Fender Rumble Club

[McQ7]

OK, then, I'll try to make a video.

Back in the day, I used to make videos all the time (I have over a million views on my channel), but recently, I've gotten lazy about it, but I also have a new camera which does a pretty good job at video, I also have excellent recording gear, several wonderful mics and some wonderful interfaces, and so I want to get back into updating my Youtube channel.

I think I've convinced myself to keep the Rumble 500 as a backup amp. My issue with amp demos, as with most bass guitar demos, is everyone plays the bass on these videos like a virtuoso and I can never tell what these darn things sound like. Harmonics and chords and slapping are cool, but how is that gonna help me in a rock song? I usually play with a pick and flatwounds. This is literally the least likely thing you'll ever find in a gear demo, so I can never tell what anything sounds like until I buy it and test it myself.

That would be awesome. What's your Youtube channel? I'm probably not the only one interested to check it out!

 

[bdplaid]

FWIW, I was asked this recently, and here is what I replied...

TH500 vs Fender: The Fender is much cleaner and clearer. The Aguilar is very woolly by nature and doesn't cut through mixes nearly as easily. The gain staging is different from most other amps, and the EQ controls were difficult for me, as every knob is interactive...turning one changes how the other behaves even though you've already set it. Where the Fender sounds great in any mix with everything at noon, the Aguilar takes tweaking and time. Some people get their sound right away, but I found it difficult. The build quality is the best I've seen in a "micro" head, and it does have a great tone, just again very specific. I personally like the out-of-the-box, work-anywhere and in-any-mix quality of the Fender. I like how the Gain doesn't overdrive the preamp but instead lets you boost lower output basses. I dig the gain overdrive of the MicroVR; [but] it's nice to have the cleanish Fender and get my overdrive from pedals or even its onboard circuit.

Exactly what I wanted to know. Thx!

 

[bdplaid]

Well, poking around the manual I found this:
INPUT SENSITIVITY: (For full power at 100Hz, with Gain/Master at "10", and tone controls at "0")

I think that implies the tone controls are passive, meaning they are really boost-only (anyone from Fender want to confirm that?).

I tried playing around with all the tone controls at 0, the Master at 10, and using the gain as the volume control; It was different. Kind of clearer, kind of less colored. I dunno... what it told me is there's another world of sounds waiting with that approach. I have a suspicion that my 210 issues , and boomy stage problems, might have been resolved or lessened had I had the wherewithal to simply turn every knob all the way down. I'm so conditioned to think of the center detent as "flat," and the starting point. Gotta get that out of my head.

 

[honeyiscool]

FWIW, I was asked this recently, and here is what I replied...

TH500 vs Fender: The Fender is much cleaner and clearer. The Aguilar is very woolly by nature and doesn't cut through mixes nearly as easily. The gain staging is different from most other amps, and the EQ controls were difficult for me, as every knob is interactive...turning one changes how the other behaves even though you've already set it. Where the Fender sounds great in any mix with everything at noon, the Aguilar takes tweaking and time. Some people get their sound right away, but I found it difficult. The build quality is the best I've seen in a "micro" head, and it does have a great tone, just again very specific. I personally like the out-of-the-box, work-anywhere and in-any-mix quality of the Fender. I like how the Gain doesn't overdrive the preamp but instead lets you boost lower output basses. I dig the gain overdrive of the MicroVR; [but] it's nice to have the cleanish Fender and get my overdrive from pedals or even its onboard circuit.

Micro VR is actually the amp I had before the Rumble. Part of me (a lot of me) really misses that amp, but Ampeg needs to build it in a small, reasonable 500W bulletproof micro head format w/ a gig bag for me to consider it again.

I hear what you're saying about the TH500, and I think I'll actually want that. One thing I've really liked is using Tech 21 gear in front of my amps. And the Tone Hammer preamp is not far from a Tech 21 preamp, and putting that in front of a clean power amp (which the TH500 basically is) sounds like a match made in heaven for me. The Fender tone stack is pretty easy to use, but I'm always wanting something extra.

 

[honeyiscool]

That would be awesome. What's your Youtube channel? I'm probably not the only one interested to check it out!

Paul Mitten (mbvglider) - YouTube

Most of my gear demos are guitar and amps. I've been spending the better part of 2 years working on bass, though, but I'm still a lead guitarist in my two bands because nobody has let me play bass in a band yet, so all I ever get to do is practice and record. Which honestly isn't that bad.

