Fender Rumble 100 vs Warwick Gnome + 2x8 cab (or something else?).

[Fondsdale]

I'm looking for something super lightweight and small. Mainly for playing at home but to be somewhat usable as a low volume gig/rehearsal amp.

The Rumble 100 is basically the cheapest loud-ish amp that I can find. I'm sure it's not super giggable but some people seem to get by for low-moderate volume (this isn't my main use but if it can't at least hang in a quiet jam, it's useless to me).

But I could grab a Warwick Gnome 200 and the Gnome 2x8 cab for slightly more than the Rumble 100. My gut tells me this is the better choice and likely has more volume and definition.

Other alternatives I've looked into could include the Gnome 1x10 cab... or maybe the TC Bam 200 instead of the Gnome head.

Another wildcard would be a Yamaha DBR12 but I'm not sure these handle the low end enough (this is attractive just due to the versatility of a PA speaker).

Would like whatever I get to handle a low B, but I'm not expecting miracles with these small cabinets.

Anyone have experience with any of these?

 

[Bodeeni]

We have a small local club that uses a Rumble 100 as the backline. Seems to work fine as a stage monitor. Those things are feather weight. I think, much lighter than the 2x8 cab.

 

[InkCow]

I played an original (standard, 200w) Gnome and a single TC BC208 for over a year in a band with drums, guitars, and keys with no issues.

That said, it wasn’t a particularly loud band, and I wouldn’t expect it to hold up on an outdoor gig.

OTOH, I can also say, as a counter argument, that the rehearsal space also had a Rumble 100 that I used sometimes and it held up fine with this band. If it’s not a full on rock band or something with extended crescendos, you’re fine with either.

Personally, I’d go with the Gnome: I added a Rumble 115 if I needed to move more air and that covered most of my needs.

 

[Aloe]

uhm, Gnome is a clean-only mid-forward head. Rumble is a dirty-only scooped one. while you can dial out the scoop, you won't be completely able to dial out the overdrive.

I had a Rumble 100. I've sold it when I got a 5-string and got an amp that sounded better with the low B string instead. HTH.

 

[William Stone]

I've got a Markbass 1x12 300 watt combo amp that weighs 22lbs, and if needed it will push 500 watts when using the 2x10 cabinet I have with it, also a Markbass and incredibly lightweight.

Those should fit the bill for anything I might be doing. However I've come to realize that if I need 300 or 500 watts, there's going to a PA, and my DI and In Ears are the way to go.

 

[nonohmic]

Gnome and 2x8 for sure.

 

[Solipsistik]

I play a lot through a Rumble 100 with my 2nd band (beatles, etc.) and while it's actually very capable, I'd recommend the 500 if you're going to go the Rumble route, because it has better speakers, better power and just plain sounds better.

Otherwise, the Gnome. It's a higher class of amp. You might find the cab will cost a bit, but worth it to me.

Then again, I just bought a 2000W amp, so I'm a bad influence, lol

 

[Marc valero]

I have the Rumble 100 and used it as a stage monitor for a few years and use it for band practice now. It's fine for quick set up and sensible volume levels for practice or stage monitor or for lower volume gigs. I got the TC Bam 200, which use for backup now as I have a 500 watt TC head and I gig the the Hartke HD 112 now. Gnome and 2x8 would probably sound better, but the Rumble 100 would work if you like the sound.

 

[brianrost]

I could grab a Warwick Gnome 200 and the Gnome 2x8 cab for slightly more than the Rumble 100. My gut tells me this is the better choice and likely has more volume and definition.

Why do you think it would have more volume? The cone area of the speakers in both is about the same. The Gnome can deliver the full rated 200 watts into that cabinet, which on paper is an audible but small difference of only 3 dB. More definition…maybe, as it has a tweeter, but you will only know for sure if you try them side by side.

 

[Solipsistik]

Why do you think it would have more volume?

Two speakers and a horn/tweeter + twice as much power should net you more than 3db. It probably won't, but it definitely will give a better reproduction since it's altogether better than the single Rumble speaker in the 100. As I said, I've played through one a lot and if it's good at anything, it would be mellow mid-centric music. If you want more highs, if you're a soloist or a 'slapper,' this is probably just a little too low in the pecking order for that. It's why I recommend the 500, it has dual 10" speakers and a horn. It's certainly more money, but you get more for it, too. The 500 is not just "like" the 100, only louder.

