Fender Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800

[Kdog]

I completely get it, Nordi!
Like anything we purchase, if we’ve had a less than stellar experience with it, it’s hard to justify doing it again. I have to believe that it was just a one-off deal before, and you’d likely not have any issues this time around.
But even if you did, depending on where you buy it, I have to believe that you could simply return it, yes?
And the difference between the 40 and 800 is incredible! I’m very glad I made the upgrade myself!
Good luck on whatever you decide to do!

-Kev

 

[Gsnorgathon]

I would be extremely surprised if the Stage and Studio differed electronically in any way before the power amp section. As far as Bluetooth goes, there have been a fair number of updates to the app over the years, and I'd guess improving the Bluetooth connection has been a big part of that. If you can pick up a Stage from someplace that has a generous return policy, you'll have plenty of time to find out if any of those fixes work for you.

 

[G-Dog]

Hi!

I owned a Fender Studio a few years back.

*LOVED* it immensely, but what in the end drove me off to sell it was the Blutooth disconnecting randomly, not connecting and just being extremely finicky.

However, there never been an amp which made me more PRODUCTIVE. The ability to hook up an Ipad etc. and do online lessons or play-along really pushed me forwards - For me it was an eye opener being able to stream something and playing on my bass, using the same speaker!

I have that craving again and would like to know if the current production of either stage or studio still have the Blutooth problem, or if the Stage is better? (Would t mind upgrading).

Hey there, Nordy! (Funny; I am currently reading through this whole string to refresh my memory about different features, tips, etc. and have seen that you were experiencing a lot of connectivity issues.)
I originally had a Studio 40, and never experienced any issues - well, certainly no more than my phone or tablet occasionally do when connecting to my Bluetooth stereo or TV. All the updates worked great and it was a great amp.
I’ve since sold that and picked up a Stage 800 in the last few months and the same holds true. Connects perfectly (I find it works best if I connect my tablet or phone to the amp from Settings first and THEN open the Fender Tone app next - connects much better that way)
I do notice that sometimes if I have been playing for a while and then set my bass down and get distracted, doing something else while it’s still turned on, the sound will cut out/go dead for whatever odd reason. I simply turn the amp off for a few minutes and then on again, and all is fine. Weird.

i would certainly agree with you that it is a REALLY fun amp to mess about with, and for me, this Stage 800 will likely be the last amp I ever need (though likely not the last one but WANT!) Lol!

Cheers, Kev

Thanks Kev!

Yah, I am looking at a Stage 800 right now and really tempted.

Need something that can do practise at home AND the occasional gig, which was where the Studio fell short (Not it's fault, I know the limits).

And it's probably just me being jaded that's holding me back from buying the stage straight away.

I would be extremely surprised if the Stage and Studio differed electronically in any way before the power amp section. As far as Bluetooth goes, there have been a fair number of updates to the app over the years, and I'd guess improving the Bluetooth connection has been a big part of that. If you can pick up a Stage from someplace that has a generous return policy, you'll have plenty of time to find out if any of those fixes work for you.

Nordly, my man! First, I must apologize for not immediately inducting you into the Fender Rumble Club back in '19, when I was still under the mistaken impression that pix were required. I'd be happy to correct that if you get another and post there again!

A. Back then, it was not emphasized enough that the Stage & Studio wifi should be turned off unless actively updating the firmware. It can interfere with the Bluetooth! Who knew? Too many users had a bad experience because of this.

k. The Bluetooth cannot stream audio reliably while connected to the Fender Tone App, either! It's a one trick pony. Stream OR App, not both simultaneously!! Again, more bad experiences due to this.

♧. I believe Bluetooth is still in its developmental infancy and not yet nearly as bulletproof as it should be for consumer use. At least that's my experience in the past few years other than my Studio amp.​

7. The Studio & Stage are identical up to the power amp and speaker(s). What you learned on the Studio can be used directly on the Stage amp! Enjoy the upgrade!!​

Hope to see more of you, Nordly!
.

 

[NordicBard]

Ordered the Stage 800.

Had a quick talk with the wife and she agreed, almost too quick , that I should purchase it simply because no other amp have held me glued to my practise routines and as she said 'It was really nice to use it to stream music while doing the laundry in the basement'.

Now the waiting game begins!

 

[G-Dog]

Ordered the Stage 800.

Had a quick talk with the wife and she agreed, almost too quick , that I should purchase it simply because no other amp have held me glued to my practise routines and as she said 'It was really nice to use it to stream music while doing the laundry in the basement'.

Now the waiting game begins!

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up! That information posted in the Fender Rumble Club will get you a fresh, shiny new membership number! Woo hoo! Party on! Excellent!
.

