Blackstar Unity v Fender Rumble

[G-Dog]

... ... anyone have a tip for a multi-effects board for bass, rather than separate pedals?

Thanks for the tips on pedal boards. ... ...

I have an old Boss GT-6B but, found it to have a dizzying array of features and adjustments. For an actual pedal I'd recommend something simple to start, like the new Fender Downtown Express, although it doesn't have a lot more than your Rumble already has.
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[Timothy Heffner]

Hi all,
I could do with some experience on this one. I'm planning to buy either the Blackstar Unity 250 Combo, or the Fender Rumble 500. Both about £550. Both are well reviewed.
I tried the Blackstar in PMT today. It felt a bit quiet though it's hard to tell in a busy shop. I need it to be loud enough to play small and medium size pubs without plugging into a PA every time.
Has anyone used these amps to gig. Any thoughts, preference?
Any feedback much appreciated.
Cheers, Dave in Oxford

Hello,
I currently did own a Fender Rumble 500 watt, it was a awesome bass combo amp, loud and fun to play.
But I did try out the Blackstar unity 250 watt bass combo and it was amazing! It is just as loud as the Fender rumble 500 watt. I decided to sell my fender 500 watt combo amp and go with the Blackstar Unity 250 watt combo bass amp, it is amazing, the low sounds and the distortion is amazing with all the setting, anything sound you can think of this bass amp will do it. My bass guitar is a Warwick fortress with MEC pickups and it sounds simply amazing, I have a few bass guitars but I love my Warwick the best. My advice, go with the Blackstar 250.
I Play old metal, Metallica, Motorhead, Slip Knot, etc....
I am actually going to sell my blackstar 250 and upgrade to the blackstar unity 500 watt combo. I hope this advice helps.

 

[bhendrix]

Hello,
I currently did own a Fender Rumble 500 watt, it was a awesome bass combo amp, loud and fun to play.
But I did try out the Blackstar unity 250 watt bass combo and it was amazing! It is just as loud as the Fender rumble 500 watt. I decided to sell my fender 500 watt combo amp and go with the Blackstar Unity 250 watt combo bass amp, it is amazing, the low sounds and the distortion is amazing with all the setting, anything sound you can think of this bass amp will do it. My bass guitar is a Warwick fortress with MEC pickups and it sounds simply amazing, I have a few bass guitars but I love my Warwick the best. My advice, go with the Blackstar 250.
I Play old metal, Metallica, Motorhead, Slip Knot, etc....
I am actually going to sell my blackstar 250 and upgrade to the blackstar unity 500 watt combo. I hope this advice helps.

Wow - I've had exactly opposite results. U250 wasn't cutting it in power trio - loud guitar and heavy drummer. So I gifted the U250 to my nephew and went with Rumble 500 - cuts through like a knife and never breaks a sweat! Nephew has since reported the amp has crapped out on him. Have heard of other issues with Blackstars first entries into bass amps. Hope yours holds up well - sounds like it meets your needs! That's all that matter!

 

[Timothy Heffner]

Good morning, wow really? I have had very awesome, good luck, with the U250 bass Combo. I am actually upgrading to the U500. I still and do like the fender rumble 500 but I wanted to go with a different sound.
The style and music I play was an awesome fit for the Blackstar and my basses, especially my Warwick Fortress bass, it sounds amazingly crazy on the Blackstar , it definitely has its own style of sound! But anyways what ever works for anyone and they like it, go for it

 

[musicbass-man]

I think its unfair the compare 250 watts with 350 (500 rumble without extension cab). In percentage terms that's a big increase. But I can tell you that the Blackstar 500 will blow the Rumble 500 away. That's because it's full 500 watts. I've owned both, both are good but the Blackstar has far more versatility and in my opinion sounds far better. I got rid of my Rumble 500 after 2 months.