Fender Rumble Club

[J-Mags]

By the way, just for the record, I wasn’t saying that your settings look inherently bad… Just that they might be a little “too good“ at full band volume level through a combo amp. Sometimes what sounds like crap on its own will actually sound great in a band mix and help you cut through.

Too much low end takes a bunch of power and starts eating the bass drum's frequencies. I'm still working on an effective live sound without FOH on my R200. Lately I've been using everything at noon, no switches, but that's actually a little bright with my Mustang sometimes. I think I need to roll off some treble & high mid so it doesn't sound too guitarish with a pick. Sometimes I roll everything down to 11 but the low mids, which I turn up to 1. I'm a little suspicious of the vintage switch. I'm not sure I like the compression, but most of the settings in the Tone Pool have it on.

 

[Droopy_TX]

Hello Fellow Contemporary Digital Rumblers!!!

As some of you may know, we have (in the Rumble Wiki) a PDF that charts the stock presets for the Rumble Studio 40 / Stage 800 that shows the pre-effects, amp, and post-effects used in each. I have taken this chart and embellished it a bit.

I mainly added two things:

1) Below the preset listings, I added the lists of amps, cabs, and effects modules; and I indicate what they really are (where there's an actual real-world unit).

I did this because, aside from the amp models, I have a really tough time remembering what the "code names" are for the non-Fender effects, cabs, etc.

2) I also added a column to the right side of the preset table that indicates what the "purpose" of the preset is.

For instance, a preset might simply be demonstrating the functions of an amp, cab, or effect module. It may be showing how to combine modules to achieve a certain playing style or sound (e.g. slap-style; Motown sound). Or, it could be designed to emulate the sound of the bass as played in a particular song.

For presets demonstrating amp, cab, or effect modules, I indicate the amp, cab, and/or effect being demonstrated (since it is not always clear from the preset name), and also provide the real-world device name when possible.

For presets showing how to combine modules to achieve a certain playing style or sound, I indicate the general style/sound being accommodated.

For presets intending to emulate the sound of the bass in an actual song, I indicate the Song Title and Artist for the target song.

Note: Where presets are demonstrating an amp effect function (e.g. the Rumble V3’s 'Vintage' or 'Overdrive' features), I use the general “amp demo" category to differentiate these presets from ones demonstrating separate effects units (e.g. Sine Chorus, Octobot). Similarly, an amp demo preset that incidentally has a reverb for ambience, is simply an amp demo.

There is a simple B/W version of the chart (good for printing). I've added an optional “color-coded” version, too. In the color version, each amp is color-coded; and although any cab can be assigned to any amp, cabinet models that are “historically related" to a given amp share the same color-coding. Additionally, each of the effects categories has an assigned color; as does the "preset purpose" categories. The color-coding is reflected in the preset chart to provide a high-level overview of which amps are used where, what effect types are being used, and for what purpose.

I've posted three files in the same DropBox folder (Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800) that contains the Rumble Studio 40/Stage800 Preset Builder content. (G-Dog will revise the Wiki links in time.)

The new files are:
Rumble Studio 40 & Stage 800 Stock Presets - BW.pdf (B/W version PDF)
Rumble Studio 40 & Stage 800 Stock Presets - COLOR.pdf (Color-coded PDF)
Rumble Studio 40 & Stage 800 Stock Presets.xlsx (Excel source file for both)

The PDF files are provided for everyone’s general reference.
The Excel file is for those who may want to revise or customize the chart for themselves.

One additional point to note:
The content in the “Preset Purpose” field is entirely my own doing. This includes what I think the primary purpose of the preset is; and, for the “Song presets”, what song/artist I think that Fender is going for. So, both of these areas are subject to debate; and I am open to such debate.

As a case in point: In previewing this material, @G-Dog challenged my classification of “#59-Rubber Soul Fuzz”. I yielded to his obviously superior knowledge of all things Beatles. I would suggest, though, following its public release, we should hold such debates openly in the Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800 thread vs. private conversations.

Take care, and enjoy!
Droopy_TX

Hey fellow Rumble LT25, Studio 40, and Stage 800 Owners,

If you are not aware of the Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800 sub-thread of the Fender Rumble Club, you owe it to yourself to check it out. G-Dog and friends have setup this new sub-thread to focus on areas of interest specific to the Contemporary Digital Rumble series.

While you're at it, check the message linked above. We've published links to some new documents on the Rumble wiki page to help provide more detail about the amps, cabs, effects, and presets on the digital Rumbles.

And... Rumble on!!!

 

[CallMeAl]

Well, I may be joining the Rumble Club very soon!

I mainly play at church, through the FOH system, and don't need an amp there.

The last few years, I've played elsewhere, needing an amp, about once a year. Most of these have been with a choir I sing with, and I've been able to borrow a system from a co-worker, and it's worked out fine.

Except it's heavy. Randall RB 125 ES Amplifier (15-20 lbs, just guessing), GK Backline 210BLX Speaker Cabinet (60 lbs).

Next month I'm playing with the choir again, only not a normal concert. It's a Choir Festival, Thursday evening, Friday evening, and all day Saturday.

