I'm going to match it up with an Ampeg 410HLF Portaflex cab that I ordered today.
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What's the power handling on those? 8ohm or 4ohms?
The Fender Rumble 200 would be a good choice. It is within budget and if it isn't enough, your band is playing too loud.
I agree. My 100c has always held up really well for rehearsals with a fairly loud band. Same for the few small venue gigs I've used it on. Between practice, reharsals, and small gigs it's my most used Rumble.
It kills me when people say a 100 isnt enough for rehearsal. I use a 25!
Comments like that don't help people choose the proper gear. Maybe in your opinion, but the Fender 200 is just not loud enough with a loud band. (Without an extension cab). Get an additional cab and it will be plenty. By itself, I had to turn it up too loud and it didn't sound all that great. I'm not trying to argue, but I felt nuts reading all the comments saying it was plenty loud enough. Truth is, it wasn't for me.
Then you are playing too loud. Nothing wrong with my advice. I practice with a 3 piece with a 100 and it is plenty. There are many Rumble owners who gig with a 200 and no extension.
You can have your opinion and state it, but you have no business denigrating my opinion.
So I’m looking for an input jack for a 500H. Would that be an aftermarket item or do I go straight to the Fender parts bin?
I would like to upgrade the jack, but as it’s soldered on, my choices might be limited.
I would like to upgrade the jack, but as it’s soldered on, my choices might be limited.
I guess Fender really screwed up by making anything bigger than the 100 then? Maybe we should tell Fender that no one needs to be louder than a 100 Rumble?
Sorry to poke the bear. I'll quit now. I do see your point, but some of us like it loud. It is good to know what gear will keep up with what we like.
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i wouldn't find a rumble 200 without an extension speaker enough for punk or louder metal. i haven't tried one with an extension speaker, so not sure.
What a nonsensical reply.
Everyone's needs are different, and I don't agree that if a Rumble 200C doesnt keep up then youre playing too loud....too loud according to who? I have the 500c and theres no way it would keep up in my band so I added the 210 Ext cab.
I like to have plenty of low end to compete with that Marshall half stack over there...LOL
I like to have plenty of low end to compete with that Marshall half stack over there...LOL
I must be blind... Thanks for pointing that out...
Thanks for the recommendation. I personally like having lots of headroom, and running an amp with the master on 2 doesn't bother me. In any case the audible difference between 200 and 500 watts is minimal.
Volume aside, how does the Rumble 200c compare to the Rumble 500c in terms of features, tone and feel? A good strong defined tone in the mix, without boominess would be nice.
The typical response you’ll get is that no matter which Rumble you use (or any amplifier for that matter), your best bet for reducing boominess is to add a high pass filter (hpf) set anywhere between 30 and 90 Hz
You can place this both before the input and inside the effects loop.
Personally, I place it both places (first in my chain and last in my chain before the power amp).
I use a Line 6 Helix with a Fender Rumble 200 and my chain typically looks like this:
Bass -> Helix HPF (at 80 Hz) -> Helix Compressor -> Rumble input -> Rumble effects loop send -> Helix HPF (at 80 Hz) -> Rumble effects loop return.
That is just a quick example but that allows me to completely sculpt the sound to my liking.
Using the Helix as a pre-amp also works and gives you a variety of models to choose from. You can even use the Rumble as a guitar cab because of the horn. It gives surprisingly good results. Just plug it directly into the effects return.
Feature wise, they are pretty much identical. You just get more watts with the 500 and a different speaker configuration (two 10s vs one 15).
They both sound good. One just has more headroom.
You can place this both before the input and inside the effects loop.
Personally, I place it both places (first in my chain and last in my chain before the power amp).
I use a Line 6 Helix with a Fender Rumble 200 and my chain typically looks like this:
Bass -> Helix HPF (at 80 Hz) -> Helix Compressor -> Rumble input -> Rumble effects loop send -> Helix HPF (at 80 Hz) -> Rumble effects loop return.
That is just a quick example but that allows me to completely sculpt the sound to my liking.
Using the Helix as a pre-amp also works and gives you a variety of models to choose from. You can even use the Rumble as a guitar cab because of the horn. It gives surprisingly good results. Just plug it directly into the effects return.
Feature wise, they are pretty much identical. You just get more watts with the 500 and a different speaker configuration (two 10s vs one 15).
They both sound good. One just has more headroom.
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I prefer the sound of the 15 to 2x10s. I feel it gives better bottom end and I can EQ less lows if I need to for the room. Plus 1x15 is lighter on my wallet and my back. I do have a Rumble 112 extension cab* that I use in our larger venues, but it stays at home most of the time.
*no longer made
All the Rumbles from the 40 through the 500 share the same preamp. The 40 lacks effects send and receive. The main difference between the two is the 500 is 2x10 and the 200 is 1x15. As it happens, I was in a GC last week and tried the 200 (one of only two Rumbles I don't own. The other is a 15), and found the 15 in the 200 to be a warmer sound.
Even lesser amps, like Marshalls, have volume knobs. Really loud practicing gets you nothing other than hearing impairment.
Based on that description I think you'd like the 500. I was dead set on a 200.... until I tried a 500. Full and rich, crisp and clear. The 200 was warm, but one man's warm is another man's muddy, right?
Now this was just a music store demo, so take it with a grain of salt. But I left the store feeling ho hum on the 200 and gassing for the 500.
