You must be snakebit, friend, more issues with your amps than one would normally expect!
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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
Just wish those issue able solve after repair.
I also check those showroom RB combo , they are no single scratching noise on SGT knobs.
I've been lurking on this thread for a while since looking to downsize my touring rig (gk 1001rb + ampeg fridge) for mainly home use and the occasional jam. Initially looked at gk mb's, fender rumbles and the newer ampeg rb series. Would love to stick with gk but I can't justify the cost per watts right now and i'm looking to stay within 100w - used market isn't great in my area right now so I'll be buying new.
After thumbing through a lot of pages here I was dead set on the ampeg rb 112 but seeing some of the QC issues may be pushing me to the rumble. Rumbles have been out for quite some time and I expect these new ampegs to have some kinks worked out before they become as solid as the rumbles. Just wanted to see how some people were holding up specifically with the rb112. Also for the people that sold their rumble for these new ampegs...was it a significant difference/upgrade? (tone differences aside I enjoy both from what I've heard but the rumbles sometimes sound like they have less oomph or soul for lack of a better word)
After thumbing through a lot of pages here I was dead set on the ampeg rb 112 but seeing some of the QC issues may be pushing me to the rumble. Rumbles have been out for quite some time and I expect these new ampegs to have some kinks worked out before they become as solid as the rumbles. Just wanted to see how some people were holding up specifically with the rb112. Also for the people that sold their rumble for these new ampegs...was it a significant difference/upgrade? (tone differences aside I enjoy both from what I've heard but the rumbles sometimes sound like they have less oomph or soul for lack of a better word)
I went from a Rumble on many levels including the 800 Stage to an Ampeg Rocket Series. I now own the Ampeg Rocket RB-112, Rocket-210 and soon RB-115. I have the Ampeg Portaflex 115 hooked up to my RB-210 and never looked back; Side note, "Pig Hog" cords are the best in my experience for hooking up the cabs...look nowhere else!. I haven't had a bit of problems with my Rocket's and I have had them a year aside from the RB-115. First, they project much more than the Rumbles, they don't sound "boxy" and they have that true Ampeg sound. I think the RB-112 is the deal-breaker; it's very light weight, has a DI, punch, depth, but you can't hook a cab up to it. So, I am a "switcher" (Rumble to Rocket) and haven't had any problems.
I enjoyed my Rumbles but am spending much more time in my home studio so don't need 200 watts and two 15" drivers. They are currently for sale.
I missed the sound of a tube amp and just purchased a great Ampeg PF 20T and have a PF112 cab coming next week.
If I was to play out again, I wouldn't hesitate to go for an RB or an Ampeg Class D head.
I switched from the Rumble 100 to the Rocket Bass 210. For me, the RB-210 tone is far far better. For you, who knows. Maybe is not a fair comparison, but maybe it is if circuitry affects tone more than speaker area.
The RB-210 has a horn that makes too much noise for my liking, so the horn remains turned off. None of the other Rocket Bass amps have a horn.
I really can't tell whether or not the Ultra High button works or not, the drummer says it does. I thought maybe there was a buzz coming from the DI, the music store checked it and says it works fine.
I've had the amp for almost a year and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
Skip the defective issue on my Rb112. I been own Rumble 200/150, Hartke KB15, Tech21 VT200 combo and currently Rb112 and i am happy with the tonal from Rb112. Rumble sound crisp on high and bloom on low, the natural scoop tone sound sweet play solo or room practice, but clarity lost in loud band. Meanwhile the Lo B sound laid back and lacking energy .
So, i move to KB15 since i still a 15 driver fans on that day. Hydrive system has strong attack tone, handle B string bass very well and louder than others 3. The only downside is fan noise and amp casing rattling at medium volume. At the same time, i using tech 21 VT pedal and love the sound.
When the Tech 21 launched the VT200 combo, i just order it instead. Man, this combo nail the Ampeg-ish tone and vary sound she can create. So, i am happy using it from 2018 until i bought a RB112 on 2021.
Just forget the hiss issue on my first RB112 and scrathing SGT/ weird Ultra Lo button issue, this RB112 has tube-like vibe i liking. Compare to RB115, she has better upper mid voicing and no boomy low.
I just need one sound , a simple but nice sounding baked in tone from a bass combo, the VT200 and Rumble Studio or Katana has too much ultimate function i dint need.
I been serious side by side compare Rumble100 and Hartke HD75 even Katana 110 to Rb112 at music store, Both 12 driver combo and 10 driver katana just sound boxy and lacking low end compare to Rb112.
So far, Rb112 are great choice for who seeking 100 watts combo with serious bass tone along with friendly price tag and just 11kg weight.
Appreciate the responses. I was afraid I’d be making a big compromise with the fender rumble only because it was the cheaper “safer” choice.
Reliability is important to me but so is tone…and the ampeg’s overall presence just sounds better in my opinion. Looks like I’ll be ordering the rb112 from sweetwater
. Maybe head to GC this weekend to do a last demo…hopefully I’ll be posting an update of my new addition soon.
