Fender Rumble Studio 40 vs. Orange Crush 50

[DavidEM]

Hello,
I am looking for some input on upgrading my amp. I am interesting in the Fender Rumble Studio 40 or the Orange Crush 50. I have seen threads on here comparing the Orange 50 with the Rumble 40, but not the Rumble Studio 40, which seems to be newer and has features that the Rumble 40 did not.

A little background: I have only been learning/playing for about a year. I am an older learner (late 40s), and mostly just learning for fun. My current set up is a 1989 Epiphone Power Bass II and a Rumble 15. I live in a small house, so space is an issue. I am hoping to upgrade both the bass and the amp in the next few weeks/months, but the bass will have to wait because between the pandemic and living rural, my ability to try as many instruments as possible is limited. I am somewhat drawn to the Fender because of the effects feature. I would like to start playing around with different effects to see what I like. I have read criticism that some of the effects on this amp sound synthetic, but I figure it can help me at least hear which effects I like, I can always buy better effects pedals later.

Any input is appreciated. Also, any other choices similar in size and price that I should consider?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[abarson]

There are plenty of small combos for your consideration, but very few with the plethora of built-in effects that the Rumble Studio 40 brings to the table. If you want to explore effects without buying a ton of pedals, investing in one multi-effects unit (Zoom, Vox, Valeton, etc.) can also be a good introduction.

Traynor is a Canadian brand that gets lots of love, and either the SB110 or 112 would be comparable to the ones you're considering. The new Ampeg RB110 or 112 also sound good and are in the same ballpark pricewise. Hartke HD50 or HD75 are respectable as well.

Keep in mind that all these combos are really on the small side, which is fine for home practice or studio recording, but are way too small for any kind of performance with a band.

 

[DavidEM]

There are plenty of small combos for your consideration, but very few with the plethora of built-in effects that the Rumble Studio 40 brings to the table. If you want to explore effects without buying a ton of pedals, investing in one multi-effects unit (Zoom, Vox, Valeton, etc.) can also be a good introduction.

Traynor is a Canadian brand that gets lots of love, and either the SB110 or 112 would be comparable to the ones you're considering. The new Ampeg RB110 or 112 also sound good and are in the same ballpark pricewise. Hartke HD50 or HD75 are respectable as well.

Keep in mind that all these combos are really on the small side, which is fine for home practice or studio recording, but are way too small for any kind of performance with a band.

Thanks for the input. I'll look into those other options as well. I have also thought about a multi-effects unit. Small is what I need for now. Home practice is all I am doing for the foreseeable future.

 

[G-Dog]

.... I am interesting in the Fender Rumble Studio 40 or the Orange Crush 50. I have seen threads on here comparing the Orange 50 with the Rumble 40, but not the Rumble Studio 40, ... ...

The Rumble 40 compared to the Orange Crush 50 is much more "apples to apples" than comparing the Rumble Studio 40 to either one. The Studio has so many built-in models of amps, cabs, stompboxes & effects that it can sound like anything you can imagine. It also has a built-in looper for overlaying several different tones or harmonies. It comes preset with 100 combinations of those models ready to scroll through and try, and room to store 100 more, but you could easily make several thousand combinations! You can also download hundreds of combinations made by others.

Yes, the synth models do sound synthetic, just like real synths do.​

... ..., so space is an issue. ... .... I am somewhat drawn to the Fender because of the effects feature. I would like to start playing around with different effects to see what I like. I have read criticism that some of the effects on this amp sound synthetic, but I figure it can help me at least hear which effects I like, I can always buy better effects pedals later. ... ...

If built-in effects is what you're looking for, then the Invalid Link Removed is for you. No cluttering up the floor with multiple boxes! It's the little brother to the much more powerful Rumble Stage 800, but has exactly all the same modeling features. They both have all kinds of connectivity features, such as stereo XLR Outs, stereo FX Loops, USB recording outlets, Bluetooth music streaming or phone/tablet control via the Tone App, and wifi firmware updates. And the Studio can serve as an onstage monitor while feeding your tone to the PA for band gigs.

However, there is a smaller, less expensive Invalid Link Removed with fewer features and almost no connectivity for just home practice, if that appears less intimidating.

Download and peruse the manuals at those links to see what they can do. And good luck!
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