Fender Rumble Club

[SharpCat]

I’m fond of the silver grill/black tolex. No changes for me.

 

[Deleted member 268085]

I’m fond of the silver grill/black tolex.

I may be in the minority, but I prefer the black grill cloth on my Studio 40 to the silver cloth on my former 40 and 200. That said, I still have a warm spot in my heart for @MadJack 's wheat-colored grill cloth. It reminds me of my first amp, a late '64 Bassman bought used in '67. My gigmobile at the time was a '64 VW Beetle. Lots of fun getting the cab in the back seat.

 

[G-Dog]

Step 2: Cut and Install New Grill Cloth (Top and Bottom)

Check the orientation of the grill frame and the cloth. You will want at least two inches of additional cloth on all four sides. This is to fold over the frame and staple it in place on the back. The excess will be cut away.

In my picture I have a remnant of grill cloth from a previous grill, that is a little too oversized. I am just going to cut it off squared to the rest of the roll.

View attachment 7399073

Note the two holes in the larger triangle on the top left. Those are the screw holes for the logo. That is the front/outside of the frame.

Tips: The orange shears are my fabric only shears, to preserve the cutting edges. I'll be using my JT-21 small staple gun, as it's easier to handle doing this work. 1/4" staples will work, but I'm using the 3/8" staples for slightly more security. The 1/2" staples don't always penetrate enough without leaving some of the staple above the fabric.


Place the grill cloth, face down, on a sturdy, flat, smooth surface. Center and place the frame, face down, over the grill cloth. Align the edge with one of the lines on the grill cloth.

Tip: count the number of lines on each side and get as close to the same number of line on each side, will aid in centering it on the cloth.

Now is where the grip strength and coordination will come in. You may want to have a helper with steady hands to help, but these step can be done.

Working from the top of the frame and making sure the frame stays square on the cloth, bend the fabric over the frame and staple it with one staple, approximately in the center (teal rectangle). Keep the staple closer to the outer edge of the frame.

View attachment 7399135

Place the staplegun on the work surface, close at hand. Holding the frame down on the fabric, pull the fabric to one side, keeping the fabric taut top to bottom, around the frame and lined up. Don't pull too hard, as you may distort and unravel the fabric. I keep one of the brown lines parallel to the edge of the frame for reference. Place a staple one, about half an inch (+/- 1/8 inch) the same side you are pulling.

Repeat this on the other side of the center staple.

You now have three staples to hold the fabric a little more secure, you can start pulling the fabric a bit tighter as you work. I continue a couple staples on a side at a time , working to about one and a half to two inches from the end. (Staples in teal rectangle. Squared edge under the red line, parallel to brown line on fabric.)

View attachment 7399146

Turn the frame and cloth around (or go to the other side of the table). Pull the fabric as tight as reasonably possible, towards the bottom of the frame. Do this watching the line on the fabric to ensure you are staying squared up on the frame. Depending on how tight the fabric is at the top, the fabric may taper in slightly at the bottom. Just ensure the taper is even. Staple in the approximate middle of the frame.

Continue working from the center out, the same as you did for the top, stopping about one and half to two inches from the ends.

View attachment 7399168

Next up, the sides, corners and trimming.

To Be Continued.​

Step 4: Staple Sides And Forming And Stapling The Corners.

Pulling the fabric tight at the top and bottom, get a reference on the vertical lines and how they line up on the frame. These lines should be even top and bottom. (If not, you will need to look over the top and bottom and see where the lines go off. This my require pulling the staples and re-stapling it straight.) Now follow the line to the center of that side. Press the fabric flush to the frame and pull/work the fabric around until the line you referenced is in the same position on that side center. Staple it in place.

Repeat this procedure on the other sidelining up the stripes on the frame. This is going to require pulling the fabric from the other side tighter. Staple it in place.

Flip the frame over and check that when pulled tight, the fabric lines up top to bottom on each side.

To the back again, work the fabric next to one of the side staples, so the fabric is lined up and place a staple there (approximately 1/2 inch +/- from other staple).

Now go to the other side, on the same orientation (top to top or bottom to bottom)pull the fabric tight and align the lines as before and staple it in place.

On that same side, go to the other side of the center staple and repeat the procedure, lining up the fabric. Repeat the side to side/top or bottom procedure again. You are essentially working in a circular pattern lining up and tightening the fabric as you go. Be sure to check the alignment on the front as you go.

View attachment 7399234

Following the numbers, line and arrows, you should see the pattern. (Those who've worked in the automotive world will know the circular pattern.)

Continue this patter until you get to the one and a half to two inches from the corner. Now we start working one side to side, then a top or bottom to other top or bottom. Next side to side then other top or bottom, but now staple approximately a quarter inch from the previous staple. We will be closing in on the corners, while keeping the lines even.

Now for the fun part. Getting in tight on the corners.

The final couple staple for the corners will be done by the corner. We need to place a staple about 1/4 to 3/8 inch from where the fabric would fold in and meet. Do this on each side of the corner. The last staple on each side of the corner is going to be diagonally to reinforce the last staple and help form the corner.

