Fender Rumble 800 Combo Thread for the NEW 2022 800 Combo

[Baker69]

How’s the Rumble 800 Combo compared to the Stage 800 (sound wise)?

I owned a Stage 800 but I never really got on with the effects on there and I chopped it in for a Mark Bass combo. I’m not overly impressed with the Mark Bass however (possibly because it’s a single 12” and I’m used to 2 x 10’s), so I’m considering something like the Ampeg Rocket 2 x 10 or the Rumble 800 but I would be interested to know if there’s much difference in sound compared to the Stage 800 that I had? I borrowed a Rumble 200 one time and that deffo sounded different to my Stage 800.

I’m aware that the Rumble 800 is lighter due to it having Neo speakers which is another attraction. Don’t know whether Neo speakers sound any different to ‘normal’ speakers?

 

[SharpCat]

IMHO R800 will not sound like the stage 800. It will be close to the R200 but slightly different due to the 15 in the R200. R500 (2x10) and R800 (2x10 neo) sound the same except power level.

 

[Baker69]

IMHO R800 will not sound like the stage 800. It will be close to the R200 but slightly different due to the 15 in the R200. R500 (2x10) and R800 (2x10 neo) sound the same except power level.

I totally forgot the 200 had a 15” speaker, I recall I really liked it.

I think I will have to go and try out the 800 combo, I was hoping that someone would say that it would sound different to the Stage 800.

 

[SharpCat]

I totally forgot the 200 had a 15” speaker, I recall I really liked it.

I think I will have to go and try out the 800 combo, I was hoping that someone would say that it would sound different to the Stage 800.

If you like the 200, could grab 1 or 2 115 cabs to plug into the 800. Best of both worlds?

 

[andare]

IMHO R800 will not sound like the stage 800. It will be close to the R200 but slightly different due to the 15 in the R200. R500 (2x10) and R800 (2x10 neo) sound the same except power level.

The R800 and R500 have different speakers. Some people say the 800 is a bit thinner

 

[Baker69]

Sounds like I need to try both, but I’m tempted by the lighter weight of the 800.

 

[G-Dog]

The R800 and R500 have different speakers. Some people say the 800 is a bit thinner

Sounds like I need to try both, but I’m tempted by the lighter weight of the 800.

The R800c also has a 1/4 Output Switch, a PRE- or POST- XLR Output button, and its Master volume does not affect the XLR Output level, all unlike the R500c. Rumble 800 combo manual

 

[John D Harris]

The R800 and R500 have different speakers. Some people say the 800 is a bit thinner

A bit brighter and more clarity than the 500c, even if someone described it as 'thin', you can fix that with a little bit of bass boost &/or low mids boost (&/or buttons) and cut the treble a bit.

There's no reason to be allergic to using the EQ built into the amp.

 

[13bass]

A bit brighter and more clarity than the 500c, even if someone described it as 'thin', you can fix that with a little bit of bass boost &/or low mids boost (&/or buttons) and cut the treble a bit.

There's no reason to be allergic to using the EQ built into the amp.

Though I have the R800 and no way I would describe it as thin, quite the opposite, but everyone has different ears.

 

[Lync]

The Rumble 800 may be perceived as "thinner" because of the extra clarity. Just like John Harris said above, a little eq can change that to be like the 200 or 500.

The pre/post DI option as well as the DI volume not being affected by the master volume is huge if you gig with a house system.

 

[Baker69]

The Rumble 800 may be perceived as "thinner" because of the extra clarity. Just like John Harris said above, a little eq can change that to be like the 200 or 500.

The pre/post DI option as well as the DI volume not being affected by the master volume is huge if you gig with a house system.

Does the 800 possibly sound different (thinner) as the cabinet is made from plywood and not composite board/MDF?

I don’t need the extra power of the 800, it was the weight saving mainly and the cost difference between the 500 and the 800 is negligible.

 

[SharpCat]

Does the 800 possibly sound different (thinner) as the cabinet is made from plywood and not composite board/MDF?

I don’t need the extra power of the 800, it was the weight saving mainly and the cost difference between the 500 and the 800 is negligible.

The pre/post switch is handy, but other than the weight, I really think the 1/4 power switch is a great feature over other Rumbles.

Internal speaker only, the 500 goes up to 350W. The 800 goes up to 400W, so not much difference. On the loud end, with an external cab you get the rated watts on each. But on the quiet/small venue end, flip that switch and you’ve got a 100W amp (200W with cab) without having to rework the sound settings on the controls. Also works great at home or practice space. R100 equivalent.

 

[Solude]

I really think the 1/4 power switch is a great feature over other Rumbles.

Agreed. I don't need 800W but neo speakers and a full sized cab at 100W... yes please

 

[G-Dog]

Does the 800 possibly sound different (thinner) as the cabinet is made from plywood and not composite board/MDF? ... ... ...

The V1 & V2 Rumbles all have MDF construction. In the V3 line only the 15 & 25 use MDF, with the 40, 100, 200, 500 & 800 all using plywood. AFAIK, the entire 7.5 lb.s difference between the R500c and the R800c is all attributed to the Neodymium speakers of the 800 compared to the ceramic speakers of the 500, as is any tonal difference.

 

[Baker69]

The V1 & V2 Rumbles all have MDF construction. In the V3 line only the 15 & 25 use MDF, with the 40, 100, 200, 500 & 800 all using plywood. AFAIK, the entire 7.5 lb.s difference between the R500c and the R800c is all attributed to the Neodymium speakers of the 800 compared to the ceramic speakers of the 500, as is any tonal difference.

Thanks G-Dog. The 800 is deffo the one I would go for then, I need to find somewhere that has one to try out.

 

[John D Harris]

Agreed. I don't need 800W but neo speakers and a full sized cab at 100W... yes please

800W may sound like a lot, but it really isn't - it is only 400W into the internal drivers, so you are only gaining +3dB over a 200W amp!

Plus it only weighs 29 pounds!

If you could find one second hand - there you go!

 

[andare]

A bit brighter and more clarity than the 500c, even if someone described it as 'thin', you can fix that with a little bit of bass boost &/or low mids boost (&/or buttons) and cut the treble a bit.

There's no reason to be allergic to using the EQ built into the amp.

I use the EQ heavily on my R100. It would sound bad if I didn't.

 

[ferrante9]

after a year of owning the rumble 800 combo , I can say it’s a solid amp. My Hofner sounds particularly good , I can recreate macca current live tone like you wouldn’t believe it . Using the built in drive eq, I can get my fender vintage 2 54 p bass sound like sting current tone .

If you are a lazy person like me , 29lbs is a dream come true, too bad they couldn’t get it down to like 15lbs …. But I will take 29lbs … better than nothing !

 

[cbnutt]

after a year of owning the rumble 800 combo , I can say it’s a solid amp. My Hofner sounds particularly good , I can recreate macca current live tone like you wouldn’t believe it . Using the built in drive eq, I can get my fender vintage 2 54 p bass sound like sting current tone .

If you are a lazy person like me , 29lbs is a dream come true, too bad they couldn’t get it down to like 15lbs …. But I will take 29lbs … better than nothing ! > I ve had mine a couple months . likeing it pretty well so far , i agree i wish it was about 15 pounds , but am happy they gpt it as light as they did .

 

[Lync]

I have gigged quite a bit with my Rumble 800 the past year. The DI sounds really good and it is almost the perfect gigging amp (could use a mute switch).

But...the chassis of the amp (metal) now buzzes. I tightened up all of the visible screws, but it still vibrates and buzzes. I can put my hand on it and it will stop.

Anyone run across this issue?