These folks are trying to be annoying.
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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos
- Thread starter kranahan
- Start date
Actually the GK legacy 1x15 amp was what I bought after parting with my AmpegB15. I actually really liked that combo, I used it at rehearsals for a few months in folk, metal, and funk settings. If I remember right I had 5 string Sterling, 4 string Carvin, and Zeta EUB. All of them sounded sweet through the GK. It was a little weird with the EUB probably not desirable for most haha but I was into it (except with a bow, that did not sound good like at all).
Finally got it out on a gig and I know for sure I wasn’t pushing it because we were at a relatively small venue but the amp made this crazy squeal mid-song and then there was a constant buzzing. I did some homework online and found handfuls of others went through similar issues with unwanted buzzing and cutting out. In some cases the amps just flat out died. I wasn’t able to return the cab but was able to sell it to someone who wanted to take on the repair.
It was years and cabs later when I picked up a Markbass CMD combo. Totally different vibes but the Markbass never let me down, in all honesty it wasn’t the ideal tone for me but it was so lightweight, small, and loud that I held on to it for while.
The main difference I found was that the GK was happy between 70-80% output but the Markbass I could crank and it was totally fine. Only once was it clipping and that was when I had no PA support and it was MAXED out.
my best advice is to go with Guitar Center and carefully get the amp out on a gig within the return window. In my experience that’s the best way to discover if the amp is going to do what you want/need it to.
Based on my own experience with the RB110 I would agree but personally I’d lean towards the BA112
I put quotations around the words real amp because I don’t agree with that statement. They are absolutely real amps. IME having the combo vs having separate amp and cab has its advantages. One being that ,for whatever reason, you usually get more control and volume out of separate pieces. Doesn’t mean that the combos aren’t real amps but it is weird that even in the same line-up when it’s not a combo you have more oomph.
I’m not trying to be annoying as I was hyped about the rocket release so much that I went out to try them as soon as they were in stock. I went back with my bass a week later to try it again and it was still on my mind later so I went out and bought the RB110 thinking it would be perfect for a small trio without drums. I went through the PA as well but it couldn’t keep up. This is in part because of how much low end I want in my tone and I’m sure that 1x15 or 2x10 would be work in that particular environment but I was aiming to keep the footprint as small as possible. I already use a 2x15 most of time and if it’s footprint is anywhere close to that than I’d rather just bring that out.
that being said I have no problems going beyond 80% output with my Mesa, nor did I have this issue with my Phil Jones, GreenBoy, Bergentino, Barefaced, or Markbass.
If the cab can’t be pushed to it’s full potential than it’s honestly just poor craftsmanship. That’s in part why these combos are on the affordable side of the spectrum. Mass produced will almost always be outperformed by hand-built (from the right source obviously).
the RB series have a killer look to them and the ampeg sound is definitely there if that’s your thing. The price point is near impossible to beat, but there is a reason for that.
Buy one, test it out with your band, and go from there.
I’m not trying to be annoying as I was hyped about the rocket release so much that I went out to try them as soon as they were in stock. I went back with my bass a week later to try it again and it was still on my mind later so I went out and bought the RB110 thinking it would be perfect for a small trio without drums. I went through the PA as well but it couldn’t keep up. This is in part because of how much low end I want in my tone and I’m sure that 1x15 or 2x10 would be work in that particular environment but I was aiming to keep the footprint as small as possible. I already use a 2x15 most of time and if it’s footprint is anywhere close to that than I’d rather just bring that out.
that being said I have no problems going beyond 80% output with my Mesa, nor did I have this issue with my Phil Jones, GreenBoy, Bergentino, Barefaced, or Markbass.
If the cab can’t be pushed to it’s full potential than it’s honestly just poor craftsmanship. That’s in part why these combos are on the affordable side of the spectrum. Mass produced will almost always be outperformed by hand-built (from the right source obviously).
the RB series have a killer look to them and the ampeg sound is definitely there if that’s your thing. The price point is near impossible to beat, but there is a reason for that.
Buy one, test it out with your band, and go from there.
Jokes in written form, especially sarcasm, are often misinterpreted as not being jokes unfortunately. It did seem weird in the context of some of your other comments.
true, but he can still use the SansAmp as a DI and run the BA112 as a monitor
Right. So for larger gigs you might need to bring an extension cab, which sort of defeats the charm of the combo.
It will be interesting to see how the RB-115 performs in the real world.