YMMV.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Bring your "low B" bass in a music store and try a Fender Rumble 100 and an Ampeg RB 112 side by side.

They are both pretty much the same weight but the Ampeg might impress you with its deep bass.

 

[bassfran]

I used a newer Peavey combo for a few rehearsals and it was good. I think it was 200w with 2x8 and it kept up with drums in a small room just fine.

 

[sheesh]

I have two 2x8 Peavey Trace Elliots. These things are incredibly versatile. I can run one standalone for small gigs. It sounds amazing with the GKMB200. I sold my P.T.E. ELF amp and two P.T.E. 1x10s.

I play in a full band and have used both of them stacked with the Quilter BB800, (as suggested by Tom B.). Amazing.

That said, if you like the Rumble tone, (I do not), check it out. Many players like them.

Really depends on what you want.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I have a Gnome iPro I use with a sealed 115 and it sounds great to me. Not modern at all but was ideal for an oldies group: guitar, bass, drums, sax, 4 vocals. That Gnome is a great little no frills amp!

BBB

 

[BassicJazzy]

I love my Rumble100 but I think you might not get the full "low B" sound you are looking for out of it. Rumble200 or Rumble500 probably the way to go, if you want a Rumble. Not familiar with the Warwick, so no comment there.

 

[brianrost]

Two speakers and a horn/tweeter + twice as much power should net you more than 3db.

Cone area of 2 8” speakers (back of napkin calculation including the surrounds, so actual area is slightly less) is 101 in², a 12” speaker is 113 in². So the main benefit of the two speakers is not cone area but making the Gnome cab impedance 4 ohms instead of 8. Rule of thumb says both the 2-8 and the 1-12 speakers have roughly the same cone area, so there’s no benefit there unless one of them has a higher efficiency. Unfortunately, neither Fender or Warwick supplies SPL measurements for the speakers, so there’s no way to know if one is signicantly more efficient than the other.

I have played through a few Rumbles in the store (100 and 500) and on stage (200) and agree that the sound has a slightly dirty edge to it. I have never seen a Gnome head or cab, let alone played one so I have no comment on them.

That is why I wrote “you will only know for sure if you try them side by side.”

 

[Solipsistik]

That is why I wrote “you will only know for sure if you try them side by side.”

Also why I wrote that it probably won't get you 3db of SIL. The speaker in the 100 Rumble is a lesser unit than the one in the higher range, according to everyone who has claimed to know. The 500 is definitely a different sounding animal, the head may have similar characteristics but the speaker and horn qualities are a big step up from the 100 in my opinion.

Now, the Gnome ... it all depends on which cabinet they decide on. The head has had good reviews and is class-D so there should be few surprises.

 

[Yahboy]

Bring your "low B" bass in a music store and try a Fender Rumble 100 and an Ampeg RB 112 side by side.

They are both pretty much the same weight but the Ampeg might impress you with its deep bass.

Can't agree more, the RB112 able handle Low B well without fart or distortion before volume knob pass 3 o clock.

I play the ibanez SRMS725 through RB112 stacked and love how well the B string tone quality. Firm and tight.

 

[Yahboy]

I love my Rumble100 but I think you might not get the full "low B" sound you are looking for out of it. Rumble200 or Rumble500 probably the way to go, if you want a Rumble. Not familiar with the Warwick, so no comment there.

I been own a Rumble 200 combo before move to hartke KB15, tech21 VT 200 and currently Ampeg RB112 stacked.

The B string sound just round and warmth on R200, not enough present tight and solid I looking for even how tweak the EQ compare to Hartke KB15.

But R200 with vintage button engage well married with Pbass+ flatwound bass string.

 

[kenofbeer]

I have the gnome i pro (280W version) and the gnome 1x10 cab and really love it in terms of the tone and portability. Only used it for home practices, but I think it's definitely loud enough for a small band rehearsal / small gigs. Can't imagine 200W being too far off volume wise.

Individual head + cab is also great because you can always change out the cab or borrow a bigger one if you need.