Fender Rumble Club

[TooMuchStuff]

Hey, Canada, eh? @TooMuchStuff, you are now member #1824 in the Fender Rumble Club, eh? Congratulations and welcome to TalkBass in general and The Club in particular. 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.

Well, Too, if the ART is intended to go between instrument and amp, like most DIs, then there shouldn't be any danger. Just make sure all settings, amp & DI, are very low to begin, with, then gradually turn them up to taste and find the sweet spot for the settings you like.

So, Much, how 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!
​

Thanks @G-Dog !
Indeed, proud to be fellow Canadian and Torontonian with Mr. Geddy Lee!
Not much to tell… I’m a “born again musician” after a too long hiatus, a percussion player in a band, and following this, my bass fetish came up again Many years ago I had a short scale bass of unknown brand and a huge 60’s Hohner amp. Had to sell them both with my beloved Congas and other instruments long time ago…
I purchased the Rumble15 about a week ago so not much of experience with it, just happy to have an amp that I can also plug headphones to, and hide it from my wife
Thanks for having me here! Looks like a fun place!

 

[G-Dog]

Having been a bass cab designer and builder (my own), I'm really curious how many Rumble owners would have a preference of one combo over another without knowing the wattage of the combo or what speaker(s) are in the cab? ... ...

Um, ... uh, ... huh?!? I'm not sure I understand your question here, Mitty. Is this a hypothetical experiment to see if it's possible to formulate a preference between two combos without knowing their rated power output and speaker(s) configuration/brand/magnet-type? Kinda like a half-blind comparison based on, what, brand/maker, tone stack, control features, total weight, physical dimensions, ..., etc.?​

​

It's an amplifier. Power and speakers are basic essential information. Can you successfully compare cars trucks vehicles without knowing power and seating configuration?​

... ... ... I know for a fact that many have a preference for 210's 115's, 112's,. etc. even though there is no sonic difference between speaker sizes because they have no inherent tonal or output quality on their own...only within the cabinet designed to go with them. I'm not saying 10's, 12's or 15's don't or can't sound different, but our perception of sound as it relates to speaker size is more a biased myth. ... ... ...

I agree, somewhat. I think different tones due to different speaker sizes was more common in the "good ol' days" before cab design became more advanced. I used to be a 15" driver snob, but the 2x10" Rumble 500 changed my mind, especially when compared to my Bassman 115 Neo cab. I cannot hear any significant difference between them!​

... ... Same with wattage and amp output. Just because an amp can put out 400 watts doesn't mean it's always doing so. A 100 watt amp can be putting out the same watts as a 400 watt amp for most of the time they are being played through.

My Rumble 100 is a 100 watt amp into a 112 speaker cab. But since it is never cranked to it's max output, it's not putting out 100 watts all the time. ... ... ...

Well, correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe the point of amp output ratings is to give a relatively comparative indication of maximum usable volume for using in various venue sizes and situations. Of course, there are apples and oranges in the marketing mix, especially when one brand uses only peak or program ratings to seem more powerful than the RMS or continuous ratings; and differing levels of conservative versus aggressive ratings tendencies/philosophies.​

​

But, the fact that most amps are not always, or even very seldom, if ever, operated at their max usable volume makes it difficult to indicate their comparative tonal "quality" throughout their volume range, without many intricacies like frequency curves.​

​

Likewise, I believe speaker size(s) can be a useful indicator of comparative sound pressure levels (SPL) available to affect volume and tone. But again, there are no absolutes here, since differing speaker parameters can radically affect SPL.​

​

Thus, I submit that, although power ratings and speaker configuration are not the only information needed to definitively compare combo amps, they are very useful basic information points for initial consideration for certain venue sizes/situations. Then, using more detailed information, ultimately culminating in actual hearing and playing experience, one can more quickly arrive at a viable individual preference between combos.​

... ... ... I've played in VERY loud rock bands in the past. My two Rumble 100's chained together are louder than I would ever want to be any longer. Even with the Gain at about 10 o'clock and Master Volume at 9:00 or 10:00 it is too loud and I know it can get MUCH louder.

