Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[iagtrplyr]

I like the fact all 100w go into the internal speaker on the 112. The 115 would be better if you didn't need an extension to get all 200w. Even 150w internally would be cool for the 115, but 100w makes me prefer the 112.

Exactly what I thought when debating between the two, j7b. Here, the BA-115 v2 offered 150 watts, you'd have thought they would have matched that power rating in the new series. Then add an ext cabinet and bump it to 300 watts. For that, I' might've kicked in the extra if I was gonna gig with it. As you said, for the same power, I own a lighter combo, still awesome bass, and fits in my room easier. I wanna know why they didn't contact us before they made that decision???

 

[Hotwater84]

One thing I’ve noticed on mine it doesn’t seem to have the “premium” handle like I’ve seen on others. Mines just a standard plastic one.

Sweet, H2O84! That is one sexy combo amp, isn't it? Classic in every sense of the word. Glad you're enjoying it. I also invite you as well as any other now "comboites" here in this thread to join us over at the Combo Club. Post a picture like this and you too can be part of the combo legacy that was set up six years ago. it's free and ya'll welcome!

Thank you sir! I posted last night in the combo club, have you seen some photos of the RB series with more premium stitched handlesMaybe it’s just in the smaller combos not sure?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yes, @etnoo post the pic at the Combo Club-
That’s where some of us hang after posting about our Awesomeness at getting some of the first Ampeg Rocket Bass combos!!!



Exactly!! Well put @Lowbrow!! This

My RB-115 sounds great with EQ flat and SGT engaged just a bit!! I was running “grit” at about noon, level at 2:00?? Anyway- leveled to match output w/o SGT.

It never got out of hand or over the top “grit”, rather it added a bit of pleasant toastiness to the party. Was playing my Talman TMB-100 P/J today.

View attachment 4335167

Had the J bridge off most of the time. Wanted to see how a P gets along. Really nice! Then I cranked the J bridge solo and threw on some chorus. Uhhh Yeah!! Got my Peter Hook on.

Some folks have not been impressed by the SGT. I like the SGT- Maybe it’s also the 15” speaker. Maybe it gets too shrill with a smaller speaker? It’s warmer sounding than the SCR I remember playing around with on a BA-112 or 115 last time I was in a real GC (two or three years ago..)

So far SO Great!!

Another satisfied CC member with his purchase. I still love the color of your Ibby, Tele. you may be on to something about the SGT with larger speakers. I find it decent with the 12, but maybe less impressed using the 8. Yet, if someone with the baby Rocket Bass enjoys pushing in the button to their SGT, more power to 'em. I think it was a nice bit of strategy offering the feature compared to the previous line where the Scrambler was not offered on the BA-108 v2. Then again, I didn't like the sound of it anyway which is why I bought the 108 and not the 110!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thank you sir! I posted last night in the combo club, have you seen some photos of the RB series with more premium stitched handlesMaybe it’sView attachment 4335368 View attachment 4335370 just in the smaller combos not sure?

My apologies, I was spending the evening recording last night and didn't get to the club. I'll remedy that today, guaranteed!

 

[Hotwater84]

My apologies, I was spending the evening recording last night and didn't get to the club. I'll remedy that today, guaranteed!

Thank you sir! Would love to hear what your recording!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thank you sir! Would love to hear what your recording!

I’ll send it to ya. Some popular Gordon Lightfoot for an acoustic group my best friend and I are solely working up. We’re trying out songs. I like this one!

 

[gwangi]

Thank you sir! I posted last night in the combo club, have you seen some photos of the RB series with more premium stitched handlesMaybe it’sView attachment 4335368 View attachment 4335370 just in the smaller combos not sure?

Thanks for bringing this up, I looked on Sweetwater's site and all the pictures of all different size combos are showing the plastic handle.
I wonder what was up with the nicer stitched handle?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Here it is

DI + this guy

I didn’t do anything to it, except nudge the mic track over a half a millisecond. Nothing at all

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

It sounds pretty darn decent. The only thing I would do to it, is drop around 250hz, and lower the volume a point or so.

 

[jeff7bass]

Thanks for bringing this up, I looked on Sweetwater's site and all the pictures of all different size combos are showing the plastic handle.
I wonder what was up with the nicer stitched handle?

The stitched handle looks nicer but the plastic/metal handle looks more durable. Over time I think the stitched handle might wear out quicker as the leather supports most of the weight.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Thank you sir! I posted last night in the combo club, have you seen some photos of the RB series with more premium stitched handlesMaybe it’sView attachment 4335368 View attachment 4335370 just in the smaller combos not sure?

That's an old rocket bass. If you notice, it doesn't look anything like the new ones. The box is huge compared the the grille. Like an old TV, or computer monitor.

 

[Mo Boogs]

I’m looking to buy a new RB to gig with in my band. We’re doing a mix of folk rock and some 70s nuggets but I’d like to get an amp that’s not only good for that but classic rock, blues and funk too. I own a V4-B with the 212AV and a good ole B-50R but I want something more powerful than the 50 and a little easier to lug around than the V4-B(definitely keep’n this rig for the bigger gigs and the 50 for practice). I’ve kinda got my eyes set on the RB-115 and the RB-210, however I’ve got no interest in bringing an extension cab to get the max watts if I’d even need it. Anyone have experience trying out both and which would gig better? The tonal differences between the two?

