Difference between revisions of "Ampeg"
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Latest revision as of 09:19, 17 May 2022
Ampeg is a well-known manufacturers of music equipment, best known for producing bass amplifiers. It was originally established in 1946 in Linden, New Jersey, by pianist and bassist Everitt Hull and technical engineer/amp technician Stanley Michaels as "Michaels-Hull Electronic Labs". Allthough it specializes in the production of bass amplification, Ampeg has previously manufactured guitar amplifiers, pickups and instruments including double basses, bass guitars, and electric guitars. The company's headquarters are currently located in Calabasas, California, US and is part of the Yamaha Guitar Group.
Ampeg's most known lines of bass amps include the Ampeg Portaflex, which was a combo amplifier, developed in the 1950s and invented by Jess Oliver. It's most known for its chasis and the top, which could be inverted and tucked inside the speaker enclosure. The Portaflex is now available both as a solid-state or a tube head with it's separate cabinet. The amp still retains some of it's old design and can be tucked away into the cabinet's enclosure.
Ampeg is also known for the SVT line of bass amplifiers, with SVT standing for Super Valve Technology. The amps were built during the 1960s, when larger concerts were becoming more popular. It's higher wattage allowed for the players to use it on these larger gigs without compromising power. In 1990, the Ampeg SVT-II Pro was introduced, which allowed for more precise EQ control. The SVT is still considered as one of the staple bass amps.
Ampegs were used by both Matt Bellamy and Chris Wolstenholme. Chris used the Ampeg SVT-II Pro head and the Ampeg PR-1832HE Bass Cab during the Showbiz tours, and uses an Ampeg SVT-VR in the studio. Matt uses a modified Ampeg V4-B, a former bass amp and now-turned guitar amp. It's used in the studio for recording purposes and its specific deep sound ever since Drones. It's most notable use is on Pressure. Matt also used an Ampeg Dan Armstrong plexiglass guitar during the Supermassive Black Hole music video shoot.