Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[Bass]

210 is on the way!

I'm curious, how did you decide upon the RB-210 instead of the RB-115?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I'm curious, how did you decide upon the RB-210 instead of the RB-115?

It's easy actually. More clean headroom. The 210 is going to be my everything, not a "sit in one place" rig. I want the extra power for clean headroom to accommodate a wider array of venues and situations. Speaker size only plays the part of "I've had many ampeg 10's, and I've loved every one of them. I've never owned an ampeg 15." But, I can't imagine a whole lot of difference between that, and the rb112 I already have.

Simple decision right?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Any major tone difference between the Micro VR and the Rocket? I'm thinking about selling/trading in the Micro VR for a smaller combo, and didn't know if it would be worth it.

Yup. Much fuller sound. I love the micro. Love it. It sounds exactly like a "solid state" VR. I put it toe to toe with a V4-B (which is a VR with a 100w power section. if you didn't know) and it sounds almost exactly like it. But, the rb vs the micro stack, I'd take the rb any day.

Advantage of the micro is that you can put it on top of anything. The rb is a unit. That's really it.

If you're just looking to make the amp you love, better. Than I suggest two 112av cabs instead of an RB. In fact, one 112av, blows the 210av out of the water in every category. Two, blows 3 of them away.

 

[JD312]

Finally got a quick play with the RB210 at GC. My main rig is a pf210 and pf410 powered with a pf800. Played it with a Fender Jazz Player 4 string. I thought the tones were spot on. More flexibility tone wise than my main rig. Didn’t think there was anything at all wrong at all with the SGT setup. Seems like you could roll it in or out to your liking without having any eq issues. Tone wise at low volume, excellent. If you’re already familiar with ampegs, it’s super easy to tweak.

The only limitation is the cabinet and that’s not a bad thing. Cranking it louder seemed to make things cloudy. Even at low to mid volume, I couldn’t find the super sub low rolling thunder vibe I enjoy with my main rig, or even some of the other ampeg combos I’ve tried, but maybe the right extension cabinet would take care of that.

Again, I am only comparing it to a full blown rig, but I hope this description helps a little.

 

[Toonzo]

Comparing the Ampeg RB110 and the Fender Rumble 40.

So far the Ampeg has a tighter more defined sound then the Fender. The Fender has a more vintage/wooly sound.

The only drawback is the hiss coming from the Ampeg (84dB = is this a bad S/N ratio?). Are there more Ampeg RB users experiencing this hiss or do I have a faulty amp? I don''t hear that much hiss from the Rumble 40.

I recorded some basslines into my DAW using the DI of the amps. I can also hear the hiss of the Ampeg in the recording , so I think the noise is coming from the preamp.

 

[Bass]

...The only drawback is the hiss coming from the Ampeg (84dB = is this a bad S/N ratio?). Are there more Ampeg RB users experiencing this hiss or do I have a faulty amp? I can't hear any hiss from the Rumble 40...

My RB-210 has a slight hiss, maybe this is normal.

I like how the tag on top of the amp says "Ready for Liftoff!"

 

[Toonzo]

I'll order an Ampeg RB112 to sort things out. Just to make sure.

 

[R2Bass]

I still don't know about hiss in RB combos, but the BA (v2) ones have that hiss, and it is considered as normal. I checked some of them in local shops after hearing the hiss on my new BA115v2 some years ago as I also thought I had a faulty unit. However, all of them had the same hiss.
I was hoping they had reduced it in these new RB combos, but it seems to be a normal issue on Ampeg combos...

I will check it out on my RB210 when it arrives.

 

[Isaac_James]

View attachment 4385141

Comparing the Ampeg RB110 and the Fender Rumble 40.

So far the Ampeg has a tighter more defined sound then the Fender. The Fender has a more vintage/wooly sound.

The only drawback is the hiss coming from the Ampeg (84dB = is this a bad S/N ratio?). Are there more Ampeg RB users experiencing this hiss or do I have a faulty amp? I don''t hear that much hiss from the Rumble 40.

I recorded some basslines into my DAW using the DI of the amps. I can also hear the hiss of the Ampeg in the recording , so I think the noise is coming from the preamp.

My 110 has some hiss. I actually emailed Ampeg about this, and apparently it is normal for the RB combos to do this. I haven't tried it alongside other amps, and honestly it's not so loud that it's usually noticeable - I can hear it if I'm playing softly in a very quiet room, but if there's any background noise it just blends in. There are moments it annoys me but they're few and far between.

I did not hear any hiss when recording with a line out, though, so I think it's in the speaker for mine. If you're getting it there then you may have more of a problem.

