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Fender Rumble Club

As promised...

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Y'all may remember my recent demo of the 200c and 500c, and leaving smitten with the 500. This was at a large store, about 2 hours drive from me, so I don't make it there very often.

I went to my local guitar store today**, to retry the 200c. In my short visit, it sounded great and was crazy loud!

I was chatting with the gents in the store, and asked if they ever have the 500c in. They said sometimes, last one they had in "just sat for quite a while." They both agreed that the 500c was "not that much louder" than the 200. I know watts aren't everything. I walked away thinking about the difference, that it's mostly about the tone of the drivers. (Edit, IMO, ATM) I also walked away with more GAS!

So, I thought I'd share that little nugget, in light of all the recent 200 v 500 and volume level discussions lately.

**Just last night at rehearsal my drummer got a wild hair and jumped on the kit. (He normally plays cajon.) I wish he told me, I was stuck with my lil 108 ampeg, I shoulda brought the 100c over. Thinking about doing a gig with the kit- Boy did that ever fire up the desire for a bigger Rumble!
 
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Y'all may remember my recent demo of the 200c and 500c, and leaving smitten with the 500. This was at a large store, about 2 hours drive from me, so I don't make it there very often.

I went to my local guitar store today**, to retry the 200c. In my short visit, it sounded great and was crazy loud!

I was chatting with the gents in the store, and asked if they ever have the 500c in. They said sometimes, last one they had in "just sat for quite a while." They both agreed that the 500c was "not that much louder" than the 200. I know watts aren't everything. I walked away thinking about the difference, that it's mostly about the tone of the drivers. (Edit, IMO, ATM) I also walked away with more GAS!

So, I thought I'd share that little nugget, in light of all the recent 200 v 500 and volume level discussions lately.

**Just last night at rehearsal my drummer got a wild hair and jumped on the kit. (He normally plays cajon.) I wish he told me, I was stuck with my lil 108 ampeg, I shoulda brought the 100c over. Thinking about doing a gig with the kit- Boy did that ever fire up the desire for a bigger Rumble!

If you play in a loud band a Rumble 200 will not cut it. You’ll need at least the 500 and will likely require an extension depending on the gig.

I recently went through the same thing you are experiencing and bought the Rumble 200 because I thought it’d be enough... it wasn’t.

I returned it in favor of the Rumble 800 head with the Rumble 410 cab.

At a later time, I can always pickup the Rumble 115 cab or the 210 for smaller gigs (or for use alongside the 410 for more beef). Or... just another 410 cab for an 8x10 beast.

Also, I play shows with a back-lined cab so all I need to do is bring the head. Much easier load in on those nights.

This setup is much more flexible and much more powerful.

Always remember to opt for more power than you think you’ll need because someday you will need it.

But then again, I’m not you so maybe the Rumble 200 will be enough. It’s all subjective.
 
Columbia is a record club. you get 60 Hz for a penny if you buy 120.
And there is British Columbia which is not in Britain or Columbia.

My brother and I were just explaining Columbia House Records to my 19 year old son this past weekend, he thought it was a silly concept and immediately said, "Sounds like a scam." Yeah, but man did I get a butt-load of great albums through Columbia House.....in my name, my mom's name, my girlfriend's name, my neighbor's dog's name.......:D:bassist:
 
If you play in a loud band a Rumble 200 will not cut it. You’ll need at least the 500 and will likely require an extension depending on the gig.

I recently went through the same thing you are experiencing and bought the Rumble 200 because I thought it’d be enough... it wasn’t.

I returned it in favor of the Rumble 800 head with the Rumble 410 cab.

At a later time, I can always pickup the Rumble 115 cab or the 210 for smaller gigs (or for use alongside the 410 for more beef). Or... just another 410 cab for an 8x10 beast.

Also, I play shows with a back-lined cab so all I need to do is bring the head. Much easier load in on those nights.

This setup is much more flexible and much more powerful.

Always remember to opt for more power than you think you’ll need because someday you will need it.

But then again, I’m not you so maybe the Rumble 200 will be enough. It’s all subjective.
Thanks! I havent really decided yet. I think for my current project the 200 would be plenty. But the 500 seems like a long term plan. I like them both but slightly prefer the 500, tone wise.

I just find the whole 200 v 500 debate fascinating, in terms of what's "enough." There seems to be 2 camps. The way I understand it (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) double the power gives you a 3bB increase.

So, if we compare 200h vs 500h with 2 identical cabs each, the 500 would be what, like 4dB louder? Not huge. I think the 15 vs 210 complicates matters. I'd like to see a volume test of the 500c vs. 200h + 210cab.
 
Thanks! I havent really decided yet. I think for my current project the 200 would be plenty. But the 500 seems like a long term plan. I like them both but slightly prefer the 500, tone wise.

I just find the whole 200 v 500 debate fascinating, in terms of what's "enough." There seems to be 2 camps. The way I understand it (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) double the power gives you a 3bB increase.

So, if we compare 200h vs 500h with 2 identical cabs each, the 500 would be what, like 4dB louder? Not huge. I think the 15 vs 210 complicates matters. I'd like to see a volume test of the 500c vs. 200h + 210cab.

