Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[droo46]

Actually, Paul used distortion a lot. You often can’t tell in a mix but it’s in his soloed bass lines.

I had a roommate in college (a drummer) tell me that he didn't like distortion on bass. His favorite music was pop punk so I was really confused what he meant because just about every rock band ever has had some degree of OD on bass.

 

[droo46]

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.

From my quick demos in the stores, I think the SGT is world's ahead of the Rumble's OD. I find my Rumble's OD to be borderline unusable so I keep it off all the time, but the SGT sounds really good to me.

 

[mickebas]

From my quick demos in the stores, I think the SGT is world's ahead of the Rumble's OD. I find my Rumble's OD to be borderline unusable so I keep it off all the time, but the SGT sounds really good to me.

Yes I agree on the Rumbles overdrive being un-usable but since I also have the RB115 with the SGT I must say I was very disappointed when tried to use it… also as a only a slight drive with minimal distortion but it really wasn’t much better than the Rumbles overdrive to my ears. So my personal take is, don’t buy the RB or the Rumble if you’re after good, usable overdrive/distortion.

 

[Mastermold]

Yes I agree on the Rumbles overdrive being un-usable but since I also have the RB115 with the SGT I must say I was very disappointed when tried to use it… also as a only a slight drive with minimal distortion but it really wasn’t much better than the Rumbles overdrive to my ears. So my personal take is, don’t buy the RB or the Rumble if you’re after good, usable overdrive/distortion.

Or just use an overdrive pedal?

 

[Mastermold]

Here is an RB-210 atop a 210 cabinet. It looks like I need a new cab. Shucks!

View attachment 4374299

The RB-210 looks like a rather robust 210, large and ported. I suspect it is probably loud for a combo.

 

[Lowbrow]

Or just use an overdrive pedal?

+1. A designated pedal with the sound signature you prefer is the way to go for anybody who wants something different/better/fuller/softer/harder etc. than what any amp's built-in OD offers. These varying preferences are why there are probably more different bass OD pedals out there than any other bass effect. Seems obvious, but bears repeating.

 

[R Briere]

ANY Male who owns a Bass AND uses distortion of ANY kind should be forced to wear a Suit and, on the Town Square, in front of Everyone, be held down and Spanked by the "Ladies League of Tea Toters" until he openly Weeps. No Exceptions. No Excuses.

 

[Guy Tensen]

Hard disagree. I rarely use anything, sometimes just for a bit of hair, but I'm a firm believer in "You do you."

 

[iagtrplyr]

This is making my OCD alarm go off big time!

I know. Like, “Timber!!!”

 

[68Tele-Bass]

From my quick demos in the stores, I think the SGT is world's ahead of the Rumble's OD. I find my Rumble's OD to be borderline unusable so I keep it off all the time, but the SGT sounds really good to me.

^^^ +1. This! The Rumnle OD isn’t unusable, however- just not as good as the SGT. Rumble OD IS good with guitar!!
I love the OD on with bright when I plug my Squier VM Jazzmaster into my Rumble 40.

Yes I agree on the Rumbles overdrive being un-usable but since I also have the RB115 with the SGT I must say I was very disappointed when tried to use it… also as a only a slight drive with minimal distortion but it really wasn’t much better than the Rumbles overdrive to my ears. So my personal take is, don’t buy the RB or the Rumble if you’re after good, usable overdrive/distortion.

Use your pedal of choice- My Dapper Bass DI has a preamp and boost/comp that are quite useful in the FX loop of my Ampeg RB-115- here they are:

ANY Male who owns a Bass AND uses distortion of ANY kind should be forced to wear a Suit and, on the Town Square, in front of Everyone, be held down and Spanked by the "Ladies League of Tea Toters" until he openly Weeps. No Exceptions. No Excuses.


View attachment 4375405

I think you have to pay $$$ for that.

 

[JimmyM]

ANY Male who owns a Bass AND uses distortion of ANY kind should be forced to wear a Suit and, on the Town Square, in front of Everyone, be held down and Spanked by the "Ladies League of Tea Toters" until he openly Weeps. No Exceptions. No Excuses.

View attachment 4375405

What time do I need to be there? Sounds like fun!

 

[JimmyM]

+1. A designated pedal with the sound signature you prefer is the way to go for anybody who wants something different/better/fuller/softer/harder etc. than what any amp's built-in OD offers. These varying preferences are why there are probably more different bass OD pedals out there than any other bass effect. Seems obvious, but bears repeating.

Just pulling the Scrambler circuit out of the SCR-DI and BA amps and giving it its own separate pedal with a little tweaking made a gigantic difference in how usable the Scrambler circuit is. I actually love the separate pedal, but I could never use the one in the combos or SCR-DI on a gig without leaving it on the whole time. Which I did, but I had to keep it mild.

