Randall RBA-500

This is an "addition" to my previous review: The RBA-500 has a 1/4" jack for a foot switch to turn the Graphic Equalizer on and off. My foot switch was stolen years ago, but I have discovered that a Randall RF1 foot switch (used to switch between channels on 2 channel amps) WILL work on the RBA-500 to turn the Graphic EQ on and off. RF1 foot switches are available not only from Randall, but also many online musicial supply sites (for a LOT less than what Randall charges, too).

I sent this information to the Randall website, stupidly thinking they'd add the RBA-500 in with the other amps listed that the RF1 operates, but as usual, I received absolutely NO response, just like the Many other emails I have sent. If you'll research other reviews of Randall equipment here on Harmony Central, you'll discover that Randall's failure to respond to customer's emails seems to be a major complaint. Randall's abandonment of the customer base that has kept them in business for so many years, shows prominently in the extreme lack of quality present in their current line of cheaply made imported junk they're passing off as "musicial gear". It's Great to have outlets such as Harmony Central, for musicians to pass along and share valuable information that is both useful and helpful...when companies like Randall choose not only to avoid helping their customers, but ignore them as well.

Model RBA-500 is listed on the amp's back panel, but on the front panel appears "BASS 500" in quotation marks. Manufactured in Irvine, CA. and bench tested and inspected on Oct. 28, 1981, this solid state head is 500 watts Peak(?) and 300 watts RMS into 2 ohms. I used a question mark after the Peak wattage because I'm unsure if that number is accurate for Peak measurement. The back panel lists Watts as 500, but states 300 watts RMS above the two speaker jacks. One channel with 2 inputs. Controls (One each - Rotary) are: Gain; Treble; Middle; Middle Freq. Shift; Bass; Bass Roll Filter; Master Volume; and 5 Band Graphic EQ (sliders) with Plus or Minus up to 15 DB of: 80hz, 200hz, 700hz, 3.5K, and 8K. Back panel has 3 prong grounded plug; circuit breaker; 120 VAC accessory plug; Graphic Foot Switch jack; Signal Output jack; 2- 4 ohm Speaker jacks; Effects Loop Input and Output jacks.
All the Tone controls are very lush and full-bodied, not the familiar "0 = Off, 10 = On" controls found on too many other brands, but the Graphic EQ range should have concentrated more on lower HZ bands, omitting both the 3.5K and 8K adjusters, which are rather useless on a head designed specifically for Bass amplification.
The Power Cord is only 5 feet long, which means an extension cord is needed in almost every situation, but I won't deduct points for this because I'm unsure if the cord is original equipment or a replacement.

Amp. is whisper-quiet and clean at almost any volume. My band "TDL" (which stands for "Too Damn Loud") plays 80% original tunes and 20% covers, of groups like Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, Ultimate Spinach, The Ubiquitous They, Starlord Opera, etc.. and this head provides the full gamut of deep, thunderous tonal spectrums with ease.
It powers a 1972 Sunn 215B bass reflex cabinet housing 2 - 15" speakers, that I use for tweeters, and a Peavey folded horn cabinet housing 1 - 18" speaker. I totally avoid 10" and 12" speakers because in my opinion, one CAN'T get decent bass frequency responses from those size speakers. Shoot...15" barely gets the job done. But since no one manufactures 24" speakers anymore, I'm forced to settle for 18" maximum, which seems to satisfy everyone concerned.

In the dictionary, look up the phrase "Built like a tank" and you'll see a picture of this amp. !! The outer shell is composed of wood that's 1 5/8" thick, more than adequate protection for the innards. Since this was a fairly recent purchase, I let my amp. tech. give it the "once over", and he informed me that all components look original (with the possible exception of the power cord). He, as well as I, were shocked that an amp. this old, with NO repairs or replaced parts, operated so silently, and like new. A 25 year old amplifier with all original parts, that operates as new, speaks volumes about the high quality and craftsmanship with which the Randall Company USED to manufacture their products. Too bad they chose to abandon that philosophy, replacing it with one that's an insult to their loyal customer base.

