Fender Rumble Club

[G-Dog]

I saw a video showing how to setup a Rumble combo for an external amp. That video was for either a one or two speaker cab (don't recall which). Does anyone have a video or detailed instructions for a 500c? With 2 speakers and a horn, I don't want to screw up anything. Thanks

Would you please explain what kind of setup you're talking about? (A link to the video would help.)​

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A. There's the easy way of plugging the FX Send/Preamp Out/(whatever it's called) to the Rumble's FX Return. This bypasses the Rumble's pre-amp and sends the external amp's pre-amp signal to the Rumble's power amp. The Rumble control settings don't matter since they are bypassed. Just use an instrument cable.​

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2. There's a little more complicated way of plugginng the FX Send/Preamp Out/(whatever it's called) to the Rumble's input! This sends the external amp's pre-amp signal to the Rumble's pre-amp, so you will need to reduce the GAIN on the Rumble. And re-amping the signal this way will allow you to use the Rumble's preamp controls. You may want to start with the Rumble EQ set to true flat at 10, 2, 2, 10 and adjust as needed from there. Just use an instrument cable.​

​

§. Then, there are ways to separate the Rumble's amp and speaker(s) to use the speaker(s) with an external amp. This is a major warranty-voiding modification that should only be be untaken by experienced craftsmen.​

 

[Stealth57]

Would you please explain what kind of setup you're talking about? (A link to the video would help.)​

​

A. There's the easy way of plugging the FX Send/Preamp Out/(whatever it's called) to the Rumble's FX Return. This bypasses the Rumble's pre-amp and sends the external amp's pre-amp signal to the Rumble's power amp. The Rumble control settings don't matter since they are bypassed. Just use an instrument cable.​

​

2. There's a little more complicated way of plugginng the FX Send/Preamp Out/(whatever it's called) to the Rumble's input! This sends the external amp's pre-amp signal to the Rumble's pre-amp, so you will need to reduce the GAIN on the Rumble. And re-amping the signal this way will allow you to use the Rumble's preamp controls. You may want to start with the Rumble EQ set to true flat at 10, 2, 2, 10 and adjust as needed from there. Just use an instrument cable.​

​

§. Then, there are ways to separate the Rumble's amp and speaker(s) to use the speaker(s) with an external amp. This is a major warranty-voiding modification that should only be be untaken by experienced craftsmen.​

Maybe it wasn't a video, it was the third item you listed. That link shows a 100 (single speaker) adding a separate jack for an external amp. In my case, I have a 500c and would like to do the same thing, but I'm a bit nervous since it has 3 speakers. I have the skill set to do rewiring, but I really would like a schematic or instructions so I don't miss something.

 

[toughluck]

Silly question for poor folks like me. Can I manually copy a present tone in a Rumble Studio to an ordinary Rumble? Sorry if this is a stupid question. It's just that there are tones in the Studio that when I try it at GC it that blows me away. I have an R500 and I don't want to buy another amp. Thank you!

Edit: I meant Rumble Stage settings to Rumble Studio.

Rumble Stage to Rumble Studio, you can download the Fender tone app and you can then download the setups from one Rumble and push them on the other.

As for Stage to 500 non-digital, you need to be wary that the speakers are different — 800 (Stage or standard) use neodymium speakers while the 500 uses ceramic speakers.
With that in mind, you can still get a very close sound approximation by starting off with a basic Rumble V3 on the Stage, setting up the controls as you like and then noting the positions of all knobs and the bright/contour/vintage setting.

But as you add effects and cab simulations, you're leaving the territory of what you can reasonably achieve on a non-Stage version of the amp.

 

[G-Dog]

DISCLAIMER: This discussion of Rumble Stage & Studio modeling actually belongs in our Droopy_TX Preset Experience. But, due to its reference to "an ordinary Rumble", it is posted here for the benefit of "ordinary Rumble" users.​

... ... ... Can I manually copy a present tone in a Rumble Studio to an ordinary Rumble? Sorry if this is a stupid question. It's just that there are tones in the Studio that when I try it at GC it that blows me away. I have an R500 and I don't want to buy another amp. Thank you!

