Ross RB60 – usable?

[JPDub]

Hi all
So used bass amps are thin on the ground in my neck of the woods. I see a good price on a Ross RB60, but am struggling to get info online. Does anyone have experience with these?
According to what I've seen, it's a combo with a 130W amp and a 60W speaker, with what looks like a 1/4 jack to go to an external speaker. Is that right? What watts/ohms would the external cab be do you think?
Also, there's a line out. Is line out usable for going to PA etc, or would you want to route it through a DI?
In any case, is the sound likely to be usable? Or would you avoid at any price?
Thanks in advance.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I don’t think that Ross amplifiers got over here in North America. In my mind, from what you posted, it would seem to be little more than a practice amplifier.

 

[Passinwind]

I don’t think that Ross amplifiers got over here in North America. In my mind, from what you posted, it would seem to be little more than a practice amplifier.

Ross was an offshoot of Kustom. At least some production was built in Kansas IIRC, and some of it looked a lot like it was built at St Louis Music. Bud Ross and/or his son also used A/B Systems/Biamp in Oregon for some PA gear production at one time, and probably many other factories.

I don't have any vivid memories of working on these things, although I may have even been a warranty provider at one time, but a quick search threw up a bit of a red flag: Worst Ever Bass/Amp Set Up You Will Admit To Owning

 

[Mvilmany]

So I googled it. It is a 60 watt amp with a 12” speaker that was made between 1988 & 1994. (130 watts is what it draws in, 60 watts out)

I would not purchase it if you intend to use it with a loud rock drummer and expect to keep a clean sound.

I think that it would be adequate if you were accompanying acoustic instruments, and for practicing at home.

If you’re in Poland, check out HandBox amps. I’ve never heard one but they seem to have a strong reputation.

 

[JPDub]

I guess I mean to compare this to other 60W amps. I'm only considering this one due to 1) price and 2) apparent option of adding extra cab later. @ashtray did you ever use the 'external speaker' socket?
What did you put in Google? You've got more info than I managed to find.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Ross was an offshoot of Kustom. At least some production was built in Kansas IIRC, and some of it looked a lot like it was built at St Louis Music. Bud Ross and/or his son also used A/B Systems/Biamp in Oregon for some PA gear production at one time, and probably many other factories.

I don't have any vivid memories of working on these things, although I may have even been a warranty provider at one time, but a quick search threw up a bit of a red flag: Worst Ever Bass/Amp Set Up You Will Admit To Owning

Thanks for correcting me Charlie, I have no memory of them. I had assumed that they were an European manufacturer.

 

[Passinwind]

Thanks for correcting me Charlie, I have no memory of them. I had assumed that they were an European manufacturer.

It was mostly more or less entry level stuff Paul, although the re-badged A/B Systems pieces were pretty decent "prosumer" gear in their time IMO.