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Fender Rumble Club

I have wanted to get something smaller and more portable for some time now. I recently was able to pick up Rumble 100 V3 at a steal off Craigslist. A guy was moving and desperately needed to sell it. I was trying to find a Rumble 200, but once he dropped the price down to $100, I had to get it!! Mint condition too. Not a scratch on it. The first time I tried it at home, it sounded quite boomy. I figured it could be the room. I later tried it in my band's rehearsal space (also difficult room acoustics), and at a small gig. The room for the small gig was the worst. I had to turn the bass knob all the way down, and it still was too boomy. If I muted a note, there were some serious sub bass overhang still vibrating things. Since then I have been looking for ways to remedy this.

I did a quick search and found that TBer #steve_rolfeca was having similar issues with his Rumble 100, and liked the mods he did to his. I also searched for vaious cab bracing methods. BillFitzmaurice recommends dowel rods bracing cab walls against each other, whereas Greenboy (and many others) favor using rib style bracing. I decided to combine aspects of both. I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I used some scraps I had left over from putting in new hardwood floors in my house. They are 3/8" 7 ply prefinished Hickory wood. Very light and strong. Each one functions as a rib (for the top, bottom, and sides), and doubles as a brace from the back to the front baffle. I figured this would save on weight and function well.

This is how the inside of the cab looks after taking the speaker out
Here is after istalling the braces.

I haven't had a chance to try it yet. I am also considering some kind of foam treatment, and possibly plugging the ports, but I want to try one mod at a time so I can distinguish what each mod is doing for the sound.

Another thing I was considering is using a 4ohm speaker or modding it to include an ext cab jack. Does anyone know if the amp in the 100 V3 is stable down to 4ohms?? I assume that if it is, that would take it to approximately 150 watts. running an 8 ohm 12" ext cab would probably be great on one of these. Please let me know if anyone on here has tried either one.

I give an update on the bracing once I've tested this
 
Another thing I was considering is using a 4ohm speaker or modding it to include an ext cab jack. Does anyone know if the amp in the 100 V3 is stable down to 4ohms?? I assume that if it is, that would take it to approximately 150 watts. running an 8 ohm 12" ext cab would probably be great on one of these. Please let me know if anyone on here has tried either one.
Not that I know of. All I do know is that the Rumble 100 is a totally in house Fender designed D-class power section, and designed to run at 8 ohms only. You can take your chances on 4 ohms if you like.
 
Curious if any of you have tried a VT Bass DI through your Rumble 500, or any DI pedals for that matter. I'm only using a Boss CS-3 into it right now, but the different tones you can get out of the Tech 21 stuff is interesting to me especially with the Blend control. I mainly play passive basses through the Rumble.
 
I have wanted to get something smaller and more portable for some time now. I recently was able to pick up Rumble 100 V3 at a steal off Craigslist. A guy was moving and desperately needed to sell it. I was trying to find a Rumble 200, but once he dropped the price down to $100, I had to get it!! Mint condition too. Not a scratch on it. The first time I tried it at home, it sounded quite boomy. I figured it could be the room. I later tried it in my band's rehearsal space (also difficult room acoustics), and at a small gig. The room for the small gig was the worst. I had to turn the bass knob all the way down, and it still was too boomy. If I muted a note, there were some serious sub bass overhang still vibrating things. Since then I have been looking for ways to remedy this.

I did a quick search and found that TBer #steve_rolfeca was having similar issues with his Rumble 100, and liked the mods he did to his. I also searched for vaious cab bracing methods. BillFitzmaurice recommends dowel rods bracing cab walls against each other, whereas Greenboy (and many others) favor using rib style bracing. I decided to combine aspects of both. I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I used some scraps I had left over from putting in new hardwood floors in my house. They are 3/8" 7 ply prefinished Hickory wood. Very light and strong. Each one functions as a rib (for the top, bottom, and sides), and doubles as a brace from the back to the front baffle. I figured this would save on weight and function well.

This is how the inside of the cab looks after taking the speaker out
Here is after istalling the braces.

I haven't had a chance to try it yet. I am also considering some kind of foam treatment, and possibly plugging the ports, but I want to try one mod at a time so I can distinguish what each mod is doing for the sound.

Another thing I was considering is using a 4ohm speaker or modding it to include an ext cab jack. Does anyone know if the amp in the 100 V3 is stable down to 4ohms?? I assume that if it is, that would take it to approximately 150 watts. running an 8 ohm 12" ext cab would probably be great on one of these. Please let me know if anyone on here has tried either one.

I give an update on the bracing once I've tested this

Great deal on that 100! I thought when I got a 40 for 80.00 I got a great deal, but you beat me! Let us know how the bracing helps out. Another thing that may help is high pass filter like the fdeck. It may help dial out some of the boomy lows that are bothersome.
 
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So was looking to buy the Rumble 115 combo and had it in my cart at zzounds and got a notice tonight that the price changed, from $399.99 to $449.99. I see that GC raised the price to. That sucks!
That just goes to show you how popular Fender Rumbles have become. It gives F.M.I.C. pricing power. First the Rumble 500 combo up by $50 and now the Rumble 200 combo.

