Ampeg B-100R Rocket Bass Amp

The cosmetics and design of this amp are pure '60's! Chicken head knobs, chrome faceplate, vintage blue check tolex, TV screen front, blue indicator light! The Ampeg ads call this "vintage sex appeal" and they are dead on. All the features have been listed in other reviews, but I will mention that this is ported on the back side. That gives more of a deep and "airy" sound than most small combos. Plus there is no tweeter! In some ways, its more accurate to the '60's portaflex than the B15-r (minus the tubes). If you wanted to get creative - you could even remove the amp chassis from the combo cab and with a little enginuity, fasion it into a "head" to give it a "flip top" look. I have not done it to mine yet but I plan to. I set mine roughly as follows: Low Boost in, Ultra Mid in, Hi Boost out, Gain - 3, Bass - 10, Low Mid - 3, hi mid - 7, hi - 7, vol - 10. Only thing that would make this amp even better would be an XLR jack instead of the 1/4 line out, a detachable power cord, and a tube in the preamp (even though it sounds awesome as is). This amp is super easy to use!

Pure 1960's Ampeg Portaflex. Period! It sounds just like a tube amp even though its solid state. In fact, it sounded so much like a tube amp, I popped the lid off to verify it was all solid state. Within 5 minutes of plugging in, I had my "Jamerson" tone dialed in! I have played all Ampegs except the new SVTVR, and I own a V4BH and (2) SVT 3 Pro's (running through multiple SVT-GS 2x15 cabs) which I use in a hard rock cover band, and the B100R is the best sounding amp I own. Considering I've paid out the nose for my other Ampeg gear and only $300 for this combo, It makes this a tremendous value.

Mine is a Made in USA model - probably one of the last. I have never had any issues with Ampeg gear, and don't expect I will with this either. As I mentioned, I pooped the lid off to peer inside the chassis, and the layout was extremely clean and well built. Not a cheap slap together entry level amp. I noticed the MOSFETS they used in the power amp section look like the same ones they used in my SVT 3 Pros. I could be wrong as I'm not an electronics guru - but they look damn close.

I have called Ampeg when they were owned by St. Louis Music, and they were always great with answering questions, ordering custom parts, and helping me locate Ampeg gear that local dealers wouldnt carry (My SVT-GS Gene Simmons Cabinets). Ampeg is now owned by LOUD industries, and I have no experience with them. LOUD is manufacturing AMpegs in Vietnam and China so who knows what their customer service is like these days.

I bought this amp because I got called to fill in with a band that plays a lot of 60's and classic rock songs. They only use small combos (a Gibson G60 and a '65 Fender Twin) and my monster Ampeg rigs would have been out of place. This amp performed well, was more than loud enough, never bottomed out or farted, had a rich vintage tone, and looked the part as well. I played a Gibson Thunderbird with roundwounds through it, along with a 62 Fender P-bass with La Bella flatwounds and both sounded great. At home, I tried my 5 string Gibson Thunderbird Studio, and on the low B, it bottomed out a bit - but this amp is voiced for old school tone and performance. I cant see myself using the 5 string through it anyway. I've always wanted an all tube B-15R Portaflex, but the B100R is just as cool, sounds damn close, and is a fraction of the cost of a B-15R. You can't go wrong with this amp!

100 watt bass combo blue/green tolex covering.adequate tone shaping fifteen inch speaker no horn

sounds round and full looks cool too

never had a problem.heavy amp,was built to mimic classic b15 amp. the b15 was totally built of three quarter inch plywood, this amp is mostly particle board with only the baffle board made of plywood. attached power cord is not good

Same as below, 100 watt combo, solid state, vintage vibe.

I bought this combo because I was so impressed with my Ampeg B200R combo, but wanted something for small gigs, acoustic shows, whatever.
I am SOOOOO impressed with the tone I get from my passive, 30" scale Waterstone Indra bass! It is VERY warm and has a BEAUTIFUL tone, INCREDIBLE for solid state. GET ONE if you play rock, blues, pop,etc.

