Fender Rumble Club

[odrive]

@Ronzo, thanks for the further info. I too noticed there's no Fender dust cover for the R40 -- annoying.

Besides the better clarity you heard from the 40, did you notice much difference on your lowest notes? Did they sound as full through the 10 as through the 12? Would speaker efficiency influence this, or do the added diameter of the 12 and the larger enclosure = fuller lows?

 

[Ronzo]

No. Everything sounds full and strong for 4-string players. 5-string players might require different EQ settings, and might do better by BBB moving to the 200 or 500 models. Those had the same clarity as the 40, with a greater size, weight, and price penalty. I have my GK 400RB and 2x10 / 1x15 cabinets to meet those needs.

@Ronzo, thanks for the further info. I too noticed there's no Fender dust cover for the R40 -- annoying.

Besides the better clarity you heard from the 40, did you notice much difference on your lowest notes? Did they sound as full through the 10 as through the 12? Would speaker efficiency influence this, or do the added diameter of the 12 and the larger enclosure = fuller lows?

 

[dORSY]

@Ronzo, thanks for your review. Sorry about your carpal tunnel. My back is a significant concern to me, so I don't take a few extra pounds "lightly." Yet my ear wants a full sound. Tough call. Maybe I'll order the Rumble 40 to see how I like it. I can always exchange it if it's not enough.

@dORSY, interesting R100 measurements above. I wonder how the R40 would compare. Maybe they'd both show about the same output regardless of RMS rating?

to double the "volume", it'd take like 400watts compared to an r40 assuming we got identically efficient speakers.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF VOLTAGE, LOUDNESS, POWER AND DECIBELS | Galen Carol Audio | Galen Carol Audio

 

[GonePlaid]

Power draw from the AC outlet has little to do with perceived loudness. RMS wattage output is a measure, but to be meaningful, the efficiency of the speaker to which the amp is connected would have to be the same.

When my SPL meter in my iPhone measured output of both the 40 and the 100 as being within 1 - 1.5 dB of each other, I was somewhat surprised, but not shocked. The Sam Ash salesperson was much more surprised. (I had the benefit of the store being empty of customers at the early hour I was there.) I attributed it to speaker efficiency being higher for the 40, since if the speakers were equally efficient, I’d have expected the 100 to be about 3-4 dB louder.

Bottom line, to me, was the 40 sounded better to me and didn’t sacrifice volume meaningfully. I didn’t need to carry a worse sounding, marginally heavier amp, and pay $100 USD for an effects loop I didn’t need.

What DID irritate me is that Fender didn’t (and STILL doesn’t) offer an inexpensive amp cover for the 40. They do for the 100. To me, it’s a transparent attempt to move you up the scale. “Moichandising! May the Schwartz be wid ya!”

I bought a LeCover for mine. We need that in rainy South Florida.

I bought a cover for my R40 from some 3 letter company I found online. Can't remember the name and I'm 140 miles from the amp. I'll try to remember to post it tomorrow.

 

[JakobT]

Thanks, @G-Dog! I will check back in after I make up my mind. Regarding speaker size, I found the Rumble demo video below interesting and helpful. Unfortunately, it skips the R40, but what's interesting is the huge difference in sound quality between the various featured Eminence speakers and the one Fender speaker in the shootout (an 8"). If the R40's 10" Fender speaker is more like the featured 8" Fender speaker than the featured 10" Eminence in the video (shown here in the R500), then I'm definitely leaning toward the R100 with an Eminence speaker. It's either that or get the R40 knowing that I'm probably going to want to upgrade the speaker and, yes, void the warranty. Not too worried about that on a $200 amp, but then with the upgrade it would be a $300 amp -- same as the R100 but with less power.

I own the Rumble 500 with 2 10" Eminence drivers and a Rumble 40 with its original Fender 10", and used to own a Rumble 100. I’d say the difference in practice is fairly small. It’s certainly not big enough that I would consider getting the 100 or upgrading the 40 on the strength of that alone. My advice would be simply to get the amp that corresponds closest to your needs, regardless of the speaker size or speaker manufacturer.

 

[dORSY]

The 40 sounded better. The 100 sounded murky to be, as though a blanket was thrown over it. This happened at all equivalent EQ settings.

my bet You have to EQ them differently. more "murk" in the same room possibly comes from more low end which I tend to roll down significantly on the R100 (in boomy rooms down to 9-ish)

 

[GonePlaid]

I bought a cover for my R40 from some 3 letter company I found online. Can't remember the name and I'm 140 miles from the amp. I'll try to remember to post it tomorrow.

