Fender Rumble Club

[PiquetBass]

A question for all you Rumblers:

Background: After at least 10 years away in the acoustic world I've been sucked back into a rock band. Good fun, but gear has changed a lot since I bought my last bass amp (in 2004). I still have that amp, a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout. 12" speaker, 300 watts, it's still my #1. But it's also 51 pounds. Hey, it was a real improvement over the 4x10 and rack case I use to lug around.

The Boogie will stay my #1, but now that I'm schlepping it to rehearsals on a regular basis I'm thinking about getting something lighter for rehearsals and to have a backup just in case, which brings me to the Rumble.

My local GC had both the 800 and a 100 that I tried. Sound of the 800 was more to my liking, the 100 was fine. Budgetwise the 800 is in budget even new, but that's about my top since this is to be a spare/rehearsal item. Just missed out on a 500 for sale used locally, not much else used around here these days (small market).

So my question: yes more is always more, but is the 100 reasonable for rehearsal (2 guitars, keys, drums) with that nice small size and lower cost, or is the 500/800 enough more versatile to be worth the cost. Sort of a philosophical question, interested to hear what folks think.

I have a Rumble 500c that comes to both gigs and rehearsals. Light enough to carry one-handed up the stairs to the rehearsal rooms (on a good day), or two-handed at chest-height (on a bad day). Competition is 3 guitars, 3 vocals, and a pleasingly loud drummer. We're a grunge band, so reasonably loud at times. And the volume on the Rumble never gets past around 9 o'clock on the master dial (gain at around 2 o'clock).
If that helps at all....

 

[G-Dog]

A question for all you Rumblers:
Background: ... ... ...
So my question: yes more is always more, but is the 100 reasonable for rehearsal (2 guitars, keys, drums) with that nice small size and lower cost, or is the 500/800 enough more versatile to be worth the cost. Sort of a philosophical question, interested to hear what folks think.

Yes, droo, a very philosophical question, indeed! My philosophy in many things is "better to have it [more than you think you need] and not need it, than need it and not have it."

I had some years of my Bassman 250 1x15" combo sometimes being not quite enough in my loud country band. And chaining my Bassman 150 1x12" to it seemed so clunky & heavy, but very powerful! (Both full power on their own.) I was absolutely thrilled to find the light, powerful Rumble 500 combo actually lives up to its ads/specs! Easy, one-handed carry. Inexpensive. Very powerful at 350w alone! It was never not enough, even outdoors when I added my Bassman 115 Neo cab, which wasn't really required but felt & sounded so good! It has also been just right, turned way down, in many small acoustic jams over the last 9 years. So, I can most wholeheartedly recommend the R500c.

Now comes the even more powerful, and lighter(!), Rumble 800 combo with the 1/4 power switch to go from 400w to 100w anytime you want! Get the smooth, full headroom at full power, or that cranked grind at the lower power level! This is what I would most definitely get now, if my R500c wasn't still doing just fine.

Of course, there's a lot to be said for the R200c & R100, if you're so inclined. I used to be a 15" speaker snob, but the R500c's 2x10s' deep, rich tone cured me of that. And, since getting my Rumble Studio 40, I've often been amazed at just how big a venue and/or acoustic jam it can handle!! (Although, I do still GAS for that cool Rumble Stage 800 combo,)

So, droo, I do philosophically believe that any Rumble you choose can be "just the right one." But, don't be surprised if, like many Rumblers here, you find that "one is just not enough," sometimes. Because they are very easy to chain together for bigger & louder when desired.

Good luck. Let us know which you choose, and get a free membership here when you do!
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[GonePlaid]

A question for all you Rumblers:

Background: After at least 10 years away in the acoustic world I've been sucked back into a rock band. Good fun, but gear has changed a lot since I bought my last bass amp (in 2004). I still have that amp, a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout. 12" speaker, 300 watts, it's still my #1. But it's also 51 pounds. Hey, it was a real improvement over the 4x10 and rack case I use to lug around.

The Boogie will stay my #1, but now that I'm schlepping it to rehearsals on a regular basis I'm thinking about getting something lighter for rehearsals and to have a backup just in case, which brings me to the Rumble.

