Looking at a Fender Rumble 75

2wheels4strings · #1 03-14-2011, 01:30 PM

Subject says it all. I'm looking at picking up a Fender Rumble 75. Is it a good amp? My practice amp is about dead (Hartke B30) and I would like a larger more capable replacement.

I play in a church choir and would like to be able to use my practice amp in church should the need arise. Would a 75 watt 1x12 suffice?

I like the weight, portability and kickback feature. Looking to spend no more than $250. Anything else I should be looking at? (Bass is a Deluxe Active P-Bass)

Thanks for the help.

Slackerprince · #2 03-14-2011, 01:49 PM

I played one at GC recently and thought it was decent, for what it is.

pudgychef · #3 03-14-2011, 02:06 PM

I think they sound quite nice if you dig warm tone. Heavy for what is brings to the table, but at the price pretty decent.

I have one I picked up used at L&M and just leave it a practice space. Keeps up just fine with a couple 30w tube guitar combos and a drummer (everyone playing at rehearsal volume mind you....drummer has a few gears...) In a fair sized church you may need to use the line out (which is 1/4inch...but if the board is far away I am sure someone would have a DI box around or there will be a snake on stage...)

If I had to use if for a gig, I wouldn't expect it to do anything other than serve as a monitor...it would likely do this just fine though....

wshines1892 · #4 03-14-2011, 02:17 PM

For church music, yes. I've been a church musician for going on 4 years now, and I've gotten away with using a 50 watt before. Really, since you're just using it as a monitor, it will serve your purpose just fine as long as you have it pointed at your head.

The noise level really isn't that high, in most churches, and the PA can do most of the work.

BigOldHarry · #5 03-14-2011, 02:24 PM

I would say that it depends on the situation: If you are going into a PA, it might be okay. I tend to prefer a head / cab rather than a combo. If you have cash, buy a small head and cab so you have some flexibility. I'd also look at a 1x15" cab rather than a 1x12" cab (unless you want to spend some real money, in which case there are a ton of great 1x12"s out there - but they cost $$). A used Mesa 1x15" + a GK 400 RB head will be a fine little rig.

2wheels4strings · #6 03-14-2011, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the help. I'm not going to through the PA at church. Not enough inputs for bass at this time. Currently I'm using a 200 watt Traynor keyboard amp. It gets plenty loud and belongs to the church(I don't have to haul something in!).

I prefer combos for easy portability. I was just looking at the Acoustic B100. Seems to be good competition for the Fender. Although it skimps on features for more power and a bigger speaker. I also spy a few Peavey TNT and TKO combos in my local craigslist. I may take a look at those as well. Any other combo recommendations?

pudgychef · #7 03-14-2011, 02:46 PM

if you are cool with the weight of those used Peavey combos - it is hard to beat them for value...they will likely outlast all of us

moving from lower priced 1x12s to 1x15s is imho a pretty big jump in terms of what you are going to get performance wise...you are giving up portability but will be MUCH louder

**mikeddd** · #8 03-14-2011, 03:01 PM

If you can find a good deal on a used Peavey TNT/TKO, go for it. Just make sure it's in decent shape. Some of those are pretty old and on their 3rd or 4th owner already. That doesn't mean it's not functional; just that you should be careful.

Your "used gear" dollar goes a lot farther and can get you a lot more amp than buying new; just carefully check out what you're buying. Having a hard limit of $250 really limits what you can buy new to the "entry level" tier. Remember this: Good gear is an investment. If you are serious about what you're doing, spend the money on a nice combo now. It will be full-featured (i.e. a proper XLR DI out, flexible EQ section, etc) and be able to last you a long time. Have you checked out the Carvin MB-series? The amp in that series is VERY nice. You'll find more "boom" in a used Peavey TKO but it will be 2x the size and weight (easily) of an MB15 and won't be as flexible...or have a warranty. Just a suggestion. Right now it's $400, shipped and a heck of a deal. Carvin.com :: MB15

Check this out for full-featured.

2wheels4strings · #9 03-14-2011, 03:22 PM

How would the Carvin PB100-15 from the classifieds fair? Will it be as loud as the Rumble 75 or Acoustic B100?

Really have a $250 limit. I understand it's an investment. Right now my wife thinks saving for a house is a better investment. I'm happy I got $250!

okcrum · #10 03-14-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wheels4strings

Subject says it all. I'm looking at picking up a Fender Rumble 75. Is it a good amp? My practice amp is about dead (Hartke B30) and I would like a larger more capable replacement.

I play in a church choir and would like to be able to use my practice amp in church should the need arise. Would a 75 watt 1x12 suffice?

I like the weight, portability and kickback feature. Looking to spend no more than $250. Anything else I should be looking at? (Bass is a Deluxe Active P-Bass)

Thanks for the help.

I've got a Bassman 60, which is the same box as the Rumble 75 with a little less power, a horn, simpler controls, and an XLR out. It fits a niche in my gear lineup nicely. It'll do small gigs, work as a monitor at larger ones slaved or with PA support, and can do rehearsals with drummers who have control of their dynamics. Both the Rumble and the Bassman are pretty heavy for what they are. Other than that, I'd say it's quite a decent deal.

As always, you'll save more buying used. There's one at under $200 on the 'bay at the moment. The transferable 5 year warranty is nice, too.

BigOldHarry · #11 03-14-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wheels4strings

How would the Carvin PB100-15 from the classifieds fair? Will it be as loud as the Rumble 75 or Acoustic B100?

Really have a $250 limit. I understand it's an investment. Right now my wife thinks saving for a house is a better investment. I'm happy I got $250!

I'm thinking it would be much better. Neither the Fender nor the Acoustic are particularly special. In fact, many think the Acoustic is just plain junk.

2wheels4strings · #12 03-14-2011, 08:05 PM

How would an Ampeg ba115T work out? It's an older tube version of the current ba115. I've read that Ampegs hiss. Anything I should look for if I go look at it?

okcrum · #13 03-14-2011, 08:24 PM

All preamps hiss to some extent, especially tube ones as the tubes age. Actually the BA115T has a 12AU7 in it; that's the only tube. You can always swap it for something else to change the characteristics.

Ampeg: Bass Amp Series - BA115T

squashedOpossum · #14 03-14-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I'm thinking it would be much better. Neither the Fender nor the Acoustic are particularly special. In fact, many think the Acoustic is just plain junk.

I'm surprised at this comment. I appreciate and respect Harry's input, but I've seen lots of compliments for the B100 here on TB. The Rumble 75 has great tone to it, but the Acoustic B100 is IMO a much better amp if you don't have PA support. It will get a lot louder than the 100w indicates. I believe the new Acoustic amps are the best bang for the buck.

2wheels4strings · #15 03-16-2011, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the help everyone. After spending more time playing the Rumble 75 I really liked it. I didn't care much for the Acoustic B100. I liked the Ampeg BA-115 but it was out of my price range. However it looks like I'm going to pick up the used BA-115T from craigslist. I will be giving it a once over and probably picking it up on Friday. It's going to be a loud weekend at my house.

drummer5359 · #16 03-19-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wheels4strings

Thanks for the help everyone. After spending more time playing the Rumble 75 I really liked it. I didn't care much for the Acoustic B100. I liked the Ampeg BA-115 but it was out of my price range. However it looks like I'm going to pick up the used BA-115T from craigslist. I will be giving it a once over and probably picking it up on Friday. It's going to be a loud weekend at my house.

Good deal, enjoy.