Fender Rumble 500 or Rumble 800?

[Core Creek]

I’ve got a 800. it’s super lightweight (a couple of kilos lighter than the 500). It sounds awesome and it’s pretty loud. I’m quite happy with it, but you should consider one thing - rumble 210 box is rated 350Watt and 115 for even less… so in theory rumble boxes are not made for rumble 800 - it delivers much Watts but I’ve heard people using them and nothing bad happened…

I believe it’s 400 watts into the 2x10 with no extension cab.

 

[MrMoT]

I believe it’s 400 watts into the 2x10 with no extension cab.View attachment 7388625

Yeah, but what I meant is - if you want to add extra cab - Rumble 210 for example. The Cab is rated at 350Watt and Rumble delivers 400. I don't know what's is with internal cab (also the speakers on 210 cab are different then the built in ones)
Also any other Rumble Cab - OK, except Rumble 410 Cab - is not really made for use with rumble 800.

 

[Core Creek]

Yeah, but what I meant is - if you want to add extra cab - Rumble 210 for example. The Cab is rated at 350Watt and Rumble delivers 400. I don't know what's is with internal cab (also the speakers on 210 cab are different then the built in ones)
Also any other Rumble Cab - OK, except Rumble 410 Cab - is not really made for use with rumble 800.

Yes, without a cab a Rumble 800 is not putting out 800 watts, but same for the Rumble 500 - without a cab it’s not putting out 500 watts, it’s putting out 350 watts and only gets 500 with the cab. So as to the OP, the 800 not only has the potential to get more power with an extension cab, it still has more power without one.

 

[rodak]

I just bought an 800, got in just before the Fender 10% off sale ended, so it was only $809. To me, the reduced weight, the 1/4 power switch and the switchable pre/post DI output were worth the extra cost. Oh, yeah, you also get a free footswitch with the 800 (it's only about a $10 switch, but if you need one, hey....)

Odd that that 210 cab is only rated at 350 watts. I wonder why they don't offer a cab with the exact same speakers that are in the 800?

 

[Gearhead17]

Sure. But comparing two similar 2x10 combo amps with the same band - where the volume knob sits is an indication of how much headroom you have left.

Yeah, the Ampeg RB210 is rated at 250 watts without an extension cab, but the rumble 800 puts out 400 watts without a cab. In the real world, those numbers are significant - as my band slowly turns up I find the RB ended up at 8’oclock and still started to get lost and the Rumbke stayed at 6 the whole night with no problem being heard - with both gains set midway. So it’s an apples to apples comparison.

You are still missing the point. The signal level hitting the preamp is the key to how high the Master Volume needs to be turned up to get sufficient volume. You can't look at the Master Volume knob and automatically determine "oh, I am using x amount of wattage and still have x amount of headroom". None of us can do it without actual tools to measure it.

 

[Core Creek]

I just bought an 800, got in just before the Fender 10% off sale ended, so it was only $809. To me, the reduced weight, the 1/4 power switch and the switchable pre/post DI output were worth the extra cost. Oh, yeah, you also get a free footswitch with the 800 (it's only about a $10 switch, but if you need one, hey....)

Odd that that 210 cab is only rated at 350 watts. I wonder why they don't offer a cab with the exact same speakers that are in the 800?

I jumped on that same sale. Unfortunately the sale is done.

 

[Core Creek]

You are still missing the point. The signal level hitting the preamp is the key to how high the Master Volume needs to be turned up to get sufficient volume. You can't look at the Master Volume knob and automatically determine "oh, I am using x amount of wattage and still have x amount of headroom". None of can do it without actual tools to measure it.

Still don’t think we’re on the same page here. Volume is volume. Regardless of the measurement. Half way on either amp is half way. I can certainly hear an increase in volume throughout the entire pot range. Regardless of how many actual decibels I’m getting between 6 and 9, comparing the two amps I’ve played I’m getting more volume at 5 on one as I’m getting on the other. So on stage I have no need to go higher. Unless the both amps max out somewhere before 10 (and sure that’s possible) there is still a noticeable amount of volume beyond 5 on both amps. Just one is louder at 5 than the other. Is it measurable? Sure. Do I care? No….