Have not gigged with it yet, but will next week at an audition for a local resort lounge. I don't expect any problems, we are a three-piece 50s rock n roll band and this little combo will sit just fine in the mix for a venue like that.

Never had to call Ampeg, and I own two combos.

I have been playin for 30 years and have used Fender, Rickenbacker, Acoustic, Kustom, and Ampeg bass amps. I play passive basses, 30" and 34" scale basses, including Rickenbacker, Gibson, Fender, and now Waterstones. I would get another if this one disappeared. I love how it sounds, it is not heavy to lift, and looks cool! I chose this one because of the B200R and am very satisfied with both. Get one NOW!!

Nade in 2007- probably one of the last to be made in the US.
It has a 15'' which is a must if you ask me for blues/rock/punk.
2 inputs (passive/active), headphone jack, 3 voicing filter switches - Low/High boost and Mid cut off - all 3 are extremely usefull.
It also has a "Gain", 4 cghanne EQ and "Master" knobs.
The low "Features" rating is due only to one major reason - no DI output, just a normal "line out" which is going to be very problematic for gigs (but I have a DI out in my Compressor pedal to compenstae for that).

This baby SINGS!!!
I play a Jaguar Bass (a Japan only model - Sunburst)going through an Aphex Bass Xciter (with this amp- used as a DI only)and a ProCo Rat II for those Punk Hard Core tunes...
The warmest bass sound for the money. I played several G&Ks and Fenders, Peaveys, Laneys, even other Ampegs (all tube) - none even got close to the B-100R.
I keep the "Gain" at about 4 - which suits my bass at Passive mode (I only really use the passive mode).
for blues i use the P-style configuration on the bass and have both Low boost and mid cut off pressed down, with all 4 EQ knobs at 3-4.
for Rock i use the same bass configuration and have the Low boost pressed down, with the Low and Mid Low knobs at 5 and the "high mid" and "high" knobs at about 4.
for Slap/Pop I use the J-configuration and have the Low Boost and the High Boost pressed down with all EQ knobs at 5.
I don't know HOW they did it - but I love it.
I am practically addicted to the sound of that Amp. It is the equivalent of a Class A guitar tube Amp. absolutely gorgeous, I never thought it can be done using only solid state electronics.

I only have it for a couple of months - it looks fine - built like a Tank.

Never had to deal with them.

I've been playing bass for almost 4 years now, played guitar for almost 15 years before that.
I really regret the time I spent on the guitar, I clicked with the Bass as soon as I picked it up.
If it was stolen or lost - I'd hunt the bastards down! I most definately get another one!
Taknig into consideration the sound, price paid and relative mobility of this Amp - it it is a well earned 10!

I got this amp in a local pawn shop for $79.00 plus tax. It was filthy; looked like it was stored in a chicken pen on a dirt road, but when I plugged it in, my heart sunk...it didn't light up; it was so quiet, I thought it was dead, it was only the power light. It was deja veu all over again...B-15 flip sound only much louder and no speaker farts. I took it home and gave it a good cleaning. Looks new except for the tolex tears which I will get around to glueing. The features are much discussed in other reviews. This is a good sounding portable bass amp. Not versatile, it is what it is.

Great round thumping air pushing smooth sounding bass sound. I played my P-bass, my Peavey Dyna bass, my frettless cheapo Washburn, and a friends cheapo Washburn with active EMG's and they all sounded great. It doesn't match up to my pro rig...two 15" JBL's and a 4x10 Hartke cab pushed with a 1000 watt and a Cavin 500 watt power amp with a Ashly pre-amp and cross over but I suspect through a good PA system with the amp used for stage reference it will be OK. I put a Keeley compressor and a Boss CE-2 in line and the sound was very good.

