Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[High Camp]

Thanks for all this research - manuals aren’t posted yet so I’m still wondering about the frequencies that correlate to the EQ knobs if you are able to find that out as well.

My guess for the midrange would be 500 Hz, as this is more or less the standard for Ampeg amps without the 5 way midrange selector (Micro VR, PF350 for instance)

 

[Jaguar_07_MIJ]

Ampeg is back; not that they really went away, but this release gives some momentum under the Yamaha throne to modernize the products - while keeping true to the brand and tone. I think the Classic definitely, and perhaps the SVT-4Pro still have a place as the icons of the line - but the 3Pro could head into the sunset. I've owned the PF-500 and 800 and had issues with both, though I loved everything about them - except the issues ( typical shutting down ). I'd like to see them tackle the lightweight heads next, with some matching cabs.

 

[P Cheen]

Yeah– my local-ish (35-40 mins away) dealer said they got stocks of the 30-watt combo, which is the RB108. I might check it out, but it’s too much of a drive for an amp I won’t be buying. The 112 is where I’m at.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Am I the only one confused by the RB designation since GK has used that for over 40 years?
There are a whole bunch of other letters to use!

Just think of RB as "Rocket Bass", since that's what it stands for.

 

[seamonkey]

Quick Start
https://ampeg.com/data/6/0a020a41a2a66061f8c6749ba/application/pdf/Quick Start Guide - English .pdf
May be gone tomorrow as site changes

 

[R Briere]

Ampeg is back; not that they really went away, but this release gives some momentum under the Yamaha throne to modernize the products - while keeping true to the brand and tone. I think the Classic definitely, and perhaps the SVT-4Pro still have a place as the icons of the line - but the 3Pro could head into the sunset. I've owned the PF-500 and 800 and had issues with both, though I loved everything about them - except the issues ( typical shutting down ). I'd like to see them tackle the lightweight heads next, with some matching cabs.

When you had trouble with the amps shutting down, what was the reason behind them quitting?

 

[Jaguar_07_MIJ]

When you had trouble with the amps shutting down, what was the reason behind them quitting?

Well, with the 500 - it just died in the middle of a rehearsal. It probably had less than 5 hours on it. The main board was replaced under warranty and then it was fine, except the occasional cut-out when it was driven too hard - which was never THAT hard. I learned to back off the lows and deal with it. That unit was lost when my storage unit flooded, I replaced it with the 800, with the thinking all the bugs had been worked out. That was in 2017 and they'd been out for years.

The 800 saw virtually no use during it's first two years as most gigs in Los Angeles and surrounding are back-lined. When I finally got around using it, it died during a gig in San Diego - like one of the first few gigs I'd played with it. Ampeg listened to my story and repaired it even though it was out of warranty. They replaced the main board in that. I ended up using for a couple rehearsals with no issues then sold it, with feedback from that buyer that it was cutting out on him - so we worked that out transaction wise. With that said, I love Ampeg tone and styling and look forward to some great new products ahead, despite those experiences.

 

[6stringtheorist]

Was pleased to hear that Yamaha had acquired Ampeg and damn have they hit the ground running! These combos look sharp right out of the gate and the 500 watt 2X10 should do quite nicely for most applications. Fender is due for a serious rumble me thinks

 

[Lowbrow]

Interesting demo of the 108 - dig the SGT action around 6-minute mark.

 

[Hammerfield]

Is the same preamp than the BA series?

 

[68Tele-Bass]

Is the same preamp than the BA series?

Great Question!! Inquiring Minds want to know...

 

[seamonkey]

Well, with the 500 - it just died in the middle of a rehearsal. It probably had less than 5 hours on it. The main board was replaced under warranty and then it was fine, except the occasional cut-out when it was driven too hard - which was never THAT hard. I learned to back off the lows and deal with it. That unit was lost when my storage unit flooded, I replaced it with the 800, with the thinking all the bugs had been worked out. That was in 2017 and they'd been out for years.

The 800 saw virtually no use during it's first two years as most gigs in Los Angeles and surrounding are back-lined. When I finally got around using it, it died during a gig in San Diego - like one of the first few gigs I'd played with it. Ampeg listened to my story and repaired it even though it was out of warranty. They replaced the main board in that. I ended up using for a couple rehearsals with no issues then sold it, with feedback from that buyer that it was cutting out on him - so we worked that out transaction wise. With that said, I love Ampeg tone and styling and look forward to some great new products ahead, despite those experiences.

Please Ampeg - be using the ICEpower modules. The most reliable modules/SMPS as proven in the industry. You don't need all the failures of the PF 500/800 repeated.

 

[Jacobfred]

Is the same preamp than the BA series?

I can't say for sure, but I think it is. IIRC, The SCR-DI shares the BA pre and its marketing also boasts the "Legacy Preamp". So I'd wager it's a safe bet, or at least the jump off point.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Well, with the 500 - it just died in the middle of a rehearsal. It probably had less than 5 hours on it. The main board was replaced under warranty and then it was fine, except the occasional cut-out when it was driven too hard - which was never THAT hard. I learned to back off the lows and deal with it. That unit was lost when my storage unit flooded, I replaced it with the 800, with the thinking all the bugs had been worked out. That was in 2017 and they'd been out for years.

The 800 saw virtually no use during it's first two years as most gigs in Los Angeles and surrounding are back-lined. When I finally got around using it, it died during a gig in San Diego - like one of the first few gigs I'd played with it. Ampeg listened to my story and repaired it even though it was out of warranty. They replaced the main board in that. I ended up using for a couple rehearsals with no issues then sold it, with feedback from that buyer that it was cutting out on him - so we worked that out transaction wise. With that said, I love Ampeg tone and styling and look forward to some great new products ahead, despite those experiences.

Let's hope Yamaha QC will keep this kind of thing in the past.

 

[redstrand]

Preordered the RB12. Ticks the right boxes. Should see it in May.

 

[P Cheen]

Preordered the RB12. Ticks the right boxes. Should see it in May.

Where did you pre-order? I’m seeing Chicago Music Exchange has pre-orders going for an estimated April 19 ship date.

 

[redstrand]

Where did you pre-order? I’m seeing Chicago Music Exchange has pre-orders going for an estimated April 19 ship date.

Sweetwater.

 

[OhulahanBass]

Wow, these check allot of boxes for me. I missed out one of the “vintage” rockets on Craigslist a few years ago and been periodically looking on reverb and other market places for one ever since.

Unfortunately we will have to wait and see if they a plagued with the cutting out issues of SVT-7, PF-500 & PF-800 from the last decade plus.

 

[johnpbass]

So since these have an effects loop, in theory you could connect multiple combos, right?

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Unfortunately we will have to wait and see if they a plagued with the cutting out issues of SVT-7, PF-500 & PF-800 from the last decade plus.

Different engineers designed these. Understand the hesitance but they are different machines with different people behind and in them.

I would expect Yamaha quality in these.