• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sansamp RBI Joy

JackTheRipper

JackTheRipper

Supporting Member
Mar 5, 2008
784
1,372
San Diego, CA
#1
Not long ago I purchased a Sansamp RBI (eBay) and Carvin DCM2000L power amp (new from the factory). Last Friday I got a chance to test this out in a live band setting at a little jam session at my house. For the first hour or so I played with my Ampeg SVT-3 PRO and my SVT-810E cabinet. That sounded fine. I mean its Ampeg it sounds bitchin'.

Then I switched the SVT-3 PRO to the rack setup with the RBI and DCM2000L with the same cabinet. Wow, what a difference. Sounded great. I was really impressed with the tone and the power. All the other guys noticed it immediately too. The tone just cut through and everything was crystal clear.

Before this, I was a little concerned about using the RBI with the DCM2000L. I wasn't sure if the RBI would push the amp hard enough, or whether the amp would be powerful enough. But no worries, I had the RBI level at about 1 o'clock and the amp input attenuated to about -13db and it was plenty loud.

I am very happy with this setup. :hyper:

FWIW, we were playing hard rock stuff like Rush, Zep, Maiden, Van Halen, etc. and I was playing a Rickenbacker 4003.

--jack
 
#2
Sounds great!

Many moons ago I played an RBI with a crown macrotech 1200 and an 810. That was a beastly rig.

I have been thinking about going with a pre/power amp setup so I can get the tone and the headroom I want. It makes me sad that there isn't an amp with all of the options I want.

I just sold my rack case too!
 
#4
Zooberwerx said:
The RBI sounded better than the SVT? I've been using an RBI and / or RPM for years but have never laid hands upon a full-blown Ampeg head. Thanks for the testimonial!

Riis
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I find the SVT3-Pro to be very underwhelming. I've owned 3 and I could never get the power or tone I wanted. YMMV.
 
#5
The key to the 3-PRO is to ignore the "clip" light and just set the gain wherever it sounds best. I put black electrical tape over the lights on both my SVT PROs (2 and 3).

Anyway, I played an RBI for years, first through the power section of a 3-PRO, and then through a Carvin DCM1000. the Carvin had a lot more power, but I think the SVT power section imparted a more organic and natural tone. I found it a lot harder to control the harshness of the RBI through the Carvin poweramp.

I've also used the RBI in every studio project I've ever been involved in with great success running straight into the board.

I currently have an RPM in my home studio setup, but I'm beginning to move away from the sansamp tone. I just picked up an SWR Interstellar Overdrive which I'm hoping will provide the cure. :)

EDIT: Except for the VT Bass! I'll never get rid of that thing.
 
#6
father of fires said:
Unfortunately, I find the SVT3-Pro to be very underwhelming. I've owned 3 and I could never get the power or tone I wanted. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Zooberwerx said:
The RBI sounded better than the SVT? I've been using an RBI and / or RPM for years but have never laid hands upon a full-blown Ampeg head. Thanks for the testimonial!

Riis
Click to expand...

Yes, for me the RBI/Carvin sounded better than the SVT-3 PRO. This was the first time that I used the 3 PRO in a band situation, so maybe if I tweaked it a bit more it would be better. Perhaps NKBassman is right and you have to ignore the clip light and just set the gain to what sounds good. I had the gain at about 6 (1 o'clock) and the master at about the same position. It seemed just a little too quiet in the mix still and we weren't playing very loud. So far, I like my SVT-350H more than the 3 PRO.

As for the RBI...it was really easy to get a great tone out of it. I set up the tone before everyone got there, then just adjusted the level. I'm so happy with this setup that the SVT-3 PRO is up for sale.

--jack
 
#7
JackTheRipper said:
As for the RBI...it was really easy to get a great tone out of it. I set up the tone before everyone got there, then just adjusted the level. I'm so happy with this setup that the SVT-3 PRO is up for sale.

--jack
Click to expand...

Excellent. I've always considered the RBI / RPM to be a "safe" purchase...relatively inexpensive, tube-esque character IMO, fairly easy to flip, and cheap enough to keep as a back-up if you move on to bigger things.

Riis
 
#10
JackTheRipper said:
Not long ago I purchased a Sansamp RBI (eBay) and Carvin DCM2000L power amp (new from the factory). Last Friday I got a chance to test this out in a live band setting at a little jam session at my house. For the first hour or so I played with my Ampeg SVT-3 PRO and my SVT-810E cabinet. That sounded fine. I mean its Ampeg it sounds bitchin'.

Then I switched the SVT-3 PRO to the rack setup with the RBI and DCM2000L with the same cabinet. Wow, what a difference. Sounded great. I was really impressed with the tone and the power. All the other guys noticed it immediately too. The tone just cut through and everything was crystal clear.

I am very happy with this setup. :hyper:

FWIW, we were playing hard rock stuff like Rush, Zep, Maiden, Van Halen, etc. and I was playing a Rickenbacker 4003.

--jack
Click to expand...

Awesome. I've owned actual tube preamps ranging from Ampeg to Alembic to Read, but my RBI rack rig has been my #1 gig rig for years now. Every so often I'll give my Ampeg SVP-Pro or SWR Interstellar IOD a whirl... they're both fine preamps, but I like the RBI better.
 
#15
I have been playing my RBI straight into my SVT-2 Pro for a few years now and i am set! It may not be the best way to set it up, but blending the RBI with the SVT-2 pro preamp section gives me a ton of tone control. Plus the 300 watt tube power amp in the 2-Pro is just sick!
 
#17
Fuzzbass said:
Awesome. I've owned actual tube preamps ranging from Ampeg to Alembic to Read, but my RBI rack rig has been my #1 gig rig for years now. Every so often I'll give my Ampeg SVP-Pro or SWR Interstellar IOD a whirl... they're both fine preamps, but I like the RBI better.
Click to expand...
Listen to the Fuzz, he knows exactly what he is saying about Sansamp.When ever the name comes up youll see him or i comment on these Preamps as i love them too.
When i emailed JGR he showed me how to connect both of them together having seperate level controls & can be mixed....its awesome.
They are a safe bet 100% & i love`em.The RBI sounds massive with crystal clear highs & the RPM i can get alot of Growl from.
 
#19
Downunderwonder said:
I don't know if your amp has clip indicators on its input but 1 o'clock on my RBI with active bass is enough to overdrive my power amp, which has relatively low input sensitivity.
Click to expand...

The Carvin amp that I have does have clip lights, and I've been watching them. I have the XLR out on the RBI just about straight up. I have a Carvin C200 compressor between the RBI and the amp and I did have to turn the gain down just a little.

I might have to give the RPM a try and see how I like that, but I'm pretty happy right now. I do have a dbx 160a coming to replace the carvin compressor though.

--jack
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back