• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bassman 800 or Rumble 800?

I'm thinking of either a Bassman 800 head and 410 cab, maybe get another 410 later on. Or, Rumble 210 combo and 210 cab. For loud rock, funk, rnb...etc...
I play a P bass. Finger style. I use dirt pedals, modulation etc.
Should I go Bassman 800 head and cab, or Rumble 800 combo and cab? For big loud delicious TONE!
 
.
Be aware, @raul, that the Bassman 800 and the Rumble (Stage) 800 combo are apples and oranges!

Yes, the Invalid Link Removed head is a very modern hybrid with tube pre-amp and Class D power amp. Its retro looking physical design belies its very light weight. But it does have the famous vintage cut-only analog channel for that classic tone, in addition to the modern active overdrive channel for just a touch of warm fuzz or flat out distorted crunch at any volume level. Very straightforward controls, FX Loop & XLR Out. It is the highest powered currently produced Fender bass amp at up to 500W continuous into just 8 ohms, requiring at least a Bassman or Rumble 410 for worry free rating match. I actually enjoy my Bassman 500 hybrid very much with a single Bassman NEO 115 cab.

But the Invalid Link Removed combo is a whole 'nother animal, with its small size, light weight, retro styling and fully digital controls for all modeling, all the time. It comes preprogrammed with 100 different voices & tones of various Fender amps and other brands, with lots and lots of built-in pedal effects and speaker cabinet models that you can arrange into thousands of configurations! If you like tweaking such flexible gadgets, fully controlled even on your phone or tablet(!), then this is your Huckleberry for myriad sonic adventures. And its up to 400W continuous into its internal speakers @ 8 ohms all by itself. Add an external 8 ohm cab and it needs to be rated for another 400W continuous, too (which the Rumble 210 can handle, even if not formally rated as such). Or you could add second 8 ohm cab tor reduce the power distribution to just 267W per cab, or a single 4 ohm cab to handle up to 533W continous.

Actually, the Invalid Link Removed head is more comparable to the Bassman 800, with its straightforward controls, FX Loop & XLR Out. But it has no tubes and no vintage cut-only analog channel, and no retro looking "big head". But its got some very versatile settings, including built-in adjustable overdrive and Vintage, Contour & Bright voicing buttons. It's "just" up to 400W continuous into a 8 ohm cab, but its 800W continuous can drive 4 ohms, 2,67 ohms or even 2 ohms all night long. That's up to four 8 ohm cabs for a whole heap of SPL!

Even the Invalid Link Removed combo could give you what you're looking for in a less expensive, straightforward rig to work well with your existing pedals. Its 350W @ 8 ohms by itself is quite enough for lots of venues, but an 8 ohm external cab brings out the full 500W for outdoors or big venues quite efficiently. The combo and 210 cab make a very balanced load-in/out. I added a Bassman NEO 115 cab to my R500c at a couple of outdoor venues with my loud country band and it was a bit of overkill, but fun!

Hope this helps.
.
 
Last edited:
I have the Bassman 800, and it's a nice sounding head, haven't used/played the Rumble 800, but I also have the Rumble 500 head, and it's a good sounding amp as well, but it doesn't
have the tone shaping abilities, as the Bassman 800, if using the Bassman 800, make sure that you have a cabinet, that can handle the output, as a side note, the Rumble 500 can get pretty loud
IMG_20190327_202909.jpg
 
.
Be aware, @raul, that the Bassman 800 and the Rumble (Stage) 800 combo are apples and oranges!

Yes, the Invalid Link Removed head is a very modern hybrid with tube pre-amp and Class D power amp. Its retro looking physical design belies its very light weight. But it does have the famous vintage cut-only analog channel for that classic tone, in addition to the modern active overdrive channel for just a touch of warm fuzz or flat out distorted crunch at any volume level. Very straightforward controls, FX Loop & XLR Out. It is the highest powered currently produced Fender bass amp at up to 500W continuous into just 8 ohms, requiring at least a Bassman or Rumble 410 for worry free rating match. I actually enjoy my Bassman 500 hybrid very much with a single Bassman NEO 115 cab.

But the Invalid Link Removed combo is a whole 'nother animal, with its small size, light weight, retro styling and fully digital controls for all modeling, all the time. It comes preprogrammed with 100 different voices & tones of various Fender amps and other brands, with lots and lots of built-in pedal effects and speaker cabinet models that you can arrange into thousands of configurations! If you like tweaking such flexible gadgets, fully controlled even on your phone or tablet(!), then this is your Huckleberry for myriad sonic adventures. And its up to 400W continuous into its internal speakers @ 8 ohms all by itself. Add an external 8 ohm cab and it needs to be rated for another 400W continuous, too (which the Rumble 210 can handle, even if not formally rated as such). Or you could add second 8 ohm cab tor reduce the power distribution to just 267W per cab, or a single 4 ohm cab to handle up to 533W continous.

