Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[darwin-bass]

... turn up the bass all the way on your bass guitar

... this is something I never do. Ever. I've never done it to prove the control will go that far but the most I ever go is 3/4. Often I'm playing with the bass control at mid point or backed down. Note the preamp in my 'Ray has some bass & treble boost built in so mid point is not flat. I suspect when I turn it down I'm getting it closer to flat.

But full bass (or treble) boost? Never, not me.

 

[TheDuff]

... this is something I never do. Ever. I've never done it to prove the control will go that far but the most I ever go is 3/4. Often I'm playing with the bass control at mid point or backed down. Note the preamp in my 'Ray has some bass & treble boost built in so mid point is not flat. I suspect when I turn it down I'm getting it closer to flat.

But full bass (or treble) boost? Never, not me.

3/4 turn on the bass knob is definitely enough for the rb110 to clip if pushed with volume or playing energy.

You do not experience the problem with your use of the amp. The rb110 is a great amp. You will probably never make your amp cut out. The amp has an effective speaker protection circuit in the event that someone tries to rock out too hard on the rb110. This is a great feature that stops a person from pushing the amp too far while trying to keep up with a band, etc.

A powerful but not loud player will also cause the amp to clip. The amp does not need to be turned up loud for clipping to occur. It is in part related to the intensity of the playing and energy developed during the playing. Cross the threshold and the limiter cuts out the speaker abrubtly. Momentarily cuts the sound. The clipping threshold is not related to volume alone. The larger rocket bass amps have a much higher threshold before clipping occurs.

 

[bass_guy69]

Would the rb-112 be overkill for apartment practice? wondering if I should go for this or the rb-110. Thinking of going with the 12 as I could it for jams and small gigs, but not sure how it’d go at low levels in my apartment.

 

[Gramski]

Would the rb-112 be overkill for apartment practice? wondering if I should go for this or the rb-110. Thinking of going with the 12 as I could it for jams and small gigs, but not sure how it’d go at low levels in my apartment.

It is certainly overkill for a practice amp but I don't have any issues with it on low volume when I'm using it at home.

I jam with a couple of guitarists and a drummer and the RB-112 holds its own but they aren't loud e.g. a lot of blues. It might struggle somewhat in a metal band.

I love it for the portability \ weight which is about my limit. The RB-115 might be a more appropriate solution if you need something that can be extended to deliver more power but it does come with additional weight \ size \ price.

 

[David A. Davis]

Would the rb-112 be overkill for apartment practice? wondering if I should go for this or the rb-110. Thinking of going with the 12 as I could it for jams and small gigs, but not sure how it’d go at low levels in my apartment.

I have one and I think it would fit your needs perfectly.

 

[JoeDoe]

I have one and I think it would fit your needs perfectly.

Same!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Same!

Let’s make that three in a row. The 112 serves as a small room practice amp and played a gymnasium stage last Christmas with PA support through its DI. To me, it the line’s best overall buy. Go for it!

 

[Lync]

The DI on the RB110 is nice. Quiet and a clean but Ampeg tone. Post-DI is not always preferable, but you can also plug in a 1/8" cable to the headphone out if you don't want output from the speaker (for low stage volume situations).

 

[iagtrplyr]

The DI on the RB110 is nice. Quiet and a clean but Ampeg tone. Post-DI is not always preferable, but you can also plug in a 1/8" cable to the headphone out if you don't want output from the speaker (for low stage volume situations).

Also, it’s how I record too. DI to my Scarlett and a Jack in the headphone input. It cuts the speaker and allows me to set the combo’s volume, usually at noon. It’s a sweet setup and sounds really good. I’d still opt for the 112 over the ten and fifteen combos.

Keep us posted.

 

[bass_guy69]

Thanks all. Ended up going with the 112. Aux in and headphones has been very handy for home use! Can't wait to get it out of the apartment for a real test!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thanks all. Ended up going with the 112. Aux in and headphones has been very handy for home use! Can't wait to get it out of the apartment for a real test!

Congrats, bass_guy69, on a solid purchase! Hop on over to the Combo Club, if you’re not a member already, and request a number. The RB-112 is certainly worth it.

