Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-108 1x8" 30-watt Bass Combo Amp Reviews

In my earlier review (12/23) I mention the Orange Crush 30. The correct comparison is with the Orange Crush 20 1x8" 20-watt Combo Amp.

This is my first bass amp. First off, this sounds really good with 6-string guitar (specifically, my Ibanez RG Prestige). If you're considering an Orange Crush 30 guitar amp (I've got one), this is another option. They're both solid state with an 8 inch speaker. The Ampeg has a deeper cabinet.

Now, as a bass amp, this Ampeg RB-108 is a great first amp. The headphone out is good, although I would prefer it in 1/4 inch. I suppose their thinking was people using earbuds. I'm using a set of Mackie MC-250 headphones (not expensive) and they seem to be handling the low E of a bass just fine. Straight through the 8 inch speaker, this amp gets loud. I won't comment on gig usage, but at home you're not ever going to need more volume. The SGT button adds "grit" and is either on or off, with no gain control. I wouldn't miss SGT if the amp didn't have it because I've got a bass pedal that does it better. Note that this amp has no line out or DI out; and there's no jack input for a second speaker. It does have two guitar inputs: one is labeled 0dB, the other -15dB. The numerals indicate decibel cut. My bass is passive, so I use the 0dB input. The -15dB is suggested for active pickups. Tone controls are bass, midrange, and treble. There's no fancy mid-sweep control. I don't mind in the least. Below the headphone input, there's an Aux input. I haven't tried it.

I like this amp and chose it over the Fender Rumble. Ampeg is part of the Yamaha group. After much deliberation on choosing my first bass guitar, after getting this amp, I bought the Yamaha BB434. I like that, too (see my review).

Nice work AMPEG!
They say good things come in small packages but this amp is versatile and powerful.
To me the SGT button is a bit unnecessary because the bottom is there and there is headroom to spare.
Easy to haul and is a nice addition to my collection.
I did grab an amp stand to help me get it off the stage to expand the range!

Great Amp for the price bought it for a practice amp it exceeded my expectations

I had a B 115A with 2 cabs where head turned over to store in top cabinet. It was a tube amp that in a big lounge volume never past 2. I heard guitar players used Fender Bassmans. I learned I could get tones through a bass amp without pedals than I could with a guitar amp. Yes, this is a small solid state amp. But you still get warm tones through this bass amp you can't through a guitar amp. You will be satisfied with this bass amp for guitar. You can play small gigs with it. Actually bigger gigs than you might think. If not, mic it. It will not let you down. As a bass amp, I'm prejudiced. Get Ampeg for the bass guitar. Ampeg is the best. For practice or small gigs, this amp will never fail you and will sound great.

I bought this small combo amp for playing some jams with acoustic guitars, mandolins, and other quiet instruments. It works well for these usually free jobs when I don't need the volume. I have always loved the tone of Ampeg, since my first B-15 many years ago, as this is very similar tone to those old amps. I like the light weight and quick set up. I actually preferred the tone of this small speaker to the larger combo's in this small amp line for my present use as above. My other band plays dance music and I use an Aguilar AG-700 which has the power and best tone for that use. I have used Sweetwater for all my music needs and am very the good service and products for many years now. A big thanks to Greg Baum, my go to man for great support!

I wanted a super clean tone affordable daily practice amplifier that wasn't a modeling amp. I heard that many "jazz" amps incorporate speakers from bass amps which have greater dynamic range than guitar amps and often a very neutral clean tone. I purchased this 30 watt Ampeg bass amp. It has only bass, mid, treble and volume controls. I added a reverb pedal. Very clean undistorted tone that doesn't break up. Good response to the controls. Aux in and headphones out. Extremely pleased with it. I know that amp selection is up to individual taste but thought I'd share should anyone be looking for a low cost, clean, round tone.

I run an Ampeg SVT Classic through an 810. I needed something with that Ampeg sound that wouldn't make my Wife's ears bleed every time I practiced at home. This little guy more than exceeded my expectations. I've used 8" practice amps before but none of them sounded as good as this little guy. For a practice amp everything you need is right there. In all honesty it can play in a smaller setting as well. It's not a 2x10 500W setup but that's not why you're looking at this rig is it? For a small guy it definitely cranks more than I thought it would. Big and bold Ampeg sound from a practice amp. What more could you want for a small setting or quiet practice sesh? The looks are second to none! That old school Ampeg appeal and it's done right! This amp looks amazing and appears to be made very high quality for what you get. I'm extremely happy and impressed with this rig and use it often. The SGT circuit does work and will get you there for a "practice amp" but it's not adjustable and might sound a little "manufactured" if that makes sense. Not something I needed in a practice amp and definitely not a deal breaker for me. And that might have increased the price as well. So if you need that and a DI then you might want to step up to the 10". But if you just want that Ampeg sound with amazing quality and looks for practice then this is your rig! And at a killer price too! This might just be the best bass practice rig out there right now.

