Fender 350 Combo

lahmikaze · #1 08-22-2011, 08:51 PM

Hey, not sure if a similar post has been posted (I went about 20 pages into the thread), but I didn't see any. I went to my local Georges Music store and the clerk (who is actually my neighbor, and bass player for the band Travia) was giving me advice on amps. I had mentioned that I wanted a used 410 cabinet and an amp head. But then he said that for what my purposes are (which are just garage playing and small backyard/school auditorium gigs) a Fender Rumble 350 combo would be fine. He also said that it is just a pain to carry around a 410 with a head.

My current amp, which is an Ibanez SWX 65, is just enough for playing in the garage and a tad too small for the school auditorium. So my questions for you guys are...

1) For my purposes, is a combo amp really better? Or is it just preference?
2) Is the Fender Rumble series any good? If not, what are some other options for around 500$?

Thanks

Gearhead17 · #2 08-22-2011, 09:13 PM

It's gets more annoying to carry around a combo amp because you can not upgrade anything. Separate pieces are generally louder and overall better sounding than combo amps, you can always switch out pieces and upgrade too. A 300 watt head and 410 is a great idea. Here is a good suggestion for a combo amp if you want to go that route: Gallien-Krueger MB210 2x10 500W Ultralight Bass Combo Amp: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

That combo will run circles around the Fender Rumble 350.

A bigger cab and head can always be turned down while a combo amp will only go so loud. Could a combo amp work for you? Yes, but in terms of bass gear, overkill is generally a better idea.

bassist4dalord · #3 08-22-2011, 09:22 PM

Yep, +1 to a GK combo. I have a MB115 and I love it. If I could do it over again, I would maybe go for the MB210, but that's not to say I don't love my MB115.

oldcatfish · #4 08-23-2011, 07:29 AM

The Fender is a lot louder than people give it credit for. I know, because one of the churches I play at has one. Even with their loudest drummer (and no plastic sound shield), I've never had to turn it up even 1/2 way, without getting asked to turn it down. It has a nice eq section too. It's one of the louder combos out there.

That being said, a GK MB200 (or other micro-head) with a lightweight 8ohm cabinet would be an even better choice---because you have more expansion options.