I've decided: Fender Rumble Amp

KingRazor · #1 10-04-2010, 08:27 AM

I was at GC the other day playing every combo amp they had that was under $500. The clear winner was the fender rumble amp. It sounded much better than several more expensive amps and certainly much better than my cheapo RMS amp.

Now, I realize that since I have a $450 bass, I should probably have an $800+ amp to go with it. I'm sure that would sound better. But for my budget, the Fender Rumble amp certainly gives me the most good tone per dollar.

I'll be buying one as soon as I can.

cybersnyder · #2 10-04-2010, 08:30 AM

Buy used. You can get a lot more bang for your buck.

I've only had one experience with a Rumble and that was when I was walking into Guitar Center the employee was carrying one out the door. The strange thing was that smoke was coming out of the vents. Something internal was on fire.

KingRazor · #3 10-04-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Buy used. You can get a lot more bang for your buck.

I've only had one experience with a Rumble and that was when I was walking into Guitar Center the employee was carrying one out the door. The strange thing was that smoke was coming out of the vents. Something internal was on fire.

Everyone knows smoking speakers have the best tone.

neurotictim · #4 10-04-2010, 08:37 AM

+1 to the Rumble series.

I've had my Rumble 100 for a few years with very regular (i.e. at least an hour a day, probably 4 or 5 days a week, for the last 3 years, more or less) use, and can't say enough good things about it. I love the sound, and it's versatility.

Only a couple of drawbacks -

1) 100 watts isn't really enough to play with a band (a loud band, anyway) without some other sound reinforcement, and too much sometimes at home.

2) RAT FUR. 'Nuff said.

In hindsight, I probably would have gone for a different speaker config - the 15" is nice, but not as punchy as I'm used to. Still, for what I paid for it, I don't think I could have gotten a better knock-around combo.

KingRazor · #5 10-04-2010, 08:48 AM

Since I'm not gigging yet, I really don't need a lot of wattage. That being said, I want more than 15.

I'm currently using an active bass. However, with the amp I have right now, I have to run my onboard EQ flat. If I boost the bass, it just sounds muddy and especially if I play the B string, all I get is fart out of the amp. By the way this is with the bass plugged into the "low" input (active/-15db). I think I need an amp with more head room.

Because of that I think I may go with a 50 or 60 watt (forget what the next one up from 30 is). One other thing is I think I reach the max volume of my amp long before the knob hits 10, which goes back to the head room thing.

LaklandBass · #6 10-04-2010, 08:50 AM

I had a rumble 25 as an at home practice amp. The head portion blew out after about 50 hours of use.

Kurtmon · #7 10-04-2010, 08:53 AM

I would suggest looking at a used Eden Combo,, I have a Nemesis 120 that is perfect for practice and small gigs...

rhopper · #8 10-04-2010, 08:53 AM

A used Fender Bassman 250/210 or 250/15 would be a better choice in my opinion.

KingRazor · #9 10-04-2010, 08:57 AM

I don't have a lot of options when it comes to used gear, most of the shops around me don't have much in the way of used gear, there's really only two shops that have much selection. Out of all the stuff I could try the Rumble sounded best. Maybe I'll try some $500+ amps later on to see if it'll be worth it to save up.

steamthief · #10 10-04-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhopper

A used Fender Bassman 250/210 or 250/15 would be a better choice in my opinion.

+1,000! I prefer the 15, a seriously underrated and kickass combo in either configuration.

warnergt · #11 10-04-2010, 09:17 AM

I'm a big fan of the Rumble series and the Bassman 250. They all have
that great, old school tone.

KingRazor · #12 10-04-2010, 09:18 AM

If I ever find a bassman amp at any of my local shops I'll give it a try but I don't remember seeing any.

WingKL · #13 10-04-2010, 10:04 AM

Have tried your local craigslist or even ebay? You can get a used GK backline 600 and an Avatar cab that will have a lot more headroom for about the same money.

KingRazor · #14 10-04-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WingKL

Have tried your local craigslist or even ebay? You can get a used GK backline 600 and an Avatar cab that will have a lot more headroom for about the same money.

I only want an amp that I've tried before in-person, that way I know what I'm getting.

bherman · #15 10-04-2010, 10:15 AM

With Craigslist you can try out the amp and there are usually lots of good deals to be had; other option is to look at the classified section of this forum, usually lots of good deals from reputable people (bass players that are members of this forum - what better endorsement can you get?)

Livewire · #16 10-04-2010, 10:30 AM

I used and did small gigs for a few years with a Fender Rumble 100 until I bought my first rig. It was an okay amp, I often had a hard time getting a tone I liked out of the thing, unless I was using an active eq bass. The 15 inch speaker was really boomy and not enough punch to my ears. The plus thing about the amp is that theres an internal compressor, it kicks in automatically. It's a good amp for the price, I'd suggest looking into the new GK combo amps or used ampeg combos before making your decision.

Bustard · #17 10-04-2010, 10:35 AM

I just ordered the Fender Rumble 150 for about 350 shipped new, has everything I'm looking for or in need of. No gigging or recording at the moment, and if that day ever comes i'll be happy to upgrade later =P

C.Linton · #18 10-04-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bustard

I just ordered the Fender Rumble 150 for about 350 shipped new, has everything I'm looking for or in need of. No gigging or recording at the moment, and if that day ever comes i'll be happy to upgrade later =P

Same here with my Ampeg BA115. Serves my purposes for now.

KingRazor · #19 10-04-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livewire

I used and did small gigs for a few years with a Fender Rumble 100 until I bought my first rig. It was an okay amp, I often had a hard time getting a tone I liked out of the thing, unless I was using an active eq bass. The 15 inch speaker was really boomy and not enough punch to my ears. The plus thing about the amp is that theres an internal compressor, it kicks in automatically. It's a good amp for the price, I'd suggest looking into the new GK combo amps or used ampeg combos before making your decision.

I tried Ampeg and a few others but nothing at the store under $500 really compared to the Fender Rumble.

Bassdirty · #20 10-04-2010, 11:13 AM

I almost bought a rumble...it was the best used amp they had at the time.

However, they had 2 of them there...1 sounded good...1 sounded "farty" at any reasonable volume.

So..after going home and convincing my wife that I needed a practice amp...
I returned to the store to get it...and there she was gone...(the good one anyway)

BUT, they had an acoustic B200...MUCH nicer/louder/juicyier (IMO) for the same price.so I got it...never looked back.

Don't know if that helps...prolly not.

I DID try a fender bassman 250 tho...with the tens...that was nice.It was also new, and almost 500 beans.