Except for the on light is suspect it has to be extremely reliable considering the way this amp looked. I deffinately was not babied. It looked liked it had falled out the back of a pick up truck on a dusty dirt road and then had been in a barn. There were enough spider webs when I took the speaker cover off to supply cross hairs for all the bomb sights used in WWII. I would not hesitate to use it without a back up.

n/a

42 years; bass gear: too many JBL 15's, Hartke 4x10; gold Custom tuck n rolled ported cab with a 15 JBL, Ashly bass pre, Galien Kruger compressor; 78 P-bass; Peavey Dyna bass; Washburn frettless; no name upright bass; cross over; too many power amps; Guild Quatum thunder bass head; Guyatone 10000 head; Guild superstar combo; fender deluxe, gibson br-9, peavey classic 50 4x10 combo; Tech 21 combo; Roland JC 120; guitars, fender strat, custom tele, PRS standard 22, ovations 6, 12, nylon, too many effects pedals and other stuff. I bought this amp because I needed a bass amp for recording, it was very cheap, it sounded good, HC reviews were good.

Simple to operate after my previous amp with 9 band sliding EQ. This baby has 4 band EQ which you dial in and can add additional "ultra" bass, mid and top through push buttons.

Headphone jack works well as does the line out which I always use for live work. Don't let anyone tell you this amp can't be used in large venues competeing with guitars and drums - as long as you line it out through a decent PA.

The tone is absolutely beautiful - it's bass as bass should sound. Deep, rich and when you crank it a little you'll feel it surge through your whole body.

No-one in the band has stopped commenting on how good it sounds - 4 weeks after I bought it and we play & rehearse often

We play rock and some pop covers. Althgough the bass sound isn't flexibale or particuarly variable it anchors us very strongly through everything from The Beatles,ZZ Top,REM AC-DC and even the Sex Pistols.

Have only had it c. 4 weeks but have used it without back up a number of times since then

Never dealt with them and hope I dont have to

Been playing bass for 3 years. I own a Peavey TNT 150, Fender Custom Shop Bass, OLP Musicman Copy.

If the Ampeg were lost or stolen I'd replace it immediately. I (and everyone who's seen it) loves the retro look -to me it looks a piece of art.

What would I change about it? Maybe a couple of side handles so it could be carried by two of us when I'm feeling knackered after a gig?

It is simple to figure out. Has just the controls needed, no spam on the panel. To bad it is missing an external speaker out and direct out.

Sounds nice, deep 15" tone. A bit weak until you bring it up 80% but it holds up there. Not a great amp for slap, missing horn and highs you get with other speaker combos. This is a fat, deep warm tube like tone. It is felt in the gutt more then heard over screaming guitar.

This is where it gets an F. My power light burned out, my input jack broke loose from the pc board and still crackles after being resoldered. My handle stitching came loose. One rubber foot came loose. I went inside to see what was up and was very disapointed in what I saw. Plastic pot shafts, small ones too! Plastic input jacks. Light getting 36 volts, rated for 28V. And even though one write call this plywood, not so, PARTICLE BOARD!. Only the speaker baffle is ply. Even the bass port tubes, that fell off mine, are made of cardboard!

Great with e mailing back but only offer to bring it to a service center. They really have no way to solve the issues, just put back bad parts afetr weeks and weeks. You get to know them, it will be back.

Looks very cool although I hate rear control panels on the top and back of an amp. Sounds okay when used in the right situation but it is very heavy, for the wrong reasons. This is just not made to last. Kepp it in the home, treat it like a clssic and it might make it through warranty without work. Use it half hard and you will see what I mean. Made more for show then go! I am waiting to play with the new B 200r. Hopefully they worked out some of the bugs.

I bought this B100R new in December 2004, because it was time to retire my weary old 1963 B15N -- way heavy (100 lb), hot running, lots of fragile and expensive tubes. Specific things I looked for were a 15" speaker and no tweeter (I want punch, not hiss) and sufficient power (it's 100WRMS). It has 2 input jacks, 0dB and -15dB for passive and active basses, respectively, a gain knob, master volume, and the usual tone knobs. I turn the bass knob up about halfway, move the mid back and forth, depending on the bass I'm playing, and turn the treble all the way down. The amp has pushbuttons to increase low bass, low, mids and treble; I sometimes push in the low bass button if I'm playing one of my lesser basses through it. One channel, so no channel switching, but it has what appears to be an unbalanced line out and a headphone jack. These last 2 features I have not used, but I plan to use it as DI the next time I record my bass. All solid state, which means it's not fragile. Someone else noted that the AC cord doesn't detach, and there's no place to wrap it. I tie it up with a velcro tie when it's being transported. Speaking of which, it's 65 lb. Not the lightest one around, but the only lighter ones I found were seriously deficient in tone. Popout casters are available, and mine has them.