 

[Toonzo]

When I play the hiss is not noticable. Only when I stop playing. But I really like the sound so I better don't stop

To be sure it's not a faulty unit I asked for a replacement. The Fender was nice but that amp will be returned. I prefer the Ampeg.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I'll order an Ampeg RB112 to sort things out. Just to make sure.

There's no hiss from my 12. At least, I haven't noticed it

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

When I play the hiss is not noticable. Only when I stop playing. But I really like the sound so I better don't stop

To be sure it's not a faulty unit I asked for a replacement. The Fender was nice but that amp will be returned. I prefer the Ampeg.

They take about a month to break in. Yes, they get even better.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Finally got a quick play with the RB210 at GC. My main rig is a pf210 and pf410 powered with a pf800. Played it with a Fender Jazz Player 4 string. I thought the tones were spot on. More flexibility tone wise than my main rig. Didn’t think there was anything at all wrong at all with the SGT setup. Seems like you could roll it in or out to your liking without having any eq issues. Tone wise at low volume, excellent. If you’re already familiar with ampegs, it’s super easy to tweak.

The only limitation is the cabinet and that’s not a bad thing. Cranking it louder seemed to make things cloudy. Even at low to mid volume, I couldn’t find the super sub low rolling thunder vibe I enjoy with my main rig, or even some of the other ampeg combos I’ve tried, but maybe the right extension cabinet would take care of that.

Again, I am only comparing it to a full blown rig, but I hope this description helps a little.

Pretty much man. Combo vs head. It's a unit. The 210 and 15 can be expanded upon, but you're still stuck with the standard unit no matter what you stick it on.

You have a pf410hlf. It's a ported 410. And it's tuned low. You aren't going to get that from these combos. They aren't made for that. They're made for monitoring yourself on stage with PA support for your volume. Or, low volume jams and gigs and studio purposes. With an easy load in/out. If you need/want more than that, get a head. Not a small combo.

 

[DanTheMan2112]

Has anyone compared the RB210 to a BA-210v2?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Finally got a quick play with the RB210 at GC. My main rig is a pf210 and pf410 powered with a pf800. Played it with a Fender Jazz Player 4 string. I thought the tones were spot on. More flexibility tone wise than my main rig. Didn’t think there was anything at all wrong at all with the SGT setup. Seems like you could roll it in or out to your liking without having any eq issues. Tone wise at low volume, excellent. If you’re already familiar with ampegs, it’s super easy to tweak.

The only limitation is the cabinet and that’s not a bad thing. Cranking it louder seemed to make things cloudy. Even at low to mid volume, I couldn’t find the super sub low rolling thunder vibe I enjoy with my main rig, or even some of the other ampeg combos I’ve tried, but maybe the right extension cabinet would take care of that.

Again, I am only comparing it to a full blown rig, but I hope this description helps a little.

Oh, try the 15 next trip. You might get a more warm, bass filled sound from it. Compared to their 10s, which should be more on the tight/focused side of the sound spectrum.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Has anyone compared the RB210 to a BA-210v2?

It's lighter with a better amp.

I haven't compared the 210s, I don't have a ba 210 and my rb210 isn't here til tomorrow. But, compared to the ba112v2, the rb112 is better in every way. Volume, weight, tone and looks.

 

[bherman]

Hi all - I was looking at the Rockets this morning at my local music shop (they have the whole lineup). I only need something for home practice and have no need for the distortion circuit. I'm between the 8 and the 10. What surprised me in the store is that the 8 actually sounded louder than the 10 at similar volume settings. Anyone have any thoughts as to why that would be the case?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi all - I was looking at the Rockets this morning at my local music shop (they have the whole lineup). I only need something for home practice and have no need for the distortion circuit. I'm between the 8 and the 10. What surprised me in the store is that the 8 actually sounded louder than the 10 at similar volume settings. Anyone have any thoughts as to why that would be the case?

Less low end maybe? When you up the the low end, you actually get perceivably quieter. Bass frequencies tend to mask others.

That's my best guess.

 

[Lowbrow]

Hi all - I was looking at the Rockets this morning at my local music shop (they have the whole lineup). I only need something for home practice and have no need for the distortion circuit. I'm between the 8 and the 10. What surprised me in the store is that the 8 actually sounded louder than the 10 at similar volume settings. Anyone have any thoughts as to why that would be the case?

when I play my 110 and 112 side by side the 110 can sound somewhat louder because, as I hear it, it is a wee bit less full, which makes it sound more ‘focused’ at low volume.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Man, that little stand looks cool except for the giant logo on front.

Nah, it lets your audience know that they have to be able to read it before you'll play...