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Thoughts on a New Amp?

Realmongo

Realmongo

Jan 13, 2020
68
96
Western Mass
#1
The Peavy 75-Watt amp I've had for years, is just getting too heavy (70-75 pounds) to go up and down stairs with anymore (yes it sucks getting old).
So, I've decided to trade it in a new lighter amp this weekend.
Here is what is available I'm considering at the stores locally:
Ampeg RB-112
Ampeg BA-112
Fender Rumble 100
Peavey MAX-100
Acoustic B100C
Any thoughts either for or against these amps?
 
#6
Yes, the RB110 is only 50 watts, so I decided to pass on that, and the Peavey's speaker is only 10". I began looking up the manufacture's warranties on these and surprisingly even though they are the most expensive, the Ampegs are only guaranteed for 90 days. The Fender and Peavey are 2 years, and the Acoustic Amps are 3 years.
 
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#8
I'd have to vote against the Peavey based on the issues I've had with their newer amps.

Don't forget Hartke. I have a KB12 and my wife has an HD50. And both are far louder than they have a right to be. And they keep that clean, tight Hartke tone up to stupid levels.

Loved the Fender Rumble combo I tried. If that tone is your thing look there.
 
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#10
Realmongo said:
Don't need anything elaborate or pricey anymore. Just do some light jamming with family and friends. In fact, I have not played anything publicly in years. So just light and simple.
Click to expand...

All your choices are fine but they do have a certain baked in voice that you may or may not like, so it would be best to try them out in the wild if possible. The brands you mentioned should be pretty available at big box music stores.

I would suggest maybe considering the 210 version of these combos, they’re still going to weigh half of what your peavey does and operate with a little more breathing room than the single 12s without necessarily being louder (unless you want them to be!)
 
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#11
chris_b said:
Another vote for a separate head and cab.

Sorry, but I wouldn't buy anything on your list.

If weight is a issue get the lightest carry you can find. IMO a 200 watt D class amp and a neo 112 would be ideal for you.
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I played a back-line gig with exactly that. One of those mini GK heads and one 12" Neo cab. it was awesome. I don't think I'd take it to a stadium gig, or sitting in with a death metal competing but with guitarists with multi cab rigs, but for GP usage it was impressive.
 
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#15
Realmongo said:
Yes, the RB110 is only 50 watts, so I decided to pass on that, and the Peavey's speaker is only 10". I began looking up the manufacture's warranties on these and surprisingly even though they are the most expensive, the Ampegs are only guaranteed for 90 days. The Fender and Peavey are 2 years, and the Acoustic Amps are 3 years.
Click to expand...

just checked the Ampeg site. The 90 day warranty is on B stock items, the combos are covered for two years from the day you buy them
 
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#16
Realmongo said:
Yes, the RB110 is only 50 watts, so I decided to pass on that, and the Peavey's speaker is only 10". I began looking up the manufacture's warranties on these and surprisingly even though they are the most expensive, the Ampegs are only guaranteed for 90 days. The Fender and Peavey are 2 years, and the Acoustic Amps are 3 years.
Click to expand...

Ampeg has a 2 year warranty on new combos. The 90 day warranty is just for discontinued and B stock items.

Details on their warranty terms here.

I have an RB110 which I use as a practice amp. I love the sound of the preamp on it, even with no pedals or effects my bass sounds great through it. The 112 has a few more features like effects send and receive and the Ultra Low/Ultra Hi buttons, though I don't actually use either of those on my PF500.

Any of the combos you listed ought to do a fine job, it really will come down to what tonal characteristics you prefer out of an amp. For me, it was Ampeg but you might want something different.
 
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#18
I currently use the rumble 100, it works for me but my needs are minimal, and the travel trailer we will be living in provides size constraints.

I used a BA112 for a while. It was kinda sterile and needed a pedal. Sold it as part of a divorce fund.

Genz Benz made a 1-12" Intro Fifty. It was clean and very loud for the size. I don't know the brand of speaker, yet suspect it was not some budget model. Sold it to help pay medical bills. Should have kept it, so my wife could have bought me something else instead of the rumble.
 
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#19
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm past the public playing and now just jam with friends to have some fun. My Crate BX-100 (15") plays well, but at 67lbs was getting to be a bit much for old bones. I settled on a Fender Rumble 100 which comes in about 25 lbs. Plenty of tone shaping options for the sound you like. It has a 12" instead of 15", but for my purposes it works fine. Plenty of bottom with the stock speaker, although some have switched it out. I may do that when the warranty is up. There's a Rumble Club and Rumble Wiki page on TB where you can get more info.
 
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