 

[G-Dog]

From thread Elderly Woman Rumble Setting:

Any suggestion for what pre-set to use on a Rumble 800 stage for Elderly Woman by Pearl Jam?

I have the Stage's li'l brother, the Rumble Studio 40 with the same pre-sets and effects, Bob. Aren't they amazing? But, I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that song.

However, remember, when you joined the Fender Rumble Club a few months ago, that you have our Rumble LT25, Studio 40 & Stage 800 sub-thread for such modeling questions! Maybe someone there can help you find the answer.
.

Yo, Bob! Alas, you're getting nothing but bad jokes posted on your thread now, from people who have no idea what a Rumble Stage 800 pre-set is, and probably not even the song you're asking about. Maybe you can get some actual help from other Rumbling modelers here.

Unfortunately, I'm on a very slow i'net connection lately where I can't even stream that song to hear it. But, I was abled to do a little research for ya on it. And, though I found no definitive answer, I got you a couple of leads to try.

5. I read that the Pearl Jam bassist might have used a fretless bass, or even an upright bass, on that song. If so, then be sure your firmware is updated, because one of the earliest updates, Version 2.0.10 (September 5, 2018), added the Acoustic Sim amp model "for transforming electric bass with great-sounding acoustic tone." This could be the basis for building your own "Elderly Woman" pre-set. ​

F. Alternatively, on the Fender Tone App, under Download, and Artists, you can search for 'Pearl Jam' and find several user community pre-sets for their sounds. I'm not able to try them myself right now, but you can. Hopefully, at least one of them will be close to what you're looking for. ​

Give these ideas a try, or three, and see what you can get. Then let us know back here how it goes. Others here may have some ideas for you, too!
.

 

[Robert Boshoven]

Thank you.

 

[G-Dog]

Thank you.

Hope it helps. Please let us know how it goes.
.

 

[G-Dog]

.
Attention: Rumble Club Wiki Edit Alert!

I just found this article that names 4 Fender Rumble amps as 'Best Bass Combos' to 4 out of 5 price tiers! Why not 5 out of 5? Well, there's no accounting for taste. Note: 2 of the 4 Rumbles are modeling amps!

I've added it to the Rumble Club Wiki page as the last entry in the Rumble V3 Reviews section.

What do you think?

.​

 

[G-Dog]

.
Ok, now! Here's a new one on me, my bass modeling bros & sistas. I opened the Fender Tone App on my android tablet today, just to look at some stuff, without turning on my Studio 40. But the App closed itself and popped up a message to get the latest update. Hmmm ... ...

A. That's never happened to me before! Has it happened to you? I'm sure I've previously used a slightly out of date Tone App before, without any problem. But, Ok. I get it. This update is more proactive than the previous ones, at least for me. Anyone else?

2. So, I got the new android Fender TONE App, Version 3.2.7, build 12797, (whew! seems like a lot of builds) and ... ... it installed alright, I think. But, I don't recognize any of these new-to-me 189 preset names, (I only had about 105 presets on my tablet before) nor many of their amp "pictures", other than the Fender Twins, Supers, BandMasters, Deluxes, Blues Jr.s, Princetons, Champs, etc.!! Hey, where's my #9 Deep Rumble?!? Yep, this version installed the guitar presets for the Fender Mustang GT and/or GTX amps!!! What's that aboot? I trust that when I connect it to my Rumble Studio 40 amp it'll revert to the Rumble presets? Anyone ever had this happen?

iii. My iPhone usually auto-updates the iOS Fender TONE App, but I checked it today before it might have had a chance. The old version ran Ok, even though not connected to my amp. And my manual update got Version 3.2.6, build 7, (must be easier to debug?) which installed with all the usual 100 stock Rumble presets. (I don't think I ever added any more on my phone.) So, no concerns there, as yet.​

Has anyone seen this before? If so what was your experience?
.

 

[Gsnorgathon]

That sounds vaguely familiar. I'm guessing that you'll get the right Rumble presets next time you connect.

 

[ricardol]

.
Ok, now! Here's a new one on me, my bass modeling bros & sistas. I opened the Fender Tone App on my android tablet today, just to look at some stuff, without turning on my Studio 40. But the App closed itself and popped up a message to get the latest update. Hmmm ... ...

A. That's never happened to me before! Has it happened to you? I'm sure I've previously used a slightly out of date Tone App before, without any problem. But, Ok. I get it. This update is more proactive than the previous ones, at least for me. Anyone else?

