About to order my first amp - try and stop me!

[neutron619]

Hello Chaps,

Short version:

• 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.

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.

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:

• 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.

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.

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.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Why not talk to the local shop, and if you like the Rumble 100, can they order the 500 at a price at/close to what you can get on line?

Always good to make friends with a local shop.

Plenty of people here gigging Rumbles regularly.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

If you are looking for someone to stop you from spending money on bass amps, you have come to the wrong place

To your question, as long as you do not know what you really need, rather than think you want, the Fender Rumble Combo would be a good choice, not the only one, but a safe one.

 

[Wisebass]

About to order my first amp - try and stop me!

Stop!!

Well, I tried!

Are there any other things I should be thinking about before I pull the trigger on an online purchase

Maybe amps are cheaper end of Jan?

Some folks order amps before christmas, don't like them and sent them back.

These returned amps are often sold at a good price!

edit to add:

Andertons as well as Thomann have tons of returned gear in Jan and Feb!

I can do the trip round the shops (end of Jan at the earliest, probably).

Same thing for the shopping tour!


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[neutron619]

To your question, as long as you do not know what you really need, rather than think you want, the Fender Rumble Combo would be a good choice, not the only one, but a safe one.

I was hoping someone might say this - thanks. I know that in 10 years my tastes may have developed, but for now, I need something solid and uninteresting to let me (and the rest of the band) travel with enough kit to play gigs outside of the church we usually use for practise.

Stop!!

Well, I tried!


Maybe amps are cheaper end of Jan?

...

Same thing for the shopping tour!

Thank you - twice. First for attempting to stop me and second for this excellent point. I hadn't thought of this. And TBH, as excited as I am about owning my first proper "blow the windows out" bass amp, money is a consideration. I'll just have to hope that someone doesn't like exactly what I'm looking for...

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I don't think of the Rumble series as low gain. To me, low gain would be Hartke Transient Attack or something else pure solid state and not trying to emulate a tube amp.

 

[Wisebass]

money is a consideration. I'll just have to hope that someone doesn't like exactly what I'm looking for...

Usually I make a tour right after Christmas, looking for used gear

(folks sell their old stuff to shops when they buy something new)

and a second tour for returns end of Jan.

Always have an eye on the Thomann and Anderton websites for good deals!


Wise

 

[Mike Caldwell]

I don't want an amp with tonal "character" - just something loud (and preferably "characterless") that I can use with the Helix.

With that requirement you want to look more at a power amp speaker cabinet type of set up. Most bass amps have a built in character/voicing that sets them apart from one another by design.
With a power amp you at least eliminate the bass amp voicing being added to the Helix.
A PA type speaker while those can still have a "voicing" are fuller range and flatter than many bass cabinets.

 

[Marko 1]

My bandmate pointed me at Fender Rumble amps as being clean, middle-of-the-road, affordable, etc.

I decided I want to buy Rumble 500.

I agree with Mr. Caldwell above, but if you're set on that Rumble,

Fender Bass Combo Amplifiers | Guitar Center

You'll find six identical Rumble V3 500 watt 2x10s in “excellent” condition for sale, $499.99 each...

same photo but different “Item” numbers so not multiple pics of the same item, and I'm thinking they're unused.

$150 savings (after shipping a bit less), no warranty (unless you buy one), but a 45-day return policy. Might be better off buying a new one, but if if money is tight...

Again, my advice would match Mr. Caldwell's above.

 

[neutron619]

I agree with Mr. Caldwell above, but if you're set on that Rumble,

Fender Bass Combo Amplifiers | Guitar Center

You'll find six identical Rumble V3 500 watt 2x10s in “excellent” condition for sale, $499.99 each...

Thank you for the points you raise. I should probably mention that since I'm in the UK, GC shipping is going to be somewhat dearer than it might otherwise, but money isn't that much of an issue that I have to buy second hand. Probably looking at £600-700, which is enough for a new Rumble 500, but - for example - not the equivalent Markbass amp which would be pushing £1000+.

I do take and understand the point you and Mr Caldwell raise about using a "Helix + Studio Monitors" kind of setup. I actually have an electronic organ sitting in my lounge, with some very large speakers that cover the pedal department and the 16' ranks on the manuals.

