Which model did you choose? I ask because I am still undecided on the 200 or 500. I keep bouncing back and forth.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
i am of the "Tim Allen" camp, more is better.. you can always dial it back, but you can't dial it up to where it needs to be at times..
because I am old and of the old tube school, pushing an amp hard can bring along a certain tone charm that can't be obtained any other way. If you have too many watts you can't do that as it is just too damn loud or your speakers are about to bite the big one.
Many solid state bass amps sound like utter doo-doo when pushed hard. Fortunately for us Fender folks this is not the case, and our solid state Rumbles act very tube like in this respect. We can thank Fender's Principal Engineer Dave Lewis for that bit of electronic magic.
I pushed my Rumble 350 + twin Rumble 112 Neos hard once. Once. The drummer had a BIG grin on his face and the singer looked at me like I was crazy. The G-Wanker was wanking away on some cheap Ibanez into a very poorly configured 100 watt Line 6 + 412 cab. Well, I had had more than enough of his nonsense, and turned up and blew him out the back door and into the dog lot where he belonged. Fortunately my tweeters were off, as that was the only time I heard those 12's protest a bit. I packed up and left after that. No, they didn't call, and neither did I. 
I haven't really pushed my 500 hard yet, but it doesn't matter - it sounds mighty sweet as it is.
I'm leaning to the 500. Just because this will hopefully be the last amp I need for a long long time, hopefully ever. It would cover everything I ever do and then some. Especially with an added cab.
Last edited:
They're both pretty loud. With an extension cab, I'm sure the 200 will cover most gigging situations, so it may come down to whether you prefer 10"s or 15"s. There are several people here of both persuasions, and there is something to be said for both. But whatever you choose, you may rest assured that you will sound great.
I love my 500. I, also, have never been in a situation where it isn't enough. First gig I used it on, and that was before I got the 2x10 extension, was semi outdoors and rated for 800 people. I was playing with 2 guitars and a very loud drummer. I was asked to turn down because I was too loud.
Put a Rumble 210 under it and take it outside. Point it toward Denmark and crank that Rumble up! Don't blame me if you cause an international incident.
I just ran across this. It was from an outdoor gig with 3 guitars and drums. Playing my AM J with the 500, no extension, no FOH. My wife recorded it from across the street.
My neighbors are gone, so I've got my Rumble 200 cranked at high noon on both Gain and Master. Using my latest subtractive EQ setting. '76 Precision and three year old GHS Precision Flats well saturated with Music Nomad String Fuel. I've got more music mojo than my neighborhood can stand. Saw people looking out of their doors a few blocks away. Perhaps a mid morning nip of bourbon is in order. 
As I haven't got a 210, I might have to settle for a national incident, but I'm cool with that.
I played many gigs and recorded three albums with my '76 Precision and '79 Fender Studio Bass amp from 1979 until I was forced to sell it in 2005.
Always better with bourbon and a good cigar!As I haven't got a 210, I might have to settle for a national incident, but I'm cool with that.
I'm not a smoker, and I'm a single malt kind of guy, but I applaud the sentiment.
With both bands I play in there are two guitars. One has a loud drummer, one not as loud. It would be cool to know that it would easily handle both. I like both 10's and 15's so that part is not a big deal. Lately, I've had only 15's. I sold my old 410 because it was too hard to carry around. This is why these amps are so awesome. Light, powerful and sound is second to none.
