My Rumble 500 combo is nearly 12 years old without a moment's worth of problems.
Browse the V3 Rumble Reliability Data thread for anecdotes both ways. For problems
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Fender Rumble 500 or Rumble 800?
- Thread starter fourstringbliss
- Start date
My Rumble 500 combo is nearly 12 years old without a moment's worth of problems.
Browse the V3 Rumble Reliability Data thread for anecdotes both ways. For problems
Reliability is perhaps the most important feature of an amp.
The 800W vs 500W is barely noticeable. It's mere 2dB more potent
The 800c is 7lb lighter and that would make a difference for me
29lb vs 36lb
I bought the 500 and will either be installing casters or getting a dolly for it.
I got me casters and added side handles for 800 Stage
Otherwise it's a disaster to move
Not true! The Rumble 500 combo is 350 watts without an extension cab, and hold it's own in a very loud mix quite well. The Rumble 800 is 400 watts without an extension cab, yes half.
As above, the 350 watt standalone Rumble 500 combo does not struggle in a loud outdoor gig. I speak from experience. It actually sounds like much more than it's 350 watts.
Can confirm. The 500c is a very usable stand alone rig. I like having the extension because it gets the speakers up at ear level, but to be honest a milk crate or one of those tilt back amp stands would work almost as well at the places I play. Even the tiny dive bars have decent PAs now, so I could probably get away with the Rumble 100...but I want the big rig because it looks cool!
Ime, The Rumble range is typically aneamic for its purported rating so get the 800w/500w and consider you can't drive them to the full 500w/8..
(Plenty of amps are not usually usable at the top of their dial too)
I say this because I meet them (Rumble) most on open mics backline. I don't see many on actual gigs.
(Plenty of amps are not usually usable at the top of their dial too)
I say this because I meet them (Rumble) most on open mics backline. I don't see many on actual gigs.
Perhaps in your limited experience, then, no one has dialed them in properly. Some of their controls work differently than many other amps', most notably the Gain is more subtle, maybe seeming anemic to some.
But, for the knowledgeable, the Rumbles punch well above their ratings. I say this because my Rumble 500 has commanded many large stages over the past 12 years, usually without an extension cab! I also know of several who use one, or two, Rumble 100 combos for their gigs. And my Rumble Studio 40 has been plenty of power for jams and gigs involving up to two dozen acoustic instruments, including banjos, mandolins and fiddles, over the past 6 years.
You can have your opinion and I understand that you do not see Rumble products on gigs around you. Fair point.
For yourself and everyone else here, bass players can use WHATEVER they want on stage to hear themselves. I have seen hugely expensive gear on stage as well as some of the cheapest and most terrible sounding equipment I have ever tried. And guess what? That bass player typically dials in a great tone on stage and they sound good to the audience! Please don't shame others for using gear you do not like. In the end, bass players can send a multitude of different signals to the sound person and the gear on stage is ONLY for them. Do NOT forget that.
Lastly, one of my good bass buddies who has filled in for me 2x uses a Fender Rumble head and Rumble 410. Guess what? He makes it sound awesome! I can always hear him through the PA and he hears himself just fine on stage.
Why I think the 800 is a better choice if you can afford it.
1. DI is switchable pre or post EQ
2. It’s actually lighter by 7.5 pounds than the 500
3. Speakon for extension speakers (metal 1/4” plugs used with the 500 are a shock hazard…RTM)
4. Switch to reduce wattage by 4x (6dB reduction) for lower stage volume gigs, practicing, recording, etc.
5. Can drive 2.67 ohms (allows 4 ohm total external speaker load)
6. Horn uses a compression driver rather than piezo and can be switched off
1. DI is switchable pre or post EQ
2. It’s actually lighter by 7.5 pounds than the 500
3. Speakon for extension speakers (metal 1/4” plugs used with the 500 are a shock hazard…RTM)
4. Switch to reduce wattage by 4x (6dB reduction) for lower stage volume gigs, practicing, recording, etc.
5. Can drive 2.67 ohms (allows 4 ohm total external speaker load)
6. Horn uses a compression driver rather than piezo and can be switched off
I can send multiple pics and vids of me using a 500 in a loud rock band every weekend! I use the 2-10 ext. cab on large outdoor gigs only! (I wish I had gotten the 800 for several reasons I have listed before) But not because the 500 is not enough!
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I play a tiny dive bar with no PA. My Rumble 100 is at 9 o clock thanks to my Finally preamp. I can hold my own with 2 guitars and a drummer.Can confirm. The 500c is a very usable stand alone rig. I like having the extension because it gets the speakers up at ear level, but to be honest a milk crate or one of those tilt back amp stands would work almost as well at the places I play. Even the tiny dive bars have decent PAs now, so I could probably get away with the Rumble 100...but I want the big rig because it looks cool!
Rumbles are super loud.
I don't get paid enough to buy a new amp but I'd get the 800 and be done with it if it had a 15 inch cab.
Pssst! You didn't hear this from me, ... but, ... I've been warning Rumble 800 users against using the 300W-rated Rumble 115 cab for almost 8 years now, mostly to deaf ears; yet, I've never learned of any Rumble 800 damaging any Rumble 115 cab! Apparently Fender's ratings are very conservative. Do what you will with this information. I disavow all knowledge of your actions. ;-p
PS: If you prefer a 15" Neo cab then the 350W-rated Bassman 115 is your huckleberry. ;-}
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Yeah man, I dunno about that. OBVIOUSLY Fender hasn’t sold a bajillion of these amps across the globe, to overwhelming accolades from bassists in a wide variety of genres. The amp is clearly NOT a highly regarded hit product by every useful metric.
Hmmm ... ... Irony intended? I mean, ... 'cause, ... like, ...
These are very good reasons.
Additionally, you'll never regret having the extra umph when you need it. So, I personally would always opt for the 800w.
Yeah, my post was dripping with irony. Rumbles are objectively fantastic amps, immensely popular and for good reason. I don’t own one, but if I ever need a combo, I’ll be buying either the 500 or 800.