Just received my amp today (11/27/2021) and plugged it in and tried it out easy to use and SOUNDS GREAT buy one if you need an amp

Yes, it's an 8" speaker, but this combo amp really does sound good. If you're looking for something small, light and portable for home practice or even playing with your friends, I don't think you'll be disappointed in this series.

Awesome exceeded my expectations

Just a quick shout out to Matthew Klopfenstein and the entire crew at Sweetwater! Wouldn't go anywhere else! Thanks! S.Reedy Austin Texas

I did a lot of research before buying this amp. The reviews were stellar, and reading that Yamaha now owns Ampeg sealed the deal. Being a traditional bass player I didn't want or need the gain/master setup, just a volume control. I had tried a Rumble 40, but didn't like the controls. The Ampeg RB series reminds me of the '60s. Nice logo!
Volume and the tone is surprising for an 8 inch speaker. Well designed. This isn't the junk "kiddy amp" of the 1990's. It actually may be used by professionals in some situations. The RB108 could be used as a performing amp with maybe two acoustics and light percussion for coffee house gigs. I'd like to see speaker output jacks on all of the RB series. 30 watts can be surprisingly adequate with the right speaker setup. I've used a 50 watt tube Bassman for over 50 years with no lack of volume. The RB108 is perfect for both beginners and professionals alike.

I've played bass for more than 50 years and never owned an "entry level" bass amp like this before. Years ago an 8 inch speaker for bass was a joke. Not anymore! The solution was the cabinet design. Dual ports and a deep cabinet were the answer. The first thing that impressed me when I saw these amps was the diamond Tolex and the '60s logo. It brought me back to 1968 when I saw a B-15 at a school dance. The clarity of tone and ample volume will be a big help when recording with the RB-108.
I have a Digitech BP50 pedal that should work really well with this amp. I've used amps from "the other guys" for my entire career, but I'll be using Ampeg For my extended 'retirement tour'! Next amp will be a RB-115 or the RB-210. Thanks, Ampeg!!

I'm enpressed

I was looking for something to use as a practice amp, and this will do perfectly. Paired with a Fender P-Bass it sounds great. Build quality is excellent. To top it off, it showed up 2 days early. Good job Sweetwater!

Good bass amp
Clean with power for a 30 watt amp
Light and compact
Good for solo practice or casual jam sessions
Thank you sweetwater and ampeg

I didn't need another amp and quite frankly I prefer tubes. I usually don't care about SS amps but when I saw that classic Ampeg look I knew I was in trouble. I preferred the RB108 over the RB110. Better tone, kind of darker, lots of low mids. A nice combination with a Pbass and flats. SGT circuit is interesting but it sounds better without it, especially when using flats.

This little dude is a rock star! If you like Ampeg you're really going to love this one. I had a BA Series Ampeg amp once and I didn't like it, but this one is a whole different story. All the potentiometers are nice and smooth, no static, no speaker pop when you turn it on or off. I also run my pedal board through it. Best darn practice amp I have ever had! I won't be selling this amp ever. It's so cool looking. It also has a button that called SGT which mean Super Grit Technology. Push this button and you get the sound of a tube amp, no kidding. It actually sounds like a real tube amp. I am shocked!!! I am elated!!! I am over the Moon!!!

I must say I am pretty impressed with amp. It's light than my ASHDOWN combo 30 watt. It has crystal clear highs and lows. Every note I play is crystal clear. The SGT super grit technology is amazing it sound a lot like a real tube amp, no joke! I love the way it looks. Very retro. I am one happy camper. I highly recommend this amp. Oh it's loud.

This app lives up to the Ampeg name. Excellent sound and superior aesthetics. It's an excellent practice amp, with an auxiliary input, and headphone out jack, private practice is a breeze. My thanks to Alex Campos for his professional handling of my order.

I bought this to replace my Fender Rumble 15. This amp sounds great with the several cheap basses that I own. I have never plugged in an expensive bass yet.The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I expected more boost from the SGT button. If you are looking for a bass combo amp that won't break the bank I definitely recommend this amp.

I play my six strings through this amp and they sound great. I haven't finished building my bass yet, so no comment about the low end. It's not a real heavy amp so carting it around is no problem. There seems to be very good volume capability even with the 8 inch speaker.

I received this as a gift and like the Ampeg tone it achieves at lower volumes. Great for practice and surprising rich coming out of an 8" speaker. I was surprised to see the twin ports on either side of the speaker that moves more air than expected. Just don't try to keep up with a guitar player driving out through their amp. If the guitar(s) player can contain themselves or are playing acoustics, this will do fine. I don't use the drive feature although it can add a bit more volume and grit to the output. You just can't drive this amp too much or it will start to distort/fart a bit, unless that is the sound you are going for. Did I wish I had gone for the RB-110 for the $ more? YES, but since I don't play it at my brother's house that often I was hesitant to go for the extra bucks.
If this will be your main amp, go for the RB-110 at 50 watts if size/room is your constraint. Otherwise, the RB-112 at 100 watts, both with XLR output to augment your bass output through main speakers. It all depends on what you are looking for between size/weight, output, tone, versatility. Good luck with whichever one you choose.