Actually, the Invalid Link Removed head is more comparable to the Bassman 800, with its straightforward controls, FX Loop & XLR Out. But it has no tubes and no vintage cut-only analog channel, and no retro looking "big head". But its got some very versatile settings, including built-in adjustable overdrive and Vintage, Contour & Bright voicing buttons. It's "just" up to 400W continuous into a 8 ohm cab, but its 800W continuous can drive 4 ohms, 2,67 ohms or even 2 ohms all night long. That's up to four 8 ohm cabs for a whole heap of SPL!

Even the Invalid Link Removed combo could give you what you're looking for in a less expensive, straightforward rig to work well with your existing pedals. Its 350W @ 8 ohms by itself is quite enough for lots of venues, but an 8 ohm external cab brings out the full 500W for outdoors or big venues quite efficiently. The combo and 210 cab make a very balanced load-in/out. I added a Bassman NEO 115 cab to my R500c at a couple of outdoor venues with my loud country band and it was a bit of overkill, but fun!

Hope this helps.
.
What he said. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: G-Dog
Thank you all for the replies, it's helping. I'm really leaning towards the Bassman 800 head, and either 410 or 610 cab. Seems like such a musical, powerful amp.
The Rumble 800 combo sounds nice, but I've not ventured much into amp modeling, so it's kinda scary...

I love the Andertons video on YouTube, really shows what the Bassman 800 amp sounds like. Those that own the Bassman 800 - are you getting those great tones?

Also - how close in tone is the Bassman 800 to the Super Bassman? Close? Close enough? I've seen many YouTube clips. Both sound great!!! Bassman 800 seems practical, and powerful without worrying about tubes etc.
 
Looks to me like they are probably the same power section with different preamps. The Rumble is SS and the Bassman is Tube. $400 more for the Bassman. The Bassman looks very vintage where the Rumble very modern. I have the Rumble 500 head and 500 C and I'm not a fan of the preamp in either. I use a Mesa preAmp DI as my front end. If I were buying, I'd probably go with the Rumble (jmho).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ace McCannon
Thank you all for the replies, it's helping. I'm really leaning towards the Bassman 800 head, and either 410 or 610 cab. Seems like such a musical, powerful amp. ... ...


Yowsa, raul, man! The Invalid Link Removed cab is 4 ohms, so it would make the full 800W continuous available right away. And I've read that it has the same tone and feel as the 810, but in a bit smaller package. The built-in rollers and handles make it reasonably easy to move.​

... ... The Rumble 800 combo sounds nice, but I've not ventured much into amp modeling, so it's kinda scary... ... ...


It's not really scary at all, since the Fender Tone App on a smartphone or tablet controls it all very visually and intuitively. I've got the little brother, Rumble Studio 40, with all the same features except the big power, and it's really a fun amp to quickly change very different tones or play around with various effects, even in different orders. :smug:

... ... I love the Andertons video on YouTube, really shows what the Bassman 800 amp sounds like. Those that own the Bassman 800 - are you getting those great tones? ... ...


Yep, I'm getting those great tones from my Bassman 500, same design, just slightly less power than the 800. Highly recommended. :thumbsup:

... ... Also - how close in tone is the Bassman 800 to the Super Bassman? Close? Close enough? I've seen many YouTube clips. Both sound great!!! ... ...


That depends on your ears, raul. For me, my Bassman 500 is plenty close enough to the all-tube Super Bassman. But, there are some more discerning ears that will tell you that no hybrid can match the full, rich power tube tone. So, your answer to that can only come from you. Sorry.​

... ... Bassman 800 seems practical, and powerful without worrying about tubes etc.


Well, not really a worry, but the Bassman 800 does have two 12AX7A tubes in its pre-amp. And, someday, maybe years or decades hence, they may need replacement. Or you might even enjoy trying different tubes for different tones! :cool:
.
 
Thanks for that lovely info! I'm still thinking Bassman 800 over the Rumble 800 is the way to go, just feels like it.
I wonder which amp Linnen would take?


I'm sure @Linnin would have flat out loved to have a Bassman 800 with with 610 cab!! But, I think due to finances, was more of a Rumble disciple. He was enamored of his Rumble V2 75 combo and then extremely proud of his Rumble V2 350 amp head and two Rumble V2 112 NEO cabs, but he gave those up for a Rumble V3 200 combo. And, when he was gifted a Rumble Studio 40 he was as happy as, well, anyone could possibly be with all the various amp models.​

