Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800

[SoulReflection]

Yes, I do feel lucky in that regard. Bandmates changed a bit over the journey, but have been lucky to have stayed connected with lead guitar player and drummer - we have a blast doing the power trio thing! We keep it instrumental - lots of endless jam - none of us can sing a lick! I've attempted several times, but MY brain can't handle lyrics counter to the melody, while playing bass - just does not compute. Prolly why I have SO much respect for those that can belt it out while driving the bus!

We plan on rocking til we drop! I hope you can get back into something where you live!

I will keep on trying!

 

[Diver]

No fighting...we could always flip a coin .

Once, I joined a music collective with many musicians coming in and out and this other bass player and myself became best friends. I just wanted to slap on the higher register and he was a finger style P bass, tone rolled off kinda guy that only played on the lower register. It was a lot of fun complementing each other's lines while being able to stick out of the mix individually....I am sure the two of us arguing with the guitarist about his amp volume had nothing to do with it

 

[G-Dog]

Question for you Studio 40 owners. Was looking to pull the trigger on a new LT25, however G-Dog got me rethinking this as - like him - I have a R500c and "may" enjoy chaining it through the 500. So due to connectivity, I'm thinking I may be ultimately happier with the Studio 40.

Only concern is I'm seeing alot of reviews with issues on the LCD screen going out and problems with occasional poor wifi/bluetooth performance. LCD screen not a major issue as I understand you can still use the phone app if it goes out. Have recent firmware/software updates rectified these issues?

Sorry for the delay. I've had internet problems.

beni, I've not had any trouble in the 15 months I've owned my Studio 40, using my android phone and, lately, android tablet. And, fortunately for me, the footswitch from my Fender B-DEC works just like the Rumble footswitch! But it is well worth buying the Rumble footswitch or a used B-DEC/G-DEC 4 button footswitch.

Since downplaying the LT25 to you, I've been thinking. The headphones output of the LT25 could probably be played through the input of your R500c just fine and save some $$. Even the Studio 40's Left (Mono) FX Send is fixed so low that it has to go to the input of another amp to be reinforced. Going to an FX Return doesn't give enough volume! Still, for me, I wanted the full deal of the 40 and count it well worth the extra $$ over the years I expect to use it. After all my 1st generation bass modeling B-DEC is still going strong now 14 years on!

Hope this helps. YMMV. Void where prohibited. No purchase neces... wait, what?, .... of COURSE some purchase is necessary! But we do want you to make the right decision for you, even if it's not what we would do.
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[G-Dog]

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Happy Fender Father's Day!

.​

 

[bhendrix]

Sorry for the delay. I've had internet problems.

beni, I've not had any trouble in the 15 months I've owned my Studio 40, using my android phone and, lately, android tablet. And, fortunately for me, the footswitch from my Fender B-DEC works just like the Rumble footswitch! But it is well worth buying the Rumble footswitch or a used B-DEC/G-DEC 4 button footswitch.

Since downplaying the LT25 to you, I've been thinking. The headphones output of the LT25 could probably be played through the input of your R500c just fine and save some $$. Even the Studio 40's Left (Mono) FX Send is fixed so low that it has to go to the input of another amp to be reinforced. Going to an FX Return doesn't give enough volume! Still, for me, I wanted the full deal of the 40 and count it well worth the extra $$ over the years I expect to use it. After all my 1st generation bass modeling B-DEC is still going strong now 14 years on!

Hope this helps. YMMV. Void where prohibited. No purchase neces... wait, what?, .... of COURSE some purchase is necessary! But we do want you to make the right decision for you, even if it's not what we would do.
.

Thank you G-Dog and Happy Fender Fathers Day to you! You're kinda like the Fender Father here at Talkbass! Will be making the final decision soon. I think the major difference between the S40 and LT25, is simply flexibility. Not sure 15 more watts and 2" of speaker cone will make that big a difference sonically - at least my aging ears probably couldn't tell the difference. I may be wrong, but for those of you that have compared the two, please chime in.

Another consideration is availability. Once I decide, I want to pull the trigger. Everyone from Amazon to Zzzounds is out of stock on the Studio 40. Word is most won't ship until end of July - which means August delivery. There are a few units available on Reverb - Alto Music has many good reviews. But if I'm buying new, I do prefer Sweetwater. LT25s are readily available pretty much everywhere.

