Ampeg VL-503

[clutch71]

Anyone heard of these , owned or played one?

http://www.leejackson.com/VL503.htm

 

[disassembled]

I think monsta-tone has used the vl1002 which is a 2 channel head version that lee jackson designed in the early 90's. He would probably be best to describe the sound.


I recall a lot of complaints about the VL503 which, if my memory serves me correctly, was only available as a combo. I think there was an issue with the cathode bias grounding but there may have been other issues that didn't stand out to me as much as that one did.


Greg

 

[madryan]

Guy I was in a band with had the 100w head. Sounded like crap, and about as reliable as a Kia.

 

[JF Omalycat]

Clutch, I picked up a VL-502 head at the Columbus GC last week. (I'd be surprised if you haven't seen it, it's been there awhile.)

50 watt, two channel, good reverb, effects loop, etc. Not a bad buy at 300 bucks.

I'm still undecided about the sound. It's got EL34's in it, which I didn't care for in my ROV. It's plenty loud enough, has a Marshall-like growl that's kind of cool, but **** if I can get any low end out of the thing. I don't know if it's the 34's or just the design of the head itself, but regardless of how I EQ it, it still seems to have more "mid-range" than I care for. Maybe a certain "fizziness" that's hard to describe????
It's got a bias switch for 6550's, and I think I'm going to try that route and see what gives. Maybe fool around with a couple of different pre-amp tubes as well.

Honestly, the most attractive thing about it was the price, and I thought, for 300 bucks, what the hell, you know?

 

[clutch71]

The VL-503 is at the (or was) 5th Ave fret shop. Good place for a good set up. Little pricey though. Ever used Dave Bush to set up a guitar?

 

[JF Omalycat]

Nah, I've always used Bill Foley at German Village. I might give the Fret Shop a try, though. Foley does decent work, but he's always so busy, the turnaround time gets a little ridiculous. He's had my G&L more than three weeks now for a lousy pickup change.... :x
I really need to learn to do those things, myself, I'm ashamed to say....

 

[clutch71]

Nah, I've always used Bill Foley at German Village. I might give the Fret Shop a try, though. Foley does decent work, but he's always so busy, the turnaround time gets a little ridiculous. He's had my G&L more than three weeks now for a lousy pickup change.... :x
I really need to learn to do those things, myself, I'm ashamed to say....

5th Ave Fret shop turn around is usually less than a week. $60 per set up $25 to install pups. Good guys, they are more interested in you being happy with the instrament thanmaking money. They've talked me out of two expensive things and have offered suggestions that not only worked but were cheaper.

 

[JF Omalycat]

Sounds like I'll give them a shot.

 

[MetallyGuitarded]

He fellow Ohio dudes!

My friend bought that 503 from 5th Ave. Small world eh?

It's a pretty nice amp. More features than a Ron Popeil special.

My friend got the combo and this http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/metal_terrorist/AmpegRig/AmpegRig-026.jpg 2x12 with it for $575. He only wanted the amp but they begged him to take the cab too. Pretty much gave it to him. The cab is great. The amp... seems pretty bad ***. Has an EV12 something or other. 200 watt speaker. He has no idea how to dial in an amp so I couldn't really tell you if it sounds good. It is VERY loud though. His has 5881's in it I believe. Eventually I'll get him to let me play with it for a while and I'll get something out of it.

Where are you guys located? I'm in Westerville.