Do keep in mind that +10dB is about double the perceived volume output, so, although 3dB doesn’t seem like a big jump when you look at it on paper, it really is a big difference.

I do get wanting to compare the 200 with extension against the 500, but, once you start adding in extensions, the benefits of an all in one setup like a combo amp kinda goes out the window. (For me, at least).

That’s why I opted for the modular route. Sure, the 410 is heavier than the Rumble 500 and especially the 200, but in total the cab is 62 lbs vs 35lbs x 2 or 39lbs x 2. The 410 comes out lighter in either case and only requires one trip during load in/out. The casters are a nice bonus as well.

It’s food for thought I suppose.

I would love to see a real world side-by-side-by-side comparison of all of the different combinations we could achieve with the Rumble line. It’s crazy to me that it allows for so many different options.

On a side note, I find it kinda funny that most of us seem to not even consider the Stage 800 for live use. For me, it seems cool, and you can get some great tone and volume out of it, but I think it’s the plug and play simplicity of the rest of the Rumble line that kinda makes that combo less attractive.
 
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Do keep in mind that +10dB is about double the perceived volume output, so, although 3dB doesn’t seem like a big jump when you look at it on paper, it really is a big difference.

I do get wanting to compare the 200 with extension against the 500, but, once you start adding in extensions, the benefits of an all in one setup like a combo amp kinda goes out the window. (For me, at least).

That’s why I opted for the modular route. Sure, the 410 is heavier than the Rumble 500 and especially the 200, but in total the cab is 62 lbs vs 35lbs x 2 or 39lbs x 2. The 410 comes out lighter in either case and only requires one trip during load in/out. The casters are a nice bonus as well.

It’s food for though I suppose.

I would love to see a real world side-by-side-by-side comparison of all of the different combinations we could achieve with the Rumble line. It’s crazy to me that it allows for so many different options.

On a side note, I find it kinda funny that most of us seem to not even consider the Stage 800 for live use. For me, it seems cool, and you can get some great tone and volume out of it, but I think it’s the plug and play simplicity of the rest of the Rumble line that kinda makes that combo less attractive.
I got my 200c in Nov of '15. If the 800 had been available at that time, maybe. But, I needed a lighter, more powerful(than what I had)amp then, not 4 years +/- later. For almost all of our group's gigs the 200c is more than enuff. And I can add the R112 if needed. BTW, we never are into FOH. Just us and our PA-which we don't run our instruments through. No need.

If-IF-I were starting over(in 2015)I mighta gone with the 200(500?)head and a coupla cabs: either 2x112 or 2x115* and been able to take whatever fit the room. But, as dear old dad would say, IF the frog had wings he wouldn't bounce his fazaza on the creek bank. Also, still fighting chronic Italian condition:mufunzalo.
*not a fan of 10s
 
If you play in a loud band a Rumble 200 will not cut it. You’ll need at least the 500 and will likely require an extension depending on the gig.

I recently went through the same thing you are experiencing and bought the Rumble 200 because I thought it’d be enough... it wasn’t.

I returned it in favor of the Rumble 800 head with the Rumble 410 cab.

At a later time, I can always pickup the Rumble 115 cab or the 210 for smaller gigs (or for use alongside the 410 for more beef). Or... just another 410 cab for an 8x10 beast.

Also, I play shows with a back-lined cab so all I need to do is bring the head. Much easier load in on those nights.

This setup is much more flexible and much more powerful.

Always remember to opt for more power than you think you’ll need because someday you will need it.

But then again, I’m not you so maybe the Rumble 200 will be enough. It’s all subjective.
I do wish that you'd be specific about what you mean by "a loud band" because it's not ALL subjective and it's ridiculous to think that 200W won't cut it for general purposes.
 
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Yes, I mean how loud is your stage volume? How many decibels (C-weighting preferred)?

I don’t have a decibel meter handy but, speaking in general terms, in a typical setup consisting of two half stacks for the guitars, a hard hitting rock drummer, and a modest PA that is only covering the vocals, if you are trying to carry that weight with just the 200, no matter the room size), it’s not realistically gonna happen without an extension cab. Again, for heavier genres of music.

Once you require an extension cab, the point of using a combo goes out the window (in my opinion).

That’s why I opted for more power. I’d rather have the headroom available than not.

Obviously, if you have P.A. support, stage volume goes down and the 200 would be suitable, but when you need to carry a venue with your amp alone, you need more power.
 
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I don’t have a decibel meter handy but, speaking in general terms, in a typical setup consisting of two half stacks for the guitars, a hard hitting rock drummer, and a modest PA that is only covering the vocals, if you are trying to carry that weight with just the 200, no matter the room size), it’s not realistically gonna happen without an extension cab. Again, for heavier genres of music.

Once you require an extension cab, the point of using a combo goes out the window (in my opinion).

