Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[iagtrplyr]

So I had band practice the other day. I used my RB112 and it did really well. I did notice with my new P Bass with Dimarzio pickups, I have to bump the mids up to about 3 o'clock and dip the bass to about 11 o'clock. I also run the SGT with no grit and level up all the way. I also had my volume set at about 10 o'clock. It was pretty loud and I could hear clearly. That usually that means I'm too loud though!

B90, good to see ya! I’m glad you’re liking your 112 combo. If you remember, I’ve had one for a while now and enjoyed immensely. I’ve gigged with it myself and dropping the bass isn’t unfamiliar.

As far as running up your mids, every bass/pickup configuration offers its own unique fingerprint. That’s half the fun, isn’t it?

I think Ampeg/Yamaha hit a homer with this line and I’m really interested in seeing what’s coming up in the near future.

 

[bordinco90]

B90, good to see ya! I’m glad you’re liking your 112 combo. If you remember, I’ve had one for a while now and enjoyed immensely. I’ve gigged with it myself and dropping the bass isn’t unfamiliar.

As far as running up your mids, every bass/pickup configuration offers its own unique fingerprint. That’s half the fun, isn’t it?

I think Ampeg/Yamaha hit a homer with this line and I’m really interested in seeing what’s coming up in the near future.

Yeah I even experimented with the ultra hi button. It added alot of clarity to the sound. I do have flats on the P as well and with the Dimarzio, it's a way hotter sound than my other P bass. Even with my old P bass, I still have to push the mids up, but I also had to push the mids up with the Rumble 100. The sound coming out of the Ampeg is way better than the Rumble 100 I used to own.

 

[birdsongs]

Hi Rocket owners!! I am planning to upgrade to either an RB210 or a 115 from my BA108. There is one of each available in the area. I tried them both and definitely favored the 210. However, there was quite a hiss coming from the 210 at high volumes. I see in this thread that it seems pretty common and is not bothersome when playing. Be that as it may, it bugs me enough that I’d take the 115 instead which was pretty much dead silent. We tried a new, higher quality cord and it changed the hiss quality but was still rather loud, mind you much more so at high volumes but that’s where I tend to hang out. I was using my bass and though it was silent on the 115, I figured perhaps there was something about my pickups that for some reason didn’t play nicely with the amp. I live rather far away and later discovered that there’s a horn kill switch. I called the shop and asked him to experiment with another bass and a new cord. He said the hiss was still there after turning the horn off, though it was quieter. He did say that even with the horn off, the 115 was absolutely still quieter. I see that some of you have turned the horns off on your 210s. So my question is, should that make the hiss practically disappear which would indicate some kind of defect with the one I played, or is it still inherently hissy at high volume compared to all the other models that seemed to me to be relatively silent?

Probably a bit late on this but I have an RB210 and the hiss drove me crazy at first. I tried everything, different power outlets, different cables, different bases.

In the end I just keep the horn always switched off. This makes it dead silent unless I’m past 12oclock, and at that point the amp (and everyone else) is loud enough that no one will hear the faint hiss.

I’ve noticed no tone loss without it, I’m also curious about permanently de-horning it.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yeah I even experimented with the ultra hi button. It added alot of clarity to the sound. I do have flats on the P as well and with the Dimarzio, it's a way hotter sound than my other P bass. Even with my old P bass, I still have to push the mids up, but I also had to push the mids up with the Rumble 100. The sound coming out of the Ampeg is way better than the Rumble 100 I used to own.

Agreed! The Rocket Bass replaces my R100 and I’ve never looked back. Gone is the inherit low-mid mud that I was always trying to dial out no matter what bass I was using. My Rumble days are over, I’ve found my tone!

 

[Lemur Bassman]

So I had band practice the other day. I used my RB112 and it did really well. I did notice with my new P Bass with Dimarzio pickups, I have to bump the mids up to about 3 o'clock and dip the bass to about 11 o'clock. I also run the SGT with no grit and level up all the way. I also had my volume set at about 10 o'clock. It was pretty loud and I could hear clearly. That usually that means I'm too loud though!

GREAT amp!! I have one as well and have been very impressed! Depending on the type of music you play, it can certainly fit right in. With other types of music, not so much (loud guitarist, drummer, etc).

