When you need a portable rig with legendary Ampeg tone, look no further than the BA115. This powerful combo features a 100-Watt power section and a single 15" Ampeg speaker that can rock a small- to medium-sized venue. Just plug in and you're ready to rock!
BA115
Reviewed by:
IndianRockStar, on august 17, 2007 4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 320
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: This starter Ampeg is much more than a starter. It is an excellent piece of kit in my opinion. I play pretty much all styles of music and this Ampeg can do all of them. The EQ on this actually has a very profound effect on the sound, but I'll get into that later. It has 2 inputs, one that is normal, and one that is -15db. The latter is meant for active basses, but you can use them in either jack and it works fine. The normal one, obviously, is louder. It has a headphone jack, line out, and 2 inputs. I wish that this thing had a mute button. that's it. Also I never use the style selector much, it pretty much just enhances the mids. The 100 watts is pretty loud and delivers quite a bit of thump. The amp is solid state and it has a horn. // 8
Sound: I use a Schecter bass with this amp and between the two I get lots of great tones. I play all music and this sounds for all music. The big problem is that this hisses like none other with the treble all the way up, but I never have it up all the way so it's not too big a problem. DO be aware of it though. I typically use it with all the knobs between 3 and 6 and I get a lovely sound, kinda punchy, but still somewhat mellow. This amp, if you want it to make distortion, won't work for you. This thing makes NO distortion and high volumes, it actually surprised me. The only noise it makes is the beforementioned hiss. // 8
Reliability & Durability: This amp is built pretty well. The only problem with the amp in this category is that the outside cover is crap. It tears up pretty easy, but it doesn't affect sound so it's not too big a problem. This amp has never given me any trouble besides that, which is purely cosmetic, and others seem to think it looks badass. I would have no qualms about gigging with this without a backup. it's an Ampeg, and it is well built. // 9
Impression: As said before, I play all kinds of music and this amp is a great match for all kinds of music. I have been playing for about a year and my other amp is a 10 watt Drive amp which hurts my ears a bit to use. This amp had no nasty surprises for me, so I would buy it again if it was stolen. The only problem that I have found with this combo is the slight hiss I've discussed. I love how the EQ on this monster lets you change your tone dramatically, and this is my favorite feature. The style selector on this however, I find to be a waste of money. It pretty much makes your bass sound more guitar-like, which is what you don't want. I was comparing it to some GKs and Ashdowns, and I went with the Ampeg because of the name, and I must say people praise Ampeg with good reason. Plain and simple, this amp rocks! // 8
BA115
Reviewed by:
american eulogy, on november 09, 2011 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 380
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: This amp is quite versatile, and can play various styles from jazz to metal (which is what I play). It has 5 Styles, which could be considered channels, that are selected via the Style knob. there's no effects loop, but there is a stereo audio input and a headphone jack. I wish it had an effects loop as well as channel switching. Its 100 watts, which is enough for what I usually play, mostly small gigs. Its all solid-state, but quite heavy, which is why I'm considering getting its little brother, the BA108. // 8
Sound: I use this amp with my Ibanez SR405QM, which has stock Ibanez CAP EXF-N2 humbuckers. It definitely suits my style, which includes metal and jazz played both finger style and pick. The only time its noisy is when the treble is turned up past about 7. It can make a variety of sounds from classical to deep metal. There is no distortion. // 7
Reliability & Durability: I can definitely depend on this amp. I'd definitely use it without a backup, even if I had more than 1 amp to use. Its never broken down, and is extremely solid. // 8
Impression: I mostly play metal, but am starting to get into jazz. This amp is a great match for both. I've been playing bass for 2 years and I own an Ibanez SR405QM, GSR200, and a DigiTech BP90. I would definitely get another one if I lost this one. I love that its a good, solid, loud amp. I wish it had an Overdriven channel. I also really like the -15dB input, because it is very useful for practicing at home or places where loud volume isn't appreciated. // 9
BA115
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on may 19, 2008 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 350
Purchased from: Musicians FriendI
Features: I got this rig as a christmas gift to myself, I could've paid another $100 for a tube-driven version, but after playing them back to back, this one was fine. The modeling knob has 5 settings, and it's pretty slick; setting 1 has a very deep tone, while setting 5 is very punchy and full of mid, I don't use anything past 3, personally. The CD in is slick, it allows me to plug in my iPod dock and play along. The tilt-back feature is key, and probably one of it's best features. I've never had a problem switching styles with this Ampeg, and in my opinion it's one of the best bass amps for the money. // 9