This is where it gets ugly. I've emailed Randall NUMEROUS times and have yet to receive a reply. Maybe if they'd show at least a sembalence of customer support, they wouldn't have to offer another quirky, gimmicky new model amplifier every other month, and perhaps more people would have pity and purchase the cheap low-quality junk they're importing. Randall needs to take lessons from Peavey, which I honestly strongly believe has Customer Service second to NONE !! Peavey is the ultimate BEST of the Best, Randall. Call 'em and see if they offer Customer Service classes. Ignoring loyal customers is NOT good business sense.

I have been playing since 1973, and have owned several various Randall amplifiers over the years, which were all built with much quality and attention to details. I'd be embarrassed to own the horrendously low-quality equipment they offer currently. They're unprofessional lack of customer support is matched by the near non-existant craftsmanship, unlike the older USA-built products. I'll continue to search out and purchase old Randall gear...it's rugged and very well manufactured. My rating is for the RBA-500.

the rba 500 es ,this amp does the job great! it has 2 chanels,an efect in and out no headphone jack,but it does have a lo z and a hi z
outputs for direct recording or straigt into a p/a,the only thing i wish this poduct had was a master volume and gain,fuzz wouldnt hurt either.i use this amp on a daily bassis touring and practicing,recording.with 300 watts@2oms this amp could blow the doors off any small venue.the randall 2/15 jaguar speakers with this head in the way to go,altho they are a bit heavy!

i play a mark hoppus signature fender,jass body with a p neck and pickups,the pickups are semore duncan 3/4 lb basslines.
the music we play in modern rock with a twist of the 50's and this amp is the best i have used.

i have relied on this amp for more than 6 years now plaing aprox 200 shows and 3 times a week in the studio.....never a problem 1

never had to..built like a rock!!

awesome!!

I don't know what year the "ES" models were produced but from the sound of the responses the have be posted my guess it somewhere in the mid 80's. This amp is very versatile. As a matter of fact I don't even use it as a bass head! I use it as a guitar head. For music of heavy metal savy this is a MegaheavY head!. It has 2 channels. It has channel switching and effects loops which I don't know how to use, but soon will. It doesn't have head phone jacks but does have a 0 dbs-which I am still trying to figure out. Plus it has an additional input for an adpator. It had two input jacks. This thing had everything but tubes, which I do not mind.

The bass response that I'm getting through my Cerwin Vegas are amazing. It's seems as though this head was made for my speakers!

I bet if I went on the road, which I dream about daily, I think that this Head would hold it's own weight. I never move it only when we move. This is the ES model so it's solid state no tudes and more output wattage-500 watts

don't know haven't received a response

Can you please send me a copy of the owners manuel for the RBA 500 ES. And best possible configurations concerning best sound performance for this amp. I really enjoy this head. It is use as a electric guitar amp. I have a Kenwood tuner (for sound quality only) as inputs and Cerwin-Vegas MX 400 (Power handling of 400 Watts per speaker) as speakers. From my Jackson Kelly (KE3) and Jackson RR, I run a DOD Tec4X Preamp FX processor into the Kenwood(For Studio quality purposes only)that I use because 1:)I really like the type of sound I get coming out of that Kenwood and 2:)the power output-250 Watts. Then from there I run it directly into my Randall RBA 500 ES, then out to the Cerwin Vegas! Now I live in an apartment and I have speakers that have output speaker from my Kenwood which are MTX Tri-axle speakers(100 watts max per seapker)and I have yet to turn it up pat 3.5 but I'm sure that would knock the fan right off the ceiling down stairs. I know that this isn't the making of a top priced sound system but for the prices I paid for this amp, it was well worth it and I don't know what I would do without it. I also have a home built computer that has a 24 bit Auditgy soundbaster soundcard that I connect to my guitars and DOD preamp FX processor when recording in digital. Since my system revoles around your Randall RBA 500 ES, I want to know the optimal configuration to get the best quality sound for my system. Being that it's an ES model which are very rare to find, I am very statisfied.

