Fender Rumble Club

[M-Mittlesteadt]

My 200, too, has the flu. And has had it since I bought it used, to be honest. It might well have been the reason the guy sold it in the first place. The problem at the time really was the return jack and whenever the amp crackled and farted, I would run a plug in an out of the jack a couple of times and that fixed it. As time went on, I permanently installed a patch cable in the fx loop, because it just became too annoying. Since then, other sources of static, crackling and cutting out have been the pots, especially the master volume and the overdrive level pot, and, as of late, the push buttons. My usual procedure for setting up for rehearsals or gigs therefore doesn't just involve cabling everything, but also turning all the pots and pushing all the buttons quite a few times and hoping that it doesn't die on me, haha.

It really is too bad that it developed all these ailments, because most of the time it runs just fine and sounds great, but having to worry like that is a bummer. I'm still not willing to part with it yet, partly because I don't know what I would want to replace it with.

Have you opened it up and checked the wiring directly onto the speaker itself? A loose speaker connection can cause this with the amp vibrating it with every note.

Also, get some spray electronic cleaner. It is specific for cleaning electronic connections and pots (usually comes with a fine spray tube to get the cleaner right into any openings). Unplug the amp and spray the cleaner into all the pots and buttons. Let it sit for a bit, and then spray them again and operate them (turning knobs back and forth and buttons in and out). That type of cleaner evaporates fast.

It might have been in a very dusty environment and gunk just built up inside the pots.

 

[Stealth57]

Have you opened it up and checked the wiring directly onto the speaker itself? A loose speaker connection can cause this with the amp vibrating it with every note.

Also, get some spray electronic cleaner. It is specific for cleaning electronic connections and pots (usually comes with a fine spray tube to get the cleaner right into any openings). Unplug the amp and spray the cleaner into all the pots and buttons. Let it sit for a bit, and then spray them again and operate them (turning knobs back and forth and buttons in and out). That type of cleaner evaporates fast.

It might have been in a very dusty environment and gunk just built up inside the pots.

Deoxit 5 is the best cleaner for pots, etc. Cleans and lubricates.

 

[G-Dog]

My 10 year old Rumble 200 finally crapped out. Amp is cutting in out.. mostly out. Guess it's probably best to just trash the amp and turn it into a 15" cab for my 500.
What do you think? It cost $100 to have someone look at it let alone fix it. It's only worth $200+.

My 200, too, has the flu. And has had it since I bought it used, to be honest. It might well have been the reason the guy sold it in the first place. The problem at the time really was the return jack and whenever the amp crackled and farted, I would run a plug in an out of the jack a couple of times and that fixed it. As time went on, I permanently installed a patch cable in the fx loop, because it just became too annoying. Since then, other sources of static, crackling and cutting out have been the pots, especially the master volume and the overdrive level pot, and, as of late, the push buttons. My usual procedure for setting up for rehearsals or gigs therefore doesn't just involve cabling everything, but also turning all the pots and pushing all the buttons quite a few times and hoping that it doesn't die on me, haha.

It really is too bad that it developed all these ailments, because most of the time it runs just fine and sounds great, but having to worry like that is a bummer. I'm still not willing to part with it yet, partly because I don't know what I would want to replace it with.

Have you opened it up and checked the wiring directly onto the speaker itself? A loose speaker connection can cause this with the amp vibrating it with every note.

Also, get some spray electronic cleaner. It is specific for cleaning electronic connections and pots (usually comes with a fine spray tube to get the cleaner right into any openings). Unplug the amp and spray the cleaner into all the pots and buttons. Let it sit for a bit, and then spray them again and operate them (turning knobs back and forth and buttons in and out). That type of cleaner evaporates fast.

It might have been in a very dusty environment and gunk just built up inside the pots.

Deoxit 5 is the best cleaner for pots, etc. Cleans and lubricates.