We sing Saturday morning. Each choir has a 20 minute slot. Get on stage, sing, offstage, and the next choir is waiting to go on at the moment you start to leave the stage. I'll have approximately 3.5 seconds to setup and tear down. No FOH, just whatever I bring for an amp.

Heavy ain't gonna cut it. I need to carry this onstage while we are walking on to sing, plug it in, sing, play on the last song we do, unplug, and walk off.

I'm going to try out the Rumble 200 and Rumble 500 both this weekend. The 200 will be enough for anything I've needed, but for only $100 more the 500 gives me overhead in case I need more in the future. You know, just thinking ahead .

Expect to see an official request to join the club Saturday or Sunday.

Nice! I’ve been looking at those too. I was surprised at how much I liked the 500; deep and bassy but a little clearer than the 200. But 200 is great too! I’ll probably end with a 500 for the same reason; only $100 more for a lot more power!

 

[Texican]

Too much low end takes a bunch of power and starts eating the bass drum's frequencies. I'm still working on an effective live sound without FOH on my R200. Lately I've been using everything at noon, no switches, but that's actually a little bright with my Mustang sometimes. I think I need to roll off some treble & high mid so it doesn't sound too guitarish with a pick. Sometimes I roll everything down to 11 but the low mids, which I turn up to 1. I'm a little suspicious of the vintage switch. I'm not sure I like the compression, but most of the settings in the Tone Pool have it on.

Agreed. Just so you know, the high mid voicing on my rumble 500 is my secret weapon for live sound. Don’t be afraid to gradually bump it up (in a full band mix) until you reach “ok, too bright” territory. Can I ask what strings you’re using? Something like GHS pressurewounds will allow you to use more high mids without sounding overly bright, and they already have a great mid range growl out of the package.

 

[CallMeAl]

Too much low end takes a bunch of power and starts eating the bass drum's frequencies. I'm still working on an effective live sound without FOH on my R200. Lately I've been using everything at noon, no switches, but that's actually a little bright with my Mustang sometimes. I think I need to roll off some treble & high mid so it doesn't sound too guitarish with a pick. Sometimes I roll everything down to 11 but the low mids, which I turn up to 1. I'm a little suspicious of the vintage switch. I'm not sure I like the compression, but most of the settings in the Tone Pool have it on.

I’ve been running everything at noon, except bass at 9:00, with a P bass. My go-to for rock n roll. Anything higher than noon gives me too much crunch or clank. The bass at 9 cuts on the (bad kind of) rumble, helps me cut thru, and seems to make the amp more efficient (like you were saying)

I love the vintage, but I think cause there’s a dB boost with it, and I’m trying to squeeze every bit of power from the 100. I wonder if I wouldn’t use it so much with more headroom. I do like it a lot for lofi thump with my bluegrass /country band. Contour too, helps mellow out the mid presence of the P bass.

 

[G-Dog]

Hey fellow Rumble LT25, Studio 40, and Stage 800 Owners,

If you are not aware of the Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800 sub-thread of the Fender Rumble Club, you owe it to yourself to check it out. G-Dog and friends have setup this new sub-thread to focus on areas of interest specific to the Contemporary Digital Rumble series.

While you're at it, check the message linked above. We've published links to some new documents on the Rumble wiki page to help provide more detail about the amps, cabs, effects, and presets on the digital Rumbles.

And... Rumble on!!!

Rumblers, I take this opportunity to thank Droopy_TX for his exceptional efforts at enlightening our Stage & Studio users on the intricacies of the stock presets that provide such diverse bass tones. The Fender TONE APP SUPPORT Section of the Rumble Wiki has links to his files and notes that I have dubbed "The Droopy_TX Rumble Preset Experience".

Even if you're still shopping, the Preset DECODER Files will help you understand what is available. If you're a user who wants to document your own presets, the Preset Template Files will show you how. Either way, you need to experience it for yourself!

And come to the Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800 sub-thread to discuss this.
.

 

[J-Mags]

Agreed. Just so you know, the high mid voicing on my rumble 500 is my secret weapon for live sound. Don’t be afraid to gradually bump it up (in a full band mix) until you reach “ok, too bright” territory. Can I ask what strings you’re using? Something like GHS pressurewounds will allow you to use more high mids without sounding overly bright, and they already have a great mid range growl out of the package.

I'm using Dunlop flats, which I play with a pick. They're quite a bit brighter than you'd think sometimes. With everything at noon it sounds like a big, twangy guitar as you go up the neck (which sometimes I like). I use them in a rock mix cuz they're so percussive and my band mates love the sound, but sometimes I wish I could hear the note a bit better. I use a compressor to bring up the note just a bit but I set the ratio fairly low and the threshold pretty high.

I generally find the high mids annoying, but I think if I turned them up a bit and turned the treble down, it might sound a bit more bass-like. I've also been playing small, loud, gigs where I have trouble hearing myself. I've been told it sounds great, and I'm like, "What sounds great?" Like I seriously want to know because I can't hear it, even though my amp is on a crate and pretty loud.

