Bassman/Rumble combinations

[DoctorZee]

Spend my money! I've got three options on the table. I'd love to get the Bassman 500 head with two Bassman Neo 115 cabs, but just can't justify the cost for my weekend warrior needs. So, there will be some kind of compromise. Some or all of the components will need to be Rumbles.

The first two options are going to be roughly the same price on the used market, so where would you skimp?. The third option gives me some extra cash to buy my wife something to distract her from the new rig in the basement.

Bassman head* + Rumble cabs (about $1,250)
Rumble head + Bassman cabs* (about $1,250)
Rumble head + Rumble cabs (about $950)

*Used pricing

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

You should go over to the Fender Rumble club and scout around. You'll find a lot of info on this gear. There is also a Fender Bassman Club that will give you some opinions.
I gig with the rig you say you can't cost justify, a 500 head and 2 1x15 Bassman neo cabs. I previously was using a Rumble 500 c and a 2x10 extension cab. That is also an awesome rig.
The Bassman 500 has the exact same power section as the Rumble 500. The difference is the tube preamp on the bassman and, of course, the retro box.
You won't be unhappy with any of those combinations.

 

[DoctorZee]

Yep, I've popped in and out of both clubs, and there's definitely a lot of great info. I hadn't seen this direct scenario posed. I guess the root of the question is: should I be cutting costs on the amp or the cabs? Conventional TB wisdom is to invest in cab quality, but I get the sense the Rumble/Bassman cabs are more comparable in quality and tone than the heads are.

 

[G-Dog]

Don't skimp on anything! That always leads to "what ifs" and regrets. Why do that to yourself?

IME, the perfect Bassman/Rumble combination involves complete rigs of both, not just parts of each. In my case it's a Rumble 500 combo and a Bassman 500 head w/Bassman 115 neo cab. They are each great separately and make an awesome stack!

​

I call it my BassRumbMan stack! As I've said before, the Bassman 500 is just a Rumble 500 with all the bells and whistles added; tube pre-amp, sweepable mids, deep switch, mute, pre/post XLR Out, tuner out, speakons, cool retro box, etc.

My dream is to add a Rumble Studio 40 with the stereo outs to my Bassman and Rumble rigs on opposite sides of the stage!

(Thank you for this opportunity to drag out this photo, yet again. I think I've shared it a dozen times, or more!)

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

Admittedly I am a huge fan boy for the current Bassman all-tube amps (SB300 & 100T) and neo cabs. I have no experience with either of the hybrid Bassmans or any Rumble gear so my opinion is complete conjecture.

That being said I personally would go for the Bassman head and Rumble cabs if for no other reason than aesthetics alone.

But seriously, I would choose a head and cabs setup over a combo and extension cab.

 

[DoctorZee]

I personally would go for the Bassman head and Rumble cabs if for no other reason than aesthetics alone.

That is absolutely a factor. I'm not ashamed to say I really want that look behind me. Also, the sound is really fantastic. Hmm, I think maybe I know what my heart is telling me...

But seriously, I would choose a head and cabs setup over a combo and extension cab.

Yeah, combo is out of the running for me, personally, although I have to applaud @G-Dog for his Tower of Glory.

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

That is absolutely a factor. I'm not ashamed to say I really want that look behind me. Also, the sound is really fantastic. Hmm, I think maybe I know what my heart is telling me...


Yeah, combo is out of the running for me, personally, although I have to applaud @G-Dog for his Tower of Glory.

I didn't realize that there is a Rumble 500 head, they only offer the combo and what I assume is it's replacement, the Rumble 800 HD, at Fender.com. Doesn't change my opinion, there are too many upgrades on the Bassman 500 that to me would outweigh the difference between the Rumble and Bassman cabs.

 

[G-Dog]

That is absolutely a factor. I'm not ashamed to say I really want that look behind me. Also, the sound is really fantastic. Hmm, I think maybe I know what my heart is telling me...

Yeah, the {ahem} aesthetics of the Bassman heads is as awesome as their sound. But, if you seek flexibility, right now the 2-ohm stable Rumble 800 HD is very attractive, featurewise, in a very light form and currently still $100 off for pre-orders!

