Not surprised by this revelation
Good to hear from you, bro!
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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
Good to hear from you, bro!
Anyone have any input on the new combos' tone compared to a pf-20t or pf-50t? I've never had a chance to play the mini tube amps. I know they're completely different animals, but anyone whose heard both and feels like describing please do.
Not a new combo but I have a PF-50t and a PF-350. Both sound good but the tube amp sounds thicker. No surprise there. I suspect the combos would be similar.
Well, I bit the bullet and got the Rocket 108 for a practice amp. A few thoughts...
I normally use a clean punchy tone. Using the speaker, I wasn't quite able to get what I wanted with the onboard EQ, something sounds a bit hollow. I was able to dial in a tone that I like using a parametric EQ. Using headphones, the onboard EQ alone sounded pretty good.
Normally I use a compressor and HPF/LPF at the start, but that doesn't seem to work well with the 108 -- presumably because there's a built-in limiter at the end of the signal chain.
The SGT doesn't seem all that useful in the 108, as it doesn't have any direct controls. It sounds to me like it reduces mids and add highs. In theory you can control it by reducing input volume, in practice I think you'd be better off with an external distortion pedal.
The build quality is pretty impressive. It's a little heavy for a 1x8, but still easy for an Old Man™ to lug around. Aesthetically (and that's what matters most, right?
), it's more pleasing to me than many of the competitors, though that depends on whether you like the retro thing.
I normally use a clean punchy tone. Using the speaker, I wasn't quite able to get what I wanted with the onboard EQ, something sounds a bit hollow. I was able to dial in a tone that I like using a parametric EQ. Using headphones, the onboard EQ alone sounded pretty good.
Normally I use a compressor and HPF/LPF at the start, but that doesn't seem to work well with the 108 -- presumably because there's a built-in limiter at the end of the signal chain.
The SGT doesn't seem all that useful in the 108, as it doesn't have any direct controls. It sounds to me like it reduces mids and add highs. In theory you can control it by reducing input volume, in practice I think you'd be better off with an external distortion pedal.
The build quality is pretty impressive. It's a little heavy for a 1x8, but still easy for an Old Man™ to lug around. Aesthetically (and that's what matters most, right?
), it's more pleasing to me than many of the competitors, though that depends on whether you like the retro thing.
Well, I bit the bullet and got the Rocket 108 for a practice amp. A few thoughts...
I normally use a clean punchy tone. Using the speaker, I wasn't quite able to get the what I wanted with the onboard EQ, something sounds a bit hollow. I was able to dial in a tone that I like using a parametric EQ. Using headphones, the onboard EQ alone sounded pretty good.
Normally I use a compressor and HPF/LPF at the start, but that doesn't seem to work well with the 108 -- presumably because there's a built-in limiter at the end of the signal chain.
The SGT doesn't seem all that useful in the 108, as it doesn't have any direct controls. It sounds to me like it reduces mids and add highs. In theory you can control it by reducing input volume, in practice I think you'd be better off with an external distortion pedal.
The build quality is pretty impressive. It's a little heavy for a 1x8, but still easy for an Old Man™ to lug around. Aesthetically (and that's what matters most, right?
Thanks for the review!!! I’m skeptical of the SGT “all or nothing” option on the 108. But for alone/home practice, the RB108 seems prett cool, and reasonably priced.
For practice with others, I think the RB110 would be able to keep up, offer more control of the SGT (and the ability to use it as a clean boost by turning “grit” all way down while pushing “level” up) and has that nice XLR out. That makes it coffee shop/small gig worthy with an option to go into PA for slightly larger gigs as well.
But I AM intrigued by the low cost/pretty good sound combination of this RB108.
I’m afraid I’ve preordered the RB115. I miss my Mesa Boogie 115 Diesel cab I sold off prior to move across country. With the extension out, and 100W+ onboard 15” eminence I hope to scratch that itch!
