Does this hypothetical amp/pedal setup work?

[bitterminnows]

So, until I’m in a position where an SVT is a practical solution (it’s a dream for now), I was looking at pedals/boxes lately that would give me the sound. The thing for the job seems to be OE’s Bassrig SV.

What I want to know is this:

I have a Fender Rumble 500. It’s pretty portable and the volume is good. But, I can’t get a good tone out of it with two of my basses.

Would running the Bassrig through the effects return work to bypass the built-in preamp? As in, would it be operating as a plain old cab that way, letting the Bassrig be the ‘brain?’

Or am I missing some steps here to do this?

 

[NKBassman]

That should work, yes.

 

[MIMike]

It won’t operate like a “plain old cab”, but it will operate like a powered cab, which is the right tool for the job in your case.

 

[Wasnex]

There's one way to find out for sure....try it!

 

[MarkM13]

I use my Origin Black (Fender) Bass rig for just that. I run it through a Phil Jones super flight case which is incredibly transparent and allows the vintage tone of the Bass Rig to shine through. So much so, I have no desire for a vintage Fender head and all the associated headaches…and back aches.

 

[Chris Wilke]

It should work in a pinch, but seems crazy to me. I'd sell the amp, cut your losses there, then get one you genuinely like, and tweak it from there with the pedals you want - or maybe you'll just love it as-is...

Only exception to this advice would be if you wanted to keep the Rumble for a more portable setup, or something to leave at rehearsal space, etc. and then have your main amp available for important gigs, recording and whatnot.

For SVT sounds, Tech21 VT Bass is really nice and won't cost you as much as a new amp by itself. I am sure the bassrig is nice though, and it should be for that price!

 

[Chris Wilke]

It should work in a pinch, but seems crazy to me. I'd sell the amp, cut your losses there, then get one you genuinely like, and tweak it from there with the pedals you want - or maybe you'll just love it as-is...

Only exception to this advice would be if you wanted to keep the Rumble for a more portable setup, or something to leave at rehearsal space, etc. and then have your main amp available for important gigs, recording and whatnot.

For SVT sounds, Tech21 VT Bass is really nice and won't cost you as much as a new amp by itself. I am sure the bassrig is nice though, and it should be for that price!

I'll update my own reply...if you're mainly concerned with your DI sound for FOH, and just want to keep the Rumble as a stage monitor without needing it to be your be-all-end-all, that is another valid angle of approach, and it will work great for that.

 

[2thAche]

Can you get to a store with Amps to try? Sounds like you're ready for a GK

 

[GreyBeard]

I do the same thing as I run my Rumble 500C with a Mesa preamp/DI into the FX/Return. Works for me.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I had a gig this year where the backline was a Rumble 500 combo and a second cab. I don't get along with Rumbles. So I ran my Para Driver through the effects return and everything sounded great.

 

[Jack]

Can you get to a store with Amps to try? Sounds like you're ready for a GK

I think I've owned 7 GK amps, they are my favourite amp company. But what gives you that impression? OP wants to sound like an Ampeg.

 

[HueyFreeman]

I have a Fender Rumble 500. It’s pretty portable and the volume is good. But, I can’t get a good tone out of it with two of my basses.

Are you aware that the Rumble's eq section isn't typical?

Wiki 'Fender Rumble 500 (& 40) Frequencies'
Fender Rumble 500 (& 40) Frequencies

 

[HueyFreeman]

As well, iirc, the Bassrig SV has a cabsim on its DI that's baked in and can't be bypassed.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Can you get to a store with Amps to try? Sounds like you're ready for a GK

That’s the opposite of the tone he sounds like he’s after

 

[2thAche]

That’s the opposite of the tone he sounds like he’s after

He's looking to let his pedals make the tone, and not be colored by the amp. That's exactly what I like about using GK MB stuff.

 

[Stranger Danger]

He's looking to let his pedals make the tone, and not be colored by the amp. That's exactly what I like about using GK MB stuff.

GK definitely has a baked in GK tone in my opinion.

 

[FretRiff]

He's looking to let his pedals make the tone, and not be colored by the amp. That's exactly what I like about using GK MB stuff.

Take away GK's main form of color, its preamp (EQ voicing, contour, control, presence, etc), and additional coloration can still come from its speaker/cab voicing... which depending on cab can have a noticeable effect on tone. Cabinet-to-cabinet, the GK (which often has ported designs and strong low-end extension) can sound more more modern and extended than Ampeg even with a Bassrig pre running through it.

[COLOR=rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.87)]Given that, if I were the OP and were interested in buying a preamp pedal to use with FX/Return to sound like an Ampeg I'd first try a pre pedal with the Rumble (whose cab might have its own sound) and see how it worked before thinking about swapping out the amp too.[/COLOR]

 

[2thAche]

IMO rumbles have a sound. I got the impression OP feels the same. I don't feel that way about GK with settings flat.

 

[2thAche]

GK definitely has a baked in GK tone in my opinion.

Settings flat, no OD i disagree. I'm talking the MB neo not older stuff.

 

[2thAche]

I think I've owned 7 GK amps, they are my favourite amp company. But what gives you that impression? OP wants to sound like an Ampeg.

Again, he wants to use his pedals for tone and just amplify that. This is exactly what I do. I don't need the amp to make the tone, I want the bass and pedals to do that part and I think thats what he's looking for.