 

[MCF]

Here I am onstage last Saturday, playing some bluegrass at a big folk festival with my Rumble 500 v3 head.
(My towering rig, from the bottom up: GK Neo 112ii cab, Rumble head, GK MB200 (backup amp), tuner.)
The amp was set utterly flat. Even so, I used a DI box, so that the front of house guy could get the pre-Rumble signal. I couldn't have been happier with the tone!
Also: Fender Jazz Bass (MIM) with 5-year-old Chromes. Neck pickup only.
View attachment 3536524

Those chromes must be awesome now that they’re finally broken in. I absolutely love chromes on my MIM P. They’ve only been on it three years now.

 

[Tad]

I love the vintage, but I think cause there’s a dB boost with it, and I’m trying to squeeze every bit of power from the 100. I wonder if I wouldn’t use it so much with more headroom. I do like it a lot for lofi thump with my bluegrass /country band. Contour too, helps mellow out the mid presence of the P bass.

Vintage kicks in the onboard compression and the built in LPF. And you’re right, Contour scoops your mids.

From the manual:

VINTAGE: Dynamic compression (-9dB max) with low pass (-6dB/oct) @ 400Hz

CONTOUR: +1dB @ 80Hz, -13dB @ 670Hz, +2dB @ 8kHz

 

[J-Mags]

I think part of my tonal confusion is that I want multiple things at the same time. I want it to kick like a mule when I'm playing punk rock eighth notes, which it does - there's really nothing like flats and pick and a bright clean amp for that. And I want it sound like a giant guitar when I play chords, which it does. And at the same time, I want it to sound like a regular bass which is impossible - unless I use the tone control on my bass, which I keep forgetting exists. Ooops!

 

[GonePlaid]

I really need to get set up a little earlier at a couple gigs and use my longest cable to get as far in front of the 200c as possible to hear what the audience hears. The Sunday open mic/jam is a 'freebie', so I don't kill myself for an early arrival. Besides, it sounded good on the video so what the hey.
I know I could try some different settings here at the house, but it's gonna change at the gig. Back to the drawing board.

 

[jfh2424]

Maybe consider a Line 6 G30. Bought one years ago. Love it!

John

 

[jfh2424]

I will be purchasing a little practice amp that I will also be using for rehearsals with one lone acoustic guitar player. Not playing out with it.

I won't be able to hear the difference between the Rumble 15 and 25 before I buy one of the two. I understand that the 25 has more power (probably a good thing), the overdrive (don't use in on R500 so I won't use it with this also) and the contour (I use it sometimes).

I am curious to hear from people who have compared them. Did you hear a big difference in sound quality and power? Why did you purchase either one of these amps over the other?

Thanks!

 

[JakobT]

I will be purchasing a little practice amp that I will also be using for rehearsals with one lone acoustic guitar player. Not playing out with it.

I won't be able to hear the difference between the Rumble 15 and 25 before I buy one of the two. I understand that the 25 has more power (probably a good thing), the overdrive (don't use in on R500 so I won't use it with this also) and the contour (I use it sometimes).

I am curious to hear from people who have compared them. Did you hear a big difference in sound quality and power? Why did you purchase either one of these amps over the other?

Thanks!

The Rumble 15 is usable for home practice, but not much more - the enclosure is small and unported, and it tends to sound a little boxy.

You won’t get the true Rumble experience with anything lower than the 25, which has a larger, ported enclosure and is only about $20 more. Both use a different preamp than the rest of the range, so I would actually recommend the Rumble 40 instead, which uses the same preamp as its larger siblings, and has a 10" speaker, as opposed to the 8" in the 15 and 25.

 

[BlitzCraig]

Agree with above - you can find a R40 used for around $120 USD, so barely more than the 25 -- bonus: it's a touch lighter than the 25

 

[Droopy_TX]

Maybe consider a Line 6 G30. Bought one years ago. Love it!

John

+1.

I got the original version of the G10 for Christmas last year. Love it, too.

It's perfect for being able to step out a gauge the FOH mix. I've even ventured out on the dance floor and boogied with the audience during "Play That Funky Music".

I've used it several times at 6-7 venues; and, of course, all around the house practicing. I've never had any problems with dropouts or latency.

I have been told I cannot stand in the kitchen playing while my wife is cooking; but, I think that has more to do with me not helping.

 

[GonePlaid]

+1.

I got the original version of the G10 for Christmas last year. Love it, too.

It's perfect for being able to step out a gauge the FOH mix. I've even ventured out on the dance floor and boogied with the audience during "Play That Funky Music".

I've used it several times at 6-7 venues; and, of course, all around the house practicing. I've never had any problems with dropouts or latency.

I have been told I cannot stand in the kitchen playing while my wife is cooking; but, I think that has more to do with me not helping.

Ya Think?

 

[ak56]

There's a big cardboard box in the back of my car that says Fender on it!

 

[CallMeAl]

There's a big cardboard box in the back of my car that says Fender on it!

You’re such a tease!

 

[ak56]

You’re such a tease!

All will be revealed at some point after I get home.

Taking my wife out for dinner right now