Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[Yahboy]

Receive the second RB-112 yesterday, this one are free from hiss or white noise even almost full volume.

Happy back to RB-112 because she truly solve the RB-115 huge low end issue and Ultra Hi on RB112 more notable to hear the change on upper mid clarity once engage.

If compare to SVT setting on Tech 21 VT 200 combo, the RB-112 has that "Ampeg " ohmph , meanwhile VT200 has better MID voice punch and more flexible in tone shape especially the 500hz/ 1khz MID swift button and BITE button.

 

[6stringtheorist]

Been reading about these Rockbass amps for awhile and actually have read just about every post on this thread.... even seen the video posted a few pages back comparing one of these with a fender rumble, which I think didn't do the Rocketbass proper justice....

But one thing I've not seen nor read about but I'm very curious about.....

Is how do these compare to and stack up again say the GK MB series?

Say a RB112 vs and MB110?

Have been really enjoying the various comments on the new Ampeg Rocket Bass combos. I have the GK MB212 series II and it is a superb unit light in weight and can cover pretty much any situation. But I would love to see Ampeg go another step and do a 2x12 Rocket Bass with a full 500 watts of power internal and then compare the two. Anyone else have that thought? That could be one of the defining combo amps of all time.

 

[Lowbrow]

Have been really enjoying the various comments on the new Ampeg Rocket Bass combos. I have the GK MB212 series II and it is a superb unit light in weight and can cover pretty much any situation. But I would love to see Ampeg go another step and do a 2x12 Rocket Bass with a full 500 watts of power internal and then compare the two. Anyone else have that thought? That could be one of the defining combo amps of all time.

My thought is that Ampeg/Yamaha made an initial rollout of affordable, lightweight and relatively low-wattage combos, and once their success is well confirmed will likely follow up with a more pro-level line akin to GKs Legacy, etc.

 

[walkbassman45]

Today, I ordered a Rocket 210. I like the headphone jack for practicing. I play with a big band that has a fairly large horn section which requires me to continuously monitor my volume level. Someday I'll add the PF-115LF cabinet.

 

[Yahboy]

The buzz solution on my RB112.

Annoying buzz happened on RB112 while pluck D, D#, E and F from both E and A string.

First issue found , air leak on poor factory driver basket seal foam . Fix with 12mm X 2mm EVA self achieve foam.

Second issue, those note cause the amplifier chassis rattling. Fix with place 2 pcs of sponge on both top side of top panel which contact to cabinet. And EVA foam on bottom of real panel which those 4 panel mounting screws located.
**** Do not turn all screws overly tight on amplifier chassis ****

Hope this help If anyone has similar issue on his RB combo.

 

[iagtrplyr]

You will need something to keep you sharp in your impending retirement dotage…Say, you could lead a hearty band of Stalwarts armed with Rocket Bass combos…

Sorry I've been so late in replying to this, Tele. It was that kinda week but I'm on vacation this week so there's time. If no one has started up an RB Club by summer I'll consider it. Maybe we can trade-off after a year. That'd be fine with me.

I was looking at Reverb's top-selling combos and while the Rumble family is still dominating the top ten, the Rocket Bass line is holding its own in the second tier. For me, there's no comparison, but to each his (or her) own.

 

[Crusher47]

I’m excited to get a report on how the RB-115 plays with others.
I’ve only been living room playing. I’m glad I went with it- it sounds GREAT at low AND louder, but yet have to play it with drums/etc.

Seems the 115 sort of the middle stepchild at the moment- Giggers need (and like) the 210, and 12 is the new 15! So the 112 ticks off an awful lot of great boxes!

Sounds great and has no problem keeping up with the drums and 2 guitarists but I still prefer the tone of my Rumble 500 combo a little more. Still a great little combo amp though.

 

[Lemur Bassman]

I'm torn between the RB-210 or the RB-115, the sound samples on the Ampeg site sound great, I kept on a-b ing both the RB-210 & RB-115 and they both sound KILLER!!!!
I'm really leaning towards the RB-115!!!!

I have the RB-210 with a Portaflex 115 and that my friend is a RIG (550w)! Go for it!! They sound awesome!

 

[swagbotbilly]

I have the RB-210 with a Portaflex 115 and that my friend is a RIG (550w)! Go for it!! They sound awesome!

Dying to get my hands on a PF-115 for the same setup, passed on a few locally since I didn't want to spend the money at the time. Regrets...

 

[Yahboy]

Little cosmetic add.......

 

[Stewie]

RB210 on top of an old Joe’s 15 with an EVM-15B in it will push you back(if necessary)

 

[iagtrplyr]

RB210 on top of an old Joe’s 15 with an EVM-15B in it will push you back(if necessary)
View attachment 4623297

Great pic, 9Thumbs! It's nice to see the 115 in action and using its full 200 watts. In fact, with the images of late, especially yours, Yahboy, with the colorful look, is making this a fun thread to come to. Sheesh, maybe we should turn this thing into a club. Is there any interest out there? It's definitely a growing line though I wonder if the new BOSS Katana bass combos will inflict any damage to either the Rumble stronghold or the Rocket Bass push? Thoughts out there?

