Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[evs]

So I have an RB-210 on the way to hopefully replace my GKMB115-ii as it wasn’t quite loud enough for gigging (and I tend to prefer 10s over 15s).
Already thinking about extension cab options but the fact that there isn’t a true matching cab to form an actual “stack” kind of bugs me.
Then I had a crazy idea: what about replacing the speakers with a pair of higher powered 8 ohm drivers to let the amp see 4ohm and unlock the full 500 watts without the need for an extension cab? If they were neo drivers it could make the amp even lighter! Anyone out there go this route, or have any ideas what speakers might be a good match for the RB210s cabinet dimensions?
I feel like this might not cost any more than an extension cab, and while 4 speakers would of course be louder than two it could be enough to just take it over the top volume and punch wise.

I kept thinking that I would add an extension cab to my RB210, but after lots of band rehearsals and gigs, I realise I don't need to. Though it would be cool.
I would wait til you play it, then decide.

 

[Bass]

...Already thinking about extension cab options but the fact that there isn’t a true matching cab to form an actual “stack” kind of bugs me....

It bugs me too. Both the RB-210 and RB-115 are 20.2 inches in width, so they could make an extension cab that would fit either combo.

 

[Chris Marinelli]

I kept thinking that I would add an extension cab to my RB210, but after lots of band rehearsals and gigs, I realise I don't need to. Though it would be cool.
I would wait til you play it, then decide.

oh I do plan to give a good tryout first, just food for thought more than anything. I don’t know much about what kind of speaker would work for it or anything, I’m not really great with the whole volume/displacement/etc technical speaker can stuff.

 

[iagtrplyr]

oh I do plan to give a good tryout first, just food for thought more than anything. I don’t know much about what kind of speaker would work for it or anything, I’m not really great with the whole volume/displacement/etc technical speaker can stuff.

Have you looked at the PF-210 cab? I haven’t checked dimensions, but if they’re close enough that would be a terrific rig. Take the combo when you don’t need as much volume, take the extra cab when ya do.

I have an RB-112 and their 112 cabinet and, size-wise, they’re a perfect match. Of course, the combo doesn’t have an extension. Your idea may work and would be similar to GK’s 212 combo.

 

[Chris Marinelli]

Have you looked at the PF-210 cab? I haven’t checked dimensions, but if they’re close enough that would be a terrific rig. Take the combo when you don’t need as much volume, take the extra cab when ya do.

I have an RB-112 and their 112 cabinet and, size-wise, they’re a perfect match. Of course, the combo doesn’t have an extension. Your idea may work and would be similar to GK’s 212 combo.

They would work okay, but the PF-210 cab is slightly larger all around. My bigger issue is it's heavier than the whole combo!

 

[iagtrplyr]

They would work okay, but the PF-210 cab is slightly larger all around. My bigger issue is it's heavier than the whole combo!

True ‘dat. I owned both the 210 and 115 cabinets and while I didn’t find them impossible to move, flinging a lightweight combo around is much easier. Maybe your idea for loading up high-powered neos is the way to go. See what others have to say.

 

[Yahboy]

They would work okay, but the PF-210 cab is slightly larger all around. My bigger issue is it's heavier than the whole combo!

Ampeg should launch the size matching RB115C or RB210C while RB combo sell in market, just like what Fender Rumble V3 did.
I recall that same marketing issue on previous BA II series too.

Or, Yammypeg make a RB410 combo like Marshall MB4410 or Hartke VX350 combo, but, ofcause lightweight.

Invalid Link Removed

Samson Technologies

For me, i prefer RB212 combo in SVT 210 cab shape.

 

[swagbotbilly]

Ampeg should launch the size matching RB115C or RB210C while RB combo sell in market, just like what Fender Rumble V3 did.
I recall that same marketing issue on previous BA II series too.

Or, Yammypeg make a RB410 combo like Marshall MB4410 or Hartke VX350 combo, but, ofcause lightweight.

Invalid Link Removed

Samson Technologies

For me, i prefer RB212 combo in SVT 210 cab shape.

I've been hoping for a 115C as well

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Well I made a longish trek to GuitarCenter to see for myself how light these are, which model I would prefer, etc.. I can make the following observations:

1. They are unbelievably light. the Rb210 not so much. It is light for what it is, but its just heavy enough that I would probably still put it on a dolly to schlep it into a venue myself. Might as well get head/cab at that point, other than cost savings. But the RB112 and under are extremely light.
   