 

[Gsnorgathon]

Depending on how you feel about effects, you may want to take a gander at the gtx-7 footswitch. It will give you direct control over 5 effects, as opposed to the mgt-4's three. I keep pondering picking up a gtx-7 for that reason. Going nuts with effects is part of why I bought a Studio 40!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thank you G-Dog and Happy Fender Fathers Day to you! You're kinda like the Fender Father here at Talkbass! Will be making the final decision soon. I think the major difference between the S40 and LT25, is simply flexibility. Not sure 15 more watts and 2" of speaker cone will make that big a difference sonically - at least my aging ears probably couldn't tell the difference. I may be wrong, but for those of you that have compared the two, please chime in.

Another consideration is availability. Once I decide, I want to pull the trigger. Everyone from Amazon to Zzzounds is out of stock on the Studio 40. Word is most won't ship until end of July - which means August delivery. There are a few units available on Reverb - Alto Music has many good reviews. But if I'm buying new, I do prefer Sweetwater. LT25s are readily available pretty much everywhere.

Happy Father Fender’s Say to Leo, May he Rest In Peace.

I dunno, I see G’Dog more as the older brother who talks you into sticking your fingers in a Bamboo Finger Trap and then leaves for the afternoon movies...

As for the two comparisons, and I write this NOT having tried the LT25 (though I’d like to sometime), but that 15 watt difference will not be heard if driver sizes were identical, but with the 10” speaker and a tad more power you may notice a fuller sound.

At home in the bedroom, especially if it’s small, that eight would do fine playing alone or with a boom box. The problem with that small a speaker is if you either crank the tunes or jam with a couple of buddies. Your sound will diminish immediately. It happened to me two says ago with my Ampeg BA-108 combo. I got lost in the mix playing a song through my three-piece Altec computer speakers and HAD to swap out the ‘Peg for my Stage 800. I know, from a pea shooter to howitzer, but I could hear myself!

Personally, a single 12 does nicely for home playing, but that said, I’d rather own a good-sounding ten then a meh eight. Thr problem is I don’t know how the LT25 sounds.

Too bad about the holdup on the S40. It might be worth the weight though unless you just want something just for home fun. Then I’m sure the ‘lil Fender would work fine. Better than the Micro Bass!

 

[SoulReflection]

Happy Father Fender’s Say to Leo, May he Rest In Peace.

I dunno, I see G’Dog more as the older brother who talks you into sticking your fingers in a Bamboo Finger Trap and then leaves for the afternoon movies...

As for the two comparisons, and I write this NOT having tried the LT25 (though I’d like to sometime), but that 15 watt difference will not be heard if driver sizes were identical, but with the 10” speaker and a tad more power you may notice a fuller sound.

At home in the bedroom, especially if it’s small, that eight would do fine playing alone or with a boom box. The problem with that small a speaker is if you either crank the tunes or jam with a couple of buddies. Your sound will diminish immediately. It happened to me two says ago with my Ampeg BA-108 combo. I got lost in the mix playing a song through my three-piece Altec computer speakers and HAD to swap out the ‘Peg for my Stage 800. I know, from a pea shooter to howitzer, but I could hear myself!

Personally, a single 12 does nicely for home playing, but that said, I’d rather own a good-sounding ten then a meh eight. Thr problem is I don’t know how the LT25 sounds.

Too bad about the holdup on the S40. It might be worth the weight though unless you just want something just for home fun. Then I’m sure the ‘lil Fender would work fine. Better than the Micro Bass!

The shortage of the Studio 40 speaks volumes regarding it's popularity/preference. I did not A/B the Studio with the LT25 but I did with the Combo 25 which I had. There was no comparison. The Studio 40 was hands down better, not just because of effects and 15 more watts. Just the tonal improvement made paying extra more than worth it IMHO.

 

[iagtrplyr]

The shortage of the Studio 40 speaks volumes regarding it's popularity/preference. I did not A/B the Studio with the LT25 but I did with the Combo 25 which I had. There was no comparison. The Studio 40 was hands down better, not just because of effects and 15 more watts. Just the tonal improvement made paying extra more than worth it IMHO.

Better preamp, no doubt.

 

[SoulReflection]

Better preamp, no doubt.

And speaker...

 

[G-Dog]

Depending on how you feel about effects, you may want to take a gander at the gtx-7 footswitch. It will give you direct control over 5 effects, as opposed to the mgt-4's three. I keep pondering picking up a gtx-7 for that reason. Going nuts with effects is part of why I bought a Studio 40!

Hey, thony! Would you please show us a pic of your Rumble Studio 40 rig in the Fender Rumble Club and get your very own, unique membership number? We'd love to have you officially amongst us and read about your Rumble journey and experience.
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[B Dax]

@bhendrix I would go for the Studio 40. There is just more to it and you’ll have access to all the available options.

I also wouldn’t worry too much about the LCD screen. This coming from someone who did have a screen failure on an early Stage 800.

