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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

Can you describe how the Rocket Bass' SGT compares to the Rumble's overdrive? I am interested in a combo with a nice sounding drive tone.

I’m not a big user of distortion on bass but the Rumbles distortion is more of a fuzz-box type and the Rocket bass SGTs is not as dramatic. But comparing it to my V4 or PF50T when pushed a bit into dirtyland is really not fair. I think, opposed to what others have mentioned, that the distortion in the Rumble and the SGT in the Rocketbass is not something that fills any purpose for me. It just sounds cheap and looses bottom, that goes for both of them, but then that’s how I usually feels about all 100s of overdrive and distortion effects on the market. I just don’t get it. I like the extra ‘hair’ that comes from a real all tube amp but I’ll never push it into real distorsion. So maybe I’m not the right person to judge ;)
I wouldn’t buy any of the Rumble or RB amps if I’m after good overdrive.
 
I’m not a big user of distortion on bass but the Rumbles distortion is more of a fuzz-box type and the Rocket bass SGTs is not as dramatic. But comparing it to my V4 or PF50T when pushed a bit into dirtyland is really not fair. I think, opposed to what others have mentioned, that the distortion in the Rumble and the SGT in the Rocketbass is not something that fills any purpose for me. It just sounds cheap and looses bottom, that goes for both of them, but then that’s how I usually feels about all 100s of overdrive and distortion effects on the market. I just don’t get it. I like the extra ‘hair’ that comes from a real all tube amp but I’ll never push it into real distorsion. So maybe I’m not the right person to judge ;)
I wouldn’t buy any of the Rumble or RB amps if I’m after good overdrive.


You KNOW that you've become your Father when you read threads about "Distortion" for bass......either as a "Feature" in the Amp......or in wasting good money buying pedals. :) It's funny how Life changes as the years go by. How do I feel about Distortion on bass? Well.......
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Paul used it ONCE on the Bassline for "Think for Yourself"....(I think)...Past there, I'd really rather go Bowling......and I find Bowling Extremely distasteful....but the Shoes are kinda Cool. :)


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You KNOW that you've become your Father when you read threads about "Distortion" for bass......either as a "Feature" in the Amp......or in wasting good money buying pedals. :) It's funny how Life changes as the years go by. How do I feel about Distortion on bass? Well.......
View attachment 4369378

Paul used it ONCE on the Bassline for "Think for Yourself"....(I think)...Past there, I'd really rather go Bowling......and I find Bowling Extremely distasteful....but the Shoes are kinda Cool. :)


View attachment 4369381
Well, I liked my father and I like Paul… but have almost never found any practical use for distortion. Probably because I prefer warm bass and bottom more than trashed sound. A matter of taste I guess but it has made my bass playing life a lot easier;) and saved me some money.
 
Well, I liked my father and I like Paul… but have almost never found any practical use for distortion. Probably because I prefer warm bass and bottom more than trashed sound. A matter of taste I guess but it has made my bass playing life a lot easier;) and saved me some money.

Great points, Rich. That is a dizzying rabbit hole one could lose themselves in forever! Like you, I can't seem to find either a need for distortion either by the way I happen to play or because I don't think it sounds that good. It always sounds forced to me. Now, if you're talking a little overdrive where the amp is pushing harder, I'm okay with that (and I agree with you, it comes from tubes), but I'm just as fine with a solid-state amp pouring out cleans that give my bass fullness and pleasing tone. Of course, I wouldn't be invited to show off a new amp on the Anderton site, so what do I know!
 
Great points, Rich. That is a dizzying rabbit hole one could lose themselves in forever! Like you, I can't seem to find either a need for distortion either by the way I happen to play or because I don't think it sounds that good. It always sounds forced to me. Now, if you're talking a little overdrive where the amp is pushing harder, I'm okay with that (and I agree with you, it comes from tubes), but I'm just as fine with a solid-state amp pouring out cleans that give my bass fullness and pleasing tone. Of course, I wouldn't be invited to show off a new amp on the Anderton site, so what do I know!


You needn't worry about Lee and "What's his Name" on the Anderton Site. I watched the Video where "What's his Name" said " You need to grab a Screwdriver and REMOVE the PUP Covers from a Bass as soon as you Get it". Immediately upon hearing that I placed an Advertisement in the "English Free Press" Looking for a "HIT MAN" to follow him from the Store and Cut his Tongue out with a DULL Plastic Spoon. :):woot::thumbsup: Enuff of THAT Foolishness too!

Have I even mentioned LEAVING the Flag Decal on RIC's? No?! Don't get me Started!!!! LOLOL #bonkers

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You KNOW that you've become your Father when you read threads about "Distortion" for bass......either as a "Feature" in the Amp......or in wasting good money buying pedals. :) It's funny how Life changes as the years go by. How do I feel about Distortion on bass? Well.......
View attachment 4369378

Paul used it ONCE on the Bassline for "Think for Yourself"....(I think)...Past there, I'd really rather go Bowling......and I find Bowling Extremely distasteful....but the Shoes are kinda Cool. :)


View attachment 4369381
Actually, Paul used distortion a lot. You often can’t tell in a mix but it’s in his soloed bass lines.
 
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@JimmyM I wouldn’t say McCartney used distortion “a lot.” But he did use the fuzz pedal occasionally. Mean Mr Mustard being a perfect example. I don’t hear it on “Oh Darling” but you probably have better ears than me. There were not many pedals available in the 60s but the fuzz was. There were no distortion pedals.

that said the Beatles did a lot of experimenting once they went in to the studio permanently for Sgt. Peppers. So by overdriving mixing boards and amps they could distort them and by playing with the actual tape they came up with flanging and by using strange instruments they did come up with some unique sounds.

bottom line is when you read enough books even those who were in the studio at Abbey Road during the recordings disagree on stuff. Even the guys in the band disagreed on on who did what etc. There were a lot of drugs around which doesn’t help with memory. And humans have different perspectives even when experiencing the same thing. So we will never really know. But I know this. It’s all good. And I love the Beatles.
 
This is coming Friday….

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Only place I’ve found it in stock. Yay!!

anyone else looking at the covers??
Yup, my 112 case finally just took the payment, and is being processed for shipping. It's been a while waiting.

I bought mine on Adorama. Their stock just came in today. All models.
 
Your Sweet water Rep is not correct. None of the Rocket Bass combos have Neo woofers. The weight savings achieved in the Rocket Bass family came from using switch mode power supplies with class D amplifiers along with selecting a particularly lightweight material for the enclosure (don't worry structural integrity was not compromised). Woofers with neodymium motor structures can not be offered at these price / performance points.
So, you're saying that replacing the speakers with neo drivers, would yield even less weight? Dope.
 
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The 115 has me interested , how does the sound compare with a Rumble 200 , what differances are you hearing , i guess the Ampeg should work for small to med country gigs with no PA support , love to hear one of the Rockets .
Well, my 112 is all over here and youtube. It sounds pretty darn great, and I've had a whole lot to compare it to.