It's small enough that it fits easily in the back of a Toyota Matrix with the back seat in place (I fold it down, though, so the bass cases will go in).

I'm not a knob turner: even the old B15N had too many for me. I dial in a sound and then vary it from the bass rather than the amp. Maybe that's not the right way, but with both the Ampegs I can get away with it. It is easily loud enough. If I played Woodstock I'd have to mic it through the PA...since I'm into light weight, and don't care for male jewelry, it's all I need. I have performed with it in everything from a nursing home to a huge horse barn used for a political gathering, and it has always had the necessary punch. I don't play with a drummer, these days, so I can't comment on that part. My experience over the years has been, however, that the B15N (with 40W!) had no trouble coping.

Overall, it's about a perfect fit for me, and has every feature I need. I can't call it a versatile amp, however, so I'll knock one point off.

Think retro. Forget anything newer than around 1980. This beast comes as close as I could expect to the B15N sound, and that is a heavy compliment. A tweeter might make it sound more modern, but what would be the point? There are plenty of modern amps out there for those aspiring to be the next bass idol.

I played rock and blues for years, now I'm playing mellower stuff, but I still need the punch and the tone. We are currently doing everything from early Neil Young to show tunes, and I have no complaints. Round sound (especially with my Squier II Precision with a Quarter Pound pickup), and it sounds great at low as well as at high levels. It's very quiet (free tip: if your bass amp is noisy, turn off that damn tweeter) and unobtrusive, in the sense that anywhere I play, it's my playing that gets noticed, and not the amp. That's what I like -- as I said above, I'm not into male jewelry. The amp sounds edgier with my Carvin LB20 w DiMarzio J Model pickups, but that's not my current fave bass. With my recently acquired Tribute by G&L L2000, it tracks whatever sound I'm trying for with that very versatile bass. This may seem to contradict what I said above about its versatility, but I play in a specific range of deep and round. I can't tell you how it would work with Chris Squire or Sid Vicious material, because that's not where I go. I have played my 5-string acoustic bass guitar with LaBella nylon tape wounds, and it wasn't that great a sound.

For sound it gets a 10. For my style, it's perfect.

No experience: it's never broken down, looks solid, and, hey, it's solid state. I gig without a backup (especially since my "backup" rig -- currently in our rehearsal space -- is a tube stack that tips the scales at 144 lb).

I haven't heard anything negative, never had any problems. At least it doesn't regularly fry $100 worth of tubes like some amps I have owned.

No experience: I plug it in and it works.

I have been playing bass for 25 years, although for a long time I was the lead player and only played bass when the bassist wanted to scare everyone on guitar. I have 2 other bass amps: the 1963 Ampeg B15N and an early '70's Musicman HD130 driving a Hartke 410XL cab. Basses include an ancient Korean made JB copy with Select humbuckers, the Squier with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound, Carvin LB20 with DiMarzio Model Js, an Ibanez AEB305 5-string acoustic bass guitar and a Tribute by G&L L2000. I also own a bunch of electric and acoustic guitars and amps, not to mention all the gear that makes up a digital computer-based recording studio.

If it disappeared I'd get another one right away. It's perfect for me. It's the lightest and best looking amp with sufficient power and the tone I want. I looked at Fenders, Hartkes, GKs, SWRs, and many more in the couple of years before I bought this one, and nothing else has the sweet combination this one does.

The features have been covered in the other reviews. The control panel is cool, neat chicken head knobs, and the tone controls all really DO something. Very cool retro look and feel (especially when you have to lift it)!