I’ve also been reading about the RB-112 and how it pumps it’s full 100 watts into it’s internal speaker - that brings me to this technical question: Does an amp that’s able to pump its full wattage into its internal speaker sound/feel different than the two models above that pump about half of their power into their internal speakers? Particularly the BR-115, this pumps 100 watts into a 15” speaker. Is that a different feel than 100 watts into a 12” on the BR-112?

 

[Mastermold]

I’m looking to buy a new RB to gig with in my band. We’re doing a mix of folk rock and some 70s nuggets but I’d like to get an amp that’s not only good for that but classic rock, blues and funk too. I own a V4-B with the 212AV and a good ole B-50R but I want something more powerful than the 50 and a little easier to lug around than the V4-B(definitely keep’n this rig for the bigger gigs and the 50 for practice). I’ve kinda got my eyes set on the RB-115 and the RB-210, however I’ve got no interest in bringing an extension cab to get the max watts if I’d even need it. Anyone have experience trying out both and which would gig better? The tonal differences between the two?

I’ve also been reading about the RB-112 and how it pumps it’s full 100 watts into it’s internal speaker - that brings me to this technical question: Does an amp that’s able to pump its full wattage into its internal speaker sound/feel different than the two models above that pump about half of their power into their internal speakers? Particularly the BR-115, this pumps 100 watts into a 15” speaker. Is that a different feel than 100 watts into a 12” on the BR-112?

I wouldn't expect a small combo to have much gig utility (for me) but if that was the goal and the RB combos were my only choice I'd gravitate towards an RB210 as it has the best shot at being enough.

 

[JimmyM]

210.

 

[lowendrv]

I wandered into a GC today and they only had the 10 and 15 . Plugged a P and J bass in . Honestly both sound great , no matter what I tried (twisting knobs ) . I think the 12 would cover most needs for a combo gig . I'm already thinning my herd . But one of these will show up .

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I’m looking to buy a new RB to gig with in my band. We’re doing a mix of folk rock and some 70s nuggets but I’d like to get an amp that’s not only good for that but classic rock, blues and funk too. I own a V4-B with the 212AV and a good ole B-50R but I want something more powerful than the 50 and a little easier to lug around than the V4-B(definitely keep’n this rig for the bigger gigs and the 50 for practice). I’ve kinda got my eyes set on the RB-115 and the RB-210, however I’ve got no interest in bringing an extension cab to get the max watts if I’d even need it. Anyone have experience trying out both and which would gig better? The tonal differences between the two?

I’ve also been reading about the RB-112 and how it pumps it’s full 100 watts into it’s internal speaker - that brings me to this technical question: Does an amp that’s able to pump its full wattage into its internal speaker sound/feel different than the two models above that pump about half of their power into their internal speakers? Particularly the BR-115, this pumps 100 watts into a 15” speaker. Is that a different feel than 100 watts into a 12” on the BR-112?

It simply means that the 15 will be louder, and fuller, and stay cleaner than the one 12 that's getting the same power. That's all.

Voiced differently, yes. But, that's the jist of it.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I’m looking to buy a new RB to gig with in my band. We’re doing a mix of folk rock and some 70s nuggets but I’d like to get an amp that’s not only good for that but classic rock, blues and funk too. I own a V4-B with the 212AV and a good ole B-50R but I want something more powerful than the 50 and a little easier to lug around than the V4-B(definitely keep’n this rig for the bigger gigs and the 50 for practice). I’ve kinda got my eyes set on the RB-115 and the RB-210, however I’ve got no interest in bringing an extension cab to get the max watts if I’d even need it. Anyone have experience trying out both and which would gig better? The tonal differences between the two?

I’ve also been reading about the RB-112 and how it pumps it’s full 100 watts into it’s internal speaker - that brings me to this technical question: Does an amp that’s able to pump its full wattage into its internal speaker sound/feel different than the two models above that pump about half of their power into their internal speakers? Particularly the BR-115, this pumps 100 watts into a 15” speaker. Is that a different feel than 100 watts into a 12” on the BR-112?

Everything being the same, the 115 with 100 watts will be louder than the 112 with identical power for the obvious reason is it's a larger volume of air. Of course, it all depends on what your use for the amp is. In my smallish music room, the 112 sounds huge where my 115 cab is less impressive because there's not enough room to extend the lower frequency soundwaves. Move to a larger room and the 15 will edge out the 12 with an equal amount of power. You have to decide your main use for whichever combo to get your biggest bang for the buck.

I'm bringing the 112 to a coffeehouse gig or rehearsal. but if it's a larger venue and there may be no FOH, then it's the 115, even with the 100 watts. side note: doubling the power, as the 115 does when its impedance drops to four ohms only nets you a +3 dB of additional volume, BUT, if there's another 115 below it with similar sound pressure level numbers, you're talking a lot more volume out of that combo. The 112 cannot do that.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

The stitched handle looks nicer but the plastic/metal handle looks more durable. Over time I think the stitched handle might wear out quicker as the leather supports most of the weight.

That stitched handle “handles” 65 lbs of Rocket 100 amp with no sign of wearing out.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Here it is

DI + this guyView attachment 4335840



I didn’t do anything to it, except nudge the mic track over a half a millisecond. Nothing at all

Jeezy, I listened to your piece while typing to a player from Spain looking for advice as he is looking to buy a Rocket Bass and you made the typing very easy. Great jam! Knowing your new Shure mic was in the mix, I can vouge for it; the tone was excellent. Thanks again for all your musical contributions!

 

[jeff7bass]

That stitched handle “handles” 65 lbs of Rocket 100 amp with no sign of wearing out.

Depends how many times you pick it up. It's like a car tire.