Sure thing, joel406!
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Welcome to the Fender Rumble Club, you are member #360 Rumbles Rock! 
So here's my question to all you Rumblers: in my situation, why would I choose a cab/head setup over a combo? I realize the cab/head preserves more options down the road, but the Rumble 500 head and 210 cab would cost $200 more than the 500 combo. Would those options really be worth the extra money up front? The 500 combo would probably be plenty of amp for our jam sessions, would be easy to store and transport, and could power an extension cab should we ever get good enough to actually play a gig sometime. But that's another story for the "Band Management" forum.
Of course I'd like to play through all available options before making a purchase. Went to the Fender shop yesterday, and the current stock was pretty low with a shipment due in the next few weeks. Can I expect there to be much difference between the cab/head options and the combo? Any thoughts that might help me make an informed decision would be appreciated. Thanks.
I went though a similar situation when I was deciding what direction to go: combo or head/cab? Eventually it came down to what my wallet would bear. I could have easily gone with the head and a separate cab, it's something I've been doing since I first started playing, but the combo was less expensive so I went with that. The only downside of the combo is if there is a problem with it, you are out of both an amp and speakers until it is fixed or replaced. Fortunately I still have my old amp head (GK Backline 600), and I can pair that up with the 210 cab that I bought to pair up with the 500 combo. You don't have that option, so that might be something to think about. Of course, if you want the 500 watts with a different speaker setup, then you should get the amp head and the appropriate cabinet(s).
And, I totally feel the pain with regards to the Peavey combo. In my previous band, the drummer had a 450 watt Peavey combo that he let me use, we left it in the rehearsal room but every now and then I would use it for a gig. It's unreal how heavy that thing was. I once had to lug it up a set of stairs and I thought I was going to die. The Rumble 500 combo is a third of the weight, easily.
Not going to be a sound difference in the 500w combo vs 500w head/210 cab setup. In your situation I would go for the 500 combo 100%. Simple load in/out and enough to cover everything from loud rehearsals to any local indoor gigs.
So here's my question to all you Rumblers: in my situation, why would I choose a cab/head setup over a combo? I realize the cab/head preserves more options down the road, but the Rumble 500 head and 210 cab would cost $200 more than the 500 combo. Would those options really be worth the extra money up front? The 500 combo would probably be plenty of amp for our jam sessions, would be easy to store and transport, and could power an extension cab should we ever get good enough to actually play a gig sometime. But that's another story for the "Band Management" forum.
Of course I'd like to play through all available options before making a purchase. Went to the Fender shop yesterday, and the current stock was pretty low with a shipment due in the next few weeks. Can I expect there to be much difference between the cab/head options and the combo? Any thoughts that might help me make an informed decision would be appreciated. Thanks.
I really can't offer you a comparison between the separate head and the combo. I can tell you what my rationale was. I was looking at getting a new/better rig with a bonus I was getting at work after being approved by the CFO to spend it on something I wanted.
I liked the way that the Rumble's sounded. I also like 10's. I considered getting the head and the 410 because the 210 wasn't available yet, but that wouldn't have let me utilize the full power of the head without buying a second cab. Also the height of the single cab would have set it down where I couldn't hear it as well.
Then I heard rumors that Fender was coming out with a 210 at NAMM, so I decided to hold off. After hearing the demo's and reading the limited reviews I went with the 500 combo and the 210 extension cab.
I did it for a couple of reasons. One was convenience of humping gear. Overall it would be a little lighter and humping one less component. Everything I would need to take with me to play some where fits easily in the backseat of my truck. I figured that the combo could handle a lot of situations and with the extension cab I would have plenty of headroom if I needed it.
The other reason was simple economics. It was cheaper to buy the combo and one cab than it would have been to buy the head and two cabs. My bonus covered the combo and the cab. If I would have went the other way I would have had to come up with more money to have the complete rig.
I love my new rig. All of my basses sound better through this rig to me than they ever have. I have found my sound.
So far my settings are pretty basic, everything at noon, gain about nine o'clock and volume to suit. This winds up being about eight or nine o'clock in my 11x18 music room. Much higher than that and everything starts vibrating and it is just too danged loud in that space. I've fooled around with the options and I like all the different sounds available with this rig. I am kind of leaning towards the vintage setting. There is a lot of range available to tweak it to suit when I play other places.
The footprint is small and the vertical 410 stack puts the sound right where I can hear it. I also figure I have enough power to keep up in most foreseeable situations.
First Things First ... Welcome to the Fender Rumble Club, frsbdg!