The following is the best advice about "spray electronic cleaner" from a true electronics expert!​

Only DeOxit D5, only the TINIEST amount possible though the slot that the terminals exit from, and keep the substance off of the PCB and surrounding components.

If you want to clean the pot, be sure only to use DeOxit D5 and only the tiniest amount possible, being careful not to get any on the PCB. Spray through the slot that the terminals exit. The goal is to not create new, messier problems.

Do NOT use "contact cleaner", these substances do not have the necessary (and correct) lubricant and can ruin a pot in a hurry.

... advisable ... for a person w/no experience ... to apply Deoxit to ... fix scratchy pots? ...

... ... if you screw it up and make a mess of it, figure on the ... repair cost going from $85 to about $175 due to ... undo the mess. It's also a good way to ruin a set of pots if you don't know what you are doing. ... ... ...

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Yes, I should have added that since the combo's amplifiers are mounted with the controls on top, either lay the combo facedown, or remove the amp from the cab and keep the amp horizontal so nothing drips onto the circuit board. Sometimes the "obvious" isn't so obvious. So yeah, make sure the control knobs/pushbuttons are oriented horizontally before "spraying".

 

[MustardRumble]

Thank you for the warning, G-Dog. As soon as I muster the courage (and time!) to open the thing up, I'll try my best no to ruin things further. And thanks to M-Mittlestaedt and Stealth57 for the cleaning tips. I guess I'll try my luck with the D5.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Dent Repair - Speaker's Dust Cap

Just what I was going to suggest!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Well, Stealy, you've got quite a gear collection there for such a relatively newbie bassist! But, you're right about the Rumble being a perfect fit!

And, as a T-Birder, you're probably acquainted with another of our preeminent Rumblers, @Miles_ONeal. He is also the number issuer for the TalkBass Combo Club, for which your Rumble (and possibly your Ampeg?) qualifies you.

For that matter, you may find some other clubs or groups of interest in the TalkBass Clubs and Special Interest Groups INDEX, if you're so inclined.

Oh, and @MadJack's speaker dome dent repair link looks promising! Good luck!!

Dave and I have hung out IRL at Tbird club GTGs. Other than his deflection on the magnetism subject, he’s a very cool guy!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

A dental tool should do fine. The dust cover is just a semi rigid coated paper, so you can pull a little harder than you might think. Don't try pulling it all from one spot. work around near the edges and pull a small to moderate amount at each point. You might want to try having someone hold the cone in place, keeping it from moving out or in while pulling.

Honestly though, the dents wont harm anything, just keep the grill cloth and frame on.

I'm running a tissue paper and white glue patch on one of the speakers on my 10" in my R210 V3. I colored it in with a black sharpie. The hole did remove the restriction designed into the speaker, causing the speaker to move too freely and distorting. I would have left it if it didn't cause the distortion.

View attachment 7083707 View attachment 7083708

I’ve never used the tissue/glue trick on a cap, but have repaired cones with it.

Not snow cones…

 

[klejst]

Not to hijack this thread, I am considering either a GK MB210 500w 210 combo or the Fender Rumble 500 210 combo. I always been a fan of GK's stuff and actually owned a MB200 210 before, but these Rumble 500 210 combos' have me intrigued. Feature wise, they seem pretty similar or close to in power, EQ, power, etc. I found a couple used and the Fender is over $100 cheaper which has me perhaps tipping my way over to the Fender...is it a safe choice between these two?

 

[G-Dog]

Not to hijack this thread, I am considering either a GK MB210 500w 210 combo or the Fender Rumble 500 210 combo. I always been a fan of GK's stuff and actually owned a MB200 210 before, but these Rumble 500 210 combos' have me intrigued. Feature wise, they seem pretty similar or close to in power, EQ, power, etc. I found a couple used and the Fender is over $100 cheaper which has me perhaps tipping my way over to the Fender...is it a safe choice between these two?

Don't worry, it'll take more than this to hijack "The Club" here.

