Ampeg RB 210 vs Fender Rumble 500

[Strane]

Thinking about getting one of these amps but not sure which one. I'll be testing them next week but I'd like to know some opinion before.
Thnx in advance.

 

[jallenbass]

I prefer the tone of the Ampeg over the Fender.

 

[Gervais Cote]

For pretty much all the Fender combos, my ears eventually get tired of that midrangy aggressiveness on long practice sessions which doesn't occur with the Ampeg Rocket series from the RB112 up to the top so I would go with the Ampeg for that reason.

 

[agedhorse]

Try them both and choose what you prefer.

 

[Akiyama]

Both lines are excellent "budget" amp lines. They each have "house sound" tendencies but there is enough EQ options for the mid to larger amps in the lines to cover mosts bases. If you have the chance, also try the Acoustic, Markbass, Peavy, Boss, and GK budget combos so no stone is left unturned.

 

[pholli00]

I use the Rumble 500 combo. I love the thing. It's unbelievably light. And pretty loud, too. Tone? There's a knob for bass, one for low midrange (whatever that is), one for high midrange (whatever that is), and treble. Seems like a lot to me. But I think I found what I like. Also has three buttons for vintage, contour, and bright. I just use vintage and contour (whatever that is). It gives it a little growl. And some overdrive stuff which I never use. I like it. I've no experience with Ampeg.

 

[Enrique M]

I have had the rumble 500 for about 2 years. Plenty of volume for my needs, which includes loud blues and rock gigs in smaller venues (brew pubs). I also use it for home practice, it sounds fine turned down.

I am currently debating about an upgrade to something else. Volume is fine, tone to my ears is lacking a little mojo. But, when I set it flat and run my pedals through it, i like it. Seems like a good platform for a pedal board and now I am second guessing my priorities in terms where to invest my next hunk of gear upgrade change.

No experience with the Ampeg. I take it for granted it functions equally well as a pedal platform.

 

[Jim Guyett]

Been playing my Rumble 800 combo for a year playing it in rehearsal-type settings and have had no issues with being heard. It has a lot of low-end if you go by the "all knobs at noon" starting point and press the vintage button...made me set the lows to the 10:00-ish position. I only tried the RB210 at GC and...I didn't like it, but then again, I didn't NOT like it at the same time. Kinda sounded polite and that it was missing something. Maybe I'm too used to the Rumble 800.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

I've played both, both were good, ampeg had a deeper sound. I preferred the sound of the Rumble 200 over both.

Edit to add: the Rumble has more flexibility from the preamp, but the Rocket had a better "thick" sound and I preferred the distortion from the Ampeg.

 

[Elmstreet]

I've owned both and ended up selling the Rumble and keeping the Ampeg, but the Rumble was definitely lighter and lots of people like them. I just preferred the sound of the Ampeg.

 

[DuluthDank]

I've owned Rumble and Rocket series combos, and have a strong overall preference for the Ampeg sound. There's much more detail in the mids with the Ampeg, and I felt like I could hear the differences in the sound of my basses better.

 

[GreyBeard]

I've played both and use a Rumble 500C. I think that they both can put about the same volume with the major difference being tone. I use a Mesa preamp/DI into the FX return on my Rumble so it probably doesn't sound like either. Play them both and choose the one you like best, there is no bad choice here.

 

[Stewie]

Another vote for the Ampeg, but both should be at most guitar centers. Go try them and see which you like best. I think both amplifiers are good, the difference is in the cabinet/speaker design

 

[Crusher47]

I have owned and gigged with both, still own the Rumble 500. I prefer the Fender.... no matter which bass I play through it, it sounds amazing. It's also very light and looks cool to boot. Not saying the Ampeg was bad, I just like the Fender better.

 

[socknroll1]

The Fender looks better, in my opinion. Shallow, maybe, but it's a factor.

 

[jimmydean]

I would have to go with the Rumble 500 and run a Ampeg SGT-DI pedal with it to max out the sound . In a head to head matchup , I would go Rumble over the Ampeg combo 10/10 times .

 

[Elmstreet]

I would have to go with the Rumble 500 and run a Ampeg SGT-DI pedal with it to max out the sound . In a head to head matchup , I would go Rumble over the Ampeg combo 10/10 times .

So you would get a $400 pedal to make the Rumble sound like the Ampeg, instead of just getting the Ampeg?

 

[Akiyama]

So you would get a $400 pedal to make the Rumble sound like the Ampeg, instead of just getting the Ampeg?

There are many who like BOTH Fender and Ampeg tones, me included. Flea, also.

@jimmydean is likely using the Rumble for Fender tones then the SGT-DI as the preamp via the effects loop input for Ampeg tones. A winner both ways.

 

[jimmydean]

So you would get a $400 pedal to make the Rumble sound like the Ampeg, instead of just getting the Ampeg?

Yes I would , don't really like the Ampeg combo .

 

[Stewie]

Neither. Get an old Fender BXR 300C. Sounds way better than the choices and has the added advantage of weighing in at about 125 pounds