Options options options!
Thanks for the advice. I think I've already been added to the club, though. The number 320 seems to stick in my head somewhere.
Sounds like the Rumble 500 combo would be the most economical option. With luck, the new gear that comes into the shop will include the 2x10, 4x10, and 1x15 cabs. That way I can try a bunch of possible configurations.
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Close 321, I looked but missed it. D'Oh!
I'll give 359 to the next Rumbler. Thanks.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
- 5,455
- 4,234
- Disclosures
- None
I have a 500 combo, a 500 head and a 210 cab. Let me ramble about my findings and you can decide what's relevant; I sure can't.
I love the sound and convenience of the combo. There's no situation I've put it in where it didn't handle the job. Some things about it:
It's low, sitting on the ground and sometimes I can't hear it the way I want to. but yes, I definitely hear it anyway. I could raise it up, but then I lose a lot of bass that the amp kind of needs.
The way the amp is mounted into the cab is problematic from my view: I am just waiting to spill a drink into it, and the knobs are exposed in a way that makes me nervous. I'd much prefer the angled front mounting of Fender guitar amps.
I have other small amps which I like to hump with me in my bag as backup. But with the combo, you can't use it if the amp fails.
The head is as good as the combo amp; sounds the same. about that:
It's nice to have a head/cab because you can carry a backup amp; yes, I've needed them in the distant past. It only takes once...
It's nice to be able to mix and match cabs.
The 210:
sounds about the same as the combo.
A cool thing about it is that the horn control switch is 3-position: Off, full and -4dB (i think). I like the -4dB setting the best. This is not on the combo; just a simple on/off is on the combo.
It light, and just cool looking.
In short I like them both, but I might land with using the head/cab more. I think it travels better.
I love the sound and convenience of the combo. There's no situation I've put it in where it didn't handle the job. Some things about it:
It's low, sitting on the ground and sometimes I can't hear it the way I want to. but yes, I definitely hear it anyway. I could raise it up, but then I lose a lot of bass that the amp kind of needs.
The way the amp is mounted into the cab is problematic from my view: I am just waiting to spill a drink into it, and the knobs are exposed in a way that makes me nervous. I'd much prefer the angled front mounting of Fender guitar amps.
I have other small amps which I like to hump with me in my bag as backup. But with the combo, you can't use it if the amp fails.
The head is as good as the combo amp; sounds the same. about that:
It's nice to have a head/cab because you can carry a backup amp; yes, I've needed them in the distant past. It only takes once...
It's nice to be able to mix and match cabs.
The 210:
sounds about the same as the combo.
A cool thing about it is that the horn control switch is 3-position: Off, full and -4dB (i think). I like the -4dB setting the best. This is not on the combo; just a simple on/off is on the combo.
It light, and just cool looking.
In short I like them both, but I might land with using the head/cab more. I think it travels better.
I've been saying that my big test of the combo with 210 would be my gig this afternoon. Well, that was somewhat thwarted. Here's why:
The dreaded dB Meter! It kept us, rather tried to keep us, under 75 dB all afternoon. I did my best. So, it ended up being a lousy test of the combo con 210 rig. But still, there were things learned:
1. the stack is articulate and legible anywhere in front of it. Usually, when one backs up nearer to the cab the proximity effect feels like the bass is louder and punchier. Not so, it was pretty much the same from 1 ft to 6 ft in front of it.
2. As expected, bass was the overpowering factor. I was dialing back both volume and bass, as well as dialing up midrange, for the first 20 minutes.
3. I got it sounding pretty good under these low volume settings, where the combo alone would have more than sufficed.
4. I switched to the combo only about midway, and as usual it was great. But the 2-cab rig adds about an octave of lower bass, and I really wanted that for this gig, so I went back to 2 cabs after a few songs.
5. As someone suggested, I will affirm: adding or subtracting things to your rig requires rethinking the EQ. With so much bass coming from the stack, even at low volume, here's what i ended up with:
Honestly, I've used those EQ settings on combo-only jobs too, but for this one it worked OK.
6. I find I'm not getting the growl of the combo-only, but this still remains to be seen on a proper gig. I sneaked the volume up a bit toward the end of the show, and I thought I detected a hint of it going where I wanted it go.
7. The architecture of where we played could have been a boom-fest. For some reason, every club owner in Forida thinks they have to erect a Tiki Bar, replete with thatched hip-roofed hut, where the band plays. That roof style collects bass and throws in down like an overtone tornado. Well, usually only one frequency does it throw back, usually an A or a B. There was none of that on this gig, and in fact I've never had any Tiki-Boom since using the Rumble(s).
