I have a Rumble 200 combo with a 112 extension cab. I've not compared it to a 210 or 115 extension cab but the 112 does sound pretty sweet and the cabs are the same, looks killer. The 112 does have just a slighty different feel but it's not horribly noticeable when they are stacked and cranked. I have to agree, the 115 is probably the perfect match tone wise, but I opted for the 112, slightly smaller & lighter, matches nicely and sounds great. I've notice nothing odd in the sound due to different drivers, and if Fender is calling it a good pair, I'm willing to believe them. Ultimately, I think whatever way you go, you'll be happy.
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I have a Rumble 200 combo with a 112 extension cab. I've not compared it to a 210 or 115 extension cab but the 112 does sound pretty sweet and the cabs are the same, looks killer. The 112 does have just a slighty different feel but it's not horribly noticeable when they are stacked and cranked. I have to agree, the 115 is probably the perfect match tone wise, but I opted for the 112, slightly smaller & lighter, matches nicely and sounds great. I've notice nothing odd in the sound due to different drivers, and if Fender is calling it a good pair, I'm willing to believe them. Ultimately, I think whatever way you go, you'll be happy.
No problem to speak of. The 200 combo replaced a 200h with 410 cab. I've never played a gig where that setup wasn't enough, including an outdoor gig at a military base on a stage that was essentially made by the same company that makes cheap metal bleachers you'd see at parades. I know I still have the power to cover such a scenario, but I think the loss of speaker surface would hold me back in such a situation. No band or gigs at the moment, so the extra cab will come after the bass upgrade. I just like to be ready for any situation.
When Fender designed the 112 it was meant to 'play nice' with either the 200 or 500 combos. Hence the identical footprint for stack-ability.
You're probably right about surface area - and efficiency. 410 cabs are almost always 3+dB louder due to- wait for it - coupling within itself.
Going from 410 to a single speaker offers both benefits and challenges - benefits being that with single speakers there are no more phasing issues within the cab design itself (boom or cancellation in different places around the sonic listening area that the cab covers). And IME 410 cabs are notorious for throwing their sound way the hell far out into the audience, but lousy at keeping it onstage where you want to hear it. Not being an engineer, I have no firm explanation for that, other than the way the sound from each speaker interacts with each other.
Single speakers on the other hand just give you the sound of the driver and the box. I like it a whole lot better. I can get more control over speaker placement when I use additional cabs. I dunno, in thinking about it, 410s aren't bad, just not my thing because I hate being told to turn down because I'm too loud in the audience while not being able to hear myself. And I think these days they're all voiced for the so-called "modern" sound, with a mid-cut. and BTW - boomiest cab i ever had was a GK NEO 410.
The whole coupling thing essentially means adding another cab will increase the low end and the volume. This is sonic, and separate from gains appreciated with lowering the load (ohmage) to the amp which draws more power. Overall, it's just Mo' Good.
Personally, I'd expect for you to experience some growing pains moving from 410 to single 15. but maybe not. Depends on the sound in your head. I greatly prefer my GK NEO115-III to any of the stinking rotten lousy 410s I ever had (and there were a bunch).
Yes. Here is my non-technical understanding. First you need at least two identical drivers. They can be in the same cabinet or in separate stacked cabs. The effect is that the frequency response will both broaden and smooth out. It's in effect in the Rumble 500 2x10 combo, but add the Rumble 210 and POW you double the effect plus you are moving twice as much air even at the same volume so you get twice the dispersion. Plus you get your Combo up off the floor and closer to your ears. The ultimate in coupling effect would be a Rumble 500 head on top of a pair of Rumble 410 cabinets.
In the case of the Rumble 200 1x15 combo you need another identical 15 (which just so happens to be in the Rumble 115 cab) stacked in order to get the much desired coupling effect. The 2x15 cabinet was a stalwart performer in night clubs through out the 1970's & 80's.
None of this is to be confused with decoupling your cabinets from a hollow stage floor with a sonic device such as the Auralex GRAMMA to eliminate boom and floor rumble.
Plus, if I were to get V3 Rumble rig it would the 500 head on top of a pair of 115's.
This just reminded me that the one combination I've never tried are my GK 15s with the Rumble 500 head. I'll be sure and do that next chance I get.
You almost made me not want an additional cab.
Almost.
You speak of "the much desired coupling effect". Bplaid's statement seems, to me, to take the opposite stance. I suppose it's just the nature of compromise, or maybe right for gig A but not gig B.
