merello Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Sniffing around one but not sure - anyone had experience of them? Blurb: If you're looking for vintage Ampeg sex appeal with modern functionality, the B-100R should put a smile on your face. The B-100R "Rocket Bass" combo amp combines the look, sound and tone of the original Portaflex with the outstanding reliability of contemporary, solid-state design. The 100-Watt B-100R drives a vintage 15" speaker and features four bands of EQ, plus Ultra Low, Mid, and High switches for custom-tailoring your sound. Featuring the same warm tone and easy to use controls as its vintage counterpart, the B-100R is rugged, lightweight and maintenance-free. Vintage Tone and Styling 15" Speaker 100-Watts RMS [b]Ultra-portable*[/b] RMS Power Output: 100-Watts Speakers: 1 x 15" Tone Controls: 4-Band Mid Tone Control: Ultra Mid Line Out: Unbalanced Line In: Yes Headphone Output: Yes Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 19 x 21 x 14 [b]Weight: 65 Pounds*[/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I've no first hand experience with the 100w model but I've tried the [u]200R[/u] which was great fun & I own the BA115 combo. For what it's worth I think Ampeg's entry level stuff is perfectly fine. Obviously the B100R has the retro stylings & if I were starting from scratch it'd be a serious contender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 (edited) I use one quite a lot at our studio. They're excellent! I've also got a b50R - which is a 12" and no valve pre - but that's great too. There's a good video on youtube comparing the b100r with a vintage b15n - but I can't find it. Edited January 23, 2010 by bigjohn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Tried one in Walton´s in Dublin a few years ago. I asked to try one of the Ampeg Blue Diamond series bass amps and the guy at the counter brought me down to the area they were in, grabbed a bass off the wall and plugged me into a Reverborocket 50 guitar amp Convinced him it was a tube guiar amp before he switched it on. Got the right one in the end anyway. From what I remember, it sounded very loud at 1/3 volume. Plenty of bottom end. The EQ setup was fairly simple, but the bass (an Epi Ebo IIRC) sounded lovely through it. I do remeber lifting it and being annoyed that for the size, it weighed a fair bit. At the time it was between this, a secondhand Ampeg B3 combo and a Fender Rumble 100 (which had just come out) The B3 won-but only just (didn´t have the cash to buy a new DB100r ) Walton´s prices were ridiculous anyway. They didn´t have the 200 version in stock in either store, but they "had one on order" (it never showed) I love the look of it. Very fifties-right up my street!-Just add a Gretsch style bass or a Coronado and bam! If only they´d modernise it a wee bit. Maybe do something like the new Fender Bassman TV combos and stick in a valve pre and an ext spkr jack and do some nice blue diamond cabs(2x10,2x12,1x15?). Hmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 Cheers guys! Seen the BA115 and am tempted too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 As a matter of interest, is the one you are thinking of buying new or second hand? what kind of figure do they want for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 [quote name='basshead56' post='722445' date='Jan 23 2010, 06:55 PM']As a matter of interest, is the one you are thinking of buying new or second hand? what kind of figure do they want for it?[/quote] £349...the only downside is the lack of oomf noted above and the mass of the said object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 Sorry - new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 (edited) I used to own one. I downsized from a big 8x10 rig to it for a tour and ended up using it as my main amp for 2 years! I played main stage at Nottingham Rock City and the sound man was like 'that'll never fill this place'... I got the last laugh after he asked me to turn it down from 50% volume to around 30%! The loudest small combo I've ever hear Barr none. Great tone, huuuuuuge bottom end. But it is VERY heavy for it's size Edited June 25, 2010 by pantherairsoft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 (edited) I have a B200R (220w 1x15) in as good as new condition (2-3 months old) and i would consider selling it if someone was interested. They're great amps and the 200 specifically, has a great DI out with a level control on it. (see far right of pic) Edited June 25, 2010 by Tee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I put a small review up of the BA115, and for it's size/price, it's a nice combo! I think the Rocket series are a step up, but I haven't tried one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I would also suggest a Fender Bassman TV as they look fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 [quote name='Tee' post='877154' date='Jun 25 2010, 09:41 AM']I have a B200R (220w 1x15) in as good as new condition (2-3 months old) and i would consider selling it if someone was interested. They're great amps and the 200 specifically, has a great DI out with a level control on it. (see far right of pic) [/quote] Is it a US made one? How much would you be selling for? If I hadn´t just got a nice little amp set up (will post later), I´d be very interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 (edited) Musicman20, the Rocket combos are quite different in tone to the BA series. They sound nothing like them. The B200R combo is more of a vintage sound, attempting to emulate the old B-15s. They're a very clean amp, with a 12AU7 in the preamp (B100 doesn't have a tube pre-amp). Basshead56. Mine is in pristine condition, as it's still only a couple of months old (home practice/recording use only). I'd likely take 350 for it. Oh and i don't hink its a US one. No issues at all with this one, however. Edited June 25, 2010 by Tee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 I've started using the front end of my b50 as a pre-amp. It's really nice - loads of EQ. Probably because it was built as a domestic practice amp. The b50 is the only one without a valve preamp - but it sounds like it's got one. Very vintage tone. Sounds great into a 1k power amp and schroeder 1212L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 bigjohn, the B100R doesn't have a valve preamp either. Only the B200R has the valve preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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