Fender Rumble Club

[Musicislife816]

Do others hear the same thing? It just seems so improbable that two different amps would fail the same way being separated by miles, etc. even using a variety of sources (basses) and cords. Good luck.

My drummer and guitar player kinda noticed that it sounded not as present or thinner

 

[G-Dog]

Hello everyone, ... I am having a really hard time trying to figure out a problem going on with my Rumble amps. I have a 500 combo and also an 800 head with 2 4x10 cabs. I keep getting what sounds like something maxing out in the mids somewhere. No matter how I turn the knobs it’s always there. This is recent thing that has happened and it happened literally out of nowhere. I’ve tried passive basses, active, plugging straight in with no effects or anything and it’s always there. Also it seems as if the signal is being lost somewhere or the full sound isn’t as present as it was before. It’s really hard to explain but that’s really the best I can do I think. Please help!!

... ... ... @G-Dog whadda ya think? Start with the gain set very low but crank the master vol...then gradually raise the gain?

The standard answer always seems to be: Take a 1/4 inch cable and plug it into the effects in about 10 times, then into the effects out about 10 times. If that changes anything, you try cleaning them. I know something like that has saved a lot of people a lot of headaches.

Then I realized you might be saying both amps are doing it? I can't explain that.

Let's take the simple stuff first. @Musicislife816, you are now member #1520 in the Fender Rumble Club. Congratulations and welcome. Please put that number in your TalkBass Signature for safe keeping. Then make yourself at home here and on your Rumble Club Wiki page, the repository of all Rumbling wisdom and knowledge.

But, I'm afraid I don't recall running into this type of problem before on two different Rumbles at the same time! An unexpected mid boost?!? On both amps?? With different basses and cables? I assume you've removed all external effects in your troubleshooting? And turning the mids down doesn't help? No electrical brownouts to blame? That's a real enigma.

@Thundar, I'd turn the Gain off (along with the Overdrive, Vintage, Contour and Bright buttons), then set the EQ flat at 10, 2, 2 10 for bass, lo-mid, hi-mid, and treble; and gradually increase Volume from low to high.

@GregT, you could possibly be right about the FX Return jack needing cleaning, not so much the Send. There is a switch in each FX Return that can get corroded and alter the signal tones and strength when not plugged in. It certainly could affect both amps in the same dusty and/or humid environment. An instrument cable from Send to Return is the test, since it bypasses that switch in the Return jack, and gives a clear signal.

Music, I'm sure all your fellow Rumblers here will keep working this problem along with you and report any possibilities suspected. Meanwhile, please keep us informed of any changes, will you?

And, welcome to the Fender Rumble Club. Where we love to ... ... ...

Rumble On!
.​

 

[five7]

Is there a mod like a switch to turn off the internal speaker and use the ext. speaker jack to power a 4 ohm cab. I would like to use my 500 to power my schroeder 4 ohm cab.

 

[G-Dog]

Is there a mod like a switch to turn off the internal speaker and use the ext. speaker jack to power a 4 ohm cab. I would like to use my 500 to power my schroeder 4 ohm cab.

Plugging in a set of headphones turns off the internal speaker, but also the extension cab.

The "Separating a Combo's Amp & Speaker(s)" links in the Rumble Modifications section of your Rumble Club Wiki page shows how what you want has been done. These mods do void any warranty you may have, though.
.

 

[G-Dog]

.
Attention: Rumble Club Wiki Edit Alert!

Thank you, @GregT, for your contribution to @Musicislife816's troubleshooting! Greg, your mention of cleaning the FX Return jack on our Rumbles reminded me that this was not on the Wiki page. So, I have linked a description of that problem, and fixes, on the Rumble Club Wiki page near the bottom of the Rumble Talks section. This is a good example of a helpful, and sometimes necessary, procedure that has had many good outcomes.

Thanks, Greg, for your contributions.

Rumble On!​

.

 

[KenPompanoBeach]

Let's take the simple stuff first. @Musicislife816, you are now member #1520 in the Fender Rumble Club. Congratulations and welcome. Please put that number in your TalkBass Signature for safe keeping. Then make yourself at home here and on your Rumble Club Wiki page, the repository of all Rumbling wisdom and knowledge.

But, I'm afraid I don't recall running into this type of problem before on two different Rumbles at the same time! An unexpected mid boost?!? On both amps?? With different basses and cables? I assume you've removed all external effects in your troubleshooting? And turning the mids down doesn't help? No electrical brownouts to blame? That's a real enigma.