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Probably a bit late on this but I have an RB210 and the hiss drove me crazy at first. I tried everything, different power outlets, different cables, different bases.

In the end I just keep the horn always switched off. This makes it dead silent unless I’m past 12oclock, and at that point the amp (and everyone else) is loud enough that no one will hear the faint hiss.

I’ve noticed no tone loss without it, I’m also curious about permanently de-horning it.

I also have the 210 and never use the horn and have never had the "hiss"; so I don't know if mine has it or not. With the Ampeg's, you really don't need a horn in my experience due to the high mids and trebles. By the way, do you have a cab hooked up to it? I do and man that thing gets loud!

 

[birdsongs]

I also have the 210 and never use the horn and have never had the "hiss"; so I don't know if mine has it or not. With the Ampeg's, you really don't need a horn in my experience due to the high mids and trebles. By the way, do you have a cab hooked up to it? I do and man that thing gets loud!

Not yet! I don’t really “need” a cab, but I can’t say I haven’t had my eye on a 115 to give me the good thumps. I’ll probably get one eventually when I get some spare cash, just to cover all my basses.

It honestly gets shockingly loud as is.

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Not yet! I don’t really “need” a cab, but I can’t say I haven’t had my eye on a 115 to give me the good thumps. I’ll probably get one eventually when I get some spare cash, just to cover all my basses.

It honestly gets shockingly loud as is.

I have that same set-up with the 115 and the low-end is incredible. I wouldn't advise if you live in an apartment

 

[bordinco90]

GREAT amp!! I have one as well and have been very impressed! Depending on the type of music you play, it can certainly fit right in. With other types of music, not so much (loud guitarist, drummer, etc).

Well the good thing about our band is our drummer plays electric drums and our guitarist plays with a Orange Crush 60 watt guitar combo. We do a really good job at keeping stage volume down.

 

[Jim Mangani]

I bought the RB-210 a few weeks ago. It sounds really great and gets quite loud. I plugged in my SWR Son of Bertha 1X15" to the extension speaker out and it is a great sounding combo. The distortion circuit is quite tasteful. Now please Ampeg (Yamaha) bring back the SVP Pro preamp!!

 

[minion]

i've been looking at a ba115 for some time now, of course i've waited so long i've missed out - none in stock anymore.
however, a used ba210 has come up nearby, so now i'm wondering if i should consider this.
i don't need the grunt, it's just for home practice.
i was also considering an rb115, but a user on reddit suggested forking out the extra $$ for the 210.
not sure if that's worthwhile in my situation.
it's really the tone i'm after, so was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the 2x10 (& horn) vs the 1x15?
as you can perhaps see from my avatar, i'm looking for the peter hook tone.
yes, i have a clone theory.
i'm playing through a laney at present, which is ok but i know will never really get me to where i want to go.
be keen to hear anyone's opinions.

 

[Lemur Bassman]

i've been looking at a ba115 for some time now, of course i've waited so long i've missed out - none in stock anymore.
however, a used ba210 has come up nearby, so now i'm wondering if i should consider this.
i don't need the grunt, it's just for home practice.
i was also considering an rb115, but a user on reddit suggested forking out the extra $$ for the 210.
not sure if that's worthwhile in my situation.
it's really the tone i'm after, so was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the 2x10 (& horn) vs the 1x15?
as you can perhaps see from my avatar, i'm looking for the peter hook tone.
yes, i have a clone theory.
i'm playing through a laney at present, which is ok but i know will never really get me to where i want to go.
be keen to hear anyone's opinions.

I have the Ampeg RB-210 and the Ampeg 115LF cab...AMAZING. The RB-210 sounds great by itself, but it lacks low-end. The RB - 210 has a horn and I never use it because Ampeg is more midrange-treble focus. I had the RB-115 and keep in mind that it only puts out 100 watts (like the RB-112) until you hook up a cab then you get the full 200 watts. *Note, you can't hook up a cab to the RB-112. I didn't like the BA series as much as I do the Rocket series, I believe the Rockets are much "better" to me. Home practice? Want the deep bass? Then try the RB-115 with a cab. I thought the RB-112 was louder than the RB-115 when the 115 didn't have a cab hooked up to it. Plus, the RB-112 is lighter. Hope this helps!