 

[mickebas]

I still haven't found a good comparison between the RB115 and the RB210 (I'm sure there is somewhere).
I own the RB115 and like it but it's a bit on the shy side regarding power in a live situation. That might also be because of the mellow, warm sound it produces, which I like, but it's not exactly cutting through.
So I've been thinking about getting a RB210 instead but I'm hesitant. Will I loose the warmth and how much more output will I actually get? Is it worth the swap?

 

[IgorRomanovsky]

That might also be because of the mellow, warm sound it produces, which I like, but it's not exactly cutting through.

I learned from the small practice amps, with 3-4-5 inch speakers, they can still produce a sound perceived as bass, however speakers cannot reproduce anything below 80hz (where real bass resides), but the harmonics. So, push the mids, reduce the lows, and it should cut thru.

 

[mickebas]

I learned from the small practice amps, with 3-4-5 inch speakers, they can still produce a sound perceived as bass, however speakers cannot reproduce anything below 80hz (where real bass resides), but the harmonics. So, push the mids, reduce the lows, and it should cut thru.

I think what I mean is I need more power in general and I'm curious wether the RB210 will give that much more usable power and if the warm sound I'm liking in the RB115 will be lost going to 210s.

 

[pgpete]

most of what you hear in a bass tone isnt the fundamental, its the next harmonic and although 115 gives you that low down tone, in a band situation that just becomes mud and its the mid tones are what you hear. Most mixing desk guys will roll off everything below 85hz except the Kick.

 

[mickebas]

most of what you hear in a bass tone isnt the fundamental, its the next harmonic and although 115 gives you that low down tone, in a band situation that just becomes mud and its the mid tones are what you hear. Most mixing desk guys will roll off everything below 85hz except the Kick.

So where do you put that in the perspective RB115 or RB210?

 

[IgorRomanovsky]

I'm curious wether the RB210 will give that much more usable power and if the warm sound I'm liking in the RB115 will be lost going to 210s.

I did not have chance to hear RB210 yet, however i had 210AV cab, it sounded much less mellow and more middy comparing to my current RB112, and i did not like this kind if sound for my bedroom. However this might work to cut thru the band mix better, indeed.

 

[Akiyama]

I did some quick testing of the RB110. Using a stock Fender Player Jazz. In a 12 x 14 foot room with much clutter that dampens, the RB110 was placed level on the carpeted floor, all EQ at 12 o'clock and SGT off, playing some rock riffs on the E and A strings with pick, the dB meter was placed 6 feet away and off-axis approximately 15 degrees. At 50% volume on the RB110 the dB meter generally ran at 88-95 average dB. At 100% volume on the RB110, and everything the same, the dB meter generally ran at 98-110 average dB. The resonant frequency seemed to be in the 100-110 Hz range. Highest peak dB measurement was 121 dB, using the 100% volume on the RB110. I hope this helps anyone looking at the RB110.

https://soundproofingguide.com/wp-content/uploads/Levels-Of-Noise-In-Decibels.jpg

 

[evs]

I still haven't found a good comparison between the RB115 and the RB210 (I'm sure there is somewhere).
I own the RB115 and like it but it's a bit on the shy side regarding power in a live situation. That might also be because of the mellow, warm sound it produces, which I like, but it's not exactly cutting through.
So I've been thinking about getting a RB210 instead but I'm hesitant. Will I loose the warmth and how much more output will I actually get? Is it worth the swap?

I can't give a direct comparison, as I only have the RB210.
I have gigged it a lot and it can definitely handle keeping up with band.
It has enough power.
I cut through by turning the mids up to about 2-3 o'clock, and bringing the bass and treble down to about 10-11 o'clock.
The bass setting is dependant on the room. If I find it getting boomy, I turn the bass down.
It has that ampeg sound which I love. It is a warm sound, but I can't comment on if it is as warm as a RB115.

 

[Akiyama]

most of what you hear in a bass tone isnt the fundamental, its the next harmonic and although 115 gives you that low down tone, in a band situation that just becomes mud and its the mid tones are what you hear. Most mixing desk guys will roll off everything below 85hz except the Kick.

Are you saying that the amps cannot adequately reproduce the fundamental, or humans can’t hear it adequately, or the whole of the band sound cancels it out, or am I misunderstanding you?

I am mainly an electronic musician/songwriter. I would consider cutting off anything below 85Hz as "sacrilege". ;-)



edit: as I was interrupted by life events during my posting.