Edit: I meant Rumble Stage settings to Rumble Studio.

First of all, both the Stage & Studio come standard with the exact same set of 100 preset tones on both. Whatever preset you like on one of them is the exact same preset on the other, unless they have been modified by someone. #1 on one equals #1 on the other, so on thru 100, with the only difference being the power amp and speakers.​

​

Second of all some Rumble Stage & Studio presets are based on non-Rumble amps that may be impossible for "ordinary Rumbles" to emulate. And, many presets include pedal modeling effects that aren't available on "ordinary Rumbles", either! But, if the Stage or Studio preset you like IS based on a Rumble amp, you might be able to manually dial in a similar tone if it doesn't include any pedal modeling effects.​

​

See the Rumble Stage & Studio sub-thread on the Rumble Wiki for links to spreadsheet listings of all the Stage & Studio parameters. You can lookup the name or number of the preset tone you like and see if it uses a Rumble amp and no pedals to be able to copy it's settings to an "ordinary Rumble".​

You are correct. I edited my post. But yeah, basically copying the settings in the Rumble Stage and manually dialling those in on a Rumble Studio. GC is quite a trip for me so I thought of asking first in here if anybody has done that.

Hmmm, ... well, you could print out the detailed parameter listing of the Stage & Studio Presets to take with you to GC. Then, when you find a tone you like, you can check it s parameters against the spreadsheet to see if it has been modified from the stock preset in the spreadsheet.​

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Questions? I hope this helps.​

 

[G-Dog]

Maybe it wasn't a video, it was the third item you listed. That link shows a 100 (single speaker) adding a separate jack for an external amp. In my case, I have a 500c and would like to do the same thing, but I'm a bit nervous since it has 3 speakers. I have the skill set to do rewiring, but I really would like a schematic or instructions so I don't miss something.

Here's the best instructions I've found.

 

[G-Dog]

Rumble Stage to Rumble Studio, you can download the Fender tone app and you can then download the setups from one Rumble and push them on the other.

As for Stage to 500 non-digital, you need to be wary that the speakers are different — 800 (Stage or standard) use neodymium speakers while the 500 uses ceramic speakers.
With that in mind, you can still get a very close sound approximation by starting off with a basic Rumble V3 on the Stage, setting up the controls as you like and then noting the positions of all knobs and the bright/contour/vintage setting.

But as you add effects and cab simulations, you're leaving the territory of what you can reasonably achieve on a non-Stage version of the amp.

Not quite right, toughie. The non-modeling Rumble 800 combo is the only V3 Rumble with neo speakers. (There's also the Rumble V2 2x8" and 1x12" neo cabs.)

The Rumble Stage 800 has the exact same ceramic ferrite speakers as the Rumble 500 combo and Rumble 210 cab! They even added black cosmetics to some Rumble 210 cabs, though still electronically identical to the silver-grilled 210s, to match the Stage 800 combo!! I was very excited to read that and expected 7ender to re-rate the 210 cab to 400W, but no-oOo!! They still, to this day, advertise the Rumble 210 cab at "just" 350W when, clearly, they confidently believe it can handle the 400W from the Stage 800 combo!?! Go, figure.

 

[toughluck]

Not quite right, toughie. The non-modeling Rumble 800 combo is the only V3 Rumble with neo speakers. (There's also the Rumble V2 2x8" and 1x12" neo cabs.)

The Rumble Stage 800 has the exact same ceramic ferrite speakers as the Rumble 500 combo and Rumble 210 cab! They even added black cosmetics to some Rumble 210 cabs, though still electronically identical to the silver-grilled 210s, to match the Stage 800 combo!! I was very excited to read that and expected 7ender to re-rate the 210 cab to 400W, but no-oOo!! They still, to this day, advertise the Rumble 210 cab at "just" 350W when, clearly, they confidently believe it can handle the 400W from the Stage 800 combo!?! Go, figure.

Oh, wow. You're right!

Last I looked at the specs at Thomann, I recalled the 210 cab weighed ~20 kg and the 800 Stage weighed around 17 kg, which was around the same I remembered for non-digital 800, and I can't remember the weight of the 500 now.

