Fender Rumble 100 v3 sounds dull.

[bassliner50]

I am wondering if I am alone in the opinion that the Fender Rumble 100 sounds dull or as some describe "pillowy". I have tried adjusting the EQ to no real satisfaction with my Precision basses with no effects or pedals. I am not at all looking to hear a harsh tone, just a satisfying clean tone. Boosting the mids a little seems to sound harsh. I do very controlled gigs with a jazz group so a lot of volume is not necessary.
I own and have used the Rumble 40, (same preamp) and I do get a satisfactory tone and response from it. I also have a Traynor SB115 and the tone and EQ consistently satisfies even with setting at or near flat. (That one is wonderful BTW)
I am constantly disappointed when I bring the Rumble 100 to the gig. Any thoughts or suggestions out there?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Have you had it checked to see if it has a problem?
Or take your bass to a music store and try another R-100 to see if it acts the same?
And if it does act the same, then try another bass at the store to how it works with the store R-100?

 

[Aloe]

well, it's a muddy sounding 12" box without a tweeter. 15 with a tweeter and a single 10" will have more high end for sure.

I gave up on mine and give the same advice to you: sell it if you don't like, how it sounds. if it didn't work for you, it could work for somebody else, with other sonic preferences.

oh, yes, one more thing, while I had my Rumble, I've noticed, it can do wonders with a right compressor before. I had Markbass Compressore at that moment and it was beautiful with Rumble and passive 4-stringers.

 

[bassliner50]

The Rumble 100 is delightfully transportable. That may be its best point. It is certainly useable. gigable but hard for me to love. I have been thinking about the Traynor SB112 as a replacement because of my satisfaction of my SB115. Or a 1X12 Ampeg Rocket amp.

 

[bassliner50]

Have you had it checked to see if it has a problem?
Or take your bass to a music store and try another R-100 to see if it acts the same?
And if it does act the same, then try another bass at the store to how it works with the store R-100?

Thanks for the suggestion, but I do not percieve a defect there which might be rectified by a tech and a checkup. I believe this it is just the inherent performance of the Rum100 (with any of my basses) which leaves me expecting more in terms of tone and response.. If it could put forth a bit more presence without pushing mids into harshness I could be happier with it.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I do not percieve a defect there which might be rectified by a tech and a checkup. I believe this it is just the inherent performance of the Rum100 which leaves me expecting more in terms of tone and response..

OK. Thank you for considering my replies.

 

[theduke1]

I play in a variety trio with pa support, I haves giged the Rumble 500, and now the Rumble 100 and found them both more than satisfactory
Just my $0.02
Duke

 

[JakobT]

It’s a matter of taste, like most other things - some like the Rumble tone, some don’t (I certainly do). If you don’t, you might as well sell it and get something more to your liking.

 

[InkCow]

I can sympathize with the possibility that you might just not agree with the Rumble - I’m fairly lukewarm on them myself and I have a good friend who truly dislikes their sound - but there is a thread on Rumble hacks that might help: Fender Rumble 40 upgrades/mods
Also, the currently active thread about high pass filters might be relevant to your situation.
Then again, you might just need a different amp.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

I'm with Aloe on this. I borrowed a friend's Rumble 100 and couldn't coax a decent tone out of the thing. Ended up getting a Rumble 40 and I love it!

My buddy has since replace his Rumble 100 stock speaker with a 12" EMI Delta something and it sounds sooooo much better!

 

[Yahboy]

Clean tone 12' driver combo.

Tech 21 VT200 combo. With full volume then tweak the Driver knob along with Bite button engage + character knob at noon. Sound cleaner than my previous R200c and current Ampeg Rb112. The Hartke KB15 sound clean and solid but more on bite and attack tone side compare to round clean tone on VT200.

 

[Doug4321]

It’s definitely bassy, the 100. I always cut the bass eq below noon. Also make sure you don’t have on the vintage or contour little buttons as they add bass. Or if they are on, cut even more bass.

 

[Mastermold]

It’s definitely bassy, the 100. I always cut the bass eq below noon. Also make sure you don’t have on the vintage or contour little buttons as they add bass. Or if they are on, cut even more bass.

Makes sense, I wonder if this is the issue.

 

[tom-g]

I use it all the time for small gigs. I don’t have the contour or vintage sound activated. I cut bass and low mid until it sounds right. That will take care of the mud. Don’t be afraid to use the EQ, that‘s what it‘s there for.

 

[Blue Moose]

Yeah, I've always felt the same about them, but a VT pedal really brings it to life. When I gig with mine, I usually run my VT pedal or fly rig into the effects return and basically use it as a powered cabinet. I use it in that configuration all the time and am really happy with the tone I get on stage.

 

[ELG60]

It's not a high-end unit. Perhaps, as others have said, you can EQ out some of the mid, but it is what it is.

 

[CallMeAl]

I like mine but have had some issues with mud in the past. I eventually got a Markbass 112 and it’s in another class. Never had an issue with that one!

But even in an in-store demo of a Rocketbass 112, I could hear it’s inherently cleaner. I also like Ampeg’s 500 hz knob. That would be more similar to the Rumble in price and weight.

 

[butterfingers1]

I am wondering if I am alone in the opinion that the Fender Rumble 100 sounds dull or as some describe "pillowy". I have tried adjusting the EQ to no real satisfaction with my Precision basses with no effects or pedals. I am not at all looking to hear a harsh tone, just a satisfying clean tone. Boosting the mids a little seems to sound harsh. I do very controlled gigs with a jazz group so a lot of volume is not necessary.
I own and have used the Rumble 40, (same preamp) and I do get a satisfactory tone and response from it. I also have a Traynor SB115 and the tone and EQ consistently satisfies even with setting at or near flat. (That one is wonderful BTW)
I am constantly disappointed when I bring the Rumble 100 to the gig. Any thoughts or suggestions out there?

I got rid of my Rumbles three years ago (200 500 plus 115 cabinet). Boomy clanky woolly no matter the eq. I liked the retro look, glitter grill and Fender aura. Now I’m lusting for the new Ampeg Rocket Bass combos.

The Traynors have always been rock-solid no-nonsense high-quality amplifiers, no fiddle-twiddle effects knobs and switches, just get-out-of-the-way bass guitar coming out loud and clear.

 

[MrLenny1]

I got a Rumble 100 this summer for studio. IMHO find it
clear & modern sounding. I'm using an active bass & RW nickels.
Got it for $300, currently on sale for $200.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I am wondering if I am alone in the opinion that the Fender Rumble 100 sounds dull or as some describe "pillowy". I have tried adjusting the EQ to no real satisfaction with my Precision basses with no effects or pedals. I am not at all looking to hear a harsh tone, just a satisfying clean tone. Boosting the mids a little seems to sound harsh. I do very controlled gigs with a jazz group so a lot of volume is not necessary.
I own and have used the Rumble 40, (same preamp) and I do get a satisfactory tone and response from it. I also have a Traynor SB115 and the tone and EQ consistently satisfies even with setting at or near flat. (That one is wonderful BTW)
I am constantly disappointed when I bring the Rumble 100 to the gig. Any thoughts or suggestions out there?

Should of bought the rb112. It never disappoints.