• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender Rumble Club

#7,761
bdplaid said:
Under-voltage causes the most ******** problems in equipment. One place I played had a reputation of being haunted (I swear) because of crazy stuff the equipment did. I measured the voltage and it was not only low, but fluctuated. I bought a power conditioner that i keep in the car for just such occasions. NOTE: this is not a power conditioner that is like in an outlet strip... it's a heavy-duty transformer affair that has the capability to increase voltage when the input is low. They ain't cheap, but they don't break the bank either. cheap protection for the gear, though.

Note that many of the clubs all of us play have electrical systems wired by morons, to include the owner himself, or by a buddy, or old uncle earl who's just out of the slammer and needs money. No grounds, mixed up polarity, I've even seen power coming in on the ground wire. It's good to check, because my guess is that more than half the time the electrical work in a club wasn't done by a guy with a license.
Click to expand...
More truth than a lot of people might realize. If the wiring is fine, how come I get shocked off the mic when I plug into the other outlet on stage, but not this one??????? Bar owners dumb answer: "I checked the wires myself and I know it's right. You are the only one that happens to." Blew my amp, my pedal, and one other guys PA system!!!! Club wiring is very often sketchy, to put it mildly. I am glad the newer equipment protects itself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdplaid
#7,762
I used to have a jazz bass that had a welding scar on one of the tuners: How it happened:
I was getting shocked so badly I put a windsock on the mic. Later in the night, I bent over to move the set list, and the bass tuner (metal) touched the mic. When that happened, sparks shot off the mic/tuner, it blew out all the lights in the whole club, a woman screamed. It should be noted that the club owner's name was Elmo. Honestly, you can't make this stuff up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TitaniumRx, lowsideonacurve, crucislancer and 3 others
#7,764
bdplaid said:
I bought a power conditioner that i keep in the car for just such occasions. NOTE: this is not a power conditioner that is like in an outlet strip... it's a heavy-duty transformer affair that has the capability to increase voltage when the input is low. They ain't cheap, but they don't break the bank either. cheap protection for the gear, though.
Click to expand...

@bdplaid, what brand/model power conditioner did you get? I have ran into similar issues at some of the older places we've played and have thought about purchasing one as well.
 
#7,765
Tomorrow I test my 500c out on a concert gig. Been practicing with the band in a warehouse space this week without running to PA--it is freaking loud. Our band is only 3 pieces--drums, guitar/vox and bass/sax--but still--it is really loud. Probably won't need to run to FOH tomorrow--will give a report on how it works out. They take a lot of pics at this venue--so maybe I can post a pic up tomorrow--or when I can get a pic from them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregT, Linnin, BassGreaser and 1 other person
#7,767
I posted this in the amps forum, but this is probably a better place. And, as a happy owner of a new Rumble, please make me a Rumble Club member.

I used an Ampeg SVT with the 8x10, or two 1x15 JBL E140s for many years. I think it's the best bass amp ever made. It's semi retired now (like me), and my main rig is a SVT 3 PRO and BSE 410HLF cab. I play bar gigs in a blues band, and I love this rig. But, that 4x10 must weigh close to 100 lbs, and I've been wanting to try a combo. I got the Rumble 500 combo and the 2x10 ext cab based on the reviews I've been reading here on the forum.

I took my new Rumble 500 and the 2x10 ext cab to a bar gig last Saturday. I put them side by side. My main player is a Fender Aerodyne Jazz. I was able to quickly dial in a nice fat tone. This thing puts out a huge, punchy, sound. I unplugged the ext cab, and played half the night without it. I really didn't need it for this gig, but I think it will be nice to have, and it brings out the amp's full potential. I wanted to try stacking the cabs, but I didn't get around to it. It's been many years since I used an amp without tubes. The "vintage" tone button seems to add some warmth and bit of compression.

It's amazing that a 36.5 lb combo can put out this kind of sound. The 2x10 is actually noticeably heavier than the combo, which is kind of strange. The guys in my band use vintage Fender amps, and the Rumble's looks fit right it.

If this thing is reliable, I think I'm going to be very happy with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gravedigger Dav, RedVee, GregT and 2 others
#7,768
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
  • Like
Reactions: 4Banger4 and GregT
#7,770
RSNG said:
I posted this in the amps forum, but this is probably a better place. And, as a happy owner of a new Rumble, please make me a Rumble Club member.

I used an Ampeg SVT with the 8x10, or two 1x15 JBL E140s for many years. I think it's the best bass amp ever made. It's semi retired now (like me), and my main rig is a SVT 3 PRO and BSE 410HLF cab. I play bar gigs in a blues band, and I love this rig. But, that 4x10 must weigh close to 100 lbs, and I've been wanting to try a combo. I got the Rumble 500 combo and the 2x10 ext cab based on the reviews I've been reading here on the forum.

