Fender Rumble 500 Head or Combo with 210 Cab?

[Hofner95]

Thank you to everyone who responded. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated. I'm sorry if my logic doesn't seem to make any sense, I swore it did when I was writing it . I'll admit in not smart at all when it comes to the relationship between Heads and Cabs and the Oms etc.. that's why I find my self leaning towards the combo. But I swore I read on Fenders product description that the 500c was 500 wars only when paired with another a cab. Now I'm confused

 

[G-Dog]

Thank you to everyone who responded. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated. I'm sorry if my logic doesn't seem to make any sense, I swore it did when I was writing it . I'll admit in not smart at all when it comes to the relationship between Heads and Cabs and the Oms etc.. that's why I find my self leaning towards the combo.

This is how you learn. Are the different responses confusing you? That can happen. Ask more questions about what you're unsure of.

But I swore I read on Fenders product description that the 500c was 500 wars only when paired with another a cab. Now I'm confused

This is true, but Fender's website does not refer to a "500c", which is TB shorthand for 500 combo.

The 500 combo has all you need to plug in and start playing (it has a built-in 8 ohm speaker cabinet) and will deliver up to 350 watts "as is". The 500 head requires the addition of a 8 ohm speaker cabinet to plug and play, and will then also deliver up to 350 watts. That's why the combo is equivalent to the head with one 8 ohm cabinet.

Adding one more 8 ohm speaker cabinet to either, or both, of those configurations will give the amplifier a 4 ohm load (because 8 ohms + 8 ohms = 4 ohms!) and will deliver up to 500 watts.

Please advise if any of that is unclear.

 

[Hofner95]

This is how you learn. Are the different responses confusing you? That can happen. Ask more questions about what you're unsure of.



This is true, but Fender's website does not refer to a "500c", which is TB shorthand for 500 combo.

The 500 combo has all you need to plug in and start playing (it has a built-in 8 ohm speaker cabinet) and will deliver up to 350 watts "as is". The 500 head requires the addition of a 8 ohm speaker cabinet to plug and play, and will then also deliver up to 350 watts. That's why the combo is equivalent to the head with one 8 ohm cabinet.

Adding one more 8 ohm speaker cabinet to either, or both, of those configurations will give the amplifier a 4 ohm load (because 8 ohms + 8 ohms = 4 ohms!) and will deliver up to 500 watts.

Please advise if any of that is unclear.

I understand now, I knew adding the up meant subtracting the ohms. Thanks for the clear up!

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I understand now, I knew adding the up meant subtracting the ohms. Thanks for the clear up!

Just so you are aware for future reference, it is not as simple as subtraction when using two cabs in parallel.
The math does work out that way when using two cabs with the same impedance, so it appears from the results that this is what happens. What’s really happening is that you divide the impedance of one of the cabs by the total number of cabs. 8/2 = 4. This works for any number of cabs as long as they are all the same impedance. For three, 8 Ohm cabs... 8/3 = 2.7.

If you ever get into more complex situations like series and parallel combinations or you have cabs of different impedances then just Google something on the order of - parallel speaker calculator. There are a bunch of them out there and they will do the math for you.

Here is one example that explains the math and has the calculators.

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[Tommy Sankstone]

I'd say bite the bullet and get the head and cab. In the long run it's going to be a lot easier to transport once you're gigging. I have the older Fender 350 combo (210) and it weighs like 61 pounds. Really annoying to carry to all my gigs. I have to save and get a head and cab but I can't stop buying basses I know the combos are much much lighter now, but still, your body will thank you.

just bought rumble 500 combo .....easily lift it with one had......very light......the extension speaker weighs more than the combo...almost as light as my BenzBenz 6.0/12 spk....

 

[G-Dog]

just bought rumble 500 combo .....easily lift it with one had......very light......the extension speaker weighs more than the combo...almost as light as my BenzBenz 6.0/12 spk....

Congrats, @Tommy Sankstone, on your Rumble purchase. Now head on over to the Fender Rumble Club and join the friendly bunch there. The more, the merrier!

 

[tom dicus]

I agree. Start with a combo.

If you're not going to be playing live, I'd highly recommend the 200 instead. I have an 1800 sq. ft. townhouse with my studio in a full-sized loft. My 200 is PLENTY! Add a 115 (my preference) or a 210 to it later, if the need arises.

You'll have a ton of wasted watts with the 500. With my 200, gain at 9 o'clock, pushing the master volume past 10 o'clock is asking for neighbor trouble. My dogs change rooms after about 9 o'clock.

I plan to add a 115 cab at some point. After that, I'll probably sell the 200 combo, buy a second 115, and then 200 and 500 heads. A 200 driving one cab up to a 500 driving both. Should cover almost every application.

Head over to the Fender Rumble Club. Tons of good info there.

Fender Rumble Club

I have the 200c with an added 115. It is the best sound I've ever heard from an amp. I thought I'd get more volume or better tone from a 500 head. I was wrong. I sold the 500. I don't see me ever getting rid of the 200c with the 115 extension. It's all you'll ever need for clubs or even most outdoor playing.

 

[Hofner95]

Thanks to everyone who posted their thoughts I truly appreciate it