Ampeg RB-115

[freshbass]

I love the tone of my 90's B100R w/ the blues band I play in but it's too heavy so I leave it in my practice space. So I ordered the new RB-115 for gigs. Any knowledge on which eminence speaker to use if I decide to swap the stock 8 ohm for a 4ohm to get the full 200 watts at the internal speaker? Of course, I may leave it as is. I do have the GK 200MB for loud rock gigs which puts the full 200 watts into the cab 15" speaker.

 

[Mastermold]

My only experience with the RB-115 was in Guitar Center when I tried it out along with the RB-112 and RB-110 they had. My subjective impression was it was every bit as loud as the B100Rs I've played, so if that's your benchmark for usability in your band I think you'll be fine with the stock speaker. I thought it was noticeably louder and fuller sounding than the 112, but that either could work with a drummer and "reasonable" guitar players.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Look for the Ampeg Rocket Bass Combo thread, found right now on P. 2 for information you might helpful.

I own the 112, but know some 115 owners too and the topic of what ext cab often comes up. Your best bet, IMHO, would be the Ampeg Portaflex PF-115 HLF cabinet. That’d be a lot of deep bass and air moved with those 200 watts.

Knowing you can use anything you want as long as it works with the combo, if aesthetics or sound continuity aren’t as important, there are many competing brands out there offering quality 115s. Good hunting!

 

[Yahboy]

If you need more low end spread, RB115; if you need more in your face voice, RB112.

I own both and keep the RB112 which sound better to my ear. Actually no difference on output when volume knob point to 2 0clock, but the bommy low end are more notable from RB115 along with less upper mid.

Hop help

 

[jnammy]

I'm gonna have to disagree with Yahboy on this one, I just compared the RB112 with the RB115 at GC today and size wise, they were very similar (2 inches wider and 1 inch taller I think?) but volume wise, there was a really noticeable difference. The RB112 filled the room nicely, but with the RB115, I felt it right in my chest, it got extremely loud, loudest 100 watts of bass I've ever heard. Sounded like at least 200 watts through 1x15 to me. Also, the mids on the RB115 sounded exactly the same to me as the RB112, it's just that the mids on the RB112 gets punchy earlier at lower volumes than the RB115 because it maxes out sooner. For only $130 and 8 lbs more, and at almost the same size, it was a no brainer for me to go with the RB115, even though I went into GC with my heart set on the RB112, largely based on Yahboy's comments.

 

[Mastermold]

I'm gonna have to disagree with Yahboy on this one, I just compared the RB112 with the RB115 at GC today and size wise, there were very similar (2 inches wider and 1 inch taller I think?) but volume wise, there was a really noticeable difference. The RB112 filled the room pretty decently, but the with the 115, I felt it right in my chest, it got extremely loud, loudest 100 watts of bass I've ever heard. Sounded like at least 200 watts through 1x15 to me. Also, the mids on RB115 sounded the exactly same to me as the RB112, it's just that the mids on the RB112 gets punchy earlier at lower volumes than the RB115 because it maxes out sooner. For only $130 and 8 more lbs and at almost the same size, it was a no brainer for me to go with the RB115, even though I went into GC with my heart set on the RB112, largely based on Yahboy's comments.

My impression was the same as yours, the 112 was good and the 115 better for the reasons you said. I think the 112 can be sufficient depending on the need, however. The spectrum of choices is to address different needs.

 

[jnammy]

Also, I'm almost positive that the RB115 is getting more than 100 watts to it, without an extension cab. They may have just said 100 watts so that Ampeg/Yamaha can position it below the RB210 in terms of price; I wouldn't even be surprised if the RB115 and the RB210 shared the same power module. I have a Hartke KB15 (500 watts, but really 250 watts RMS) at home, which sounds great and is very loud and the RB115 is just as loud, if not a bit louder.

 

[Gnarledlowend]

I love the tone of my 90's B100R w/ the blues band I play in but it's too heavy so I leave it in my practice space. So I ordered the new RB-115 for gigs. Any knowledge on which eminence speaker to use if I decide to swap the stock 8 ohm for a 4ohm to get the full 200 watts at the internal speaker? Of course, I may leave it as is. I do have the GK 200MB for loud rock gigs which puts the full 200 watts into the cab 15" speaker.

What are some of the tone differences between the B100r and RB115? Which one goes louder and which one do you prefer? I’ve been thinking about picking a b100r but the RB115 is very tempting. Thanks!
.

 

[freshbass]

I love the tone of my 90's B100R w/ the blues band I play in but it's too heavy so I leave it in my practice space. So I ordered the new RB-115 for gigs. Any knowledge on which eminence speaker to use if I decide to swap the stock 8 ohm for a 4ohm to get the full 200 watts at the internal speaker? Of course, I may leave it as is. I do have the GK 200MB for loud rock gigs which puts the full 200 watts into the cab 15" speaker.

eminence ca154 works great in mine

 

[freshbass]

Also, I'm almost positive that the RB115 is getting more than 100 watts to it, without an extension cab. They may have just said 100 watts so that Ampeg/Yamaha can position it below the RB210 in terms of price; I wouldn't even be surprised if the RB115 and the RB210 shared the same power module. I have a Hartke KB15 (500 watts, but really 250 watts RMS) at home, which sounds great and is very loud and the RB115 is just as loud, if not a bit louder.

140 watts to internal speaker, likely the ampeg is louder than the Hartke because the box is larger, speaker cab is likely the factor. I did swap my 15" for an eminence CA154 which put the full 200 watts internal but the volume difference was minimal ( +- 3db) and the tone wasn't as warm so I swapped it back. I wish Ampeg made an 8 ohm RB15 ext cab similar looks and a tad smaller w/o the head of course. I'm back on my 2nd version of this combo and the new LaVoce drivers are great once they are broke in. I always play new speakers at low volume for awhile before I gig w/ them.