You all haven't lived until you hook up 2 500C's and cranked all to MAX.
I am pretty sure I momentarily halted the incoming tide in my creek.
I am pretty sure I momentarily halted the incoming tide in my creek.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
If you like the sound of the 500, I’d say the 40 is a no brainer. I had one for a while before I traded it for my 500 and I loved the tone. Definitely can dial in some sweet bedroom(or living room) tones. And you’ll be sticking with same eq into a 10.While we are on the subject of tube heads and Rumble cabs, maybe you could give me some opinions on something I have been toying with lately...
I am currently relocating from my "music room" (spare bedroom) to the living room and I am trying to cut down on space as it is limited. I have limited myself to 5 basses only in the living room (the rest will be stored elsewhere) and the very basics that I need.
I have a space for my Rumble 500 combo, but it is far too loud to be of use in the living room (except for when I really want to irritate the neighbours) because even at really low volumes (as in, the scratchy part of the pot) it is too loud for the room. I have no intention of getting rid of the Rumble but I was considering smaller (less power) alternatives, maybe a Rumble 40 etc. However, based on the recent talk of tube amps into the Rumble cabs, I was thinking along the lines of adding a speaker input to the back of the combo and running a small tube head.
What do you "gentlemen of the Rumble" think?
Any suggestions for the head?
Last edited:
Yup. I never really bought into 2 2X10's sounding that much better than one. Then, I came across a mint 500C for $250. Thinking wasn't needed. I jumped. Wow!
To me the 40 is the perfect practice amp. Small, silly light, and plenty of oomph. Since it has a 10-inch driver it matches my 500 very well soundwise, and with an identical front end I can match settings easily.
Actually have my Rumble 500C combo & extension cabinet at the house instead of my band's rehearsal space (using it for a gig this weekend), so figured I would take a couple of pics next to my other rigs...
Rumble stack next to my Ampeg V4B & 8x10 Cab...
Rumble stack next to my Mesa Subway D800 & 6x10 Cab...
Rumble stack next to my Ampeg V4B & 8x10 Cab...
Rumble stack next to my Mesa Subway D800 & 6x10 Cab...
@JACink have you tried yr Rumble 500C with the MASTER vol almost off and using the GAIN for volume?
I'm not sure this actually IS an option for you, as I don't have MY Rumble 500C here with my to try. ..and haven't tried it myself. .. I DO know however, that my 500C's master vol is touchy down low. ...but I have used it at very low volume with success. . But this was a cuppla months ago, and I can't remember exactly what my settings were.
My thinking is. .... that if it's just for home/practice etc use, then ( me,myself) I ain't THAT worried about the tone
....compared to if I was wanting the tone for an important recording situation for example. .. I do, however, want that tone to be solid, punchy and generally "good" & definitely not a tone that sucks.
I'm stating this as I'm suggesting the GAIN/MASTER VOL controls be used TOTALLY to get you the low volume needs and NOT sculpted tone needs.
I don't really dig the sound outta little bass combos. ..at least none that I've used. ... as I find them to be thin and weak sounding with little solidity.
Something the 500C definitely doesn't lack is punch, fatness etc. I'm far more happy with a decent sized combo like the Rumble 200 or 500 used quietly than trying to get a solid sound outta a li'l thang.
I used to have a Mesa Walkabout Scout combo - 1×12" speaker - & it sounded superb - there's a lot of info on it and lovers of it in the Walkabout megathread for good reason. - & it, too, did a fantastic job as a practice combo ( albeit being far more cumbersome than the much lighter, more powerful Rumble 500Combo that I've got now ). The Walkabout Scout 12" combo was beautiful if I had a low volume gig- jazz /blues restaurant gig etc. But it's internal 8 ohm 12" driver couldn't handle anymore than about 150 watts (which was about right as the Walkabout have about 165w @ 8 ohms ) and therefore wasn't that handy for my needs. ... i.e. it wasn't 'quite' enough for most of my bands practices, as I said, it was fine for the jazz/blues type gigs at restaurants etc. .. but for my rock or funk bands...even at rehearsal. .. once some horns started blaring, it quickly ran out of steam.
