Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 1x15" 200-watt Bass Combo Amp Reviews
The 200-watt Rocket Bass RB-115 bass combo delivers classic good looks and timeless Ampeg tones to players on the move. Fans of the 1960s Rocket series of Ampeg amplifiers will especially groove on the RB-115's black diamond wrap and signature sparkle grille cloth. Of course, bassists of all stripes will enjoy taking the renowned Ampeg punch and growl to go with this easy-traveling solution. The Rocket Bass's Legacy preamp, 3-band EQ, Ultra Lo/Hi tone switches, and specially voiced ported Eminence speaker make it ridiculously easy to achieve monumental bass tones with any instrument in your arsenal. And thanks to a pair of 0dB and -15dB instrument inputs right on the front panel, the RB-115 has no trouble adjusting to hot-wound active humbuckers or passive vintage single-coils. When you're ready to add some grit to rhythms and sustain to leads, the Rocket Bass's SGT (Super Grit Technology) controls dial in a smooth-to-gnarled overdrive that manages to keep fundamentals full while packing on the heat. You'll even find an 1/8-inch aux input and an 1/8-inch headphone output to facilitate silent practice, whether you're jamming along to tracks at home or warming up in the green room pre-show.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Ampeg RB115
So far, I am loving this amp. It replaced a Fender BXR series combo with a 9 band equalizer ... which was a royal PITA. I'm of the KISS mind set. This amp does that in spades.
If it was only made the USA ............
Just get it
I spent a lot of time watching review videos and comparisons. None of them did this amp justice. The versatility of tone is great!
Great value with many features
Firstly, when I turned this on with an instrument plugged in and it was so silent I had to double check that it was even ON. It is DEAD silent. Zero hum or buzz. Off to a great start.
Has a 3.5mm AUX-in and 3.5mm headphone-Out. Has an effects loop and DI out. The "Super Grit Technology" is essentially a built-in OD that in my opinion comes just shy of light fuzz. The EQ is effective and I really like the Ultra-Hi & Ultra-Lo which are essentially HPF & LPF filters.
Stand-alone at 100W it is more than enough for practicing and I added a 15" Mesa Subway cab using the speaker cable OUT for the full 200W experience. Chef's kiss....
I even like that the power cord is removable because those always get kind of beat up when your knee invariably smacks against where it meets the amp or you step on the prongs.
And then there's the looks. The checkered/patterned tolex is trippy, the silver grill cloth is beautiful, and the metal corners appear to be stainless steel (not cheap aluminum).
Shout out to Alex for once again making the process a smooth one.
Highly recommended.
Ampeg wins again
Given that my 2 favorite bass amps are the older model B50R in my recording studio, and the B100R I use in my band's rehearsal studio, it will come as no surprise how much I like this amp. It is 1/2 the weight of the B100R and has the same tonal qualities, making it much more gig friendly. These Rocket bass amp series, old and new, share much of the tone of the venerated Ampeg B15, of which I've owned and used 3, except they are louder, more dependable due to solid state power, much lighter, and have better stock speakers. The SGT circuit really works, unlike other brands, and it can be used with the grit knob for SVT tube like saturation, or simply use the level control as a gain knob thereby boosting the input signal for more punch. In short what you have is a B15 and an SVT in one small, light, and powerful combo. The tone controls are simple and very effective, which I also prefer. AT 100 watts through the single 15" driver, no tweeter thank you to the designers as I dislike tweeters in bass amps, it gets pretty loud but not enough for a live rock band in a club at high volume. My one suggestion would be to make the speaker 4 ohm so that the full 200 watts is internal and doesn't require an extension speaker for full power. Or, build and sell a matching extension speaker. I prefer the 200 watts headroom, even in my blues band, so I swapped the stock eminence 8-ohm speaker (looks like a legend) for a 4-ohm Eminence legend CA154 with great results. While not much louder, it is more present and forceful. I don't play gigs any longer that require big rigs or 2 speaker cabs, nor at 66 yrs old do I want to play those gigs or haul that gear, what I do want is a simple set-up that gives me a warm and present vintage like bass sound: a fender precision w/ flat-wounds and an Ampeg combo. Though I dare say, this amp will deliver a very pleasing and warm bass sound with any bass for any style music.
