Adding a cabinet to a Fender Rumble 200

[RitterSport]

I have a Fender Rumble 200. I don't think I need more than that, but if I did need more power (mwa-ha-ha!), I'm hoping to understand the options better. My understanding is that the Rumble 200 really operates below 200w unless you connect an external cabinet. As far as I understand it, my options are:
1. Another Rumble 200, connected through the FX loop? Is there a downside to this if I can find it cheaply used?
2. A Rumble 210 cabinet
3. A Rumble 115 cabinet
4. What about third party cabinets? What specs should I look for? Can I get something cheaper/better than the Fender cabinets?
5. Sell the 200 and get a 500?

I'm going to check with the band leader and sound guy to see if what I'm bringing is already enough. My thinking is that if I need more, chances are there will be a house sound system that I would plug into.

 

[blr2]

All 5 are options. What you choose depends on budget and weight/size requirements. I'd rater go with 2x10" instead of another 15".

 

[RitterSport]

It's a good point to go with 2x10, since the 200 already has a 15". Is there anything specific I have to watch out for in 3rd party cabinets?

 

[blr2]

Impedance and power handling are to watch for. The cab should be 8 Ohms and be able to easily handle 200 Watts with some headroom.

 

[RitterSport]

The Peavey Headliner 210 would seem to fit that bill nicely, and much more cheaply than the Rumble 210. It's about 11 pounds heavier, though.

 

[G-Dog]

I have a Fender Rumble 200. ... ...

Congratulations, you should check in at the TalkBass Fender Rumble Club to hobnob with other Rumblers!​

... ... I don't think I need more than that, but if I did need more power (mwa-ha-ha!), I'm hoping to understand the options better. My understanding is that the Rumble 200 really operates below 200w unless you connect an external cabinet. ... ...

That's right, Rit, the R200 outputs up to 140 watts standalone. You need an 8 ohm 100 watt capable cab to get the full 200 watts.​

... ... As far as I understand it, my options are:
1. Another Rumble 200, connected through the FX loop? Is there a downside to this if I can find it cheaply used? ... ...

That's great! They connect with an instrument cable from the FX Send of one to the FX Return of the other, and the Sender completely controls the Returner! Plus the added benefit of a spare amp if something happens to one. The only downside is with used Rumbles having no warranty, but may carry someone's hidden abuse!,​

... ... 2. A Rumble 210 cabinet ... ...

Yes, that is a very valid option, though not everyone can actually hear a difference between the 10" and 15" speakers at gig volumes.​

... ... 3. A Rumble 115 cabinet ... ...

Oh, yeah! Now yer talkin'! For a minimal investment you get a perfectly matched cab, with a larger tuned space and the exact same 8 ohm 300 watt speaker as in your R200! Plus the tone enhancement of identical stacked speaker coupling! ​

... ... 4. What about third party cabinets? What specs should I look for? Can I get something cheaper/better than the Fender cabinets? ... ...

We-ell, ye-es, you just need an 8 ohm, 100 watt capable cab. Yes, you can get ...​

a. Cheaper, but it won't be as good, or​

b. Better, but it will cost more,​

c. Not both together.​

... ... 5. Sell the 200 and get a 500? ... ...

Yes, the R500, at 350 watts standalone, would be a very big jump in volume! If you really want that much more, I'd recommend the Rumble 800 combo, at 400 watts standalone, or just 100 watts when you flip the 1/4 Power Switch! It's quite flexible that way.​

... ... I'm going to check with the band leader and sound guy to see if what I'm bringing is already enough. My thinking is that if I need more, chances are there will be a house sound system that I would plug into.