2. So, I got the new android Fender TONE App, Version 3.2.7, build 12797, (whew! seems like a lot of builds) and ... ... it installed alright, I think. But, I don't recognize any of these new-to-me 189 preset names, (I only had about 105 presets on my tablet before) nor many of their amp "pictures", other than the Fender Twins, Supers, BandMasters, Deluxes, Blues Jr.s, Princetons, Champs, etc.!! Hey, where's my #9 Deep Rumble?!? Yep, this version installed the guitar presets for the Fender Mustang GT and/or GTX amps!!! What's that aboot? I trust that when I connect it to my Rumble Studio 40 amp it'll revert to the Rumble presets? Anyone ever had this happen?

View attachment 5078794​

iii. My iPhone usually auto-updates the iOS Fender TONE App, but I checked it today before it might have had a chance. The old version ran Ok, even though not connected to my amp. And my manual update got Version 3.2.6, build 7, (must be easier to debug?) which installed with all the usual 100 stock Rumble presets. (I don't think I ever added any more on my phone.) So, no concerns there, as yet.​

Has anyone seen this before? If so what was your experience?
.

My Android phone is still featuring FTone V3.2.6... and no updates available on Play Store...

 

[G-Dog]

... ... ...

2. So, I got the new android Fender TONE App, Version 3.2.7, build 12797, (whew! seems like a lot of builds) and ... ... it installed alright, I think. But, I don't recognize any of these new-to-me 189 preset names, ... ... ...
iii. My iPhone usually auto-updates the iOS Fender TONE App, but I checked it today before it might have had a chance. ... ... my manual update got Version 3.2.6, build 7, ... which installed with all the usual 100 stock Rumble presets. ... ... ...​

.

My Android phone is still featuring FTone V3.2.6... and no updates available on Play Store...

Yeah, riccy, now that I think of it, there are probably hundreds, or more, of various technically-different android systems in use for all the various brands, devices and ... uh, ... thingys, out there. Maybe that's why my android FTone version number 3.2.7 is a sub-dot higher than yours. I'd bet my build number 12797 is pro'lly much higher'n yours, too! Just outta curiosity, what is your FTone build number, ric?

That may also be why my iOS version 3.2.6, and especially the build number 7, is on the low side, too. I don't reckon there's nearly quite so many of those technically-different systems.
.

 

[ricardol]

My Samsung Galaxy android system version is #13... The Tone App version is v3.2.6 build number 12587 dated 17apr2023...
I'm looking forward for a firmware update since I realised that, on all those presets where I use the EQ7 Graphic (Bass) in the signal chain, the preset turns red automatically, even without any changes and just by touching the screen... I have informed [email protected] about it.

 

[G-Dog]

My Samsung Galaxy android system version is #13... The Tone App version is v3.2.6 build number 12587 dated 17apr2023...
I'm looking forward for a firmware update since I realised that, on all those presets where I use the EQ7 Graphic (Bass) in the signal chain, the preset turns red automatically, even without any changes and just by touching the screen... I have informed [email protected] about it.

?!?!?! Hmmm ..... My Samsung Galaxy Tab android version is 11. So, different FTone android versions are released on different days! My android FTone App is version 3.2.7 build 12797 dated May 30, 2023. They must code for the latest android versions first, then work their way back to some, though probably not all, older versions. I wonder what caused my version 3.2.7 to get a higher sub-dot version number than your version 3.2.6 (and my iOS version 3.2.6)? Hmmm .....

From my tablet's Play Store:

.​

 

[Deleted member 268085]

?!?!?! Hmmm ..... My Samsung Galaxy Tab android version is 11. So, different FTone android versions are released on different days! My android FTone App is version 3.2.7 build 12797 dated May 30, 2023. They must code for the latest android versions first, then work their way back to some, though probably not all, older versions. I wonder what caused my version 3.2.7 to get a higher sub-dot version number than your version 3.2.6 (and my iOS version 3.2.6)? Hmmm .....

From my tablet's Play Store:

View attachment 5080060
.​

I hate that reminder to update my firmware. The last update was v3.0.41 in 2021. The sky is falling. The sky is falling. One of these days, there may be another update, but I'll almost surely miss it because of all of the false checks with the amp. This time, I just Googled it. Should have done that in the past.

You think it's simple to check the update with the amp? Not in my case. The amp limits Wi-Fi passwords to a maximum of 16 characters and the unchangeable password for my fiber optic Wi-Fi router is 18 characters. I have to turn off the Wi-Fi on my phone, and turn on the hotspot support, and update over the cellular system. STUPID. And time-consuming.

And I have to remember to turn off the Wi-Fi on the amp, so it doesn't drop out occasionally, something I didn't always know or remember to do.

 

[G-Dog]

I hate that reminder to update my firmware. ... ... ...

