Fender Rumble Club

[GaryLC]

Truth be told, I spend time with my Bassman 500 hybrid head, tuning it to sound more like a Rumble set flat.

Dat tube overdrive is da bomb, though.

Scott, I've got my 500 head up for sale, since I already have the combo, and thought I'd try the Bassman 500 as my backup amp. Hmmmm.....are you saying that I should just keep the Rumble head, that the Bassman is a bit "finicky"?

 

[west al]

Scott, I've got my 500 head up for sale, since I already have the combo, and thought I'd try the Bassman 500 as my backup amp. Hmmmm.....are you saying that I should just keep the Rumble head, that the Bassman is a bit "finicky"?

I would have more trust in the Rumble 500 head. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Scott Truesdell]

Scott, I've got my 500 head up for sale, since I already have the combo, and thought I'd try the Bassman 500 as my backup amp. Hmmmm.....are you saying that I should just keep the Rumble head, that the Bassman is a bit "finicky"?

I would not say "finicky" at all -- not even one tiny bit.
"Versatile" is the word. The Bassman's tone palette includes the tones of the Rumble, then expands the possibilities in all directions.

The Rumble 200 head (or, from my experience, the amp in the Rumble 200 combo) is a result of clear thinking and engineering skill in that it sounds really really good (to my ears) set flat -- all knobs except MASTER (and the OD circuit) set at noon. I just tweak it off flat to fit a room. I get my tonal variations from the knobs on the bass or from my playing technique.

Since I got the Bassman 500 hybrid head, I have used it for 99% of my in-home use even though it is drastic over-kill for my tiny space. I take the Rumble 200 combo to play with friends if I feel like I need something more than The Rumble 40. But the Bassman 500 head is a keeper and should I play in a venue which needed the power, it would be my first choice, stacked atop a couple of 15s.

I think gagbass makes sense when he says he would trust the electronics of the Rumble 500 head (all solid state) more than the Bassman 500 (with 2 tubes.) The Bassman manual under trouble-shooting states that two out of three problems involve the pre-amp tubes. That gives one something to think about.

BUT -- I think the hardware on the Bassman is a jump in quality: better (quieter and more precise) pots, more robust switches and jacks.

 

[GaryLC]

I would not say "finicky" at all -- not even one tiny bit.
"Versatile" is the word. The Bassman's tone palette includes the tones of the Rumble, then expands the possibilities in all directions.

The Rumble 200 head (or, from my experience, the amp in the Rumble 200 combo) is a result of clear thinking and engineering skill in that it sounds really really good (to my ears) set flat -- all knobs except MASTER (and the OD circuit) set at noon. I just tweak it off flat to fit a room. I get my tonal variations from the knobs on the bass or from my playing technique.

Since I got the Bassman 500 hybrid head, I have used it for 99% of my in-home use even though it is drastic over-kill for my tiny space. I take the Rumble 200 combo to play with friends if I feel like I need something more than The Rumble 40. But the Bassman 500 head is a keeper and should I play in a venue which needed the power, it would be my first choice, stacked atop a couple of 15s.

I think gagbass makes sense when he says he would trust the electronics of the Rumble 500 head (all solid state) more than the Bassman 500 (with 2 tubes.) The Bassman manual under trouble-shooting states that two out of three problems involve the pre-amp tubes. That gives one something to think about.

BUT -- I think the hardware on the Bassman is a jump in quality: better (quieter and more precise) pots, more robust switches and jacks.

Thanks, Scott! Giving me reservations about selling my Rumble head, only to pay twice as much for the Bassman!! I agree, most of all my gigs with the Rumble 500C have me close to noon at all controls (other than gain & master). Talk about a "plug & play" amp!!!!

 

[Scott Truesdell]

Plus, I am a sucker for classic "black-face" looks.
That's a reflection of my age more than anything else.

 

[99Z3]

That would be easy to do.. just put some coal dust on your face!

Plus, I am a sucker for classic "black-face" looks.
That's a reflection of my age more than anything else.

 

[bnolsen]

Everytime I hear this song I end up singing to lyrics to David Essex "Rock On". Not that I especially like that song but this one is pretty much a blatant ripoff...

 

[BadExample]

Hey fellas (and ladies if exist), Got a link to a good Rumble cab selection guide? Or Fender cabs in general?

I'm thinking of looking for used 15"s sometime, and would like to start watching local area prices so I know what might be a good price. I didn't re-read the stickies, but don't recall anything like that stickied. Interested in learning what particular fender cabs are the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

[99Z3]

Well there was a Rumble 15 cab that sold last year here in the Classifieds for 150 bucks.. Guitar Center has a 112 for sale, claims that it is in Great Condition, to which they are asking 229.00 for it, i just recently seen a 15 for sale on CL for 175.00 for the cab.. so i would say that the reasonable range probably will diverge from 160.00 to 260.00.. what say you?