because I'm feelin' pretty good today, I'm going to 'Rumble On!' a bit. I play through my Rumble Studio 40 nearly everyday. One factory preset I'd overlooked is #62. It's called 'Vintage Studio' and is built on the Fender TV Bassman model. I have always loved and coveted the TV Bassman, but never could afford one. Besides which, at the time they were current, I had a Fender Studio Bass amp and didn't really need a TV Bassman, but I damn sure wanted one. Well Now I have one. Big Time. It just sounds so good. I haven't changed any of the tone settings or gone into it to see what speaker cabinet is being emulated. Yes, it sounds that good.
.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ricardol
Thanks, G-Dog!!! I appreciate your input so much! I'm pretty much settled on the Bassman 800! One day, when Fender discovers me, I'll get a Rumble 800c and a Super Bassman!!!
I think Bassman 800 will do for now.
Re: Linnen, yeah I'm sure he'd love a Bassman 800! But, if he could pick any amp...I bet it would be a Super Bassman! Who knows, he could pick the Bassman 800...
Damn, I don't even know Linnen, but think about him when I'm playing bass, drinking and thinking about this amp and gear stuff, the man has a way with words...
Cheers!
 
  • Like
Reactions: G-Dog
I have the Bassman 800, and it's a nice sounding head, haven't used/played the Rumble 800, but I also have the Rumble 500 head, and it's a good sounding amp as well, but it doesn't
have the tone shaping abilities, as the Bassman 800, if using the Bassman 800, make sure that you have a cabinet, that can handle the output, as a side note, the Rumble 500 can get pretty loud
View attachment 4283383

That is a whole lotta goodness packed into one photo!
 
  • Like
Reactions: G-Dog
I haven't played the bassman 800 but I don't really get it. Who wants to lug around a big box like that anymore? Especially when it's mostly empty air in there. Buying an amp on looks is silly IMO.

I have lots of experience on the original silverface Bassman and I would love to have one but it would never leave the studio.

I have used the Rumble 800HD and was very impressed, it has the great clean Fender sound no doubt about it even if it doesn't have "bassman" on the label.

I basically put together a very similar rig for less money (Zoom B3 into a biamped 15/6 Fearful) so needless to say the Rumble Stage 800 looks very, very appealing to me.
 
There is a difference between the Baseman 800 & the Super Bassman, the 800 has a tighter sound, where the Super Bassman has a more rounder sound, at least to my ears, I'm assuming the difference can be attributed to the different power sections ...... Kinda boils down to what you want to haul around, and how much you want to spend, both amps are nice sounding ... IMHO .... Why I have both, well I had the $$$ at the time, and came across some deals, and I use the 800 with my ported cabs ( Berg HS 410, Aguilar DB112, Bassman 810 ), and the Super Bassman, with my sealed cab ( Berg NV 610 ), however, the Super Bassman sounds good through my ported cabs, can't get rid of those 2 amps, link them both
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bill Whitehurst
I haven't played the bassman 800 but I don't really get it. Who wants to lug around a big box like that anymore? Especially when it's mostly empty air in there. Buying an amp on looks is silly IMO.

I have lots of experience on the original silverface Bassman and I would love to have one but it would never leave the studio. ... ... .


It's not just looks for the Bassman 500 & 800. It's great sound and lotsa power at just 17 lb.s! And that empty air is great for cables, footswitch, etc. At my advanced age that beats the heck outta 65 lb.s, or more, since I no longer have roadies. ;)
.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RColie and M0ses
Ive been looking for a bassman 500/800 with no luck lately. Ive been considering the Rumble 800 hd or GK Legacy 800. For me I mainly just want a head with a good drive channel built in. So I can just plug in and go. My home amp is a rumble 100, so I already know how to get a tone I like with it.
Portability is great with the rumble. But the bassman looks super cool. Especially only being 17lbs.

My current setup is a Fender Am Pbass 2>Sansamp>GK MB800 Fusion>Ampeg 810
 
  • Like
Reactions: G-Dog
I too am very interested and intrigued by the Bassman 800 but I want to stack 2 Rumble 210s
If they are both 350watts continuous 8ohms then they should be good to pull 700 watts out of the bassman… right?
2 x Rumble 210s means I can carry them and pack them much easier than a 410 I’m done hauling around my Eden WT800 + 410XLT! Premium sound but my back disagrees
 
I'm thinking of either a Bassman 800 head and 410 cab, maybe get another 410 later on. Or, Rumble 210 combo and 210 cab. For loud rock, funk, rnb...etc...
I play a P bass. Finger style. I use dirt pedals, modulation etc.
Should I go Bassman 800 head and cab, or Rumble 800 combo and cab? For big loud delicious TONE!
Well, I own the Fender 800 Stage and the Fender 115 NEO cab...and WOW!! BIG boom combined with the nice high-end of the 800 Stage and I get a very loud, articulate, and "perfect" sound combination. I highly recommend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: G-Dog
I'm thinking of either a Bassman 800 head and 410 cab, maybe get another 410 later on. Or, Rumble 210 combo and 210 cab. For loud rock, funk, rnb...etc...
I play a P bass. Finger style. I use dirt pedals, modulation etc.
Should I go Bassman 800 head and cab, or Rumble 800 combo and cab? For big loud delicious TONE!