Yes, I, too got into a VERY, VERY loud country cover band that had me chaining my Bassman 150 1x12" combo to my Bassman 250 1x15" combo, both continuous ratings, and still feeling underpowered!!! (Although I do admit a reluctance to "dime" my amps.) Yet, somehow, the Rumble 500 2x10" combo at just 350 watts continuous, by itself, finally satisfied all my needs there!!! I did add my BM115 Neo cab, for the full 500 watts, at a few outdoor venues, but ended up turning down so much I gave up using later, even outdoors. (I sometimes took it and stacked it "just in case", but never actually connected it!) Thus, I have ... Rumbled On!​

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Um, ... uh, ... huh?!? I'm not sure I understand your question here, Mitty. Is this a hypothetical experiment to see if it's possible to formulate a preference between two combos without knowing their rated power output and speaker(s) configuration/brand/magnet-type? Kinda like a half-blind comparison based on, what, brand/maker, tone stack, control features, total weight, physical dimensions, ..., etc.?​

​

It's an amplifier. Power and speakers are basic essential information. Can you successfully compare cars trucks vehicles without knowing power and seating configuration?​

I agree, somewhat. I think different tones due to different speaker sizes was more common in the "good ol' days" before cab design became more advanced. I used to be a 15" driver snob, but the 2x10" Rumble 500 changed my mind, especially when compared to my Bassman 115 Neo cab. I cannot hear any significant difference between them!​

Well, correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe the point of amp output ratings is to give a relatively comparative indication of maximum usable volume for using in various venue sizes and situations. Of course, there are apples and oranges in the marketing mix, especially when one brand uses only peak or program ratings to seem more powerful than the RMS or continuous ratings; and differing levels of conservative versus aggressive ratings tendencies/philosophies.​

​

But, the fact that most amps are not always, or even very seldom, if ever, operated at their max usable volume makes it difficult to indicate their comparative tonal "quality" throughout their volume range, without many intricacies like frequency curves.​

​

Likewise, I believe speaker size(s) can be a useful indicator of comparative sound pressure levels (SPL) available to affect volume and tone. But again, there are no absolutes here, since differing speaker parameters can radically affect SPL.​

​

Thus, I submit that, although power ratings and speaker configuration are not the only information needed to definitively compare combo amps, they are very useful basic information points for initial consideration for certain venue sizes/situations. Then, using more detailed information, ultimately culminating in actual hearing and playing experience, one can more quickly arrive at an individual preference between combos.​

Yes, I, too got into a VERY, VERY loud country cover band that had me chaining my Bassman 150 1x12" combo to my Bassman 250 1x15" combo, both continuous ratings, and still feeling underpowered!!! (Although I do admit a reluctance to "dime" my amps.) Yet, somehow, the Rumble 500 2x10" combo at just 350 watts continuous, by itself, finally satisfied all my needs there!!! I did add my BM115 Neo cab, for the full 500 watts, at a few outdoor venues, but ended up turning down so much I gave up using later, even outdoors. (I sometimes took it and stacked it "just in case", but never actually connected it!) Thus, I have ... Rumbled On!​

My point was only that choosing one combo over another mostly lies in knowing which combos hit the trigger points of our bias. It's not that the knowledge is wasted, but rather...if our bias is towards 210's one may not even bother trying a 112 or 115 simply because of previous preferences for 210's in general over 112's and 115's.

Which is kind of a shame really because I myself have never really enjoyed many other 12" speaker cabs (thus my bias against 112's) but my preference for 10's and 15's. That is, until I played through the Rumble 100 with a 112 cab. At the time I played through it and tested it in the store I bought it from, I didn't know what speakers were in it. I loved the tone and power. It was only after I bought it did I realize it was a single 12" and only 100 watts.

Point being I listened with my ears instead of my eyes, knowledge of provided data and previous bias.

Anyone interested in a Rumble should try them all first. Heck, I wasn't even a Fender amp/cab guy but I played through them all in the store while waiting on a repair tech to bring my repaired Roland EP9 piano out to me.

 

[G-Dog]

My point was only that choosing one combo over another mostly lies in knowing which combos hit the trigger points of our bias. It's not that the knowledge is wasted, but rather...if our bias is towards 210's one may not even bother trying a 112 or 115 simply because of previous preferences for 210's in general over 112's and 115's. ... ... ...

I agree, especially when I read the "reasons" people give for not even considering Fender, or Rumbles, or ... (fill the blanks of things I like).​

​

But, of course bias, AKA prejudice, does keep people from experiencing some very valuable goods, foods, literature, entertainment, even relationships! That's kinda the definition. But, it's not always easy, or even possible, to recognize our own biases in every situation, much less to question or overrule them. Most of our own biases represent to us as "common sense".​

... ... Point being I listened with my ears instead of my eyes, knowledge of provided data and previous bias. ... ...

