Bass Amplifier - ampeg.com

1 Owner s Guidefor theB2/B2 RBass AmplifierMade in the ..2 Features ..2 Important Safeguards and Precautions ..3 The Front Panel Controls and Their Use ..4 The Rear Panel ..5 Some Suggested Settings ..6 Rack Mounting (B2R only) ..6 Troubleshooting ..7 System Block Diagram ..7 Technical Specifications ..back coverThank youfor making one of the best choices you will ever make for your musical career choosing one of thefinest bass amplifiers available, the Ampeg B2 you ve purchased the portable B2 combo system or the two-space rack-mountable B2R head version,your new B2/B2R bass Amplifier provides many outstanding features. Three hundred and fifty watts of pure bassenergy, total tone control and rugged construction make each one a true performer s bass the world of high performance bass amps, Ampeg s SVT amplifiers stand alone.

2 In true Ampeg tradition,the B2/B2R offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other bass Amplifier in its class. Theoutstanding features of your new Amplifier , features which set it apart from the competition, are listed below. 9-BAND GRAPHIC EQ:Use as a second channel for bass solos, or to shape your sound to yourown exacting standards. BALANCED LINE OUTPUT:XLR with independent level switch (20dB pad). Patch into houseconsoles, mixing boards, or external power amplifiers. EFFECTS LOOP:For increased intensity and quieter operation of external effects. POWER AMP IN and PREAMP OUT:Allows direct access into the power amp and a signal tapfrom the preamp section for even greater versatility. MUSICIAN MADE IN THE introduction To Your New Ampeg B2/B2R Bass AmplifierB2/B2R Bass AmplifierFeatures3 CAUTIONRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCKDO NOT OPENCAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,DO NOT REMOVE USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE D'ELECTROCUTIONNE PAS OUVRIRATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PASENLEVER LE COUVERCLE.

3 AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLEPAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UNTECHNICIEN SCHLAGGEFAHRNICHT OFFENENVORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHTDEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOMBENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEMWARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE UNITAND PREVENT ACCIDEN-TAL DAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:WARNING:TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE POWER CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A PROP-ERLY GROUNDED AC POWER :TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR :NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

4 REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE :OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENTHEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME. The chart below shows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations which were in effect at the time of this publication for permissible noise exposure, per 29 CRF1910, Table to OSHA, any exposure in excess of those listed above could result in some hearing loss."IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE USER TO REFER TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL""REFERREZ-VOUS AU MANUAL D'UTILISATION""UNBEDINGT IN DER BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG NACHSCHLAGEN"EXPLANATION OFGRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE""DANGER HAUTE TENSION""GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG"==SOUND LEVEL dBADURATION PER DAYSLOW RESPONSEIN HOURS9089269549731002 SOUND LEVEL dBADURATION PER DAYSLOW RESPONSEIN HOURS1021-1/210511101/21151/4 or lessB2/B2R Bass AmplifierImportant Safeguards and PrecautionsAll Ampeg products are designed for continuous, safe operation, as long as common sense is used andsteps are taken to help avoid certain problems.

5 Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage toyour Amplifier , yourself and others. The Amplifier is equipped with a three-pronged AC power cord. To reduce the risk of electrical shock,NEVER remove or otherwise attempt to defeat the ground pin of the power cord. Connect the Amplifier ONLYto a properly grounded AC outlet of the proper voltage for your amp. Avoid sudden temperature extremes, rain and moisture. Also, avoid sudden and intense impact. (Ifthe unit has been subjected to any of the preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized ser-vice center.) NEVERset the Amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight. Whenever using tall or stacked speaker cabinets, use them ONLYon a level surface. NEVERset tallor stacked cabinets on a surface with more than a five degree incline since tipping or falling couldoccur, possibly causing serious injuries.

6 Always keep the total speaker impedance at or above the rated load. Unplug the Amplifier before cleaning it. NEVER spray liquid cleaners onto the Amplifier . Wipe it witha slightly dampened, lint-free cloth to remove dirt and film. Don t use the Amplifier if it has sustained damage to the chassis, controls, or power cord. Refer theunit to an authorized service center for inspection. Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearingloss or damage, if the exposure to such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irre-versible! 4 The Front Panel Controls and Their UseB2/B2R Bass Amplifier0+12dB-12dB40Hz8kHz5kHz2kHz900H z600Hz300Hz150Hz80 HzEQLIMITPEAK-15dBONGAINPADBASSULTRA MIDTREBLEMASTERLIMITERINPUTONPOWER012876 5410911312131.

7 0dB (INPUT):The signal output from aninstrument (active or passive) or a line levelsignal may be connected here by means ofa shielded instrument 15dB PAD:This switch, whendepressed, attenuates the input signal by15dB. Attenuation allows the Gain control(#4) to be used over a larger portion of itsrange. If clipping is indicated with the Gaincontrol near minimum, attenuation is PEAK LED: This LED flashes when thesignal level into the preamp approachesclipping. Adjust the Gain control (#4) until astrong signal from your instrument causesthis LED to :If the LED flashes frequently withthe gain at a low setting, use the 15dB Pad(#2) to attenuate the input signal and read-just the GAIN:This serves as the input levelcontrol for the Amplifier .

8 For the best signal-to-noise ratio set this control so the PeakLED (#3) flashes when you strike a stringfairly BASS:This is the primary low frequencycontrol which allows for 8dB of cut or boostat ULTRA-MID:This is the primarymidrange control. Rotate the control to theleft of center for a contoured sound (moredistant, less midrange output) or to theright of center for a pronounced (more up-front) TREBLE:This is the primary high fre-quency control which allows for 12dB ofboost or 19dB of cut at MASTER:Set the overall output level ofthe Amplifier with this control. The EffectsLoop and Balanced Out (#19-21,24) arenot affected by the Master LIMITER:The B2/B2R uses an internalOptocoupler Limiter to assist in keeping thepower Amplifier s output clean at extremevolume levels.

9 (All amplifiers begin to cliptheir output signals as they approach maxi-mum output levels, resulting in distortionwhich may damage your speakers.) Toengage the Limiter, depress the Limitswitch. Whenever the Amplifier is at fullpower, the adjacent LED will flash. This isan indication that the limiter is keeping peaksignals from clipping the :Playing at full power with the Limiteroff will give you increased output power, butthe sound may be distorted. Use discretionwhen playing without the EQ ON SWITCH:Depress this switchto activate the Graphic EQ. The adjacentLED illuminates when the EQ is GRAPHIC EQ:These sliders controlthe output of the frequencies indicatedabove each control. The center position ofeach control is flat (no boost or cut).

10 12. POWER ON LED:This LED indicatorilluminates when the POWER switch (#13)is POWER SWITCH:This heavy-dutyrocker switch applies the power to theamplifier. The amp is ON when the top ofthe switch is depressed, OFF when thebottom of the switch is Rear PanelB2/B2R Bass AmplifierMODEL:SERIAL: LINE: V ~ HzWATTS: MAXB2RQ2ZZ650022120 60 15161819202123 2422141714. FAN:This temperature controlled, vari-able speed fan draws cool air into theamplifier, which forces heat out through theexhaust vents. Never block the vent holesor the fan FUSE:This protects the unit from dam-age due to overload conditions or powerline surges. If the fuse blows, replace itonly with the same size and AC LINE IN:Firmly insert the suppliedAC power cord into this socket until it isfully seated.