Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800

[G-Dog]

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Congratulations, all you modeling Rumblers, on the first 100 posts of this Rumble Club sub-thread dedicated to the Rumbles LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800! Maybe not so much, yet. But it's a solid start.

And we already have our first public correction to the new Decoder Files, too! Surely, Shirley, we have much to be exploring and discussing with these multi-voiced wonder amps. And so it begins.
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[Cardsfan_69]

Had an interesting experience at rehearsal this week. I took my Stage 800 and 2x10 extension cabinet and played my Fender American deluxe jazz v. I was using a Broughton hpf in the effects loop. My sound was bad, very muddy. Changed frequency on the hpf up/down, no help. Took it out of the chain and my tone was back. Weird...boomy with hpf....crisp and cutting without. I will do some more tinkering and report back.

 

[G-Dog]

Had an interesting experience at rehearsal this week. I took my Stage 800 and 2x10 extension cabinet and played my Fender American deluxe jazz v. I was using a Broughton hpf in the effects loop. My sound was bad, very muddy. Changed frequency on the hpf up/down, no help. Took it out of the chain and my tone was back. Weird...boomy with hpf....crisp and cutting without. I will do some more tinkering and report back.

I think you need that second 2x10 extension cab, Cards!

 

[Linnin]

Congratulations, all you modeling Rumblers, on the first 100 posts of this Rumble Club sub-thread dedicated to the Rumbles LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800! Maybe not so much, yet. But it's a solid start.

It really does take a special person to desire; acquire, and assimilate new technology of this type and level. As the truly capable come forward, others will join in devoted and resolute.

 

[Cardsfan_69]

I think you need that second 2x10 extension cab, Cards!

Funny! I have been eyeballing a local CL ad for a Rumble 410 and Rumble 115. $500 for the pair plus a rolling flight case. I could really have fun playing with those!

 

[Cyborg]

Folks, I ended up ordering the Stage 800!

It really came down to the GK MB212, Rumble 500 and the Stage 800 after I eliminated a few other combos from consideration.

The GK almost won out, as I didn't really want another Rumble because I wanted to try something different as I already have owned two Rumbles. Then I found out about the Stage 800. Although I was leery of all of the bells and whistles as I stated earlier in this thread but the features were too much to pass up. It's right at the same price as the GK and I wanted to try those 12's. I ended up getting a really good deal on the Stage 800, so I went for it.

My thinking is that this amp can cover what I'm currently interested in and grow with me as my tastes and tonal needs change. I'm into GK and more modern tones currently, but I may decide to go old school next year and I don't have to buy another amp and worry about getting rid of the old one, etc. I just start using a new amp setting.

I really don't use effects at all but I generally use a compressor and the Stage 800 I think has two built in already! If I ever get into effects then they are right at my fingertips.

Damn, I've spent a lot of money in the past several weeks with my Stingrays and now Stage 800.

 

[Cardsfan_69]

I was in the same boat Cyborg. I have been a big Gk fan as well as Hartke. I went with the Stage 800 because I can get those old familiar tones and many more with it. It is very, very versatile and at times a little bit of a mind melting, brain cramping affair but it's super fun and can really simplify your set up. No more pedals, rack gear, etc. Under 40# of pure bass goodness.
The compressor models built into the Stage 800 are really good, they can be super simple as in LOW1, LOW2, MID1, etc. or more control over all the variables like a Studio compressor. Either way, it's easy to get the amount and type of compression you like.
The other effects, filters, etc. just add icing to the cake. Enjoy it and post some pics and initial thoughts.

 

[Don41_2]

Tone question for you guys, i’ve posted this over in the recordings forum too . . .

I want to cop the bass tone in Lana Del Rey’s remake of Doin’ Time. Any thoughts on settings for the Studio 40?

Trying to educate my ear and need some pointers to get started.

Thanks!

 

[Linnin]

I want to cop the bass tone in Lana Del Rey’s remake of Doin’ Time. Any thoughts on settings for the Studio 40?

