Thanks a lot Yahboy, yeah I just bought the V3, which I'm happy with and will work well for most all the gigs that my band does. But I was thinking of also getting a RB-112 or RB-115 for home practice/rehearsals . I don't really need to gig with it, but just wondered if the RB-112/115 might have enough power to work as a backup for smaller gigs.
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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
Thanks a lot Yahboy, yeah I just bought the V3, which I'm happy with and will work well for most all the gigs that my band does. But I was thinking of also getting a RB-112 or RB-115 for home practice/rehearsals . I don't really need to gig with it, but just wondered if the RB-112/115 might have enough power to work as a backup for smaller gigs.
I have owned both. The RB 115 really gets loud ONLY when you add an extension cab to it. Then, it completes or even bypasses the RB 210 with a cab in my opinion and to my ears. Seriously. Having said that and if you aren't going to use an extension cab, I would consider the RB 112. It's loud and sounds great.
Thanks for the info Lemur, that is very helpful.
I recently brought my RB112 to the rehearsal studio because the provided Mesa D800 into Ampeg 410 cab was absolute overkill in the room (2 guitars, bass, drums). That said, while the RB112 allowed me to play at a volume that was acceptable to all, I came away feeling like it was NOT the amp I'd choose for a live gig. Why? Simply not loud enough. This does not change the fact that I love the RB112 and think it sounds great -- but it does limit the applications I'd use it for.
While I agree with Lowbrow that the 112 combo probably won’t fill a club with a full band, I’ve used it with a three-piece acoustic group and had great results. Even a school gym stage where I used the combo for monitoring and sent a Di signal to FOH. I would suspect the 115 to do about the same, but the 112 is a little lighter, but still offers a lot of bottom end. I think it’s a terrific buy.
I play in a band that does bar gigs. We have a loudish guitarist—“It’s my sound.”— and a not-so-loud drummer. The RB-112 has held its own pretty well. It has the DI out and the SGT, and I knew I’d never use an extension cab, so I didn’t consider the RB-115.
OK, just here to say that I WAS WRONG and that I TOTALLY TAKE IT BACK with regard to the RB 112’s ability to keep up with a rock band. Taking the 112 to a larger rehearsal studio yesterday and accompanied by a massively loud drummer, 2 guitars, sax, and fierce singers, the little combo offered great sound and plenty of "in the mix" volume.
It all came down to more careful room placement and one important adjustment based on the ongoing discussion of the new Venture series: there is plenty of volume to be gained in small turns of the volume knob above the 1oclock mark.
Apologies if my past observation dissuaded any buyers.
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I just discovered these Amps last night when a bar had one as part of their backline. I was also playing a brand new bass so it’s hard to tell if it was the amp , the bass, or both. But overall the sound was monstrous! It was the 2x10.
Tonight I play a gig and I’ll take my Carvin BX700 into a Markbass 3x10 and see how the bass sounds with my usual rig. But I’m definitely considering getting the Rocket Bass. My band plays LOUD all the time and I was impressed with how well it kept up. Of course the house sound helped, so it’s hard to isolate any one thing that contributed to the massive sound.
Tonight I play a gig and I’ll take my Carvin BX700 into a Markbass 3x10 and see how the bass sounds with my usual rig. But I’m definitely considering getting the Rocket Bass. My band plays LOUD all the time and I was impressed with how well it kept up. Of course the house sound helped, so it’s hard to isolate any one thing that contributed to the massive sound.
It wasn’t. No extension can. Just the 2x10 combo on its own. However, it was DI’d into the mains and it was always setup, so whoever runs the sound probably had tons of bands to dial in the sound… so I don’t know if it sounded so good on its own or if it was just well dialed into the mains.
I've been playing my brand new Epiphone Viola bass through my RB-112. On the amp: all controls at 12 o'clock, on the bass: neck p/u at 75%, bridge p/u at 25%, tone control mid-position. Strung with La Bella flats. Holy smokes!!!! In my 50 years of playing bass, this might be the most beautiful sound these fingers have ever produced. I am in love with this bass/amp team-up.
When recording, rather than run my bass into the board, I'm recording the amp itself with two mics. It sounds so good!
When recording, rather than run my bass into the board, I'm recording the amp itself with two mics. It sounds so good!
I am with you on that...in my case, it is a Rogue VB100 with LB flats and sponge mute. I play mine through a Rumble 100 on its own or with XLR out into a DAW. What I bought as a wall hanger is truly impressive.
My first Ampeg in 50 years....RB-108. I don't intend to gig it...just a little something to noodle around the house on. It don't sound half bad, and for less than $60 OTD, brand new in the box, how could I argue?
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Here are two sound samples from last June. The first one is the Rogue:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/rogue-viola-vb100-bass-club.918341/page-22#post-27535354
Howdy! Recently picked up the RB112 so I could have a light combo to go with my Traynor rig, both pictured.
I also discovered "slaving" is a thing and went fx-send from the Ampeg to the fx-return of the SB500 head, which feeds the TC1510 cab, which is two 10"s and a 15" speaker. Then muted the RB112's speaker via random plug into the RB's fx-return. Good merciful golly does it ever sound grand.
Somebody please tell me I shouldn't be doing this. There must be a reason. I've read everything I can and it seems it's ok to do and has been done for decades in one way or another... But surely I amissing something? Hopefully not!
I also discovered "slaving" is a thing and went fx-send from the Ampeg to the fx-return of the SB500 head, which feeds the TC1510 cab, which is two 10"s and a 15" speaker. Then muted the RB112's speaker via random plug into the RB's fx-return. Good merciful golly does it ever sound grand.
Somebody please tell me I shouldn't be doing this. There must be a reason. I've read everything I can and it seems it's ok to do and has been done for decades in one way or another... But surely I amissing something? Hopefully not!
You just use RB as preamp, and your head as power amp, absolutely legit, why not? I like preamp on my RB, and it is not the same as on “classic analog premp” pedal from ampeg, however they released a new preamp/DI pedal recently at crazy price.
Apples to oranges IMHO. You’d be better off comparing the RB112’s bigger brother, 210. The 112 is only 100-watt 12” speaker compared to the 500’s 500 watts and two tens. It’s also a lot more expensive with all the e the gadgets on it. The 112 has less frills but great tone though I think you’d be better off with the B’star if you’re playing in a loud band environment.