@Thundar, I'd turn the Gain off (along with the Overdrive, Vintage, Contour and Bright buttons), then set the EQ flat at 10, 2, 2 10 for bass, lo-mid, hi-mid, and treble; and gradually increase Volume from low to high.

@GregT, you could possibly be right about the FX Return jack needing cleaning, not so much the Send. There is a switch in each FX Return that can get corroded and alter the signal tones and strength when not plugged in. It certainly could affect both amps in the same dusty and/or humid environment. An instrument cable from Send to Return is the test, since it bypasses that switch in the Return jack, and gives a clear signal.

Music, I'm sure all your fellow Rumblers here will keep working this problem along with you and report any possibilities suspected. Meanwhile, please keep us informed of any changes, will you?

And, welcome to the Fender Rumble Club. Where we love to ... ... ...

Rumble On!
.​

Possibly an easy fix. These digital amps need a consistent power source. Otherwise the sound becomes weak/anemic. I experienced it.....but after buying and using a power conditioner everything is PERFECT. I bought an inexpensive Furman unit that looks like a surge protector / power strip.....like $26......

 

[KenPompanoBeach]

Possibly an easy fix. These digital amps need a consistent power source. Otherwise the sound becomes weak/anemic. I experienced it.....but after buying and using a power conditioner everything is PERFECT. I bought an inexpensive Furman unit that looks like a surge protector / power strip.....like $26......

I was wrong on the price....I keep it in my gig bag and it doubles as an extension cord/surge protector/power strip.......
[This invalid link has been removed]
Station/dp/B0009GH13Y/ref=sr_1_16?
gclid=Cj0KCQjwxIOXBhCrARIsAL1QFCbeyjdOxkj4v_5uQe9Pytx2I4zbvLC2Q1_ucUYIoT6HhzvIM0nw0esaAnXrEALw_wcB&hvadid=177332028422&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9016288&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8304271154778591446&hvtargid=kwd-1100442219&hydadcr=18914_9698655&keywords=furman+line+conditioner&qid=1658979571&sr=8-16

 

[G-Dog]

I was wrong on the price....I keep it in my gig bag and it doubles as an extension cord/surge protector/power strip.......
[This invalid link has been removed]
Station/dp/B0009GH13Y/ref=sr_1_16?
gclid=Cj0KCQjwxIOXBhCrARIsAL1QFCbeyjdOxkj4v_5uQe9Pytx2I4zbvLC2Q1_ucUYIoT6HhzvIM0nw0esaAnXrEALw_wcB&hvadid=177332028422&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9016288&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8304271154778591446&hvtargid=kwd-1100442219&hydadcr=18914_9698655&keywords=furman+line+conditioner&qid=1658979571&sr=8-16

Incomplete link. Try Furman 2+6 Power Station Series Line Conditioner.
.

 

[KindofBlues71]

This Furman Power Conditioner I've been thinking of getting is about $30. Does it do the same thing as the $75 one you linked? Most of my outlets aren't grounded and we have a mix of BX and romex wiring. Gotta love 98 year old houses...

 

[Deleted member 268085]

Incomplete link. Try Furman 2+6 Power Station Series Line Conditioner.
.

Post deleted. The product I had linked to from Amazon France still has the U.S. plug inputs. I'll have to look elsewhere for a euro plug power conditioner.

 

[GregT]

Here's what I have. It takes anything between 89 volts and 147 volts and converts it to a steady 120 volts.
1800W 120V Power Conditioner with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), AC Surge Protection, 6 Outlets | Tripp Lite

 

[JPDsma]

Here's what I have. It takes anything between 89 volts and 147 volts and converts it to a steady 120 volts.
1800W 120V Power Conditioner with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), AC Surge Protection, 6 Outlets | Tripp Lite
View attachment 4764526

In Mexico for my garage and traveling with our Airstream, we use this model. The house has a big a$@ one worked in with 30 1m x2m solar panels (about 5kw) This one runs about $200 USD equivalent. But is not really portable unless you call a Ram 1500 a porter..,

 

[KenPompanoBeach]

This Furman Power Conditioner I've been thinking of getting is about $30. Does it do the same thing as the $75 one you linked? Most of my outlets aren't grounded and we have a mix of BX and romex wiring. Gotta love 98 year old houses...

