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Fender v3 Rumble or Ampeg SVT

descendent22

descendent22

Jul 29, 2015
1,543
924
38
Connecticut
#1
As I've posted on a another thread, I recently got myself into a good situation as I am the new bass player in a cover band. It's also my 1st serious band with progress, gigging, and serious band members. I'velearned more and my musicianship has progressed so much in this short time so far. It also helps that these guys are experienced and almost twice my age give or take a couple years. They're cool as hell and can rock!

On Point:
One thing I've learned as far as gear/equipment goes is, it's not about the gear you want rather it's the gear I need now to perform. My 100 watt 3rd Gen Fender rumble combo amp, which is a kick a$$ amp but I'm pretty much at its thresh hold. It's good for a practice or home amp but if I'm in a situation where I need more power or need to be louder I'd be screwed. After years I finally got my tone dialed in the way I like it to be on the amp and I'm very content and pleased with it. That's on my v3 fender rumble 100. So my quandra is, do I stick with the v3 rumble series and go with more watts, or my other option is Ampeg SVT Classic. I'm familiar with ampeg and REALLY love Ampeg's quality and tone. I need info, and opinions
 
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#4
JimmyM said:
If you can handle moving it, there is nothing like an SVT/810. I got mine loaded up for my gig tomorrow, as a matter of fact! :D But I'd still hang onto the combo...there are always smaller situations where it will serve you well and not be a giant PITA to move.
Click to expand...
810 is a little to expensive and over haul for me. If I go with ampeg I'm going with the svt350h head and 410 cabinet.
 
#6
From my experience, playing with a live drummer behind a cage, the minimum you'll need is a 300W amp, and an efficient 4 ohms 12" cabinet. Anything less and you'll be begging for more power.
Remember, that a 200W amplifier on your same cabinet you have, only gives you +3dB more volume; which isn't even noticeable in band play unless you compare them side by side. To make a noticeable bump in volume, you'll need +6dB, or 4x the power requirements, or 2x the power requirements, and adding an identical cab to your setup.

If you want enough headroom, get an 8 ohms 210 + 8 ohms 115; or, a 4ohms 212, or 2x 8ohms 12 inch; or a 4ohms 410 cab setup, and a 300W @ 4 ohms amp minimum, 500W for slightly louder bands.
If you're in a loud rock band, where the drummer doesn't have a cage, I would recommend 800W and a 610, or 3x12", or 2x15".
Really!
It's no luxury to have that.
Nothing's worse than not being able to hear yourself well.
And going too small in cabs, you'll need to cut on low end, and play too many mids, which is going to get you in a frequency war with the pa/sound engineer.

But for most non-deafening gigs, if you can, I'd recommend to get a 500W amp.
Hartke's TX600 at $399, is priced similar to most 400W amps (usually $1 per watt is a good price rating for an amp).

Most 500W amps often put out 300W in 8ohms, and most cabs are 8ohms. You might not run well with a single cab setup, but can always add a cab later on in case.

A 300W amp also works well with a 4ohms 410.
 
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#7
descendent22 said:
it's not about the gear you want rather it's the gear I need now to perform.
Click to expand...

IMO you're starting with the right frame of mind. You're new band needs you to step up and check out more appropriate rigs.

First I'd discount adding an extension cab to your combo.
Next I'd look at separates. They are much easier to upgrade.
Does this band need you to use an 810 or will a good 212 do?
What back line did the old bass player use?

The generic answer is that if your combo is only just "not making it" then you're nowhere near 810 territory (unless you want the look). I'd suggest a 410 or 212 and an 800 watt amp. For my loud gigs I used a 4 ohm 212 and an 8 ohm 112 with a 2.67 ohm amp. For me a modular approach covers everything I want to do without needing different rigs for different bands. A 4 ohm 410 and an 8 ohm 210 would do the same thing.
 
#8
descendent22 said:
810 is a little to expensive and over haul for me. If I go with ampeg I'm going with the svt350h head and 410 cabinet.
Click to expand...
Well then . ...go the Rumble 500/210 combo and add another Rumble 210 ext cab for a kick ass (& tall) 410 .... that's what I'd do in your situation.
Providing that adding an extension cab to what you've got already isn't enough...that is.
Or . ...a spanner in the works. ... try an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 & a couple of Rumble 115s or 210s . It's a great amp. Reliable , light and sounds great.
 
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#10
chris_b said:
IMO you're starting with the right frame of mind. You're new band needs you to step up and check out more appropriate rigs.

