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Fender Bronco 40- Tool or a toy?

vindibona1

vindibona1

Apr 18, 2015
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#1
You guys have convinced me that I don't want to ruin my guitar amps with bass playing. I've demoed a few amps and have a better idea of what I like and don't. Though i need primarily a practice amp to play at bedroom levels I want something I can grow into while keeping the budget for it as far below $200 as I can.

I played an Ampeg BA-108 yesterday, and while probably good enough for the moment it wouldn't leave me anywhere to grow into it. So I'm not feeling like wasting $100 just to buy something else in a short while. I liked the Fender Rumble 40 a lot, but it's right at $200 but there aren't any used ones out there that I've come across.... And then there is the Fender Bronco. I know it's the bass' cousin to the Mustangs.

I found a used Bronco locally, but it's a fair drive and in bad neighborhood. So before I make the 70 minute trek to check it out I wanted to see what the consensus here was. It has lots of features and "voices" but the primary sounds are most important. Even with my 2 SS guitar amps (Roland and Line 6) I mostly dial in clean sounds and if I need effects do it withe pedals. Does this amp sound too over-processed and electronic, especially in comparison to my benchmark Rumble 40? How is the volume output compared to the Rumble 40? Where I to take this to a gig or a jam would it (or I) be taken seriously?

As always, thanks (in advance) for your help
 
#2
vindibona1 said:
Does this amp sound too over-processed and electronic, especially in comparison to my benchmark Rumble 40? How is the volume output compared to the Rumble 40? Where I to take this to a gig or a jam would it (or I) be taken seriously?
Click to expand...

As you can tell by the lack of responses the Bronco isn't a big player, but as someone who has owned two of them I don't consider it an useable toy either.

My ears do not hear the digital tone compared to a Line 6 Spider-series combo amp which always sounded synthetic to me. I have not played through the Rumble 40, but own the 500 head/115 cab and I think it's TV Amber model compare somewhat to the Rumble, except in volume of course.

I can't compare volumes, but I'd guess the Rumble with the Vintage button in might seem louder, but the Bronco does pretty well at jams and lower-powered gigs in small to less than medium-sized rooms.

I used it last year in an acoustic duo in a cafeteria and while it wasn't a powerhouse, it blended well with the guitar and sounded great. This year it's been used in a practice room in a school with a 30-piece elementary band, and again, has held it's own.

No one has ever questioned my using the Bronco, and as long as you're not asking too much from it (don't forget it's XLR output) you'll find it to be a great companion.

For the price ice always thought it was one of Fender's best deals. I wouldn't think of getting rid of mine and I have plenty of choices.

Good luck!
 
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#3
Thank for replying iagtrplyr. I'm surprised by the lack of input from others. I found a used Bronco locally but as of today the seller has not responded. I think you've clarified a few things for me. I appreciate that. I'll have to check it out. At current prices it wouldn't be my first choice purchased new, but a used one at a good price would probably fill the bill with little downside risk. I guess I have to wait for the right amp to come around. Interestingly, there are markedly fewer used mid-lower end bass amps available than guitar amps. I suppose that's because there are fewer bass players.

Thanks again.
 
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#4
The BIG deal about the Fender Bronco 40 is that it is a digital modeling amp with a ton of great amps and effects from which to choose. USB connectivity to your computer for both direct digital recording, and further sound and effect features through Fender Fuse software online. Those features make it a serious tool with an absolute ton of versatility.

For a perfect personal practice amp with a great sounding analog pre-amp, the Fender Rumble 40 is unbeatable for $199 new & shipped. Loud enough for an acoustic coffee house type gig. Very light and easy to use. It's beauty is in it's simplicity. Everything you need and nothing you don't.
 
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#5
With a very busy weekend, I didn't see this until today (daughter #2's first prom, and Mother's Day).

I have a Bronco, and honestly, it's the thing that made me want a Rumble. I REALLY like it, but there are some shortcomings... The main one for me being the interface. In my 50's now, my color recognition is blurring together, and tri-color LED's are my bane.
An LCD with jog-dial like on the Mustang III, another 60 watts, and 2x10 speakers would make this amp amazing. This was supposed to be a LINE of amps like the Mustangs (I recall some pre-press info on a Bronco 80).

I have installed a external speaker jack (switched) on mine and connected my Rumble 410 cab to it, the sound is MUCH improved from the single built in 10" (which often farts) the Rumble emulations are spot on compared to my Rumble 150, and the effects sound more organic.

Having come from a Line 6 bass Floor pod (original version), I find the effects superior to that lower resolution DSP box (even with the stock speaker), the octaver is very good.