There is not always a house sound system capable of handling bass guitar when you need it! I assume from your writing that your sound guy doesn't currently have one either.​

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Remember, you can combine your listed options, too! You could start by adding a Rumble 115 cab then, later when playing bigger venues, add another R200, R500 or R800 connected via FX Loop. Then, still later when you really hit the big time, add cab(s) to the 2nd R200, R500 or R800 (the R800 can drive two 8 ohm 300 watt cabs!).​

​

Heck, an R800 HD head can drive one 8 ohm 400 watt, up to four 8 ohm 200 watt, cabs (think R410s) if you want a really modular system that can handle anything!​

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[RitterSport]

The 800 head only seems to have two outputs -- how would you get it to drive four speakers? Also, any thoughts on that Peavey Headliner 210? (thinking you're a big Rumble fan, though...).

The guy who runs my band says my current setup already sounds great, so I guess I'll have to wait to buy more gear....

 

[KevInDaBassment]

...any thoughts on that Peavey Headliner 210? (thinking you're a big Rumble fan, though...).

Not a Rumble fan, and not a Peavey hater, but I remember the Tour series bass cabs being pretty low on sensitivity and I think the Headliners are pretty similar. Essentially, you'll need to churn out a lot of wattage to get even output...and you're only going to have 100w on-tap to work with.

I'll second the additional Rumble 1x15 cabinet, which will save you a lot of headaches and guesswork.

I have my opinions on the Rumble series which I will withhold, but if you already like the 200 then adding the 1x15 cab will give you more of the same with improved handling/low-end response. It will be a marked improvement in my opinion.

 

[Wasnex]

The 800 head only seems to have two outputs -- how would you get it to drive four speakers?

The Rumble 800 is rated for 2 ohms minimum. There is a switch on the back that needs to be set to the appropriate position.

Since the amp only has 2 speaker outs, the way to hook up 4 cabs is to daisy chain. Connect two cabs to the amp and the daisy chain two additional cabs from the first set of cabs.

In order for this to work, the cabs need Thru jacks, which are the same thing as parallel inputs.

This is the image of a Rumble 115 jack panel. This is an 8 ohm cab.

As you see it has parallel inputs. One input is speakON and one input is 1/4". If you had four of these cabs, you would connect two to the amp using speakON cables. Then run 1/4" cables from the first two cabs to the other two cabs. All four cabs are connected in parallel.

 

[Mister_GothFrak]

I highly recommend a Genzler Bass Array2 210 or even the 1x10 (the crossover is 1600hz in the 1x vs 800hz on every other). If you're looking for a punchier sound to balance the 15".

Jeff Genzler is The Man Besides, having an array of smaller speakers makes for a really nice mid range and top end. It let's the main speaker handle the lows better. They make slanted versions to point the cabs slightly upward so you can hear with your ears rather than your ankles.

 

[waveman]

I would get a matching 1x15 cab. Keep it simple and spread power equally between cabs, vertically stacked would be best bet.

 

[RitterSport]

I highly recommend a Genzler Bass Array2 210 or even the 1x10 (the crossover is 1600hz in the 1x vs 800hz on every other). If you're looking for a punchier sound to balance the 15".

Jeff Genzler is The Man Besides, having an array of smaller speakers makes for a really nice mid range and top end. It let's the main speaker handle the lows better. They make slanted versions to point the cabs slightly upward so you can hear with your ears rather than your ankles.

I think that's out of my price range.

I think my plan now will be to monitor local FB Marketplace to see if any good used deals come up for the Rumble 115, since all of the used ones online are Local Pickup anyway.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

I owned the rumble 115 cab for a while, and I auditioned all of the larger combos at different points. The 115 cab is EXCELLENT, and at its price, it’s a steal. I preferred the 200 combo to the 500 combo, and I’m sure most of that is because of the 15” speaker. Personally, if you were expanding, I would go for another 115.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I have a Fender Rumble 200. I don't think I need more than that, but if I did need more power (mwa-ha-ha!), I'm hoping to understand the options better. My understanding is that the Rumble 200 really operates below 200w unless you connect an external cabinet. As far as I understand it, my options are:
1. Another Rumble 200, connected through the FX loop? Is there a downside to this if I can find it cheaply used?
2. A Rumble 210 cabinet
3. A Rumble 115 cabinet
4. What about third party cabinets? What specs should I look for? Can I get something cheaper/better than the Fender cabinets?
5. Sell the 200 and get a 500?