The Rumble 500C will do these rock etc.. rehearsals just fine. That it's way lighter weight doesn't hurt none also
Sorry for the long "Rumble ramble"
I'm not sure this actually IS an option for you, as I don't have MY Rumble 500C here with my to try. ..and haven't tried it myself. .. I DO know however, that my 500C's master vol is touchy down low. ...but I have used it at very low volume with success. . But this was a cuppla months ago, and I can't remember exactly what my settings were.
My thinking is. .... that if it's just for home/practice etc use, then ( me,myself) I ain't THAT worried about the tone
....compared to if I was wanting the tone for an important recording situation for example. .. I do, however, want that tone to be solid, punchy and generally "good" & definitely not a tone that sucks.
I'm stating this as I'm suggesting the GAIN/MASTER VOL controls be used TOTALLY to get you the low volume needs and NOT sculpted tone needs.
I don't really dig the sound outta little bass combos. ..at least none that I've used. ... as I find them to be thin and weak sounding with little solidity.
Something the 500C definitely doesn't lack is punch, fatness etc. I'm far more happy with a decent sized combo like the Rumble 200 or 500 used quietly than trying to get a solid sound outta a li'l thang.
I used to have a Mesa Walkabout Scout combo - 1×12" speaker - & it sounded superb - there's a lot of info on it and lovers of it in the Walkabout megathread for good reason. - & it, too, did a fantastic job as a practice combo ( albeit being far more cumbersome than the much lighter, more powerful Rumble 500Combo that I've got now ). The Walkabout Scout 12" combo was beautiful if I had a low volume gig- jazz /blues restaurant gig etc. But it's internal 8 ohm 12" driver couldn't handle anymore than about 150 watts (which was about right as the Walkabout have about 165w @ 8 ohms ) and therefore wasn't that handy for my needs. ... i.e. it wasn't 'quite' enough for most of my bands practices, as I said, it was fine for the jazz/blues type gigs at restaurants etc. .. but for my rock or funk bands...even at rehearsal. .. once some horns started blaring, it quickly ran out of steam.
The Rumble 500C will do these rock etc.. rehearsals just fine. That it's way lighter weight doesn't hurt none also
Sorry for the long "Rumble ramble"
You can always use the volume knob on the bass in conjunction with the volume knob on the amp too when dealing with volumes at the very low end of an amp's output...
Jeeeez! It's ALWAYS the simple things ain't it? ?? drool
Of course. Now why didn't I think of this
Does using the gain knoJeeeez! It's ALWAYS the simple things ain't it? ?? drool
Of course. Now why didn't I think of this
b and OD knob play any part? 
I think me BEING a knob...plays a large partDoes using the gain kno
I got my upright back after 11 months in the shop. I gave it a test run tonight in Branson. That is the 100. I will probably use the 200 when I play Saturday.
I'd like to thank Linnin for all his expert invaluable knowledge he imparts, regarding not only Fender Rumble rigs, but Fender products in general. I'm sure a lot of guys and gals here on TB in the Rumble forum alone, have learned something from his expertise that we, as seasoned players and owners of Fender gear, may not have known before. I for one even at my age (66) can learn something new every day..loll Thanks Linnin for all your great input to this forum.
You're very welcome @Giffro. I do my best.
It's the Rumble 2x10 extension (expansion?) cabinet ... I guess it's also the same cabinet you can use if you had the head only?
Yes. The cabinet dimensions and drivers are identical between the Rumble 500 combo and the Rumble 210 cabinet. Some folks prefer the Rumble 500 head with a pair of Rumble 210 cabinets.
Here it is next to the Sidekick 50 it is replacing. Very happy with it. The Sidekick is a bit taller but weighs like a car!
One funny thing: when i play with headphones on and close the tone knob of my basses, it gets too much for the Rumble.
Who knows, maybe later a rumble head for my SWR 8x8 cab...
