Beginner bass combo practice amp - used Ampeg B50-R or something new?

[mdl]

Hello everybody-
I hope you might be able to help me out - I'm looking for a combo practice amp - full disclosure, I'm a drummer, but I have a bass that like to mess with the bass once in a while - I picked it up in an effort to collect gear for my son (9) and his friends to be able to jam when they get the bug in the next few years...

I've acquired a nice bass and would like a decent combo amp - unlikely to be playing out but a young band mate or two isn't out of the question.. I have a chance to purchase an Ampeg Rocket Bass B50-R, locally - going to check it out tomorrow or Wednesday.. I'm happy to answer questions, but am wondering if I should go for it with the vintage Ampeg or should I look for a new, more feature rich(?), (and with a warranty) amp of some sort... I've read all that I can find on the Ampeg and it sounds like a great amp and I'm not sure I can do better for the money (less than $200)

Personally, I'm leaning towards the Ampeg - albeit concerned about it's condition - but I wonder if a modeling amp or something "newer" might be more of a draw for the little man..

Thanks, very much, in advance!!

 

[Raw N Low]

$200 for B50-R is a decent price if it's been taken care of and sounds good. If it's going to be in a home studio or rehearsal space environment, it could be ok.

There are better choices and I've heard nothing but glowing reviews for the Fender Rumble series. For the money per watt, you might want to check 'em out.

 

[mdl]

Thanks @Raw N Low - I think I can get the Ampeg for closer to $100, (I haven't seen or heard it yet) .. willing to spend a bit more, but wondering if this is a better amp than I'll find for the money (presuming it is in great shape)..?

 

[Raw N Low]

Thanks @Raw N Low - I think I can get the Ampeg for closer to $100, but I haven't seen or heard it yet.. willing to spend up to $200 but wondering if this is a better amp than I'll find for the money (presuming it is in great shape)..?

$100 for a working B50-R is going to be hard to beat. The Rocket Bass amps were some of Ampeg's best sounding solid-state combo amplifiers in my opinion. It will definitely make a good "first" piece of vintage gear for your son. Are there better amps in terms of reliability and tone? Yes, there certainly are.

However, not too many combo's as cool as a Rocket bass...besides a vintage Porta-Flex.

 

[mdl]

Thanks, again @Raw N Low - that's what I'm thinking.. I can always pickup something new.. appreciate the feedback! Cheers!!

 

[mdl]

Quick follow up question, @Raw N Low - will I be able to get the Rocket bass fixed, if necessary..? I'm thinking it's worth the investment, even if it needs a tuneup, but don't want to end up with a paperweight or a huge additional investment.. Thanks very much!!!

 

[lomo]

You won't beat that Ampeg on price.......my only question is how much an aux in feature to jam along with will enhance you and your son's enjoyment.

 

[Raw N Low]

Quick follow up question, @Raw N Low - will I be able to get the Rocket bass fixed, if necessary..? I'm thinking it's worth the investment, even if it needs a tuneup, but don't want to end up with a paperweight or a huge additional investment.. Thanks very much!!!

You should be able to find parts for them still and they are still being sold used (albeit for a higher price). A good competent tech should be able to diagnose the problem for you. There's a good chance it won't have problems for the foreseeable future.

Caps are usually the first thing to go and those are a fairly easy and common fix for a qualified amp tech.

(I know @agedhorse is looking at this.)

 

[mdl]

Thanks, very much, @Raw N Low and @lomo really appreciate the thoughts. Great point about the AUX in - have been thinking of that, as well as the potential appeal of a more alter-able modeling amp. I definitely am hoping to pour gas on his musical interests, which are just starting to really surface. That said, a newer feature rich amp will always be available, I can't help but think the Ampeg is like lightning in a bottle and I should grab it while I can.. (Also, we can always create work arounds for the aux and styling)

I decided to post here, because I can really argue either side of this, and was hoping some more bass/amp knowledgable folks would be kind enough to weigh in. Thanks again, to you both! Happy to hear any other thoughts or suggestions.. will let you know what happens..

 

[mdl]

Sorry, I just realized it's B-50R, not B50-R.. glad you knew what I meant.

I think I'm going to go for it, but if anybody else has a thought or suggestion on this, please feel free - I can't see the amp until Wednesday am, so have a little time to consider options.. Thanks!