I'm going to check with the band leader and sound guy to see if what I'm bringing is already enough. My thinking is that if I need more, chances are there will be a house sound system that I would plug into.

The very first thing to do is to clarify IF there is definitely a "house system" and then WHAT exactly it is, with respect to low end frequencies. It's entirely possible you may need nothing else. Because that combo amp has a 15 inch speaker (although it also has a horn) my suggestion is a 2X10 cabinet that runs in 8 ohms, and NO, you plug it into the "EXT. SPKR" place on the back via 1/4 SPEAKER cable. My process is to turn the amp OFF, and THEN plug in the external speaker cable to the combo amp, and THEN turn the power on. Dimensionally and weight-wise, going to the Rumble 500 combo is not that much different in either aspect. In 5 years of gigging with that amp, I've never needed an external speaker for extra volume or tone. Good luck.

 

[G-Dog]

... ... The only downside is with used Rumbles having no warranty, but may carry someone's hidden abuse!, ... ...

... ... I think my plan now will be to monitor local FB Marketplace to see if any good used deals come up for the Rumble 115 ... ...

 

[SactoBass]

I have a Fender Rumble 200. I don't think I need more than that, but if I did need more power (mwa-ha-ha!), I'm hoping to understand the options better. My understanding is that the Rumble 200 really operates below 200w unless you connect an external cabinet. As far as I understand it, my options are:
1. Another Rumble 200, connected through the FX loop? Is there a downside to this if I can find it cheaply used?
2. A Rumble 210 cabinet
3. A Rumble 115 cabinet
4. What about third party cabinets? What specs should I look for? Can I get something cheaper/better than the Fender cabinets?
5. Sell the 200 and get a 500?

I'm going to check with the band leader and sound guy to see if what I'm bringing is already enough. My thinking is that if I need more, chances are there will be a house sound system that I would plug into.

If it were me, I'd go with option 3........a matching Rumble 115 extension cab.

 

[lug]

Matching 1X15 would be my recommendation as well.

 

[RitterSport]

I've had very good luck with FB Marketplace so far for musical equipment. It seems to have a lot of bought it and never used it stuff (my Rumble 200 was from there, flawless condition, like $200, $250 or something, my G&L L2000 bass, my Yamaha BB).

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I've always been of the opinion that it's better to match the cabs. I've had mismatched cabs in the past and they were fine, but the best approach is to match them. Anytime I've matched the cabs (two identical ones...same manufacturer, model, etc.) they've had the best sound.

Currently I use two Fender Rumble 100's, 100 watts into a 112 (combined = 200 watts and 212). 22 lbs. each and loud enough for any room without FOH support.

One thing to keep in mind, there is no such thing as any speaker size being better tonally than another. The old thinking that a 115/210 a great combination is just that...old. It can be done and I've done the same without problems.

I'd just match what you have.

 

[G-Dog]

I've always been of the opinion that it's better to match the cabs. I've had mismatched cabs in the past and they were fine, but the best approach is to match them. Anytime I've matched the cabs (two identical ones...same manufacturer, model, etc.) they've had the best sound. ... ...

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Mitty, do you consider the 25"x23"x14.5" Rumble 115 to be "the matching cab" for the 23"x19"x14" Rumble 200 combo? Although not the same (matching) overall dimensions, they do have the same exact speakers.​

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... ... there is no such thing as any speaker size being better tonally than another. The old thinking that a 115/210 [is] a great combination is just that...old. It can be done and I've done the same without problems. ... ...

Mitty, does that mean you disagree with the tonal benefits of the speaker coupling effect for stacked identical speakers I've been referencing? Or did you mean something like, "there is no such thing as any [different] speaker size being better tonally than [matching the one you already have]"? That seems to work better with your first paragraph about matching cabs.​