That’s why I opted for more power. I’d rather have the headroom available than not.
I don't mean to sound critical but it certainly sounds like you must wear earplugs on stage... whether you do is your business of course, but for my part I don't see the benefit of having so much volume on stage that I have to wear earplugs--and I certainly don't see the point of advising someone else that they need so much volume on stage that failing to mention that they should also invest in earplugs becomes negligent.
 
I don’t have a decibel meter handy but, speaking in general terms, in a typical setup consisting of two half stacks for the guitars, a hard hitting rock drummer, and a modest PA that is only covering the vocals, if you are trying to carry that weight with just the 200, no matter the room size), it’s not realistically gonna happen without an extension cab. Again, for heavier genres of music.

Once you require an extension cab, the point of using a combo goes out the window (in my opinion).

That’s why I opted for more power. I’d rather have the headroom available than not.

Obviously, if you have P.A. support, stage volume goes down and the 200 would be suitable, but when you need to carry a venue with your amp alone, you need more power.

You have an 800 head with a 410 cab. You are only making 400 watts vs the 500c 350 watts. 50 watts will not even be noticed really, so you still need a 2nd cab to make full power. Same as a combo and an extension cab. 410s will move more air of course but you still need two cabs to make full power. No different than a combo and an extension cab. I would prefer a two cab setup anyways because one cab blasting at your knees is no good for hearing yourself onstage. With two cabs (or combo on top of an extension cab) you will hear yourself much better.

Also, a 200 could be plenty for someone playing in a non metal band and going thru a PA. Unless you are playing house parties or dive bars, you are usually going to have a sound guy and running thru a PA.
 
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I don't mean to sound critical but it certainly sounds like you must wear earplugs on stage... whether you do is your business of course, but for my part I don't see the benefit of having so much volume on stage that I have to wear earplugs--and I certainly don't see the point of advising someone else that they need so much volume on stage that failing to mention that they should also invest in earplugs becomes negligent.

Yep, earplugs are a definite... at any live music event, whether playing or not.

I don’t know if you’ve ever had to carry a venue with just your amp, but that is the use case for what I’m taking about.

It’s better to have the options available than to be in a situation where you just aren’t cutting through. Been there, done that.

Again, it’s all about flexibility. Do you need to blast all 800 watts? Of course not, but when you need the extra oomph, you know you got it.

And really, I could say it is negligent to offer advice for an amp that might not give the power that the user might actually need.

From my experience with the amp, that is what I found. May or may not apply to others, but for me, it wasn’t enough.
 
I don't mean to sound critical but it certainly sounds like you must wear earplugs on stage... whether you do is your business of course, but for my part I don't see the benefit of having so much volume on stage that I have to wear earplugs--and I certainly don't see the point of advising someone else that they need so much volume on stage that failing to mention that they should also invest in earplugs becomes negligent.

He could always join the ranks of "Bass Players with Hearing Aids Club". Mine cost $4K and they are a pain in the butt ;).
 
I don't mean to sound critical but it certainly sounds like you must wear earplugs on stage... whether you do is your business of course, but for my part I don't see the benefit of having so much volume on stage that I have to wear earplugs--and I certainly don't see the point of advising someone else that they need so much volume on stage that failing to mention that they should also invest in earplugs becomes negligent.
I went to check out a new-to us-venue to see what PA gear we'd need for an upcoming gig. The band(guitar, bass, drums, singer) that was playing the night I went in was loud, but more importantly, too loud for the room! And their volume was chasing the patrons out the door.
Yeah, loud is relative, but too loud for the room isn't. If the people paying you say you're too loud, then you're too loud. Turn down. I saw a post somewhere(?)on TB that there was a club owner who would tell the band to turn down-once. If they didn't, he killed power to the stage and sent them packing.
 
Do keep in mind that +10dB is about double the perceived volume output, so, although 3dB doesn’t seem like a big jump when you look at it on paper, it really is a big difference.

I do get wanting to compare the 200 with extension against the 500, but, once you start adding in extensions, the benefits of an all in one setup like a combo amp kinda goes out the window. (For me, at least).

That’s why I opted for the modular route. Sure, the 410 is heavier than the Rumble 500 and especially the 200, but in total the cab is 62 lbs vs 35lbs x 2 or 39lbs x 2. The 410 comes out lighter in either case and only requires one trip during load in/out. The casters are a nice bonus as well.

It’s food for thought I suppose.

I would love to see a real world side-by-side-by-side comparison of all of the different combinations we could achieve with the Rumble line. It’s crazy to me that it allows for so many different options.

On a side note, I find it kinda funny that most of us seem to not even consider the Stage 800 for live use. For me, it seems cool, and you can get some great tone and volume out of it, but I think it’s the plug and play simplicity of the rest of the Rumble line that kinda makes that combo less attractive.
And the other side says 3dB is not that big of a difference ;)

I think a lot of recommendations on TB come from personal circumstances. I have the luxury of playing with a cajon and always have PA when we want it. We played one gig with the kit, and I felt like the 100c was almost enough. But who knows what the future will bring, and looking ahead to other band situations has been on my mind...

Since I have a 100c already, a 200c isnt that crazy since I would have the daisy chain option if needed.