Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[Lowbrow]

This is possibly a stupid question, but please bear with me. I am considering one of the new Rocket Bass amps. If I understand correctly, the RB-115 is 200 watts with an external speaker at 4 ohms. But, the internal speaker is 8 ohms and the amp is only 100 watts with an external speaker at 8 ohms. Does that mean that without an external speaker the amp will only be 50 watts and, therefore, quieter than the RB-112?

Great question. AS I read the manual specs it will serve 100 watts into the internal 8-ohm speaker. Add another 8-ohm speaker (total 4 ohm) and you will get the full 200 watts.
re. volume: I think it's safe to say that the 1-15 would be the better amp for full band/performance volume.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Back in the 80s, I had the SVT (?800?) with two of the 8x10" cabinets. I used to separate the cabinets a bit and have the "feet" of the head going into two of the divots of each cabinet. So, the width of one cabinet might make a difference, but if you can see your way clear to using two ...

Like Lowbrow said, if there's 40K users on this site, you'll probably get 35,000 different opinions about cabinet placement. I'll add my 2¢: I suspect ambient acoustics will have much more affect on sound then cabinet placement. I will give a nod to putting the speakers right up against a concrete block foundation wall will be different than in the middle of the same room, but I think that kind of makes my point.

That's actually how that amp was designed to be played. My guitarist still can't comprehend that my fridge is only a half stack

 

[Lowbrow]

Back in the 80s, I had the SVT (?800?) with two of the 8x10" cabinets. I used to separate the cabinets a bit and have the "feet" of the head going into two of the divots of each cabinet. So, the width of one cabinet might make a difference, but if you can see your way clear to using two ...

What's nice about this is if you use to two outermost divots you can display your bass nicely in the gap.

 

[redstrand]

What's nice about this is if you use to two outermost divots you can display your bass nicely in the gap.

he has a point

 

[JimmyM]

It will be interesting to watch the shootout in the market with these Rockets vs. the Rumbles.

I do wish that Yamaha would revisit / re-issue the flip-tops. IF they were of a mind to do it, James Demeter has already done all the homework for a modern version . . . . . . I STILL kick myself that some years back I didn't buy the SLM-era re-issue with the matching extension. Oh well . . . . .

They will. Give them time. But don't expect them to sound like Demeters. The Ampeg faithful will never stand for that

 

[motron]

Great question. AS I read the manual specs it will serve 100 watts into the internal 8-ohm speaker. Add another 8-ohm speaker (total 4 ohm) and you will get the full 200 watts.
re. volume: I think it's safe to say that the 1-15 would be the better amp for full band/performance volume.

Thank you. I overlooked that the ohms change when you add the second speaker.

 

[Lowbrow]

It will be interesting to watch the shootout in the market with these Rockets vs. the Rumbles.

Sounds like something out of West Side Story!

 

[Lync]

I have a Rumble 200 (1x15 combo) and a Rumble 100 (1x12 combo). My RB110 definitely has the Ampeg tone. I do find the Rumbles to be a bit more versatile, but that is under scrutiny of headphones from my computer interface using the XLR out from the amps. Either sounds good to me!

 

[gwangi]

I'm torn between the RB-210 or the RB-115, the sound samples on the Ampeg site sound great, I kept on a-b ing both the RB-210 & RB-115 and they both sound KILLER!!!!
I'm really leaning towards the RB-115!!!!

 

[Aidil]

I'm torn between the RB-210 or the RB-115, the sound samples on the Ampeg site sound great, I kept on a-b ing both the RB-210 & RB-115 and they both sound KILLER!!!!
I'm really leaning towards the RB-115!!!!

Since seems the price difference isn't your concern, then probably the wattage could be your determining factor.

Having a larger wattage could be useful in certain situations (with or w/o an additional external cab), i.e.: on a loud stage/with a loud dummer/for loud music, or on a large stage/an outdoor setup w/o additional wedges/personal monitor for your bass, or in a small club in which your amp will also be the only bass sound output for the entire room, etc.

 

[Lync]

Based upon experience with my Rumble 200 (115), I would personally go for the RB210. The 115 sounds great, but as a stand-alone, sometimes it reaches its limit. A little more power and punch would be perfect.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Based upon experience with my Rumble 200 (115), I would personally go for the RB210. The 115 sounds great, but as a stand-alone, sometimes it reaches its limit. A little more power and punch would be perfect.

" ... any time you're 'pushing more air' you're a winner."

 

[tothemax]

With the Rockets phasing out the BA series, I just went for BA210 v2 as an upgrade. I've had a BA115 v2 for a number of years and it's been a solid workhorse, no complaints. I'll see how the Rockets pan out, looking forward to the extra punch of the 210.

 

[AlexanderB]

Ok, so three band, fixed mid frequency, fixed Q tone controls, no volume control on aux in, no tweeter, but a built in OD, and made in China?
Not lining up for one of these... They look very neat, though.

 

[P Cheen]

Ok, so three band, fixed mid frequency, fixed Q tone controls, no volume control on aux in, no tweeter, but a built in OD, and made in China?
Not lining up for one of these... They look very neat, though.

I’m sure there’s an amp out there for you sir.

 

[jeff7bass]

Ok, so three band, fixed mid frequency, fixed Q tone controls, no volume control on aux in, no tweeter, but a built in OD, and made in China?
Not lining up for one of these... They look very neat, though.

Ampeg's sounds like Ampeg's, which is what fans of the sound want. If it was built in the USA, add another 400 bucks but I get where you're coming from, especially these days.

 

[AlexanderB]

Ampeg's sounds like Ampeg's, which is what fans of the sound want. If it was built in the USA, add another 400 bucks but I get where you're coming from, especially these days.

Ampeg to me means the great preamp of SVT and all its siblings, V4B(H), SVT-3Pro et al, PF series, and so on, where the switchable mids is a great and characteristic feature.
There are other lower cost countries, like Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia and so on. Works well enough for tc electronics, Markbass, and others.
GK is still there, competing with many other brands, their stuff MIA.

 

[jimmydean]

I bought one at GC a couple of days ago . I tried it out using a Fender Players Jazz and a MM, and I liked it enough to buy the 50 watt model . When I got it home , I didn't like it so much . IMHO , it's not on the same level with the Fender Rumble line , too bad really . To be fair , it could work with the right bass and played in the right room/acoustics.......who knows .

 

[Bassquest]

My local store just got the RB-108 in for $229 (Can). Only tried it for a few minutes with a Squier P. Not convinced to walk out with it. Maybe once they get the other models in...we'll see.

 

[jeff7bass]

I bought one at GC a couple of days ago . I tried it out using a Fender Players Jazz and a MM, and I liked it enough to buy the 50 watt model . When I got it home , I didn't like it so much . IMHO , it's not on the same level with the Fender Rumble line , too bad really . To be fair , it could work with the right bass and played in the right room/acoustics.......who knows .

You compared it directly to the Rumble 40? That's the only one to compare it to.