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Ampeg Venture V12 1,200-watt Bass Head B-stock

1,200W Compact Bass Amp Head with Class D Power Amp, Analog Solid-state Preamp, SGT Overdrive Circuit, 3-band EQ, Compressor, and XLR-DI
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Item ID: VentureV12b
Ampeg Venture V12 1,200-watt Bass Head

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Price:$1,029 and 99 cents
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New for $1,199.99

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Ampeg Venture V12 1,200-watt Bass Head
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Price:$1,029 and 99 cents
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Venture Forth with an Ampeg by Your Side

Since 1946, Ampeg has captivated the ears of low-end users with superb tone and pivotal power. With a long history of innovation at its back, Ampeg sailed into uncharted territory with the Venture Series! The Venture V12 1,200-watt Bass Head packs together the benefits of Class D power, compact size, comprehensive I/O, and intuitive tone-shaping controls. Some at Sweetwater have said the special ingredient in the Ampeg Venture V12 is the Super Grit Technology Overdrive circuit that boasts the voicings of both the SVT and B15. This beauty of Ampeg engineering also boasts an FX Loop, XLR-DI, and a headphone output. All of these features and more set this head up as another Ampeg triumph — Sweetwater bassists certainly think so!

Power that’s all Ampeg

The Venture Series was built for modern-day bassists requiring a portable yet powerful amp head. Under the hood, the V12 sports all-analog circuitry, excepting, of course, the solid-state Class D amplifier. The Venture V12’s 1,200 watts of power give it plenty of juice to drive every speaker cabinet in the Venture Series, in addition to nearly every speaker you’ll come in contact with on the road.

Legendary tone built right in

The Venture V12 Bass Head offers you the power of its footswitchable SGT (Super Grit Technology) Overdrive circuit for satisfying crunch and powerful drive. Within this circuit, you can tap into the tonal excellence of two of Ampeg’s coveted amplifiers: the SVT and the B15. If you’re unfamiliar with the SVT’s signature roar and harmonic richness, Ampeg invites you to flick the switch and see what the fuss is about. Similarly, the B15 is ready to take you back to vintage sound with tonal qualities all its own. After you’ve picked your poison, you can dial in the amount of grit with a stacked knob configuration. The Venture V12 also provides bassists with a 3-band EQ that includes sweepable Mids, Ultra Hi, and 3-way Ultra Lo. These tonal-sculpting features are topped off by a highly musical variable compressor.

Comprehensive connections

Playing the bass is a formidable challenge unto itself, but it’s easier to succeed when Ampeg sets you up with all the requirements needed. The Venture V12 offers an XLR-DI, headphone output, and FX Loop for work on the stage or in the studio. Not to mention, the FX Loop is enhanced with a mix knob to blend wet and dry signals. With all the requisite controls at your fingertips, you’ll find more time for churning out killer grooves and sculpting your dream tone.

Compact size perfect for on-the-go bassists

The Venture V12 is the largest in the Venture Series, but thanks to a compact design, it can easily fit in a gig bag. This makes it the perfect amp head for traveling bassists! You can also grab an optional Venture carrying bag to transport your V12 in ultimate style and protection.

Ampeg Venture V12 Bass Head Features:

  • Venture Series puts power and portability at the forefront
  • Powerful Class D power section capable of 1,200 watts at 4 ohms
  • 3-band EQ with sweepable mids, Ultra Hi, and 3-way Ultra Lo knobs
  • Footswitchable Super Grit Technology Overdrive circuit with SVT and B15 voicings
  • XLR-DI and headphone output
  • FX Loop with mix knob for mixing dry and wet signals
  • Variable compressor set for a variety of situations
  • Dual Neutrik speakON outputs for ultra-clear signal
  • Small and compact — fits in a gig bag!
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Tech Specs

  • Type: Solid State
  • Number of Channels: 1-channel
  • Output Power: 1200W
  • Effects: Overdrive
  • Compression: Yes
  • EQ: 3-band EQ, Mid frequeny, Ultra Low Switch, Ultra Hi Switch
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8" (aux in), 1 x 1/4" (power amp in)
  • Outputs: 2 x SpeakON NL2 (4 ohm minimum), 1 x XLR (DI out), 1 x 1/4" (preamp out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • Effects Loop: Yes, Wet/Dry mix
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" TRS (overdrive, mute)
  • Footswitch Included: No
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 3.1"
  • Width: 14.6"
  • Depth: 10.8"
  • Weight: 8.3 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 88-025-1125

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Reviews

Incredible sound - Speakon NL2 Cable Required!
Oh man this thing is great! I love the simple controls - sounds amazing with just my Fender Rumble 1x15 Cab. I'm planning on adding a 2x10 cab after gigging with it a few times but I think I'll only need to add the 2x10 for larger shows. The B15 and SVT emulation feature sounds quite authentic and offer room for a wide variation of tones. The Ultra Lo 3 way switch is really nice and I'm pretty sure I'll leave the ultra high switch off. I added the Ampeg AFS2 footswitch which allows you to put the amp in/out of standby and turn on/off the Grit (SVT/B15) setting. The compressor seems to work well although I don't normally use any compression. The two speaker outputs are a big positive and there are several DI options. I used to have an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and runs circles around it IMO! The carry bag for the V12 is severely overpriced at $ but a normal 17" laptop bag will work well

Now the one thing you NEED to know when ordering: a NORMAL Speakon cable will not work with this amp nor will a 1/4" speaker cable. For some reason, Ampeg decided to use an NL2 Speakon connection instead of the standard NL4 which everyone uses for practically everything else. I think Ampeg and/or Sweetwater should say that in their website description. Lucky for me I didn't have a gig with it the day I received the amp and Lucino from Sweetwater helped me out with free overnight shipping on the needed speaker cable. The correct one at Sweetwater is "Pro Co S12NN Speaker Cable - speakON to speakON - 3 foot" and runs $.

All in all this is a great amp! I'll update this review after gigging with it for a few months.
Music background: Gigging bassist for 45+ years
Sounds like Ampeg
It's great. Paired with the Venture 410 cab its still lighter than my Ampeg 210 combo amp and has at least twice the volume...probably more. It's stupid loud and wicked awesome. The SVT circuit is a game changer for me. This is the doom rig I've always wanted.
Great Amp
Best bass amps I've used. Has old Ampeg growl.
Music background: Hard rock cover band
Just Amazing...
I was really considering plunking down for an SVT and then this arrived. There is too much to even comment on in this space, but lets just say that if you only had to buy ONE head for everything... This is it. Incredible sound when used with my 4x10 cabinet. The SVT/B15 option is great for added grit and the ultra low switch along with all the usual (bass, mids, treble)adjustments means you can dial in any tone you need. HIGHLY recommend it!
Music background: Active bass player in 3 bands
I have played on Ampeg my whole life. I did use Darkglass for a short while, mainly because I needed something lighter to tour Europe with.
I was never completely happy though.
I have a very old Ampeg B4r that I use to record with. I also have a Svt4pro for USA touring.
Yet I'm getting older, and luging that heavy equipment has just become cumbersome.
Thank you Ampeg for making this! It is very close to both my other ampeg heads, and light!!!

Have not had it long enough for any issues to come up yet. So time will tell if it's as rugged as my older heads.
Yet so far this has been what I have always expected of ampeg, strong, deep, and powerful!

I wish they would make a rack mount version of this though.
Music background: Professional Bassist (Omen, Epic Death, Dead Trip)