Ampeg B-100r Rocket Aficionados

[Bass 45]

I just found this thread. I have a B50-R and a B100-R. Both of them are fantastic amps. Others here have covered all the tech details, like the 100 having rear ports. Both of them make getting a bad tone impossible. I have used the 50 on small folk music gigs at bookstores, so it's totally useable. I love the 100 for small blues gigs, but it's not quite enough for a rock club gig. It's enough to make me want to buy a B200-R...it has a tube preamp stage!

I just purchased a 200R. It is a fixer upper. The usual issues-mainly, the aluminum chassis is broken loose.

When I finish the repairs on it, I will post a recording with a 100R.

For what it's worth, the 200R is my favorite. For me, it is more powerful, versatile, and it only weighs about two or three pounds more. Love 'em both though.

 

[Tom Howland]

Check it out for sure. People I've talked to are like 50/50 on the 200. But I think 9 out of 10 love the 100.
To me the B100R is the best combo Ampeg ever made. TJM

 

[leemelone]

I broke my 100R out today after seeing this thread. I played my RW Precision strung with flats through it and I love the vintage old school tone! I agree it's the best combo Ampeg ever made. As a point of comparison, I had an old tube flip top B18 back in the day and never really liked the tone of the speaker in it. The head sounded great through an SVT 8x10 but not through the original speaker.

 

[R&B]

My B-100R hangs out at the drummer's studio. I need to get over there!!

 

[rayzak]

I broke my 100R out today after seeing this thread. I played my RW Precision strung with flats through it and I love the vintage old school tone! I agree it's the best combo Ampeg ever made. As a point of comparison, I had an old tube flip top B18 back in the day and never really liked the tone of the speaker in it. The head sounded great through an SVT 8x10 but not through the original speaker.

Ha! This thread had me plug my Rosewood jazz into mine too. It's been a while. The only problem is that after I use my 100, I always try to tweak my "big rig" to get the same tone. Can't do it.... Similar. But...
Great combos!!!

 

[beans-on-toast]

Just to let you know, I created an entry for this thread under, Ampeg Clubs, in the list of TalkBass Wikis.

Click on wiki at the top of the page, select List of all wiki pages. It is at the top under A.

 

[PWRL]

I'd like to find another of these sometime.

 

[Bass 45]

I'd like to find another of these sometime.

I don't know where you live - but Guitar Center online/used always has a couple available - sometimes at a really good price.

 

[PWRL]

I don't know where you live - but Guitar Center online/used always has a couple available - sometimes at a really good price.

I'm in Wisconsin at the moment. I should check them out online more often.

 

[KF2B]

Has anyone found inconsistency in between the B-100R´s what comes to sound?

I´ve had three - all made in USA - and will hold onto the most banged up one. The other two were excellent amps as well but they just paled in direct contrast to "Peggy" (thus names as "AM" has dropped off) and I really do not fathom why? - the amps were placed exactly on the same place, played with the exact same gear etc. And it was consistent - the "Peggy" just had it over it´s siblings.

Seems that like basses amps too can be individuals. - Would you agree?

 

[gfaulkner]

Amps can definitely be individuals,most common separator being the speaker.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Has anyone found inconsistency in between the B-100R´s what comes to sound?

I´ve had three - all made in USA - and will hold onto the most banged up one. The other two were excellent amps as well but they just paled in direct contrast to "Peggy" (thus names as "AM" has dropped off) and I really do not fathom why? - the amps were placed exactly on the same place, played with the exact same gear etc. And it was consistent - the "Peggy" just had it over it´s siblings.

Seems that like basses amps too can be individuals. - Would you agree?

I've always thought that this comes down to variations in the component tolerances.

It is a rare event, but every once in a while, everything comes together and an amp will stand out over the others. This is something that some collectors seek out. Other people like Neil Young simply go out and buys every amp that you can lay their hands on of the model that they like (tweed Fender Deluxe 5E3) hoping to catch the magic of that one magical sounding amp.

I have a few amps like that and you can spend a lifetime searching.

Often, when a company is going to reissue an amp, they will seek out the best sounding example and base the reissue on the sou d of the gold standard model.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

I have noticed an interesting fact while reading this thread. A number of posters, (myself included), own more than one B100r. I also, as well as some others here, own a B15 too, (mines, a '63), as well as various other Ampeg rigs. I can see having a variety to choose from, depending on what amp might suit a particular situation, but why do we want to own multiple copies of the same model. I'm out of room, and out of money, but I search the word "Ampeg" on my local Craig's List more than once a day, every day. Do I need professional psychological counseling?

I'm just wondering. Are we geniuses, or are we nuts.

 

[Lobster11]

I have noticed an interesting fact while reading this thread. A number of posters, (myself included), own more than one B100r. I also, as well as some others here, own a B15 too, (mines, a '63), as well as various other Ampeg rigs. I can see having a variety to choose from, depending on what amp might suit a particular situation, but why do we want to own multiple copies of the same model. I'm out of room, and out of money, but I search the word "Ampeg" on my local Craig's List more than once a day, every day. Do I need professional psychological counseling?

I'm just wondering. Are we geniuses, or are we nuts.

I won't attempt to answer the question at the end, but one reason to have two might be to use them together. I've stacked my B50R on top of my B100R, and I know others have posted about using a pair of B100Rs together. A cool way to do this is to split your signal, sending one line direct to the bottom amp and the other line through your effects/pedals to the top amp -- which has the advantage of preserving the low end when using bottom-sucking effects.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I have noticed an interesting fact while reading this thread. A number of posters, (myself included), own more than one B100r. I also, as well as some others here, own a B15 too, (mines, a '63), as well as various other Ampeg rigs. I can see having a variety to choose from, depending on what amp might suit a particular situation, but why do we want to own multiple copies of the same model. I'm out of room, and out of money, but I search the word "Ampeg" on my local Craig's List more than once a day, every day. Do I need professional psychological counseling?

I'm just wondering. Are we geniuses, or are we nuts.

The urge to buy amps never seems to go away. Best you can do is resist as best you can. But like they say resistance is futile.

 

[Jaycephas]

So a b100r came up on Craigslist - original owner, great overall condition, priced right. I read all the TB comments on this amp and it's mine now!

Took it home and played all my basses through it - what an amazing-sounding combo amp! Really has a punchy, vintage vibe. I also happen to have a PF800 and two PF115he that I gig with regularly. I A/B'd them and can get a similar sound, which is great for me. I can use the b100r at smaller gigs and practice. I have some time this weekend and think I will run the line out of either the PF800 or the b100r and see how massive a 'wall of Ampeg tone' I can get!

 

[Mastermold]

Nice! I've recently rediscovered my B-200R and have gigged it at a couple recent bar gigs. These rocket amps are great.

 

[Jaycephas]

I threw a compressor and my Fat Boost 3 in the chain to see what the combo would do. The FB3 pushed the amp in a good way, and I was able to get a little wool on the tone, which is a good thing!

 

[Lync]

B100r has always done better for me with a preamp in front of it.

 

[Lobster11]

Right. I run a VT Bass into mine.