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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

#861
For those who struggled for 3:11 yesterday as I attempted to use a mic (no DI) to record the RB-112 naked as a jaybird (no comp, HPF, tone controls, Ultras, etc), my Rogue VB100 sounded like it tends to do without revision; boomy. But a few Ampeg loyalists out there requested another attempt, but this time with all the goodies to give us a chance to hear the best from the amp. I'll leave it up to your ears, but I think it's greatly improved from yesterday. Here's what I used:

Rogue bass (neck pup only...good or bad, it's my sound)
Ampeg RB-112 (tone controls flat, Ultra Hi on, Ultra Lo off)
Broughton HPF pedal (set @ 45 Hz)
TC Electronics Spectracomp (8:30)
Shure PG58 mic (inexpensive vocal mic, but serviceable)
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface

Song: from a Mel Bay bass book CD called "Boogie." (warning: repetitive, but has a decent groove)

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The playing was more inspired until I fell apart at the outro, but oh well. I really liked the sound of the amp with the mic, though I admit I'm more of a DI guy. Who knows, maybe a decent bass mic and a little more experimenting might net an even better tone. Thanks for listening...this song is DONE! :bassist:
 
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#863
iagtrplyr said:
For those who struggled for 3:11 yesterday as I attempted to use a mic (no DI) to record the RB-112 naked as a jaybird (no comp, HPF, tone controls, Ultras, etc), my Rogue VB100 sounded like it tends to do without revision; boomy. But a few Ampeg loyalists out there requested another attempt, but this time with all the goodies to give us a chance to hear the best from the amp. I'll leave it up to your ears, but I think it's greatly improved from yesterday. Here's what I used:

Rogue bass (neck pup only...good or bad, it's my sound)
Ampeg RB-112 (tone controls flat, Ultra Hi on, Ultra Lo off)
Broughton HPF pedal (set @ 45 Hz)
TC Electronics Spectracomp (8:30)
Shure PG58 mic (inexpensive vocal mic, but serviceable)
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface

Song: from a Mel Bay bass book CD called "Boogie." (warning: repetitive, but has a decent groove)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The playing was more inspired until I fell apart at the outro, but oh well. I really liked the sound of the amp with the mic, though I admit I'm more of a DI guy. Who knows, maybe a decent bass mic and a little more experimenting might net an even better tone. Thanks for listening...this song is DONE! :bassist:
Click to expand...
I had a Rogue VB-100, and it was a fun bass. IMO this recording is a bit better, but the HPF isn’t doing anything at 45Hz on a four-stringed bass (E string fundamental is 42Hz). I’d bump it up a bit until the bass tightens up (try it in your DAW first, if you can, to hear the difference). But that’s just me. Good effort.
 
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#864
Michael Eisenman said:
I had a Rogue VB-100, and it was a fun bass. IMO this recording is a bit better, but the HPF isn’t doing anything at 45Hz on a four-stringed bass (E string fundamental is 42Hz). I’d bump it up a bit until the bass tightens up (try it in your DAW first, if you can, to hear the difference). But that’s just me. Good effort.
Click to expand...
For some reason, I can't hear it on my comp, but the PG58 renders any HPF moot anyway, since it has its own built into its frequency response tailored for vocals. OTOH, some of those Shure mics can sound good on a bass cab, so I ain't knockin' it.
 
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#865
Michael Eisenman said:
the HPF isn’t doing anything at 45Hz on a four-stringed bass (E string fundamental is 42Hz)
Click to expand...

uhm, ever seen a frequency spectrum of a bass' signal? just double-checked and on my bass the peak around 35Hz is very pronounced when I'm hitting the open D (73Hz). on open G it shifts closer to 45-50Hz though.

on 4-string you certainly should be able to hear a difference with a HPF set at 45Hz. I surely do.
 
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#866
So about the 1/4" speaker cables...

I totally get using them for PA's and cross-stage runs. I totally get using them for amps that have over 500w as there is a shock hazard with powerful amps using 1/4" speaker jacks, although I've done it a million times and never got shocked myself.

But for a 2 or 3 ft run from the back of my amp to the back of my cab? I think I'll be OK using 1/4". Been using them since day one and the number of times I've had a cable get yanked out on a gig is 0.
 
