Just like a woman's waistline, it grows over time.
[~ ducking into nearest foxhole ~]
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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
[~ ducking into nearest foxhole ~]
I have a RB112. I love it as it has the perfect tone for me. However, I've started playing in a band - relatively mellow - and there is a deal on RB combos such as the RB115 at the moment. Has anyone moved up to the RB115 and found it worthwhile given they are the same wattage without an extension cab? I'm not likely to lug around an extension cab, but appreciate the 15 inch speaker might sound better in a band situation. Having said that, I like the light weight of the 12.
Buy another RB112 and chain the two together for when you need more air moved.
I compared the 112 and 115 at a Guitar Center when these first came out. Same tone, but the 115 was louder and a little fuller. It would be a little better for a band, I would get one while the sale is pending.
My second RB112 with Lavoce driver sound slightly mellow and rounder than my first RB112 which has eminence driver. Most notable difference are upper mid voice Fq present.
If your RB112 are current version which has Lavoce driver inside, actually she sound more close to B15. Sound sweet but feel blurry in band mix. And E string sound bassy too.
I still favour with the tone on eminence driver one, so when I stack both RB112, the Eminence on top and lavoce on bottom plus port plugged.
Plug the port on Lavoce one make the tone tighter and faster response.
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Yes,
I have this setup and it’s cool!
Really hasn’t been an issue for me as for as moving the 2 but when I use one I take the eminence, not because I think it sounds better it’s just the first one I bought.
I’m actually moving both of them with covers for a blowout price over in the classifieds if anyone is interested.
Also, a big heads up
If any of you guys want a cover for your rb112 I have 2 extras nib that I’ll give to you
Just pay shipping
Pm me for a free cover
Spot on!
I have this setup and it’s cool!
Really hasn’t been an issue for me as for as moving the 2 but when I use one I take the eminence, not because I think it sounds better it’s just the first one I bought.
I’m actually moving both of them with covers for a blowout price over in the classifieds if anyone is interested.
Also, a big heads up
If any of you guys want a cover for your rb112 I have 2 extras nib that I’ll give to you
Just pay shipping
Pm me for a free cover
Okay I’ve ordered a 115. Will compare to the 112 when I have both.
Okay so I picked up the Ampeg RB115 today. I compared it with my current RB112 in a lounge setting. The 112 is 2 years old and has the Eminence speaker. The 115 has the Lavoce - no idea if this makes an audible difference... My initial impression is that the 115 is certainly louder at any given volume setting, it is more mid-focussed and brighter than the 112 when compared at the same audible volume level. The 112 is darker, more mellow. I find myself turning the bass up on the 115 and rolling back the tone control on my bass to get a similar tone profile to the 112; I was on the contrary expecting more emphasis on the low frequencies with the 115. Perhaps the 115 has a broader range of frequencies but it's hard to tell because the EQ seems to be different when all dials set to noon. At louder volume levels the 115 seems to hold more clarity. I'm playing a P bass with Chromes. I'll likely test the 115 in a band situation next week.
That little additional was my impression of the 115, I think it might give you what you were hoping for with the band.
Maybe the 15" suspension will loosen up soon as it gets broken-in - I know there is some disagreement with driver break-in, plus, sometimes it takes a bit of time to get used to a new sounding piece of gear.
If you can get away with the noise, bang on that low string ('E') for a while with the amp somewhat cranked, maybe that will help loosen it up.
Playing in a band setting is really the best way to judge a piece of gear's tone.
I'd be willing to wager that the average guy's waistline grows more over time than the average woman's. Pretty sure that's what's sadly occurring at my house currently!
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,953
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- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
On many speakers, assuming that break-in is a real thing (which is usually isn’t), there can be a fine line between breaking in and just breaking the speaker. Player beware…
I'd imagine it would be very difficult to know if an Ampeg breaks in and improves, or one's ear just adapts to the sweetness. Further testing tells me the 112 is a great wee amp that sounds very well balanced with the EQ set flat. The 115 needs the bass boosted and the mids cut before it sounds full and somewhat balanced. I can see the potential in it, but the 112 sounds better in a small space. The 115 could project more clarity and muscle in a larger space. Will throw some La Bella flats on my P bass and see if that mellows the overall tone to something I can work with.
Just picked up a Laney Digbeth 200 head. Purely because it looks awesome. I still have the Ampeg RB 112 and 115. Now I have to find a cab to match the Digbeth and campare all 3 amps to see which one or two I keep. I'd be keen on the matching Laney 2x12 vintage voiced cab, but at 30kg (twice the weight of the RB115) I'm reluctant.
Attachments
You might check with RevSound [ @dawind99 ] - He can likely do a custom finish / grill in a lightweight 212 that sounds awesome.
My first Rb115 are completely different story, too much low end spread and lacking upper mid voice .
The RB112 with Eminence driver sound more in your face than laid back tone on RB112 with Lavoce driver.
Therefore, while stacking up both Rb112, i put the RB112 with lavoce driver on bottom and plug the port. Tighten up the tone.
Maybe tonal and formula change by Yamapeg , who knows ?
Yes it’s a little odd. I’ve kept the 115 but it’s certainly more mid focussed with less bass than the eminence 112. I can turn the bass up and dial back the mids and get a pretty good sound with my precision with flats. Perhaps there’s something wrong with my unit but I doubt it. I suspect if I took it back they would just tell me I need to adjust the eq. Alternatively maybe the Lavoce 115 has more mids than the previous eminence version. Potently due to feedback about it being too focussed on the low end. I’ll take it to band practice this weekend and give a test at volume. I think it gets more full as the volume as increased.
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