Well, y'know, just using the words "used" & "safe" in the same sentence is an oxymoron! Nowhere is the phrase "buyer, beware" more applicable than in the "used (hopefully not abused)" market. In general, the GKs and Rumbles should both be as "safe" as any other brands or models in the used market.

Of course, like any other "used" item, your confidence in the seller and the current condition & functionality of the specific item are most important. Be sure to test all the functions in the manuals (Rumble 500 combo manual here) to get the best unit available.

Meanwhile, here is some totally unscientifically gathered =1&o=date']GK Reliability threads and the only Rumble V3 Reliability Data thread on TB to consider, if you wish.

 

[PiquetBass]

It really is too bad that it developed all these ailments, because most of the time it runs just fine and sounds great, but having to worry like that is a bummer. I'm still not willing to part with it yet, partly because I don't know what I would want to replace it with.

A new one?

 

[GonePlaid]

A new one?

My 200cV3 is 10 y/o this month. Always covered(except while playing), always in a temperature controlled environment. Doesn't get played all that much anymore, my 100 covers most of our(few)gigs.

 

[GonePlaid]

Oh. A happy turkey-or whatever-day to all the Rumblers.

 

[G-Dog]

Happy ThanksRumbling Day!

I'm so very thankful for my Rumbles and this great community of Rumblers!!

Here's wishing you and yours all the best this holiday season!

Rumble On!
.​

 

[Stealth57]

I picked up a used Rumble 115 cab today. It has the leg cups on top but they are small and inset compared to my 500 v3 combo. Just curious, were the cups meant for a head vs a combo?

 

[MadJack]

I picked up a used Rumble 115 cab today. It has the leg cups on top but they are small and inset compared to my 500 v3 combo. Just curious, were the cups meant for a head vs a combo?

View attachment 7090638

Yes, the cups are meant for on of the heads, Rumble 200 & 500 Heads (both discontinued) or the Rumble 800 head.

 

[Variflex]

I picked up a Rumble 100 combo last week for playing in the living room, and maybe some recording a bit in the future. Nice sounding amp. So light I can pick it up with one finger.

While the store employee was searching for the 100 I tried the 500 combo. Whoa, what a beast. Sadly for the small space I have it wasn't doable. I'm happy with the 100 so far though.

 

[Mvf]

I picked up a used Rumble 115 cab today. It has the leg cups on top but they are small and inset compared to my 500 v3 combo. Just curious, were the cups meant for a head vs a combo?

View attachment 7090638

Jep, you got it, the magnetic cups are to keep the Rumble head in place!

 

[Mvf]

Got my daisy chained Rumble 500c/200c stack out on the road again, had a gig at a American Cars associations party, venue was in their garage. Here’s some pics. Was playing my 1990 Thunderbird all night, the CIJ Jazz was just sitting on it’s stand as a backup. And I tried my old Zoom B3 at a gig for the first time, actually worked very nicely. Had the Ampeg amp model running all the time, either combined with a compressor or a drive, or both, depending on the song. The Rumble was set flat.

 

[G-Dog]

I picked up a Rumble 100 combo last week for playing in the living room, and maybe some recording a bit in the future. Nice sounding amp. So light I can pick it up with one finger.

While the store employee was searching for the 100 I tried the 500 combo. Whoa, what a beast. Sadly for the small space I have it wasn't doable. I'm happy with the 100 so far though.

¡Hola, flexi! @Variflex, you are now member #1802 in the Fender Rumble Club. Congratulations and welcome to TalkBass and The Club! 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.

Just FYI, there are currently two versions of the Rumble 100 combo out in the wild, those with a Pre-/Post- switch by the XLR Out and those without. Which one do you have?

And how's about telling us a bit about yourself, such as your bass experience in general and your Rumble journey in particular? You'll fit right in here since we have all kinds. But we all love to ... ... ...

Rumble On!
.​