Fender Rumble 100 watts v3. Is it worth it?

[azfatboy]

You have a good point. My thinking was that the combo he's using is known for punching above its' weight class......and for all we know, it might have a volume taper that puts out 98% of it's juice at "5". I can't advise what might well be spending good money after bad..........

I am not trying to be smart, but have you heard a 100v3? I don't have a lot of experience myself (the 100v3 is my first and only bass combo amp), but based on what lots of others have said (like @Gravedigger Dav, who do have experience), my impression is that these new Rumble amps redefine the term "punching above its' weight class"... I don't know about the OP's older amp, but I can say that the 100v3 gets pretty dang loud--much louder and cleaner that one might expect.

And I still qualified my suggestion with "it depends on how good the deal is", because for a lukewarm deal, it might make sense to wait for something like a 200. But there is another price point where it makes sense to snatch up the 100v3, even if in the end he *only* uses it for home practice...

 

[nutdog]

The yamaha weighs about 5 times the rumble

Small room like a garage, bedroom or basement with reasonable people? Should be OK. With my deaf guitar player in our roughly 50x50 practice room?

 

[Don mata]

After reading what you said and consider my experience with other amps, I kind of think that a 100W amp should do it (I hope so). My only concern is: What things can't a 12" speaker (100W amp) do in comprasion to a 100W amp with a 15" speaker? I understend that the 15" has more low end...but the amp I use (old, probaly late 70's or 80's Yamaha amp) is way too low, to the point it's so boomy you have to move the low knob counterclockwise, so it doesn't so muddy.

If I play with a 100 watts amp (15") 12 o clock volume (if it's really loud 1 o clock), I guess it'd be similar with the Fender 100w, but just with less low end... am I wrong?

Does the size of the speaker affect the volume? what about the size of the amp (the fender is way smaller than the yamaha......One person cannot move that amp on their own....you need 2 people.

Thanks for helping guys!

 

[nutdog]

All other things being equal, a 15 will be louder than a 12. All other things are rarely equal. Speaker design, age, abuse (or lack thereof), cab design, voicing, taper, watt rating method...many variables.

Having owned both, assuming they are both functioning properly, I think the yamaha is more capable, probably due a larger speaker, larger box and a conservatively rated amp. The rumble benefits from technology advancements that have occurred over the last 30 years that allow bass rigs to achieve more with less. It's a small combo so it has limits. But it sounds like your yamaha has seen better days and the rumble could compete.

You can help the performance of it by sticking it in a corner, cutting some lows and boosting the mids when increasing the volume. As I said before I think it could handle rehearsals like you described in a smallish room if the band isn't crazy loud.

 

[honeyiscool]

Playing with a drummer, I would want at least 200 watts. But as others have said, tell him you need to try it to see if it is enough.

I think it's weird that people are like "if you're playing with a drummer, get at least 200W," though the Rumble 200 is only putting out about 140W through its stock speaker and doesn't get 200W unless hooked up to an extension cabinet, whereas Rumble 100 is putting out 100W through its internal speaker all the time. There is 40W difference in wattage in their combo format, it's not large. If you're using the amps as combo amps, the difference between Rumble 100 and Rumble 200 isn't wattage, it's mostly about the speaker, that you have a 15" instead of 12" driver.

And it's not as though you can't gig with a single 1x12" cabinet either. People swear by their 200W and 250W mini heads these days, I have played a gig (w/ distorted guitars and medium/hard hitting drums) with a BH250 and an 8 ohm cab, which is probably only putting out about 125-150 watts at 8 ohm. Was I high on the volume knob? Yes, but I got through the night with no sound reinforcement on the bass rig. I have rehearsed with a single Rumble 1x12" cab more times than I care to count, and it's absolutely fine, I rarely went that high on the volume knob either.

If plenty of bassists are gigging regularly with a single 1x12" 8 ohm cabinet and 200W mini heads that only put out like 125W when connected to a single cabinet, why wouldn't a 100W 1x12" combo work for a lot of gigs, also?

