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Fender Rumble Club

#9,002
Kevins1701 said:
BLACKFACE IT!

I like my Rumble 500 Combo, but it had a little cosmetic dissonance going. Fender borrows styling details from various eras of its history for these amps, but to my eye black Tolex and silver grille cloth recall the classic mid-'60s look. And the flat logo, cutout corners and cream knobs didn't hang with that. The handle also looked a little foreign. Turns out they're all easily and cheaply fixed, using genuine Fender parts, and the changes are all reversible.

The signature lipped corners to use are the "flat" ones, without the dished screw holes, Fender part #0991348000. They like one of their screws in a slightly different spot, and they're shaped for slightly thicker cabinet lumber, but I like the change. I looked at lots of pictures of '60s Fender amps to get the right orientation of the Blackface logo (#0994093000), and of course, logo placement from the factory was all over the map! The skirted 1-10 knobs (the small ones, 7/8-inch across the base, #0054419049, not the common 1-3/16 size) push right on to the Rumble pot shafts. I oriented mine with the mid-point ("5.5") straight up beneath the control label. Finally, the proper Blackface handle (#0990947000) fits right on using the original Rumble screws.

I have a set of tilt-back legs (the large, 19-inch size, #0990713000) and they will probably go on eventually. But those change the rules by requiring holes drilled in the amp sides. For now, the better integrated Blackface theme makes me smile.
Click to expand...

I like the looks of those knobs much better. To be honest, that's why I didn't get the Rumble 500 head because I didn't like the "wheel-0-Cheese" knobs. I know, I'm shallow.
 
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#9,003
Kevins1701 said:
BLACKFACE IT!

I like my Rumble 500 Combo, but it had a little cosmetic dissonance going. Fender borrows styling details from various eras of its history for these amps, but to my eye black Tolex and silver grille cloth recall the classic mid-'60s look. And the flat logo, cutout corners and cream knobs didn't hang with that. The handle also looked a little foreign. Turns out they're all easily and cheaply fixed, using genuine Fender parts, and the changes are all reversible.

The signature lipped corners to use are the "flat" ones, without the dished screw holes, Fender part #0991348000. They like one of their screws in a slightly different spot, and they're shaped for slightly thicker cabinet lumber, but I like the change. I looked at lots of pictures of '60s Fender amps to get the right orientation of the Blackface logo (#0994093000), and of course, logo placement from the factory was all over the map! The skirted 1-10 knobs (the small ones, 7/8-inch across the base, #0054419049, not the common 1-3/16 size) push right on to the Rumble pot shafts. I oriented mine with the mid-point ("5.5") straight up beneath the control label. Finally, the proper Blackface handle (#0990947000) fits right on using the original Rumble screws.

I have a set of tilt-back legs (the large, 19-inch size, #0990713000) and they will probably go on eventually. But those change the rules by requiring holes drilled in the amp sides. For now, the better integrated Blackface theme makes me smile.
Click to expand...

MUCH more professional looking! The knobs made a huge difference...it doesn't look like a toy anymore!
 
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#9,004
Kevins1701 said:
BLACKFACE IT!

I like my Rumble 500 Combo, but it had a little cosmetic dissonance going. Fender borrows styling details from various eras of its history for these amps, but to my eye black Tolex and silver grille cloth recall the classic mid-'60s look. And the flat logo, cutout corners and cream knobs didn't hang with that. The handle also looked a little foreign. Turns out they're all easily and cheaply fixed, using genuine Fender parts, and the changes are all reversible.

The signature lipped corners to use are the "flat" ones, without the dished screw holes, Fender part #0991348000. They like one of their screws in a slightly different spot, and they're shaped for slightly thicker cabinet lumber, but I like the change. I looked at lots of pictures of '60s Fender amps to get the right orientation of the Blackface logo (#0994093000), and of course, logo placement from the factory was all over the map! The skirted 1-10 knobs (the small ones, 7/8-inch across the base, #0054419049, not the common 1-3/16 size) push right on to the Rumble pot shafts. I oriented mine with the mid-point ("5.5") straight up beneath the control label. Finally, the proper Blackface handle (#0990947000) fits right on using the original Rumble screws.

I have a set of tilt-back legs (the large, 19-inch size, #0990713000) and they will probably go on eventually. But those change the rules by requiring holes drilled in the amp sides. For now, the better integrated Blackface theme makes me smile.
Click to expand...
I really like the look of your combo, I may be changing parts on my 200 combo now.
 