Agreed. That's really the bottom line in nearly all the TB comparison discussions I've read. Everyone can only debate their opinion on such comparisons from their own perspective. There's no mathematical certainty in choosing anything used to create a work of art such as music! (Meaning that even playing an established song on a musical instrument is an act of artistic creation, as opposed to simply replaying a recording.)​

... ... ... Anyone interested in a Rumble should try them all first. Heck, I wasn't even a Fender amp/cab guy but I played through them all in the store while waiting on a repair tech to bring my repaired Roland EP9 piano out to me.

Even the modeling Rumbles? Was there a Rumble LT25, Studio 40 or Stage 800 in that store that you tried?​

​

Well, ideally, from that standpoint, everyone should try every model of every amplifier/speaker combination available to find their own "very best" rig! But realistically, "ain't nobody got no time for dat"! So, you gotta narrow the vast field of modern electronics, somehow, to find a starting point for more in depth comparison! You chose to sample only those in that store, at that time. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone uses their own expediencies. Some use power output ratings & speaker(s) configuration. Others like a particular brand. There's no right or wrong way to begin, because, ultimately, "you can't please everybody, so you got to please yourself".​

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Even the modeling Rumbles? Was there a Rumble LT25, Studio 40 or Stage 800 in that store that you tried?​

​

Well, ideally, from that standpoint, everyone should try every model of every amplifier/speaker combination available to find their own "very best" rig! But realistically, "ain't nobody got no time for dat"! So, you gotta narrow the vast field of modern electronics, somehow, to find a starting point for more in depth comparison! You chose to sample only those in that store, at that time. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone uses their own expediencies. Some use power output ratings & speaker(s) configuration. Others like a particular brand. There's no right or wrong way to begin, because, ultimately, "you can't please everybody, so you got to please yourself".​

There weren't at the time. Over the last 45 years I've played through almost every model amp and cab ever made at one point or another.

I've played through older model Rumbles, and other Fender amps/cabs and was never overly impressed. I guess that "Fender" tone was never "my" thing. I only played through all of those new (V3) Fender combos because they had them all lined up on their own wall by themselves (even though there were other bass amps/cabs in the store.

Coming back to bass I had planned on using my own small rig I designed and built myself (250 watt per side Ashdown Superfly into two DIY 110/6 cabs). For those who might remember, my former Talkbass name was "Sundogue" and I was one of the first to build Dave's fEARful 15/6 design (in addition to my own).

I was only at the store to pick up my repaired Roland EP9 electric piano, not to check out bass amps/cabs. The repair guy was taking a long time so I was just playing through them to kill some time, I was completely blown away by the tone and volume in such light combos! So I bought the best compromise in value...tone, weight, volume in the Rumble 100, which is actually lighter than one of my single 110/6 cabs!

 

[bassmanandy]

Recently purchased the Rumble 800 as felt I needed the upgrade for a new band I’ve joined, read lots of opinions on what brilliant units they are, but was still completely unprepared for just how amazing the sound and low weight are, I’m so happy! Thanks to this thread for helping me make the decision to go with one!

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Recently purchased the Rumble 800 as felt I needed the upgrade for a new band I’ve joined, read lots of opinions on what brilliant units they are, but was still completely unprepared for just how amazing the sound and low weight are, I’m so happy! Thanks to this thread for helping me make the decision to go with one!

It's crazy how light they for what they deliver in tone and volume. Used to take me forever to lug my old heavy gear around that was only marginally louder.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I do have to say (for those who may not like Fender Rumbles based on previous experience), that the new V3 Rumbles, "Ain't your daddy's Rumble combo"

I remember borrowing a friend's V2 Rumble years ago, for a couple of rehearsals and a small gig when I needed an amp. The best thing I had to say about my previous experience with Fender Rumble combos was..."I could hear myself." Not exactly a rousing endorsement.

If you are at all like I was and unimpressed with earlier Fender Rumble combos, you have to know these V3's are completely different and totally reengineered. I went from being no fan of Fender combos to a completely thrilled shill for their newer models. Do yourself a favor and play through them. Lift them, Compare the different models they offer.

Hey if you still don't like them, no problem. No amp/cab is for everyone. But don't dismiss the "newer" Fender Rumbles based solely on past experience.

 

[G-Dog]

Recently purchased the Rumble 800 as felt I needed the upgrade for a new band I’ve joined, read lots of opinions on what brilliant units they are, but was still completely unprepared for just how amazing the sound and low weight are, I’m so happy! Thanks to this thread for helping me make the decision to go with one!