My bandmates do get to use my gear, though, and they like that I'm always buying new stuff for bass. They loved the Big Muff Nano I got last month.

 

[Linnin]

I think that implies the tone controls are passive, meaning they are really boost-only (anyone from Fender want to confirm that?).

I'm not from Fender, but all the tone controls are modern & active with 15dB of boost (+) or cut (-) on both the Bass (80 Hz) and Treble (10 kHz) and 12 dB of boost or cut on the low-mids (280 Hz) and high-mids (1.2 kHz).

It's all in your owner's manual on page 6.

 

[jumblemind]

Micro VR is actually the amp I had before the Rumble. Part of me (a lot of me) really misses that amp, but Ampeg needs to build it in a small, reasonable 500W bulletproof micro head format w/ a gig bag for me to consider it again.

For sure. I've said this many times before myself. Still have the MicroVR and gig it whenever I can. I'd actually like to have an Aggie again at some point, too. I like the flavor on its own, just ran into EQ walls when trying to play it out live.

For an all-around workhorse, though, the Rumble just does it for me. Interested to see if my assessment holds up through the upcoming season.

 

[bdplaid]

I'm not from Fender, but all the tone controls are modern & active with 15dB of boost (+) or cut (-) on both the Bass (80 Hz) and Treble (10 kHz) and 12 dB of boost or cut on the low-mids (280 Hz) and high-mids (1.2 kHz).

It's all in your owner's manual on page 6.

Obviously I read the manual, which was where I got the original info. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, either.

Whatever it is, active or passive, here's the deal: Rehearsal tonight in the boom room, Rumble 500 head into GK NEO 115 and NEO 410 (the latter boomy all on its own). Tone controls all the way down; Master all the way up; using gain as volume control. Holy mackerel, it sounded good. More to the midrangey side of things, but growly with an ultra-low bump (like 40 Hz ultra-low). It works perfectly with the EMG electronics in my bass, which add and subtract just what I need on the fly. And yes, loud. Even the overdrive worked better for me, with a kind of Billy sheehan vibe about it. with a flanger, it sounded like a B-17 at one point.

I've found my new go-to settings, everything all the way down. who knew?

 

[Alba McBass]

I have the Fender 100 1x15 bass amp and am wanting to know if anyone else thinks that that sound of it through headphones is crap ? I have both inexpensive and expensive headphones and through both of them the sound is identical .

 

[Linnin]

I have the Fender 100 1x15 bass amp and am wanting to know if anyone else thinks that that sound of it through headphones is crap ? I have both inexpensive and expensive headphones and through both of them the sound is identical .

Is it a first generation Rumble 100, or is it a BXR, or a solid state Bassman 100, or etc ...?
Fender has made a lot of 100 watt bass amps during the last 45 years or so.

Actually it doesn't matter what it is. If the tone in your cans is unsuitable, just sell the amp and buy something else. Simple enough.

 

[Lync]

I have the Fender 100 1x15 bass amp and am wanting to know if anyone else thinks that that sound of it through headphones is crap ? I have both inexpensive and expensive headphones and through both of them the sound is identical .

The Rumble V3 100 sounds great! Love playing with headphones to learn tunes.

 

[Big Hoss]

Okay dumb question. My laptop uses a TRRS connection for a headset, not a pair of TRS connections for separate headphone and mic. When I use my laptop I play with it sitting separate not plugged intot he amp at all, but with my desktop I just plug the phones out to the amp...

Is there anything special cable wise to insure I get the stereo out from the TRRS fitting on the laptop into the TRS input on the amp?

 

[Big Hoss]

So I had a bit of a weird day yesterday. I learned that I'd be receiving an unexpected large bonus from work. Isn't that nice? So much better than being fired. I've decided to pony up for my dream bass rig: an Aguilar TH500 + a pair of Aguilar SL112 cabinets. I've lusted over that setup for months now, but just always expected I'd never have the spare cash for it, but I suddenly had it.

The main issue for me is that the TH500 will be easier to fine tune sound-wise, and also it is a lot more versatile as a direct and recording box.

