Ampeg GS-12R Rocket II

This is a 1966 ampeg gs12r. I play mostly 60s rock,rockabilly,surf,classic rock. It puts out 20 watts.

I play my Amer std Fender tele thru this amp. I love the sound of the reverb. IT KILLS FENDERS! This amp will not Distort so forget playing Metal with it.

Im an electronics tech by trade so ,reliability isnt an issue. I recapped it and put a 3 prong cord on it. I got it for free and its 40 yrs old.

Been playin about 25 yrs.

1966 Ampeg GS-12R Reverberocket 2. Someone should really straighten out the Ampeg listings here, they're a mess. Mine is the 7591 version; these tubes are now back in production (JJ and EH). The amp also uses a single 6U10 which is out of production, and will never come back; if you own one of these amps it's a good idea to buy a spare 6U10 (they're readily available on eBay) as a backup, though the 6U10 isn't under mch stress and should last for many decades. Two inputs, reverb and tremolo controlled by footswitch, 12" speaker. I paid more than most here ($600), but my amp had been fully recapped and serviced, and came with a Weber ceramic Blue Dog speaker, a highly desirable upgrade.

I've used the amp with single coils and humbuckers, and it sounds great with everything--one of the most beautiful clean sounds in existence. The reverb deserves the praise it receives; it's the best I've ever heard on an amp. The amp is generally quiet, but will at times pick up the radio faintly--not a big problem. The one drawback for some players is that this amp never really gets distorted--I have dimed it through an attenuator, and even at max output it achieves only a light crunch. So, power tube distortion is basically unavailable, and you're going to need a pedal to need a pedal to get an overdriven sound. Given the beauty of the clean, it's a forgivable limitation, in my book. Just don't get this thinking you're going to make it sound like a Marshall.

I've only owned the amp a short while, but Ampegs were well built, and old PTP tube amps, if properly maintained, are practically unkillable.

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There's not much I don't like about this amp. Love the look, love the sound. It's big and pretty heave, which might be a problem for some (not for me--it never travels). I suppose it would be nice to be able to drive it into power tube distortion, but I'm willing to do without in order to enjoy the quality of the cleans and reverb.

From all the info I can find, this is a 1966 Reverberocket II.

Features a great tremolo, which 'locks'(clicks) into a more strobe type tremolo if you turn it right up. Great reverb which turned anywhere past 4 gives some of the best surf tones I have ever heard. Other than that single is single channel, 2 inputs, 2 EQ knobs, volume.

Mine still had the stock speaker (Jensen C12R) and stock tubes in. It was kept in a basement for the last 40 years, and is in pristine condition. Which is good because if you wanted to put NOS tubes in it, you'd be looking at a lot of cash. The tubes are 7591 7591 12AX7 6U1O 12AX7, and NOS 7591's are pretty pricey. There are JJ and EHX reissues though.

I mainly play Rockabilly, Surf, and Country Punk. As far as I am concerned, this is THE amp for all those styles. I was shocked when I heard it. The fact that is looks so cool too is a huge plus.

About the only thing I wish the amp had was an external speaker out. I am sure it could be modded to have one though. For what it is, and the price you can still get these for, it's impossible for me to give the amp any less than a 10.

They are a really tough amp to describe because most people's ideas of clean tone are sorta shaped around Fender tones they have heard. The amp has a great clean sound, with much more headroom than pretty much any similar spec'd combo I have used. I can only describe is as a 'clearer' version of the Fender clean.

When it comes to the Reverb and Tremolo, again they are not the 'typical' sounds you hear. But they both sound fantastic.

Most people would consider it blasphemy, but I actually think it's a 'better' sounding amp than my Princeton Reverb. At least for my musical tastes mentioned above.

I haven't owned it long, but it's been running for over 40 years with no problems.

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I own a 1970 Traynor YBA-2A, a Reverend Goblin and a 1968 Princeton Reverb. I play 2 Reverend Guitars (Flatroc, Charger 290) and a Tele. I don't use effects into any of my amps. I have been playing for 15 years.

I am not sure of the exact wattage of this amp, but I have a feeling it would compare to a Deluxe Reverb. It also compares in feature set. A key difference being you can still find a 1966 Ampeg for an insanely low price. A 1966 Deluxe Reverb will run you 5 times as much. And IMO these sound as good. How can you not give it a 10 for value?

