Fender Rumble Club

[Nebraska]

Nebby, please tell us a bit about yourself, such as your bass experience in general and your Rumble journey in particular. All are welcome here and fit right in. Especially when we all come together and love to ... ...

Rumble On!
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I bought a bass or two and that 40c earlier this year but never made the time to do much with it. But I bought the talking bass .com beginners pack and will see where it goes. So I'm the consummate beginner. I probably didn't need to step up to a 800 watt amp at this point in my life, but screw it, I wanted it and nobody in the corn field is going to complain about my loud bad technique.

 

[G-Dog]

So I liked my 40C enough that I went shopping and caught a gently used 800HD. But I got no cabs. I'm looking at the rumble cabs but the power handling spec seems to be just short of taking the 800. IE, we're putting out 400 watts @ 8 ohms but that 210 cab says 350 watts. The 115 is only 300.
Are those specs "close enough" or is it courting disaster if I really cranked it up? Or am I supposed to be getting a non-rumble cab to go with this 800HD?

Welp, right or wrong, I walked into Dietze this afternoon and there was a Rumble 115 sitting in their showroom so now it's in my trunk. Guess I'll just have to watch for signs of distortion/abuse. As the gent above said, I don't have to turn it up to 11. And in my basement it will probably never turn up too far.
The 800 is way too much amp for me, but more is always better. I guess.

... ... So I'm the consummate beginner. I probably didn't need to step up to a 800 watt amp ..., but screw it, I wanted it and nobody in the corn field is going to complain about my loud bad technique.

Good for you, Nebby! Go for the gusto! Just remember that a wise person once said, "With great power, comes great responsibility." Often, that responsibility is to protect others from harm.

The Rumble 800 HD is, indeed, great power. And, though there is good reason to believe that the Rumble 210 cab can handle that power, alas, the same cannot be said for the 115. The driver in the 115 cab is the same as in the Rumble 200 combo, where it can only ever see up to 140 watts. Therefore, although Fender is known for their conservative ratings, it would be unwise to push a single 115 alone very hard with the 800 HD.

So, how much is too hard, you ask? Well, you are correct to put your ears on guard. But, to give them some rest, you should consider using only a very conservative Master control setting. Unfortunately, I know of no reliable guide for that setting. But, I've read many who claim that, on many/most amps, just halfway up, at 12 o'clock, can be 80% to 90% of full power (320W to 360W in this case)! If that's true in this case, then a Master setting of just 10 o'clock, or maybe 10:30, surely no more than 11 o'clock, depending on other EQ settings used, could put you at or very near the maximum rating of the 115.

The exact same is true for using two Rumble 115 cabs, since each one could see up to 400W. But three Rumble 115 cabs would divide the full 800W into a very safe 267W for each cab! You could then shuck that whole cornfield with that!

I hope this helps.
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[Nebraska]

Worse comes to worst and I can't make it work I could probably find a 500HD or a 200c to use with it. Either way I'll be getting some 10" cabs to use with the 800HD.

 

[Lemur Bassman]

QUESTION: I own a Fender Rumble 800 Stage and in the exploration stage of finding the "best" (most appropriate" extension cabinet for this combo. I was told the Fender Rumble 210 was the way to go? If so, what specifically would I notice (besides volume) once I hook it up? For instance, would it bring out more bass, more specific tones or heighten any tones that I already am getting out of it without the extension cab? I am open to all possibilities with this.

 

[Polish Thunder]

I bought a bass or two and that 40c earlier this year but never made the time to do much with it. But I bought the talking bass .com beginners pack and will see where it goes. So I'm the consummate beginner. I probably didn't need to step up to a 800 watt amp at this point in my life, but screw it, I wanted it and nobody in the corn field is going to complain about my loud bad technique.

I was in your spot 3 years ago. I had never played a bass before, except for noodling on a right handed bass upside down in a music store.

I had a friend at work that help me get started. A LH Fender Squier VM 70s Jazz and a Rumble 25. I still use the R25 for most of my home practices. I really like it. Knowing what I know now, I would have bought the Rumble 40. It has the same controls set up as the bigger combos.

I then got a Rumble 500 head and a 1x15 Rumble cab. Recently, I got a Rumble 210, which is what so use with my R500HD when our band plays and an option to add the 115 if needed.

+1 on Mark's beginner pack. That is what I started on and I highly recommended.

Good luck with your bass journey.

 

[GonePlaid]

QUESTION: I own a Fender Rumble 800 Stage and in the exploration stage of finding the "best" (most appropriate" extension cabinet for this combo. I was told the Fender Rumble 210 was the way to go? If so, what specifically would I notice (besides volume) once I hook it up? For instance, would it bring out more bass, more specific tones or heighten any tones that I already am getting out of it without the extension cab? I am open to all possibilities with this.

