Ampeg Rocket Bass Combos

[cataract]

I hear that. I used to have a Peavey combo that weighed like 80 pounds and sounded like poop.

My old rat furred Peavey 1x15 Black Widow cab weighed 90 lbs I think & sounded pretty good, but I was running an Eden WT400 through it at the time, so thinking the goodness came from that. I don’t miss lugging that thing around lol.

Got some play time in on the RB112 and gotta say I’m glad I made the switch from the 108– the lows are dreamy creamy and it sounds great even at super low volume. Makes me not miss my old SVT CL + 810 cab so much!!

 

[iagtrplyr]

I got my RB-115 Saturday. First impressions are that it is well built, looks cool, is lightweight, and sounds great. Mids are especially sweet. No pops when turning on or off. No hum or hiss. I also got the cover, which is nicely made and a perfect fit. So far, nothing to dislike. I think it'll be great for the animal club gigs I've been playing. I'll use it Thursday at a Moose lodge.
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Good-looking rig ya got there, SB. I love the color of your Jazz, and everything looks good next to a Rocket Bass combo. Sweet!

 

[iagtrplyr]

My old rat furred Peavey 1x15 Black Widow cab weighed 90 lbs I think & sounded pretty good, but I was running an Eden WT400 through it at the time, so thinking the goodness came from that. I don’t miss lugging that thing around lol.

Got some play time in on the RB112 and gotta say I’m glad I made the switch from the 108– the lows are dreamy creamy and it sounds great even at super low volume. Makes me not miss my old SVT CL + 810 cab so much!!

Congrats, cataract! IMHO, it's the best buy of the line, giving something to everyone without really sacrificing much. Yeah, I'd take 200 watts but not at the risk of losing the overall tone of this combo. While I believe you did the right thing, our needs are our own and I'm sure the 108 and 110s sound great. For the price though, I don't think you can beat the 112. It was pretty much the same way in the first-series BA combos in that the BA-112 was the players' favorite combo. Enjoy!

 

[cataract]

Congrats, cataract! IMHO, it's the best buy of the line, giving something to everyone without really sacrificing much. Yeah, I'd take 200 watts but not at the risk of losing the overall tone of this combo. While I believe you did the right thing, our needs are our own and I'm sure the 108 and 110s sound great. For the price though, I don't think you can beat the 112. It was pretty much the same way in the first-series BA combos in that the BA-112 was the players' favorite combo. Enjoy!

Thanks!! I gotta say, the 108 sounded superb enough to be a true keeper but I only traded up to the 112 after coming in to enough “fun money” gear-wise so close to the exchange window to make the swap— I will say that I couldn’t agree more with the idea of the 112 being the most bang for your buck— deep, rich lows + that sweet trebly middy Ampeg oozy goodness. And not having to struggle to find a good tone?? What is even happening? Pinch me!!

 

[P Cheen]

Might be a weird question but has anyone tried either the RB-110, 112, or 115 with any G&L bass with MFD pickups?

 

[Lowbrow]

Might be a weird question but has anyone tried either the RB-110, 112, or 115 with any G&L bass with MFD pickups?

What were you wanting to know specifically?

 

[Dewdman42]

I've kinda narrowed it down to getting an Ampeg Rocket for my first bass amp. I have seen a lot of different things on this thread, in the end, what is the final analysis about which model to get? Seems like the 2x10 is the best one, in terms of sound and wattage, but its heavier and more expensive. Meanwhile the 1x15 might be turning people off a bit sound wise...and the 1x12 is the sweet spot in terms of tone, weight, price, etc.. Am I understanding that right?

I am probably not going to get the 2x10 even though I'm sure it sounds better then the 1x12, primarily because I want something easy to carry around. If it turns out its just not enough to gig with, then I'll just buy a different rig and use it as a practice amp only.

But some of you I know have both and maybe the 15 too, but curious the final analysis after this time has gone by.

Also, what is up with the hiss I hear people talking about? Do the rumbles hiss?

 

[SoulReflection]

I've kinda narrowed it down to getting an Ampeg Rocket for my first bass amp. I have seen a lot of different things on this thread, in the end, what is the final analysis about which model to get? Seems like the 2x10 is the best one, in terms of sound and wattage, but its heavier and more expensive. Meanwhile the 1x15 might be turning people off a bit sound wise...and the 1x12 is the sweet spot in terms of tone, weight, price, etc.. Am I understanding that right?

I am probably not going to get the 2x10 even though I'm sure it sounds better then the 1x12, primarily because I want something easy to carry around. If it turns out its just not enough to gig with, then I'll just buy a different rig and use it as a practice amp only.