I think that's all I've got for now, other than my hand is sore from yanking the strings because of the low volume. So for now I bid you adieu, until that time...
The dreaded dB Meter! It kept us, rather tried to keep us, under 75 dB all afternoon. I did my best. So, it ended up being a lousy test of the combo con 210 rig. But still, there were things learned:
1. the stack is articulate and legible anywhere in front of it. Usually, when one backs up nearer to the cab the proximity effect feels like the bass is louder and punchier. Not so, it was pretty much the same from 1 ft to 6 ft in front of it.
2. As expected, bass was the overpowering factor. I was dialing back both volume and bass, as well as dialing up midrange, for the first 20 minutes.
3. I got it sounding pretty good under these low volume settings, where the combo alone would have more than sufficed.
4. I switched to the combo only about midway, and as usual it was great. But the 2-cab rig adds about an octave of lower bass, and I really wanted that for this gig, so I went back to 2 cabs after a few songs.
5. As someone suggested, I will affirm: adding or subtracting things to your rig requires rethinking the EQ. With so much bass coming from the stack, even at low volume, here's what i ended up with:
Honestly, I've used those EQ settings on combo-only jobs too, but for this one it worked OK.
6. I find I'm not getting the growl of the combo-only, but this still remains to be seen on a proper gig. I sneaked the volume up a bit toward the end of the show, and I thought I detected a hint of it going where I wanted it go.
7. The architecture of where we played could have been a boom-fest. For some reason, every club owner in Forida thinks they have to erect a Tiki Bar, replete with thatched hip-roofed hut, where the band plays. That roof style collects bass and throws in down like an overtone tornado. Well, usually only one frequency does it throw back, usually an A or a B. There was none of that on this gig, and in fact I've never had any Tiki-Boom since using the Rumble(s).
I think that's all I've got for now, other than my hand is sore from yanking the strings because of the low volume. So for now I bid you adieu, until that time...
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Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
- 5,455
- 4,234
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I would recommend pairing the 210 with the 500 combo. Even on the lowest settings the sound is beyond massive.
Definitely. I think the combo would be perfect for rehearsals and the occasional gig, but if you're gigging regularly in all kinds of wacky places the head/cab setup is just much better suited. I like being able to throw my cabs in the back of the van while my amp stays nice and comfy in its padded case. I'm right there with you on the backup situation and the drink spillage, too.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
- 5,455
- 4,234
- Disclosures
- None
I think if spillage is a serious concern / problem for you, then yes, the head / cab might work better. There really is something to be said for the simplicity of a combo though. For smaller gigs you just plug in and go, only 2 cables to worry about...
I think it really breaks down to what works best for YOU in your situation. For me, I intentionally chose the 500 combo / 210 rig thing. Before I knew Fender was going to bring out the Rumble 210 I was actively looking for a compatible 210 cab... The combo / cab rig is elegantly simple to use, but yes, I can see where folks might prefer a head and two cabs... Or even a head and a 410, or even a pair of 410 cabs... (Overkill for me and my back!).
With my health issues being what they are, the simplicity and light weight of the combo just make sense for me. YMMV. I highly recommend you test drive everything you can and make an informed purchase decision. I am happy beyond words with my rig because it fits my needs to the letter...
Seriously? Drink spillage?
Gravity. Is. Not. Your. Friend.
Speaking as an amp repairman and technician, don't EVER put a drink on or near mission-critical electronics. Not on top of a separate amp head. Not even on the top of a cab beside the head. Not on a slant-front combo a la vintage Fender or a flat-front a la Marshall or G-K. Not on the floor beside your pedalboard. All of these configurations are vulnerable to a spill.
The fact that there's a flat surface on top of your rig, doesn't make it a good place to store fluids. Especially not any kind of flavoured drink, whether it's coffee, soda, beer or a rye and ginger.
I have seen evey kind of amp configuration taken out by drinks over the years. The damage can be extensive, and the cost to repair is often more than the amp is worth.
Rumble 200 on the way! Just ordered, as I discovered that Link Removed extended their Presidents Day sale through tonight at midnight and didn't exclude the Rumble! Got it 20% off. PRES20 is the code, right there on the homepage. I have no affiliation, just really pleased and excited about the amp!
Seriously. You don't have to use the amp as a coaster for it to be a concern, and 99.9% of the time it's not my drink I'm worried about.
I still don't understand why no one makes a sneeze guard type attachment for pedalboards, but that's for another forum.
