Fender bass amps never do quite well, SWR is, but it'r more high end. Ampeg seems like the missing link.
i agree with you Chris.
My solution is that an American company buys it and sees the financial benefits now available from the US/Australia free trade agreement and sets up the factory here in Technology park in Adelaide next to Raytheon and British Aerospace, Motorola etc. The South Aust govt has spent the last 20 years building Adelaide into a goto place for Tech and engineering companies.
Ampegs new owner gets cheaper labour than the US but (probably better) quality (no offence intended guys but lets face it their record aint that good) product. And Aussies get to pay normal prices without the extra expense of transport costs. (A few years back a SLM made SVP-Pro that retailed in the US for US$500 retailed here for Aus$1500.
Alternatively Peter Perreaux in New Zealand could probably do 'em a deal