I'm looking at the specs now and they may have been updated,
Stage 800 (210): 17.7 kg
800 (210): 14.5 kg
500 (210): 16.56 kg
200 (115): 15.65 kg
210 cab (silver): 17.7 kg
210 cab (black): 20 kg
115 cab: 17.7 kg

I assumed that the 20 kg of the black 210 cab is the correct weight also for the silver model, and that it's probably ceramic, so if the Stage 800 weighs less with the amp, it must be neodymium. It made total sense, so I didn't question it and I just went with that assumption.

Thanks for correcting me!

 

[G-Dog]

Oh, wow. You're right!
... ... ...
210 cab (silver): 17.7 kg
210 cab (black): 20 kg
... ... ...
I assumed that the 20 kg of the black 210 cab is the correct weight also for the silver model, and that it's probably ceramic, so if the Stage 800 weighs less with the amp, it must be neodymium. It made total sense, so I didn't question it and I just went with that assumption.

Thanks for correcting me!

It's easy to get caught up in specification details, especially when seeing seemingly conflicting info.

Usually, the people looking for amp or cab covers get hung up over the Fender Rumble offerings that fit the 200/500/800 combos, but some spec.s show a combo height if 23 inches and some show 23.7 inches. Measuring my own 500 I determined that they sometimes include the 0.7 inch rubber feet and sometimes they don't! Problem solved.

A couple of robust discussions here finally decided the greater weight if the 210 cab over the 200/500/800 combos is due to the very heavy side handles! I can go with that.

But, I cannot, for the life of me, imagine a reason for the silver 210 cab weighing 2.3 kg less than the black 210 cab. I've not seen that difference anywhere but the Thomann website, and I really doubt a 44 lb. black 210 cab. So, since most other websites consistently show both color cabs weighing 39 lb.s (17.7 kg), then that's the measurement I accept. Do I hear rebuttal?

 

[GonePlaid]

It's easy to get caught up in specification details, especially when seeing seemingly conflicting info.

Usually, the people looking for amp or cab covers get hung up over the Fender Rumble offerings that fit the 200/500/800 combos, but some spec.s show a combo height if 23 inches and some show 23.7 inches. Measuring my own 500 I determined that they sometimes include the 0.7 inch rubber feet and sometimes they don't! Problem solved.

A couple of robust discussions here finally decided the greater weight if the 210 cab over the 200/500/800 combos is due to the very heavy side handles! I can go with that.

But, I cannot, for the life of me, imagine a reason for the silver 210 cab weighing 2.3 kg less than the black 210 cab. I've not seen that difference anywhere but the Thomann website, and I really doubt a 44 lb. black 210 cab. So, since most other websites consistently show both color cabs weighing 39 lb.s (17.7 kg), then that's the measurement I accept. Do I hear rebuttal?

No.
Or possibly "yes" later.
Or not.

 

[ph0rk]

Has anyone gone from a 100 (v3) to an 800 combo (non-stage)? If so how would you characterize the differences aside from the obvious (~7 lbs heaver, much louder). I live in the mountainous nowhere so it's a 3-4 hour drive just to hear something in a Guitar Circus which is not exactly an ideal audition scenario.


Use case are some small private home jams with a standard issue drummer and some open air things at a low volume. The 100 is working barely for this use case, and it can feel oddly boomy at times. I do use a lot of dirt, and sometimes use a low B 5er or D standard tuned bass. I suppose I could just order the r800c to see but I figured this is the place to ask. Both the R100 and 800c seem to be a slightly newer revision of the line, as both have the pre/post DI switch, hence the question about those two specific models.

 

[toughluck]

But, I cannot, for the life of me, imagine a reason for the silver 210 cab weighing 2.3 kg less than the black 210 cab. I've not seen that difference anywhere but the Thomann website, and I really doubt a 44 lb. black 210 cab. So, since most other websites consistently show both color cabs weighing 39 lb.s (17.7 kg), then that's the measurement I accept. Do I hear rebuttal?

