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Fender VS Acoustic Bass amps

A

acoustic58

Guest
Mar 18, 2015
82
8
#1
Looking to buy a 100 watt bass amp. The Fender Rumble seems to be available everywhere. The Acoustic Bass amps are only sold through GC and Musicians Friend, which is basically the same company. Both amps are designed to handle all types of music and both are the same price. 300.00

I am generally a little leery about buying guitar gear that is only sold through one vendor. In fact many have told me that GC owns the Acoustic bass and guitar line. I have heard a lot of great reviews on the Fender but not much is said about Acoustic as a bass amp. I have an acoustic guitar amp and it sounds and works great. Bass may be a different animal.

I don't need to be sold on the Fender Rumble because I think it sounds good and made with quality. My question is really about the Acoustic brand. Does anyone have a bass acoustic amp and if so, what are your thoughts. P.S. I am sure most people know this but acoustic bass amps are not made for acoustic bass guitar. They are made for everything from James Taylor to Led Zep.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob
 
#2
I have a number of Acoustic amps, but they aren't the GC kind. The ones GC sells have nothing to do with the Acoustic Control equipment Led Zeppelin and others played through. As far as I can tell, the ones that GC sells are serviceable enough. Their cabinets are made of particleboard, which means you are in trouble if they ever get wet. I don't know what the Fenders are made of. I suspect both have what amount to disposable boards inside. That means if one of them has a problem under warranty, they will just give you a new one instead of fixing it. The issue is that the soldering quality is sometimes iffy, and labor in China or Indonesia or wherever the latest extra cheap shops are makes it economical to throw them away. That said, if you get one without problems, they are just modern solid state equipment. They should last a long time with minimal attention. Make sure you listen to them before you buy. Some like the way they sound, some don't. Same with the Fender.
 
#4
The 'Acoustic' amp, being made of particle board (lots of heavy resin) is relatively heavy. My Fender Rumble 40 is made of 1/2 inch, void free plywood. The cuts are clean and the joints are tight and well glued. The soldering is also quite good. I would guess that the other Rumble vIII's are similarly built. I played through a 1x12 Acoustic combo a few years ago and was impressed by its decent tone. It was a bit heavy. If tone and volume are your criteria, audition both of them. If weight is a major factor, it's the Fender, hands down. If you get to a GC, MF or similar outlet, check out the TC Electronic BG 250-112 and the Ampeg BA-112. The GK is also well worth a try if you can manage another $50. In auditioning them make sure the bass is in tune and that the combo's are all in the same acoustic setting. Amps located mid-floor will tend to have less bass than those located along a wall or in a corner. Good luck!
 

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