... ... Yeah, combo is out of the running for me, personally, although I have to applaud @G-Dog for his Tower of Glory.

I understand.

And [Elvis] Thankyew. Thankyewverymuch. [/Elvis]

 

[Slaphound]

I'd say get the Bassman cabs. I'd always concern myself with portability so I'd go with the Rumble Head. I don't know your needs and I haven't heard the Bassman Head at all but I am currently gigging with the Rumble 500 and 115 cabinet. If I was looking to spend some money, I can't see not getting the best cabinet you can...

 

[DoctorZee]

I didn't realize that there is a Rumble 500 head, they only offer the combo and what I assume is it's replacement, the Rumble 800 HD, at Fender.com. Doesn't change my opinion, there are too many upgrades on the Bassman 500 that to me would outweigh the difference between the Rumble and Bassman cabs.

The 500 head was just discontinued. It can still be found in some corners of the internet, and it's all over the used market as well.

 

[Slaphound]

. I just got one from sweetwater last week!!

 

[G-Dog]

I'd say get the Bassman cabs. I'd always concern myself with portability so I'd go with the Rumble Head. I don't know your needs and I haven't heard the Bassman Head at all but I am currently gigging with the Rumble 500 and 115 cabinet. If I was looking to spend some money, I can't see not getting the best cabinet you can...

But, you're not gonna vote your recommendation in the poll at top, Youngster?

 

[Slaphound]

But, you're not gonna vote your recommendation in the poll at top, Youngster?

But of course, Sir. Voted

 

[sissy kathy]

I have the Bassman 500 head, Rumble 500 head, Bassman 410 neo, and the Rumble 410. IMO the two heads are a flip of the coin, what you pay extra for in the Bassman is made up for in the features and aesthetics. The Bassman cab was a disappointment to me after hearing the Rumble. I'd rather have the thump of the Rumble than the clarity of the neo.

 

[DoctorZee]

I have the Bassman 500 head, Rumble 500 head, Bassman 410 neo, and the Rumble 410. IMO the two heads are a flip of the coin, what you pay extra for in the Bassman is made up for in the features and aesthetics. The Bassman cab was a disappointment to me after hearing the Rumble. I'd rather have the thump of the Rumble than the clarity of the neo.

The Rumble 410 is actually a darkhorse candidate in this race. My current rig is 350w/410, so I know that’s enough sound for me, but I’m leaning to the 115s so I have the option to go smaller or larger.

 

[Backdrop]

The 500 head was just discontinued. It can still be found in some corners of the internet, and it's all over the used market as well.

Rumble or Bassman?

 

[MODELL]

I have the Bassman 500 head, Rumble 500 head, Bassman 410 neo, and the Rumble 410. IMO the two heads are a flip of the coin, what you pay extra for in the Bassman is made up for in the features and aesthetics. The Bassman cab was a disappointment to me after hearing the Rumble. I'd rather have the thump of the Rumble than the clarity of the neo.

I have the Bassman 500 with a Rumble 115. I tried both and preferred the Rumble over the Bassman 115. Not sure what it was, but with the Pbass I was using at Guitar Center, the Rumble 115 sounded better to me with the same settings.

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

All this love for the Rumble cabs over the Bassman neos is very intriguing. I already ponied up for a pair of 410 neos, too bad I didn't have an opportunity to a/b them against there Rumble counterparts.

 

[Wyo Bass Junkie]

I'm rolling a Bassman 800 on top of a pair of Rumble 410s. Honestly, the stack looks and sounds amazing! Usually for shows though, I only run a single 410 through that Bassman. If I need that 810 configuration for a show, I have it.

 

[sissy kathy]

All this love for the Rumble cabs over the Bassman neos is very intriguing. I already ponied up for a pair of 410 neos, too bad I didn't have an opportunity to a/b them against there Rumble counterparts.

Just becasuse I prefer the Rumble over the neo doesn't mean the Rumble is better; it just means I prefer the sound of the Rumble. You may prefer the more defined highs of the neo.