Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[ToneMonkey]

I agree and have often thought that my musical instrument salesman didn't seem to know much about his products and he didn't seem to understand what I was looking for. This is confusing because if I was a salesman I would want to find out as much as possible about my products. I would also try to show my customers products that I think would be of sensible value and useful for their desired purposes. For instance I might have a modern high gain amp sound in mind but many salesmen show me an expensive Deluxe Reverb RI or something like that. This leads me to believe that these salesmen have no idea of what kind of thing I am actually trying to accomplish.

When you find a great salesman that is something of great value. This person can help you out.

On the other hand I educated myself and researched items online that I was considering for purchase. Finding out about the available items and comparing I read many user reviews for products. The online user reviews can educate you about potential problems that you yourself might encounter. You can quickly eliminate items from consideration by simply reading a lot of reviews. If you can't find any reviews that also tells you something.

Following the above research process I find myself thinking that I know a lot more about things I'm looking for than the average salesman. This may be true. Because we often do research and we learn from buying items on a hit and miss basis. This results in us knowing more than the average salesman. Therefore I have bought some of my nicest items online based on my own research.

Buying online I encountered similar surprise with a few Sweetwater reps. It didn't seem to add up at all to the reputation that I often read about in forums. It didn't seem 'that' great. Recently I even resorted a couple times to purchasing some nice items new from Guitar Center online. Ha ha ha! Not long ago I would not have purchased from them and haven't for many years. But the truth is that my 2 recent orders from gc turned out excellently. Fast and accurate. Maybe gc is not that great but it's not that bad and it has been working for me lately.

I find product availability to remain at this time sketchy. I find that locating items that are actually already in stock is often the best way to go. This produces quick results. Sometimes I will preorder a soonly expected but out of stock item. It might be expected 2 months from now but I have been satisfied ordering them and these items have arrived well before the expected delivery date. So I now will preorder an item, if I have to. You have to be careful with this though because sometimes, you don't know it, but your anticipated item is never going to arrive . . .

I like to buy from Sweetwater but not more so than other sources.

I have a good relationship with Sweetwater. But the problem with their return policy is being on the hook for return shipping. Guitar Center, if they carry the item, is a better deal for me. If I don't like it, I can just walk into any GC and return it. Easy peasy.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I’m relentlessly analog. I believe the Katana is a modeler. I also prefer 15s to 10s and strongly dislike tweeters. I didn’t check but I’d expect the Katana to have one.

In this case, and depending on what you’re searching for, I’d go with the 115 as opposed to either Katana.

I just had my Katana hooked up and thought I’d try an Ampeg facsimile I created and while it was okay, the Rocket Bass does a better job. So I switched them out and got what I was looking for.

That said, I’m digging the Kat 110 for its other tones but like many other brands, Roland goes for this overly done , clunky, SVT tone that Fender also thinks we believe is what an SVT sounds like.

Go with the Rocket Bass and I think you’ll be very happy. Just make sure if you’re buying one from GC that it’s brand new out of the box. I never but a floor model or refurb from them.

 

[iagtrplyr]

i've actually gone with the RB 112. after realistically looking at the use case (home use only) & a bit of a desire to not spend some much $$$ at the mo - this seemed to me to be the best option. i am upgrading from an old laney 60w bass app so it's a definitive step up. it's with the courier as i type. i'll report back on my thoughts once i've had time to give it a bit of a thrashing.

Congrats, minion, you’re gonna love it! We’ll look forward to your thoughts on your combo. Also if you’re interested, head on over to the Combo Club and request a membership number. They’re getting close to 300 member and all you need is a picture to join.

 

[bordinco90]

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)

I switched from the Rumble 100 to the RB112 due to overall quality. The RB feels and sounds better in every way. I think the build quality of the RBs are vastly better. I've owned 3 Rumble 100s and 2 Rumble 500s and all of them have been rattle boxes. There was a rattle (either speaker rattle or box rattle due to construction) in all of them that I couldn't track down. I went with my RB112 and have never looked back! I love mine! The overall build quality is top notch IMO. I will say that I do like the gain knob in the Rumbles and do miss it on the RBs. In order to get good volume on tap. I leave the SGT off, Ultra HI and Low off, and set my EQ as such. Bass at 3 oclock, Mids all the way up, and Treble at 3 oclock. It sounds great and gets super loud!!!! With no rattle!!!

