Ampeg Bass Amplifiers

As long as the bass guitar has been a part of the music scene, bassists have been demanding a lot out of their amplifiers. That's because they have to - the low-end tones of the bass need serious amplification to punch through the rest of the band and achieve the perfect impact on the audience. Enter Ampeg bass amplifiers. Dating back nearly half a century, Ampeg is one of the original builders of bass amps, pumping out amazing sound that's had the competition playing catch-up throughout the decades. The biggest milestone in Ampeg's history was in 1969. That's the year that Ampeg designers Bill Hughes, Roger Cox, Bob Rufkahr and Dan Armstrong set out to build a bass amp like none that had come before it. The standard power level for bass amplifiers at the time was 50 watts, but Ampeg's team wouldn't settle for anything less than a monster. That monster was the 300W SVT, shorthand for Super Vacuum Tube. With unprecedented power under the hood, the all-tube SVT shipped with a warning label that read: "This amp is capable of delivering sound pressure levels that may cause permanent hearing damage." Of course, the Rolling Stones couldn't ignore a label like that, so they became the first band to take the SVT on tour. If you want to hear a piece of bass history, fire up the live album "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" and listen to those early prototype SVT heads in action.

While the 300W SVT amp head was a huge step for Ampeg, it was only the beginning. They've been working hard ever since to arrive at their current selection of combo amps, cabinets and amp heads. If you're into an American classic rock sound, take a look at the GVT series. Turn to the Heritage models for a stylish vintage feel, or if you're all about meaty low-end, set your sights on Ampeg's Pro Neo line. Whatever you want out of your amp, you can find Ampeg hardware that's right there with you.

When you love it loud, there's no beating Ampeg. That's why artists like Robert Trujillo, Gene Simmons and Mark Hoppus plug into an Ampeg bass amplifier when they take the stage. Of course, you don't have to be an international superstar to appreciate an Ampeg stack or combo amp - they'll sound just as great in your local venues as they do at sold-out shows alongside the world's most acclaimed bassists.