There is a guy on the Fender forums who converted his Bronco into a head, and puts it front of his amp (or a PA) to gig with. I've tried the XLR out into my amp, but I've got a old crappy XLR to 1/4 adapter, it sounded better with the headphone jack into the amp than with the XLR (the Fender Forums guy didn't have that issue), but neither as good as the Bronco direct into my 410 cab.

I need to get or make a good XLR Adapter.
 
#6
Linnin said:
The BIG deal about the Fender Bronco 40 is that it is a digital modeling amp with a ton of great amps and effects from which to choose. USB connectivity to your computer for both direct digital recording, and further sound and effect features through Fender Fuse software online. Those features make it a serious tool with an absolute ton of versatility.

For a perfect personal practice amp with a great sounding analog pre-amp, the Fender Rumble 40 is unbeatable for $199 new & shipped. Loud enough for an acoustic coffee house type gig. Very light and easy to use. It's beauty is in it's simplicity. Everything you need and nothing you don't.
Click to expand...

I agree. If I could find a used Rumble 40 for a decent price I'd jump on it. I haven't come across any. I'd think there would be guys wanting to move up to bigger stuff, but I'm not seeing it. I do not want to buy a new amp and lose 40% of it's value when I walk out the door so I'm looking for used. The closest thing I've seen is an OLD Rumble 60. I have to chuckle when I see those RCA aux input jacks on the older amps. So used to seeing mini jacks now making the RCA's look funny and old. I may end up having to buy a new Rumble unless something else shows up. So far I haven't heard back from the seller of the Bronco yet.
 
#7
I've been in a similar boat looking for a small practice amp, and I thought the Bronco looked like a good option too. Used ones certainly don't come up often around here either (there was one on craigslist for months, but I wasn't in the market at the time.)

Used V3 Rumbles are a bit more common, I nearly went for a used 200 combo that Sam Ash has for $180, but I want something smaller.
 
#9
There are a couple more options you can consider. There's the Peavey Vypyr:

Link Removed

Also, the Roland Cube. The Vypyr has 6 bass emulations as well as channel switching and foot pedal capability. It has a port on the back so it isn't a sealed enclosure, meaning more bottom end. It has a 12" bass speaker. And if you ever switch back to guitar now and then, it does dual channels with multiple effects. Sold by GC, MF, Sam's, etc.
 
#11
Linnin said:
That's because a lot of players with big stage rigs are buying Rumble 40's for personal practice amps, and keeping them.

Here ya go! Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll have to call them and do some horse trading. By the time they ship it and charge tax cost would probably be around $195. I'd have to buy it at around $120 to make worthwhile. If I can't get a better price I'd be just as well off to buy new it from MF or Sweetwater where there is no tax, no shipping. I'll probably end up waiting for some Sam Ash certificates (due from jams and open mikes), negotiate a discount to get rid of the tax penalty, then pull the trigger here locally. I appreciate the help.
 
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#12
I have had a Bronco for about three years and am generally happy with it. Use it for home practice w/headphones and practice with my three piece bluegrass band. Pretty easy to get a good sound out of it and if you use the software you can manipulate it a lot. I have gigged with it at a couple really small places.

I wish it was better powered, build the same size box with the same preamp and effects and a 200 watt amp. Would be easy to engineer, don't know why Fender has never done this.
 
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#13
I hear ya. I've posted on the Fender forum to either consider a larger,gigging amp or possibly a Bronco floorboard like the Mustang combo has. I thought either piece would sell, so far nothing. I'm not a huge fan of the FUSE software, but tend to get just the tone out it as I need it.

BTW, where's a Bronco v2? I'd like to see an update with the new Fender Bassman tube amps emulated.
 
#14
jthisdell said:
I have had a Bronco for about three years and am generally happy with it. Use it for home practice w/headphones and practice with my three piece bluegrass band. Pretty easy to get a good sound out of it and if you use the software you can manipulate it a lot. I have gigged with it at a couple really small places.

I wish it was better powered, build the same size box with the same preamp and effects and a 200 watt amp. Would be easy to engineer, don't know why Fender has never done this.
Click to expand...
Not sure what the future holds for the Fender Bronco, but using the very same 200 watt D-class power section from the Rumble 200, and the newly designed Eminence 12" woofer from the new Rumble 112 cabinet is very doable. A bit larger, yes, but very gigable.
 
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#15
I just bought a bronco used online. Can't wait to get it. My husband bought the mustang for his 6-string and likes it. We just play around at home and wouldn't need much power if we did gig somewhere. We are normally a duo with me on banjo and him on guitar. I'm thrilled about all the stuff you can do with this through the computer. I'll use it as a practice and home amp and it'll be plenty powerful for anything I need.
 
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