Ampeg Bass Amp
Bought the Ampeg Rocket Bass Amp with one 15 inch speaker. I have used it at church for three weeks now and I couldn't be happier. Has the great Ampeg sound and is plenty loud for the church auditorium. I play with the church praise band with two box guitars miked into the church PA system and no problem with hearing the bass. You just can't go wrong with an Ampeg. And as usual I got some great advice from Josh with Sweetwater. Love you guys.
SWEET AMP !
Purchased this amp over a week ago , out of the box the amp is beautiful, the retro looks are very pleasant on the eyes and it looks well made , another plus with this amp is it's light weight , very easy to carry , the eq is very simple and user friendly , the SGT feature does it job adding grit or dirt tho the sound , personally I never use distortion or grit , I prefer a clean warm bass sound , The amp sounds very good and the tone will make you smile , I play many different basses and so far the ones I had had a chance to play through this amp all sound how I wanted them too , I also purchased the cover for this amp , it's pricey , but it's very well made and will definitely protect the amp from the element , the cover has a sealable pouch to keep tit he power cord in , I would definitely recommend this amp to anyone , in fact I'm going to add a Ampeg PF 2x10" cabinet and stack the two , I love this amp and I over Sweetwater , I have been doing business with them for several years now and I will say without hesitation that this is a great company and Sweetwater has the best customer service in the business, my gear tech Bart Amburn is Aces , great guy ,
This baby rocks!!
I recently sent my GK to the shop for repair, and decided to give the RB-115 a go. Wow! The tone is incredible! I hate to say it, because I love the GK I have, but I'm enjoying the tones coming out of the RB-115 a little more! The SVT is a nice addition too, gives it a little growl. My bandmates noticed a difference as well. It's also light enough to bring to a small venue gig. The amp cover is a nice addition as well. Maybe Santa will bring me the RB-210!?
follow up review
My earlier review I wrote about replacing the 8 ohm speaker w/ a 4oh eminence (same driver), but I have since put the original speaker back into the combo's cab. At higher volume the 4 ohm and 200 watts was a little much for the cab and I was getting some low end baffle vibration. With the original speaker re-installed that went away and all I do is turn it up a bit more if needed, 200 full watts is only 3db louder anyways. It's fine just as it is, especially using the line out to the PA if needed.
RB-115 1x15" 200watt Bass combo Amp
Love the weight! My old rig consisted of a cabinet with 2- 15" JBL's and a Yamaha 100 watt head so you know the weight I was luggging around. So far my new unit has done the job even outside it has done well. Good buy for the money.
Does the job, nice price, nice weight
I'm a fairly busy bass player, I like locking into a groove and just running with it. My singer has this amp and I have a markbass little mark 400, but we practice at his house alot so I use this for every practice. This amp is good enough to let me leave my amp at home, but I am fighting my tone the entire time. I am always too boomy, I believe the issue to be just that I'm using a 15 inch speaker, as i had the same issue with my own rig when I had a 115 cab.
To me, this amp feels like it would pair perfectly with a P-bass, as well as the bass lines I usually associate with P-basses.
As someone that likes to play busier basslines and use some effects on bass, this amp makes me sound muddy.
If your like me and want that tighter response, I'd definitely go with the 2x10 option for speakers. If you just want to thump away, this is it.
Ampeg RB 115
The Ampeg RB 115 is advertised as a 200 watt amp. It is a 200 watt amp, if and when you purchase a separate speaker cabinet rated at 8 ohms, and connect the speaker cab to the amp. Otherwise, it is 100 watts, by itself. You have to read the description carefully. I like the tone, and the weight of the amp but I am disappointed to find out that the amp is really only 100 watts by itself.
It’s pretty, but
that's about it. Suspect on electric, useless on upright.