My local GC had both the 800 and a 100 that I tried. Sound of the 800 was more to my liking, the 100 was fine. Budgetwise the 800 is in budget even new, but that's about my top since this is to be a spare/rehearsal item. Just missed out on a 500 for sale used locally, not much else used around here these days (small market).

So my question: yes more is always more, but is the 100 reasonable for rehearsal (2 guitars, keys, drums) with that nice small size and lower cost, or is the 500/800 enough more versatile to be worth the cost. Sort of a philosophical question, interested to hear what folks think.

B4 reading any other answers, I'll chime in. I started with a R200c, but now I use my R100 for most of our gigs. However, our drummer does not pound the hell outta his set, and most of our crowds are 55+ y/o and don't want LOUD. Nor does the management at the places we play. YMMV.

 

[G-Dog]

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Attention: Rumble Club Wiki Edit Alert!

Thanks, @JakobT. Your sharing of a link to [Video] Four Great Tones From Your Fender Rumble got me looking for that on the Rumble Club Wiki page. I finally found it in the middle of the TONE POOL section. This is a very helpful demonstration that needs to be more easily found! So, I also copied that link to the Rumble V3 Reviews section of the wiki.

Thank you, Jake, for sharing this very helpful video link.

Rumble On!​

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[JakobT]

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Attention: Rumble Club Wiki Edit Alert!

Thanks, @JakobT. Your sharing of a link to [Video] Four Great Tones From Your Fender Rumble got me looking for that on the Rumble Club Wiki page. I finally found it in the middle of the TONE POOL section. This is a very helpful demonstration that needs to be more easily found! So, I also copied that link to the Rumble V3 Reviews section of the wiki.

Thank you, Jake, for sharing this very helpful video link.

Rumble On!​

.

Thanks for those kind words, @G-Dog!

 

[cxc]

A question for all you Rumblers:

Background: After at least 10 years away in the acoustic world I've been sucked back into a rock band. Good fun, but gear has changed a lot since I bought my last bass amp (in 2004). I still have that amp, a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout. 12" speaker, 300 watts, it's still my #1. But it's also 51 pounds. Hey, it was a real improvement over the 4x10 and rack case I use to lug around.

The Boogie will stay my #1, but now that I'm schlepping it to rehearsals on a regular basis I'm thinking about getting something lighter for rehearsals and to have a backup just in case, which brings me to the Rumble.

My local GC had both the 800 and a 100 that I tried. Sound of the 800 was more to my liking, the 100 was fine. Budgetwise the 800 is in budget even new, but that's about my top since this is to be a spare/rehearsal item. Just missed out on a 500 for sale used locally, not much else used around here these days (small market).

So my question: yes more is always more, but is the 100 reasonable for rehearsal (2 guitars, keys, drums) with that nice small size and lower cost, or is the 500/800 enough more versatile to be worth the cost. Sort of a philosophical question, interested to hear what folks think.

For rehearsals (2 loud guitarists, drums, vocals) in a big room with high ceilings and concrete floors, a single 100 has been more than enough. Haven’t tested in a gig setting yet.

 

[SoulReflection]

For rehearsals (2 loud guitarists, drums, vocals) in a big room with high ceilings and concrete floors, a single 100 has been more than enough. Haven’t tested in a gig setting yet.

My 100 on it's own sounds great. Running an Ampeg PF-20T into the FX return adds some tubey goodness. It is the "flavor I have been missing"!

 

[Slaphound]

Such a struggle for me to not buy a Hofner violin bass, or something like it. I know one of these days I will lose that battle....
I hear mixed stories about them, some love them, say they can get a lot of different tones, etc., others say the opposite, and the bridge is a pain, setup is a pain, etc. I have no idea.

They suck to sit with. Not comfy on the lap. Had one for a year or so.

 

[Slaphound]

A question for all you Rumblers:

Background: After at least 10 years away in the acoustic world I've been sucked back into a rock band. Good fun, but gear has changed a lot since I bought my last bass amp (in 2004). I still have that amp, a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout. 12" speaker, 300 watts, it's still my #1. But it's also 51 pounds. Hey, it was a real improvement over the 4x10 and rack case I use to lug around.

The Boogie will stay my #1, but now that I'm schlepping it to rehearsals on a regular basis I'm thinking about getting something lighter for rehearsals and to have a backup just in case, which brings me to the Rumble.

