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There are something like three or four new Fender Rumble Club members that need membership numbers.
So...in the year or so Ive been gigging with my Rumble 500, I haven't messed with the Drive much and usually keep a simple consistent eq set up and presets off. However, I have new regular gig that calls more a few solo spots, so decided to get the foot pedal and give the Drive a whirl. I was pleasantly surprised, and think it sounds great for a solo tone, not over the top fuzz or distortion(I keep my gain fairly low), but a nice snarly edge. Its kind of cool how you can discover new sounds from this thing.
Yep...I learned that right here...likely from one of your posts. I use passive Fenders and usually have the Gain no higher than 9:00.
I LOVED that BA210. Just had so many advising me that it may be wiser to go Portaflex for durability concerns along with it just being of higher quality as the BA series is still budget gear.
The MarkBass CMD102P had a sterile tone (to me) but I dug it. Size and weight it was perfect and I was ready to add a traveler 15 or a matching 210 but the Ampeg tone just suits me better.
I looked at the 8” 45 watt MarkBass MicroMark 801 but preferred the tone of the budget Ampeg BA108v2. My main grievance with the 108 is weight because if it weighed what my Rumble 40 weighs it would be my favorite carry around solo practice combo ever made.
I love the passion here and being exposed to new information which sends me down a path to learn things I didn’t know.
Hey it’s like anything else. If one size fit all we’d wear brown tunics, sport monk haircuts, drive little boxy cars and all play the same exact bass guitars through the exact same amps and cabs or combos.
Sharing our passions is great and I’m digging learning more just about speakers in the last 2 weeks than I’ve known in my entire life past capability and “does it sound good? It is loud enough for me?” standpoints.
Durability is important - but more expensive gear isn’t necessarily more durable. The Rumble series could be said to be a budget offering, and as with all such things there will be some cutting of corners. The important thing, though, is exactly WHERE those corners have been cut, which is where the Rumbles shine, IMO. Fender’s put the quality where it counts, and it shows in the performance.
I haven’t tried the Portaflex series, so I can’t speak to the quality or durability there. I know there were problems with some of the heads, but this appears to have been fixed by now. I did own a BA 108 which cut out on me, which is why I switched. Well, that and the weight. And the build quality. So maybe the advice to move up a notch was sensible after all. But it made more sense to me to switch brands. I bought my first Rumble sight unseen, but quickly discovered I had stumbled on to the amp for me, and it’s been nothing but Rumbles ever since. And in this club the information is excellent (even if we do tend to be a little disparaging of other brands) so that I can get the best possible performance from them.
It seems that there is a difference in opinion on ex cabinets that mix speaker size. I am trying to sort through the diffrent points of view but my pea brain tellers me if you have 500w amplifier paired with the 2x10 and the 1x15 you should have the "punch" covered with the 2x10 and the fill the room covered by the 15. I expect that my theory is flawed but would like to be enlightened.
Thanks for your help.
Guy
Thanks for your help.
Guy
The Rumble 500 combo + Rumble 115 are a good sounding combination. It doesn't matter if your theory is flawed or not, "If it sounds good, it is good!" ~ Duke Ellington
You’re correct as I didn’t mean budget as a pejorative term but more so for the BA series being more entry level and GC grab and go which has a market for sure.
They’ve fixed the head issues but with any such issues the problem is on the front page in bold with the retraction in small print later. With that said it may not be perfect but fingers crossed it shall be for me.
Absolutely right with WHAT was cut as Fender made smart cuts I’ll say and the BA series remains too heavy by comparison. Now I still favor the tone of the BA series but I’ll doff my cap to Fender on every single thing they’ve done as even the Rumble heads are fantastic.
90% of folks on this forum are amazing but you do get a grumpy 10% who either aren’t happy when someone new enters the club or takes everything as a challenge to show off what they know as if there is a prize for telling someone they don’t know.
I’ll gladly admit what I don’t know which is why I ask and again most are excited to share their knowledge and I’m as appreciative and grateful.
I wish I loved the Rumble sound as much as Ampeg as it would be so easy and light weight but we all have different tastes and that’s good.
A little dragging of “other” brands can be all in fun anyhow.
BA series build quality DEFINITELY cut corners with build quality vs Fender and I say that loving the tones and features but I so envy the Rumble line.
Anyhow, pleased to make your acquaintance and who knows I may wind up adding a Rumble 200 with 115 cab because of the bloody weight alone so slowly but surely I’ll figure how to dial a sound I can be satisfied with.
