Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all, I'm a long time lurker... I ordered my first Ric bass a few months ago, and due to a stroke of luck it is on it's way to me 4 months early. So now I need to find the right amp.

I'm just planning on home and studio use, but I like the sound of a 15 inch cab. I went to GC yesterday to try out what they had, and was not particularly impressed. I tried the Ampeg BA115 but the hiss was loud enough to hear over the antics in drum room - I know it will make me crazy. The BA115HP was a little better but still noisy. I tried the Fender rumbles but they're not for me either... and I don't want to even talk about the Peavey and Crates. I did like the Mesa Walkabout, but it's pretty pricey.

So does anyone have any other recommendations? I am now thinking about the Ampeg Rocket Combos, the Fender Bassman 250 series, or perhaps an Eden/Nemesis Combo. I'd appreciate any comments, thanks!

I'm quite happy with my Ashdown MAG C115 300. Cheap, cheerful and sounds good.

+1 on the Ashdown MAG C115 300.

I would go for the 2x10 Ashdown rather than the 1x15, but that's just because I'm not a big fan of 15 inch speakers by themselves.

I think the Ashdowns are a good bet also. I played one of the MAG C115 300's recently and it sound very nice for a solid state bass amp. Right after trying that, I played a vintage tube Ampeg B15N portaflex and it was light years better, but it cost light years more too!

I used a Hartke 1415 combo for years . Very good tube emulation with a room filling rear port . Handles a low B string well if not too loud . Plenty of EQ . Easy to carry . Never broke down .

I have both the MAG300C 1x15 and the Hartke 1415, love them both, with a nod toward the Ashdown for a little more tone shaping, and 167 more watts.

Hi Robert, welcome aboard.

If your budget permits, I'd go with the Boogie Walkabout. If you ever get over to the east side, Huber & Breese Music on Groesbeck in Fraser,(ask for Mike), has every type combo you can think of. Once you try them back to back, the choice was easy for me. I picked up one with a 12" speaker and she impresses me every time I fire her up.

Playing out I use a bi-amped Trace with a 15 and 410 cabs, or an Ampeg SVT/810 rig. They sound good at full battle rattle but that Boogie is great from the get go. For home use in particular I would go with the 12" speaker as it is a much more manageable size and weight.

You are looking at some nice rigs but to my ear the Boogie has a full rich sound that belays it's size. I felt I got every pennies worth of what I paid.

Good Luck!

Boy, you guys are great - I never even thought about the Ashdowns. I was mostly looking for input on the B100R/B200R, and the new Fender Bassmans as I haven't been able to find any here on Detroit's west side.

J Gary, I'm planning on stopping at Low Down Sound Saturday, and I'll try to get over the Huber and Breese as well. Thanks for the head's up!

Hello Robert, Welcome to the board.

i love my Ampeg B100R. it is perfect for home and garage style jams. My ric sounds great through it to me.

i was a diehard fender man when i got the B100R as a scratch and dent. i have had it for close to 4 years and still cant find the scratch or dent.
lol
the tone is warm and full. a Fender P bass doesnt sound quite as full through it but then again it is a fender.

the boost controls add loads of options for tone,
like the Ric the trebble punch is clear and crisp. the bass is very deep and clear.

the B200R is a lot louder and has a built in tuner.

if you are going to be using at home and using the DI out for recording, you will not be disappointed with the 100r. the 200 might be too much muscle for the house

the fender rumbles are nice but lack bottom end like a bassman.
the bassman 100 or 200 get amps but i think the ric sounds best through the Ampeg.

what's ya budget?

I'd say Eden-but its getting a lil pricey.

Or if you can find a SB-12...w/7868's

More great responses, thanks! My budget is roughly $500-$750... so a Eden/Nemesis Silver or NC series would be in the running.

Of course a clean vintage V4B and a small cab would be nice too, if I could find one <grin>.

I have the Ampeg B200R. Nice good sounding amp. 220 into the 4 Ohm speaker. You have 2 connection choices with the speaker, one with the horn, or one without.

Scott, I was thinking to buy the B200R....At the moment can't be found here in Italy

Robert, I was looking at Low Down's website and they have some good used stuff you should be able to get into in that price range....and welcome to another Metro Detroiter! Might also want to look at Motor City Guitar at Highland Rd. and Crescent Lake Rd. in Pontiac area. They have tons of stuff in stock and they are not a Guitar Center
They did have a nice Trace Elliot combo at the Farmington GC a few weeks ago, though....