1968 Ampeg Reverbrocket II

[faracaster]

Right off I have to thank Traynor Garnet for selling me this baby.
Yes you may have seen this on the For Sale Forum back a little while ago.

What a great little amp (well not that little) about 20 watts, 1 x 12 speaker. Glorious reverb and trem !!!! Head room galour !!!! Not what you expect out of a small amp. I haven't used it at a gig yet but I will be.

When I got the amp there was some erractic noises, from shipping across the country. But basically it sounded great. I took it to my tech who said that one of the power tubes was funky and he replaced them. I also had him slow down the tremelo (it was way too fast at it's slowest setting) and now it is a swamp thang with that deep slow pulse and dripping reverb !!!! I also had him gain it up slightly so with a Les Paul the amps gives it up at about 2 o'clock. I also changed the speaker to an old G12H greenback......sounded better than the original speaker.


The I most like is that is doesn't really sound like anything else I've had. Sort of Fendery but bigger and darker, sort of like the older Ampeg amps but higher fidelity.

I am usually a nut for finding out facts about stuff I own but, with this amp, I know nothing. TG told me that this Rocket II was made for two years (68-69). that's all I know. If any of you are Ampeg nuts out there and can help, let me know.
Cheers
pete

[iaresee]

Niiiiice. A Reverbrocket is tops on my list when I get around to rebuilding my tube-based rig next year. How's it sound with that green Tele plugged into it?

[traynor_garnet]

Hi Pete,

Sorry to hear that the amp had an issue. It left here working perfectly so perhaps the one 40 year old tube simply couldn't handle Canada Post's oh so "gentle" treatment . . .

It is certainly a cool amp. An Ampeg nut on TGP said he had never seen one like this (it's transitional).
TG

[shoretyus]

Ampegs are nice. I have had GAS for Flip top.. don't know why but .. You know how that works.

So what's this about an LP. I thought you have had trouble messing with them, judging by the number that have hit the green blanket.

[torndownunit]

I have a Reverbrocket II, but it's a 66' and looks NOTHING like the one pictured, so I don't think I can be of any help.

[faracaster]

Originally Posted by iaresee

Niiiiice. A Reverbrocket is tops on my list when I get around to rebuilding my tube-based rig next year. How's it sound with that green Tele plugged into it?

I didn't plug the green Tele into it. But I have run my 51' into if and all I can say is ...ahhhhhhh

Originally Posted by traynor_garnet

Hi Pete,

Sorry to hear that the amp had an issue. It left here working perfectly so perhaps the one 40 year old tube simply couldn't handle Canada Post's oh so "gentle" treatment . . .

It is certainly a cool amp. An Ampeg nut on TGP said he had never seen one like this (it's transitional).
TG

Hey TG.....I'm sure it did leave to good shape. Yeah Canada Post's Love had something to do with it. Funny there is not a bit of info ANYWHERE !!!!
I do know it is not like any Reverbrocket I've ever owned or played.

Originally Posted by shoretyus

Ampegs are nice. I have had GAS for Flip top.. don't know why but .. You know how that works.

So what's this about an LP. I thought you have had trouble messing with them, judging by the number that have hit the green blanket.

Well believe it or not I have completely bonded with not one but two Les Paul's. It's all I've used at gigs for the past couple of months. I got a new 09' R7 Goldtop that is FANTASTIC !!! And I just got back my 56/58 conversion. This is the third time I've owned it But I think it's here for good now. See you can teach an old dog..................

Originally Posted by torndownunit

I have a Reverbrocket II, but it's a 66' and looks NOTHING like the one pictured, so I don't think I can be of any help.

Yeah Hugh Hardy (Bluehugh2 here on the forum brought his over and it is exactly like your's. A 66' and it SCREAMS !!!!!! I loved it. I used to have one wayyyyyyyyy back and it brought back fond memories. Completely different in every way from this 68'. It would be nice to have both and A/B them at a gig. Use the 66' for soloing and all things organic and use the 68' for cleaner bigger tones (Stones circa Let It Bleed/Sticky Fingers etc). When my tech serviced it, he said it was a completely different circuit to the models that came before. He actually had never seen one of these before and he has been repairing amps since 74'.


Thanks All for the comments. This is a very cool amp.
Cheers
pete

[torndownunit]

Ya, I would love to try some other Ampegs. The one I have is so fantastic and unique sounding. I wrote a thread about it when I got it, but it sat in the original owners basement practically unplayed until I bought it. It literally looks brand new. Best part is I got it for $250!

[garretrevels]

right on!! I don't think I've seen any like that before, maybe one or two that allude me now.

I've been gassin over Ampegs for a while now, I got to record with a Reverberocket a few times and loved it.