Black front is the equivalent of go-faster stripes or racing red color. In case of bass, it means it goes lower. If it goes lower, it has to be heavier. Case closed.

 

[SharpCat]

Black front is the equivalent of go-faster stripes or racing red color. In case of bass, it means it goes lower. If it goes lower, it has to be heavier. Case closed.

I believe.

 

[G-Dog]

Has anyone gone from a 100 (v3) to an 800 combo (non-stage)? If so how would you characterize the differences aside from the obvious (~7 lbs heaver, much louder). I live in the mountainous nowhere so it's a 3-4 hour drive just to hear something in a Guitar Circus which is not exactly an ideal audition scenario.

Use case are some small private home jams with a standard issue drummer and some open air things at a low volume. The 100 is working barely for this use case, and it can feel oddly boomy at times. I do use a lot of dirt, and sometimes use a low B 5er or D standard tuned bass. I suppose I could just order the r800c to see but I figured this is the place to ask. Both the R100 and 800c seem to be a slightly newer revision of the line, as both have the pre/post DI switch, hence the question about those two specific models.

0rky d0rky, ph0rkie! @ph0rk, you are now member #1902 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.

Since the Rumble 800 combo has a 1/4 Output switch that will bring it down to 100W, which you're already familiar with! Many 100 users would just add another 100 connected via FX Send to FX Return to double their power. But getting the 800 will really be the ultimate Rumble combo!!

So, 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 since we have all kinds here. But we all love to ... ... ...

Rumble On!​

 

[ph0rk]

Well, I feel a bit like an outsider on Summerisle, but here we go:

I've been playing bass badly since the 90s in various punk and rock ish sorts of bands, but oddly enough other than the first year or two with a keyboard amp (a Fender also, as it happened, a KXR-100 with a 15") I was a sansamp only player until maybe a year ago (most of those bands had a PA and often used a drum machine). About a year ago I figured I'd never actually tried an amp that was designed for bass guitar and maybe I should - so I picked up a 100 v3.

(I suppose I technically had a v2 100 for a week back in 2008 or 9, but it was too loud for my paper-walled apartment and I returned it. Not sure if that counts.)

I am a pedal junkie but so far I find the rumble preamp handles them pretty well; the newer (I guess?) 100 with the pre/post DI even sounds pretty great when used that way through my monitors. A lot more neutral than a sansamp, as it happens, but of course the amp itself gets to rehearsal volume much more easily than the monitors do.

I apparently have one of the alternate parts 100c's with the DI switch where I can set it to post preamp mode; which I assume is what people want out of a DI from an amp like this most of the time. The speaker simulation sounds pretty good, too, and I use a lot of dirt so it was painfully obvious the first time I tried it with the switch in the pre position. Not sure when they updated it, but apparently there is a manual addendum that mentions that some units were built with a 4ohm speaker and a different amplifier unit, and these models have a pre/post switch - I clearly have one of those. No idea how the 4 ohm speaker may perform differently. There was no indication of this when I bought it until I got it out of the box.

I really like these modern combos; lightweight and easy to live with. If I get another, I can see using this one to play around with a dirt only amp in a bi-amp setup.

 

[GonePlaid]

Black front is the equivalent of go-faster stripes or racing red color. In case of bass, it means it goes lower. If it goes lower, it has to be heavier. Case closed.

Case closed:

Case open:

 

[G-Dog]

Well, I feel a bit like an outsider on Summerisle, but here we go: ... ... ...

No need, sph0rkie, we're all a bit outside of something. We're bass players, after all! We hold the groove while everyone else goes crazy. ​

​

... ... ... I've been playing bass badly since the 90s in various punk and rock ish sorts of bands, but oddly enough other than the first year or two with a keyboard amp (a Fender also, as it happened, a KXR-100 with a 15") I was a sansamp only player until maybe a year ago (most of those bands had a PA and often used a drum machine). About a year ago I figured I'd never actually tried an amp that was designed for bass guitar and maybe I should - so I picked up a 100 v3. ... ... ...