I could of course, theoretically, run the Helix into one of those and it would give a good (better) representation of what's coming out of it, but apart from being something of a "fixed installation", I'm not so attached to the idea of perfectly representing the Helix output that I'm wanting to go down that route. I think it's hard to represent the subtlety of "it's important but not essential" without expending a lot of words like I'm doing now, so sorry for not being clear above.

Primarily, I need and want a bass amp which can be carted from place to place (and sold as such, if I end up moving onto something else). I understand that every amp will impart some sonic "signature" on the sound it makes, but the comment above about Rumbles being "safe" pretty much covers my requirement for now.

As far as I'm able to discern, a Fender amp of sufficient power with the gain turned down low-ish and the master a bit further up will be "close enough". Not perfect, probably not exciting - most of what I've read says they're reasonably reliable, middle-of-the-road and boring, in a word, etc. - but that's OK for now. I've read the comments that someone (was it "Linden", "Linny"? can't remember the poster) here posted from their contact inside Fender about the whole gain gain staging of the pre/power amps and that was interesting - but it didn't make me suddenly think "this isn't going to be able to do what I want it to".

In fact, today I've been pleased to read that the Rumble 500s partner well with a J-bass (which is what I usually play) and I'd be surprised if I can't get the tones I want out of it, with (or even without) the Helix TBH. If I can't, an expensive learning exercise, but I don't think I'm so picky that it'll be a problem.

But, in spite of not necessarily choosing to act on your suggestions, I do appreciate the input, thank you. It all helps build up an impression of how my expectations might meet reality and that's valuable when I'm about to blow a £700 hole in my wallet!

 

[Marko 1]

I should probably mention that since I'm in the UK...

Actually you did under your avatar... I just missed it.

 

[kesslari]

No matter what amp you select, there are plenty of "other really great" amps that people will tell you about. Some will say you really should get X over Y - no matter which X you're getting.
The Rumble 500 is well regarded here on TB. You will not be wasting your money.

 

[themickster]

Hello Chaps,

Short version:

• 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.

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.

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:

• 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.

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.

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.

Don't do it. I tried.

 

[FRoss6788]

I have a Mesa D-800, GK Legacy 1200, Bergantino HDN 212 and a Fender Rumble 500 combo.

I bought the combo strictly as a practice amp that stays at the rehearsal space, but I have to say, it's a totally giggable piece of gear. I'm impressed.

Is it in the same class as the Berg and Mesa? No, but that would be an unreasonable expectation given it's price point. But it's well worth the money.

As far as tone goes, it has knobs on it, turn them and you will find something you like.
Edited to add- the Rumble will operate fine with the Gain knob completely off, FYI. About as low gain as you can get, also, provided the Helix has its own level controls, you can run it directly into the effects return and bypass the Rumble's preamp.

 

[Lo-E]

The Rumble 500 is a solid, decent sounding, affordable piece of gear. It punches above its weight, IMO.

If there’s a different amp at your nearest retailer that really blows your hair back in the same price range, go for it but you won’t go wrong with the Fender.

 

[220_Hz]

Get a powered PA speaker. Problem solved, it has no color and will take your amp and cab sims seamlessly

 

[bigthemat]

I'll try to stop you in the way Willy Wonka does....

 

[wintremute]

Hello Chaps,

• I don't want an amp with tonal "character" - just something loud (and preferably "characterless") that I can use with the Helix.

With that requirement you want to look more at a power amp speaker cabinet type of set up. Most bass amps have a built in character/voicing that sets them apart from one another by design.
With a power amp you at least eliminate the bass amp voicing being added to the Helix.
A PA type speaker while those can still have a "voicing" are fuller range and flatter than many bass cabinets.

I think the Rumble amps are awesome, however, I agree with Mike - they have their own baked-in sound. It's a really good sound, though.

If you truly want to have something that is loud and "characterless", I would suggest saving more money and getting a Quilter Bass Block and a cab to go with it.

If you stick with the Rumble, I still think you will be happy, though.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hello Chaps,

Short version:

• 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.

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.

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:

• 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.

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.

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.

You're good dude. They're nice. Run into the "return" on the back panel. You'll dig it

 

[SharpCat]

I CAN stop you from buying your first amp...You say your cheap amp is failing.......so you are buying your SECOND amp!

Rumble 500 a good choice.