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#867
Michael Eisenman said:
I had a Rogue VB-100, and it was a fun bass. IMO this recording is a bit better, but the HPF isn’t doing anything at 45Hz on a four-stringed bass (E string fundamental is 42Hz). I’d bump it up a bit until the bass tightens up (try it in your DAW first, if you can, to hear the difference). But that’s just me. Good effort.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I’m still playing with the Broughton and agree, I had it too low. I’ve used the Reaper’s filter and it works well.

It was a fun project for a couple of afternoons and I appreciate those who listen and responded. I wish more of us would consider posting more stuff for listening and learning purposes. Thanks again!
 
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#868
JimmyM said:
For some reason, I can't hear it on my comp, but the PG58 renders any HPF moot anyway, since it has its own built into its frequency response tailored for vocals. OTOH, some of those Shure mics can sound good on a bass cab, so I ain't knockin' it.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jimmy. One of my buddies over in the Combo Club mentioned he had trouble hearing it too. I’m flummoxed.

Never needing a super high quality mic, I bought the PG58 for backing vocals, but my ears didn’t think it did too bad a job.

I liked the guys’ challenge of not switching to my P-bass for the second try, but sticking with the violin bass and trying to improve its mixed tone. This is what summer vacation is for! :D
 
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#869
Aloe said:
uhm, ever seen a frequency spectrum of a bass' signal? just double-checked and on my bass the peak around 35Hz is very pronounced when I'm hitting the open D (73Hz). on open G it shifts closer to 45-50Hz though.

on 4-string you certainly should be able to hear a difference with a HPF set at 45Hz. I surely do.
Click to expand...

I myself thought compared to yesterday’s recording, today’s was less boomy, but I don’t discount ME’s assessment that the filter could’ve inched a bit higher.

Thanks for your thought!
 
#871
Screenshot_20210629-191219.jpg


Friday!
 
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#872
Was in town today and by chance decided to stop at GC. Hoping to try an RB115. I have a Rumble 112 that I use to take and or leave at practice. My main at home rig is PF500 and a Greenboy Basic 115. I love the Ampeg sound. As luck would have no stock in the RB115 as expected. But they did have an RB112 on the floor. Play with a bit and was about to leave when I flipped the tag over and it was marked $249. So I couldn’t resist. Brought home the RB112. Been A/B between it and Rumble 112. Couple differences off the top, RB is slightly bigger and tad heavier. No surprise there. With all settings flat compare the two. To me the RB has that baked in Ampeg tone and just sounds warmer to me. I also still love the Rumble; sounds great, very portable.
 
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#873
BluBasPlr said:
Was in town today and by chance decided to stop at GC. Hoping to try an RB115. I have a Rumble 112 that I use to take and or leave at practice. My main at home rig is PF500 and a Greenboy Basic 115. I love the Ampeg sound. As luck would have no stock in the RB115 as expected. But they did have an RB112 on the floor. Play with a bit and was about to leave when I flipped the tag over and it was marked $249. So I couldn’t resist. Brought home the RB112. Been A/B between it and Rumble 112. Couple differences off the top, RB is slightly bigger and tad heavier. No surprise there. With all settings flat compare the two. To me the RB has that baked in Ampeg tone and just sounds warmer to me. I also still love the Rumble; sounds great, very portable.
Click to expand...
Why so cheap?
 
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#875
jeff7bass said:
Why so cheap?
Click to expand...
Lowbrow said:
I would think they merely mistagged it possibly on the mistake they we’re dealing with the 110. Nice you were able to get that discount (!) and I would have grabbed it, too. Hope you enjoy it!
Click to expand...

I think it was miss tagged. I asked if that was correct and they looked it up, said it was. I didn't blink and went ahead and purchased.
 
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#879
BluBasPlr said:
Was in town today and by chance decided to stop at GC. Hoping to try an RB115. I have a Rumble 112 that I use to take and or leave at practice. My main at home rig is PF500 and a Greenboy Basic 115. I love the Ampeg sound. As luck would have no stock in the RB115 as expected. But they did have an RB112 on the floor. Play with a bit and was about to leave when I flipped the tag over and it was marked $249. So I couldn’t resist. Brought home the RB112. Been A/B between it and Rumble 112. Couple differences off the top, RB is slightly bigger and tad heavier. No surprise there. With all settings flat compare the two. To me the RB has that baked in Ampeg tone and just sounds warmer to me. I also still love the Rumble; sounds great, very portable.
Click to expand...

BBP, play the damn lottery this instant! You are on a roll, my friend. And you ask why GC has one foot on a banana peel? Please let us know whatcha think of the 112. Congrats!
 
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