First I'd discount adding an extension cab to your combo.
Next I'd look at separates. They are much easier to upgrade.
Does this band need you to use an 810 or will a good 212 do?
What back line did the old bass player use?

The generic answer is that if your combo is only just "not making it" then you're nowhere near 810 territory (unless you want the look). I'd suggest a 410 or 212 and an 800 watt amp. For my loud gigs I used a 4 ohm 212 and an 8 ohm 112 with a 2.67 ohm amp. For me a modular approach covers everything I want to do without needing different rigs for different bands. A 4 ohm 410 and an 8 ohm 210 would do the same thing.
Click to expand...
I have no clue on the previous bass players gear,but I am going with the 410 or a 212 could probably get the job done
 
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#11
ProDigit said:
From my experience, playing with a live drummer behind a cage, the minimum you'll need is a 300W amp, and an efficient 4 ohms 12" cabinet. Anything less and you'll be begging for more power.
Remember, that a 200W amplifier on your same cabinet you have, only gives you +3dB more volume; which isn't even noticeable in band play unless you compare them side by side. To make a noticeable bump in volume, you'll need +6dB, or 4x the power requirements, or 2x the power requirements, and adding an identical cab to your setup.

If you want enough headroom, get an 8 ohms 210 + 8 ohms 115; or, a 4ohms 212, or 2x 8ohms 12 inch; or a 4ohms 410 cab setup, and a 300W @ 4 ohms amp minimum, 500W for slightly louder bands.
If you're in a loud rock band, where the drummer doesn't have a cage, I would recommend 800W and a 610, or 3x12", or 2x15".
Really!
It's no luxury to have that.
Nothing's worse than not being able to hear yourself well.
And going too small in cabs, you'll need to cut on low end, and play too many mids, which is going to get you in a frequency war with the pa/sound engineer.

But for most non-deafening gigs, if you can, I'd recommend to get a 500W amp.
Hartke's TX600 at $399, is priced similar to most 400W amps (usually $1 per watt is a good price rating for an amp).

Most 500W amps often put out 300W in 8ohms, and most cabs are 8ohms. You might not run well with a single cab setup, but can always add a cab later on in case.

A 300W amp also works well with a 4ohms 410.
Click to expand...
300w is actually a really solid amount of wattage and for gigging and the minimal number I had in mind. Even the though Hartke makes a quality amp,,I'm sticking with fender or ampeg
 
#13
chris_b said:
First I'd discount adding an extension cab to your combo.
Click to expand...
Regardless, the Rumble 100 does not have the means to use an extension cab.

OP, I use a Rumble 500 combo with 12" extension cab. Found both used. Both with warranties. All for under the price of a new 500 combo. I also have the Rumble 500 head, which I carry to practice spots and use with the 410 cabs that live there. Gets the job done. Plenty of volume. Light AF.
 
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#16
If you like the Rumble tone you are currently getting, I'd say stay with the Rumble. I'm running a 500 Combo, and have no problems at all keeping up with a loud hard rock band. I have just added the 115 Cab to it as well, but could get along just fine without it. Were I you, wanting a head and cab setup, I'd get the 500 head and the 410 cab. Both regularly show up used on Guitar Center's website, and it'd make for an affordable, loud, excellent sounding rig - and if you need a bit more, add the second cab :).
 
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#18
Yeah the fender rumble 500 is like 35lbs or something and a 1x15 ext cab weighing about the same. So you can have a 35lb amp for practice and small gigs with another 35lb box for the big gigs. All at or under budget brand new with warranties and such. 500 watts, 210 115 and a horn... boom

And if you keep your current rumble your practice amp and main rig will feel the same.

The ampeg 410 cab is 75 lbs by itself, plus the amp, god forbid there's stairs... And even used, head + cab makes your whole budget or more. And if it breaks there's no warranty.
 
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#19
For a bar-band type situation, and given your experience with the 100w Rumble, I'd recommend a Rumble 200 or 500 combo with the Rumble extension cab. That setup will give you at least 200 very efficient (well-voiced) watts with 2 15" speakers: totally enough for most indoor gigs. Although I love me some Ampeg, it'll be a lot less portable, and the 350H doesn't really have a great rep.
 
#20
If you like your Rumble tone now, I'd go with the 500W V3 Head. I played a gig in Torrington, CT this last weekend using this head with a Rumble 15 cab with a Rumble 12 cab on top. Horns off. A lot of bang for the buck. I got several positive comments about how good the rig sounded. Nobody commented on my playing though. Hmm. Anyway, since I didn't take pictures, I guess it never really happened.
 
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