Ampeg Rocket B100R

[Gaetano Paul]

I just recently scored on of these in trade off Craigs List, I am super thrilled. I did a search on the forum and it seems most guys say gigging with it is a no go. But I am hoping I can, I paln on using it for stage volume/feel and plugging the line out to the PA, also using it for rehersal with or without running into PA. ANyone see any problems with this?

I really dig the tone of this amp, kind of a shame it has no extension out to any additional cabs.

 

[rpsands]

These things are definitely giggable.

 

[Gaetano Paul]

These things are definitely giggable.

Great! Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[rpsands]

More info: It's going to depend on how responsible your band mates are but I've gotten by with just my Backline 112 for practices and light gigging so the B100R which is quite a bit louder should be fine in most cases. If you've got PA backup, you should be set in any situation where you have a rational stage volume

 

[Dr McBalders]

These things are definitely giggable.

+at least 1; Played w/ one in a loud trio for a few years; no prob. at all, especially w/ PA support.
Congrats on the score! Man, I still miss mine. . .

 

[Gaetano Paul]

The guitar player plays a Orange AD30 w 2x12 cab, 30 watts of tube. I have a 30 Watt tube amp 1x12 at home and I think this B100R could hang with it no problem.

Thanks Baldy

 

[Jonyak]

I owned one for a while and I couldn't even jam with it. I found it much too quiet for that. its more of a bedroom practice amp.

 

[Rob Martinez]

It is a very giggable amp. I have one and a B50R and use them all the time. It is nonsense to think you can't use it at a gig, unless your bandmates are ridiculous and play too loud. Or you play arenas and stadiums. With PA support, an Ampeg B100R is plenty and sounds amazing too.

 

[rpsands]

I find those Ampeg B50/B100 combos to be good complements to a reasonable drummer and a guitar player with a 1x12 combo. 2x12 combo is a bit more dependent on him being responsible.

 

[kevcooke]

I have the 100r and should do fine for small gigs/trio stuff/rehearsals but I'm fast getting bored of how much it weighs.

 

[recreate.me]

I would gig it... At the least its a great monitor and you can always mic it, or line out to the PA system for support in the speakers.

 

[stiles72]

The B-100R is one of my favorite bass amps. I use one regularly with an oldies/classic rock band, and will sometimes run it in a stereo setup with a '63 B-15. Anyone who says you can't gig with it, probbaly hasn't played through one.

 

[dougjwray]

These things can get surprisingly loud, IMO... I think it has to do with the fact that the 15 is 4 ohms, not 8.
I've used mine on festival stages with no problem. They're not an SVT rig, but they're respectably loud, absolutely not just a bedroom practice amp.
Make sure you turn up the gain level to the point where you're making it go into the red when you really attack the bass. (Don't pin it, though.) Then, I think you'll find that by turning the master anywhere past, say, two or three o'clock, you'll have pretty generous volume. Leaving mids in will also help you cut through.
I should also mention that I've had mine for 10 years and it's functioned just fine the whole time.
Finally, certain people will assume you're going to sound good -- before they hear you play a note -- just by looking at it (something to do with the vintage diamond Tolex). It's happened to me numerous times. Silly... but it happens.
Good luck-- they're very cool amps!

 

[Gaetano Paul]

I owned one for a while and I couldn't even jam with it. I found it much too quiet for that. its more of a bedroom practice amp.

Bedroom practice amp? Wow I live in a condo and at about half power the neighboors walls a shaking violently.
Everyone says its fine but this one dude? :scowl:
Jonyak do you play metal?


The guitar player has a 2x12, but its only a 30watter. I was under the assumption an extra 12 just adds fullness and not loudness db's, though I know I can crank with my 30 watter

 

[loendmaestro]

It is a very giggable amp. I have one and a B50R and use them all the time. It is nonsense to think you can't use it at a gig, unless your bandmates are ridiculous and play too loud. Or you play arenas and stadiums. With PA support, an Ampeg B100R is plenty and sounds amazing too.

^
This.

 

[rpsands]

Your assumption is wrong. A 30 watt 2x12 will be at least as loud, if not louder, than a 60 watt 1x12, all things being equal.

That said: If he's not cranking the **** out of it, you should be fine

 

[Gaetano Paul]

Your assumption is wrong. A 30 watt 2x12 will be at least as loud, if not louder, than a 60 watt 1x12, all things being equal.

That said: If he's not cranking the **** out of it, you should be fine

Cool, thanks for clearing that up. Not sure I would even play with a band that is cranking the ish out of it anyways.

 

[Bongolation]

I have the 100r and should do fine for small gigs/trio stuff/rehearsals but I'm fast getting bored of how much it weighs.

Wheels, man, wheels!

I made 'em gimme a set when I bought mine.

I got it for a tiny regular gig that never gelled. It's been sitting around here unused ever since. Nice amp, fragile covering.

 

[VTHacker]

Great amp for gigging... if you're cranking it up, though, you might want to consider leaving the "ultra low" button off—it can get a little woofy. I love the hell out of mine. The old-school tone is a perfect match for fretless.

 

[JxBass]

One of my all time favorite combos, so much so that I bought a second one to have in another location. A very loud 100 watts that will handle mid-sized gigs with no problem.