OK, it's MDB Covers: Link Removed
It's a canvas/cloth dust cover(not vinyl/waterproof). Not the best, but inexpensive.

 

[odrive]

My advice would be simply to get the amp that corresponds closest to your needs, regardless of the speaker size or speaker manufacturer.

Thanks, this is what I did. I ordered the 40 yesterday. Thanks for the dust cover links. If I like the amp, I'll get a cover at some point. For now, I made one out of a Walmart box and U-Haul packing tape. I'll cut an opening for the handle after the amp arrives. Not waterproof, obviously, but should ward off dings and scratches.

 

[SoulReflection]

Thanks, this is what I did. I ordered the 40 yesterday. Thanks for the dust cover links. If I like the amp, I'll get a cover at some point. For now, I made one out of a Walmart box and U-Haul packing tape. I'll cut an opening for the handle after the amp arrives. Not waterproof, obviously, but should ward off dings and scratches.

View attachment 4352365

View attachment 4352366

Cover that with some black vinyl and you're done ! Or, just spray it with rubberized paint...

 

[odrive]

Cover that with some black vinyl and you're done ! Or, just spray it with rubberized paint...

Good idea! I already thought of adding a layer of Hefty trash bag.

 

[SoulReflection]

Good idea! I already thought of adding a layer of Hefty trash bag.

I was thinking about making one out of light plywood and it could double as an amp stand. And I haven't even had my second cup of coffee...

 

[odrive]

I was thinking about making one out of light plywood and it could double as an amp stand.

Another good idea! Years ago I made a thicker carboard cover for a Minx 110. It would have made a decent amp stand if the Minx weren't 32 pounds. But I think it probably could have handled a Rumble 40.

 

[Ronzo]

BTW, an amp stand is really helpful.

 

[JakobT]

Good idea! I already thought of adding a layer of Hefty trash bag.

I did this a couple of years ago as a tide-over for my Rumble 15 with some plastic tarpaulin and clear packing tape.

 

[odrive]

That looks great!

 

[G-Dog]

Thanks, this is what I did. I ordered the 40 yesterday. Thanks for the dust cover links. If I like the amp, I'll get a cover at some point. For now, I made one out of a Walmart box and U-Haul packing tape. I'll cut an opening for the handle after the amp arrives. Not waterproof, obviously, but should ward off dings and scratches.

View attachment 4352366

Cover that with some black vinyl and you're done ! Or, just spray it with rubberized paint...

Good idea! I already thought of adding a layer of Hefty trash bag.

I was thinking about making one out of light plywood and it could double as an amp stand. And I haven't even had my second cup of coffee...

Another good idea! Years ago I made a thicker carboard cover for a Minx 110. It would have made a decent amp stand if the Minx weren't 32 pounds. But I think it probably could have handled a Rumble 40.

I can't find it now, but I recall someone here making a very nice present-wrap job with thick clear vinyl & tape and using that for an amp cover, with a cutout for the handle, of course.

But I did find this very creative t-shirt dust cover! Fender Rumble Club

The possibilities are endless! Good luck to creative minds.
.

 

[odrive]

Love the T-shirt cover. Maybe I'll make one out of an old rain jacket.

 

[Lowendchamp]

I did this a couple of years ago as a tide-over for my Rumble 15 with some plastic tarpaulin and clear packing tape.

View attachment 4352435

I bet you can wrap presents well too, sadly I am banned from such activities in my house. Great looking practical solution though. Has anybody ever said that your avatar picture looks like Ron Pearlman?

 

[G-Dog]

We’re having an acoustic practice session at our drummer’s house tonight, and I thought I’d bring my Rumble 15.

Unfortunately, it’s raining cats and dogs today, and while I’ve ordered a cover for my 15, it unfortunately hasn’t arrived yet. Necessity being the mother of invention, I improvised a temporary cover with a bit of tarpaulin and some clear packing tape.

It’s not perfect, but it’ll be enough to tide me over until the real article arrives. It was surprisingly easy to do.

I did this a couple of years ago as a tide-over for my Rumble 15 with some plastic tarpaulin and clear packing tape.

I can't find it now, but I recall someone here making a very nice present-wrap job with thick clear vinyl & tape and using that for an amp cover, with a cutout for the handle, of course.

But I did find this very creative t-shirt dust cover! Fender Rumble Club

The possibilities are endless! Good luck to creative minds.
.

THERE IT IS! That's the one! Jake, I think that's fantastic! Very impressive!
.

 

[GonePlaid]

Cover that with some black vinyl and you're done ! Or, just spray it with rubberized paint...

Calling Phil Swift!!