 

[Analogeezer]

Great pic, 9Thumbs! It's nice to see the 115 in action and using its full 200 watts. In fact, with the images of late, especially yours, Yahboy, with the colorful look, is making this a fun thread to come to. Sheesh, maybe we should turn this thing into a club. Is there any interest out there? It's definitely a growing line though I wonder if the new BOSS Katana bass combos will inflict any damage to either the Rumble stronghold or the Rocket Bass push? Thoughts out there?

I posted this in one of the three hundred Katana threads, but never went back because my post was a bit of a buzzkill.

Frankly I don't get the excitement, Roland has been down this road before....with the DB500 amp.

The bass players out there who want a programmable amp with built in effects is a very small subset of all bass players.

The Katanas are very expensive for the wattage and configuration, less wattage than the Ampeg and Fender at the same price points. Same with the smaller Katana.

The Katana guitar amps got popular because they were cheap and offered a good value, the bass amps not so much.

To answer your question directly I don't think they will impact Rumble or Rocketbass sales to any significant extent. Those amps have a built in sound which is what people are buying them for. "In Theory" that Katanas offer a plethora of sounds but most bass players just want a great sounding amp, and Fender and Ampeg have delivered that for years.

I believe Fender has offered a "digital programmable" amp before and Ampeg had a head (B5000D?) that allowed you to program presets. These products sank without much interest.

The people who want to program their bass sounds and have effects, etc. are using pedalboard based solutions or stuff like the Kemper on the high end. A combo amp with four presets and some effects is not the kinda product the buyers of pedalboards or profiling amps would ever consider.

If the Katana appeals to someone, I would suggest waiting a year for the blowout sales, do not pay full boat pricing at the moment, these amps will not be hits like the Rumble or the Rocketbass.

Analogeezer

 

[SoulReflection]

I posted this in one of the three hundred Katana threads, but never went back because my post was a bit of a buzzkill.

Frankly I don't get the excitement, Roland has been down this road before....with the DB500 amp.

The bass players out there who want a programmable amp with built in effects is a very small subset of all bass players.

The Katanas are very expensive for the wattage and configuration, less wattage than the Ampeg and Fender at the same price points. Same with the smaller Katana.

The Katana guitar amps got popular because they were cheap and offered a good value, the bass amps not so much.

To answer your question directly I don't think they will impact Rumble or Rocketbass sales to any significant extent. Those amps have a built in sound which is what people are buying them for. "In Theory" that Katanas offer a plethora of sounds but most bass players just want a great sounding amp, and Fender and Ampeg have delivered that for years.

I believe Fender has offered a "digital programmable" amp before and Ampeg had a head (B5000D?) that allowed you to program presets. These products sank without much interest.

The people who want to program their bass sounds and have effects, etc. are using pedalboard based solutions or stuff like the Kemper on the high end. A combo amp with four presets and some effects is not the kinda product the buyers of pedalboards or profiling amps would ever consider.

If the Katana appeals to someone, I would suggest waiting a year for the blowout sales, do not pay full boat pricing at the moment, these amps will not be hits like the Rumble or the Rocketbass.

Analogeezer

Hey, @Analogeezer...your points are well taken. I will not go down the "new gear rabbit hole" of modeling amps. I already have a Studio 40 but am tired of pushing buttons in order to find the tone I want.

I believe I have found my '60s tone in an Ampeg PF-20T that I have on order. If true, I will sell my Studio 40 and consider a Rocket Bass if I need more power. Of course, I am a dinosaur and only need one tone for the tunes I play which are the old Soul and R&Bs...

 

[P Cheen]

@Analogeezer,
Products like the Katana Bass or the RB are, and will always be, products of their time. There’s a considerable amount of musicians who want them thus corporations like Yamaha and Boss will put money and effort into production, marketing, and what-have-you.
Your posts will come out as a buzzkill but the interpretation of your thoughts and opinion will be up to the reader.

Right now one retailer in Wisconsin is offering me $40 off on the Katana 110 and that’s enough reason for me to get it since I’ve been keen on it anyway.
I have a Katana 100 1x12 for guitar and I know it sounds great and is actually reliable (despite what the GK snobs are telling me over at their club). Most importantly, it fits MY bill just fine.

Different strokes, really.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Boy, where the heck have I been? I only heard about the Katana bass combo like yesterday.

I did a little YT watching and for the most part it was liked, but the video from Bass the World offered something different in their conclusion. Check it out.

 

[DC Stevens]

Ampeg with a touch of Mesa!

 

[growler571]

What is the low end like on the RB 210 alley combos? Are they slot thinner sounding than a 15 inch speaker combo or is there sufficient bottom end still? I am also looking for upper end clarity and not just all mud.

 

[R2Bass]

What is the low end like on the RB 210 alley combos? Are they slot thinner sounding than a 15 inch speaker combo or is there sufficient bottom end still? I am also looking for upper end clarity and not just all mud.

For me it has enough bottom end while keeping clarity in the upper end. In fact,, I usually set the "bass" knob between 10 and 11.

 

[pgpete]

For me it has enough bottom end while keeping clarity in the upper end. In fact,, I usually set the "bass" knob between 10 and 11.

I agree - it doesnt have the "heft" in the bottom end of my 410, but its quite usable - even my 5 string was OK.