The only issues I have with the amp are it's a little bulky, and it has no extension speaker out jack. But the large cabinet is part of the reason is has such a great sound, and a speaker jack could be added.

One day people are going to realize how great these amps are, and the prices will likely skyrocket. So jump on em' while you can!

I wasn't able to find a serial number, but base upon other reviews, it was made no later than '66 (has the blue-diamond tolex). It has been well-used, and to my knowledge has only re-issue Electroharmonix tubes. Even has the original "Ampeg" 2-prong cord (which I will leave--no short or anything).

Needs new filter caps, and to have the pots cleaned, but the tone is otherwise incredible. I play essentially Bakersfield-inspired Country and with an '05 Tele and the bright turned about 3/4 does the clean yet warm tone I associate with guys like Don Rich. Don't even ask about the tremolo . . . Shazam! I cut my teeth on blues, however, and turned up to 9-10 the Rocket delivers smooth yet spicy, sweaty, mojo. Need to get a solid-body Gibson, now.
Most of the venues I have played so far are small, I don't need or want to schlep my Twin, and besides, the ReverbRocket just sounds incredible. Based upon what I anticipate the sound to be after a tune-up, I would rate the sound very high.

Built like a Volvo. And aesthetically much more pleasing. With care necessary for any tube amp, I would and will gig with it. It would be a sin not to.

Man, my favorite (thinking about selling my Twin, seems superfluous).

Based on the serial number stamped in the front chassis control panel, my RR2 is 1967. Apparently this was a transition year between the blue diamond Tolex dc'd in 66 and the wood grain model of 68, using the same schematics as the earlier models. It has black tolex with a front facing control panel, guitar and accordian inputs, with the earlier style grill cloth. It is the warmest amp I own (69 Deluxe Reverb, 64 Concert and 55 Bassman) and the reverb and tremelo are so fine that I run them almost all the time. I thought I had paid too much at $300 but the sound can't be beat.

It's single channel, and I've only used the normal input (not the 'accordian'). I use its tremolo and reverb often. Each can be turned on and off with a footswitch, which works perfectly after almost forty years! I gig with it in bars and small clubs. You never need more- a larger place will have a PA to mic it up! I would like an overdrive channel to switch with, but they weren't thinking too much about that back then!

I use it with my vintage Danelectro Convertible with the original lipstick PU, Yamaha "Sunami" (that's my name for it- it's a funky, clean sounding hollowbody), and my Harmony Rocket, with the hot deArmond early 60's PU. I usually have it going thru a newer Vox Overdrive because I want some edge for my music (sorta alternative, mybloodyvalentine/ sonic youth- ish). Without the OD pedal it's amazingly clean, with nice, subtle breakup at higher volumes. I've had some '70's Fenders, and listened to quite a number of silver and even the older blackfaces at stores. Sorry you fender folks, this one rules supreme over fender. It's warm, slightly crisp, has a peculiar nuance in the midrange that's so sweet sounding. The reverb isn't as thick and cloudy as Fender's, but good nonetheless (Fender's is better). The tremolo is round and tender. Being the old style, it cuts the output in inverse proportion to its intensity, which takes a bit of getting used to. It cuts it even if the tremolo is switched off, so if you're not using it, turn the intensity down. It gets very loud quick with the intensity down, but I use the tremolo at 12 o'clock or less intermittently. The amp is still loud enough and more at that setting, but if you go with maximum tremolo (you probably would save that for special occasions!) the drop is considerable.

Make sure to keep or find the original Jensen Syntox(?) speaker, have it reconed if needed (I recommend Orange County Speaker in So. Cal.), or ask around for a suitible replacement.

I bought it 4 years Ago. Reconed it, changed the tubes and had a few solder joints redone. Been great ever since. It is harder to find good 7591s though.

Way beyond warranty, I go with Greg's Amp Repair in Hollywood. Pretty good turnaround. He sees quite a few and raves about them!

If it were stolen I'd cry and curse this god-forsaken world! Then I'd gather my wits, sell whatever I can, search ebay and buy another ASAP (before the price will go up!). The clean tone is unique and unmatched. I'm looking in to customizing one with an overdrive channel. I don't know if that's crazy, but I have a contemporary Reverbrocket with channel switching, and I like it's OD sound but the clean sound sucks. I wanna try to replicate the OD circuitry and channel-switch feature into the old one. Wish me luck!

