Amp can't handle active pickups? Also need suggestion on new rig.

Cofrancesco · #1 11-11-2011, 08:46 PM

I use a Fender Rumble 100 combo as my main amp as I just attend jam sessions and play small gigs. I recently switched from a Fender Precision bass to a Luguna tb75 with active Bartolini Mk-1 pickups.

The amp sounds fine until the volume knob gets to the 3 o' clock position. Once it get's high the amp gets all rumbly and shaky like I have a distortion pedal hooked up. I've tried everything with the multiple EQs I have to get rid of it. Even on passive it does the same at max volume. The amp NEVER did this with the p-bass

Is the amp not able to handle it or is the amp starting to go?

Also, I need suggestions on a rig that has the best bang for my buck around 600 dollars. Don't want to break windows here, just play venues able to hold 200-300 people.

Thanks in advance.

billfitzmaurice · #2 11-11-2011, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cofrancesco

The amp sounds fine until the volume knob gets to the 3 o' clock position. Once it get's high the amp gets all rumbly and shaky like I have a distortion pedal hooked up. .

Don't turn the bass past 3:00. You're clipping the amp input stage.

Cofrancesco · #3 11-11-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Don't turn the bass past 3:00. You're clipping the amp input stage.

The bass volume or amp volume?

walterw · #4 11-11-2011, 09:59 PM

i think he means the "bass" knob, as in EQ, on both the bass itself and the amp.

the bass guitar's volume should be all the way up, but its onboard EQ knobs should be not too far up past the halfway point, where they "click".

same with the EQ knobs on the amp, don't boost them too much. in fact, the louder you run the amp, the more you need to back the bass knob down to keep it from flapping.

either way, turning the amp's volume up to 3 o'clock is probably asking way too much of it!

Jim Carr · #5 11-11-2011, 11:05 PM

Keep the combo as a spare. Get a used 500+ watt @ 4 ohm micro head. There are a lot of them made by MarkBass, Genz Benz, Ampeg, GK, etc. Add a good 210, 212, 410 or a couple 112, 115, or 210s. Buy used.

randysmojo · #6 11-11-2011, 11:22 PM

I don't know if you would be able to find even a used micro head and have enough left over out of $600 to get a decent cabinet. It would probably depend some on where you are. Here in Austin I saw a Carvin 210 Redline Combo for $499. You might look into Carvin. They have a 210 combo with pllenty of power brand new for $619. I don't know what shipping would be, but sometimes they will put things on ebay for a discount too, so $600 might get it shipped even if you can find one there.

Rockin Mike · #7 11-11-2011, 11:33 PM

Looks like it's discontinued and I didn't find much info on the Fender website.

According to this review:

Rumble 100 Review | Fender | Bass Amplifiers | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

"The amp even has an active/passive pickup selector"

so you would want to make sure that's set for "active" to help prevent overdriving your preamp.

Rockin Mike · #8 11-11-2011, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cofrancesco

Also, I need suggestions on a rig that has the best bang for my buck around 600 dollars. Don't want to break windows here, just play venues able to hold 200-300 people.

When I hear "bang for the buck" I always think of Carvin if you want new, Craigslist if you want used.

Jim Carr · #9 11-11-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randysmojo

I don't know if you would be able to find even a used micro head and have enough left over out of $600 to get a decent cabinet...

Good point, I forgot his budget. So, raise budget by waiting and saving—which is what I do, though I know it is unpopular.

Used cab(s): ~$600
Used micro head: ~$400

Only $400 left to save.

agedhorse · #10 11-11-2011, 11:39 PM

The output level of your bass is probably high enough to drive your amp beyond it's rated output well before the 3:00 position. Know position doesn't mean anything relative to the actual power being delivered by the amp.

Some active basses have an internal trim control that you can reduce the maximum output with, that way you can turn you amp up higher on knob position (but your maximum volume will remain the same).

Jim Carr · #11 11-11-2011, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randysmojo

...Here in Austin I saw a Carvin 210 Redline Combo for $499. You might look into Carvin....

Carvin is cool, and I like the Redline Combo's sound, but isn't 1/2 of the OP's problem the fact he is in the "combo trap," which offers next to no upgrade path? Ok, yes, you can do an extension speaker, but your ohm/power situation is somewhat limited with most combos—though the most any is fine is you have a really good PA.

Stumbo · #12 11-12-2011, 12:21 AM

Can you add another cab?

billfitzmaurice · #13 11-12-2011, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cofrancesco

The bass volume or amp volume?

Both. The higher you turn the one the lower you'll have to go with the other so that you don't clip the amp input stage.

invader3k · #14 11-12-2011, 06:57 AM

I think the active/passive switch is next to the volume knob on your amp (at least that's what Google tells me). Have you tried switching it to see if that helps?

will33 · #15 11-12-2011, 09:30 AM

OP, you are simply expecting too much from not enough rig.

Pretty much like everybody else said, the higher you go with volume, the less bass knob you can use and the numbers on your volume knob don't mean much. Some amps you have to turn up quite a ways to get them going, some have the entire useable range in the first half of the dial. Depends on how hot your input signal is.

What you really need is another cab so you don't have to crank the bejeesus out of your amp to do what you need to do. I don't know if that amp can handle an extension cab or not. A 100 watt combo ain't exactly the best tool for playing to 200-300 people. If your band isn't real loud, the extra cab may do the trick.

Cofrancesco · #16 11-12-2011, 11:09 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I tried putting the amp on active and it still does it. So I guess I'm just gonna save till after christmas and dump 2grand into a rig. Will def be worth it.

Cofrancesco · #17 11-12-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

OP, you are simply expecting too much from not enough rig.

Pretty much like everybody else said, the higher you go with volume, the less bass knob you can use and the numbers on your volume knob don't mean much. Some amps you have to turn up quite a ways to get them going, some have the entire useable range in the first half of the dial. Depends on how hot your input signal is.

What you really need is another cab so you don't have to crank the bejeesus out of your amp to do what you need to do. I don't know if that amp can handle an extension cab or not. A 100 watt combo ain't exactly the best tool for playing to 200-300 people. If your band isn't real loud, the extra cab may do the trick.

Yep the amp has hookups for a cab. Which is what I was originally going to do.

Jim Carr · #18 11-12-2011, 11:38 AM

Get a good compatible cab as an extension, then a head, then another cab.

Blankandson · #19 11-12-2011, 01:37 PM

I've posted this before. The 45 watt Behringer combo will clip with the volumn set at 1 with my active Warwick but can run much higher with a passive bass.

kanonfodr · #20 11-12-2011, 01:59 PM

In Store Used USED FENDER 400 PRO BASS COMBO AMP 5/18/11 @226 and more Bass Amplifiers at GuitarCenter.com.

I have used this amp with a Yorkville 115 cab to rock everything from dive bars to an outdoor haunted house gig. Inside your price range, plus leaves you something to put towards an extension cab.

Peace,
Greg