OK, my turn to ask a question...
I have a Rumble 200 and a Rumble 100, and I've been wondering about the difference in cabinet construction between the two. Especially the use of damping material and bracing in the various models.
Last weekend I "inadvertently" played a gig with my R100. it was a retirement party for one of our "band" members, held in a small tropical-beach-themed bar.
I (and the other band members) had been told by the "retiree" that the venue was very small, with a TINY 6x8' stage (we assumed INSIDE the bar), and we were asked not to bring all of our usual gear. I brought the R100, thinking this was the perfect opportunity to try it out at a gig.
Turned out that the "tiny stage" was actually a raised platform in the corner of a large OUTDOOR patio. We actually set up on the patio facing into a large open triple door, with the listeners INSIDE. So we were actually OUTSIDE, with plenty of setup room. I definitely would have brought the R200 If I'd known, but the R100 still got its chance... Worked fine, with no real problems, btw.
Anyway, while playing and handling the R100 I was struck by how different it sounded (and felt) from the R200. There was definitely some boxy/boomy coloration from the 100, that I hadn't really noticed when using it for the occasional low-key, moderate-level basement jams I bought it for.
When you lift and handle the 100 it really gives the impression of an empty lightweight plywood box (wonder why?). If I thump on the back and sides I hear a drum-like tone with a clear, definite musical pitch from each surface. Basically an E note (2nd fret D string) on the two sides, and a C note (3rd fret A string) on the back.
When I lift, handle and thump on the R200 it feels and sounds like it's much more solidly constructed. If I thump on the top, sides and back I get a higher-pitched "knock", like knocking on a wooden desk or windowsill. No definite pitch, and well damped.
So I've been wondering what is different about the construction of the two cabinets.
I've found lots of info, and pictures of, the internal construction of the R100 (that Wiki again...), but I've not been able to find ANY good info (on the TalkBass forums and others) about the construction of the R200 cab.
I know the R100 is an empty lightweight plywood box, with no damping.
The R200 seems to be built of the same lightweight plywood, but I would like to know the details of its "insides".
I don't want to take the speaker out of mine just to look inside. The speaker mounting screws are still good and tight, and everything is solid. Messing around taking it apart is just ASKING for trouble!
And I KNOW someone out there already knows (and has pics of?) what's IN there!
In the mean time, I laid the 200 on its back, and using a flashlight and mechanic's "mirror on a stick", tried to get a look through the ports.
I found something perplexing...
There is the expected damping material. It's a white Poly-fil type batting, about 1-1/2" thick, covering and attached to the back only. Top, back and sides bare wood, sealed at the joints like in the pics I've seen of the R100. No obvious bracing, but see below...
I was surprised to see that the batting covering the back is NOT just simply a flat piece.
The batting is folded into a large, vertical, central tube or "tunnel", about 5" in diameter, extending from the bottom surface towards the top. It looks sorta like this (a quick and dirty sketch of the amp viewed from the bottom, as if looking "through" it towards the top):
View attachment 7280340
I can't get a better look into the cab through the ports with a mirror, but I'm wondering what, if anything, is inside that tunnel of batting!
The batting is glued to the back, and to the bottom where it's in contact with the wood. I don't want to tear it loose just to solve the mystery!
So, is there a vertical brace in there from top to bottom, or is the tunnel supposed to serve as a sort of sound baffle?
My inquiring mind wants to know!
The only picture I can find of the inside of a R200 is from a TalkBass post regarding turning a used empty R200 cabinet into an extension cab.
It shows some sort of black, plastick-y flat lining (?), not white, and there is no "tunnel" or brace. There IS some sort of cubic-shaped "object" sitting on the bottom where the tunnel would be located, but doesn't look like anything I would expect to inhabit a bass cabinet.
(What the heck is it?). Here's the pic:
View attachment 7280343
Anyway, my question is, does anyone know more about how the R200 cabinet is constructed? I don't think I see anything in mine that would explain why the R200 seems so much more solid and damped than the R100! Unless there's one heck of a brace in that tunnel!
Just hoping there are no TROLLS in there...
Sounded great. He praised it when paired with his 15" or 4x10" cabs. (not needed for this club gig)