You got a reminder? I don't remember getting any reminders to update the amp's firmware. Heck, I was shocked when the Tone App popped up an invitation to update. How did the amp remind you, Maarti? Pop-up on the amp? Pop-up on the Tone App? Email? ​

... ... ... The last update was v3.0.41 in 2021. The sky is falling. The sky is falling. One of these days, there may be another update, but I'll almost surely miss it because of all of the false checks with the amp. This time, I just Googled it. Should have done that in the past. ... ... ...

OR you can always just check the Rumble Club Wiki webpage linked on your Tone App Support page under the Rumble Club Wiki section.

Too bad the iPhone and Android Tone App Release Notes webpages linked there only list the major releases, like 3.0 from from 2020. Seems we have to go to our App Store to check for minor release notes, like this latest one.​

... ... ... You think it's simple to check the update with the amp? Not in my case. The amp limits Wi-Fi passwords to a maximum of 16 characters and the unchangeable password for my fiber optic Wi-Fi router is 18 characters. I have to turn off the Wi-Fi on my phone, and turn on the hotspot support, and update over the cellular system. STUPID. And time-consuming. ... ... ...

I know a tech wizard who's always trying to get me to buy my own router, with fancier features, instead of using the one included with my ISP. But it works good enough for me, so I haven't. However, it sounds like you have a good reason for a third-party router, Maarti. ​

... ... ... And I have to remember to turn off the Wi-Fi on the amp, so it doesn't drop out occasionally, something I didn't always know or remember to do.

Yessir, that wasn't emphasized enough when the wifi/Bluetooth Rumble Stage & Studio were newly introduced. A lotta people had that problem without knowing the simple fix. No telling how many got returned for that!
.​

 

[Deleted member 268085]

You got a reminder? I don't remember getting any reminders to update the amp's firmware. Heck, I was shocked when the Tone App popped up an invitation to update. How did the amp remind you, Maarti? Pop-up on the amp? Pop-up on the Tone App? Email? ​

...

I was referring to the reminder in the description of the Android app on my phone. I like to check for update notes on apps before allowing Google Play to update them. Some app devs update those notes with each update. Some don't. Some don't have update notes at all. Look at the image you posted. That's the reminder I'm talking about.

 

[G-Dog]

I was referring to the reminder in the description of the Android app on my phone. I like to check for update notes on apps before allowing Google Play to update them. Some app devs update those notes with each update. Some don't. Some don't have update notes at all. Look at the image you posted. That's the reminder I'm talking about.

I'm so confused! (Not that that's anything new.) So, seeing something about the Tone App version on your phone reminds you to check for firmware updates on your amp, too?. Hmmm, ... ... Ok, I get that. It's soft/firm-ware teamwork!

Speaking of this Stage/Studio soft/firm-ware teamwork, I recently advised @Lownotes75 that he can use the Tone App to do anything on his Stage amp (with a dysfunctional rotary scroll Encoder knob) that he could do with the amp's buttons & knobs. But now this talk of the amp's firmware updates has got me wondering ... ... ...

Now that I think of it, I don't know a way to update the amp's firmware from the Tone App! Does anyone here know how to do that?

Hopefully, @Lownotes75 will post here with good news from his Australian Authorized Fender Service Center about repairing/replacing his Rumble Stage's rotary scroll Encoder knob!
.

 

[Lownotes75]

I'm so confused! (Not that that's anything new.) So, seeing something about the Tone App version on your phone reminds you to check for firmware updates on your amp, too?. Hmmm, ... ... Ok, I get that. It's soft/firm-ware teamwork!

Speaking of this Stage/Studio soft/firm-ware teamwork, I recently advised @Lownotes75 that he can use the Tone App to do anything on his Stage amp (with a dysfunctional rotary scroll Encoder knob) that he could do with the amp's buttons & knobs. But now this talk of the amp's firmware updates has got me wondering ... ... ...

Now that I think of it, I don't know a way to update the amp's firmware from the Tone App! Does anyone here know how to do that?

Hopefully, @Lownotes75 will post here with good news from his Australian Authorized Fender Service Center about repairing/replacing his Rumble Stage's rotary scroll Encoder knob!
.

Thanks G-Dog, I dropped it off with the Fender repair man this morning to have that encoder replaced. I will update the group on how that goes in due course.

I managed to get the encoder to scroll by holding the button down and then moving it in a circle. its tricky because you have to press it at the exact same time as the menu button or it acts as a selector to go to the first menu item from the menu index (Home) screen but it was a temporary workaround.

Your comment yesterday about the app functioning as an alternative got me home trying that theory out last night.

I think it does do everything (and some things better) except updating the firmware. I don't think that is possible from the app?

Cheers

Shane