Good on ya! The Rumbles are the most cost effective, good sounding, true bass amps out there. And the 100 is a great place to start, before adding a second 100 or a 200, 500 or even a 800! ​

... ... ... (I suppose I technically had a v2 100 for a week back in 2008 or 9, but it was too loud for my paper-walled apartment and I returned it. Not sure if that counts.) ... ... ...

Yeah, that counts as part of your Rumble journey. Did it have red pulsing lights in the port along the bottom of the front? I love those Rumble V1 100s!! The V2s lost the red lights and came out in 2010 with either a 75 or a 150, but no 100s. Rumble history. ​

... ... ... I am a pedal junkie but so far I find the rumble preamp handles them pretty well; the newer (I guess?) 100 with the pre/post DI even sounds pretty great when used that way through my monitors. A lot more neutral than a sansamp, as it happens, but of course the amp itself gets to rehearsal volume much more easily than the monitors do.

I apparently have one of the alternate parts 100c's with the DI switch where I can set it to post preamp mode; which I assume is what people want out of a DI from an amp like this most of the time. The speaker simulation sounds pretty good, too, and I use a lot of dirt so it was painfully obvious the first time I tried it with the switch in the pre position. Not sure when they updated it, but apparently there is a manual addendum that mentions that some units were built with a 4ohm speaker and a different amplifier unit, and these models have a pre/post switch - I clearly have one of those. No idea how the 4 ohm speaker may perform differently. There was no indication of this when I bought it until I got it out of the box.

I really like these modern combos; lightweight and easy to live with. If I get another, I can see using this one to play around with a dirt only amp in a bi-amp setup.

Yeah, you got it! You're now totally one of us. ... one of us. ... one of us. ​

 

[henryjurstin13]

Anyone running preamps into the return of your Rumble? I tried my VT Bass & VT-DI pedals into my 800c, and didn't really like the results.... but, I just tried this Sushi Box Slampegg that I took on trade, and it sounded pretty awesome!!!! Made me wonder how many others are successfully/happily running preamp pedals into the power section of their Rumbles.

I've been very curious about the SGT-DI, but I've yet to try one yet....

Sushi Box!
[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[Stealth57]

Anyone running preamps into the return of your Rumble? I tried my VT Bass & VT-DI pedals into my 800c, and didn't really like the results.... but, I just tried this Sushi Box Slampegg that I took on trade, and it sounded pretty awesome!!!! Made me wonder how many others are successfully/happily running preamp pedals into the power section of their Rumbles.

I've been very curious about the SGT-DI, but I've yet to try one yet....

Sushi Box!
[This invalid link has been removed]

Can't say I was impressed with the Ampeg SGT-DI into my 500c return. I love the sound of that box DI into recording and other cabs.

 

[ph0rk]

Yeah, that counts as part of your Rumble journey. Did it have red pulsing lights in the port along the bottom of the front?

Perhaps it was a v1; 100 really sticks in the mind and it being a 15" also seems right, the logo rings a bell, too. No overdrive makes sense, too, because I've have spent a week or more just messing around with that.

It was a fine amp, just not in that apartment, unfortunately.

Anyone running preamps into the return of your Rumble?

I've tried a BDDI v2 and a darkglass b7k v2; the darkglass I keep using but the Sansamp was doing too much tone shaping to my ear. I think I could have ended up with a sound out of it I liked into the effect return, but that felt a bit like putting a hat on a hat (and once dialed in I'd never turn it off).

I use the b7k really as just a stopbox, in front of the rumble, last in the chain. Worth noting the b7k v2 (non-ultra) has no cab simulation of any kind, so that might be why it sound more right.

 

[Keitor]

Anyone running preamps into the return of your Rumble? I tried my VT Bass & VT-DI pedals into my 800c, and didn't really like the results.... but, I just tried this Sushi Box Slampegg that I took on trade, and it sounded pretty awesome!!!! Made me wonder how many others are successfully/happily running preamp pedals into the power section of their Rumbles.

I've been very curious about the SGT-DI, but I've yet to try one yet....

Sushi Box!
[This invalid link has been removed]

I tested my Aguilar TH on the effects loop and I didn't like the result. Now I'm going straight into my 200c Rumble input but with the eq on "true-flat" settings.

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