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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

#941
eugenevsalerno said:
I have both the RB-210 and the Rumble 500.
Both are 2x10's with 500watt capability.

From my post #899 on page 45:
I tested it at the volume I use in my rock band and it gets the same perceived volume as the Rumble (the rumble is 350 watts at 8ohms, the RB210 is 250 watts at 8ohms).

Based on my experience, I would imagine that there would be no real perceived difference between the 140watt rumble or the 100watt RB.
Click to expand...
It's a conservative rating bro. You take a 500w @ 4ohm amplifier, and run it at 8 ohm, and it pushes roughly 2/3 of the power.
 
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#942
I'm a Rumble user these days and after selling off some gear recently (with just a bit more to go), I'm very interested in these new Ampeg rigs. I have the Rumble 100 and a 500 head and 115 cabinet (Rumbles). I want another combo for bigger gigs but I'm not convince that the Rumble 100 won't handle most of the gigs that I do. I was looking at the Traynor SB12 due to the fact that its 4 ohms and its a full 200 watts into the 12 inch speaker. Now the RB comes along and I'm wondering if Ampeg (tone that is) is for me. I think I'll go for the RB112 so at least I could compare it to the Rumble and decide which flavor I prefer.
 
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#944
Its the 'clean' tone that I am unsure of. I mean. I think the Ampeg has an Ampeg sound so I'm thinking it might sit better in the mix or at least differently then the Rumble. I had the Markbass Little Mark II head. And that was 'clean'. So Im inclined to stay away from clean. No fun. Nah. Maybe. I think a baked in tone might be more fun. IDK..
 
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#945
I know what you mean. Maybe clean means articulate and clear rather than bright with Traynors.

I like the tone of the Ampeg BA combos in stores. The Traynors side by side can be made to get there (sort of, you know), the EQ is very effective. At flat EQ different basses and strings sound really different.

There is a Low Expander dial that shifts frequencies from low mids to bass. Whatever that means, it has the effect of smoothing the tone, more velvety (not more bassy or boomy). I personally leave it at zero, I find it lowers the volume too, and the tone knob on basses does better everything I want usually.

Still the Rocket Bass sound really nice, but I worry they might be of lesser quality and not be really different from what I already have in the end. But I find them really attractive and interesting.
 
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#946
eugenevsalerno said:
I have both the RB-210 and the Rumble 500.
Both are 2x10's with 500watt capability.

From my post #899 on page 45:
I tested it at the volume I use in my rock band and it gets the same perceived volume as the Rumble (the rumble is 350 watts at 8ohms, the RB210 is 250 watts at 8ohms).

Based on my experience, I would imagine that there would be no real perceived difference between the 140watt rumble or the 100watt RB.
Click to expand...

+1 You have to double the output to pick up a scant 3 dB; barely perceivable at the volume you'd be playing at to push the amp. The difference between 350 watts and 250 watts would amount to extended headroom (always a good thing), but as far as a difference in volume, not really.

Depending on what your goal is for your combo I'd look at what the amp sounds like at studio volumes. Can you get along with it at a lower volume while recording? Does it offer you clarity and detail of your bass, or is it a bowl of mud? To me, that's as or more important as gig-level volumes being I'm not a touring player.
 
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#947
Slaphound said:
I'm a Rumble user these days and after selling off some gear recently (with just a bit more to go), I'm very interested in these new Ampeg rigs. I have the Rumble 100 and a 500 head and 115 cabinet (Rumbles). I want another combo for bigger gigs but I'm not convince that the Rumble 100 won't handle most of the gigs that I do. I was looking at the Traynor SB12 due to the fact that its 4 ohms and its a full 200 watts into the 12 inch speaker. Now the RB comes along and I'm wondering if Ampeg (tone that is) is for me. I think I'll go for the RB112 so at least I could compare it to the Rumble and decide which flavor I prefer.
Click to expand...

Slaphound, most likely Traynor is using a 4 Ohm speaker so it's getting the full 200 watts. If, though, there's an extension output for a second speaker, then you're most likely looking at 100 watts to the combo's speaker with the other 100 watts going to the second speaker. It'd be easy enough to find out by checking the combo's specs.

