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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Important Safeguards and Precautions . . . . . . . . . .2
The Front Panel Controls and Their Use . . . . . . .3,4
The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,5
Some Suggested Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover
An Introduction to your new Ampeg
Bass Amplifier
Thank you for making one of the best choices you will
ever make for your musical career – choosing one of the
finest bass amps available, an Ampeg B3/B328/B3158.
Your new bass amplifier offers many outstanding features.
One hundred fifty watts of pure bass energy, total tone con-
trol, and rugged construction make each a true performer’s
bass amp.
Important Safeguards and Precautions
All Ampeg products are designed for continuous safe operation, as long as common sense is used and steps are taken to help
avoid certain problems. Abiding by the following rules can help prevent damage to your 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 ONLY to 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. (If the unit has been subjected to any
of the preceding abuses, have it looked at by an authorized service center.)
• NEVER set the amplifier on a support that might give out under its weight.
• Whenever using tall or stacked speaker cabinets, use them ONLY on a level surface. NEVER set tall or stacked cabinets on a surface
with more than a five degree incline since tipping or falling could occur, possibly causing serious injuries.
• 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 with a 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 the unit to an authorized service cen-
ter for inspection.
• Amplifiers capable of producing high volume levels are also capable of inflicting permanent hearing loss or damage, if the exposure to
such levels is prolonged. Such damage is progressive and irreversible!
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
ATTENTION
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION: POUR REDUIRE D'ELECTROCUTION NE PAS
ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUNE PIECE INTERNE N'EST REPRABLE
PAR L'UTILISATEUR. POUR TOUTE REPARATION, S'ADRESSER A UN
TECHNICIEN QUALIFIE.
VORSICHT
ELEKTRISCHE SCHLAGGEFAHR
NICHT OFFENEN
VORSICHT: ZUR MINIMIERUNG ELEKTRISCHER SCHLAGGEFAHR NICHT
DEN DECKEL ABENHMEN. INTERNE TEILE KONNEN NICHT VOM
BENUTZER GEWARTET WERDEN. DIE WARTUNG IS QUALIFIZIERTEM
WARTUNGSPERSONAL ZU UBERLASSEN.
THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND RELIABLE OPERATION. IN ORDER TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE UNITAND PREVENTACCIDEN-
TAL DAMAGES OR INJURY, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONARY GUIDELINES:
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN CHASSIS; DO NOT DEFEATOR REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OF THE POWER CORD; CONNECT ONLY TO A PROP-
ERLY GROUNDED AC POWER OUTLET.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION: OUR AMPLIFIERS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT
HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR LOSS. USER CAUTION IS ADVISED AND EAR PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED IF UNIT IS OPERATED AT HIGH VOLUME. The chart below shows the U.S.
Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations which were in effect at the time of this publication for permissible noise exposure, per 29CRF1910, Table G-16.
According 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 OF
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
"DANGEROUS VOLTAGE"
"DANGER HAUTE TENSION"
"GEFAHLICHE SPANNUNG"
=
=
Features
In the world of high performance bass amps, Ampeg amplifiers
stand alone. In true Ampeg tradition, your new B3/B328/B3158
offers you more power, performance and flexibility than any other
bass amplifier in its class. The outstanding features of your new
amplifier, features which set it apart from the competition, are list-
ed below:
• 9-BAND GRAPHIC EQ: Use as a “second channel” for bass
solos, or to shape the sound to your own exacting standards. An
independent level control lets you adjust the Graphic EQ volume
• BALANCED LINE OUTPUTS: Independent level control. XLR
type jack to patch into house consoles, mixing boards, or external
power amplifiers
• EFFECTS LOOP: Connect your effects here for increased inten-
sity and quieter operation
• DRIVE CONTROL: To add harmonics for tube-like overdrive
• BALANCE CONTROL (B3158 only): To fine tune the mix
between the Biamp High and Biamp Low outputs
SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY
SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS
90 8
92 6
95 4
97 3
100 2
SOUND LEVEL dBA DURATION PER DAY
SLOW RESPONSE IN HOURS
102 1-1/2
105 1
110 1/2
115 1/4 or less
B3/B328/B3158 Bass Amplifier