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Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

#1,641
I am a "Fender Rumble" owner (800 Stage + 115 NEO ext. cab.) and truly have found my tone (I am a blues rock guy). However, I bought the Ampeg Rocket 112" after hearing the album "Born Into This" by the Cult (Chris Wyse bassist on that album) and really loved that gritty tone. I can't say enough about the Ampeg 112 Rocket!! It's awesome and loud! To me with the SGT on, it sounds just like the "Born Into This" album and old Metallica (Cliff Burton). It's light and super portable. Again, this is coming from a Fender guy so I am biased, but this Rocket is certainly something to consider IF you are into that type of sound.
 
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#1,642
How much different are the RB210 vs. the BA210?
It looks like the BA is 9 lbs. heavier and with an additional 50 watts power.
Any other differences and, can I assume either has enough power (without an extension cabinet) to hang with guitar, keys, and medium loudish drummer?
 
#1,643
I haven't played the 210 versions, but I played the BA-110 in store and currently own the RB-110. I always play with some amount of drive from the amp, and I much prefer the tone from the RB's SGT to the BA's Scrambler.

The power ratings from the Ampeg manuals are not apples-to-apples, but they are certainly in the same ballpark.

Without an extension speaker, the BA-210 is 283 W while the RB-210 is 250 W. But note that these ratings are quoted at different THD values (10% for the BA versus 2% for the RB).

With an 8 ohm extension speaker connected, the BA-210 is 450 W while the RB-210 is 500 W. But again these ratings are quoted at different THD values (3% for the BA versus 5% for the RB).
 
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#1,645
droo46 said:
Anderton's Rumble vs Rocket Shootout. I'm also posting this in the Rumble club thread. Really curious on everyone's thoughts:
Click to expand...


Yeah this was a weird demo for me. I've played both these in store and much preferred the Ampeg. But if I was just judging from the video I'd say the Fender is the winner for me. Good reminder to myself that judging amps off a YouTube from is pretty hard.

I still want a RB but also still don't really need one! Hope to pick one up used eventually
 
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#1,647
Well, I know nothing about the "Roland 120." However, I own the Ampeg 112 combo and it is excellent if you like that Ampeg sound. AND, it's LOUD. Very loud for a 100. In fact, I own other brands and it is the loudest 100 watt bass amp I have tried when the "SGT" is on. I managed to get a GREAT deal on it through Guitar Center around Christmas time. Contact them for the "What's the best deal you can give me on..." Good luck and keep rockin'!
 
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#1,648
Getting ready to order either the Rumble 500 or the ampeg rb212. Mostly will be a practice amp, but i want to start to play with others. Its a tough decision but am leaning ampeg so far. Just because as a guitar player growing up I always hated fender, because that was what everyone I knew had, and I liked to be different. I liked pointy guitars. I am pretty much on a coinflip with these two amps.
 
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#1,649
Callou2131 said:
Getting ready to order either the Rumble 500 or the ampeg rb212. Mostly will be a practice amp, but i want to start to play with others. Its a tough decision but am leaning ampeg so far. Just because as a guitar player growing up I always hated fender, because that was what everyone I knew had, and I liked to be different. I liked pointy guitars. I am pretty much on a coinflip with these two amps.
Click to expand...

Hope you check(ed) out the Fender Rumble Club as you are flipping coins. There are reasons why Rumbles are so popular and it has little to do with what everyone else had in the past.
 
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#1,652
jimmydean said:
Played the 500 watt model the other day while trying out a bass at GC and IMHO these combo amps still suck big time....Fender Rumbles are just better .
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I hear a lot of good reviews about the new Rocket Bass combos, including how much some like the clean/neutral tone. It's great to have choices because not everyone's ears or preferences are the same. I am happy with what I have. Everyone else should decided what they prefer.
 
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#1,653
SoulReflection said:
I hear a lot of good reviews about the new Rocket Bass combos, including how much some like the clean/neutral tone. It's great to have choices because not everyone's ears or preferences are the same. I am happy with what I have. Everyone else should decided what they prefer.
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Thats my issue lol, I like how they both sound, and can only buy 1. I think the rumble will be louder without an extension cabinet being 350 straight to the speakers. I like a really clean tone. I am upgrading from a hartke hd75 combo, which I am meh on. Its okay, Just starts to distort at about 11 oclock, and I want a loud clean tone. I see pros and cons of both. I absolutely HATE the knobs on the rumble. i have a rumble 15 and that is my main complaint. they just look ridiculously cheap
 
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#1,654
Callou2131 said:
Thats my issue lol, I like how they both sound, and can only buy 1. I think the rumble will be louder without an extension cabinet being 350 straight to the speakers. I like a really clean tone. I am upgrading from a hartke hd75 combo, which I am meh on. Its okay, Just starts to distort at about 11 oclock, and I want a loud clean tone. I see pros and cons of both. I absolutely HATE the knobs on the rumble. i have a rumble 15 and that is my main complaint. they just look ridiculously cheap
Click to expand...

A Rumble 15 is an entry level combo. Entry level combos are not expensive. Replacement knobs are not expensive.

Sounds like you need something with 350 watts. Again, replacement knobs are not expensive. Something with 350 watts is not inexpensive which is more reason to try before you buy. Clean tone has a lot to do with EQ, tone control and fingering. IMHO.
 
#1,657
Is it normal for the XLR out volume to be controlled by the main amp volume? This RB112 is my first amp with this feature. I was trying to set the levels with headphones on a mixer with this XLR output but I couldn't fiddle with it without getting drowned out by the speaker. Would be nice to have independent controls or a speaker mute feature.
 
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#1,658
SoulReflection said:
A Rumble 15 is an entry level combo. Entry level combos are not expensive. Replacement knobs are not expensive.

Sounds like you need something with 350 watts. Again, replacement knobs are not expensive. Something with 350 watts is not inexpensive which is more reason to try before you buy. Clean tone has a lot to do with EQ, tone control and fingering. IMHO.
Click to expand...

Ya know, you are right. I searched for an article on switching the knobs and which ones work. I am in a bass desert so unfortunatley I cant try before I buy. There are a few local music stores near me, but all any of them have is like 1 used beat up Squier bass hanging up and 2 or 3 old used peavey cabinets. I know the rumble has been around longer, and I know about ampegs earlier issues with the portaflex, and see a TON of reviews on the rumble compared to the rb210. Rumble it is. Thanks for making me think.
 
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#1,659
SoulReflection said:
Try them both and decide which tone you prefer.
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I tried the 15" last week and thought the sound was pretty good. I was about to go pick up the Roland 120xl bass cube that I mentioned in a few posts up (it was only $279 and sounded great) but it sold yesterday. I haven't played the 12" Ampeg but I don't think I'd use all 200w of the 15" version, so if the 12" sounded nicer at low volumes then I'd go ahead and order one.
 
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#1,660
Callou2131 said:
Ya know, you are right. I searched for an article on switching the knobs and which ones work. I am in a bass desert so unfortunatley I cant try before I buy. There are a few local music stores near me, but all any of them have is like 1 used beat up Squier bass hanging up and 2 or 3 old used peavey cabinets. I know the rumble has been around longer, and I know about ampegs earlier issues with the portaflex, and see a TON of reviews on the rumble compared to the rb210. Rumble it is. Thanks for making me think.
Click to expand...

You are welcome, but, remember, you can order on line for delivery and "try before you buy". Even if you have to return something with a cost to you, it is usually much better than living with something you do not like.
 
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