Reliability is important to me but so is tone…and the ampeg’s overall presence just sounds better in my opinion. Looks like I’ll be ordering the rb112 from sweetwater
. Maybe head to GC this weekend to do a last demo…hopefully I’ll be posting an update of my new addition soon.
Appreciate the responses. I was afraid I’d be making a big compromise with the fender rumble only because it was the cheaper “safer” choice.
Reliability is important to me but so is tone…and the ampeg’s overall presence just sounds better in my opinion. Looks like I’ll be ordering the rb112 from sweetwater
I saw these posts earlier today and thought I’d contribute to the subject, but I got here late and these fine people did a terrific job giving you their thoughts on the Rocket Bass series.
If you’ve been reading here, and it sounds like you have, then you know I’m a big fan. And like the others, I’ve owned many different brands, including Fender Rumbles, and I can tell you there’s no bass tone there quite like the Ampeg’s. For me, it fits my style of play perfectly.
Aside from the occasional gremlins all brands suffer from, Yamaha’s acquisition of Ampeg was welcomed by the diehards and I think you’ll see a steady improvement to the brand’s quality control.
IMHO, but with confidence and get ready to enjoy your purchase. I’m a 112 owner, but if you dropped a 115 or 210 off at my door I’d welcome either of them!
Have fun in your journey and let us know what your final decision is.
Appreciate the responses. I was afraid I’d be making a big compromise with the fender rumble only because it was the cheaper “safer” choice.
Reliability is important to me but so is tone…and the ampeg’s overall presence just sounds better in my opinion. Looks like I’ll be ordering the rb112 from sweetwater
If possible, compare both Rumble 100 and Rb112 side by side,let your ears judge it.....
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I was able to give the rumble 40, 100 and the Ampeg rb110 a go yesterday. (They had an rb 112 just in a random area with no where to plug it in).
So I was impressed with all of them tbh. The Ampeg definitely sounded slightly “beefier” granted it was a noisy busy store and wasn’t able to crank it much…but honestly the fender wasn’t too shabby either and I do like the 4 band EQ that I’ve been used to on my GK. The small issue with the rb110 was some of knobs were really scratchy, not a huge deal I guess.
So I’m now maybe considering the rumble 40 or rb110 as I think they’ll be plenty for at home use and any jam with a drummer I’ll just use a bigger rig. Sweetwater has the rb110 at b-stock for only $20 more than the rumble…but I may spring for the 100w for the eminence speakers. I’m indecisive as f*** if you couldn’t tell. I still think the Ampeg may pair better with my active bass. Any rb 110 owners want to chime in on the 110 vs 112 debate? I guess I can’t lose with either.
I m not a RB110 owner, but a RB112, RB 210 owner. Honestly, I would go with the RB115 so that you can add an extension cab down the road. .02 Bill
If you play bass always stay close to bass combo, sure the RB110 are enough. But if you test both from distance about 12feets , you will hear overall tone wave spread differently.
Just a quick update on some Ampeg Rocket news that I would like to share. I just purchased the Ampeg Rocket RB-115 combo amp and hooked it up to my Ampeg Portaflex 115 (no horn)....WOW! I had the Rocket RB 210 hooked up to it and I know the RB 115 is 200 watts max, but it seems as loud as the RB 210 when both are hooked up to the 115 cab. It's amazing! The RB 112 has the "punch", the RB 210 is great with a 15' cab hooked up to it; other than that it's a little "thin" for my taste, but the RB-115...excellent!
Great to hear that!
Shame that Yamapeg dint made matching light weight extended cab for easy carry.
Which combo you plan to let go , or keep all of them ?
I let go of the RB-112 and the RB-210. Yes, the 115 is a "little" heavy, but the tone that comes from it is much "deeper + bassier" than a couple of the lightweight cabs I have tried. From what I heard from Ampeg support, new things are under development as we speak...should prove interesting!
Deeper + baasier = thunderous !
If the matching extent cab seriously develope, it could be me replace my band bass rig VT500 +410 cab. Will see....
I have the Rocket Bass amp myself and I too notice and appreciate that quality sound that you get from these amps. This is the kind of sound that Ampeg (and now Yamaha importantly) is trying to produce.. A satisfying bass sound that many players may find recognizable.
The player like myself that plays at home and needs an amp that will sound good and hold up to serious and sometimes intense playing and practicing, might like the Rocket Bass because of its great bass tone. Plus the amp has very useful controls that all produce very noticeable changes, even with movements of small increment. But most applicable I suppose is that the amp has a great base tone, adjusted any way. It is quiet and sounds great at all eq settings and at all drive levels. The distortion circuit, SGT, is great and not over the top, fizzy, or buzzy. It produces a great tone that makes the amp sound even more tubelike. Even maxed the distortion is tight sounding and useful.
The home player might really dig these combos. The amp sounds quiet and clean at all eq and volume levels. The light weight is really almost unbelievable. People will find the super light weight to be highly interesting and great. This amp is user friendly.
A very on-point review with the home player in mind says this RB owner.