It has all features you need! 5 Band EQ. It's more than 20years old!

I use my Esh-Stinger 5string with Kent Armstrong active PU, Rickenbacker 4003 with Schaller Bassbucker and a Spector NS with EMG's actives- both 4string.

I always have a backup, but that has nothing to do with my amps...just for the good feeling nothing could happen!

never dealt!

I've been playing since 12 years and so I have owned many basses and amps. My Ampeg SVP-Pro Tube-Preamp is still ampnapped (Serial Number - TPPWJ40004 - if someone finds it), and so is the Warwick Poweramp.
I also use a Mesa/Boogie D-180 alltube, and old Ampeg SVT3-Pro. All in a Marshall 2*15" Cabinett.

1983 model, I think. I've owned it since then. Pretty loud and versatile...I've gigged in small clubs up to 5,00+ outdoor amphitheater un-miked.

2 channels, effects loop.

I play an early 80's Ibanez Roadstar bass...heavier rock music mostly. I play through a custom 18" folded horn cabinet...it really booms above about 3 or 4 on the volume. I pretty much leave the gain at 2 or below.

Fell out of the bed of a 4X4 at about 25 mph the night after my first gig...the thing is SOLID...dented the metal corner piece, but that's about it. Cabinet is 1 1/2" plywood, so it can handle abuse.

NA

Playing for 22 years...if it were stolen or lost I might buy a more modern amp.

This is a bass amp head that I purchased from a friend about 6 months ago. I'm not sure what year it was made in. It has a single channel with 2 inputs. There are 7 knobs on the front and a graphic eq, the knobs are for gain, treble, middle, middle freq. shift, bass, bass roll filter, and volume. The eq is 5-band. This amp has a jack for a graphic footswitch, i guess that turns the eq on and off, a signal output, two speaker outputs rated at 4ohms and 300w. There are also effects loop send and return jacks. I run this head through a crate 2x15 cabinet. The head seems to weigh a ton more than the cab.

I've only played one show with this cabinet. I'm not a bass player but I was the only person in the band with money at the time the deal for this amp came up. So I'm the owner. It's very loud! We were playing at a venue for about 200 people max. It rarely got that packed, and we kept the volume at about 4 or 5 and the gain around 3 or 4. Our music is influenced by both American and British 60s rock and pop as well as modern indie rock, bands like pavement and guided by voices. It works well but rumbles a bit too much while playing both the E and A string. I practice with it at home, i'm just now starting to pick up bass playing. I leave the volume and gain at 1.5. With the band we used a P style bass. It worked fine with the amp and with our music style. I now have a peavey t-40. It has 2 coil tapped (sorta, you control it by the tone knob for each pickup) humbuckers (huge) with separate volume and tone knobs, and a phase shifter to use when both pickups are in use. The amp can go from a trebly punch to a nice bassy rumble. I give it an 8 because I've only heard a few other bass amps and would like to give a little leeway.

This Head is SOLID. I think I could gig without a backup over and over. It's solid state so there are no tubes to worry about. For a bass i think solid state is great, but I have a JTM 30 for my guitar, i don't think I'll buy a solid state for that. This amp seems to have some nice safety feature for it. There's an easy access fuse as well as a reset switch (circuit breaker?). I'll give it an 8 too since I've not had a chance to abuse it:)

don't know, who cares, I don't even think they exist anymore.

It's a great amp. I got a great deal on it. I don't know what else to say. Quality amps are expensive so I'd be mad if it was "misplaced", I don't know if I could find another one anywhere. I do wish it were a little lighter, but there's not much I can do about that is there.