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#9,007
There are a ton of knobs to choose from. I like the push on Jazz Bass Volume Knobs. Invalid Link Removed
JBK1L.jpg

Invalid Link Removed
 
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#9,008
GaryLC said:
I've always asked for no logo at all, I like my covers plain. But I wouldn't worry about the logo on the back, unless you want it to be seen! Does it matter where it is, since it is just covering the cab, it's not like it's out on stage. But I agree, for the price, Larry's covers can't be beat!!!!
Click to expand...
I got an email from FedEx yesterday, informing me of an order coming from LeCover. I called Larry. He said that he can't stand having one of his covers out there that's not right. So he sent me another one free of charge. I had decided not to worry about it, but this came as a nice surprise! These are very high quality covers, they fit perfectly, the price is right, and Larry's customer service is awesome. Anyone who takes his Rumble out of the house needs one of Larry's covers!
 
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#9,009
Kevins1701 said:
BLACKFACE IT!

0074_kevins_knobs_640px.jpg
Click to expand...

Every so often, I like to archive articles I think are particularly helpful or interesting and I want to make sure they don't just drop off the internet.

I have archived Kevin's post for those reasons. Kevin was so kind to send me larger versions of the photos so there is a bit more detail. I also turned his references to specific products into links so you can click directly to Fender's site and order, if you want.

click this: Blackfacing a Rumble
 
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#9,010
Scott Truesdell said:
Every so often, I like to archive articles I think are particularly helpful or interesting and I want to make sure they don't just drop off the internet.

I have archived Kevin's post for those reasons. Kevin was so kind to send me larger versions of the photos so there is a bit more detail. I also turned his references to specific products into links so you can click directly to Fender's site and order, if you want.

click this: Blackfacing a Rumble
Click to expand...

I like that, I have the 500 and 40 may have to do both.
 
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#9,013
I like the look of the black & silver face skirted control knobs.

I did the very same mod last year to my Rumble 500 Head, here she is sitting on top of my Rumble 410 V3 Cab.

FRH500_FR410V3.JPG

Kevins1701 said:
BLACKFACE IT!

I like my Rumble 500 Combo, but it had a little cosmetic dissonance going. Fender borrows styling details from various eras of its history for these amps, but to my eye black Tolex and silver grille cloth recall the classic mid-'60s look. And the flat logo, cutout corners and cream knobs didn't hang with that. The handle also looked a little foreign. Turns out they're all easily and cheaply fixed, using genuine Fender parts, and the changes are all reversible.

The signature lipped corners to use are the "flat" ones, without the dished screw holes, Fender part #0991348000. They like one of their screws in a slightly different spot, and they're shaped for slightly thicker cabinet lumber, but I like the change. I looked at lots of pictures of '60s Fender amps to get the right orientation of the Blackface logo (#0994093000), and of course, logo placement from the factory was all over the map! The skirted 1-10 knobs (the small ones, 7/8-inch across the base, #0054419049, not the common 1-3/16 size) push right on to the Rumble pot shafts. I oriented mine with the mid-point ("5.5") straight up beneath the control label. Finally, the proper Blackface handle (#0990947000) fits right on using the original Rumble screws.

I have a set of tilt-back legs (the large, 19-inch size, #0990713000) and they will probably go on eventually. But those change the rules by requiring holes drilled in the amp sides. For now, the better integrated Blackface theme makes me smile.
Click to expand...
 
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#9,014
I'm delighted for anyone who prefers the cream knobs. And yes, from some distance and an angle, the line on the standard knobs may be easier to "read" than a number. But the skirted knobs look so much better to my eye (after all, the only eye I really worry about) that I accept that. And from Colesy's photo, I'd say the effect is even better on the head than on the combo. Well done.
 
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#9,015
Gravedigger Dav said:
the power cord is all wrong. It should be wired directly into the amp and the sheath should be cloth. And, have you checked the feet to see if they are period correct?
Click to expand...
If you really want period correct at least two of the knobs should be missing, one of the pot shafts should be bent, there should be a brown stain near the fraying tear in the grille cloth and the logo should be busted and say "Fend."
 
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#9,019
I like the numbered/skirted knobs on the head. It really looks great. The combo looks cool too; like my Deluxe Reverb.

With the combo on a dim stage, I like the stock knobs. At a glance, I can easily see where everything is set and make adjustments. I actually change settings often enough on the fly. I can get a visual of my eq pretty easily even in the dark with LED's, lasers, and strobes flashing.
 
#9,020
GregT said:
With the combo on a dim stage, I like the stock knobs. At a glance, I can easily see where everything is set and make adjustments. I actually change settings often enough on the fly. I can get a visual of my eq pretty easily even in the dark with LED's, lasers, and strobes flashing.
Click to expand...
Too me, ^^^ this ^^^ is the most important thing. I need to know my settings immediately in a single glance. High visibility/high contrast knobs are a must for me.
 
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