Fender Rumble Club

[GregT]

Yes, and no, it does not sound $1200 better. I've compared to a lot of things, including the Tone Hammer, a MarkBass head, an Ampeg head, tomorrow a Mesa D-800+ is arriving. NONE of them sound N-times better and some of them sound worse, IMO.

Although I'm no fan of Ampeg or MarkBass (I've had several of both) I believe either the Mesa D-350 or the D-800 would be absolutely top notch. But then even if I were to have one, I'd probably be twisting knobs looking for my Fender tone.

 

[Yahboy]

Have any of you compared the Rumble 500 to an Aguilar Tone hammer + 1 X 12 cab? Does it sound $1,250 better?

I try TH500 and aggy 15 cab on the day I bought Vintera P bass. With all knob set flat, she sound wooly and dark. Even how I dial the EQ ,she still sound more to darker vibe. I am no longer own rumble 200 combo, the expensive Aggy still sound darker than my Ampeg RB112.

Maybe the whole tone results may different in loud stage mix .

 

[G-Dog]

Yeah, it's 450W RMS. I don't use anywhere near full power on the head with it, so I'm ok with it for now. ... ... ...

Wow! OutSTANDING! I'm frequently cautioning TBers that a 400W RMS amp can easily damage a 400W Program cab. The difference in these measurement methods is too often overlooked.​

... ... ... Regarding master volume, that's contrary to what the manual says, so now I have to go clear a space in my room here and try it out! ... ... ...

View attachment 4776388

That section of the manual referring to "multi-amp configuration" assumes you're using two Rumble 800 HDs, since there is no basis to assume any other configuration! I have 2 Bassman combos that work great like that!

Compare the different Rumble Block Diagrams for the 100 and the 800 on your Rumble Club Wiki page. The Master on a 100 is upstream of the Send/Return jacks, so it will affect the Send signal but, because of the Cutoff Switch in the Return jack*, it cannot affect a Returning signal. And the Master on the 800 HD is downstream of the Send/Return jacks, so it can't affect the Send signal, but it will affect a Returning signal. ​

... ... ... I hope it's the master on each amp driving the volume, because otherwise the master would be limited in how loud it can go by the power handling of the 100. Will report back!

Don't worry. As long as it's just a Send signal going to a Return jack it cannot overpower the secondary amp. IIRC, someone posted here that the Rumble 40 thru 500 power amp always runs full on (or flat out, if you wish)!! If that is true on the Rumble 800 HD also, then be sure to keep the 800's Master way down at first if you connect the 100's Send at max volume to the 800's Return!!! Not that it could blow anything, just that it could be much louder than you expect, since the 100's Master affects its Send volume.

Please feel free to ask clarifying questions. This can be complicated, and I'm writing this late at night (sleepytime) for me.




*The Cutoff Switch in the Return jack functions by opening when plugged in so as to block any internal pre-amp and/or Send signal from going to the power amp and speaker(s) and allowing only the Returning signal to be amplified.

But it also malfunctions by getting corroded in dusty/humid environments and slowly/slightly opening the switch to allow only an intermittent signal to be amplified!! Severe corrosion may not allow any signal to be amplified!!! Diagnose this by connecting the Send to the Return on the same amp to see if it fixes the problem. If so, run the plug in-&-out of the Return jack several times to knock off the corrosion. If that only partially fixes the problem, a small amount of Deoxit on a Q-tip can be used inside the Return jack to further clean the Cutoff Switch.
.​

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Welcome to Talkbass and the Rumble Club! A lot of us play with the amp lower than us, so it's easier to see the white knobs looking down at the amp, especially in low light situations. Since you are going to stack a 500 combo on a 2x10 cabinet it might make it a little more difficult to see the knobs. The stand-alone heads have the knobs on the front for easier viewing and adjustment. Hopefully, once you get it all dialed in the way you like it, the only knob you'll need to reach for is the Master when everyone is yelling for you to crank it up!

yep. Dial it in up front, generally don’t touch it the rest of the gig. I set levels with my volume pedal backed off a bit, so if I need more, my hands don’t need to leave the bass.

 

[GonePlaid]

yep. Dial it in up front, generally don’t touch it the rest of the gig. I set levels with my volume pedal backed off a bit, so if I need more, my hands don’t need to leave the bass.

I think I need to get a volume pedal, especially for use in concert band.

 

[Baloo Pasquariello]

Although I'm no fan of Ampeg or MarkBass (I've had several of both) I believe either the Mesa D-350 or the D-800 would be absolutely top notch. But then even if I were to have one, I'd probably be twisting knobs looking for my Fender tone.

I will let you know tomorrow!

 

[Baloo Pasquariello]

I think I need to get a volume pedal, especially for use in concert band.

One of my horrifying band stories is that when I was young and green, freshman in college, I was playing guitar in the school concert jazz band. It was jazz, and I was struggling to keep up with all the new chords, motifs, etc. So I was generally uncomfortable. We were playing one of our first shows and I had about an 8 bar section of just me, strumming fast 16th note chords, and when it was my turn to shine, I opened up my volume knob... and I was at jet engine levels. No opportunity to turn down, so I just blazed on, while the band director grimaced, and several of the musicians glared at me.

Got a volume pedal shortly after that.

