Ampeg J 12T opinions

Bhondi · April 9th, 2003, 10:57 PM

I was wondering what the sound of these is like. I checked harmony central and they are supposed to be voxish (ac 15). What about volume. I play with friends of mine and the drummer is quite loud. Play mostly rock and use my ASAT Classic. I love the AC 30 tone, but that would be way too loud, and big. Would this have the vox tone and enough volume to be heard at jams and perhaps small gigs? Thanks for all opinions.

Bill Beck · April 10th, 2003, 09:27 AM

I wouldn't say that they replicate an AC-30, but they have a very good class "A" tone anyway. They are plenty loud and cut through pretty well in rehearsals and small gigs. Kinda heavy because of the particle board cab, and the speaker is marginal. I'd like to hear one with a Weber Blue or a Celestion Blue speaker...although those speakers would cost about half of what the amp goes for used. I see the Ampegs in mint cond around $275-300 all the time.

John H. · April 10th, 2003, 09:39 PM

I had an original. Nice amp for $200. A nice class A ring to them, but very distorted when dimed. I played a reissue and it was cool but the original was better. Definitley not loud enough for a band. I've heard the 50 watt reverborocket is a good bang for the buck. John

teleman1952 · April 10th, 2003, 11:38 PM

I don't have a J12T model, but I have a Reverbrocket R212 and really love the sound I get out of it. Real nice vintage sound. Ampeg makes a real nice tube amp.

Anonymous · April 10th, 2003, 11:44 PM

I just got one of the beasts, and it gets LOUD in a hurry. Only played it for a few days so far, don't want to post a full review yet, but my initial impression is "Wow!" (And I don't do impressions. Ooops, sorry, that was a joke from "Airplane II"...)

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/V1512.htm

Anway, 1x12, 15 LOUD watts in what passes for "Class A" these daze, and a very Voxish chime and growl. Plus reverb. Plus gain, level and 3-band EQ. And boost. In a small box. For not much money. Bonus feature: doesn't even say "Crate" anywhere you'd ever see it. Way cool. Did I mention it gets loud? -- CS

Scott M · April 11th, 2003, 10:49 AM

I loved the tone. Keep in mind that the sj12t is el34's, rather than 84's. I would caution you regarding the reliability of these amps. I had many problems with mine, and finally traded it off (gave it away) in need of repair. Nobody could find the source of the intermittant problem. Great tube tone, though. I miss it.

-Scott

April 9th, 2003, 10:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bhondi NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 7	Ampeg J 12T opinions I was wondering what the sound of these is like. I checked harmony central and they are supposed to be voxish (ac 15). What about volume. I play with friends of mine and the drummer is quite loud. Play mostly rock and use my ASAT Classic. I love the AC 30 tone, but that would be way too loud, and big. Would this have the vox tone and enough volume to be heard at jams and perhaps small gigs? Thanks for all opinions.

April 10th, 2003, 09:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bill Beck Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago, Il. Posts: 366	I love 'em. I wouldn't say that they replicate an AC-30, but they have a very good class "A" tone anyway. They are plenty loud and cut through pretty well in rehearsals and small gigs. Kinda heavy because of the particle board cab, and the speaker is marginal. I'd like to hear one with a Weber Blue or a Celestion Blue speaker...although those speakers would cost about half of what the amp goes for used. I see the Ampegs in mint cond around $275-300 all the time.

April 10th, 2003, 11:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anonymous Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 0	Check out the new Crate V1512 I just got one of the beasts, and it gets LOUD in a hurry. Only played it for a few days so far, don't want to post a full review yet, but my initial impression is "Wow!" (And I don't do impressions. Ooops, sorry, that was a joke from "Airplane II"...) http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/V1512.htm Anway, 1x12, 15 LOUD watts in what passes for "Class A" these daze, and a very Voxish chime and growl. Plus reverb. Plus gain, level and 3-band EQ. And boost. In a small box. For not much money. Bonus feature: doesn't even say "Crate" anywhere you'd ever see it. Way cool. Did I mention it gets loud? -- CS

April 11th, 2003, 10:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Scott M Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vincennes, IN Posts: 116	I had an SJ 12t, and... I loved the tone. Keep in mind that the sj12t is el34's, rather than 84's. I would caution you regarding the reliability of these amps. I had many problems with mine, and finally traded it off (gave it away) in need of repair. Nobody could find the source of the intermittant problem. Great tube tone, though. I miss it. -Scott __________________ Scott M

April 10th, 2003, 09:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
John H. TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago/NW Indy Posts: 37	I had an original. Nice amp for $200. A nice class A ring to them, but very distorted when dimed. I played a reissue and it was cool but the original was better. Definitley not loud enough for a band. I've heard the 50 watt reverborocket is a good bang for the buck. John

April 10th, 2003, 11:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
teleman1952 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10	I don't have a J12T model, but I have a Reverbrocket R212 and really love the sound I get out of it. Real nice vintage sound. Ampeg makes a real nice tube amp.