Fender Rumble Club

[FearNoEvil65]

Everything is a matter of perception for the most part. Is the Rumble 25 (and the other smaller one) inadequate for anything but for very hush and personal practice? Yes. It is a true fact from a gigging bass player’s point of perception.

But here is something else. Was playing my Rumble 200 + an R115. Another bassist was present and wanted to try out my bass. I’m not particularly fond of the Rumble tone but he plays a few lines and says, “that’s not very powerful”. Having been around the block as a player a few times I had instantly noted his light touch playing style but not in a good way. That tells me a lot right there.

He has a 900 watt brand-x rig there (we share the space) and I’ve played it. Loud, but sounds like ****on-a-shingle to me. And certainly not worth what he paid for it.

As far as his remark I wouldn’t dispute it (and I didn’t) but it depends on what we’re looking for in our rigs, isn’t it? I felt my rather humble Rumble rig kicked his brand-x rig in the balls when we factor in the sound, the portability, the cost, and my perception.

Humble Rumble. Sort of a backhanded compliment I suppose.

I play with a light touch and have the same, R200c and 115ext cab. When I turn it ups it's very loud, I can't use much of the volume or people start saying silly thing like "Bass is bleeding though all the stage mics" "people up front say the bass is giving them a headache its so loud" silly stuff like that.
We play in some medium sized bars, do you play in really large places?
I still want to get the new 800 combo, but not because I need more volume.

 

[CharleyJackson]

I’ve used my 200c + R115 mainly in outdoor venues. This combination of power and speakers is good enough for most performances and the direct-out can be used for FOH support. I set my gain and then judiciously use the volume and tone knobs on my bass throughout the performance as required. Don’t forget you have knobs on your bass, especially the volume knob!

It is important to understand for ourselves what the audience is experiencing. People want a good time, not be hammered by a too loud band. In this respect it is better to overestimate our volume than otherwise. Don’t worry, people have no problem asking you to please turn UP. My major problem has always been convincing band mates this is the way to go.

 

[JPDsma]

I remember my first lesson on Too Loud working the minimal sound board at a bar in Telluride back in ‘74 or so. The band Amos Otis, kept cranking the volume. Bar owner finally came over at break the first night and said we had to turn down because people (paying and drinking people) were leaving due to the high volume in a confined space. 3 nights there, from then on it was very tolerable as us Western State kids learned a valuable lesson.

 

[GonePlaid]

I remember my first lesson on Too Loud working the minimal sound board at a bar in Telluride back in ‘74 or so. The band Amos Otis, kept cranking the volume. Bar owner finally came over at break the first night and said we had to turn down because people (paying and drinking people) were leaving due to the high volume in a confined space. 3 nights there, from then on it was very tolerable as us Western State kids learned a valuable lesson.

I've heard a story of a bar owner who tells his bands(on paper)that if he says they're too loud, they need to turn down. If he tells them a second time, he reminds them of a clause in the contract that says-basically-third time, no warning, he cuts the power to the stage and the band goes home. Unpaid.
BTW, it's a biker bar. The band doesn't argue.

 

[GonePlaid]

Putting the 200c into semi-retirement. It's a little too much for most of the rooms we usually play and, 'cos it's a bit bigger than the 100, it doesn't leave enuff room in the cart for much else, therefore necessitating extra trips for load in/out. Still sounds great though.
Yeah, I know I can turn it down, but it seems 'choked' when I gots to run GAIN* and VOLUME both below "9". I'll prolly 'mess' with some different settings here at the house but, of course, that all changes at a gig.
*maybe GAIN @ 0(7)?

 

[dORSY]

*maybe GAIN @ 0(7)?

Or the other option: gain at high, master low. Your ears should give You answers
Edit: or the 3rd option: gain and master "stays", instrument volume goes down. (might be wise to use a buffer in this case, like most boss pedals have built in, so Your highs don't get lost too much turning down the instrument)

 

[13bass]

I do like Fender says and start with the gain at noon, and I think 90% of the time I don't move it.
Of course I could just be THAT lazy that turning that additional knob is too much trouble.

 

[GonePlaid]

Or the other option: gain at high, master low. Your ears should give You answers
Edit: or the 3rd option: gain and master "stays", instrument volume goes down. (might be wise to use a buffer in this case, like most boss pedals have built in, so Your highs don't get lost too much turning down the instrument)

On my main bass('67 Gibson NR T-Bird), neck pickup at 10, bridge pickup at 0(pups are original).Anything below 10, I lose tone. They-and I-are old; should possibly be replaced. Nope.

 

[JPDsma]

Nah, you’re good GP!

 

[GonePlaid]

Nah, you’re good GP!

Thanks.
FWIW, I run my bass's volumes at 10 except for the active Les Paul 5er. I run it ~4-5.