I don't know for SURE....but I did see a review for the $30 Furman item that says....even though it's called a power conditioner by Amazon, they verified from Furman that it is NOT. More research is needed. It's pricier, but the $71 Furman 2+6 Power Station Series Line Conditioner I KNOW does the job. AND it's the perfect extension cord, surge protector, and power strip. The cord is Heavy Duty. It made a HUGE difference in the response from my Rumble 100. I use it 100% of the time now with it AND the Rumble 200. Unfortunately......it seems to ME anyway that anyone using a Digital Amp like the Rumble series needs something like this. I'm frankly surprised that this issue hasn't come up more...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I don't know for SURE....but I did see a review for the $30 Furman item that says....even though it's called a power conditioner by Amazon, they verified from Furman that it is NOT. More research is needed. It's pricier, but the $71 Furman 2+6 Power Station Series Line Conditioner I KNOW does the job. AND it's the perfect extension cord, surge protector, and power strip. The cord is Heavy Duty. It made a HUGE difference in the response from my Rumble 100. I use it 100% of the time now with it AND the Rumble 200. Unfortunately......it seems to ME anyway that anyone using a Digital Amp like the Rumble series needs something like this. I'm frankly surprised that this issue hasn't come up more...

The basic Rumbles are not digital, AFAICT - simply class D. The Studio and LT amps have digital components. Class D shares some similarities with digital, but is not inherently digital. Never the less, good power matters for class D far more than it does for most class A and A/B amps.

That said, given where I'm likely to be playing my R100 outside of my home now, I probably need to look into a power conditioner. Ugh.

 

[G-Dog]

.
The manual for Rumbles 40 thru 500 says,

22) FCC COMPLIANCE NOTICE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules ... ... ...
​

It does not mention any other class.

Frankly, being electrically and electronically non-technical, I don’t know what that tells us, if anything.
.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

.
The manual for Rumbles 40 thru 500 says,

22) FCC COMPLIANCE NOTICE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules ... ... ...
​

It does not mention any other class.

Frankly, being electrically and electronically non-technical, I don’t know what that tells us, if anything.
.

The FCC is concerned with radiation, so their definition (or at least application of the term) of digital will be different than what most of us think of as digital. I'm guessing that because the MOSFETs switch on and off in a class D amp rather than simply following a voltage swing, that what's radiated is similar to what one gets from any truly digital device.

The switched mode power supply (which I hadn't realized these have) would also generate "digital" RF. And I hadn't been thinking of it that way, but an SMPS also turns MOSFETs on and off, so it can be seen as digital. And an SMPS can generally benefit from a power conditioner.

 

[Andy Marshman]

Hate to be the dissenting opinion. However, the $30 Furman will not improve the amp performance EXCEPT for it having a heavier duty power cord than a 'skinny' extension cord. The surge protection components in that device are only active during a spike in voltage. The voltage regulating device shown by GregT will keep a constant voltage but at a higher cost. I just don't want people thinking the Furman can perform miracles. For myself, I'm careful to ensure that I haven't packed a power cord from a smaller Rumble when the larger Rumbles come with a heavier power cord.
In case you're wondering, I had a rack sized Furman a few years ago and opened it up to see what was inside. Receptacles, circuit breaker, mine had a voltmeter, and the surge suppressor components. That's it.

 

[JakobT]

.
The manual for Rumbles 40 thru 500 says,

22) FCC COMPLIANCE NOTICE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules ... ... ...
​

It does not mention any other class.

Frankly, being electrically and electronically non-technical, I don’t know what that tells us, if anything.
.

It doesn’t actually tell us anything at all about the class of amplifiers. In fact, the Rumble 500, 200, and 100 are all class D, the 40 and 25 are class AB, as detailed in this section of the Rumble talks: Fender Rumble Club.

Oh, and a class D amp is not digital. This is a common, but quite persistent, misconception that probably stems from the letter designation.

 

[G-Dog]

It doesn’t actually tell us anything at all about the class of amplifiers. In fact, the Rumble 500, 200, and 100 are all class D, the 40 and 25 are class AB, as detailed in this section of the Rumble talks: Fender Rumble Club.

Oh, and a class D amp is not digital. This is a common, but quite persistent, misconception that probably stems from the letter designation.

Herregud! I am hoist by my own pitard! Or, more accurately, by my own wiki page! Yes, sir, those Rumble Talks are just chock full, yes, chock full, I tell you, of useful and interesting information!
.

 

[MrLenny1]

Count me in. Just got a Rumble 100, 1x12.
Really amazed at the sound, volume & features for $300.00.
Plan on using for rehearsals, jams and the latest low volume
gigs in beer pubs, coffee houses and etc...