Then I thought about my Rumble 500 2x10 combo + 1x15 cabinet. I obviously don't need it anymore, but I will miss it, and I've been a little annoyed at my Fender Bronco 40, my practice amp. It's got all these different sounds, but I happen to think versatility is a poor excuse for not having enough character, and I can always bring the TH500 home if I just need a direct box. Plus, do I really wanna give up my Rumble Club membership?

So I bought a Rumble 40 to replace my Bronco 40.

Will be selling my Rumble 1x15 cab for sure, but I might still keep the Rumble 500 in the storage space as a second. I mean, we all have spare amps, right? Besides, how much could I get for that thing anyway since I'm not willing to ship it?

Anyway, I'm excited about the Bronco 40. That thing looks like a gem.

Uh, actually no, we don't all have spare amps... Yet. I used to but I got rid of the old Crate BX-100 and MXB-10 for back saving and sound reasons in that order (The MXB-10 was a mistake).

If I had a wad of extra cash for a spare amp, it would be a second Rumble 500...

 

[Big Hoss]

Just checking in guys, but wait! I read Fender now make a 2x10 extension cab for my 500 combo! Damn!
I don't need one.
I don't need one.
I don't need one.
I don't need one.

I don't need one but I need one? What in hells excuse can I use to buy one?
Volume.
Power.
Tone.
Balls.
Coolness.
Volume.
Room filling groovyness.
Volume.
Some thing to add to my new USA Precision.
Any other reason? Any one?
Anyone have this stack?
What do ya think?

Oh look a mirror of me a month ago!

There are I believe 5 of us that have / have had this stack. One member didn't care for it, the rest of us are loving it. Best way to describe it is, well you put it very well. Room filling groovyness. Everything is there just more. It's like with the combo the room / space is filled about 75% at the same volume, with the combo + 210 cab the whole stinking area is full of your sound...

Don't get me wrong. I do NOT need it, probably be several years before it will be taken full advantage of. But it's there and ready to, ahem... Rumble.

Linin is a BAD influence font wise!

 

[MN_Bass]

Update on my Rumble adventure, made a drive to my local GC, plugged in a Ibanez 1800, it sounded fat, warm and even all over the neck. In passive or active I achieve great results. I generally dislike active basses but this amp seams to "warm them up" to my ears. I picked up a Ibby 1600 off a fellow tbr, can't wait to run it through this magic little box. Any bass I tried through it at GC, warwick dolphin, Ric 4001s, Stingray, hofner violin they all sounded fantastic, with very little tweaking of the eq. I started messing with the OD last night, very cool, almost a live at leeds vibe with my P. Over and Out

 

[68Luds]

Oh look a mirror of me a month ago!

There are I believe 5 of us that have / have had this stack. One member didn't care for it, the rest of us are loving it. Best way to describe it is, well you put it very well. Room filling groovyness. Everything is there just more. It's like with the combo the room / space is filled about 75% at the same volume, with the combo + 210 cab the whole stinking area is full of your sound...

Don't get me wrong. I do NOT need it, probably be several years before it will be taken full advantage of. But it's there and ready to, ahem... Rumble.

Linin is a BAD influence font wise!

Oh cheers mate! You haven't helped me at all!
Now I have to get one.
Hide it from the wife.
Finance it.
Tell the band there too loud and I need more power. (Lies. Lies. Lies. Ungodly)

 

[68Luds]

Oh yes, and Linin has a lot to answer for!!!

 

[Linnin]

Oh yes, and Linin has a lot to answer for!!!

heh heh heh

subliminal message ... buy more Fender Rumbles ... buy more Fender Rumbles ... buy more Fender Rumbles ...

 

[stingrayK]

I must be on a roll! This is my second post ever! I love my Fender Rumble 500 Combo amp. I am looking at adding an extension cab. So which do you prefer, Fender 410 or the 115? I have read a lot on this on talkbass.com, but I was unsure if folks were referring to the head or the combo amp. I have the Combo amp. Which is basically the 500 head with a 210? Thanks for your input!!

 

[bdplaid]

I must be on a roll! This is my second post ever! I love my Fender Rumble 500 Combo amp. I am looking at adding an extension cab. So which do you prefer, Fender 410 or the 115? I have read a lot on this on talkbass.com, but I was unsure if folks were referring to the head or the combo amp. I have the Combo amp. Which is basically the 500 head with a 210? Thanks for your input!!

Pretty much, but the head/cab might be a bit more versatile. sounds about the same. I prefer the combo for its convenience and compactness.