 

[ricardol]

Did a gig tonight(5/18)at a VFW. 1967 NR T-Bird w/#2814 EBCFs>R200c. Sounded choice, but the 200c was a little much for the room. R100 next time.

We had a request for "Start Me Up", which we'd never played B4, but one of the guitarists knew the words, called the key(E, FWIW), and away we went. BTW, I like maybe 5 "Stones" songs and this ain't one of them, but I've heard it many times. I guarantee no one in the crowd had any idea it was the first time we played it. Got a nice tip from the requester.

It´s a party song! I have also done it once on a parade:StartMeUp

 

[G-Dog]

This is how I carry my amplifier, including shock absorption during transport and some acoustic dampening during use:
The cart:
https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_smartcart.htm
and the pictures:
View attachment 5410678 View attachment 5410679 View attachment 5410680 View attachment 5410681

It´s a party song! I have also done it once on a parade:StartMeUp

I been TRYIN'A Start You Up, Ricky! Now, at last! @ricardol, you are now member #1762 in the Fender Rumble Club. Congratulations and welcome, after all these years. Put that number in your TalkBass Signature for safe keeping. Then, continue to make yourself at home here and on your Rumble Club Wiki page, the repository of all Rumbling wisdom and knowledge.

I think I've asked if you had a Rumble and wanted to join, but I never saw an affirmative response. Anyway, I got you now with that pic of your Rumble Stage 800!

So, how about telling us a bit about yourself, ricky, such as your bass experience in general and your Rumble journey in particular? You already fit right in here. And you know we all love to ... ... ...

Rumble On!
.​

 

[ricardol]

I been TRYIN'A Start You Up, Ricky! Now, at last! @ricardol, you are now member #1762 in the Fender Rumble Club. Congratulations and welcome, after all these years. Put that number in your TalkBass Signature for safe keeping. Then, continue to make yourself at home here and on your Rumble Club Wiki page, the repository of all Rumbling wisdom and knowledge.

I think I've asked if you had a Rumble and wanted to join, but I never saw an affirmative response. Anyway, I got you now with that pic of your Rumble Stage 800!

So, how about telling us a bit about yourself, ricky, such as your bass experience in general and your Rumble journey in particular? You already fit right in here. And you know we all love to ... ... ...

Rumble On!
.​

Thanks, @G-Dog! I'm just poor boy from a far far away country called Portugal, so, please, be gentle with my English! Socializing on this forum has been a good journey of learning and exchanging ideas with many of you fine people! Yes, it's true that I got a Rumble Stage 800, influenced by the good information I found here... I play with it a lot in my spare time... I play in three bands, so this Rumble has been running hot... like a mean, mean machine! Hope it will never make a grown man cry!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

On my main bass('67 Gibson NR T-Bird), neck pickup at 10, bridge pickup at 0(pups are original).Anything below 10, I lose tone. They-and I-are old; should possibly be replaced. Nope.

You are irreplaceable. So is that bass.

 

[GonePlaid]

You are irreplaceable. So is that bass.

'preciate the thought. The bass being irreplaceable explains the Epi Embassy.

 

[G-Dog]

Thanks, @G-Dog! I'm just poor boy from a far far away country called Portugal, so, please, be gentle with my English! Socializing on this forum has been a good journey of learning and exchanging ideas with many of you fine people! Yes, it's true that I got a Rumble Stage 800, influenced by the good information I found here... I play with it a lot in my spare time... I play in three bands, so this Rumble has been running hot... like a mean, mean machine! Hope it will never make a grown man cry!

Me, too, Riccy! "I'm just a poor boy from a poor family ..."! And your English is fine. Much better than my Portuguese. You've been a good contributor to this Club and to your Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800 sub-thread and we're very glad to have you with us. There's no substitute for playing out and making live music! So, keep on Rumblin' on!
.

 

[Kenny056]

I just found a gently used Rumble 210 cabinet for a great price. I'll be pairing it with my 500c at this Saturday's gig if it gets here in time. Fingers crossed!

 

[RL5]

I just found a gently used Rumble 210 cabinet for a great price. I'll be pairing it with my 500c at this Saturday's gig if it gets here in time. Fingers crossed!

You're gonna love it! Adds a really nice fullness to the sound. And there's that nice bump in available volume, although I noticed the fullness more. Haven't really had the need for the additional volume.

 

[jfh2424]

Hello!

I'm the proud owner of two Rumble 500c and two Rumble 210s.

I'm not a fan of the Fender amp covers, however.

I am wondering what club members are using as amp covers, other than the Fender ones?

Thanks!

John

 

[Ottertail]

I use dust. Cheap and abundant. Maybe a sprinkling of dog hair as well.