In all sincerity, I can’t see why one would go for the 108 when the 110 offers such substantial upgrade in features - specifically control over the SGT and the XLR direct output. Well worth the less-than $100 price difference.Thanks for the review!!! I’m skeptical of the SGT “all or nothing” option on the 108. But for alone/home practice, the RB108 seems prett cool, and reasonably priced.
For practice with others, I think the RB110 would be able to keep up, offer more control of the SGT (and the ability to use it as a clean boost by turning “grit” all way down while pushing “level” up) and has that nice XLR out. That makes it coffee shop/small gig worthy with an option to go into PA for slightly larger gigs as well.
But I AM intrigued by the low cost/pretty good sound combination of this RB108.
I’m afraid I’ve preordered the RB115. I miss my Mesa Boogie 115 Diesel cab I sold off prior to move across country. With the extension out, and 100W+ onboard 15” eminence I hope to scratch that itch!
Sure, you can break out the RadioShack doodads and run the headphone output into a recording interface, but a real designated direct out adds a lot.
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Totally agree. There's a lot more in the RB110 for not a lot more $$$.
I went through this when I bought my BA110v2 5 years ago and it doesn't have a direct out. But the larger driver, twice the power and adjustable scrambler circuit for $50 more was well worth it to me. I love this amp still.
Quick-and dirty SOUNDCLIP of the RB-110 direct out. No outboard EQ, no compression, no fussing over my fret buzz and clams. I did lazily jack the track a little for volume (instead of doing another take with the input signal higher) and got some AWESOME hiss, but hey, I only had about 15 minutes to kill between work meetings.
Pic shows my knobs - just a little bit of mid and treble, SGT 'grit' at about 10 o'clock & SGT level full up. SGT is engaged although power lights aren't on.
Precision bass, GZR pickup, 2-month old Sunbeams, PICK.
Once I get my hands on a more advanced Rocket Bass (112? 115?) I'd likely pop an EQ in the effects loop and add a bit of 850hz. and 1.62khz. Indeed, like anybody else I'd probably go at it with my DAW EQ and compressor as well ... but for now I'm pretty tickled at the noises this thing makes.
Pic shows my knobs - just a little bit of mid and treble, SGT 'grit' at about 10 o'clock & SGT level full up. SGT is engaged although power lights aren't on.
Precision bass, GZR pickup, 2-month old Sunbeams, PICK.
Once I get my hands on a more advanced Rocket Bass (112? 115?) I'd likely pop an EQ in the effects loop and add a bit of 850hz. and 1.62khz. Indeed, like anybody else I'd probably go at it with my DAW EQ and compressor as well ... but for now I'm pretty tickled at the noises this thing makes.
That's just enough grit for me, and I like the crunch you got out of the amp. Sounds great for that size! I wonder about the SGT light... I know, a minor quibble. Thanks for sharing my first listen to the new Rocket Bass amp!
Lights all work - the power is off in the pic. Having the lights lit during photography wasn’t making my iPhone camera happy.
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As we would say in Bahston: “Wicked Pissah”!!!
Nice work, @Lowbrow!!I agree as well on the bigger bang for buck with the 110 over the RB108.
I have the Rumble 40 (basically what the RB110 is aimed at) and I really dig it- light, versatile, and the XLR has come in handy A LOT for the moderate gigs I’ve used it at!
It does indeed - yet what you're hearing here is the DI only, not the mic'd amp. The amp itself is actually a good deal fuller in tone than the direct.Sounds great for that size!
I like it! Had to restrain myself from dressing it up all nice before sharing it with you guys but I think the direct signal from this unit is a key positive and wanted to share it as-is. TBers are generally knowledgeable enough to know how to judge this for what it is.
Just George
Fingers on 4 Flatwounds
- Dec 29, 2008
- 412
- 413
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- Artist Relationship: Wilkins-Ampeg-La Bella
Thanks Jimmy, Same here! We should catch up sometime soon!Not surprised by this revelation
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