Fender's Claim on the Rumble 150

BillyIVbass · #1 02-26-2011, 06:51 PM

I first saw the amp yesterday and thought it'd make a great practice/jam amp. Most places I go there's some sort of cab.

Unlike the new Ampeg, this has an XLR out.

Did my research and on the Fender site I see: "The new Rumble™ 150 Head boasts a very conservative 150 watts (comparable to many competitors' class D products rated at 200 or 300 watts) and delivers powerful tone and full features in a portable package. "

Is this complete BS since "the average bassist" like myself considers 150 watts borderline not powerful enough or is Fender's power ratings actually different?

BillyIVbass · #2 02-26-2011, 06:55 PM

Also if anyone uses this I'm curious how it performs in a jam type setting. Can I leave it on for 3-4 hours and not worry about it heating up enough to make an omelet?

waleross · #3 02-26-2011, 07:41 PM

Its not surprising to see Fender with this type of product. I have some of the higher priced Fender heads and cabs, the quality is above Ampeg IMO. This new Rumble amp is priced below $400. If I were in the market for a combo, i would look at Fender.

christw · #4 02-26-2011, 08:17 PM

It's pure marketing department trash talk. 150 watts of power is 150 watts of power no matter what the source. However, it's also true that amplifiers ratings do not indicate everything about them or their clipping characteristics.

rockscott · #5 02-27-2011, 05:34 AM

I purchased a new rumble 150 yesterday. $250.00 out the door. I played all afternoon at substancial volume and she stayed as cool as a cucumber! The cooling fan is variable speed and kicks up a notch when she starts getting warm. Its a very simple head, 4 band eq & a sweet set up for the overdrive w/blend. Im a purist for the most part, i use a little chorus & a little reverb, thats it. This head is exactly what i was looking for.

BillyIVbass · #6 02-27-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockscott

I purchased a new rumble 150 yesterday. $250.00 out the door. I played all afternoon at substancial volume and she stayed as cool as a cucumber! The cooling fan is variable speed and kicks up a notch when she starts getting warm. Its a very simple head, 4 band eq & a sweet set up for the overdrive w/blend. Im a purist for the most part, i use a little chorus & a little reverb, thats it. This head is exactly what i was looking for.

Thanks for the review!

oldcatfish · #7 02-27-2011, 12:21 PM

I've used one on many occasions at one of the louder churches that I play at. I'm personally not a big fan of the Fender tone...but, we play pretty loud sometimes, and the Rumble has never had to be pushed past 60% on the volume. In fact, with most of the drummers, it rarely goes past the halfway point. That's standing next to a drummer--no plastic shield either.

When I was looking for a combo, I would have bought a Fender without hesitation, if I would have liked the tone better. Instead, I bought a used Roland Cube 100 bass amp. I like it's tone better, but it does not have the available volume that the Fender does.

As far as the watts comparison...I also play guitar, and it's the same with guitar amps. Watts doesn't always equal usable volume.

oldcatfish · #8 02-27-2011, 12:23 PM

I should note, I'm talking about the comb though. I think the head would be even better, since you could pair it with more efficient speakers than the combo has.

rockscott · #9 02-27-2011, 01:05 PM

My thunderbird is active. Between my acoustic, my Tbird and & my hollow body viola, i can get any tone i want. Im running a high end 2 + 12" cab i purchased years ago and put in storage!

Rumblefisher · #10 02-27-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockscott

This head is exactly what i was looking for.

Aren't we all looking for some?

JimmyM · #11 02-27-2011, 01:19 PM

what new ampeg doesn't have an xlr out? the heritage b-15 is the only one i know of that doesn't. if you're shopping for an inexpensive good combo, you're not looking at the heritage b-15, and who wants one on a b-15 anyway?

i'm totally down if you prefer the fender, but that's all marketing-speak when they say that it performs like a 300w class d amp. it might sound a little bit prettier than a 150w micro when you crank it past 150w, but it's not all that usable, either. the only real difference is that with a micro, once it hits that wattage limit, it's completely done whereas with the fender you can crank it past that point and get bad sounding distortion up to about 300w worth. other than that, it's marketing speak.

BillyIVbass · #12 02-27-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

what new ampeg doesn't have an xlr out? the heritage b-15 is the only one i know of that doesn't. if you're shopping for an inexpensive good combo, you're not looking at the heritage b-15, and who wants one on a b-15 anyway?

i'm totally down if you prefer the fender, but that's all marketing-speak when they say that it performs like a 300w class d amp. it might sound a little bit prettier than a 150w micro when you crank it past 150w, but it's not all that usable, either. the only real difference is that with a micro, once it hits that wattage limit, it's completely done whereas with the fender you can crank it past that point and get bad sounding distortion up to about 300w worth. other than that, it's marketing speak.

Hey, my mistake the PF350 does have an XLR out. The site I was looking at didn't mention it, but more research shows it does. What the PF350 doesn't have is the hi and low mid, just one lonely midrange knob.

fdeck · #13 02-27-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

I first saw the amp yesterday and thought it'd make a great practice/jam amp. Most places I go there's some sort of cab.

Unlike the new Ampeg, this has an XLR out.

Did my research and on the Fender site I see: "The new Rumble™ 150 Head boasts a very conservative 150 watts (comparable to many competitors' class D products rated at 200 or 300 watts) and delivers powerful tone and full features in a portable package. "

Is this complete BS since "the average bassist" like myself considers 150 watts borderline not powerful enough or is Fender's power ratings actually different?

Unless Fender has gone downhill, their products have always been reputable. Thus it's disappointing to read ad copy that seems unsupported by evidence at best. We know who they're attacking.

fdeck · #14 02-27-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockscott

I purchased a new rumble 150 yesterday. $250.00 out the door. I played all afternoon at substancial volume and she stayed as cool as a cucumber! The cooling fan is variable speed and kicks up a notch when she starts getting warm. Its a very simple head, 4 band eq & a sweet set up for the overdrive w/blend. Im a purist for the most part, i use a little chorus & a little reverb, thats it. This head is exactly what i was looking for.

Speakon or 1/4 inch?

BillyIVbass · #15 02-27-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

Speakon or 1/4 inch?

# Speaker Jack: Parallel Wired, 1/4 inch Jacks

rockscott · #16 02-27-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

# Speaker Jack: Parallel Wired, 1/4 inch Jacks

correct

Demonator · #17 03-04-2011, 09:51 PM

I will soon purchase the head and maybe a new cab to go with it. They sound great.

Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass

rockscott · #18 03-05-2011, 06:09 AM

Im really liking this amp now that i have had a week to mess around with it! Its very easy to dial in the sound you want, as the eq settings are simple to adjust. Set you bass, set your overdrive & eq and you are off to the races!