OK. I think it's keyboard bass playing a sampled tone and manipulated. I'm going to suggest presets: #9 Deep Rumble; #12 18" Dub, and #67 Down Deep as good starting points. Also sounds like you are going to have to drop tune from standard. You could use the Octobot effect.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Folks, I ended up ordering the Stage 800!

It really came down to the GK MB212, Rumble 500 and the Stage 800 after I eliminated a few other combos from consideration.

The GK almost won out, as I didn't really want another Rumble because I wanted to try something different as I already have owned two Rumbles. Then I found out about the Stage 800. Although I was leery of all of the bells and whistles as I stated earlier in this thread but the features were too much to pass up. It's right at the same price as the GK and I wanted to try those 12's. I ended up getting a really good deal on the Stage 800, so I went for it.

My thinking is that this amp can cover what I'm currently interested in and grow with me as my tastes and tonal needs change. I'm into GK and more modern tones currently, but I may decide to go old school next year and I don't have to buy another amp and worry about getting rid of the old one, etc. I just start using a new amp setting.

I really don't use effects at all but I generally use a compressor and the Stage 800 I think has two built in already! If I ever get into effects then they are right at my fingertips.

Damn, I've spent a lot of money in the past several weeks with my Stingrays and now Stage 800.

Good for you, C’borg, congrats on your big purchase! The mistake people make (I know I have) is they jump into these modeling amps head first believing they have to understand every book and cranny in the first week. Then they burn out and long for a one-trick pony again.

This time I let the amp come to me and as I either needed a certain tone or just wanted to experiment I’d dig up something new. It’s so much mire fun and relaxing then thinking you have to have 100 different tones all lined up to be used by your pedal.

Currently I have 5-6 really nice tones that I interchange depending on the song. At this point I probably don’t need any more as they cover all my particular bases, but there might be that time I need a gritty fuzz or swoopy chorus for a certain song. Ta-da! It’s ready to go.

Fender has done a decent job, IMHO, with the GK tone in the past, and though I’m not using one now I’ve enjoyed messing with their default model. Even though I haven’t played my Stage 800 for like two months, I’ve enjoyed the HiWatt Clean as well as many of the Fender models. Also, you can beat their Ampeg tonal vibe either.

I promise to supply a setting or two into the spreadsheet once I’m using my gigging combo again. It’s the only serious choice for playing out at this time and I must admit I’m quite envious of that 210 cab I’ve seen underneath the 800s of late.

When you get your combo please stop off st the Combo Club with a pic and quick story about your purchase. I’ll give you a membership number and then we’ll have maybe a half a dozen Studio/Stage owners. Enjoy!

 

[iagtrplyr]

SoulReflection! Ive still got those recordings on my to-do list. In fact, today I dug our my Tascam recorder and thought I’d try putting something down later tonight. You see...I had a luxurious afternoon nap today! Look for something maybe tomorrow. The Ampeg BA108 v2, Fender Rumble 100, and VOX VX50BA combos are invited to the smackdown.

 

[SoulReflection]

SoulReflection! Ive still got those recordings on my to-do list. In fact, today I dug our my Tascam recorder and thought I’d try putting something down later tonight. You see...I had a luxurious afternoon nap today! Look for something maybe tomorrow. The Ampeg BA108 v2, Fender Rumble 100, and VOX VX50BA combos are invited to the smackdown.

No problem...if you look over in the GOF's club, you will see what has been occupying some of my time .

Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

 

[Cyborg]

I was in the same boat Cyborg. I have been a big Gk fan as well as Hartke. I went with the Stage 800 because I can get those old familiar tones and many more with it. It is very, very versatile and at times a little bit of a mind melting, brain cramping affair but it's super fun and can really simplify your set up. No more pedals, rack gear, etc. Under 40# of pure bass goodness.
The compressor models built into the Stage 800 are really good, they can be super simple as in LOW1, LOW2, MID1, etc. or more control over all the variables like a Studio compressor. Either way, it's easy to get the amount and type of compression you like.
The other effects, filters, etc. just add icing to the cake. Enjoy it and post some pics and initial thoughts.

Yeah, I really only carry a compressor and tuner pedal but it would be nice to not have to carry any of them.