But some of you I know have both and maybe the 15 too, but curious the final analysis after this time has gone by.

Also, what is up with the hiss I hear people talking about? Do the rumbles hiss?

Hissing is either a snake in your cab or you haven't turned off the tweeter. Who needs a tweeter in a bass cab? You will have to ask those who slap and pop. Mine is shut off and taped to make it permanent!

 

[Dewdman42]

I haven't heard other people complaining about hissing in the Rumble for example....it just seems to be an RB issue? I'm just trying to get clarification of the situation. What is the situation?

The RB112 doesn't even have a horn does it? is the hissing only happening on the 2x10?

Is the hissing present if you bypass the preamp and use, say, an external modeler through the FX return?

is the hiss present in the DI output?

 

[swagbotbilly]

I haven't heard other people complaining about hissing in the Rumble for example....it just seems to be an RB issue? I'm just trying to get clarification of the situation. What is the situation?

The RB112 doesn't even have a horn does it? is the hissing only happening on the 2x10?

Is the hissing present if you bypass the preamp and use, say, an external modeler through the FX return?

is the hiss present in the DI output?

There is pretty noticeable tweeter hiss with the horn on the RB-210, but it is not audible when playing, and I can't imagine I'd notice it with anyone else in the room talking/etc. I might eventually pull the tweeter out for the weight savings, but it is nice when playing through the aux.

I had posted a few times about gain-dependent buzz (i.e. amp DI -> interface gain, mitigated by cranking the amp volume and muting the speaker with headphones) with the DI out on the RB-210, but so far haven't been able to/haven't wanted take it to a tech to get it looked at (could be faulty units x2, could be poor design, but I'm sure I will get it looked at before the warranty expires).

I have tried all the other models with DI and these have not buzzed AT ALL. Ultimately ended up with a preamp + DI anyway, so it's not a huge deal to me anymore.

In a short A/B I liked the 210 over the 115, and after some coupons + fenagling the 210 was going to be like $30 more over the 115. At the time I was very new to bass, but as a straight up beginner I liked the 210 more.

Now, I wish I'd looked harder at the 112 for weight and praises here, but I really wanted max wattage + volume. This is my first "proper" amp, and I pretty much bought it sound-unheard (I had tried other models). It does sound nice to my ears.

 

[P Cheen]

What were you wanting to know specifically?

Is the MFD too much for the RB? Will it be boomy or will it distort easily? I have a Kiloton 5 so it’s passive at least…

 

[Yahboy]

Is the MFD too much for the RB? Will it be boomy or will it distort easily? I have a Kiloton 5 so it’s passive at least…

You can plug to -15db input jack...

 

[P Cheen]

You can plug to -15db input jack...

I guess you are correct. However I’m deciding between a more ‘classic’ combo (RB-112) or a more ‘hifi’ combo (GK MB112-II or Markbass CMD 121) and I guess I just want to gauge the compatibility with a Kiloton 5.
I’m wary now after my misadventures with my Dingwall NG-3 which did not play well with most amps I plugged it into.

 

[Lowbrow]

Is the MFD too much for the RB? Will it be boomy or will it distort easily? I have a Kiloton 5 so it’s passive at least…

I have a L-1000, which has the pickup closer to the neck as you know — in the Precision spot as opposed to the Kiloton, which is more like a Stingray.
I’d assume that from this placement the L-1000 would be boomier. Anyway, zero problem and if there was, adjusting volume or using the padded input would solve it anyway.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I've kinda narrowed it down to getting an Ampeg Rocket for my first bass amp. I have seen a lot of different things on this thread, in the end, what is the final analysis about which model to get? Seems like the 2x10 is the best one, in terms of sound and wattage, but its heavier and more expensive. Meanwhile the 1x15 might be turning people off a bit sound wise...and the 1x12 is the sweet spot in terms of tone, weight, price, etc.. Am I understanding that right?

I am probably not going to get the 2x10 even though I'm sure it sounds better then the 1x12, primarily because I want something easy to carry around. If it turns out its just not enough to gig with, then I'll just buy a different rig and use it as a practice amp only.

But some of you I know have both and maybe the 15 too, but curious the final analysis after this time has gone by.

Also, what is up with the hiss I hear people talking about? Do the rumbles hiss?