Sound: I use my 2004 Fender P-Bass Deluxe Special with my BA-115, and it's a great setup. I flick all my guitar controls to full and set the amps tone Switch to "2" and get a sweet punk growl out of my rig. My only real problem with this amp is that after turning the volume past 1/3rd the speaker can rattle a bit, depending on how high you have the bass turned up. Other than that, the speaker has lots of punch and power, and sounds as powerful as an Ampeg should. I bought an Ampeg for that signature Ampeg sound, and I sure wasn't dissappointed. // 9
Reliability & Durability: I've had this amp for about 6 months now, and it's still perfect. No rattles (besides the aforementioned one) have emerged. It's powerful enough to do small gigs & practices with, my roomates claim it's powerful enough to take the house down! Never had a problem, solid as steel. // 10
Impression: I love this thing, and I love the price. I love the fact it has that great Ampeg tone and that signature Ampeg style. Coupled with the right gear, you can trash some serious sound with this thing. The BA-115 is my first bass amp, and I'm glad I shelled out the cash to get it, totally worth it. Near perfect. // 10
BA115
Reviewed by:
Freunleven, on april 21, 2008 2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 300
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: I'm just going to add to what other people have already posted here. The features on this amp are fairly standard, nothing spectacular, and basically what you can expect from a bass combo amp. I've got a few rather major complaints about this amp, as you'll discover when you read on. // 5
Sound: We played through this amp with a 1984 Kramer, an OLP MM3, and a couple of Ibanez 4-strings - one with passive, one with active pickups. The sound was decent, albeit remarkably quiet for a 100w. The deal-breaker, however, was the horrible, incessant 60Hz noise. It was causing the snare to resonate, and even made the guitar strings hum a bit. It was so incredibly maddening that we took it back to the store within a week. The sales associate told us that the noise is normal in an Ampeg combo, and that a 60Hz hum is actually desirable in an amp. I call "bull." // 2
Reliability & Durability: Well, it did survive a car ride home, about six hours of playing, and a car ride home. I can't say I'd ever want to play out with this steamer, though. I honestly don't know how anyone can find that sort of background noise desirable, and I have to seriously question the intelligence of the salesman Who talked the bassist into picking it up. // 4
Impression: I suppose that $300USD for a 100w Ampeg sounds like a good deal, until you have to deal with that annoying, buzzing, humming sound. I can't say I'm ever going to look at a BA115 ever again, and I don't think I'll regret it. We returned the amp, and bought a Behringer Ultrabass BXR1800H Bass head to go with my spare 2x15 cabinet at home. No remorse, no regrets. // 3
BA115
Reviewed by:
djflats, on march 21, 2008 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: I bought the amp last January('07) so I imagine it's a 2006. I play different styles of music such as rock, alt rock, classic rock, southern rock and quite a bit of country. The BA-115 produces the right sound for all types of music, or at least the music I play. The amp has a "style" feature but I don't mess with it much. I usually play it on "3", which I consider flat.I use the amp a lot at home just playing along with music and learning new techniques. I play with some other guys Who usually use acoustic guitars so volume isn't a problem at all. I usually set the master and volume on 2 and control the volume on my bass. I jam with some other guys Who have electrics and so far I've had no problems. Two of the guys have Fender 40 watt amps and I cut through pretty good. Granted they are usually set on "3" but I only have to set the Ampeg on maybe 5 or 6. I've had no problems with the power of the amp even with the drums and guitars. Now we don't crank it real hard since we're a bunch of old dudes, 48 years old and up. I think you could use the BA-115 for small to medium gigs. // 10
Sound: I usually play a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz through it. Between the controls on the amp and bass I get pretty much any sound I want for the different styles of music I play. There is a hiss that comes from the piezo tweeter but it doesn't really bother me, some others have complained about it in other reviews though. Sometimes if I turn all of the settings off and the bass off then turn everything back on the hiss seems to disappear or at least calms down. One other thing I would like is to be able to jack an external cab into it so I could use the big 15" speaker with a 2x10 cab. I haven't had any problems with distortion. The amp itself sounds good but the windows of the house may rattle. // 9
Reliability & Durability: I've had the BA-115 for over a year now and use it just about everyday and I have had no problems. It's been very dependable so far. There wouldn't be a reason to have a back up for it while gigging as it has been pretty reliable for me. The amp is a little heavy for a combo but it has a big 15" in it plus the cabinet is built larger in order to "kick" it back, well tilt it back. // 10
