Ampeg R-212R

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Just an update on the next submission... Still love the amp, great clean tone, overdrive improves with better tubes, still slightly mushy on low end. Maybe it's in the pickups....

Here's the update. This thing isn't exactly reliable right out of the box. Sure, it has Groove Tubes 6l6's (not el34), but the preamp tubes are cheap Chinese Groove Tubes (Boooo). The overdrive tube died within the first few months, but fortunately I was able to get it replaced while it was still under warranty. The power tubes (which are supposed to last a year or so) died a few months later, and cost *$50* to replace (grrrrr)>:(. However, once that was taken care of, and *good* tubes were put in, the amp has been totally reliable.

Here's a plus. They have excellent online customer support. When I had the preamp tube trouble, I e-mailed a tech guy @ ampeg, and he responded quickly with possible causes and solutions. I e-mailed him again during my power tube woes, and he was just as helpful. Thanks a bunch, guys.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great sounding amp, and I am totally happy with it. As I am not as proficient in adjectives as some people, I recommend you check out the submissions for the r-12r amp. It's the same amp, only minus a 12 inch speaker. Those reviews accurately describe the amp, and do it justice. Last thing: when pricing the amp, expect to add about $75 for tube replacements in the next 6 months. That's just the way it is.......

This is a new Blue Diamond re-issue of the Ampeg Reverberocket. It has two 12 inch Ampeg brand speakers, 2 EL34 Groove Tubes power tubes (!) and three 12AX7 Sovtex(?) preamp tubes, spring reverb, overdrive & clean channels easily switchable from amp and included footswitch, three-band EQ, universal reverb, and line in and out jacks. It's a walloping 50 watts, walloping because this puppy gets LOUD. In by bedroom, I can get by great with the volume on about 3. Could have some more features (I was looking at a Marshall Valvestate combo before this one, which is loaded with features). Overall, though, I'm happy with the current features.

JUST AMAZING! This amp really sings on just about any level (haven't cranked it yet, though). I use a Yamaha strat-copy with stock pickups and with my amp set right, I can really nail a great Eric Clapton tone. For what I play, it's perfect. The clean channel has that beautiful tube sound to it, and the first time I heard it, it blew me away. I've heard that this amp's tone is comparable to a Vox AC-30, but I wouldn't know. The reverb is heavenly. Nothing compares to tube driven reverb, especially Ampeg's. The only minor complaint that I have with this amp is the overdrive. Don't get me wrong, it's great. However, it's rather mid-rangey, which I'm not accustomed to. The overdrive also lacks some presence. It seems sort of far off. However, the sweet tone of it overcomes these downfalls.

Looks like it's sturdy enough, would probably trust it in a gig without a backup. One thing I have noticed: it rattles every now and then. I think that rattle comes from the metal cage that surrounds the power tubes. I might just get that caged removed...

Haven't had to deal with them.

I've been playing for 4-5 years, and I've really come to appreciate tube amps in that time. If it were lost or stolen, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. Think about it: $535 for heavenly tube-amp tone. I played this amp against a Fender DeVille, and one of the Crate Vintage series, and hands down, this was the best one. When played with a Strat, it sounds pleasingly raunchy on the overdrive, but crisp and smooth on the clean. Played with a Les Paul, it's just out of this world. My mom was standing in Guitar Center while I was playing the Les Paul through it, and she was blown away. Overall, this amp is absolutely amazing. I would recommend buying it, even if you aren't in the market for a tube amp.
One more thing::: anyone who reads this and owns a reverberocket, please e-mail me with your favorite settings for it. thanks

This amp is known as the "Revererocket". It's a 50 watt all tube unit with 2 12" speakers. Two channels - one clean and one dirty. Channel switching is done via the foot switch. Has Line-in and Line-out for EFX. No headphone jack. To see the control panel, go to the following site: "http://www.ampeg.com/r12rfspec.html". I use this amp for my personal pleasure. I do not play in a band any more, so I can't attest as to this amps "gigability". However, during my band playing days, I worked with several Ampeg products, and they withstood travel well. This particular model seems well built. I have heard some complaints about "rattling" at volume, but I haven't had that problem with this amp. It cranks out a nice 50 Watts through two Ampeg 12" speakers. The speakers sound good, but I'll eventually replace them, probably with Celestions.

I play a 1983 Jap Strat with original single coils. At volume (4+) there is some hum, but it's not bad. When playing, you don't hear it. Clean channel really sings when cranked. Nice sound for blues or rock. Sound is fairly adjustable with individual Bass, Mid, and Treble controls. Reverb sounds lush, although it's most effective at a lower setting. Anything above 5 is a bit much. Distortion sounds pretty good on this amp; not sure what other models I'd compare it to; I would just say that it's not brutal - certainly not for the metal crowd. Note that the only external device I use is a Crybaby Wah. I would guess that with an EFX in the loop that you could make this baby sound however you want. This amp like like to emphasize the low end; you need to adjust the controls to kkep from getting too muddy here. However, the adjustments are easy. Between the control panel and your guitar controls, you can eliminate this muddiness. Midrange and highs are typically sparkling clear. Those who play blues and rock riffs will like this amp. Crank up the volume and this baby wails. I can't attest to the amps ability to "cut through" at a gig, but my guess is that for everything but the largest venues, you're gonna be heard.

I've had this amp one week. I bought it used (8 months old) from a dealer in Atlanta. It seems sturdy, and I have not experienced any rattling. When I was younger and playing alot, Ampegs had a reputation as workhorses. I'll report back in 6 months.