I admit I've led the charge for the RB-112 over everything else, as a cost-benefits comparison, but your ears can only decide what you like. One of the guys on here has a 115 and loves it. The 210 is the flagship, but it is only as good as you hear it. It's gig-ready, but the 115 can also play out using its DI, and even the 112 can be heard with its DI as well. I used it in a school auditorium last Christmas with our acoustic trio. The combo speaker was used as a stage monitor and the DI went out through FOH. You'd be surprised what a few good watts well-placed will do.

Buy one and go from there. Good hunting!

 

[evs]

Seems like the 2x10 is the best one, in terms of sound and wattage, but its heavier

I am probably not going to get the 2x10 even though I'm sure it sounds better then the 1x12, primarily because I want something easy to carry around.

I have the 210.
I wouldn’t say it is difficult to carry around at all.
It is very light for what it is.
Having said that, I put some small black swivel caster wheels on mine, so I just roll it.
It is a gig worthy amp.

 

[Bass]

I have the 210.
I wouldn’t say it is difficult to carry around at all.
It is very light for what it is...

Right. I just finished hauling my RB-210 to a gig, no problem. The guitar player was showing the sound guy how light it is!

That said, the RB-210 is more bulky and more heavy than the RB-112 and the RB-115. But of course, the RB-112 would not have survived that particular gig. And maybe I would have needed to carry an extension cabinet for the RB-115, who knows?

So the correct choice of amp depends on each person's particular need. And it is a compromise between cost, volume, portability and sound.

 

[swagbotbilly]

the RB-210 is more bulky and more heavy than the RB-112 and the RB-115. But of course, the RB-112 would not have survived that particular gig. And maybe I would have needed to carry an extension cabinet for the RB-115, who knows?

So the correct choice of amp depends on each person's particular need. And it is a compromise between cost, volume, portability and sound.

This is a perfect way of putting it. I was surprised at how much easier the 115 was to carry size-wise, despite the small weight difference.

 

[etnoo]

Hi,
I have a RB112 and got no problem with hiss.
This combo is loud enough for small rehearsals/gigs with rather softly playing percussionals and other similar loudness instruments. For louder playing I would recommend you RB115 at least.
If RB210 is so easy for carrying as others mentioned it would be very nice equipment. I do believe it is, my 112 is light as carton box but sounds amazing
Good luck

 

[Dewdman42]

Well I made a longish trek to GuitarCenter to see for myself how light these are, which model I would prefer, etc.. I can make the following observations:

1. They are unbelievably light. the Rb210 not so much. It is light for what it is, but its just heavy enough that I would probably still put it on a dolly to schlep it into a venue myself. Might as well get head/cab at that point, other than cost savings. But the RB112 and under are extremely light.
   
   
2. I was not impressed with the RB112 at all. Sounded boomy in a ported kind of way that I just did not appreciate. It was also definitely not loud enough to be anything other then a practice amp or perhaps for non-rock-band uses. I turned it up pretty loud in GC and it was still just not loud at all. Using EQ reduces boom, and volume along with it. People say these are supposed to sound like Ampeg...but I didn't hear that here. Different strokes for different folks..some people like the boom.
   
   
3. The RB210 sounded fantastic. And I liked the sound of the small RB110 much better then the RB112 honestly. Tight and focused. For a practice amp I would personally choose that one over the RB112. In my mind it sounded very similar as the RB210, but just less volume. Guess I'm a 10" guy. They didn't have a 15" for me to try, but I'm pretty sure I would not like that either.
   
   
4. I did not like the SGT circuit at all. I tried it on subtle settings, loud settings, in between settings...to me it just sounds like gimmicky distortion sound I would never use. It also substantially reduced the volume when in use. I do not think it "warms" the sound at all, it just makes it sound synthetic and nasal.
   

I have more or less decided I will get a small practice amp for now, or possibly just some good headphones to use with my GT1B while I learn more how to play the bass. when I get to gigging, I would personally not be satisfied with the RB112, I'm sure I would need at least the RB210...and possibly I would rather get the PF350 + SVT210AV's or something like that. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. For practice amp I'm a little torn between getting the RB110 or perhaps fall back to the good ol' Rumble 40 (which I couldn't try, but it has sterling reputation as a practice amp). Or I might just get some nice headphones to use with my GT1B for now.

Thing is, the next stepping stone in bass playing for me, is to start jamming with some people, looking for small band opportunities.. I don't need a fancy bass rig, but I will need something pretty loud for these situations...as more often then not they are playing without proper PA support (PA's with no low end...or perhaps none at all if showing up to jam with some people to see how it goes, etc.) So I will maybe still have a look at that RB210 in a bit..not sure yet. The RB112 would never suffice for that task...beyond that fact that I didn't even like that much how it sounded.