Just checked Fender.com and they have raised the price of the Rumble 500 combo another $50 to $600. Pricing of the Rumble 500 & 200 heads remain the same at $400 & $300 respectively. Speaker cabinet pricing also remains unchanged.
 
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I have wanted to get something smaller and more portable for some time now. I recently was able to pick up Rumble 100 V3 at a steal off Craigslist. A guy was moving and desperately needed to sell it. I was trying to find a Rumble 200, but once he dropped the price down to $100, I had to get it!! Mint condition too. Not a scratch on it. The first time I tried it at home, it sounded quite boomy. I figured it could be the room. I later tried it in my band's rehearsal space (also difficult room acoustics), and at a small gig. The room for the small gig was the worst. I had to turn the bass knob all the way down, and it still was too boomy. If I muted a note, there were some serious sub bass overhang still vibrating things. Since then I have been looking for ways to remedy this.

I did a quick search and found that TBer #steve_rolfeca was having similar issues with his Rumble 100, and liked the mods he did to his. I also searched for vaious cab bracing methods. BillFitzmaurice recommends dowel rods bracing cab walls against each other, whereas Greenboy (and many others) favor using rib style bracing. I decided to combine aspects of both. I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I used some scraps I had left over from putting in new hardwood floors in my house. They are 3/8" 7 ply prefinished Hickory wood. Very light and strong. Each one functions as a rib (for the top, bottom, and sides), and doubles as a brace from the back to the front baffle. I figured this would save on weight and function well.

This is how the inside of the cab looks after taking the speaker out
Here is after istalling the braces.

I haven't had a chance to try it yet. I am also considering some kind of foam treatment, and possibly plugging the ports, but I want to try one mod at a time so I can distinguish what each mod is doing for the sound.

Another thing I was considering is using a 4ohm speaker or modding it to include an ext cab jack. Does anyone know if the amp in the 100 V3 is stable down to 4ohms?? I assume that if it is, that would take it to approximately 150 watts. running an 8 ohm 12" ext cab would probably be great on one of these. Please let me know if anyone on here has tried either one.

I give an update on the bracing once I've tested this
Stupid question but did you disengage the "vintage" switch? I've found that my 100 can get a bit boomy with it engaged.
 
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1stnamebassist, thanks for the suggestion. I have been intrigued by the Fdeck for some time now, even for my other amps. I would imagine in a band setting, it could also help things sit better in the mix. Do you use and Fdeck?

Cowboy, I did make sure the vintage switch was off. thanks. IMHO the vintage switch add more low/mid bass fatness, not the offending sub bass frequencies I have been experiencing. At the small gig, I actually got the best results with the vintage button engaged, and the bass knob rolled completely off. I hope there is nothing wrong with my combo in particular. It could be a little of the instrument. I was using my Am Std jazz that has SD quarter pounders in it. However at home, I tried it with my G&L LB-100 and there was similar overhang.

Otherwise I really love the combo. It sounds really nice with my MTD artist. With the active preamp I can dial it in pretty nicely. It has good power and the light weight is awesome. I like the looks of it too! Stay tuned, Ill let everyone know how the bracing worked out. So far, it's a subtle but nice improvement, but I want to do more testing and try sealing the ports.
 
Just checked Fender.com and they have raised the price of the Rumble 500 combo another $50 to $600. Pricing of the Rumble 500 & 200 heads remain the same at $400 & $300 respectively. Speaker cabinet pricing also remains unchanged.
Cab prices remain unchanged for how long ???
I guess I got my 500 Combo and 115 just in the nick of time. I've had the Rumble 100 for several months and even @ the $299 back then, I thought I was getting a great deal.
I get why these are popular (obviously why I bought more) and increasing the price is Fender's business. The higher price will put some folks off when considering a cab, combo or amp but what do I care, I got mine already. You snooze, you loose or at the very least, pay more for the same.
 
That just goes to show you how popular Fender Rumbles have become. It gives F.M.I.C. pricing power. First the Rumble 500 combo up by $50 and now the Rumble 200 combo.

Just checked Fender.com and they have raised the price of the Rumble 500 combo another $50 to $600. Pricing of the Rumble 500 & 200 heads remain the same at $400 & $300 respectively. Speaker cabinet pricing also remains unchanged.
The more reason to buy a Rumble as fast as you can before prices go up again ;)
 
Curious if any of you have tried a VT Bass DI through your Rumble 500, or any DI pedals for that matter. I'm only using a Boss CS-3 into it right now, but the different tones you can get out of the Tech 21 stuff is interesting to me especially with the Blend control. I mainly play passive basses through the Rumble.
Yes. I use the VT Deluxe with my Rumbles. Sounds amazing. All my basses are active, which I only mention because you say you play passive. I do not see how this would make any difference with the way that the VT pedals sound.
 
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1stnamebassist, thanks for the suggestion. I have been intrigued by the Fdeck for some time now, even for my other amps. I would imagine in a band setting, it could also help things sit better in the mix. Do you use and Fdeck?
I have the fdeck 2 which I only use with my Ubass with a piezo pickup. Most folks go with the fdeck 3 for electric bass. When I actually have a chance I'll plug in my Pbass and fdeck and see what kind of effect it has on my Rumble 40. I find that amp is pretty deep even with the vintage switch off. I'm off work tomorrow, so maybe I can get it done.
 

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