I saw the compressor settings of LOW1, LOW2, MID1, etc. in some of the presets. So I figured there might have been some super simple settings to use. That's probably all I'll need because I just want clean up the peaks and valleys of my signal a little.

I want to be able to carry the amp in one hand and my bass in the other, at least in theory.

 

[Cyborg]

Good for you, C’borg, congrats on your big purchase! The mistake people make (I know I have) is they jump into these modeling amps head first believing they have to understand every book and cranny in the first week. Then they burn out and long for a one-trick pony again.

This time I let the amp come to me and as I either needed a certain tone or just wanted to experiment I’d dig up something new. It’s so much mire fun and relaxing then thinking you have to have 100 different tones all lined up to be used by your pedal.

Currently I have 5-6 really nice tones that I interchange depending on the song. At this point I probably don’t need any more as they cover all my particular bases, but there might be that time I need a gritty fuzz or swoopy chorus for a certain song. Ta-da! It’s ready to go.

Fender has done a decent job, IMHO, with the GK tone in the past, and though I’m not using one now I’ve enjoyed messing with their default model. Even though I haven’t played my Stage 800 for like two months, I’ve enjoyed the HiWatt Clean as well as many of the Fender models. Also, you can beat their Ampeg tonal vibe either.

I promise to supply a setting or two into the spreadsheet once I’m using my gigging combo again. It’s the only serious choice for playing out at this time and I must admit I’m quite envious of that 210 cab I’ve seen underneath the 800s of late.

When you get your combo please stop off st the Combo Club with a pic and quick story about your purchase. I’ll give you a membership number and then we’ll have maybe a half a dozen Studio/Stage owners. Enjoy!

Yep, when I played six-string I had a modelling-amp-multi-effects pedal board and I was just completely overwhelmed even after spending a solid two months with it. I was always caught in the weeds and after a few months I sold it and moved on to another one-trick pony amp setup. It pretty much discouraged me from trying another modelling setup because of this experience. This was not the fault of the product but my personality type, trying to analyze and understand it as quick as possible.

I have a pretty straight up plan. I have about 3 amps I think I will set up and use to start. I will have fun and play with all of the other things but I'm taking a slow and steady approach. Even if I end up with just two different amp models to use, it's worth it. In reality, I'll be really surprised if I only get two usable settings.

I'm happy to hear it has a good Ampeg vibe. I've never cared for Ampeg in the past but it will be nice to have it to play around with it. Who knows I might end up liking it after spending some time with it or it might be the tone I'm after next year.

 

[Cardsfan_69]

I had my American Deluxe Jazz V in a Reunion Blues Rbx-b4 gig bag, cable, 4 button footswitch and cable, power cord, Broughton HPF and patch cables in the front pouch on my back and my Stage 800 in one hand and the 210 in my other hand walking in to rehearsal the other day and our drummer said, "you want me to help you carry the rest of your stuff?" He was amazed when I said I had my whole rig in hand.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yep, when I played six-string I had a modelling-amp-multi-effects pedal board and I was just completely overwhelmed even after spending a solid two months with it. I was always caught in the weeds and after a few months I sold it and moved on to another one-trick pony amp setup. It pretty much discouraged me from trying another modelling setup because of this experience. This was not the fault of the product but my personality type, trying to analyze and understand it as quick as possible.

I have a pretty straight up plan. I have about 3 amps I think I will set up and use to start. I will have fun and play with all of the other things but I'm taking a slow and steady approach. Even if I end up with just two different amp models to use, it's worth it. In reality, I'll be really surprised if I only get two usable settings.

I'm happy to hear it has a good Ampeg vibe. I've never cared for Ampeg in the past but it will be nice to have it to play around with it. Who knows I might end up liking it after spending some time with it or it might be the tone I'm after next year.

Solid plan, my friend. Two quality tones is double to what you’d get with the infamous one-trick pony.

As for Aunt ‘Peg, I’m more of the B-15 fan that of the SVT and on one of their last updates Fender added the Portaflex cab. I was excited to say the least.