I took my new Rumble 500 and the 2x10 ext cab to a bar gig last Saturday. I put them side by side. My main player is a Fender Aerodyne Jazz. I was able to quickly dial in a nice fat tone. This thing puts out a huge, punchy, sound. I unplugged the ext cab, and played half the night without it. I really didn't need it for this gig, but I think it will be nice to have, and it brings out the amp's full potential. I wanted to try stacking the cabs, but I didn't get around to it. It's been many years since I used an amp without tubes. The "vintage" tone button seems to add some warmth and bit of compression.

It's amazing that a 36.5 lb combo can put out this kind of sound. The 2x10 is actually noticeably heavier than the combo, which is kind of strange. The guys in my band use vintage Fender amps, and the Rumble's looks fit right it.

If this thing is reliable, I think I'm going to be very happy with it.
Click to expand...
Great review! I am also happy with the weight. But I wouldn't be happy without great tone. My 200 is my go-to amp for now. It replaced a 60+ pound Ampeg Combo. I might end up in the V3 500 Rumble camp someday also. So many people just rave about them.
 
#7,771
i found that my Rumble 500 V3 driving an EA wizzy 12 (4 ohm) or my modded EA VL210 (8ohm) brought the tones and volume i have needed for 99% of the gigs this summer (50+ gigs and counting plus rehearsals) so much so that my large head (Mesa titan V12) sat at home!
originally purchased as a budget amp, to back up the Mesa, it served so well it was a no brainer to bring this head instead of the Titan.
more than enough headroom, tone is really good, and worked well with a wide variety of cabinets and rooms.
EA Wizzy 12, EA VL 210, Mesa Pre Deisel EV loaded 115 (8 ohm), EA CX310 (5.3 ohm) , SWR 210 (8 ohm)......

worked well with all surprisingly well.

I have ordered a Mesa Subway D800 and 112. The Rumble is going nowhere!

it will just become my backup head :) or if i'm feeling like going with a stereo rig -- it will be the other 1/2 on the opposite side of the stage :D

Fender Rumble V3 500 -----this value priced head has impressed me! and i'm a proud owner.
I like it nearly as much as the GK mb800 i had for a while (smaller lighter a wee bit more power / headroom and volume)

the pushbutton "character" section is nice for use the "vintage" setting is where mine is set often, and works nicely for removing "boom" from a hollow stage when disengaged.

the flat eq setting (with vintage engaged) is the go-to default for me---- frigging great head for the $$
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregT
#7,772
So it's been a few weeks and I have to say that the Rumble 500 simply outperforms my expectations of it! I play in a loud prog/rock/blues/jam band with a loud guitar player and loud drummer and this setup did the trick! I could make do with the combo alone but I like the extra beef and clarity the MB Randy Jackson 15 adds. The Rumble actualy ran the RJ 15 louder than the Mark III did in the pic! I tried all combinations with these cabs and amps and the Rumble 500 is killin it! The Mark III is actually the guitar player's so I'll let him do what he will with it ;) Still would like to get the Rumble 210 ext cab someday. The dang footprint of the 500 is too wide to sit on the Randy Jackson, but running them side by side at angle gives me my own little Corner of Doom! :D Oh and the added foot switch has made several of my pedals unnecesary, love that drive channel!
2Aw8Wm3l.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Linnin, GregT and Steadfast
#7,773
jbassbrown said:
:D Oh and the added foot switch has made several of my pedals unnecesary, love that drive channel!
Click to expand...

I bought my 500c from the local big box music store. They sold it so it would equal $549 after tax--and they threw in the nice pedal for free. (the $30 0ne)
So, don't be afraid to ask for deals--they have to compete with the internet and can sometimes do better. The footswitch is awesome!


Ohhh--just notice the cat scratching post of DOOM in the background. Metal and cats---Yeah baby!!!!! lol


(just kidding--I have dogs and cats---besides that's gotta be the guitarist's scratching post....lol)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jbassbrown
#7,774
Steadfast said:
I bought my 500c from the local big box music store. They sold it so it would equal $549 after tax--and they threw in the nice pedal for free. (the $30 0ne)
So, don't be afraid to ask for deals--they have to compete with the internet and can sometimes do better. The footswitch is awesome!


Ohhh--just notice the cat scratching post of DOOM in the background. Metal and cats---Yeah baby!!!!! lol


(just kidding--I have dogs and cats---besides that's gotta be the guitarist's scratching post....lol)
Click to expand...

Lol! Yeah GC actually sent me a $20 gift coupon in the mail, I'm asuming for buying the Rumble from them, so I went back and bought the footswitch (the $20 one) in the picture. I like free stuff!

Yeah, The Cat Tower of DOOM really ties the jam room together, man! It's actually the drummers cat, the thing is a wild vicious animal, that I actually fear for my life when it is around. It's got serval or bengal in it I think. (Is there a cat forum on Talkbass I wonder?)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Steadfast
#7,777
My friend took my v3 200 combo for small music presentation. There are 2 Marshall 100 watt guitar amps, hartke keyboard amp and Yamaha digital drum amp.
This rumble sound good and loud enough in mix with both gain and volume at 1 o'clock without vintage button engaged.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back