   
2. I was not impressed with the RB112 at all. Sounded boomy in a ported kind of way that I just did not appreciate. It was also definitely not loud enough to be anything other then a practice amp or perhaps for non-rock-band uses. I turned it up pretty loud in GC and it was still just not loud at all. Using EQ reduces boom, and volume along with it. People say these are supposed to sound like Ampeg...but I didn't hear that here. Different strokes for different folks..some people like the boom.
   
   
3. The RB210 sounded fantastic. And I liked the sound of the small RB110 much better then the RB112 honestly. Tight and focused. For a practice amp I would personally choose that one over the RB112. In my mind it sounded very similar as the RB210, but just less volume. Guess I'm a 10" guy. They didn't have a 15" for me to try, but I'm pretty sure I would not like that either.
   
   
4. I did not like the SGT circuit at all. I tried it on subtle settings, loud settings, in between settings...to me it just sounds like gimmicky distortion sound I would never use. It also substantially reduced the volume when in use. I do not think it "warms" the sound at all, it just makes it sound synthetic and nasal.

I have more or less decided I will get a small practice amp for now, or possibly just some good headphones to use with my GT1B while I learn more how to play the bass. when I get to gigging, I would personally not be satisfied with the RB112, I'm sure I would need at least the RB210...and possibly I would rather get the PF350 + SVT210AV's or something like that. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. For practice amp I'm a little torn between getting the RB110 or perhaps fall back to the good ol' Rumble 40 (which I couldn't try, but it has sterling reputation as a practice amp). Or I might just get some nice headphones to use with my GT1B for now.

Thing is, the next stepping stone in bass playing for me, is to start jamming with some people, looking for small band opportunities.. I don't need a fancy bass rig, but I will need something pretty loud for these situations...as more often then not they are playing without proper PA support (PA's with no low end...or perhaps none at all if showing up to jam with some people to see how it goes, etc.) So I will maybe still have a look at that RB210 in a bit..not sure yet. The RB112 would never suffice for that task...beyond that fact that I didn't even like that much how it sounded.

I have the RB-112 and the RB-210 WITH a 115 (Ampeg Portaflex) cab hooked up to it. It sounds AMAZING! Loud, boomy, very nice. I agree that the RB 112 is a practice amp; to me, I was able to dial it in so it sounded fantastic (whatever that means to you). I did try the RB-115 and I didn't think it was as loud as the RB-112! Unless you hook up a cab to the RB 115, the RB 112 + RB 115 have the same wattage (100). I tried the RB-112 in a store and the person I was with was at the other end of the store shopping and they thought it was a much bigger bass rig being played, like, the sound really carries the further away you are. Peace!

 

[Yahboy]

My personal favorite SGT setup on my RB112, beside overall tone get hefty (along with Ultra HI ON) , tighten up the LOW freq and meaty-full the G string voice, there is not much volume change/increase/drop once engage.

 

[flatrat]

Well I made a longish trek to GuitarCenter to see for myself how light these are, which model I would prefer, etc.. I can make the following observations:

1. They are unbelievably light. the Rb210 not so much. It is light for what it is, but its just heavy enough that I would probably still put it on a dolly to schlep it into a venue myself. Might as well get head/cab at that point, other than cost savings. But the RB112 and under are extremely light.
   
   
2. I was not impressed with the RB112 at all. Sounded boomy in a ported kind of way that I just did not appreciate. It was also definitely not loud enough to be anything other then a practice amp or perhaps for non-rock-band uses. I turned it up pretty loud in GC and it was still just not loud at all. Using EQ reduces boom, and volume along with it. People say these are supposed to sound like Ampeg...but I didn't hear that here. Different strokes for different folks..some people like the boom.
   
   
3. The RB210 sounded fantastic. And I liked the sound of the small RB110 much better then the RB112 honestly. Tight and focused. For a practice amp I would personally choose that one over the RB112. In my mind it sounded very similar as the RB210, but just less volume. Guess I'm a 10" guy. They didn't have a 15" for me to try, but I'm pretty sure I would not like that either.
   
   
4. I did not like the SGT circuit at all. I tried it on subtle settings, loud settings, in between settings...to me it just sounds like gimmicky distortion sound I would never use. It also substantially reduced the volume when in use. I do not think it "warms" the sound at all, it just makes it sound synthetic and nasal.

I have more or less decided I will get a small practice amp for now, or possibly just some good headphones to use with my GT1B while I learn more how to play the bass. when I get to gigging, I would personally not be satisfied with the RB112, I'm sure I would need at least the RB210...and possibly I would rather get the PF350 + SVT210AV's or something like that. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. For practice amp I'm a little torn between getting the RB110 or perhaps fall back to the good ol' Rumble 40 (which I couldn't try, but it has sterling reputation as a practice amp). Or I might just get some nice headphones to use with my GT1B for now.