I called St. Louis Music (makers of Ampegs) to get a list of Atlanta-area dealers. The phone was answered right away, and my question was answered quickly. I have not had any technical questions yet - and probably won't have - so I can't attest to how good they are in this area.

Before I bought this amp, I checked out and played through a variety of other amps; Fender Deville (4x10); Trace Elliot (can't remember the model); smaller Ampegs like the SJ-12T and SJ12R; Line6 Flextone and AxSys; various Crate and Marshall combo units. Then I ran across this used model. It was in excellent shape; the dealer had it on consignment; I played it for an hour in the store against other models, and decided to go for it. I'm am taking a risk on the warranty. I could have gotten a new unit for 579 with a 5-year warranty. Instead, I bought this one for 395, but the dealer did not have the original sales receipt from the original buyer. I asked the dealer to try to get the original receipt when he payed the original owner, but I haven't heard from him yet. I have all the other documentation for the amp, and the documentation makes a point of stating that the warranty is transferrable with original sales reciept only, and only when the amp was sold originally by an authorized Ampeg dealer. Soooo..yes, I took a risk. If anything bad happens, I'll let you know. says that the

Two channels w/footswitch, effects loop, NO extension speaker jack, but I'm having one put in as we speak. I use this amp live and in the studio and find in quite versitile for the money. I am running this in stero with my Fender Twin and both sounds blend very well.

I have 2 custom guitars one strat style with 3 Tom Anderson pickups (SD-1, SD-1R, SD-2) and a tele with 2 Seymore Duncan humbuckers ('59 & Custom Custom) both guitars sound good I prefer the strat pluged into the Accordian (low) Input. I play in a Alt/Rock band and it suits it very well. I find the gain channel has a great crunch sound almost too much for me, but the EQ seemes almost useless. I think the eq was made for the clean channel, because it has a significant effect on the sound. The clean channel sounds great but I can't help but use my twin for cleans. I don't find the amp all that noisy, unless the gain is fully cranked. The bottom end is fairly mushy but my Twin makes up for that. I just used this amp for an entire album and a little Eqing made it sound great.

I havn't had any problems yet (2 months old) I always have two amps at a gig anyway but I probably would use it without a backup.

I e-mail the company 3 weeks ago and havn't gotten a reply which is a little annoying. I bought the amp new in Boston and I live in Toronto, when I left the store there was a big envelope in the back of the amp which I thought would be the manual, warrenty and footswitch. In my stupidity I didn't check until I got home. The footswitch and cable were there but no warrenty info or manual. I checked their website and the online manual said the amp had EL-34 power tubes and mine has 6L6 tubes. So I e-mailed trying to find out what the deal was and about the warrenty and haven't gotten a reply yet. I hear the warrenty is 5 years transferable. My rating for this category is dropping daily!

I've been playing for over 10 years and lately have been doing a lot of session work. I wanted a second amp for some different tones. When I went to Boston I was hoping to find a used Mesa/Boogie Maverick but came across this amp. I'm glad I bought this amp it's a great deal for the money. If it was lost or stolen and I only had $500 to spend on an amp I'd buy it again. I wish it came with an extension speaker jack and I wish the bottom end was tighter, but you can't win'em all. If anyone from Ampeg reads this please contact me!

2-12 50 watt EL34's 3 ax7's.

Well... was trying to find a amp that could do it all... sounded good in the store sucks at home.. bottom end is TOO mushy. tone changes to much when you turn the amp up.. loses its treble.

Well... had it one night had to replace the power tubes due to rattling. New tubes rattle after one day.. seems to be a prob. have also heard of this prob from other people.

Havent had it worked on yet

Would consider it again... all in all not to bad.. needs seperate tone for each channel good reverb of course... played with Rio grade tallboy humbuckers it is to tinny

Effects loop is a good thing, but is not switchable and has no level control. I wish there were separate tone controls for each channel as well.

I play rhythm guitar in a ska band, and I attempt to achieve a big, round, clean tone 95% of the time. This amp is an absolute Godsend in helping me get that tone! The crunch channel is pretty damn fine to my ears, too. The only drawback: if I want extra trebel, I have to switch from my neck to my bridge PU (and that's something I just don't like to do!).

I just bought it 2 days ago, but from e-mailing people from all around, I think I'll have little if no problems with it.

Five year, transferable warranties are hard to beat! I'm sure I'll be fine.

I compared this amp against the Peavey Duel, Fender HotRod series, Crate Vintage Club, and all variants on the above themes, and the Ampeg was the clear winner. I'd buy this amp again without thinking twice. Of note: the rumors I had heard about "rattleing tubes" is true. If you crank up the bass, there is a audible buzzing sound, but when playing with a full band you dont even notice it.

This is a fifty watt tube amp with two 12 inch speakers. It has two inputs and a classic reissue look. Plenty of power as with all tube amps. Recently purchased this amp to replace my old peavy in order to get the tube sound and to get better sound quality as well as volume. Features clean and dirty channels with a reverb tank.

Currently playing semore duncan humbuckers through it. As with all tube amps it is very hot, when cranked up on the overdrive channel it has plenty of feedback. The bottom end is very muddy but it can cut through if you clean it up a bit by adding some mid and lowering the bass Perfect for the rock alternative cover songs that my band plays and has plenty of power to gig small clubs with. Really sings when you give it a good solo.

Don't know yet, hope it is as good as their name.

Good warranty, hopefully won't need to do any work on it.

so far I am pleased. Would like to know how which tubes to put in it in order to get a crunchier bottom end.