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Fender Rumble 100 V1

Craig Williams

Craig Williams

Feb 13, 2019
240
163
63
Thailand
#1
Looking at a Fender Rumble 100, I think version one, has the carpet cover. Ive read a few reviews on here but all over the place. First few posts I read guys claiming very good sounding workhorse etc, next thread worst amps ever made.

I will be mainly using it for at home and maybe a small rehearsal, very small venue gig. I don't really want the weight and bulk of a big amp when in all reality it may never leave the house but I do want a decent thump from it, feel the bottom end. Most of the smaller practice amps just make a bass type noise.

There is also a 150w, same series for sale about double the price. I believe these are pretty much the bees knees as a working small gig amp, and I know most would say go for the 150.

Also seen an old Peavey TKO-75 at a great price too. What would be the best choice between the Rumble 100 and the Peavey TKO75? I know technically the Peavey lower wattage but maybe not lower volume?

What the consensus on the Rumble 100? I am after the old school Precision Bass sound.
If it's not going to be much better sounding than a practise amp I'll leave it
 
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#2
The other option I have and didn't really consider it, is I have a Laney AH-150 combo PA Keyboard 150w amplifier. Great unit actually and they call it a multi instrument amp suitable for keyboards, vocals, E drums, guitars but they do omit Bass guitar in their description. I have plugged the bass into it at low volumes and seems ok. On the specs channel 2 is for high in put so I don't know if this means a bass. I mean is there anything different between me buying a Rumble 100 or this Laney or would be any reason why it wouldn't be suitable for bass? Would the Fender or Peavey be enhanced somehow to sound better for bass or worse still would I be in danger of blowing the Laney. I would have assumed if you could use very low freq instruments like E drums (kick) and keys it would easily handle bass guitar? Any advice appreciated

AH150 - Multi input amp
 
#3
The Rumble is a fine amp. It's super light and insanely loud for the price. It is something of a one trick pony, though. You will dial in a pleasant sound very quickly. It basically sounds great right out of the box. But that's the sound you get. When you're happy with that - great. When you're looking for extreme versatility, look somewhere else. The law says that for bass amplification you can only choose two out of light, loud and cheap.
The rumble is bending that law to the maximum extent.


That Laney of yours should work, though.
It's more or less a mini PA with a 12" speaker and horn. It'll aim to be full range, but of course, lacking some bottom end. The EQ on the front goes only down to 100Hz whereas the E on the bass is 40.
Laney does not offer specs on how low it actually goes, but the manual ( https://manuals.laney.co.uk/AH150_AH300_Manual_ML.pdf ) Tells us on Page 10, Point 7. that Channel 2 may be used for guitars/basses.
 
#4
Thanks so much. I actually sent an email to Laney and got a reply which surprises me as I have read their support is notoriously bad. Here is the reply...

These are designed to be used with multi instruments, it will not be as good as a dedicated bass amp but will be fine, output will still be 150W.

I see that on page 10 about being able to plug a bass into channel 2. Well picked up :-) They do omit to put anything about basses in their blurbs though.

I am sort of in a quandry. I love my gear and I love a bargain lol but I am living in Thailand and trying not to amass too much stuff as things are never certain here. Having said that I have 8 guitars, 4 basses, guitar amp and the Laney lol. Do you think the Rumble would have a lower freq than the Laney ie down to 40 mhz? I am after pretty much a singular sound. Classic Fender but punchy, like it's kicking you in the a$$. Mowtown dull thud thud best way I could describe it. I don't play slap or "bright" notes. Guy only wants about $100 for it which is probably normal in the States but a 40w practice amp here would normally set you back more than that. I had a Warwick BC30 before and obviously low volume (but ok for home) but it certainly didn't rock my socks off
 
#5
Craig Williams said:
Looking at a Fender Rumble 100, I think version one, has the carpet cover. Ive read a few reviews on here but all over the place. First few posts I read guys claiming very good sounding workhorse etc, next thread worst amps ever made. ... ...
Click to expand...


Please be aware that the V1 Rumble 100 is not a lightweight combo amp, like its newer V3 grandson is. The V1 cabinet's made of heavy MDF, while the V3 is built with lightweight plywood. Of course the 150 will be better for louder gigs, but it'll be heavier, too.

But, if you're young and strong, and can handle the weight, the V1 Rumble can still give you lots of good tone & reliable service. The mixed reviews are simply due to the built-in tone that some people like and some people don't. That's all there is to it.