 

[gln1955]

When I bought a serious gigging amp I went with an 800 watt model and a couple of cabs to use it all. Do I ever need that much? No, but to paraphrase Scarlett O'Hara, "As God is my witness, I'll never go underpowered again". The price tags on Rumbles are low enough, you should just go with the 800 and not look back.

 

[jjcarswell]

You can always turn down….if needed..

 

[SJan3]

Yes, without a cab a Rumble 800 is not putting out 800 watts, but same for the Rumble 500 - without a cab it’s not putting out 500 watts, it’s putting out 350 watts and only gets 500 with the cab. So as to the OP, the 800 not only has the potential to get more power with an extension cab, it still has more power without one.

Not much more power (50 watts).
I doubt you could hear the difference. So, if you don't intend on using an extension cab and you can handle the few extra lbs, the 500 is a no brainier to save $$$.

 

[Major Seven]

If possible, always more power.

If I do that captain, I'll blow the engines.

 

[G-Dog]

I just got a rumble 800 after my Ampeg RB210 died and I was thoroughly impressed with it on a gig last night. Compared to the RB it was lighter, smaller, louder and sounded just as good. And at similar volume settings it was significantly louder than the RB.

My band is notoriously loud so I’ll take all the added volume I can get. But I also did a sub show last month and found that band was not only loud, but unevenly mixed, and the added volume would have helped. So yeah, get the most wattage you can get so you don’t need to upgrade later.

Btw the Rumbles have been on sale this week - 10% off. I liked the 800 so much I grabbed a Rumble 100 for my son.

I’ve got a 800. it’s super lightweight (a couple of kilos lighter than the 500). It sounds awesome and it’s pretty loud. I’m quite happy with it, but you should consider one thing - rumble 210 box is rated 350Watt and 115 for even less… so in theory rumble boxes are not made for rumble 800 - it delivers much Watts but I’ve heard people using them and nothing bad happened…

@Core Creek and @MrMoT, you and any other Rumblers here should check-in at the TalkBass Fender Rumble Club and get a free membership with keys to the ultimate Rumble compendium of wisdom and knowledge! ​

... ... - if you want to add extra cab - Rumble 210 for example. The Cab is rated at 350Watt and Rumble delivers 400. I don't know what's is with internal cab (also the speakers on 210 cab are different then the built in ones)
Also any other Rumble Cab - OK, except Rumble 410 Cab - is not really made for use with rumble 800.

Yeah, Mister, 7ender is very conservative in their ratings. Their 210 cab has the exact same speakers as their Rumble Stage 800 combo rated 400w @ 8 ohms, 800w @ 4 & 2.67 ohms. AND, they make their 210 cab with the same matching grille cosmetics as the Stage combo, too. Here's where I previously explained this. ​

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I've been advising against using the 300w rated Rumble 115 with the Rumble Stage 800 combi, the Rumble 800 HD head, and now the Rumble 800 combo for many years now. But, I must admit, I have yet to read a single complaint justifying that advice!! On the contrary, many Rumblers report they've used a Rumble 115 with their 800s for many years without problems!!! So, obviously, some ratings are just a loose guide. ​

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But, if that seems too "loosey-goosey" to you, you can always add a second 210 or 115 cab to any Rumble 800 and reduce the power each gets to just 267w! Yep both Rumble 800 combos can drive two 8 ohm cabs, and the Rumble 800 HD head can actually drive four 8 ohm cabs (totaling 2 ohms!) all night long! ​

 

[fourstringbliss]

How reliable are the 500 and 800? I'm considering getting one of these and was going to finance through Sweetwater, but I just missed the promotional deal. Musiciansfriend has them both on 48 month financing but don't include the extra warranty that Sweetwater offers. I don't want to pay the extra $120 to get the same thing that Sweetwater gives for free.

 

[SJan3]

How reliable are the 500 and 800? I'm considering getting one of these and was going to finance through Sweetwater, but I just missed the promotional deal. Musiciansfriend has them both on 48 month financing but don't include the extra warranty that Sweetwater offers. I don't want to pay the extra $120 to get the same thing that Sweetwater gives for free.