It's got one sound, that vintage Ampeg sound. Nothing much beats this sound, however. If you want monster vintage tone in a small package, you just found it.

Has a 5 year warranty. Some have complained about Ampeg's build quality, so I'm hoping that has all long been sorted out.

Received an immediate e-mail response to a question I asked.

I traded a BA115 in for this. The BA115 was also a great amp, but I'm not big on tweeters and wanted the vintage vibe. The B-100R has that in spades. Anyone who says this can't be used for band practice or at a small/medium gig needs to stop smoking those funny cigarettes. This is plenty loud, and can be gigged without maxing it out. I was using a Carvin PB100 for practice (now that amp is way too lame to gig with), and it was totally dimed to keep up with moderate practice sound levels. Not the Ampeg, this thing is one great amp. Tired of lugging around your half-stack-and-head to small gigs or practice? Then get one of these.
Only complaint, overpriced.

2005 B-100R. It is versatile, one needs only to make adjustments to the 4 band EQ and or the low/mid/high buttons. You all know the rest of the features. I don't wish it had anything else; I use a Radial JDI passive DI box, which is far, far better than anything in any amp, whenever I need to go to the board. This amp is used in small to medium venues. Plug in, turn the Master to 10, Bass to 10, Treble to 10, leave the mids and Gain on 5, and depress all of the bass/mid/treble buttons and stand back. Awwww yeaaahhh!

P/J active Koa Fender, U.S.A. Jazz and Precision, Dirnt P-Bass, Pink Paisley '54 P-Bass with TI Jazz Flats, (all others have Rotosound Swing Bass 66). I play anything from funk to folk to hip-hop and this amp is great. You see, the sound of a bass also comes from your soul and your hands. The amp, well, amplifies that and this one does it superbly. Turn down the tone knob on your bass and play near the neck with the side of your index = Jamerson. Run everything on your flatwound equipped bass wide open, damp the strings and play with a pick = Carol Kaye. Or just plug in a Jazz, crank it up and slap away. Doesn't matter. This amp will help all of your styles cut through. Clean, quiet, very powerful lil' combo. The limiter doesn't make its presence known like on other amps, such as SWR. It has rich bass that doesn't seem loud when you're standing in front of it (but does shake your pants legs). However, tand back a few feet so you can hear the propagation of the long bass waves and you will truly understand how powerful this amp is. 100 watts@4 ohms into a 4 ohm 150 watt speaker = just crank it up. Nice. Only a 9 because the only perfect sound I've heard is an SVT Classic through the 4 x 10 HLF Classic Cabinet. BUT, I didn't want to spend $2000 and have a monster to schlep around.

I have a BA-112 and my brother a BA-115 for a few years now with not troubles whatsoever. None. I don't expect anything different from this but don't know enough to comment right now. Ask me in 10 years. However, based on my and others' experience with Ampeg bass amps I intend to use it without a backup.

I emailed Ampeg customer support about where its parts, cabs, and speakers are made and received a personal response within 24 hours. On a Sunday. 5 year warranty on the amp and 2 on the speaker is pretty generous. Just keep your original sales receipt! Otherwise, neither I nor anyone I know who has a solid state Ampeg has needed to have it serviced. My rating is based on the quick, informed, friendly response I received from customer support.

Been playing for a while ;-) Read the above and you'll know what I have. If it were stolen I would buy another one right away without a second thought. I spent a year playing every brand and type of bass combo out there and this one is the best. Screw Genz-Benz, Ashdown, and Eden and all of their farting speakers, ridiculous prices, and "glassy" sound. Ick. The new, silver face Fender Bassmans are nice for the price. However, for a very small amount more money the Ampeg has a sound that is great deal better and an amp that can be pushed much harder and still remain clean. Forget GK Backline combos; they fart like the campfire scene in Blazing Saddles. A worthy, albeit $300 more expensive, contender to this Rocket is the venerable GK MB150E. I had one just recently (these sell quickly on eBay :-)) but still prefer the sound of the Ampeg.