Impression: Music I play: rock, classic rock, alt rock, southern rock, country. I used to play years ago but I stopped for 25 years. I just started playing about 14-15 months ago. The gear has changed a lot from the stuff I used to have. I usually play a Fender Geddy through the amp but also a Standard Jazz too. I've played a few Ibanez "actives" through it too and the amp did well with the actives. It has a separate input for active basses. If someone took it I'd be p*ssed, first because some worthless piece of crap stole it and second because I like the amp. Anyway I'd get another one or jump up to the 220 watt 2x10. // 9
BA115
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on september 05, 2012 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 180
Features: I'll tell ya what. This amp has a very nice tone too it and I like the tilt back feature... But my old Peavey Basic 50 bass amp seems to be almost as loud as the Ampeg. The Ampeg beats it hands down in tone but for 100 watts it sure isn't as loud as I hoped it would be. I may have to look at other amps next. // 5
Sound: It has the same hissing noise as others have noted in reviews I've read. Not too bad but it is there. I do like the 5 position switch that acts as an instant EQ... I have a nice Ibanez bass guitar that sounds really good through this amp. The amp doesn't seem to distort at higher volumes and that's what bothers me about it. It isn't very loud when cranked up. At least not what I expect from a 100 watt Ampeg. // 6
Reliability & Durability: I bought it used so I'm not sure about durability but it is an Ampeg so... I don't gig any more so it will be used mostly for recording and the occasional basement jam session. I will keep my old Peavey around just in case this Ampeg decides to act up... Although I don't expect it to. // 5
Impression: I play mostly rock stuff... Beatles, Stones and the like. Been playing for 45 years or so and have had all kinds of amps over the years. If it were stolen or lost I wouldn't buy another without trying different amps first. I chose the Ampeg because of the name. They have always made quality products and I guess this is one. Just not enough volume for me. // 5
This is a really cool amp! it has a awesome sound and gets really loud! the "guitar-like" sound is great for two finger tapping. So if your tinking about getting it...Go for it!
i own one and it sounds great. can get very loud. ive playd a small show and its definetly loud enough to hear. the 5 style select is good too. i turn it on 5. makes it really bassy and low. lahve it! but it has some amp hum, but not too much. price is a little high tho
now this is going to sound stupid and newbish, but whatever. i've been playing for like four years, so i wanna move up to around a 100 watt amp, and i noticed bass amps are MUCH cheaper than guitar amps. is there anything wrong with using a guitar on a bass amp? i've heard 'horror' stories about guitars, pedals and even amps frying or catching fire from this, and it sounds completely wrong, electronically speaking. it would be fine, right? just with a bassies tone?
now this is going to sound stupid and newbish, but whatever. i've been playing for like four years, so i wanna move up to around a 100 watt amp, and i noticed bass amps are MUCH cheaper than guitar amps. is there anything wrong with using a guitar on a bass amp? i've heard 'horror' stories about guitars, pedals and even amps frying or catching fire from this, and it sounds completely wrong, electronically speaking. it would be fine, right? just with a bassies tone?
well its not gona catch on fire or explode or anything, but what happens is u are making the amp do something its not made to do, so it causes the speaker to break if u play a guitar into it too much, and it would be the same if u played a bass into a guitar amp
Alright im going to put it this way....if your any good and can pull off "two finger tapping" then you should get this b/c its the best one for its price
Just bought this amp and so far i love it. It is easy to use and made the switch from guitar to bass very easy. As for the amp sounding like a guitar amp i cant understand why someone would say that. The sounds are much different, the treble does hiss a bit but only when turned past 2 o clock. I am very happy with my purchase of this amp.
now this is going to sound stupid and newbish, but whatever. i've been playing for like four years, so i wanna move up to around a 100 watt amp, and i noticed bass amps are MUCH cheaper than guitar amps. is there anything wrong with using a guitar on a bass amp? i've heard 'horror' stories about guitars, pedals and even amps frying or catching fire from this, and it sounds completely wrong, electronically speaking. it would be fine, right? just with a bassies tone?
The equipment will be fine, but it will have a different sound, have a try and see if you like the sound, the speaker may break if you play a bass into a guitar speaker. The problems you may find are the sound and the high end isn't too great on this amp and 100 watts on a bass amp is quieter than 100 watts on a guitar amp, as the bass amp has to push more air for the low end.