If you ask Sweetwater, they may give you the promotional price. Can't hurt to ask.

 

[fourstringbliss]

If you ask Sweetwater, they may give you the promotional price. Can't hurt to ask.

I probably just need to wait another couple of weeks and it'll be back. I'm wanting to get it sooner than that, though.

 

[Mastermold]

I jumped on that same sale. Unfortunately the sale is done.

It’ll come around again.

 

[fourstringbliss]

How's the reliability on these amps, though?

 

[Yahboy]

I'm either going to be buying a Rumble 500 or 800. I probably won't be using an extension cabinet with either. Is the extra $200 worth it for the 800?

Suggest R800 if you have a bunch effect pedal in front .

 

[Timmah]

Still don’t think we’re on the same page here. Volume is volume. Regardless of the measurement. Half way on either amp is half way. I can certainly hear an increase in volume throughout the entire pot range. Regardless of how many actual decibels I’m getting between 6 and 9, comparing the two amps I’ve played I’m getting more volume at 5 on one as I’m getting on the other. So on stage I have no need to go higher. Unless the both amps max out somewhere before 10 (and sure that’s possible) there is still a noticeable amount of volume beyond 5 on both amps. Just one is louder at 5 than the other. Is it measurable? Sure. Do I care? No….

I think what he's saying is that different pots taper differently, so the same position on the dial doesn't actually mean that the amp is delivering the same percentage of its available volume. For instance, my old Mesa doesn't really get louder after noon on the master volume, but my Ampeg combo, when I had it, was really about halfway up. So even though the Mesa might be louder at 5, the Ampeg was the louder amp.

Regardless, I think that with that kind of wattage on tap, the volume of combo amps like the Rumbles are more limited by their speaker complement than the difference between 500 and 800 watts. I assume that the speakers in the 800 are different than the ones in the 500, given that the amp is lighter, but I wonder if they also have a higher peak output level?

 

[2F/2F]

In terms of tone and headroom, using it as a simple combo (no extension cab), there is very little real world difference. You're talking about a 350 W amp vs. a 400 W amp in the same series (meaning basically the same basic tonal controls).

The 800 is 7.5 pounds lighter, which is a lot in terms of percentages. However, the 500 is not even a little bit burdensome in the weight department, at a mere 36.5 pounds. It's an easy one-hander, even when walking several blocks. The 1X15 combo amp that I had for 30 years as my main bass amp has a few pounds shy of twice that weight, and not even 30 percent the power – not to mention lacking most of the modern, and extremely useful, features of the Rumble series (XLR line out with ground lift, headphone jack, aux. in).

The 800 has a pre/post DI switch. Potentially useful...or not. (I have never had a use for this; never a single issue with basic post-EQ DI.)

The 800 lets you use a wider variety of extension cabinets (4 or 8 ohm, as opposed to just 8 ohm with the 500). Again, potentially useful, if you have a lot of cabs, or want to be able to use a wider variety of backline cabs. But also not at all useful to a lot of people, and irrelevant if you aren't even considering an extension cab.

Point being, in the grand scheme of things, the 500 is not lacking. It's incredibly powerful, light, and full featured...however slightly much better the 800 might be in these areas.

The 800 is the "better" amp on paper, but a majority of people would appreciate those differences pretty infrequently, I'd think. You'd have to be playing through extension cab most of the time, make good use of of pre-EQ DI, and potentially be plugging in to a variety of backline extension cabs (or just own and like using a variety of extension cabs). The weight differences are irrelevant IMO. They're both extremely lightweight amps to me.

To my thinking, the second you know that you almost always will not be playing through an extension cab, I think the answer easily becomes "500." And if you know you won't be hooking up an XLR cable in addition to that, then that is a definite "500." $210 for advantages you'll never really use? Not worth it, IMO. That money is better spent on the Rumbe 500 slip cover, an extra power cable or two, some nice cables, and, if you like it, the dealer exclusive white tolex version ($36 more expensive).