Bottom line is, try 'em out for for yourself and let your ears, and your muscles, be your guide. If you go for it, please come to the Rumble Club and show us a pic. Personally, I love seeing the sound-activated red light in the cab's port dancing to the music! :thumbsup:
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#7
Got the Rumble today. Great basic sound which is 100% what I want. Must say a fair bit of ground noise. Only get it when I plug a lead in. Tried several leads with and without guitars. I am in Thailand though and do have a lot of issues with dirty power. I have it plugged into a power board with phone chargers and computer power pack. Also near TV in lounge room. Would these things effect it or is there anything I can do. Obviously the louder I turn it up the worse the noise. If I cut the mids seems to get a bit better.

Other thing was going to ask and not sure if anyone would know. First thing I did was pull the grille off to see if original speaker. Pulled it out. Nothing about Fender written on the back of the 15" speaker, just a silver back with a serial number on it. Is this normal for this model? Fender Rumble 100 / 115 with carpet cover and disco lights lol
 
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#8
Rumble 100/210 is my real combo after the Marshall MB15.

Overall build quality are better than my Rumble 75/112 v2 (farting driver ). Zero electronic issue, cool red light .
4 band EQ work well. Loud enough at 12 o'clock. Able handle my previous Ibanez Korean made SR705 Low B well. But speaker get fart while volume knod pass 2 o'clock.

Stock 210 driver give you clean tone, yes, no colouring tone like V3 Rumble.

I replace the driver with Eminence BP , sure tone get fuller and no problem with volume knob at 3o'clock. But after a years, I sell it and bought a Marshall MB450H + MBC410.
 
#9
G-Dog said:
The V1 …
Personally, I love seeing the sound-activated red light in the cab's port dancing to the music! :thumbsup:
.
Click to expand...

Years ago, I was lookin for an inexpensive but loud enough combo to leave at my practice space. There was a V1 rumble that was like $150 bucks. Plugged in the bass, and to be honest, I cant remember what it even sounded like, because when I saw that .."cheezy" red light blinking away inside the cabinet, I knew this wasn't a "real" amp, but some sort of fender toy amp. (no offense meant to anyone). Luckily, I unplugged that thing and ran away before anyone saw me.;) But you know dang well Fender felt the same way, as the "cool blinking red light" went away in the next version, faster than it showed up.

And I'm all for lights. But I will decide where they go. Amp companies should design amps, not light shows.

I'm sorry, but as an adult, there is NO way in hell I could show up to practice (with other adults ;) ) with the "V1, lady redlight" version of that amp. If I HAD to choose it, I would disconnect the light show. To this day I still feel embarrassed for Fender that they even attempted that. AND because of that I STILL have a hard time with the Fender cRumble series, EVEN THOUGH IT IS PRAISED by many here to be one of the best bang for buck amps out there.
Again, no offense meant, just giving a backstory of my 1st impression with that amp, and my feelings about it. If fact, people don't seem to discuss the "blinking red light V1" when discussing the Fender Ruble. (maybe they do, and I just don't go looking for it.

Wait. Can It be turned off? Still, fender put it there thinking that people , well, some people, needed this "feature".

;)

YMMV
(Yes, a little dramatized for comedic value) :)

T$
 
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#10
Craig Williams said:
Other thing was going to ask and not sure if anyone would know. First thing I did was pull the grille off to see if original speaker. Pulled it out. Nothing about Fender written on the back of the 15" speaker, just a silver back with a serial number on it. Is this normal for this model? Fender Rumble 100 / 115 with carpet cover and disco lights lol
Click to expand...
Yes, this is correct. Later on the Version2 Rumbles that speakers were marked Rumble along with the amp model.
013p1.jpg
 
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#12
Bassdirty said:
Years ago, I was lookin for an inexpensive but loud enough combo to leave at my practice space. There was a V1 rumble that was like $150 bucks. Plugged in the bass, and to be honest, I cant remember what it even sounded like, because when I saw that .."cheezy" red light blinking away inside the cabinet, I knew this wasn't a "real" amp, but some sort of fender toy amp. (no offense meant to anyone). Luckily, I unplugged that thing and ran away before anyone saw me.;) But you know dang well Fender felt the same way, as the "cool blinking red light" went away in the next version, faster than it showed up.

And I'm all for lights. But I will decide where they go. Amp companies should design amps, not light shows.