I'm not saying that the Rumble 100 will cut it for every gig, like it won't work if you're Sabbath loud and you have no PA support, but I would like to think that it works for a lot of people a lot of the time. It's definitely less volume than a Rumble 200, I'm not disputing that. But it's not like it's half as loud. In their combo format, the Rumble 200 is a bit louder, but the Rumble 100 will hold its own, and with the whole math about power, efficiency, and perceived volume, there's not as much of a legit volume difference as one might imagine. Plus, with the XLR output and the way most large venues are these days, you only need it to cover the stage after all. It'll absolutely cover a small bar or any rehearsal space if you have a band that plays reasonably loud.

I've seen so many bands with 100W combo bass amps, and most such amps are relics from a time when amps and speakers just weren't as good as the compact stuff being made today. Not necessarily a good comparison because the V2 150W is closer to a V3 200W, but I saw a band play on a Rumble V2 150W combo the other day, no PA support. Bass sound was absolutely huge, and the volume knob was quite low.

If you can swing a good deal on a Rumble 100, hell yeah it's worth it. It's absolutely tiny and just loud enough to start gigging with. When you have bigger amps, you might still keep that thing around.

 

[Jim Dedrick]

I have a rumble 100. Use for practice and light gigs. The weight is nice- guitar I'm one hand and amp in the other. As far as volume- if you don't mind the speakers distorting it will get pretty loud. I use it with a drummer, in control, and an non miked sax. It arely keeps up and just simply does not have enough to stay clean.

 

[Linnin]

If plenty of bassists are gigging regularly with a single 1x12" 8 ohm cabinet and 200W mini heads that only put out like 125W when connected to a single cabinet, why wouldn't a 100W 1x12" combo work for a lot of gigs, also?

Logic Alert! Logic Alert!

 

[gary m]

Hm...well, based on my own experience with my 100 v3, I can and do usually keep up with drums and guitars without too much issue. But to be fair, I've modified my 100 with a much more efficient speaker that provides more volume with less distortion than the stock 12". If not for that, I probably would be running a line to the FOH board almost all the time. There are still situations even now when I do just that (or mic the cab), but that extra output doesn't hurt.

 

[twinfallsbass]

I've modified my 100 with a much more efficient speaker that provides more volume with less distortion than the stock 12".

Do tell us what replacement speaker you used

 

[gary m]

Do tell us what replacement speaker you used

I replaced the stock 12" with an Eminence Deltalite II 2512. Much more efficient with a flatter frequency response. There's a thread or two on here about this particular mod -- the Deltalite's modeling is a good match for the 100's cabinet volume. A tad pricey, but if you'd like to take your 100 to the next level, this may be worth it to you.

 

[Lync]

I purchased my 100 v3 early on since it was a very good possible match for practice, small rooms, and larger rooms with a small stage (I use IEM's). For the most part, it turned out to be exactly that. I had some rooms where I just needed a bit more so I bought a 500 v3 and truthfully, it just wasn't for me. I then picked up a 200 v3 and have been very happy. I should probably get the Rumble 210 cab to go with it (for full power and a mini stack), but I like a one-hand carry (and with IEM's don't really need anything else). The 100 can definitely hang with drums for many types of music...maybe not metal, but for classic rock/country/blues with a softer/medium hitting drummer it will do the job.

 

[twinfallsbass]

I replaced the stock 12" with an Eminence Deltalite II 2512. Much more efficient with a flatter frequency response. There's a thread or two on here about this particular mod -- the Deltalite's modeling is a good match for the 100's cabinet volume. A tad pricey, but if you'd like to take your 100 to the next level, this may be worth it to you.

Thanks for the reply. I will look into your thread and maybe do this mod to my V3 100.