 

[iagtrplyr]

I have the Ampeg RB-210 and the Ampeg 115LF cab...AMAZING. The RB-210 sounds great by itself, but it lacks low-end. The RB - 210 has a horn and I never use it because Ampeg is more midrange-treble focus. I had the RB-115 and keep in mind that it only puts out 100 watts (like the RB-112) until you hook up a cab then you get the full 200 watts. *Note, you can't hook up a cab to the RB-112. I didn't like the BA series as much as I do the Rocket series, I believe the Rockets are much "better" to me. Home practice? Want the deep bass? Then try the RB-115 with a cab. I thought the RB-112 was louder than the RB-115 when the 115 didn't have a cab hooked up to it. Plus, the RB-112 is lighter. Hope this helps!

And if life was fair, there should’ve been an ext out on the RB-112 combo so I could hook up my PF-112 cabinet. Now the powers that be are forcing me to pick up a second 112 cabinet for gigging with my Orange Terror Bass or a two-speaker setup with my 20T amp. To be able to have couples the cab to the RB-112 would have been nirvana.

 

[SoulReflection]

And if life was fair, there should’ve been an ext out on the RB-112 combo so I could hook up my PF-112 cabinet. Now the powers that be are forcing me to pick up a second 112 cabinet for gigging with my Orange Terror Bass or a two-speaker setup with my 20T amp. To be able to have couples the cab to the RB-112 would have been nirvana.

In this current market place, manufacturers decide what they will offer at a certain price point. We have to dig deep into their intent to find out what their motive is. Some offer an easy upgrade path...others don't.

 

[Yahboy]

I have the Ampeg RB-210 and the Ampeg 115LF cab...AMAZING. The RB-210 sounds great by itself, but it lacks low-end. The RB - 210 has a horn and I never use it because Ampeg is more midrange-treble focus. I had the RB-115 and keep in mind that it only puts out 100 watts (like the RB-112) until you hook up a cab then you get the full 200 watts. *Note, you can't hook up a cab to the RB-112. I didn't like the BA series as much as I do the Rocket series, I believe the Rockets are much "better" to me. Home practice? Want the deep bass? Then try the RB-115 with a cab. I thought the RB-112 was louder than the RB-115 when the 115 didn't have a cab hooked up to it. Plus, the RB-112 is lighter. Hope this helps!

Yamapeg should launch the matching extention 210 and 115 cab asap........

 

[TheDuff]

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

No major hissing or fan noise. Nicely quiet. Even the distortion circuit and controls are quiet. This is a high quality amp.

No horn. The rb110 does not have a horn.

Yes you can easily remove the speaker grille.

 

[Yahboy]

I have the Ampeg RB-210 and the Ampeg 115LF cab...AMAZING. The RB-210 sounds great by itself, but it lacks low-end. The RB - 210 has a horn and I never use it because Ampeg is more midrange-treble focus. I had the RB-115 and keep in mind that it only puts out 100 watts (like the RB-112) until you hook up a cab then you get the full 200 watts. *Note, you can't hook up a cab to the RB-112. I didn't like the BA series as much as I do the Rocket series, I believe the Rockets are much "better" to me. Home practice? Want the deep bass? Then try the RB-115 with a cab. I thought the RB-112 was louder than the RB-115 when the 115 didn't have a cab hooked up to it. Plus, the RB-112 is lighter. Hope this helps!

If Yamapeg has no will to launch those extension cab, hope they make another serious RB workhorse RB212 with 500watts full load without extension cab need. Weight control at 18kg range are great.

 

[Yahboy]

Send the RB112 to music store due to scratching noise on both SGT knobs and malfunction Ultra Lo switch.
This ultra lo switch sometime dint scoop the tone but increase the MID voice weirdly. The button create noise when i touch it in engage condition. My second defective RB112, hmmm..... only me.

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Send the RB112 to music store due to scratching noise on both SGT knobs and malfunction Ultra Lo switch.
This ultra lo switch sometime dint scoop the tone but increase the MID voice weirdly. The button create noise when i touch it in engage condition. My second defective RB112, hmmm..... only me.

I have the RB 112 and no problems whatsoever.

 

[Yahboy]

I have the RB 112 and no problems whatsoever.

No such scratching issue when I get it, but notable after couple months and I been mention on earlier post here. Now the ultra lo button .