I'm sorry, but as an adult, there is NO way in hell I could show up to practice (with other adults ;) ) with the "V1, lady redlight" version of that amp. If I HAD to choose it, I would disconnect the light show. To this day I still feel embarrassed for Fender that they even attempted that. AND because of that I STILL have a hard time with the Fender cRumble series, EVEN THOUGH IT IS PRAISED by many here to be one of the best bang for buck amps out there.
Again, no offense meant, just giving a backstory of my 1st impression with that amp, and my feelings about it. If fact, people don't seem to discuss the "blinking red light V1" when discussing the Fender Ruble. (maybe they do, and I just don't go looking for it.

Wait. Can It be turned off? Still, fender put it there thinking that people , well, some people, needed this "feature".

;)

YMMV
(Yes, a little dramatized for comedic value) :)

T$
Click to expand...


No offense taken. In fact, that was exactly my thoughts about Rumbles in general, and the "dancing red lights" in particular, back in those days, ~2003~04. In my macho prime, and all that goes with it. "Dey cain't be serous, man!"

10 years later I'm retired, enjoying my freedom and my music, "with malice toward none, with charity for all, ...", nothing more to prove to anyone. Then appears this little 36.5 lb.s box with 2x10"s and 350 watts, at just $500!?! Can even drive a cab for 500 watts! What!?! A Rumble?!? Tried one at GC and loved it, but still suspicious about reliability. But, what the heck, why not? Let's test out that 5-year warranty.

Now 6 years later, never a hiccup from the Rumble 500 combo, my main big rig, unless I wanna show off my Bassman head & cab. Also now 1 year into my Rumble Studio 40 with every sound and/or tone/effect I can imagine. And the 500 can reinforce the 40, when needed.

Couple months ago I'm at a jam with this sleepy, really old looking dude, even older'n me, with a Strat plugged into an ancient Rumble 25 sitting in the chair next to him. Not sure it's turned on. Don't hear nothing. Don't see no red light. I just smiled, thinking he probably won't even wake up. But then, in one particularly bluesy song, the really hot lead guitarist gives him "the nod" and he sits up! Now, maybe it was my viewing angle, and/or the acoustics of where I was sitting in the room, but man! Neither B.B. nor Buddy ever cut heads any sweeter. And the varying intensities of the now undulating red light attested to the dynamics he was producing. I tell you it was like a religious experience! Now, that is the highest, most holy, use of the "dancing red light"! It's wasted on the less proficient.

I visited with him afterward. He's a retired pro musician, no surprise there. Recovering from a stroke. He's owned or played every classic amp made in the past 70 years. He traded a couple heavy tube amps for the Rumble! I asked how he liked the red light and he didn't know what I meant. I told him there's a light in the port. "I've never seen it, I just listen to it.", he said. Then he shuffled on out to his truck guitar in one hand, amp in the other. The lead player came up and said, "He's a character, ain't he?" I couldn't agree more. I hope to jam with him again sometime.

PSX_20200119_202729.jpg
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#13
I have owned the Rumble V1 100 watt amp since new. At the time it was the only amp I owned and played bass and guitar through it. I now have quite a few other amps including the Rumble 500w 210 with ext 210 as well as tube amps. Point is, my Rumble V1 100 watt sees more on time than any other amp I own. Just because...Plus my Ibby basses sound great on it. But the red light...yeah I could have done with out it.
 
#15
Had a bit more of a play with the amp today. Everything fine but wouldn't say it has a real punch or a lot of volume. And I am in a small lounge room. Tone is ok but doesn't really have a lot of kick, you can't feel it so to speak. Tried it with my G&L L2000 and Fender precision. Where is a good place to start as far as EQ settings go? Do you guys cut mids, treble? or everything 12 o'clock? Does anyone use the mid scoop button?

Using both the basses in passive mode by the way and I am not a bass player normally so sorry for what might be stoopid questions :-)
 
#16
Craig Williams said:
Had a bit more of a play with the amp today. Everything fine but wouldn't say it has a real punch or a lot of volume. And I am in a small lounge room. Tone is ok but doesn't really have a lot of kick, you can't feel it so to speak. Tried it with my G&L L2000 and Fender precision. Where is a good place to start as far as EQ settings go? Do you guys cut mids, treble? or everything 12 o'clock? Does anyone use the mid scoop button?

Using both the basses in passive mode by the way and I am not a bass player normally so sorry for what might be stoopid questions :)
Click to expand...


Come show a photo in the Fender Rumble Club and you'll get all kinds of helpful advice.
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