 

[Pilgrim]

I've gigged with a 120-watt amp (early 80's Fender Bassman 120 combo) more than once. It depends on whether the band is really loud, or reasonable. I played one gig outside in a public square with the 120 and although it was wide open, it was loud enough for my surf band. A LOT depends on what "loud" means. I don't play in bands where sound levels exceed good sense. In that case, you should be OK with a 100. If nothing else, it will make a super practice amp that can double for gigs in small spaces, and it's highly transportable.

I just ordered one because of its 22-pound weight. I'm moving amps around a lot and even my 37-pound Genz-Benz Shuttle combo is more than I want to lug up and down the stairs in my house every other night. I may like it or I may not, but I've never seen a bass amp that I couldn't tweak to get a sound I liked. Note that I don't insist on "My sound..." just on sound I like.

There's also a REALLY EXTREME measure - ask the band to turn down to a sane level where your Rumble 100 will be enough. My feeling is that for a small band, you should be able to cover a lot of situations with a good, efficient 100-watt combo.

 

[AstroSonic]

If portability is an issue, then get the 100 v3. If its not loud enough, replace the 12 inch driver with a more sensitive one. A Eminence Beta 12a is about 3 db more sensitive than the stock driver and will be like doubling amplifier power. Many players have been pleased with driver upgrades on the Rumbles. Search the Rumble club thread for details.

If portability is not an issue, keep the Yamaha, but clean the switches and pots with contact cleaner (like DeOxit), and replace the 15 inch driver with a modern, more sensitive (louder) one. Good to go (louder than the Rumble) for the same or less money. You may want to consider a hand truck or casters to improve portability.

 

[LoTone]

If you plan to gig, get a 200 - 300W or more amp. Done.

 

[Giffro]

@Linnin from The Rumble Club did a replacement on his Rumble 75 stock driver for an Eminence BassLite S2012 if thats any help to you plus there would be plenty of guys in the Rumble Club that have replaced their stock drivers with others so that's the place to get more info if you need it.
Here is Linnin's Rumble 75 mod anyway.
Upgrading A Fender Rumble 75 Combo

Lots of help at the Rumble Club..link below.
Fender Rumble Club

 

[Drgonzonm]

Considering this is a zombie thread. The Op's post #4, provides the why the r100v3 is adequate. Even the r40, would do the the trick. Both the r40 and r100 have an xlr out, the r100, has effects in and out. My quarter.

 

[KenPompanoBeach]

Hi all, This is my first post from Sunny Southeast Florida. I haven't seen ANY mention of this and thought I would put it out there. I LOVE my Rumble 100....the 22 pounds saved my playing career as at age 66 I thought I'd have to hang it up.....but the 100 has a Fantastic tone and PUNCH for playing with various Senior Reading Big Bands in the area....and an occasional gig with a roots band. My problem was, if I shared a power strip with another amp my sound became weak and distorted....especially when we were all crankin'. After some research it looks like our class D amplifiers are especially sensitive to voltage fluxuations. My solution was to puchase a quality but inexpensive "power conditioner".....the Furman PST-2+6. It looks like a surge protector/power strip...and DOES perform those functions well....but it ALSO conditions the signal...."Furman's advanced RFI/EMI noise filtering significantly reduces AC noise, ensuring optimal system performance". I also try to find my own outlet to plug into. Problem solved, my Rumble 100 sounds the BEST it ever has. All the BEST, Ken

 

[Djadja]

Both the r40 and r100 have an xlr out, the r100, has effects in and out.

I think I've read that the XLR out on these amps is post all of the controls... if that is true, that limits the useability of the out. If you change the volume on your amp part way through the show, the level on the XLR goes up and may distort the PA. If you change the tone so you can better hear yourself on stage, that changes the signal the PA is getting and the FOH sound may suffer...

I'm not knocking the Rumble as they are very cool at their price point and for what they do, just saying that for me, this was a deal breaker for that amp.

 

[Rumbledore]

Based on how you said you'd like to use it, no. the v3 100 rumble will leave you wanting more