View attachment 7399259

Once you have both sides of the corner secured as shown, press the corner down flat, making the wedge as shown and staple, as in the picture below. (I ran out of 3/8" JT-21 staples and started using my T-50 full size staple gun with5/8" staples. Doesn't hurt anything, just a little more difficult to handle.)

View attachment 7399267

The grill cloth is installed. It is likely a little looser than anyone may like on the front, but that will be dealt with later.

Step 5: Trimming The Grill Cloth

Approaching the corner folds at a diagonal, clip it from the outside inward.

View attachment 7399272

Repeat from the other side, meeting close to the middle.

View attachment 7399273

From above , like these photos, use the tip of the shears and clip the center section.

View attachment 7399274

Cutting out from the middle of that corner, start cutting down the length of a side (or top/bottom), about a 1/4' in from the edge of the frame.

View attachment 7399278

Continue cutting like this around all four sides and remove the excess/fall off cloth.

View attachment 7399287

We're nearly done. It gets easier from here.

One last continuation!​

I seem to be missing Step 3.?!

 

[ratdoc]

I seem to be missing Step 3.?!

Maybe that was the beer break...

 

[MadJack]

I seem to be missing Step 3.?!

Maybe that was the beer break...

Actually that is where I fed the cats.

Tonight I will be imbuing the special beverages.


Unfortunately it's been over 12 hours, I can't edit it now.

 

[SharpCat]

Actually that is where I fed the cats.

Tonight I will be imbuing the special beverages.

Can I get in on the beverages rather than getting fed?

 

[G-Dog]

Actually that is where I fed the cats.

Tonight I will be imbuing the special beverages.


Unfortunately it's been over 12 hours, I can't edit it now.

Ok, then! There 'tis.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I’m fond of the silver grill/black tolex. No changes for me.

Mine has the ivory tolex and I'll eventually replace the silver grill cloth with burgundy that I bought.

 

[Lluis_99]

I've been thinking of getting a Rumble but I can't decide between the 500 and the 800. The price is pretty similar. Which do you think is more worth it? Thanks!

 

[G-Dog]

I've been thinking of getting a Rumble but I can't decide between the 500 and the 800. The price is pretty similar. Which do you think is more worth it? Thanks!

I've got a perfectly functional 12-year-old Rumble 500 combo already. It was a real bargain when I got it. But now I'd go for the Rumble 800 combo. The feature differences make the price difference totally worth it! Just my 2¢.

Be sure and come back here and tell us which one you got, and get your free Club membership!

 

[SharpCat]

I've been thinking of getting a Rumble but I can't decide between the 500 and the 800. The price is pretty similar. Which do you think is more worth it? Thanks!

I also think the features make it worth the difference.
- 800 much lighter due to neo speakers
- 400/800W compared to 350/500
- 800 supports two external cabs
- 1/4 power switch lets the 800 act like a rumble 100 for small venues or home use.

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

I run the gain as high as I can without hearing added distortion, then back off a smidge. I adjust volume for the room and situation.

I turn the gain up until it sounds “woofy” to me, then pull back just a tad. I keep the vintage button. Use master to set final volume

 

[G-Dog]

I turn the gain up until it sounds “woofy” to me, then pull back just a tad. I keep the vintage button. Use master to set final volume

Yo, Tim, where do you keep the Vintage button? On? Off? In your left hip pocket? ???

 

[John D Harris]

I've been thinking of getting a Rumble but I can't decide between the 500 and the 800. The price is pretty similar. Which do you think is more worth it? Thanks!

Try both with your bass guitar if you can, I know one guy that owned them both and preferred the 500 for gigging, just for the tone difference.

Some prefer the tone of the 800.

Between the two, I'd go with the 800 just because it is lighter and I get my tone from a modeler run into the FX Return (Two Notes Opus), but I currently own an R100c because of its weight.

 

[G-Dog]

Try both with your bass guitar if you can, I know one guy that owned them both and preferred the 500 ..., just for the tone difference.

Some prefer the tone of the 800. ... ... ....

True, dat! I've heard the R500c ceramic ferrite speakers' tone described as vintage, or "old school", darker, warmer. While the R800c neodymium speakers' tone is more often described as modern, or "more articulate", brighter, punchier. However, I believe they both have enough EQ to get them to at least come close to meeting toward the middle.

But, of course, by all means try them both, if you can, to see if you prefer one tone over the other!

 

[rodak]

I also think the features make it worth the difference.
- 800 much lighter due to neo speakers
- 400/800W compared to 350/500
- 800 supports two external cabs
- 1/4 power switch lets the 800 act like a rumble 100 for small venues or home use.

Also the 800 has switchable pre/post DI out.

 

[Brandon Shea]

Mine has the ivory tolex and I'll eventually replace the silver grill cloth with burgundy that I bought.

That's going to look cool! We'll definitely need pictures after you make the swap.

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

Yo, Tim, where do you keep the Vintage button? On? Off? In your left hip pocket? ???

I meant to say keep the vintage button on. Sorry about that

 

[Deleted member 268085]

Yo, Tim, where do you keep the Vintage button? On? Off? In your left hip pocket? ???

Is that a Rumble, or are you happy to see me?

 

[GonePlaid]

I meant to say keep the vintage button on. Sorry about that

Or "in".