You have good ears and sound judgement, my brother!
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I think it is a very popular tone for European players, but it just isn't my cup of tea. No, wait, this is America, that would be cup of coffee.
...about the ampeg/rumble comparison: Prior to trying them side by side I was biased towards the ampeg--as that old svt tube sound was what I was seeking.
The rumble sounds much closer to that classic tube than the ampeg combo.
The rumble sounds much closer to that classic tube than the ampeg combo.
Absolutely---as I said before--I am a sax player learning to play bass--in fact my first concert as a band's full time bassist is tonight (I will still play the sax on certain parts of songs--I swing the bass behind my back!). But, I have played sax with many great bassists since the 70's....those 8x10 ampeg fridges where it! I know the sound as it became a part of me when I blew sax solo's in many bands. I really want to return that feeling to the band I am in. I think the Rumble captures it without breaking my back! That sound reverberates through my mind---I felt like it made me a better sax player.....
Oh yeah. I spent years standing in front of a V4B with the 8x10. They were Altec Lansings at the time and it was the best amp I ever had. I had bought an SVT, but found that it was too much for clubs in the early 70s, so went down to the V4B. It was never not enough and always sounded exactly like I think a bass should sound.
Sax players amaze me. Two of my brothers play sax. I can't get my head around all those buttons. Not smart enough to play sax, I guess. I was a trombone guy when I first started out.
Naw... the opposite is true. I have always been amazed by bass players! Bass Players that can keep a solid groove endlessly, tirelessly and relentlessly are awesome to me. Sax players come in and are more like hired guns---you do your business and get out. I love playing sax--but, I am having more fun playing bass right now. Funny thing--my wife is struggling with it because I am a known sax man and it is bothering her that I am spending so much time on this band with the bass. I say it is expanding my mind.
I think I was born to play bass. Trombone was fun in school, tried guitar for a while, didn't get that interested, played keyboards, but got sort of bored with it, when I tried bass, it was like, okay, this is me. That was 1963.
I tried a Markbass combo too when I choosed my Rumble. And while I was impressed by the volume this small 12" speaker could put out, I didn't dig the tone that much.
The Rumble sounded more lively to my ears.
Unfortunately I will not be able to play it with my band before a good ten 10 days, due to canceled rehearsals... I'm a bit frustrated you know and I'm afraid my combo becomes mad at me if I don't push it more quickly
Yeah man....I always promised myself I would play bass one day....that dream got lost for a while....but, I live it tonight!
I am suppossed to be serious and head bang tonight----but, I know I will be wearing a huge grin like a mule eating briars. Bwahahahahahahaha Rumble on.
I used to dread playing gigs in clubs built on piers, because the ground was often dependent on the tide. Sound check at 5PM would be perfect, take the stage at 9PM and everything is humming.
Good luck. Now, watch the faces of your bandmates when you set up, then watch them again when you start playing.
Rumble Forth, Good Brother, Rumble Forth!
Okay... I know there is a lot of rumble love around here, but this might be taking it a little too far.
After owning combo's & stacks that weighed the same as a washing machines & fridge freezers, I'm loving the lighter weight of the Rumble combo
Rumble update. I live in rural setting, closest house is a couple hundred yards away.
The Fender footswitch was back-ordered for months, but finally arrived - really liking that. Brings the juice when I want it, though I like the OD and leave it on the majority of the time. The R40 is in the living room (where I practice), and it gets almost all of the play time. I turned it up to 12 o'clock last week (usually on 9 when I practice), and my buddy who was loading up firewood 250 yards away could hear it (thought I had the stereo turned up, but no, that was me on Bass). Can't really push it past 12 because things start shaking - that little thing gets louder than I expected.
No way I was going to crank up the R500/410 in my small house, but I had a guest out over the weekend and finally had an excuse to take the rig outside. Loved the sound and volume. My brother was in his deer stand over a quarter mile away and said he heard it quite well, and I never cranked it past 12. Wanted to use AuxIn to listen to a ball game, but couldn't find a single portable radio that worked (need to address that deficiency!).
No problems, and liking both of them very much - Rumble on!...
The Fender footswitch was back-ordered for months, but finally arrived - really liking that. Brings the juice when I want it, though I like the OD and leave it on the majority of the time. The R40 is in the living room (where I practice), and it gets almost all of the play time. I turned it up to 12 o'clock last week (usually on 9 when I practice), and my buddy who was loading up firewood 250 yards away could hear it (thought I had the stereo turned up, but no, that was me on Bass). Can't really push it past 12 because things start shaking - that little thing gets louder than I expected.
No way I was going to crank up the R500/410 in my small house, but I had a guest out over the weekend and finally had an excuse to take the rig outside. Loved the sound and volume. My brother was in his deer stand over a quarter mile away and said he heard it quite well, and I never cranked it past 12. Wanted to use AuxIn to listen to a ball game, but couldn't find a single portable radio that worked (need to address that deficiency!).
No problems, and liking both of them very much - Rumble on!...
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Welcome to the Fender Rumble Club, StrangerDanger!
You are member #519 
That's the rig I lust after. drool
Rumbles Rule!
And the best is left for last. Make sure they see how long it takes you to tear down!! Unless you have tons of stuff, it can be done in one or two easy trips.