 

[TheDuff]

I switched from the Rumble 100 to the RB112 due to overall quality. The RB feels and sounds better in every way. I think the build quality of the RBs are vastly better. I've owned 3 Rumble 100s and 2 Rumble 500s and all of them have been rattle boxes. There was a rattle (either speaker rattle or box rattle due to construction) in all of them that I couldn't track down. I went with my RB112 and have never looked back! I love mine! The overall build quality is top notch IMO. I will say that I do like the gain knob in the Rumbles and do miss it on the RBs. In order to get good volume on tap. I leave the SGT off, Ultra HI and Low off, and set my EQ as such. Bass at 3 oclock, Mids all the way up, and Treble at 3 oclock. It sounds great and gets super loud!!!! With no rattle!!!

I agree. I have an rb112 that I think sounds way better than my old Rumble 100 first run possibly. Red flashing lights at bottom vents, covered with carpet, no switch for the tweeter, maybe you had this version also. I am not sure if it is the 1st version but it is definitely an early one. No problems of failure with it. Weighs extremely more than my featherweight rb112. Plus the Rumble 100 did not have an overdrive circuit. I dig the light weight of the rb112 for sure.

 

[Lowbrow]

Bass at 3 oclock, Mids all the way up, and Treble at 3 oclock. It sounds great and gets super loud!!!! With no rattle!!!

UH OH ... we've got a BOOSTER here!

 

[bordinco90]

I agree. I have an rb112 that I think sounds way better than my old Rumble 100 first run possibly. Red flashing lights at bottom vents, covered with carpet, no switch for the tweeter, maybe you had this version also. I am not sure if it is the 1st version but it is definitely an early one. No problems of failure with it. Weighs extremely more than my featherweight rb112. Plus the Rumble 100 did not have an overdrive circuit. I dig the light weight of the rb112 for sure.

My first bass amp was the Rumble 60 V1 with the red flashing lights. I thought it sounded good, but hated the carpet!

 

[bordinco90]

UH OH ... we've got a BOOSTER here!

That's right! Sounds good too!

 

[Nico_1111]

I know..I know… after all that and mulling over a couple options I decided to go for a cheaper option in the fender rumble 100. (It was about $260 at sweetwater brand new and couldn’t pass it up) but hear me out..

After the RB112 being out of stock at sweetwater I went in another direction of looking for an Aguilar th350 and Ampeg pf115 cab… seemed like the perfect home set up to me while having the option to add a 2nd cab for shows. Then reality set in, knowing full well with an engagement ring on the way and being in a small town home right now made no sense for me to go for a more powerful gig ready rig at the moment.

So that was just a round about way of saying I had to go cheap..such is life.

 

[TheDuff]

I know..I know… after all that and mulling over a couple options I decided to go for a cheaper option in the fender rumble 100. (It was about $260 at sweetwater brand new and couldn’t pass it up) but hear me out..

After the RB112 being out of stock at sweetwater I went in another direction of looking for an Aguilar th350 and Ampeg pf115 cab… seemed like the perfect home set up to me while having the option to add a 2nd cab for shows. Then reality set in, knowing full well with an engagement ring on the way and being in a small town home right now made no sense for me to go for a more powerful gig ready rig at the moment.

So that was just a round about way of saying I had to go cheap..such is life.

The important thing is that you made it happen and now you have a nice rig to play. I still have my 1st Gen Rumble 100, flashing red lights in bottom vents. It's going in my drum room. It doesn't have a distortion circuit but I think the new one does.

Congratulations! You made it happen, your way.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Tgat

I know..I know… after all that and mulling over a couple options I decided to go for a cheaper option in the fender rumble 100. (It was about $260 at sweetwater brand new and couldn’t pass it up) but hear me out..

After the RB112 being out of stock at sweetwater I went in another direction of looking for an Aguilar th350 and Ampeg pf115 cab… seemed like the perfect home set up to me while having the option to add a 2nd cab for shows. Then reality set in, knowing full well with an engagement ring on the way and being in a small town home right now made no sense for me to go for a more powerful gig ready rig at the moment.

So that was just a round about way of saying I had to go cheap..such is life.

That’s the funniest looking bass guitar I’ve ever seen in my life...

 

[Nico_1111]

Tgat


That’s the funniest looking bass guitar I’ve ever seen in my life...

Lol I should’ve taken my current bass to a luthier that was less busy…or learn to set up myself. The other gal was taken out for a photo op… ready to unload some guitar gear to go towards funding a MIA J Bass in the natural wood finish… perhaps next tax return!

