I'd recommend a separate amp and cab instead of a combo. Drawback with that is it's initially more expensive. Advantage is that upgrade path is simpler because you can upgrade the amp without the speaker or vice-versa without buying an entirely new combo as taste or needs change. A combo is easy to buy and haul around but you can't just upgrade the amp or the speakers it comes with. If your taste in sound changes you will probably have to sell the combo to buy a separate amp and cab.Hello Chaps,
Short version:
So - it's a big purchase. I obviously don't want to make an expensive mistake, but I've done my research and I'm pretty sure I'm not doing that.
- The cheap Chinese practice amp which I bought 5 years ago when I started playing bass again is dying.
- I want a proper-sized amp to replace it.
- My bandmate pointed me at Fender Rumble amps as being clean, middle-of-the-road, affordable, etc.
- I want a "low gain, high volume" amp to use with my Helix.
- I spent a lot of time asking questions on the Rumble Club thread (thanks guys!
).
- I decided I want to buy Rumble 500.
- Money will be in place for that in the next few days.
Today I'm worrying about ordering an amp online without testing it or comparing it to others. I know lots of you think this is a necessity.
But:
So: I recognize that it would be better for me to spend 3 hours travelling around testing all the amps in my price range and in an ideal world I would, but I'm happy not to do that given that my usual supplier has a 30 day returns policy, which I'll use if I have to.
- I don't want an amp with tonal "character" - just something loud (and preferably "characterless") that I can use with the Helix.
- I just checked the stock in the only shop I can reasonably get to, and the closest they can get is a Rumble 100 - nothing bigger.
Are there any other things I should be thinking about before I pull the trigger on an online purchase, as opposed to delaying until I can do the trip round the shops (end of Jan at the earliest, probably).
With thanks for any ideas / suggestions in advance.
However, if your stuck on combos, as long as you like the Fender sound, that Rumble 500 is a good choice with an upgrade to adding another Rumble 210 cab when you need to play large clubs or outdoors. That's as far as the upgrades go though. It is enough for almost all applications, again as long as you like the "Fender sound".
Another direct competitor for that price range is the Ampeg RB210 which is also a 500-watt into 4Ω combo. A second Ampeg 210 is also available. It will put 250-watts into its internal speakers whereas the Rumble will put up to 350-watts into its internal speakers. Although that's 100-watts, if really only gives the Fender about a 1db increase over the Ampeg. Both will work fine. You need to like the Ampeg sound and cosmetics though because it is distinctly different than the Fender sound. Same limitation with expansion or change in taste as you run into with the Rumble.
Honestly, to avoid buying an amp/combo now and needing to buy another one next year or two years down the road, you should take the time to compare these two with the bass you're going to be using...even if it is 3-hours away. Call first to make sure they have both and that you can try them both out.