Thing is, the next stepping stone in bass playing for me, is to start jamming with some people, looking for small band opportunities.. I don't need a fancy bass rig, but I will need something pretty loud for these situations...as more often then not they are playing without proper PA support (PA's with no low end...or perhaps none at all if showing up to jam with some people to see how it goes, etc.) So I will maybe still have a look at that RB210 in a bit..not sure yet. The RB112 would never suffice for that task...beyond that fact that I didn't even like that much how it sounded.

I bought the Ampeg RB 210 last week and didn't care for it. Alone at home it sounded good, after I dialed in the EQ. During rehearsals, I had to fiddle around with the EQ quite a bit to get the tone I wanted and it wasn't quite there. There was significant volume drop from the E & A strings to the D & G strings. This is not an issue when I play through the Rumble 500 I have.

I took it to rehearsals with the two bands I play in and A/B'ed with the Rumble 500 and everyone loved the Rumble. So I returned the RB 210 and ordered a second Rumble 500 today.

If you play in a band with electric guitars and drums, you'll need an RB 210 or something comparable. Good luck with the explorations.

 

[kkprince]

Hello all . For practicing i’m oriented on acquiring the 110 version.
Also from the specs seems the most quieter in terms of s/n ratio (85db)
Ideal for an apartment use.
I’m wonder if someone can tell me if this version will hiss as well…
And if the front panel can be removed exposing the speaker like the 210.
Will this come with high freq horn ?
Cheers
THX

 

[Mastermold]

Hello all . For practicing i’m oriented on acquiring the 110 version.
Also from the specs seems the most quieter in terms of s/n ratio (85db)
Ideal for an apartment use.
I’m wonder if someone can tell me if this version will hiss as well…
And if the front panel can be removed exposing the speaker like the 210.
Will this come with high freq horn ?
Cheers
THX

I don’t think any of these combos have horns. But if you want a photo with the grill off check out Sweetwater.com. They show photos of all angels including one of the grill off.

 

[Yahboy]

Hello all . For practicing i’m oriented on acquiring the 110 version.
Also from the specs seems the most quieter in terms of s/n ratio (85db)
Ideal for an apartment use.
I’m wonder if someone can tell me if this version will hiss as well…
And if the front panel can be removed exposing the speaker like the 210.
Will this come with high freq horn ?
Cheers
THX

Beside hissy issue on my first Rb112, the following RB115 , store test unit RB110 and my current 2nd RB112 has zero hiss even volume point to 3 o'clock (both my bass load Fralin Split 51 pup and Cort VTB-ST humcancelling J pup).

But, the tiny hiss will shown once SGT engage , the hiss get increase when SGT level turn up. Those hiss still far lower than single coil hum.

Hopehelp.

Edit, only RB210 has Horn tweeter.

 

[kkprince]

Can be this "hiss" related to typical high gain noise of operational amplifiers used for the high gain overdrive stage?
I mean the classic noise of high distorted guitar using pedals with old stuff like TL06x family?
Or it is something more "tonal", close to larsen\autooscillation stuff?
Maybe You can upload a small audio sample ? I do not want snakes in my amps...

 

[lowendrv]

 

[Michael Eisenman]

I like the sound of my RB-112. However, for situations that require more power, I have an AI Focus III that can do 1000 watts @ 2Ω (easily more power than my two EA Wizzy 12 M-Line cabs can handle).

I know that I can send a signal from the RB-112 to the AI, but in lieu of schlepping both amps, which pedal can I use to replicate the sound of the RB-112, más o menos? Simpler is better.

 

[Yahboy]

Some time, my RB112 shown static buzz while each note i pluck with SGT engage. Both Grid and Level knob make scratching noise too. After i tweak both knob, plug/unplug the instrument cable or turn on/off the power switch several time, those static buzz gone.

I have no idea what wrong on it.

 

[Yahboy]

The Katana make the Jazz bass sound Gibson-ist .
Been try the Katana 60 several week ago, and she just sound boxy quality to my ear compare to Rb112.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Some time, my RB112 shown static buzz while each note i pluck with SGT engage. Both Grid and Level knob make scratching noise too. After i tweak both knob, plug/unplug the instrument cable or turn on/off the power switch several time, those static buzz gone.

I have no idea what wrong on it.

Whenever I read scratchy pots, I think of what I read here on TB a while back. As Asian-produced amps are transported to their destinations via ships, the moist salt air can adversely affect potentiometers. A shot of DeoxIT along with the tweaking you’re doing now should fix it. If it doesn’t, then it may something else. Pick up a can and give it a try.