A Fender rep. let on they were aware of a screen failure issue in the early run of amps, but they seemed to have remedied that on the later models.

My Stage 800 was replaced under warranty and has worked fine for a year now. I’m not seeing continued reports of screen failures so hopefully they’ve all been sorted out.

I haven’t played through the LT, but if you’ve got the budget for the Studio 40; that’s where I’d go. You’ll have a blast playing through it.

 

[Droopy_TX]

Good information to hear about the LCD failure being primarily an early unit issue, @B Dax. Also, glad to hear Fender fixed your issue, and the problem hasn’t returned.

I, too, have had my Stage 800 for nearly a year. (It turns one-year old on July 1.) During that time, it has been used on the road in over two dozen gigs, and has seen hundreds of hours of at-home usage. I have had no problems with my display.

I was thinking, though, if I did have a failure on the road, at least I could drive the preset selections via the MGT-4, and do any “room” tonal tweaking with the Tone app, at least until I could get it fixed.

 

[bhendrix]

OK folks.... After taking in all your feedback and recommendations - and after thorough palm and tarot card readings and final positive encouragement from my Magic 8 ball, I just placed my order for a Studio 40! Found a reputable mom&pop, brick and mortar up north that had a new one in stock. Kinda feels good doing business with a privately owned enterprise during these times - helping the small guys out! Anyway, should ship today and be here later this week. Special thanks to my CC homies - @G-Dog and @iagtrplyr - for valuable insight!

 

[G-Dog]

OK folks.... After taking in all your feedback and recommendations - and after thorough palm and tarot card readings and final positive encouragement from my Magic 8 ball, I just placed my order for a Studio 40! ... ... should ship today and be here later this week. ... ...

Now that's the way to make a decision, if ever I heard one! Seriously, beni, I think you'll find the most flexibility for whatever you want to do, both now and later, with the 40 over the 25. Happy Rumbling!

... ... Special thanks to my CC homies - @G-Dog and @iagtrplyr - for valuable insight!

And you got some pretty good advice from your Rumble Club brethren, too, @SoulReflection, @Droopy_TX, @B Dax, @Diver and @NordicBard. It's such a great group we have here! Now let's all . . . .

Rumble On!
.​

 

[iagtrplyr]

OK folks.... After taking in all your feedback and recommendations - and after thorough palm and tarot card readings and final positive encouragement from my Magic 8 ball, I just placed my order for a Studio 40! Found a reputable mom&pop, brick and mortar up north that had a new one in stock. Kinda feels good doing business with a privately owned enterprise during these times - helping the small guys out! Anyway, should ship today and be here later this week. Special thanks to my CC homies - @G-Dog and @iagtrplyr - for valuable insight!

Way to go, b! In no way would any of us coerce someone to buy something they wouldn’t want, but I think you could sense the passion displayed about you making this solid choice. Now if you want to, you can run this through your 500c and let people in Okinawa hear it!

Okay, we’ll a pic and review in all three places you haunt. Again, congrats!

 

[bhendrix]

And you got some pretty good advice from your Rumble Club brethren, too, @SoulReflection, @Droopy_TX, @B Dax, @Diver and @NordicBard. It's such a great group we have here!

Absolutely - thanks to all! And @SoulReflection - I'm still loving that Mustang!

 

[SoulReflection]

Absolutely - thanks to all! And @SoulReflection - I'm still loving that Mustang!

Hey, @bhendrix, we are all here to learn and help each other! I am so looking forward to your future reviews and comments .

 

[iagtrplyr]

Hey, @bhendrix, we are all here to learn and help each other! I am so looking forward to your future reviews and comments .

Maybe even a recording so we can catch some of the magic! If you’re unlucky, SR, I may have something for ya this week. I’ve made a shambles of my music room, but have the bass going into the Stage 800, DI out to the interface and into the computer and our the headphones. That way I can listen to the midi I get sent and to my bass, plus still have the bass coming out the combo to be recorded with video. Sound confusing?

My question is: is all this #%^* worth it?

 

[SoulReflection]

Maybe even a recording so we can catch some of the magic! If you’re unlucky, SR, I may have something for ya this week. I’ve made a shambles of my music room, but have the bass going into the Stage 800, DI out to the interface and into the computer and our the headphones. That way I can listen to the midi I get sent and to my bass, plus still have the bass coming out the combo to be recorded with video. Sound confusing?

My question is: is all this #%^* worth it?

Lucky or unlucky, I am always interested and willing to listen. I kind of lost you in the reference to "midi" and "video" but I believe it is in reference to your video project which could be confusing and, if it is, only you can answer if it is "%^* worth it?". I am listening and watching, while looking at the bottom of the tequila bottle .