My local GC had both the 800 and a 100 that I tried. Sound of the 800 was more to my liking, the 100 was fine. Budgetwise the 800 is in budget even new, but that's about my top since this is to be a spare/rehearsal item. Just missed out on a 500 for sale used locally, not much else used around here these days (small market).

So my question: yes more is always more, but is the 100 reasonable for rehearsal (2 guitars, keys, drums) with that nice small size and lower cost, or is the 500/800 enough more versatile to be worth the cost. Sort of a philosophical question, interested to hear what folks think.

I gig regularly with a 100. We play a lot of classic rock stuff. One guitar, one drummer and me. I also play in a rockabilly trio that the 100 would be buried in. They just like to play STUPID loud. But in a normal band setting in a regular venue with no PA support, the 100 is fine.

 

[Slaphound]

My 100 on it's own sounds great. Running an Ampeg PF-20T into the FX return adds some tubey goodness. It is the "flavor I have been missing"!

So. By running another amp head, in your case the Ampeg PF-20 into the FX return allows you to use the R100 speaker but not the amp or pre-amp? How does this work? Is there another chance of over powering the speaker of the R100 if the outside amp is too powerful?

 

[GonePlaid]

I gig regularly with a 100. We play a lot of classic rock stuff. One guitar, one drummer and me. I also play in a rockabilly trio that the 100 would be buried in. They just like to play STUPID loud. But in a normal band setting in a regular venue with no PA support, the 100 is fine.

With my regular band, the 100 is sufficient for most of the places we play. However, I subbed with another band and 2 R100s(daisy chained) were provided for me(didn't hafta bring mine). Loved that sound, gonna get a second one-one o' these days.

 

[SoulReflection]

So. By running another amp head, in your case the Ampeg PF-20 into the FX return allows you to use the R100 speaker but not the amp or pre-amp? How does this work? Is there another chance of over powering the speaker of the R100 if the outside amp is too powerful?

Running it this way bypasses the Rumble's preamp and EQ, but allows full volume and speaker. The 20T determines the Gain, EQ and Volume. Accordingly, one starts off with the 20T's Volume low and you adjust preamp Gain and EQ to taste. There is no additional chance of over-powering the speaker, just the same as if you were using the Rumble's volume control.

 

[G-Dog]

So. By running another amp head, in your case the Ampeg PF-20 into the FX return allows you to use the R100 speaker but not the amp or pre-amp? How does this work? Is there another chance of over powering the speaker of the R100 if the outside amp is too powerful?

Running it this way bypasses the Rumble's preamp and EQ, but allows full volume and speaker. The 20T determines the Gain, EQ and Volume. Accordingly, one starts off with the 20T's Volume low and you adjust preamp Gain and EQ to taste. There is no additional chance of over-powering the speaker, just the same as if you were using the Rumble's volume control.

Running another amp's FX Send signal into the Rumble’s Fx Return just bypasses the Rumble’s pre-amp, but it still uses the Rumble’s power amp into the Rumble’s speaker. That's why there's no danger to the Rumble’s speaker.
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[13bass]

Running another amp's FX Send signal into the Rumble’s Fx Return just bypasses the Rumble’s pre-amp, but it still uses the Rumble’s power amp into the Rumble’s speaker. That's why there's no danger to the Rumble’s speaker.
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Would it be the same if run into the top main input instead of the FX return? Or would there then be a danger? I often run my sansamp through the top main input, so I'm asking

 

[G-Dog]

Would it be the same if run into the top main input instead of the FX return? Or would there then be a danger? I often run my sansamp through the top main input, so I'm asking

It won't be exactly the same, 13. According to 7ender, there is no danger to running an FX Send signal into the Instrument Input of the Rumble. But running a pre-amp signal into another pre-amp could easily overdrive the Gain, or other EQs, such that the result is less than desirable. You will probably have to turn down some settings on one or both. Whereas, going into the FX Return doesn't have that problem.
.

 

[drooartz]

Yes, droo, a very philosophical question, indeed! My philosophy in many things is "better to have it [more than you think you need] and not need it, than need it and not have it."