 

[SwitchGear]

I owned a B100R for years. Bought a Rumble 100 combo to lighten up the carry. Turns out i also liked the Rumble tone much better than the Ampeg. B100R is long gone

Edit - yes, aux in on the Rumble comes in very handy for practice

 

[mdl]

Thanks @SwitchGear that Aux in (or lack thereof) is definitely something I'm considering... and thanks for the mention of the Rumble.. I haven't seen many mentions of people having had the B100R/B50R that left it over it's tone, but it just proves how subjective a lot of this stuff is.

 

[pbass2]

$100 for a working B50-R is going to be hard to beat. The Rocket Bass amps were some of Ampeg's best sounding solid-state combo amplifiers in my opinion. It will definitely make a good "first" piece of vintage gear for your son. Are there better amps in terms of reliability and tone? Yes, there certainly are.

However, not too many combo's as cool as a Rocket bass...besides a vintage Porta-Flex.

Hear hear! Man, get the B50-R if you can. They are incredible sounding, great in the studio. I have a B100-R that I'll never let go. It's heavy, so I do take a lighter more modern combo for most small gigs, but the Ampeg is a keeper. If you don't own an actual B15 you can still roll into a studio with a B50-R or B100-R and hold your head up high. Excellent, classic sounding amps.

 

[zon6c-f]

Hello everybody-
I hope you might be able to help me out - I'm looking for a combo practice amp - full disclosure, I'm a drummer, but I have a bass that like to mess with the bass once in a while - I picked it up in an effort to collect gear for my son (9) and his friends to be able to jam when they get the bug in the next few years...

I've acquired a nice bass and would like a decent combo amp - unlikely to be playing out but a young band mate or two isn't out of the question.. I have a chance to purchase an Ampeg Rocket Bass B50-R, locally - going to check it out tomorrow or Wednesday.. I'm happy to answer questions, but am wondering if I should go for it with the vintage Ampeg or should I look for a new, more feature rich(?), (and with a warranty) amp of some sort... I've read all that I can find on the Ampeg and it sounds like a great amp and I'm not sure I can do better for the money (less than $200)

Personally, I'm leaning towards the Ampeg - albeit concerned about it's condition - but I wonder if a modeling amp or something "newer" might be more of a draw for the little man..

Thanks, very much, in advance!!

GC Acoustic
Best bang for the $

 

[JimmyM]

I'd get the B50R any day of the week. I'm only sorry they were discontinued before I got an Ampeg deal. That and the B100R are ultra-sweet if you don't need to be ear-splitting loud.

 

[mdl]

Going to check it out on Wednesday. Thanks everybody, I'll let you know what happens.

 

[Kelly robinson]

Having an aux -in is a great help for practice - as is having some more power than the Ampeg has - if you practice with a drummer who's not got a light touch . Personally , I liked the Ampeg tone of my old R-50 so I think that part is acceptable and at 100 $ if it's fully working and sounds good - I'd be sorely tempted to snag it . Later you will likely want more amp power and can always flip it for what you paid . At 200 $ I'd probably see what else is around ..... Kelly

 

[PWRL]

I had a B-50R before my B-100R, and the 50 would be a great practice amp. I'd love to have one around for the house, myself.

 

[mdl]

Thanks guys!

Yes, the lack of the Aux in on the B-50R is a deterrent... and, the potential appeal and draw of an amp with modeling capabilities is undeniable, which is what makes the decision a bit of a tough one.. the gamble on "no warranty" is also a concern.

That said, and presuming the amp is sounding great, my gut tells me it would be hard to find a better sounding amp in the under $200 range.. plus I have a fondness for vintage gear that is "classic" - Acrolites, Supraphonics, Speed King pedal all feature regularly in my kit, even with newer more feature rich options.

Again, I'm not a bass player (yet - my itch to learn how to play it has admittedly intensified while hunting for an amp, so I suspect both my son and I will be using it with more regularity) - and I think there's an argument to be made to K.I.S.S. in this case.. something simple, plug in and sound great might be less frustrating for him as he learns where to place his fingers, etc... I don't know, but I'm hoping the amp is a solid "YES!!!" or an easy pass.. The grill cover does have what looks like a good snag/pull on one side, and could use a good cleaning but I'm ok with a little cosmetic damage if the amp is working and sounding great.. might help knock the price down a bit. And, based on what I've read (and the replies above, thank you) I'm feeling confident that I could get my money back if/when we decide we want or need something else.. at this point we're just starting to figure it out and looking for a good teacher, ie it'll be a while before we're ready to jam.

Is there anything I should do when checking out the amp to test it and to help ensure I make a good decision?

 

[Burwabit]

My first bass amp was a B100R. Tone is truly amazing, but it was heavy to haul. Great for house, not so great when I started to travel for auditions and practices. 50R may be lighter... not sure.