My Ampeg RR2 is a late 60s model. The speaker has been replaced with a reissue Jensen, the 2 spring reverb replaced with a 3 spring and the cord replaced with a grounded plug.
I bought this amp because I wanted a vintage 15-20W amp with reverb & trem and I didn't want to pay the bucks for a Fender Deluxe Reverb.

I've been mainly using a Rickenbacker 330 with hi gain pickups with this amp. I turn treble to midpoint and bass full up to get a warm shimmery tone. Turning treble up makes the tone too bright. Adjusting the volume really brings out a lot of great sounds. From a classic 60s clean tone to 60s Brit rock overdrive. If you like a biting blues tone this amp would be good choice.
The reverb sounds great and has great range from subtle to surfy. The trem is pleasant, but not the best I've heard. The speed range is somewhat limited.

I don't know what's been done to this amp other than the replacement parts mentioned above. It's going strong but It's an old amp so I'd probably want a backup on a gig.

It's almost my dream tone...It's got that elusive 60s rock shimmer. Although I wouldn't mind a bit more low end punch and tonal versatility. I may dig deep and spring for a 60s Fender Deluxe or Pro Reverb or perhaps some boutique amp.

this is a gs-12 just got it a week ago for $150. im guessing from the serial# that it a 1970 has the guitar and accord. inputs the tubes all look original not sure if the speaker is the back says utah, sounds good though, 2 7591, 7199, 12ax7 the controls are trem speed and intens., vol., bass, treb. made in jersey. still has a 2 prong cord going to have it changed to a 3 yes i did get a bit of a shock because of it (easily to be fixed) havent been able to play it over 2 yet but so far sounds great a nice classic rock tone just wished it had a speaker out jack figure i could ask if one could be added if not ill just mike it

i have a 70's (?) aspen les paul copy, a fender strat, and a ibenez js model all sound great throuh it i ran a big muff pedal through it and didnt like it but my proco rat sound awsome through it

ive only had it for maybee a week but from it looks like it pretty dependable its 34 yrs old with original tubes

im sure the warrenty is up going to get it serviced soon for the cord and to have it cleaned im also thinking of having it mod up a bit

ive been playing for almost 20 yrs im 35 mostly small venues the open night jams and get togeathers with friends and family if it was lost id be bummed and would look far another i expected to pay more but i think i got a great deal for it

Trebelo(too faint)reverb(too strong and pingy)I love ampeg reverb but this is the exception-usless bass knob and peircing treble

Ok,this amp isnt terrible,however if your use to the quality of older ampegs this isnt it-I bought this because the Gemini 2 is my favorite amp and wanted to have a gig-poratble one-this is not even close-this must of been the economy model,n sounds it-the treble sucks n the reverb is too strong(even at the 0 setting)mind you both these features on the gemini are oustanding-I would gladly sacrifice a little bass from a 12 inch speaker opposed to the 15 but it just doent really sound like an ampeg

see above,theres better ampegs out there

I bought my little friend brand new in the box in 1965 and we've never been parted. I blew the speaker the first year through what I would have to admit was abuse, Ampeg replaced it with a Jensen for free. Never treated it badly again. Everything else is original. Love the stove top controls, checkerboard covering, and that great reverb!

I have 75' Les Paul standard, 80's Strat, but I really like playing my 65' Fender Mustang through it. These two go great together, simplicity at it's best! I keep it right in the living room to work out songs and just relax. I don't use it on stage, it doesn't really cut through the mix. I have a Fender Stage 100 stack for that. Wish it had a XLR out for the P.A.

Let's see...40yrs and never replaced a tube, hmmm. Yea, i say it's reliable. in fact it's been a hell of a lot more trustworthy than any of the women I've known. It's one tough S.O.B. but has a real sweet disposition. I do need a new handle though the leather finally gave out last year.

Except for the first time in 1966, I haven't had a reason to contact them.

That $156.00 might not seem like much money, but in 1965 I was 13yrs old and that was a couple of years of paper route savings, but ya'know what? I can't think of many other things that have served me well for so many years, in fact I can turn my head now and see it sitting there waiting for me....best damn money I ever spent.