I have a Markbass CMD 102P. That’s 2x12” and 300/500 watt. I have no problem with it. But 45lbs. At 60 years old with a bad shoulder remarkably even that is heavy and a bit awkward to carry for me. I have a Fender Rumble 25 for practice and jams without drummers. That’s a great little amp for what it does. I had the Fender Rumble 100 and that was fine but not enough and went as per of a trade up. I had the Ampeg BA110 and didn’t really like that at all. I have the Ampeg 1x15” extension cab that has that beautiful diamond tolex cover. The Matkbass 102p combo with that Ampeg 1x15 sound great together and has me covered for every possible scenario. The markbass on its own is a little thin. I like big round and fat tone. I looked at the markbass 1x12” combo at 30lbs. Super small. 300/500 watts. Thought it sounded great. Great size. Even though my CMD102p cost me $1200 I was able to trade some stuff in to get the price down. The mark bass 1x12” is a thousand bucks. I tried out the GK 12” 200watt combo recently and sent it back. Sounded great but once I put it in a bigger room 20x20 and stepped away it disappeared. I thought maybe the Rocket Bass RB115 would give me that big round sound. It would look great paired with my 1x15. And I’m not sure if I will be gigging in the future anymore. But maybe. But maybe just my home studio and band jams. But I want to be prepared for gigs if they happen. I do believe I heard/read the RB115 is 140 watts at 8ohms. 200 at four. I could be wrong. GC just got them in stock in town. I dunno I’m stumped. There’s the Jeff Berlin 15” 300/500 Matkbass combo. That would move the air I want. But another $1200. At two years old I may be able to get 700 for the CMD102P? I also am looking at the stand alone Rumble heads and the Ampeg PF 300/500 head to pair with the 1/15. So I’m not sure what to do? Stand pat? But man that RB115 would look awesome sitting on top my 1x15 cab and sure would push a lot of air. I dunno. After all these years of buying hundreds of thousands of dollars of stuff I’m hesitating pulling the trigger for the first time. But the GAS won’t go away.
That’s a lot of stuff, surprised you didn’t like the GK. I also find it sounds thin on its own, but for some reason it sounds very different in the mix, warm round and clear and articulate at the same time. (I have Traynors which are similar to GK).
I'll go out on a limb here and no, I haven't auditioned the RB210 yet, but I owned a BA-210 v2 and found its tone leaned towards the SVT, where my new RB-112 comes across as more of a B-15 base tone. Now with pedals and preamp controls, you can do anything you want to either, but plug a bass in and hit a low E and I think that's a difference between the two series. For me, I like the B-15, but it depends on your musical tastes.
not to mention the v2 series weights a heck of a lot more and if you've never tried moving the 210, with its crazy angled shape more than 15 feet, you'd appreciate the difference in construction. For the price, the v2 is a great value, but for the long haul, it's the Rocket Bass for me
I did like the GK. Actually I was very impressed. And it was a full 200 watts at 8ohms. At 32lbs too. I may have kept it if they were still making the separate 200 watt extension cabs. Same 200 watts. Same size and weight. So I called GK and got a great guy. Look it’s made in America. I’m always good with that. He said that he has already spoken to the big cheese and their is a demand for a renewal of making those extension cabs. He said he talked him in to making them again. But with the pandemic materials are scarce including cabinets so they have to focus on just getting out the combos for now. So he said we probably won’t see them being built again until early next year at best. He also said they thought why not make one combo that was 800 watts in to a single 12” speaker in the Legacy series. He said the thought was instead of having to carry two 32 pounds cabs why not just make one combo with more power at just a little more than what the 200 watt combo and extension cab cost? My thing is I just don’t think that a single 12” speaker can push enough air no matter how many watts to cover enough possible scenarios. The 15” legacy combo is intriguing but again at a high cost. Here’s my rationale for the 200 watt combo and additional 200 watt extension (total 400 watts). The single 200 watt combo cab will be fine for practice and rehearsal. But to do a gig I would want the additional extension cab. Two 12s pushing 400 watts would cover any scenario and push enough air. In the meantime the 200 watt combo would be easy to grab and go to jams and practices and rehearsals and bring upstairs from the basement studio for practicing alone. If they were still making that extension cab currently I may have kept it and bought both. But I do think that the right 1x15 combo would push enough air, for me, everyone’s different. I dunno. I’m stuck.
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As far as “thats a lot of stuff”. I played drums my whole life until a few years ago when I couldn’t physically do it full time anymore, and trust me that’s an expensive “habit.” But I also have owned about 60 guitars and basses in my life and played them modestly in the past 48 years. I also have always had home studios. Put my first one together in 1985. Plus being the drummer it’s just easier to have rehearsals at the drummers house. So I also bought the PAs and lights and mics and amps and just on and on with all this stuff! So yea. Your spot on. That’s a lot of stuff…..
There's so much to digest here it may take until next Father's Day.
First, the CMD-102P is a two ten" speaker combo, hence the 102 designation. As far as I know, there is no 212 combo, but the CMD-112 with a single twelve. The weight compared to the 112 or Ampeg RB-115 would be significant, and I think, depending on its condition, $700-750 would be a doable used price.
As much as weight can be a concern, you have to think about the sound you're looking for. You've obviously, like me, dabbled with many brands and models to find what you're looking for. The RB would make sense, especially if you own the Portaflex 115 cab. I had that one, and I think it would make for a great match with the combo. Of course, realize you'll be hauling almost 80 lbs (though not at once) of Ampeg should you choose to use it live. Inside, it's pure overkill that studio recording would deem unnecessary.
Do what I try to do: begin by selling the Markbass combo. That removes it from your workspace and you'll have the money to replace it with the RB-115. You may find that combo is all you need. I am already in love with my 112. Then you'll possess the versatility to run both 15s together if you want or the combo alone. Heck, get the price you want you'll have enough leftover for a pedal, cable, or steak dinner.
Stop by the Combo Club for further analysis if interested. Lots of experienced combo owners there. Post a pic of your combo and I'll hand you out a membership number. And the best thing is it'll only cost you $750!