 

[GonePlaid]

One of my horrifying band stories is that when I was young and green, freshman in college, I was playing guitar in the school concert jazz band. It was jazz, and I was struggling to keep up with all the new chords, motifs, etc. So I was generally uncomfortable. We were playing one of our first shows and I had about an 8 bar section of just me, strumming fast 16th note chords, and when it was my turn to shine, I opened up my volume knob... and I was at jet engine levels. No opportunity to turn down, so I just blazed on, while the band director grimaced, and several of the musicians glared at me.

Got a volume pedal shortly after that.

Because I'm taking the place of a string bass(I don't play upright), I keep my volume fairly low on a Bassman 25
[25W/10"]. However, there's no practical way to do sforzandos or swells without one. That's prolly the only place I'd use it.

 

[CharleyJackson]

I'd like to have a number. I'm a long time Fender Rumble fan. I just ordered a Rumble 2-10 extension cab for my Rumble 500 combo.
I can't seem to find a post about the difference in weight between the Rumble 500 and Rumble 2-10 extension cab.
Why does the extension cab weigh 2-1/2 pounds more than the combo?
Does anyone know of a post concerning my question?

Hope you will love your Rumble speaker cabinet!
Post a photo of your augmented rig when you get the chance. Dazzle us!!!!

 

[Bong Bong]

View attachment 4772058

Now I have to decide if I like the silver or black grill more...I think the black because that's what I wear on stage, but...



Had the first gig with my band last week and had to use an old Behringer 350 combo to daisy chain my Studio 40. That thing must have weighed 80#. That's when my wife agreed to let me purchase a new amp (as long as I don't keep the old one). Less than half the weight with a bit more umph (a lot more if I ever get an extension cab). I'll get a chance to run it through its paces tomorrow.



I thought I got a good deal on my Studio 40 at 329.

That’s not my wife is it ?

 

[Musicislife816]

I have a question for anyone who might have experience with this. Would Rumble 4x10 cabs do well if paired with an Ampeg SVT CL?

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I have a question for anyone who might have experience with this. Would Rumble 4x10 cabs do well if paired with an Ampeg SVT CL?

Yes! Get the 15” and the 210! Can’t go wrong with that combo.

 

[Musicislife816]

Yes! Get the 15” and the 210! Can’t go wrong with that combo.

I already have 2, 4x10s

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I already have 2, 4x10s

Perfect! Played through and toured with the SVT And Fridge in the late 70’s. Nothing like it!
Good luck and have some serious fun!

 

[Baloo Pasquariello]

Got the Mesa D-800+ head today, as hoped. I tried the Rumble 800, Tone Hammer 700, MarkBass Little AG 1000, MarkBass Little Mark Tube 800, Mesa D-800+. I thought there was one other too... hmmm...

The Rumble 800 rose to the top immediately and stayed there! Until the Mesa.

Honestly, it's a very close call, but I think I'm going to keep the Mesa, even at $300 more. The tone is bit more present and it has some features I like (mute switch, sweepable mids, adjustable high-pass filter, and... looks!). It's a bit clunkier in terms of size, but they deliver a nice little gig bag with it, so that's not a problem.

That's not to take away from the Rumble in any way though. I might even change my mind after sleeping on it tonight. To my ears it was similar to, but better than the Tone Hammer. WAY better than the MarkBass Little AG 1000. The MarkBass Tube 800 was better than the AG, and similar to the Rumble, but seems way too gimmicky for my taste.

I'm playing through a GR Bass AT112, and a Rumble 2x10 that also arrived today.

So the upshot is that the Rumble is a fantastic amp. But ya'll already know that!

If Fender were to release a new version, I'd ask for:

1) Modify the look a bit. I know some people like the retro look of it, but I'm not a fan.
2) Add a mute
3) I like the voicing buttons on the Rumble, but I prefer a sweepable voicing knob like the Mesa
4) A high pass filter. This knob tightens things up very nicely.

 

[Deleted member 268085]

...
If Fender were to release a new version, I'd ask for:

1) Modify the look a bit. I know some people like the retro look of it, but I'm not a fan.
2) Add a mute
3) I like the voicing buttons on the Rumble, but I prefer a sweepable voicing knob like the Mesa
4) A high pass filter. This knob tightens things up very nicely.

For what it's worth, the Rumbles do have a MUTE function...it's called Overdrive. Turn the Drive and Level knobs fully counterclockwise (OFF) and operate Overdrive via a footswitch. Works great as a Mute.

 

[GonePlaid]

For what it's worth, the Rumbles do have a MUTE function...it's called Overdrive. Turn the Drive and Level knobs fully counterclockwise (OFF) and operate Overdrive via a footswitch. Works great as a Mute.

I used to use O/D on one song we sometimes do. The 'MUTE' function is far more useful.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

For what it's worth, the Rumbles do have a MUTE function...it's called Overdrive. Turn the Drive and Level knobs fully counterclockwise (OFF) and operate Overdrive via a footswitch. Works great as a Mute.

+1 . It's not a bad OD, but I don't need that on the amp, so mute it is.

 

[GonePlaid]

I think I need to get a volume pedal, especially for use in concert band.

UPDATE: Ordered a "SONICAKE" Vexpress pedal from Amazon. Just got it. Does exactly what I wanted for $42.59 delivered.
It's small(6"x2.5") and would fit in a space on a pedalboard-if I had a pedalboard. Passive so no power supply needed.
https://www.amazon.com/Sonicake-Vex...ocphy=1015159&hvtargid=pla-440634008080&psc=1

 

[E Buzz]

Covered Rumbles for twin 'Stangs