Gig report. Borrowed Rumble V3 200 combo.
I have been subbing for a friends party band, and we did a short gig (intended 4 @ 30 minute sets, only managed 2 before LEO shut us down) for a graduation party on Saturday. The BL held the gig at his place and had pretty much everything set up so I didn't need to bring my 500.
The bass rig was a Rumble V3 200 combo with no extension cab, no out to PA, PA was for vocals only. (Cheap I think
Musicians Friend house brand powered speakers blah blah...).
The 200 was shockingly similar to the 500, although yes I had to push it harder to get similar results to the 500, no shock there. Drummer was being obnoxiously loud, so I turned up, guitarist turned up to keep up, and it got stinking loud.
We were doing a lot of roadhouse blues, country, what some guys refer to as "bro country". including some Toby Keith covers. I managed to play, AND sing Red Solo Cup without too much trouble.
Tone out of the 200 was exactly what I expected. Everything was set flat as a board, none of the voicing pallet was engaged, just straight up clean through the amp, and wiggle room was done with the B3. I added a touch of chorus, and I mean just a teeny tiny touch that helped the Jazz really cut through.
It would seem that even on a 10 acre property, that LEOs can get called out for noise complaints. And apparently we were irritating the neighbors, so we only managed 2 of our 4 scheduled sets. A bit bummed on that, but hey...
I must admit, I know my 500 is overkill, but going through the 200 and the way the drummer was beating those things, I am more and more convinced the 200 is a great, perfectly giggable combo amp even without any extension cab. Toss the 115 extension cab and I bet this thing would be amazing.
So long story short. Outdoor, under an EZ Up gig, no PA support to speak of, and loud drummer, audience reports my bass was coming through no problem, and the closest neighbors being 10 acres away, we were loud enough to get a visit from law enforcement. I guess that means it must have been a real party right? (Isn't the rule it's not really a party until the cops show up?)
If you are sitting on the fence about the 200 being loud enough, don't. It is.