What say, guv'nor?! @bassmanandy, you are now member #1825 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.

So, andy, how 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!
​

 

[Never2Late]

I've been using my R60 for home practice and like the way it sounds. Previously I had a Rumble LT25 which I sold as the 8" speaker sounded too guitar-like (lacking rumble) in my environment.

I brought my R60 to a guitar-playing friend's house once to jam with him a bit. While its weight wasn't horrible, having something lighter would have been nice.

There's a used R100 v3 that I might be able to buy for a great price, but I have concerns.

Is there any benefit outside of weight to make the change, strictly for home practice and maybe occasionally playing with friends? (not gigging or recording)
Are there any reliability issues with the R100 v3, or specific things I should check if/when buying used? (other than plugging in and basic tests)
Is the tone similar to the R60 (they're both 12's)? I play at pretty low volumes, so max output isn't important.

 

[GonePlaid]

I've been using my R60 for home practice and like the way it sounds. Previously I had a Rumble LT25 which I sold as the 8" speaker sounded to guitar-like (lacking rumble) in my environment.

I brought my R60 to a guitar-playing friend's house once to jam with him a bit. While its weight wasn't horrible, having something lighter would have been nice.

There's a used R100 v3 that I might be able to buy for a great price, but I have concerns.

Is there any benefit outside of weight to make the change, strictly for home practice and maybe occasionally playing with friends? (not gigging or recording)
Are there any reliability issues with the R100 v3, or specific things I should check if/when buying used? (other than plugging in and basic tests)
Is the tone similar to the R60 (they're both 12's)? I play at pretty low volumes, so max output isn't important.

You'll love it.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I've been using my R60 for home practice and like the way it sounds. Previously I had a Rumble LT25 which I sold as the 8" speaker sounded to guitar-like (lacking rumble) in my environment.

I brought my R60 to a guitar-playing friend's house once to jam with him a bit. While its weight wasn't horrible, having something lighter would have been nice.

There's a used R100 v3 that I might be able to buy for a great price, but I have concerns.

Is there any benefit outside of weight to make the change, strictly for home practice and maybe occasionally playing with friends? (not gigging or recording)
Are there any reliability issues with the R100 v3, or specific things I should check if/when buying used? (other than plugging in and basic tests)
Is the tone similar to the R60 (they're both 12's)? I play at pretty low volumes, so max output isn't important.

I have one I've had for almost 10 years. It is a great amp. All the Rumble amps are good. Currently I have a 40c, 100c, 500 head and 2x10 cab. The original 500 I bought had an issue, Fender replaced it under warranty.

 

[Never2Late]

You'll love it.

I have one I've had for almost 10 years. It is a great amp. All the Rumble amps are good. Currently I have a 40c, 100c, 500 head and 2x10 cab. The original 500 I bought had an issue, Fender replaced it under warranty.

Thanks for the replies. Purchasing the (used) R100 v3 would entail time and effort, to drive to buy it, test it, and then sell the R60. What I'm looking to find out is whether there's any benefit to changing from the R60 to the R100 v3 to justify all of that, other than the weight savings, for my use case. And, if so, if there's anything specific I should be testing that typically goes bad on the R100 v3's, as I don't believe this would be under warranty.

 

[G-Dog]

I've been using my R60 for home practice and like the way it sounds. Previously I had a Rumble LT25 which I sold as the 8" speaker sounded too guitar-like (lacking rumble) in my environment.

I brought my R60 to a guitar-playing friend's house once to jam with him a bit. While its weight wasn't horrible, having something lighter would have been nice.

There's a used R100 v3 that I might be able to buy for a great price, but I have concerns.

Is there any benefit outside of weight to make the change, strictly for home practice and maybe occasionally playing with friends? (not gigging or recording)
Are there any reliability issues with the R100 v3, or specific things I should check if/when buying used? (other than plugging in and basic tests)
Is the tone similar to the R60 (they're both 12's)? I play at pretty low volumes, so max output isn't important.

The Rumble 60 is a V1 that could be up to 22 years old! The fact that it's still working, through more than one owner, tells you something about Fender Rumble reliability. And this TB Rumble Reliability thread also speaks volumes. Check the used R100 against all the control descriptions in the R40-100-200-500 manual for working condition. Then, again, did you ever check your R60 against it's manual for working condition? Might help.