I had some years of my Bassman 250 1x15" combo sometimes being not quite enough in my loud country band. And chaining my Bassman 150 1x12" to it seemed so clunky & heavy, but very powerful! (Both full power on their own.) I was absolutely thrilled to find the light, powerful Rumble 500 combo actually lives up to its ads/specs! Easy, one-handed carry. Inexpensive. Very powerful at 350w alone! It was never not enough, even outdoors when I added my Bassman 115 Neo cab, which wasn't really required but felt & sounded so good! It has also been just right, turned way down, in many small acoustic jams over the last 9 years. So, I can most wholeheartedly recommend the R500c.

Now comes the even more powerful, and lighter(!), Rumble 800 combo with the 1/4 power switch to go from 400w to 100w anytime you want! Get the smooth, full headroom at full power, or that cranked grind at the lower power level! This is what I would most definitely get now, if my R500c wasn't still doing just fine.

Of course, there's a lot to be said for the R200c & R100, if you're so inclined. I used to be a 15" speaker snob, but the R500c's 2x10s' deep, rich tone cured me of that. And, since getting my Rumble Studio 40, I've often been amazed at just how big a venue and/or acoustic jam it can handle!! (Although, I do still GAS for that cool Rumble Stage 800 combo,)

So, droo, I do philosophically believe that any Rumble you choose can be "just the right one." But, don't be surprised if, like many Rumblers here, you find that "one is just not enough," sometimes. Because they are very easy to chain together for bigger & louder when desired.

Good luck. Let us know which you choose, and get a free membership here when you do!
.

Thanks all for the thoughts, they've been very helpful. I was down in the city yesterday running errands and happened to have my bass with me, so I stopped by GC again and spent some more time playing the 800 and 100 back to back. I was focused on the volume difference at first just to get a feel, but also on the overall sound. When I get down to it, and volume aside, I just like the sound of the 800 better for how I play.

Not the final decision yet, but I'm definitely leaning heavily towards the 800. I'll post back when I make the final call.

 

[GregT]

Would it be the same if run into the top main input instead of the FX return? Or would there then be a danger? I often run my sansamp through the top main input, so I'm asking

When I daisy chained my 100 and 200 outdoors on the 4th of July, I ran the FX out of the 200 into the main input of the 100, which is not the way most people do it and it works fine. With a 5 piece band and 2 singers, the 200 was facing the crowd and the 100 faced the drummer and across the stage like a monitor. One guitarist who is also running sound about 25 feet away on the other side asked for a little more treble in the 100 and I was able to do that without changing the settings on my 200. We were also sending the XLR output to the PA.

You can safely send a Sansamp to the main input. You'll hear if you are overpowering it. I've run a Dr. J Sparrow as a preamp. I also run a Barber Tone Press with a fairly hot signal to the main input every time I play bass through either Rumble.

If I were stacking my two Rumbles inside a club, I'd run FX out to FX in like everyone else does.

 

[JakobT]

When I daisy chained my 100 and 200 outdoors on the 4th of July, I ran the FX out of the 200 into the main input of the 100, which is not the way most people do it and it works fine. With a 5 piece band and 2 singers, the 200 was facing the crowd and the 100 faced the drummer and across the stage like a monitor. One guitarist who is also running sound about 25 feet away on the other side asked for a little more treble in the 100 and I was able to do that without changing the settings on my 200. We were also sending the XLR output to the PA.

You can safely send a Sansamp to the main input. You'll hear if you are overpowering it. I've run a Dr. J Sparrow as a preamp. I also run a Barber Tone Press with a fairly hot signal to the main input every time I play bass through either Rumble.

If I were stacking my two Rumbles inside a club, I'd run FX out to FX in like everyone else does.

It’s completely doable, and the method of choice if the amp you’re daisy-chaining with doesn’t have an effects loop. I used to do it with my old Rumble 100 and my Rumble 40.

 

[13bass]

It’s completely doable, and the method of choice if the amp you’re daisy-chaining with doesn’t have an effects loop. I used to do it with my old Rumble 100 and my Rumble 40.

Interesting, I may have to try that with my R100 and R40 this weekend. Which direction? Or does it really matter?
EDIT: Duh, never mind!

 

[GregT]

Interesting, I may have to try that with my R100 and R40 this weekend. Which direction? Or does it really matter?

It does matter since the 40 has no effects loop.