I’m now working on doing the @AstroSonic plans for my Rumble 40 because I can’t leave well enough alone and even a slight grade of improvement is improvement enough to merit said tinkering.
Since this IS Rumble related, I hope it is considered relevant and does not cause me to get hissed at but I could not justify starting a new thread for this and perhaps it serves as some measure of opinion for the question of, "How loud is the Rumble 500 combo by itself?", which MANY do indeed ask.
Anyhow, so I saw a Rumble 500 for sale on Reverb with this in the description:
*******************************************************************
This amp is WAY TOO POWERFUL FOR ME. I bought it because of the weight. Only 36 pounds for 500 watts.
I used this one time at a gig. I play in a jazz style low volume trio.
I can barely turn the master volume up a notch and it will knock pictures off the wall.
********************************************************************
It made me laugh because I fully admit what I do not know and seek to gain more knowledge but even I know for a little low volume Jazz trio that you don't want to be toting a Rumble 500 in the place. JimmyM plays a low volume jazz deal with his BA108.
So this just humored me because I can only imagine the excitement to carry in his gear with one hand, plug in the beautiful and brand new Fender Rumble 500 and then the sheer horror from everyone in the place as one twitch of the knob would make pearls get clutched, ears get plugged and scrambling from everyone involved to demand this low volume jazz trio cuts the volume or else they will never be able to play there again.
Now I am not mocking nor laughing AT the guy. Not at all. So long as you can reign in the volume you can play any combo you like but it is pretty true that a Rumble 500 even on 1-1/2 is way, way, way too much for a low volume jazz trio. So just imagining the place getting blown out like it's The Who playing in 1974 when it's really just a couple of school teachers dressed like Walter White jamming out on "Autumn Leaves" over cocktail hour.
So, for those seeking in Calilfornia you can pick this one up for $450 and for anyone lurking or seeking and wanting to ask the question of just how loud one of these combos can get without the ext cab you can take his word for it that it will shake pictures off your walls and maybe get your low volume jazz trio banned from every brunch in town.
Rumble on.
Anyhow, so I saw a Rumble 500 for sale on Reverb with this in the description:
*******************************************************************
This amp is WAY TOO POWERFUL FOR ME. I bought it because of the weight. Only 36 pounds for 500 watts.
I used this one time at a gig. I play in a jazz style low volume trio.
I can barely turn the master volume up a notch and it will knock pictures off the wall.
********************************************************************
It made me laugh because I fully admit what I do not know and seek to gain more knowledge but even I know for a little low volume Jazz trio that you don't want to be toting a Rumble 500 in the place. JimmyM plays a low volume jazz deal with his BA108.
So this just humored me because I can only imagine the excitement to carry in his gear with one hand, plug in the beautiful and brand new Fender Rumble 500 and then the sheer horror from everyone in the place as one twitch of the knob would make pearls get clutched, ears get plugged and scrambling from everyone involved to demand this low volume jazz trio cuts the volume or else they will never be able to play there again.
Now I am not mocking nor laughing AT the guy. Not at all. So long as you can reign in the volume you can play any combo you like but it is pretty true that a Rumble 500 even on 1-1/2 is way, way, way too much for a low volume jazz trio. So just imagining the place getting blown out like it's The Who playing in 1974 when it's really just a couple of school teachers dressed like Walter White jamming out on "Autumn Leaves" over cocktail hour.
So, for those seeking in Calilfornia you can pick this one up for $450 and for anyone lurking or seeking and wanting to ask the question of just how loud one of these combos can get without the ext cab you can take his word for it that it will shake pictures off your walls and maybe get your low volume jazz trio banned from every brunch in town.
Rumble on.
Just to clarify, I own a Rumble 100 and expect to go to a Rumble 500 sometime this year. My post was in the context of the Rumble product.
Thanks
Guy
Your funny, How can anyone be offended with your comments. Your choice of words paint a humorous picture.
Thanks
Guy
I'm back. Sorry, but I've had a really hard week with flu and pneumonia. It has been very difficult to do anything. I'm still not able to move around for more than a few minutes before I have to sit down and rest.
For those waiting for numbers, please forgive me. I will catch up by tomorrow.
Welcome Rumbler #858! You will love that 100. It is my goto for band practice and small get togethers. Rumble on.
Welcome Rumbler #859! That 500/100 is a great set. Rumble on. Sorry to take so long. Been sick
