There's a Road 2x15 local for $250. Is it worth getting? Or should I go for something newer? This would be my only cab. 
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Pre-Rickenbacker Road 220
- Thread starter tiv0
- Start date
Hello,
I just found a road 220 bass head at a flea market, got it for dirt cheap ( 10 euros, approx. 14 $ ). It cost me 60 euros (86 $) to get it fixed (loud buzz and channel 1 not working).
After a few month of use, I am really happy with this amp: good sound, loud, and build like a tank, but I am still wondering if it will be loud enough to gig. I would like to know if you, road possessor, use it to gig, and share information about your setup.
I use mine with a 1*15 cab (300 w, 8 ohm), but I wonder if i could run the head 4 Ohms with a second cab (8 ohm) and then get more power ? Also, do you know if the "line out" output at the back of the amp provides a good signal for PA ?
Thanks for your answers.
PS: I'm french, I hope my english is not too bad !
I just found a road 220 bass head at a flea market, got it for dirt cheap ( 10 euros, approx. 14 $ ). It cost me 60 euros (86 $) to get it fixed (loud buzz and channel 1 not working).
After a few month of use, I am really happy with this amp: good sound, loud, and build like a tank, but I am still wondering if it will be loud enough to gig. I would like to know if you, road possessor, use it to gig, and share information about your setup.
I use mine with a 1*15 cab (300 w, 8 ohm), but I wonder if i could run the head 4 Ohms with a second cab (8 ohm) and then get more power ? Also, do you know if the "line out" output at the back of the amp provides a good signal for PA ?
Thanks for your answers.
PS: I'm french, I hope my english is not too bad !
I have a Road Head-It could be a Bass 440 because it only has the Normal Input and EQ/Effects inputs (as in your pictures) and not the other two inputs (as in pictures for the 220 above your post), and it doesn't have a the road case enclosure but has the wood sides just like on your pics.
The front panel looks exactly like yours, except it doesn't have the model listed on it (Bass 220 or Bass 440-since someone painted over it and when I tried to rub off the paint, not even a trace of the Model type/number was present).
On back, for Speaker Output, it states One 4 ohm load OR Two 8 ohm loads. The serial # is A-000288. The power input stated is 120vac, Frequency -50/60Hz, and Current -8.0 Amps maximum. . It works great, but with a Fender 3x12" 4 ohm cab-made for the Fender Solid State Bassman cab from the late 60's, it isn't that loud with bass.
Do you think it's a 440?
I had a Road 2X15 cab with Fane speakers that was amazing. Large but able to fit into the back seat of a Ford Taurus (which I had at the time). Can't attest to the quality of their amps but that cab was amazing. Not a fan of the name tho; looking up Road speakers gets all likes of road cases, not the same thing. I have the same complains with LBS Prosound, great cabs but look up lbs speaker in Google and you get everything due to the weight measurement.
Better late than never, I guess. In 1980 I bought a new (floor model) Road 220 Bass amp with 2x15 cab for about $400 on 48th St. in NYC. Used it in a band for 2 years and sparingly after that. Never considered selling it and kept it clean and working. Recently plugged it in after a long break and it's doing that low volume fuzz-fart thing someone else described in another thread or forum. Had it looked at by a few shops in the SoCal area but so far nobody has gotten that noise out. It is currently with a well-known repair guy in Ventura and I'm hopeful this will be the time. I'll put a picture up when I get the head back, I play a Rickenbacker 4001 which I also got in the early 80s and it sounds awesome through this amp/cabinet.
Missing Billy = Way back in 2011 billy offered schematics for some Road amps. Those would really be handy helpful in finding out what model I have and if any info exists about their crazy through the board potentimeters. I am not heavy into electronics but these are the first I have seen where the pot shaft goes through the circuit board and the solder pins face out with the shaft. None of these 7 pots work they turn turn turn without any effect whatsoever even after trying to pull out or push in - I think they all need to be replaced. This is a small but heavy 1-10 inch amp by Road Los Angeles amplifier. No other markings on the amp except Road is printed on the circuit board. It looks just like this internet picture but is built into a cabinet with one 10 inch eminence speaker. Any info on contacting Billy might be helpful or guess work about what model I own. Thanks in advance. 2016 = 5 years late.
Attachments
Tried to send a message but pretty sure I did something wrong. If billyx3 sees please respond. Thanks
Road 220 and Road 440 Lead and Bass schematics.
I had to hunt for these to make repairs on mine so I figured I'd post this. Its about 3/4 down the page and downloads as a zipped image file: Schematics
Also attached a searchable pdf to this reply of the files.
Hope this helps out other folks who were googling the same thing!
Dan
I had to hunt for these to make repairs on mine so I figured I'd post this. Its about 3/4 down the page and downloads as a zipped image file: Schematics
Also attached a searchable pdf to this reply of the files.
Hope this helps out other folks who were googling the same thing!
Dan
I'm looking for an original face plate for a Road 440 bass head. I believe a 220 will work, also.
I got a little carried away cleaning grime off, and rubbed away the lettering around the 4 inputs. I know I could just use a Sharpie, or label maker, but I'd prefer to restore it to original. I love the amp, and have had it for 40 years now. Since they weigh a ton, it's not feasible to buy a non-working head, have it shipped, only for the face plate. Been looking for a clean replacement for a decade. The style kronus has in his post above.
PM me if you have a nice one - or know of one somewhere.
I got a little carried away cleaning grime off, and rubbed away the lettering around the 4 inputs. I know I could just use a Sharpie, or label maker, but I'd prefer to restore it to original. I love the amp, and have had it for 40 years now. Since they weigh a ton, it's not feasible to buy a non-working head, have it shipped, only for the face plate. Been looking for a clean replacement for a decade. The style kronus has in his post above.
PM me if you have a nice one - or know of one somewhere.
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Has anyone opened up their Road amp head...? Just wondering how to get in there to spray some electronic cleaner into the pots. Hadn't fired up the head in years, and the controls have a fair amount of crackle noise.
There are 4 large screws on the bottom of the chassis - but I'm wondering how the chassis will slide out from the case. The case design seems to prohibit exit from the front OR the rear. And most of the case is rivited together.
I apologize for tacking this question onto an old topic - but it might alert some of the posters who have a Road.
There are 4 large screws on the bottom of the chassis - but I'm wondering how the chassis will slide out from the case. The case design seems to prohibit exit from the front OR the rear. And most of the case is rivited together.
I apologize for tacking this question onto an old topic - but it might alert some of the posters who have a Road.
I haven't done it myself, but this pic shows how the whole thing should slide out (disregard the magenta):
I was able to get it out. Took a little brute force, or "persuasion". Sprayed the pots, worked them in, and no more static. They are nice and quiet, once it evaporated and the amp warmed up out of a couple decades of hibernation. The EQ sliders still make some static. They seemed to be in a sealed enclosure, and I didn't want to squirt blindly in there. I shot a quick blast in each of the slider tracks from the front of the amp, and worked it in. But no worries. I tend to set the EQ once, and just use the tone knobs for further adjustments. Thanks!
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