Fender Rumble Club

[Linnin]

Do any fellow Rumblers use the Gain cranked all the way all the time? I like the compression (that I think it's adding) and the color it adds to the tone.

Yes, sometimes. Check out the setting called 'Dime Time' in the Rumble Tone Pool. The overdrive has it's own internal compression circuit, so you are an astute observer @Scatabrain. The Vintage voicing also has its own compressor. And the Delta-Comp Limiter is between the pre and power amp stages for seamless real time dynamic compression.

 

[basslust]

I unfortunately can't find a good use for the drive at any setting. I play around with it sometimes and find something that sounds good, and then invariably I play it later with the drive off and like it even more. I even have played cover sets where the original songs definitely used distortion (Joy Division, for example), but when playing live, it doesn't feel right until I click the distortion off. YMMV of course, and good for the people who can make it work, but it's just not for me.

Edit -- For the record, it's not just the Rumble drive, but every drive I've tried that I've had this issue with

 

[Linnin]

For the record, it's not just the Rumble drive, but every drive I've tried that I've had this issue with

I hear ya! This aint cheap, but it holds promise for a truly great overdrive:

Electro-Harmonix Operation Overlord Allied Overdrive Pedal

 

[Guitarsrmine]

Do any fellow Rumblers use the Gain cranked all the way all the time? I like the compression (that I think it's adding) and the color it adds to the tone. EQ usually, 1 o'clock on bass and low mid and cut a little high. Then I pretty much just use the tone on my bass for options and the overdrive on/off. (p bass btw with rumble 15" cab)

I actually do gig with the "Gain" up full-tightens it up, and seems to be a cleaner tone for my tastes!

 

[Guitarsrmine]

I unfortunately can't find a good use for the drive at any setting. I play around with it sometimes and find something that sounds good, and then invariably I play it later with the drive off and like it even more. I even have played cover sets where the original songs definitely used distortion (Joy Division, for example), but when playing live, it doesn't feel right until I click the distortion off. YMMV of course, and good for the people who can make it work, but it's just not for me.

Edit -- For the record, it's not just the Rumble drive, but every drive I've tried that I've had this issue with

I have no desire to play distorted bass-I'm a bass player and I want a bass guitar sound, clean,fat and punchy!! But to each his own!

 

[Guitarsrmine]

I actually do gig with the "Gain" up full-tightens it up, and seems to be a cleaner tone for my tastes!

My settings are-gain up full-"Vintage" button engaged-the 4 controls for the EQ are set at 9, 1, 2, and 12( as if you were looking at a clock) and I play a Squier Jazz bass, usually both pickups on full, with the tone control adjusted as needed-no pedals-straight into the amp-which, is the Rumble V3 200, with the matching Rumble V3 2x10" cabinet!

 

[Guitarsrmine]

My settings are-gain up full-"Vintage" button engaged-the 4 controls for the EQ are set at 9, 1, 2, and 12( as if you were looking at a clock) and I play a Squier Jazz bass, usually both pickups on full, with the tone control adjusted as needed-no pedals-straight into the amp-which, is the Rumble V3 200, with the matching Rumble V3 2x10" cabinet!

And The Master volume I set usually to 9 o'clock-dependance in The size of The Venus......

 

[Guitarsrmine]

And The Master volume I set usually to 9 o'clock-dependance in The size of The Venus......

VENUE!!!!

 

[Linnin]

I actually do gig with the "Gain" up full-tightens it up, and seems to be a cleaner tone for my tastes!

I do the exact opposite, and use little or no gain for the best tone & cleanest sound quality.

 

[Linnin]

The size of The Venus......

VENUE!!!!

Sometimes it is the size of the Venus that matters most.

 

[Steadfast]

I do the exact opposite, and use little or no gain for the best tone & cleanest sound quality.

...and while not playing the amp doesn't hiss.

I play a lot at church---the hiss can be noticed --unlike in a noisy club.

 

[FirewalZ]

I typically set the gain at 3-4 for passive Fenders and nearly off for my active EBMM, than adjust the Master as needed. Ill have to try it with the gain turned up to noon or so and see if I can hear a difference.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

My settings are-gain up full-"Vintage" button engaged-the 4 controls for the EQ are set at 9, 1, 2, and 12( as if you were looking at a clock) and I play a Squier Jazz bass, usually both pickups on full, with the tone control adjusted as needed-no pedals-straight into the amp-which, is the Rumble V3 200, with the matching Rumble V3 2x10" cabinet!

FYI, when you play both pickups full open on a Jazz, they tend to cancel each other out. Try backing off your bridge pickup about 20%.

 

[Steadfast]

I typically set the gain at 3-4 for passive Fenders and nearly off for my active EBMM, than adjust the Master as needed. Ill have to try it with the gain turned up to noon or so and see if I can hear a difference.

Agree--with my EBMM Bongo--gain almost totally off. Otherwise--it just sounds gross.

 

[Aahzz]

I keep my Gain set at noon, and like it there. I'm in a louder, harder-edged rock band, and I play a PJ with a *gasp* pick to get the attack I want - I want my tone big, bold, and thundery, and that's exactly what I get with this rig. Gain at noon, Bright and Vintage both engaged, Bass at 10 o'clock, Low Mids at noon, High Mids and Treble at 1 o'clock.

 

[Linnin]

FYI, when you play both pickups full open on a Jazz, the tend to cancel each other out. Try backing off your bridge pickup about 20%.

^^^True Dat!^^^ The pickups fight for dominance, backing off one or the other gives you instantly better sound.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

^^^True Dat!^^^ The pickups fight for dominance, backing off one or the other gives you instantly better sound.

I had to learn this the hard way. I bought my first J in 2009 and didn't think much about how Js sound. Someone gave me this tip and it opened a whole new world of possibilities.

 

[Indiedog]

FYI, when you play both pickups full open on a Jazz, they tend to cancel each other out. Try backing off your bridge pickup about 20%.

Wow. That seems, um, like a design flaw.

Do other brands/types of basses do this?

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Wow. That seems, um, like a design flaw.

Do other brands/types of basses do this?

I don't know if they all do, but I think they do. I believe it is an electronics thing. I know it also happens on my G&L SB-2T which is a P/J. Maybe someone else will have a better answer.

 

[Indiedog]

I don't know if they all do, but I think they do. I believe it is an electronics thing. I know it also happens on my G&L SB-2T which is a P/J. Maybe someone else will have a better answer.

Fascinating. I will check my basses.