There have been some circuitry changes from V1 to V2, and from V2 to V3, so they may not work or sound quite the same just 'cause of the same size speaker. For that matter, you might oughta take the R60 with you when checking out the used 100 for a same-room sound comparison! That could tell you a lot!

No, 2, there's no specific issues with the 100, or any other Rumbles. But, 'some people' think they can sound "boxy", which may be due to it not having any fibrous acoustic lining like the R200c and R500c have. However, some of those 'some people' find adding some fabric in the port can help, temporarily. Take a sock or two to stick into the R100 port to try that sound hack. (The grill is just velcro'd on.) And, since it's not under warranty, adding some internal lining can help, permanently. I don't know if your R60 has any internal lining. You might want to check beforehand for comparison's sake.

That's all I can think of for now! Good luck.

 

[TooMuchStuff]

So… got a question that I couldn’t find the answer for anywhere else:
I have a ART tubeMP mic pre/DI, and since it sounds great with other string instruments I thought trying it between the bass and the amp (the 15 has a single instrument I/p and the aux i/p).
Thoughts? Will it fry the amp? Is it worth the hassle? Thanks!

Update:
Success! I was fiddling with the Rumble15 for a while, trying to get the most of it, but I guess I got used to the sound of the 12” Mark Bass our band’s bass player uses also heard lots of Ampegs over the years… so I got the ART TubeMP between my “P bass style” and the little Rumble and it does the job! Full volume on the bass, noon on the ART gain, 9 o’clock on the output, amp volume 9-10 o’clock , and eq flat (just a little more on the mid), resulting a lively and full sound, easily controlled with tone and volume knobs on the bass. Can’t see myself need anything more in the upcoming years, just try to get better with my playing

 

[G-Dog]

Update:
Success! I was fiddling with the Rumble15 for a while, trying to get the most of it, but I guess I got used to the sound of the 12” Mark Bass our band’s bass player uses also heard lots of Ampegs over the years… so I got the ART TubeMP between my “P bass style” and the little Rumble and it does the job! Full volume on the bass, noon on the ART gain, 9 o’clock on the output, amp volume 9-10 o’clock , and eq flat (just a little more on the mid), resulting a lively and full sound, easily controlled with tone and volume knobs on the bass. Can’t see myself need anything more in the upcoming years, just try to get better with my playing

Yeah, Too, that's how to get what you want from all the unapologetically inexpensive value line Rumbles, especially the beginner models! But also, all the way up to the super-powerful 800s!! You can pay a whole lot more to get fancier hardware pedigrees, or you can go for the sound you want at a more reasonable price. Not everyone likes the baked-in 7ender tone, but the Rumbles take pedals very well to craft "your tone".

 

[TooMuchStuff]

Yeah, Too, that's how to get what you want from all the unapologetically inexpensive value line Rumbles, especially the beginner models! But also, all the way up to the super-powerful 800s!! You can pay a whole lot more to get fancier hardware pedigrees, or you can go for the sound you want at a more reasonable price. Not everyone likes the baked-in 7ender tone, but the Rumbles take pedals very well to craft "your tone".

Thanks @G-Dog ! I think that in my case it’s the combination of a cheap beginner bass and the size of the 15, plus me being a newbie… Still have way to go until I’ll upgrade any of the two . Had tons of fun playing yesterday, you can ask my neighbours

 

[waynobass]

I played through the house amp, a Rumble 200, last night and was blown away by the light weight and the volume. The master volume was on 3, the gain on 1, my bass on 5, and it was thunderous! Now I want one of my own...

 

[G-Dog]

I played through the house amp, a Rumble 200, last night and was blown away by the light weight and the volume. The master volume was on 3, the gain on 1, my bass on 5, and it was thunderous! Now I want one of my own...

Many Rumble converts have come by that path, way. Welcome.

Compare models, specs and features in the Rumble 4-100-200-500 manual to be sure it's the 200 you want. Many here use the 500, or even the flexible 800, for big & small venues. Then, too, a 100 (or two!) does the trick for a surprisingly lot of Rumblers. The 100 is a full 100 watts thru a 1x12" speaker on its own. And, though the 200 has a 15" speaker, it only puts out up to 140 watts alone; you need an 8 ohm cab connected to get the full 200.

Let us know if you have any questions!

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I recently received my 4 string funk machine...ala - a PJB. So naturally I had to crank it through my full dual Fender Rumble 100 rig...

With the Gain at about 4 and the Master Volume only on 2, I was knocking things off shelves and walls.