One last piece of advice: take your time dialing it in. Let your ears get used to an adjustment before you make the next. People who do more knob spinning than listening find themselves posting on Craigslist sooner than they should.

Also, small incremental changes will reap more tonal benefits than huge sweeps. I use less additional pedals and rely on the amp modeling more to get my sound, sometimes without the additional cab modeling. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how well those two Eminence drivers really sound on their own.

 

[Don41_2]

OK. I think it's keyboard bass playing a sampled tone and manipulated. I'm going to suggest presets: #9 Deep Rumble; #12 18" Dub, and #67 Down Deep as good starting points. Also sounds like you are going to have to drop tune from standard. You could use the Octobot effect.

Thank you, i'll play with this some to see if I can get close. Appreciate it.

 

[Cyborg]

I got the Stage 800 late Wednesday. I've only had a hour or so to play around with it. I just plugged it up and started with it.

The thing is really cool and I like it so far. Boot up time is not too bad and I didn't know it had a fan. Although I'm not surprised due to the wattage it's theoretically pushing even being class D and being a computer. The fan is not too loud at least at the volume I was using it.

Here some initial thoughts.

The Rumble V3 is dead on, so that will be a usable tone.
KGB-800 just kills! Another winner.
I liked the Redhead, Bassman TV and want to experiment with them.
I need to play around with the Rockin 'Peg and other Fender models because I heard some things I think I can tweak to give me some usable tones.

I didn't care for the various British amps.

I probably won't have another real update until the end of next weekend.

 

[G-Dog]

I got the Stage 800 late Wednesday. I've only had a hour or so to play around with it. I just plugged it up and started with it.

The thing is really cool and I like it so far. Boot up time is not too bad and I didn't know it had a fan. Although I'm not surprised due to the wattage it's theoretically pushing even being class D and being a computer. The fan is not too loud at least at the volume I was using it.

Here some initial thoughts.

The Rumble V3 is dead on, so that will be a usable tone.
KGB-800 just kills! Another winner.
I liked the Redhead, Bassman TV and want to experiment with them.
I need to play around with the Rockin 'Peg and other Fender models because I heard some things I think I can tweak to give me some usable tones.

I didn't care for the various British amps.

I probably won't have another real update until the end of next weekend.

Terrific, @Cyborg! I'm sure we all look forward to your reviews.

Rumble On, ... uh, ... with your Stage 800!
.​

 

[Droopy_TX]

Hey folks... a post-performance report...
This past week, I posted about some cab comparisons I did using just the studio/tube pre-amp models. The 2x15 D130 cab model cab really caught my ear, and I resolved to try it live.

We played a small-mid venue last night (about 2500 sq. ft. with a nice raised stage and drum riser). We had a good crowd of 50+ who were having fun, and stayed the night. (That's always good. )

I used only 3 presets for the whole show: modified versions of the stock presets Rumble V3 Dirty, Rumble V3 Vintage, and Clean Focus (all three use the Rumble V3 amp model). The first two presets were pretty close to stock, including the default 2x10 Rumble V3 cab model. With the Clean Focus preset, I reduce the mid-high and treble by around 1.0, and engage the 'Vintage' switch; and use the default 4x10 Pro cab model. I run my preset volumes considerably higher than stock (7.0, 7.0, 8.3, respectively), so I have plenty of physical amp head-room.

So... regarding using the 2x15 D130 cab:
I was a bit concerned, because this is the hollow stage that gave me a bit of resonance grief the first time I used the Stage 800. But, instantly, I could tell this was not going to be an issue. The D130Fs just made the amp sound bigger and punchier, with more bottom-end, without it being boomy. It was not at all like boosting the bass or low-mid. It added more "girth" to the sound without adding "woof". I immediately saved it as the cab model on all three presets. The cab sounded great on all three presets, and in everything we played.

Though neither knew I had made a change, the drummer said, "Man, your bass sounds so much better!". The guitarist just nodded toward the amp, and shook his head in approval. That's high praise from him.

So, I am happy. My band mates are happy. The crowd was happy.
All around, a good night!

Hope this helps...