Fender Rumble 100 Bass Amp Powerful Enough?

[Michael King]

I am looking at buying the 100 Watt Fender Rumble playing with an acoustic band. A couple of guitars, mandolin, maybe a banjo. Americana folk music. Is this amp powerful enough?

 

[shaft311]

My take on this amp (I owned one) is that it's fine for practicing by yourself or with a low-volume, unplugged group such as your situation.

Anything beyond that, you will be disappointed. An amped guitar and drum kit will drown it out quickly, and it starts to sound like crap as you turn up the volume.

It's also heavy and unwieldy.

I did not own mine very long. There are definitely better options.

 

[Michael King]

Shaft311, Thanks for the info.

 

[Big Hoss]

My take on this amp (I owned one) is that it's fine for practicing by yourself or with a low-volume, unplugged group such as your situation.

Anything beyond that, you will be disappointed. An amped guitar and drum kit will drown it out quickly, and it starts to sound like crap as you turn up the volume.

It's also heavy and unwieldy.

I did not own mine very long. There are definitely better options.

100 watts is enough for low volume gigs especially with a volume controlled or no drummer. Loud drums require more than the 100 can do...

The new V3 Rumbles are WAY lighter than the older models.

 

[Michael King]

This I a new model and is very light. The 40 watt version is crazy light but 40 watts is definitely not powerful enough.

 

[Big Hoss]

If you can get the scratch together try out the V3 200...

Of course if you are sticking with your gig as described 100 watts is fine and your back and wallet would like the 100 better.

 

[Michael King]

The store in VA Beach quoted me $270.00 for the 100 watt amp.

 

[Big Hoss]

To answer your question more directly...

I am looking at buying the 100 Watt Fender Rumble playing with an acoustic band. A couple of guitars, mandolin, maybe a banjo. Americana folk music. Is this amp powerful enough?

Given an accoustic set, assuming non amplified, and no percussion, That amp would not only be powerful enough, you likely won't drive it anywhere near its limits. You will run into buyers remorse with it if / when you try doing rock / r&b / Hip Hop type stuff with a volume control deficient drummer...

I've been fortunate, the drummers I have played along to have either been drum machines, or actually know how to play so that the rest of the band doesn't have to volume up to ear bleeding levels just to be heard...

 

[Bent77]

The store in VA Beach quoted me $270.00 for the 100 watt amp.

At that price I would be interested given the use you stated.

 

[Linnin]

The store in VA Beach quoted me $270.00 for the 100 watt amp.

That's a very good price. The new V3 Fender Rumble 100's have quite an avid following, and you'd be surprised ( I am) at how many live gigs they slay. Look for yourself at the Fender Rumble Club. Real working bass players playing real gigs with real Fender Rumbles telling the real truth.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I use to have an Ampeg B100R combo amp, it's 100w. When I played with a group similar as you mentioned, it was more than adequate, even in a large hall when the guitars were mic'd through a house PA.

 

[shaft311]

Something like this would be a better fit if you're looking for lightweight. These sound good and are better quality than the entry level Fender stuff (Backline is entry level as well).

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Figure in tax and shipping on that, but you'd still come out less than the Rumble 100 and have a bit more punch, and less weight.

If you had a couple hundred more to spend you could pick up a used 2x10 and used class D amp such as a Mark Bass Little Mark II and have a much more powerful and versatile rig, but that may be another thread.

 

[iagtrplyr]

The 100 would be perfect under those conditions. In fact, I'd like to sell my Bronco 40 and use the 100 for rehearsals and small gigs. Size, weight, power, and punch are perfect for what we're both looking for. At $270 you'd be foolish not to grab one!

 

[rllefebv]

Something like this would be a better fit if you're looking for lightweight. These sound good and are better quality than the entry level Fender stuff (Backline is entry level as well).

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Figure in tax and shipping on that, but you'd still come out less than the Rumble 100 and have a bit more punch, and less weight.

If you had a couple hundred more to spend you could pick up a used 2x10 and used class D amp such as a Mark Bass Little Mark II and have a much more powerful and versatile rig, but that may be another thread.

My opinion only, but I cannot get with the "Backline" stuff... Having heard and played both, for the stated gig requirements I would choose the Rumble hands down... The Rumble 40 would easily do this gig. In fact, I believe there is a guy in the Rumble thread doing exactly that...

I routinely play with two acoustic guitars, vocals, and a cajon using either an unamplified upright or various electrics through a cheap Acoustic B20 and have zero issues...

-robert

 

[Big Hoss]

Something like this would be a better fit if you're looking for lightweight. These sound good and are better quality than the entry level Fender stuff (Backline is entry level as well).

Invalid Link Removed

Figure in tax and shipping on that, but you'd still come out less than the Rumble 100 and have a bit more punch, and less weight.

If you had a couple hundred more to spend you could pick up a used 2x10 and used class D amp such as a Mark Bass Little Mark II and have a much more powerful and versatile rig, but that may be another thread.

That link goes to the gift card page.

 

[Arturo+music]

100 watts - in my day would certainly have been way over the top for playing in an otherwise all acoustic band. In fact, I often used a 50 watt head in a guitar + bass + drums with vocals.
All electric except drums. That was quite sufficient. Volume is not the priority. Balance of the different sounds mixed is the main idea. Some learners and semi-pros never grasp that factor.
It is more reasonable to be a mediocre, intermediate level instrumentalist with a quality of sound and levels than a bit of a maniac with volume syndrome.

 

[obimark]

Get a GK MB200--- i gig mine, practice with it, it does whatever I need, and I am asked to turn down at MOST gigs.

 

[strictlybass_ic]

I also love the GK MB200 and will recommend it shamelessly. If you have the dough going the amp/cab route is usually preferential (since you can mix and match the pieces or upgrade independently). But, for the situation you described the rumble should be just fine. Anything more than that and you'll likely have to try and flip it to buy something bigger (or just buy another setup and keep that for practice). Think about how long-term stable your situation is before you commit to a rig.

Also, try out some other gear if you can. I tried out the new V3 rumbles and was very impressed by the weight, volume, and simplicity... but the tone/sound just wasn't for me. They are a great product technically, no doubt but they just didn't speak to me.

 

[Big Hoss]

100 watts - in my day would certainly have been way over the top for playing in an otherwise all acoustic band. In fact, I often used a 50 watt head in a guitar + bass + drums with vocals.
All electric except drums. That was quite sufficient. Volume is not the priority. Balance of the different sounds mixed is the main idea. Some learners and semi-pros never grasp that factor.
It is more reasonable to be a mediocre, intermediate level instrumentalist with a quality of sound and levels than a bit of a maniac with volume syndrome.

I must admit to getting a giggle out of your reply though. Usually when I see the phrase in my day... written down, it is followed by the phrase we had to walk uphill in 5 feet of snow, barefoot 15 miles, both ways!

Sorry, I couldn't help but laugh...

You do make an excellent point though.

There is no shortage here of posters that will be more than willing to help you spend multiple thousands of dollars on some botique branded stack of ear bleeding volume that is absolutely and completely inappropriate for any venue aside from heavy metal / hip hop concerts or dance clubs.

While I personally think a 50 watt amp is a bit on the smallish side for gigging, even with accoustics, that is solely on a tone side of things. I prefer a more powerful amp that I tend to run the main hot, and then adjust my gain to set the volume... At least with my Crate amp it's been how I get my best tone...

I guess to each their own, but yeah, in your application, and even with some reasonably amplified guitar and a GOOD drummer, 100 watts should do the trick...

 

[madbanjoman]

I use a markbass micro 801 and never go past half way on the volume in an all acoustic band with two loud tenor banjos.