Fender Rumble 350

[funnyfingers]

Just bought a new Fender Rumble 350. I also have had a Crate BX-100 for 15 years now, but needed more power and the input jack would go out every once in a while.

Since my Crate had some great features, I am curious which Fender wouldn't have similar things.

Crate has adjustable input and a pad. Rumble just has pad.
Crate has adjustable XLR out as well. Rumble has the XLR tied to the Volume.

Why would it be tied to the volume anyway? The only thing that I can think of is it might give more accurate recording considering the built in compression/limiter. But it means you have to record at a higher volume to get that effect. And not sure it does the same thing with the headphones plugged in.

The RCA inputs are nice and the volume is controlled by the device you plug into it. I accidentally had my phone all the way up and plugged it in with Tom Sawyer, wow did that sound awesome.

The Crate's 8 band EQ is nicer, but the shape controls on the Rumble help.

The biggest complaint with the Rumble is that the A note makes the cabinet resonate/buzz. The buzzing is somewhere in the head, but not like something is loose. Would rubber washers help on where it is screwed to the top or would something on the ledgers that it sits on help?

[tabdog]

Happy new amp day.

You can try washers. That may work. But
sounds like something is loose. All I know
to do is to put pressure on spots to see if
you can make the buzz change. The pain
is getting inside it. If you find it, then fix it.

You have named some of the reasons that
the 350 combo is not more popular than it
is. Another short coming that bothers me
and you did not mention is the fact that it
does not have a speaker out jack.

I've had some of the Rumble series combos.
I have the Rumble 350 head and am happy
with it. The FX doesn't bother me because
of the way I use it. I've never had an issue
with the input padding and I use both passive
and active with it.

The 350 combo is a nice amp in spite of the
short comings. One thing I like about the
Rumble and most Fender bass amps is the
voicing. I know Ampeg is more popular, but
I like Fender's type of voicing.

Hope you find yur buzz,

Tabdog

[funnyfingers]

It seems pretty solid. I had even taken off the front grill and taken out the amp. I still think the amp is what is buzzing. I can't tell too much since I can't separate it. I could only really rest it on top of the cabinet. Maybe if I have someone with me it would help to hold that out or also press around it while I play.

Should I not fiddle with it and just call it in under warranty? I thought it could be my house, so I even played it outside with the same buzz. I'll be playing with a band this weekend. Maybe I won't even hear it at all with everyone playing...

BTW - I got it brand new for $390. Ever see that kind of price This store by me just sells all their stuff at ridiculously low prices. I guess they make their money mainly on the school stuff and lessons.

[tabdog]

Hay Fingers,

I wouldn't mess with it too much because
of the warranty. I'd probably take it back.

Do you live in the US?

The 350 combo goes for about $400 now
days. They were a little cheaper around
Black Friday. MF has a used one for $210.

I got my 350 head around Black Friday. It
list for $550. It's odd, but they sell it for
$400 also. Mine was a display that no one
ever seemed to use. They had it on sale
for $250 as new with warranty. They were
offering a special 15% discount. So it was
$212.50. I traded in two used basses and
ended up paying $86 for a new 350 head.

I use it with an old Fender M-80 1X12 cab
I got off CL for $60.



It runs at 175 watts with one 8 ohm speaker.
I have another 12 inch, 8 ohm. If I hook both
speakers it runs at 350 watts at 4 ohm.

Tabdog

[funnyfingers]

The list is $650 and Guitar Center sells it for $499, so thought $390 was rock bottom.

I'll let you know how it goes this weekend. Maybe the buzz I hear won't even be there when playing with a band.

[Bassmike62]

Just got mine today, after trying a few amps in the last week. Power, portability and budget were the deciding factors, this thing is loud and has a decent tone. Trying it at practice tomorrow.

[funnyfingers]

Just used it for an audition and am now part of the band. Had it on 3 to 4. Sounded fine. THe punch and scoop and good to get a good change for certain songs, though I didn't really change anything during the set.

[Bassmike62]

Originally Posted by funnyfingers

Just used it for an audition and am now part of the band. Had it on 3 to 4. Sounded fine. THe punch and scoop and good to get a good change for certain songs, though I didn't really change anything during the set.

Did you fix the rattle ?

[funnyfingers]

The buzz isn't fixed, but I didn't notice it at all playing with the band.

[funnyfingers]

I was testing out pedals and plugged bass -> pedal -> FX return and it worked just like that. The pedal has a level so I was able to control the volume from the pedal. Do all FX loops allow this? I know the manual specifically says you can use the send to go to the input of another amp, but nothing about using the return directly.

[funnyfingers]

NOt thinking of this in the near future, but down the road I might be interested in putting in the Eminence Basslite S2012s. The are 96 DB sensitivity. I can't find the specs on the OEM ones. These would be a total of 12 pounds lighter bringing the combo down to 50 pounds. I think think these are rated as twice the wattage. Is that a problem? Might the OEMs be more sensitive?

Also thinking of painting the grill red and maybe the part around the drivers something, maybe white or maybe not at all.

Any thoughts?

[funnyfingers]

Anyone?

[Downunderwonder]

Originally Posted by funnyfingers

I was testing out pedals and plugged bass -> pedal -> FX return and it worked just like that. The pedal has a level so I was able to control the volume from the pedal. Do all FX loops allow this? I know the manual specifically says you can use the send to go to the input of another amp, but nothing about using the return directly.

Most amps will fire up with a line source into the fx return.

Some will go dead if the fx send is used without a return.

Your cab has tens so you won't be fitting any 12". Maybe the 10" would work, you have to measure the cab and ports and check against the Eminence design boxes. Might not sound good.

I would just enjoy it for what it is, a light enough loud enough 2x10 combo. You'd never get half your money back on upgrading it.

If it turns out to be not loud enough no amount of speaker swapping will get it much louder.

[funnyfingers]

Oh I meant 2010's!!!

It is loud enough and we have a PA. I don't turn it up more than half at practice with everyone except for me using the PA, though I will be testing out using the PA this Sunday. I am just thinking that 12 pounds savings would be nice. I don't even think trading in would be a concern.

How about the colors

[funnyfingers]

11" X 16" X 21" with a partial seperator in between the 2 drivers. This looks like just over double the small box 1 X 10 in the Eminence driver sheet.

[Downunderwonder]

I have never pushed my mate's one too hard so I can only warn you, "half" could easily be near the end of how hard you can push it.

There was a guy came here late last year whinging his one kept blowing speakers. Getting into the PA and turning down is your best bet.

[funnyfingers]

The Fender wires are wide and narrow. The Eminence terminals are wide and wide. There isn't much slack. Any advice?

[funnyfingers]

Also these are 2 8 ohm in parallel. Do I have to daisy chain them or can I wire this from the main line coming from the head? I guess I'll go to radio shack and make some new wires... I can't use these are they are barely long enough as it is. Do they need to be twisted?

[Downunderwonder]

New wires, tinned and soldered or naked.

[funnyfingers]

Chained like now or like a Y from the main?