampeg B-15: good enough for James Jamerson, good enough for you
3. Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
The only venues where an Ampeg 4x10 cabinet isn’t going to be loud enough also host NFL games. So why is the 165-pound Ampeg 8x10 cabinet still being dragged up the stairs of tiny venues all over the world? Because it sounds incredible and it really, really pushes air. It's also the size of a refrigerator and pretty much impossible to practice quietly with. The Ampeg 8x10 cabinet impulse response solves both of those problems.
Download Impulse Response ➝ Ampeg 8x10 Cabinet
If you plan on playing an Ampeg 8x10, do not take an Uber to the gig.
4. Ampeg PF-50T
The Ampeg PF-50T is a low-key modern classic. Delivering 50 watts of tube power, it captures the creamy compression and warmth of vintage Ampegs in a pint-sized package that’s perfect for recording. Probably its most popular feature is that it features a direct balanced output taken right from the output transformer, letting you plug straight into your interface. But what players have really learned to love about it is the nasty bark you can get out of this amp. If you prefer thrash to soul, pair the Ampeg PF-50T NAM capture with the Ampeg 8x10 IR and prepare to make your ears bleed. (In a good way.)
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Ampeg PF-50T
5. Ampeg Reverberocket
Ampeg owns bass amplification, but they’ve got a few minor classics for guitarists, too. Enter the Reverberocket—a quirky little guitar amp that Ampeg built for a few years in the 1960’s. With only 18-watts and a single 12″ speaker, this isn’t exactly a powerhouse. But it does have an absolutely gorgeous onboard reverb. In fact, this is possibly the very first amp ever to do so. Coupled with its’ sort of primitive-sounding tremolo, it’s for players who want some swirly tones from the earliest days of rocknroll. Check out the Ampeg Reverb NAM capture with its matching impulse response to capture that “Crimson and Clover” vibe.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Ampeg Reverberocket
Download Impulse Response ➝ Ampeg Reverberocket
Bass is the Place
If you’re a bassist who hasn’t owned or experienced an Ampeg, you’re probably either hurting for money, or you just have really skinny arms. Today, you don’t need a fat wallet, a van, or a chiropractor to experience an Ampeg. You can explore these legendary sounds right inside your DAW or NAM hardware player thanks to the TONE3000 community.
