Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Ampeg B-100r Rocket Aficionados
- Thread starter barroso
- Start date
One of the best deals I have ever seen. Good job! How do they compare in tone to the B-100R?
Thanks, I really got lucky on this one. It honestly looks brand new, with protective plastic still on it. Guessing GC was likely thinking "Let's see, 18 year old solid state amp at 50 watts . . . ."
Initial impressions are that the overall sound seems a little tighter and punchier on the B-50R than the B-100R. I am going from memory only though, I will play them side by side this weekend and report back.
Just bought my B100R, a 2000 SLM in VG condition, after deciding almost a year ago to begin looking. Used it once so far with the band and very happy with the purchase. I have other Ampeg tube amps including a V4BH with SVT15e's (sitting right alongside the B100r) and this combo doesn't need excuses, it holds it's own against my other gear! Has a tone that is very familiar (Ampegish) and just gets better as the volume goes up. Certainly seems loud enough for the small venues I'm usually playing in. But I mainly got it for the convenience of having a combo vs. separates for toting to and from informal jams.
Is that a Bicentennial T-Bird? I have one just like that (and a pair of B100Rs as well). Nothing like a Gibson bass through an Ampeg...
I used my B100R in a club last night. It sounded great. I let another bassist sit in for a few songs, I checked it out from various locations. It sounded great. It filled the place with its awesomeness. It sounded great...
No exaggeration, one of the best sounding amps I have ever heard. For comparison, I own a Demeter rig, SVT, V4b, V4BH, and a few more.
No exaggeration, one of the best sounding amps I have ever heard. For comparison, I own a Demeter rig, SVT, V4b, V4BH, and a few more.
Yes it is lowend1. Blue bird w/white stars and red wings on the pick-guard. Right now it is my Eb tuned bass, for when we do Hendrix and the like. The T-bird has very even output and thickness in tone, all across the fretboard, and sounds just great in a 3 piece with the B100r! As you well know!
I have one from about 02 or 03, bought it new and I love it. I intend to pick up another if I see one around.
Does the bird have the "76" on it? How is the output on your pickups? Mine is very low - typical of the earlier 76s - but the tone is to die for. I've had it since 1979.
No "76" in the bird, so maybe not an actual Bicentennial. Was made in '79 according to the serial number and I've had it since about '85. Traded a '72 Chevy Nova + $100 for it. Pickups maybe aren't as hot as my P basses, at least not the Dimarzio or Duncan P's. But they do sound nice, and I never thought of them as being low output. A keeper for sure!
Last edited:
Ya, that would make sense from a physics standpoint
Still, having a little 12" combo is always a good thing for certain things.
I'd wager that the B-50R is a bit of a rare bird nowadays. I had one before my B-100R, and although I absolutely prefer it in most every way, the B-50R did have a great sound for something its size.
I agree. I own both. To me the B50R is rarer. I love the B100R live, and the B50R for recording.
I've owned my B100R since it was released back in 1997. It's a great amp and I'll probably never get rid of it. I bought it at the time because as a freshman in HS I couldn't afford a real B-15. But I finally got a 1966 B-15 this past Spring and as much as I love the B100R, it just can't quite compare to the sound of the B-15. That's to be expected, but the B100R is still great.
I had a B100R first, then picked up a 50. Never quite warmed up to the 50, although I used it, combined with the 100, to gig with. Sold it when I found my second 100.
No "76" in the bird, so maybe not an actual Bicentennial. Was made in '79 according to the serial number and I've had it since about '85. Traded a '72 Chevy Nova + $100 for it. Pickups maybe aren't as hot as my P basses, at least not the Dimarzio or Duncan P's. But they do sound nice, and I never thought of them as being low output. A keeper for sure!
The pickups were problematic in the early Bicentennials. While mine never made any objectionable noise, I did have soundmen ask me what was up with the low signal. I never really noticed, because I used to just turn my V4B/8x10 rig up a little louder than most players to compensate. That put me into the V4B's sweet spot - that glorious growl. I eventually requesting a mic on the 8x10, which worked nicely.
I'd like to get mine restored sometime. It still works and is plenty useful, just looks rough right now.
Sweet - although I'm loving my two B100's, I still get a little teary-eyed when I think of my old B15n that got stolen... (tears)