 

[bordinco90]

I know..I know… after all that and mulling over a couple options I decided to go for a cheaper option in the fender rumble 100. (It was about $260 at sweetwater brand new and couldn’t pass it up) but hear me out..

After the RB112 being out of stock at sweetwater I went in another direction of looking for an Aguilar th350 and Ampeg pf115 cab… seemed like the perfect home set up to me while having the option to add a 2nd cab for shows. Then reality set in, knowing full well with an engagement ring on the way and being in a small town home right now made no sense for me to go for a more powerful gig ready rig at the moment.

So that was just a round about way of saying I had to go cheap..such is life.

Nice! I really wanted to like the Rumble, but in the end it just wasn't for me. I noticed that some of the Rumbles are marked down. I wonder if there is a Rumble V4 line on the way???

 

[Yahboy]

I switched from the Rumble 100 to the RB112 due to overall quality. The RB feels and sounds better in every way. I think the build quality of the RBs are vastly better. I've owned 3 Rumble 100s and 2 Rumble 500s and all of them have been rattle boxes. There was a rattle (either speaker rattle or box rattle due to construction) in all of them that I couldn't track down. I went with my RB112 and have never looked back! I love mine! The overall build quality is top notch IMO. I will say that I do like the gain knob in the Rumbles and do miss it on the RBs. In order to get good volume on tap. I leave the SGT off, Ultra HI and Low off, and set my EQ as such. Bass at 3 oclock, Mids all the way up, and Treble at 3 oclock. It sounds great and gets super loud!!!! With no rattle!!!

I will try your extreme EQ Setup soon.haha.

 

[Yahboy]

Got my RB112 from repair under warranty. Tech replace new preamp section , both SGT knob has no scratching sound but the Ultra Lo button still produce tiny pop sound when press in. I hear some hiss now when i place my ear around 1 foot close to grille , like studio monitor hiss even master volume fully turn down and no SGT engage. No such hiss before (expect the first unit) i send the Rb112 to store. Tech has no idea.
I keep using it , if there are problem happens repeatedly, i just let it go and get another Rb112. I just love this combo sound sooooooo much !!!!!

 

[bordinco90]

I will try your extreme EQ Setup soon.haha.

It really isn't a bad setup. You would think that it would be so bass heavy you couldn't use it, but it's not. It sounds really good and has a nice punch.

 

[bordinco90]

Got my RB112 from repair under warranty. Tech replace new preamp section , both SGT knob has no scratching sound but the Ultra Lo button still produce tiny pop sound when press in. I hear some hiss now when i place my ear around 1 foot close to grille , like studio monitor hiss even master volume fully turn down and no SGT engage. No such hiss before (expect the first unit) i send the Rb112 to store. Tech has no idea.
I keep using it , if there are problem happens repeatedly, i just let it go and get another Rb112. I just love this combo sound sooooooo much !!!!!

What was wrong with your combo?

 

[ToneMonkey]

It really isn't a bad setup. You would think that it would be so bass heavy you couldn't use it, but it's not. It sounds really good and has a nice punch.

I also push mids. I love Jimmy Johnson’s tone and approach. For me, pushing mids and rolling off a bit of bass promotes a more percussive style of a playing. Ideally, I like my E and A strings to be balanced to the point that the volumes are nearly equal. It’s also a really considerate way to sit in a band mix. Too much low bass ends up walking on everyone else.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

RB-112: Played an outdoor gig today on a covered raised stage in the parking lot of an eating establishment. Fairly loud guitarist, loud harmonicist, not-too-loud keyboardist, drummer not too loud but solid. I had a Rick 4003SW > Mesa Subway Plus DI-Preamp > the 0dB input of the RB-112. (The Subway Plus preamp has an HPF that I always use, plus a very good EQ section and DI.) With amp volume at 12:00, I did not need to run a DI; this little sucker is loud (maybe because of the HPF, which I usually keep set at 60-80 Hz). This is a great little amp.

 

[Yahboy]

It really isn't a bad setup. You would think that it would be so bass heavy you couldn't use it, but it's not. It sounds really good and has a nice punch.

What was wrong with your combo?

I still prefer using SGT to increase gain, compress and heft add instead EQ push. Anyway thank you for EQ sharing.

My RB112 surfer with scratching noise on both SGT knob, and unstable/jumping on frequency range/output once ultra low engage.