Well this doesn't happen often, Yamaha seem to have pretty much left things be after acquiring Ampeg but there's new stuff available!
https://ampeg.com/products/venture-bass-amplifiers/?fbclid=IwAR1niV-MYMKvHHyXlxmbXDlioxFWJG98WzY-ZQh7lrKinHvT5jBHMF_waAg
Looks like they want to become a serious player in the Class D market.
They've certainly jumped on the bandwagon. And kept the Ampegy hi and low switches and three way and (with sweepable mids). So they should have an intuitive front end for their tube fans.
Love to see one.
I'm good! ;D
Apparently they use the SGT-DI as their front-end, and that is very highly regarded. I think the days of tubes are coming to an end.
There are those that will never switch over.
And will demand more than just a tube preamp.
Quote from: morrow on October 04, 2023, 01:16:37 PM
There are those that will never switch over.
And will demand more than just a tube preamp.
True. In the early 90s I was reading that tube amps were on their way out and would be gone soon. They sure seem to be taking their time.
Quote from: Dave W on October 04, 2023, 05:12:28 PM
True. In the early 90s I was reading that tube amps were on their way out and would be gone soon. They sure seem to be taking their time.
Things will always come back. Look at vinyl. And even cassettes!
And even CDs!
Cassettes, at least pre-recorded, always seemed like such a flawed medium to me. Blanks as well, but at least they gave people a lot of freedom for making mixed tapes.
I've been waiting for years for minidisc to come back😄💽
Quote from: amptech on October 07, 2023, 11:30:45 PM
I've been waiting for years for minidisc to come back😄💽
:mrgreen:
I have a longtime friend who still uses his.
Quote from: Dave W on October 08, 2023, 08:57:47 AM
:mrgreen:
I have a longtime friend who still uses his.
Same! It's quite a conversation piece when people who know what it is notice it.
Quote from: Dave W on October 04, 2023, 05:12:28 PM
True. In the early 90s I was reading that tube amps were on their way out and would be gone soon. They sure seem to be taking their time.
It will never happen, electrons travelling in vacuum is too fundamentally important to go away. It is currently used and researched in medical, military and computer applications, although it's importance in audio will always be influenced by trends. I accept that some people remembers golden eras in music and buy amps accordingly, but as generations age stuff fall out of fashion. Time alone is not always a strong enough factor to recruit kids to tubes. Maybe in the golden future amp modelling is obsolete and laughed at, and straight tube amps is hip again🙂
The 90's were rough for tube worshippers, but my old mentor in the tube business worked with development in the Mullard factory in the lste 60's to early 70's. There was at the time frantic activity with science panels discussing the dark future for tubes, the dutch (philips) leading the way. Some of the conclusions were interresting, but the fact in retrospect is that the technology never went away.
Quote from: amptech on October 10, 2023, 10:42:03 PMThe 90's were rough for tube worshippers, but my old mentor in the tube business worked with development in the Mullard factory in the lste 60's to early 70's. There was at the time frantic activity with science panels discussing the dark future for tubes, the dutch (philips) leading the way. Some of the conclusions were interresting, but the fact in retrospect is that the technology never went away.
I must not have noticed, because I was using a '74 SVT and a '74 V-4B in the '90s. ;D I also purchased a Dynaco Stereo 70 for my home stereo around '92. I had a friend/former band mate who is a tube guru, and he took good care of me.
Speaking of Ampeg, I played through this adorable thing the other night. Thunderbird for perspective.
Quote from: BklynKen on October 11, 2023, 10:44:39 AM
Speaking of Ampeg, I played through this adorable thing the other night. Thunderbird for perspective.
I was close to buying one of those about 12 years ago. Good sound and cool look. I ended up buying a 1x15 Acoustic combo.
It's good to see that new products are coming. I am aware people think Yamaha have been to laidback after aquiring Ampeg, but from a service perspective it was a huge leap from day one. I wanted to stop servicing Ampeg because of poor support years back, all that changed after the takeover. Noone stands behind their products like Yamaha, be it a warranty repair or a vintage product. They have helped when I have repaired 50 year old organs or even minidisc decks! So I believe they have put in a lot of work after the takeover, and customers can enjoy both old and new products. What's not to like🙂
Quote from: amptech on October 14, 2023, 01:04:59 AM
It's good to see that new products are coming. I am aware people think Yamaha have been to laidback after aquiring Ampeg, but from a service perspective it was a huge leap from day one. I wanted to stop servicing Ampeg because of poor support years back, all that changed after the takeover. Noone stands behind their products like Yamaha, be it a warranty repair or a vintage product. They have helped when I have repaired 50 year old organs or even minidisc decks! So I believe they have put in a lot of work after the takeover, and customers can enjoy both old and new products. What's not to like🙂
That's really good to hear. In my experience, everything Yamaha makes is good. Glad to hear the company is as good as their products.