It's gonna be a matter of what you're looking to get from the addition. Yes, you'll get more volume, but unless you're playing at very high levels, what you'll hear mostly is extra fullness. Prolly your best bet is to consult the Rumble Club Wiki plus I'm sure others will chime in.
My first Rumble was a 200c to which I added a R112 extension cab[no longer made]. The combination of a 12 and the built in 15 gave me exactly the sound/tone I wanted. Unfortunately, there was only one place we play(ed) that I could use the whole rig so I sold the cab. I prefer a more 'old school' tone and my previous experience with multiple 10's ruled the 2x10 configuration out-for me.
A bit of background: Our cover band(60s/70s rock and country)plays at relatively small venues and at fairly low volume. It's what our audience-and the management-wants. Most of the time lately, I get by just fine with my R100(1x12). Had I known of the daisy chaining possibilities with the Rumble line, I woulda bought 2 R100's; used 1-or the other-most of the time, both where needed.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

QUESTION: I own a Fender Rumble 800 Stage and in the exploration stage of finding the "best" (most appropriate" extension cabinet for this combo. I was told the Fender Rumble 210 was the way to go? If so, what specifically would I notice (besides volume) once I hook it up? For instance, would it bring out more bass, more specific tones or heighten any tones that I already am getting out of it without the extension cab? I am open to all possibilities with this.

I added a 210 to my 200c and wow! Fuller more presence more alive. From Meh to monster.

 

[ClassicJazz]

Here’s my Rumble rig live in action. It’s my 800HD head and a Rumble 210 cab. Plugged in directly is my Mooncaster bass with TV Jones ThunderBlade pickups and sporting Rotosound SM77 Monel Flats. During the solo section just using the bridge pickup. Switch to both at the end.

 

[GonePlaid]

Here’s my Rumble rig live in action. It’s my 800HD head and a Rumble 210 cab. Plugged in directly is my Mooncaster bass with TV Jones ThunderBlade pickups and sporting Rotosound SM77 Monel Flats. During the solo section just using the bridge pickup. Switch to both at the end.

Do you still have the Ibanez? Just curious. Mine has D'Addario tapes on it for a UB-y sound.

 

[ClassicJazz]

Do you still have the Ibanez? Just curious. Mine has D'Addario tapes on it for a UB-y sound.

Nope. That Mooncaster is a much better bass. I use to use those strings on my Carvin AC40 years back and they are on my acoustic bass guitar currently. As far as flats go, these Rotosound strings are my favorite. If I solo the neck pickup I get a really fat tone.

 

[13bass]

Here’s my Rumble rig live in action. It’s my 800HD head and a Rumble 210 cab. Plugged in directly is my Mooncaster bass with TV Jones ThunderBlade pickups and sporting Rotosound SM77 Monel Flats. During the solo section just using the bridge pickup. Switch to both at the end.

I REALLY am itching to build a Warmoth mooncaster!!!

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Here’s my Rumble rig live in action. It’s my 800HD head and a Rumble 210 cab. Plugged in directly is my Mooncaster bass with TV Jones ThunderBlade pickups and sporting Rotosound SM77 Monel Flats. During the solo section just using the bridge pickup. Switch to both at the end.

Thanks so much! I really enjoyed how you added a video and listed your equipment. Very helpful! Great playing and lots of feel. Jack Casady? Phil Lesh? Any of your influences perhaps??

 

[John Stephen]

Nope. That Mooncaster is a much better bass. I use to use those strings on my Carvin AC40 years back and they are on my acoustic bass guitar currently. As far as flats go, these Rotosound strings are my favorite. If I solo the neck pickup I get a really fat tone.

Is the Mooncaster 34" scale?

 

[ClassicJazz]

Is the Mooncaster 34" scale?

32” scale. You can only get them either 30” or 32”. I’ve had 30” scale basses, much prefer the 32” as far as short scale basses go.

 

[John Stephen]

OK thanks for the info. Your video clip sound great (and the bass looked great, too).

 

[ClassicJazz]

Thanks so much! I really enjoyed how you added a video and listed your equipment. Very helpful! Great playing and lots of feel. Jack Casady? Phil Lesh? Any of your influences perhaps??

Thanks. Actually don’t really listen to any of those guys. I’m more of a Duck Dunn, Pino Palladino influenced.

 

[JPDsma]

I REALLY am itching to build a Warmoth mooncaster!!!

The Warmoth lined fretless JB neck I got for my build, Roasted maple w/ebony fretboard, is just fantastic!

 

[Nebraska]

So how exactly would one go about adding a 3rd cab?

 

[GonePlaid]

So how exactly would one go about adding a 3rd cab?

$$$.

 

[G-Dog]

Worse comes to worst and I can't make it work I could probably find a 500HD or a 200c to use with it. Either way I'll be getting some 10" cabs to use with the 800HD.

So how exactly would one go about adding a 3rd cab?

Well, of course, adding two 8 ohm cabs is very easy by using either speakon or ¼" speaker cables to the two combination connectors on the back, leaving the Impedance Switch set to 8/4 ohms.

Then, to add the third cab, use the appropriate connecting speaker cable from the back of either of the first two cabs. The appropriate speaker cable being the one with connections to match whatever is left accessible on the back of the cab already connected directly to the amp head. Because they are parallel connections, this has the same electrical effect of plugging the third cab directly into a third connector on the back of the amp!

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Then, for connecting the third cab, set the Impedance Switch as shown in this table in the Rumble 800 HD manual. The first two 8 ohm cabs make a total 4 ohm load. Adding the third cab makes a 2,67 ohm load (8 ohm + 4 ohm), so set the Impedance Switch to 2 ohms!

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Adding a fourth cab is then the same, just connect it to the back of the other cab already directly connected to the amp head, and leave the Impedance Switch set to 2 ohms.

If worse comes to worse, none of this applies to the Rumble 500 or 200 heads! They can each only run a total of two 8 ohm cabs, and no more, for a total of 4 ohms.

I hope this helps.
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