If I were going to get a second cabinet for my 200, I would definitely get the 115. I like 15s best and I just feel that having the same tone coming out of both is best. When you change a knob there is no compromise between two different speakers. BUT I am not one of those who is down on mixing speakers if that is what you like to do. I don't like graphs and specs and other "proofs" that things can't be done or shouldn't be done. I just know when what I hear is good. It's got nothing to do with facts.....
Don't let me dissuade you. Linnin is right. The coupling effect can be a really good thing. It usually adds substantial meat to the sound. But the caution is that it depends. I can't emphasize strongly enough that you need to hear your amp with the other cab to know if you like it or not. Also depends on your band - if you guys are loud, coupling is awesome. If not, the extra cab might be overkill.
I can't help but think we're all overtalking and overthinking this. play it and find out.
So true!
Let me just add, that in a studio setting you will EQ your tone to suit the combined bass/amp/driver for the most ear pleasing sound that will be mic'd. No 'coupling effect' needed nor wanted. The same thing can be said for simple straight forward personal practice.
In a live band situation it is so much more complicated. Now you EQ your bass/amp/cabinet(s) to the room and more importantly to the band mix. This is where the coupling effect can be magic. The psychoacoustics that come into play are critical. This is also where a Gestaltist approach is most beneficial. Some things just aren't logical, and psychoacoustics is one of them. The sum total of the whole may be more or less than the sum of its parts and the coupling effect is evidence thereof. The logical Western scientific mindset finds this most disconcerting. 1+1 must always equal 2, and can never be three, yet with 'coupling effect' it is!
It is also much easier to EQ for a single woofer type & size. Take the Rumble 200 for instance with a single bodacious Eminence 15. Now put it on top of a Rumble 115 (that is loaded with the exact same Eminence 15" woofer) and plug it in. You don't need to change anything.
Toss mixed drivers into situation, and now you have to re-EQ and also compromise. Do you EQ for the 10's, or the 15, or somewhere in between? Now your Gestaltist psychoacoustic equation could very easily add up to less than the sum of its parts. Sometimes mixed drivers are a good thing. It depends upon your sensibilities and tone goals. Many Rumble Club members love the Rumble 500 combo on top of a Rumble 115, and it has been reported by many as having an intensely magic tone mojo. Likewise @bdplaid calls the Rumble 500 combo on top of a Rumble 112 "absolute murder".
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" - Jesus
"A man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." - Paul Simon
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Gigged last night V3 200 Combo with classic rock band and used the overdrive for the 1st time playing out. Drive set to 0 , level maxed ,vint and brite on ,gain 0 , master at 1 quarter volume. Was just hopin to try on a few tunes and liked so much left it on all night. Seemed to cut thru better and actually add definition? Thought i was too loud but no complaints only cudos and the amazing thing is i wasnt in the board but 2 gtrs,drms,harmonica was and friend said mix was good. Lead gtr had fender super reverb and a smaller amp on top,other gtr has huge egnator (sp ? ) amp,we were all very loud and rockin/ felt especially cool on sunshine of your love and crossroads! I wanna try it tonight but its a cw band thru the board at a wedding and i dont know ,but maybe? Also i didnt use an extra cab,just set on floor behind me.
You mean you didn't at least use it as a riser to get your combo up off the floor?
No i meant i didnt even bring an extra cab but just set the rumble v3 behind me by itself , sorry . Last wk we played larger stage in country band and i used xtra cab underneath and that stage is particularly boomy but last nights stage not so. Man i love this amp!
For a boomy stage always decouple with an Auralex GRAMMA underneath your rig. They are so good. I use one all the time at home. On the rare occasions that I play out, I put my Rumble 2x 112 cabs on top of a modified solo piano bench. I raises my rig exactly 20", and decouples from the floor at the same time. No boom factor. That way I can dial in my bottom end the way I like it; well defined, tight & aggressive. No Boom. No Mud. No Sludge.
You can add me to the club. My Rumble 500 is simply awesome. Sure puts a smile on my face. I can't imagine needing an ext. cab. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to test it out sometime.
Welcome to the Fender Rumble Club, hideawayblues!
You are member #498 
Rumble On! I have a question concerning the grill/cloth cover on the v3's. I know I've seen one member who had a tiedye cover on his, and I have a few ideas I might use to customize mine. Not something I've ever done. Would you just pin the material to the existing screen? Make a new frame for it?