Traynor has an excellent reputation and if the prices are equal I'd want to do a side-by-side audition if I could before I open up my wallet. If you like that baked-in Ampeg tone, there's nothing like the Rocket Bass series, but a good-quality amp from a reputable maker should make you happy no matter.

BTW, I owned the R100, but the RB-112 allowed me to sell it to a nice guy a couple of weeks ago. Too muddy for my ears. I also have the Rumble 115 cab that's used as an extension to my Stage 800, or as my avatar shows, the mate to my Orange Terror Bass amp head. I like this combo very much, but the 800 watts into the 210s and 115 from Fender are thunderous!

Still, I love my RB-112!
 
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#949
BB115 800W built at a slight angle. But enough of this, this is an Ampeg Rocket Bass thread.

8E78E259-79BC-49BB-928F-EAE3968379E3.jpeg
 
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#951
Slaphound said:
Its the 'clean' tone that I am unsure of. I mean. I think the Ampeg has an Ampeg sound so I'm thinking it might sit better in the mix or at least differently then the Rumble. I had the Markbass Little Mark II head. And that was 'clean'. So Im inclined to stay away from clean. No fun. Nah. Maybe. I think a baked in tone might be more fun. IDK..
Click to expand...
It sounds like an ampeg
 
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#954
butterfingers1 said:
BB115 800W built at a slight angle. But enough of this, this is an Ampeg Rocket Bass thread.

View attachment 4324013
Click to expand...

It is a 400 watt amp (@ 8 ohms) but has the ability to put out 800 watts with an extension cab.

From the owner’s manual:

“The BB115 on its own can dial up 400 Watts into the 15” NEO woofer; however, by adding an extension cabinet, the amp can deliver an astounding total of 800 Watts.”
 
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#956
Alright guys. Here's a shure 57 test run. No post production. Bass down 1 knotch, mids up 1/2 a knotch, treble up 1 knotch.

It sounds pretty darn decent man. Hahaha. Even with me playing ;)



I need a beta 52

Oh, wear headphones or use speakers. It's bass.
 
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#958
JeezyMcNuggles said:
Alright guys. Here's a shure 57 test run. No post production. Bass down 1 knotch, mids up 1/2 a knotch, treble up 1 knotch.

It sounds pretty darn decent man. Hahaha. Even with me playing ;)



I need a beta 52

Oh, wear headphones or use speakers. It's bass.
Click to expand...


Jeezy, that was a terrific demo. Lots to listen to and help some on the fence decide if they like this combo or not. Your thought about the dead D, that was from what you heard through your phones or through the combo? I must've missed you mentioning it. If it's the combo, could the frequency dip be caused by the room? All I know, is I think the 112 is a fine recording amp, giving the best of the Ampeg tone in a single, portable unit.

Thanks so much for your offering. It's a winner!
 
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#959
iagtrplyr said:
Jeezy, that was a terrific demo. Lots to listen to and help some on the fence decide if they like this combo or not. Your thought about the dead D, that was from what you heard through your phones or through the combo? I must've missed you mentioning it. If it's the combo, could the frequency dip be caused by the room? All I know, is I think the 112 is a fine recording amp, giving the best of the Ampeg tone in a single, portable unit.

Thanks so much for your offering. It's a winner!
Click to expand...
It was some sort of phase thing with the headphones, room, and combo all going at once. On track, the D sounded full. Listening to it again though, I need to up the bass track a little. Just like a point or two. But yeah, I think it sounds pretty great all in all. And, that's with no post production. No eq changes or plugins at all.
 
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#960
iagtrplyr said:
Jeezy, that was a terrific demo. Lots to listen to and help some on the fence decide if they like this combo or not. Your thought about the dead D, that was from what you heard through your phones or through the combo? I must've missed you mentioning it. If it's the combo, could the frequency dip be caused by the room? All I know, is I think the 112 is a fine recording amp, giving the best of the Ampeg tone in a single, portable unit.

Thanks so much for your offering. It's a winner!
Click to expand...
But yeah, I think it's a winner for sure.

And, that's just a shure 57. It's not even a bass mic. It's frequency curve isn't exactly ideal.
 
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