Hey fellas (and ladies if exist), Got a link to a good Rumble cab selection guide? Or Fender cabs in general?

I'm thinking of looking for used 15"s sometime, and would like to start watching local area prices so I know what might be a good price. I didn't re-read the stickies, but don't recall anything like that stickied. Interested in learning what particular fender cabs are the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

[Linnin]

Interested in learning what particular fender cabs are the good, the bad, and the ugly.

They are all good, and the Bassman Pro Neos are especially so. Just pick what you like.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[BadExample]

Using SearchTempest: Search all of Craigslist nationwide & more to search within 100 miles of ground zero (home, where most of the bad things that happen to me happen to me), not seen any 1 x 15 or 2 x 15 fender cabs yet. Some combos come and go. Other brands come and go. Gut feeling that price range is going to be close to the going rate. I base that on what other brands in working condition go for around here. Thanks for your input bro. 99!

Are there certain model numbers or anything to keep an eye peeled for?

Ouch, peeling my eye hurts. Don't try that!

@Linnin thanks. I did notice the prices are very fair on new 1 x 15's. Free shipping from sweetwater. Maybe save my peso's and just get new.

 

[BadExample]

I also wouldn't mind a restoration project if there is a particular model or year that stands out as a better sounding cab than others.

 

[99Z3]

I did the same thing.. used STempest to look for any that were for sale.. but it didn't come up with any, being that they depend on Google to bring in the results and that they admit that Google misses a lot.. and i agree. they do..

Using SearchTempest: Search all of Craigslist nationwide & more to search within 100 miles of ground zero (home, where most of the bad things that happen to me happen to me), not seen any 1 x 15 or 2 x 15 fender cabs yet. Some combos come and go. Other brands come and go. Gut feeling that price range is going to be close to the going rate. I base that on what other brands in working condition go for around here. Thanks for your input bro. 99!

Are there certain model numbers or anything to keep an eye peeled for?

Ouch, peeling my eye hurts. Don't try that!

@Linnin thanks. I did notice the prices are very fair on new 1 x 15's. Free shipping from sweetwater. Maybe save my peso's and just get new.

 

[99Z3]

i have had the NEO 410s... i don't think that they are near low end as much as the Rumble cabs are.. might be due to the magnet, but from what i have experienced is that NEO cabs don't have that weighted tone.. but they are nice and i guess you can EQ that in, the weight of the cab makes them nice.. i sold mine so i could buy the Rumble Bass and matching cabs i have.

I also wouldn't mind a restoration project if there is a particular model or year that stands out as a better sounding cab than others.

 

[Linnin]

I also wouldn't mind a restoration project if there is a particular model or year that stands out as a better sounding cab than others.

No. Stay with the new stuff. Much better designs and drivers. Just pick a size that suits your needs and go with it.

 

[Linnin]

might be due to the magnet

Much like the heated discussions on tone woods, there is the same for tone magnets: AlNiCo; Ceramic-Ferrite, and Neodymium. Take your pick! Same thing with driver sizes. At one time there were very distinct tonal and frequency differences. Today almost none. I am not a fan of 10" woofers, and never have been. I used to be a 15's only man. Today's advances in woofer design have brought new 12 inchers into the spotlight. Rumble 112's and 115's are the same price = $300. For small size/footprint and lightweight, the Rumble 112's are tops.

 

[Linnin]

Today's 'What If': What if you took a Rumble 500h + 2x115 stack, and a Bassman 500 head + 2 x Bassman Pro 115 Neo stack onto a decent sound stage. Pino Palladino sets up the tone and plays through each rig behind your back. Could you tell the difference?

 

[BadExample]

No. Stay with the new stuff. Much better designs and drivers. Just pick a size that suits your needs and go with it.

Yes sir, I'm on it! Thank you. Shoving money in the coffee can as we speak. Type. Whatever. Point is I'm saving my pesos!

 

[99Z3]

Much like the heated discussions on tone woods, there is the same for tone magnets: AlNiCo; Ceramic-Ferrite, and Neodymium. Take your pick! Same thing with driver sizes. At one time there were very distinct tonal and frequency differences. Today almost none. I am not a fan of 10" woofers, and never have been. I used to be a 15's only man. Today's advances in woofer design have brought new 12 inchers into the spotlight. Rumble 112's and 115's are the same price = $300. For small size/footprint and lightweight, the Rumble 112's are tops.

Single 12s are not my game.. i have already tried that route.. didn't work very well

 

[Linnin]

Single 12s are not my game.. i have already tried that route.. didn't work very well

They're not for everybody, just like 10's don't do it for me. The Rumble 112's are crazy good. So many have testified such especially when used under a Rumble 200 or 500 combo. Fender & Eminence have most certainly outdone themselves.