Looking to upgrade my amp, I currently have a Fender Rumble 100, but I need some more power. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, so my budget is $600-ish. I like the Rumble, but are there better options on the market?
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Best 200 Watt Amp
- Thread starter Mr Cheese
- Start date
The difference in volume between 100W and 200W is basically negligible. I’d look for a 500W amp.
Watts are more about headroom than volume. That said, buy what you want. A 200 watt amp with some good cabs will probably do you well.
To get twice as loud as 100W you would need 1000W
And/or more efficient cabs.
The stock driver in the Rumble 100 is not all that sensitive (around 92 db/w/m). Replacing the driver with a driver that is only 3 db more sensitive would be like feeding 200w into the stock driver, except that the stock driver would go up in smoke. Replacing the stock driver with a 2512 (97 db/w/m) would be like increasing the amps power to a little over 300w. This might be an option if the OP just needs a little more volume. If the need is greater, then more power (a new amp/head) and more efficient cab are in order. Buying used with a $600 budget will easily meet allow that need to be met.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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Yep, though starting from 100, it is at least more noticeable than say going from 350 to 500.
If you want to merely double the (theoretical) loudness of n watts, the power required is n x 10, ten times the the power, i.e., an order of magnitude, modulo 10.
oops, I see that this is now redundant.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
2 watts to 102 watts: Huge difference.
1000 watts to 1100 watts: Barely worth mentioning.
Rumble 500/800 or GK MB 500, or Quilter 800...do yourself a favor and get the extra watts and features.
A used 500-800 watt class D (I’m partial to Quilter) and older quality cab in whichever configuration you prefer can be had for your budget. The improvement to your sound will blow you away. 
Never tried one, but the Ibanez P3110 Promethean Bass Combo Amplifier seems interesting. 300 watts 1 x 10" with external cab capability.
I also vote Traynor SmallBlock 115.
200 watts into a 15” speaker, all in a very light weight combo package.
As long as you don’t think you’ll be needing an extra cab out, this should be a good choice for you.
I had the Rumble 100 and now have the Traynor and I love it!
WIPBB
200 watts into a 15” speaker, all in a very light weight combo package.
As long as you don’t think you’ll be needing an extra cab out, this should be a good choice for you.
I had the Rumble 100 and now have the Traynor and I love it!
WIPBB
My MarkBass Little Mark 250 Black Line is a nice head that gets quite loud for 250 watts. I'd get a head like that or maybe an Ampeg PF350 or 500, and whatever used cabinet you can find a good deal on. Then you have the versatility that you don't get from a combo amp.
I think it's established you're looking for a combo. If not, used GKMB200 and a very efficient cab.
The Trace Elliot Elf is pretty impressive. It's pretty dang good into it's own 1x10 or 2x8 cabs, but use it to power a big cab and it's amazing.
One of those new and a decent used 4x10 (4ohm preferred) could probably be had for around $400 and would be both capable and portable.
One of those new and a decent used 4x10 (4ohm preferred) could probably be had for around $400 and would be both capable and portable.
I’d get a Rumble 500. Or This:
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I use a 100, and have pretty much settled on a Rumble 500 for my next amp. Seems silly to me to get a Rumble 200 or similar. After much testing, I do prefer the Rumble sound; but the similar 210 combo offerings from Ampeg, GK and even Mark are all nice and worth considering. Just different flavors (and prices.)
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I use a 100, and have pretty much settled on a Rumble 500 for my next amp. Seems silly to me to get a Rumble 200 or similar. After much testing, I do prefer the Rumble sound; but the similar 210 combo offerings from Ampeg, GK and even Mark are all nice and worth considering. Just different flavors (and prices.)
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