I haven't tried the Rumble Heads so i can't tell you the differences. But you do need the Bassman ;-)
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I haven't tried the Rumble Heads so i can't tell you the differences. But you do need the Bassman ;-)
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
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It depends, do you prefer mind blowing, or freaking awesome sound?
At double the price of the Rumble 500 head, here's what you get in a Bassman 500:
What you give up is:
- Speakon speaker jacks.
- Dedicated tuner output.
- Admittedly objective, but a much better looking cabinet.
- Line out with Balanced XLR with Level Control, Pre/Post EQ Switch, and Ground Lift.
- And that to-die-for Fender tube preamp!
What you give up is:
- Headphone jack.
- Lightweight portability (1/3 the weight!)
The genius of the Bassman 500 works because of that cool Bang and Olufsen ICEpower class D power amp module -- the same power amp that drives the larger Rumbles. That thing has a frequency response which is as flat as you are likely to see outside of a laboratory, from DC right though 20kHz. Since the ICEpower will cleanly amplify anything you can throw at it, it all comes down to the preamp. So the engineers strive to create the tones they want with all solid state and do an outstanding job of it (the Rumble series) and then think, "Hey! Let's feed this ICEpower with a vintage tube preamp!" The results were pretty much a done deal even before they soldered up their first prototype.
Remember that when ICEpower was introduced, it went into high-end audiophile hardware. The economy of scale has given us that sweet class D goodness at a fraction of what the early adopters were paying for it.
Remember that when ICEpower was introduced, it went into high-end audiophile hardware. The economy of scale has given us that sweet class D goodness at a fraction of what the early adopters were paying for it.
Hey guys, I'm not part of the rumble club yet but I will be in the near future. In the meantime, I have a few questions about the overdrive of the Rumble 500 combo. How versatile is it? From the videos I've seen it sounds very good when used with subtle settings, but can it be cranked to achieve a more distorted tone? And how does it cope in band situations (in terms of not getting lost in the mix)? I'm struggling to find stores that have the amp to test out so your thoughts would be great!
Yeah, it can get quite distorted, caution must be used or it may rip your face off.
It's not a buzzsaw distortion, just a really burly overdrive, so if you want something more specific you may need a pedal. I usually use mine with the level at noon and the drive between 11 and 1 o'clock, depending on my mood or the song. How it sits in the mix will depend on your other settings and those of the rest of your band. I tend to boost my mids over lows and highs, and I sit really well in the mix.
Sure, just plug in as you normally would and simply use an instrument cable from the effects send of one combo into the input of the other combo and adjust volume and EQ as required. When you stack 'em up be sure to put the 200 on top or you'll never hear it.
Good question, I would say the FX return as the signal from the FX send is line level opposed to the instrument level the main input is designed for.
The signal would then pass the gain, overdrive, bright/vintage/contour and EQ sections again.
No idea if it would be bad for the combo, might create some interesting sounds though.
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Talking about that, I'm no tech, so what puzzled me is this: why are instrument input impedances crazy high, like 1MOhms for the Rumble?
As the outputs levels from (bass) guitars are very low, wouldn't the high impedance ever further reduce the input signal?
Also line level input impedances are much lower, like 10kOhm for the Rumble aux input.
BTW: the manual states a 1kOhm impedance for the FX send and 3.3kOhm for the balanced line out.
BTW2: compare the input impedance to the power output: mainly 8 or 4 Ohms.
Maybe I should take a course in (speaker)electronics...
As the outputs levels from (bass) guitars are very low, wouldn't the high impedance ever further reduce the input signal?
Also line level input impedances are much lower, like 10kOhm for the Rumble aux input.
BTW: the manual states a 1kOhm impedance for the FX send and 3.3kOhm for the balanced line out.
BTW2: compare the input impedance to the power output: mainly 8 or 4 Ohms.
Maybe I should take a course in (speaker)electronics...
Either one. If you want different EQ and effects choices the instrument input would be the way to go.
I spoke too soon, it seems. It's now on back order, so I'm looking at four more weeks' wait, at least. Bummer.
I'm looking at four more weeks' wait, at least. Bummer.
You can click on my custom-made "Dislike" button until your clicking finger is worn out.
It won't get your Rumble to you any sooner, but it keeps your bass-playing fingers limbered up!
LOL!
You can click on my custom-made "Dislike" button until your clicking finger is worn out.
It won't get your Rumble to you any sooner, but it keeps your bass-playing fingers limbered up!
I think I may be in a new band! Yea! I auditioned yesterday, and I am always amused at musician's reactions. That's a Fender Rumble?!!! Yes it is. Are those twelves?! Yes they are Eminence Neos. Man, that rig sounds good!! Yes it does
Thank You.
Rumble On! 
Thank You.
Rumble On! 
I own Rumble 200 combo, i found that how i push the Overdrive volume, the low-freq is weak than without Overdrive engage, it distort and dirty , but less some Ommp!
I wish it come with Extra Booster Button for Overdrive channel. I believe the Bassman 100T is the choice.
Just my opinion.