 

[68Tele-Bass]

What time do I need to be there? Sounds like fun![/QU

Ummm…Yeah!! This IS my bag, Baby!!

 

[iagtrplyr]

RB covers are finally in and I'm getting mine next Tuesday. Yahoo! Sounds like limited supply at first so order yours today!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I got to play the 108 in a store yesterday. Just plugged into the Ampeg out of curiosity. I was blown away by how good it sounded for a 30w amp! Even the low B sounded ok (for practice, I'm talking relatively here). Now I am really curious to try the 110 and 112. I have been using a TC Electronic BG250 for bedroom practice but it is overkill for my small apartment. I was thrilled to get the Ampeg sound in a such a small and relatively inexpensive package. Not in a hurry to buy but definitely very interested. Kudos to Yamaha

 

[iagtrplyr]

I got to play the 108 in a store yesterday. Just plugged into the Ampeg out of curiosity. I was blown away by how good it sounded for a 30w amp! Even the low B sounded ok (for practice, I'm talking relatively here). Now I am really curious to try the 110 and 112. I have been using a TC Electronic BG250 for bedroom practice but it is overkill for my small apartment. I was thrilled to get the Ampeg sound in a such a small and relatively inexpensive package. Not in a hurry to buy but definitely very interested. Kudos to Yamaha

Your curiosity was and will be rewarded should you continue on your Rocket Bass journey. If you have no intentions of doing more than practicing at home or jamming with some friends, the 108 or 110 would be perfectly fine. Heck, the 110 might make for a decent monitor with an acoustic trio as it has a DI output.

Should you desire a little power for larger jams or more bypass out of the box, then the 112 (the one I own) is ł for that and as a solid recording tool. I mute the ‘phones, crank the volume to noon, run the DI to my interface, and proceed to recording music.

Check ‘em out and find the right Rocket Bass combo for you and your needs.

Good hunting!

PS: if ya pick one up, stop on by the Combo Club, post a pic, and I’ll hand out a membership number to ya.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Your curiosity was and will be rewarded should you continue on your Rocket Bass journey. If you have no intentions of doing more than practicing at home or jamming with some friends, the 108 or 110 would be perfectly fine. Heck, the 110 might make for a decent monitor with an acoustic trio as it has a DI output.

Should you desire a little power for larger jams or more bypass out of the box, then the 112 (the one I own) is ł for that and as a solid recording tool. I mute the ‘phones, crank the volume to noon, run the DI to my interface, and proceed to recording music.

Check ‘em out and find the right Rocket Bass combo for you and your needs.

Good hunting!

PS: if ya pick one up, stop on by the Combo Club, post a pic, and I’ll hand out a membership number to ya.

I'm leading toward the 112 but don't know if I really need more than the 110. But would be nice to have a little more volume. The guys I play with most often are not into being super loud so it might even work for a jam... But will probably just sit next to my desk as my TC combo has for almost 5 years

 

[iagtrplyr]

I'm leading toward the 112 but don't know if I really need more than the 110. But would be nice to have a little more volume. The guys I play with most often are not into being super loud so it might even work for a jam... But will probably just sit next to my desk as my TC combo has for almost 5 years

I hear ya. I love small combos for some strange reason. Probably because they're easy to stash, less costly, and fun if you like an array of tones to play through. The problem of their small size begins the first time you try playing one out or jamming with a drummer. Then, it's the feeling of futility trying to keep up.

That being said, if you like your BG-250, keep that for your higher-volume playing, it'll do just fine. Grab the 110, get the Ampeg vibe, it'll be plenty in a small(ish) room, and you still have the DI in case you need it. For the price, it's a steal. Otherwise, the 112 does all that plus gives you a little more headroom and bigger bass.

 

[cbnutt]

Hopeing the local GC gets in a 115 , if its identical to the rumble sound , i might pass , but i would guess it wont be , curently using a Traynor SB112 combo i like , but wanting to check out the Rocket 115

 

[RSey716]

I hear ya. I love small combos for some strange reason. Probably because they're easy to stash, less costly, and fun if you like an array of tones to play through. The problem of their small size begins the first time you try playing one out or jamming with a drummer. Then, it's the feeling of futility trying to keep up.

That being said, if you like your BG-250, keep that for your higher-volume playing, it'll do just fine. Grab the 110, get the Ampeg vibe, it'll be plenty in a small(ish) room, and you still have the DI in case you need it. For the price, it's a steal. Otherwise, the 112 does all that plus gives you a little more headroom and bigger bass.

I'm with you on this. To me, combos are just fun to have. Not a lot of money wrapped up into them so my expectations aren't as high either. For a few bucks more I would go with the 112 as well. More headroom and flexibility for jamming. It's not such a beast either for home use. If you liked the RB wait until you get one and is really broken in. Nothing but smiles from me when I use my RB115.