• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Footswitches for Fender Rumble 40 Studio

T

toughluck

Mar 18, 2025
463
530
44
#1
I searched for this today and couldn't find an answer.

I bought a used Fender Rumble Studio 40 recently. The amp is upgraded to the latest firmware and runs great, I'm really happy with it. If I were to upgrade, I'd be looking hard at the Rumble Stage 800 before considering another amp.

I don't own any footswitches for the amp and I started exploring the options. The manual (and the addendum to the firmware-upgraded amps) mentions two options: MGT-4 and EXP-1 pedals. The manual goes to some length explaining how they can be used. But I looked at the menu and the Footswitch submenu also offers GTX-7 as an option and this got me wondering which footswitch is the best.

The GTX-7 is a bit more expensive than MGT-4, but has 7 buttons instead of 4 (it's in the name, duh), and from their labels, it seems that it might be more flexible. That is, if the amp actually supports them all.

I think I'd like to have the option to use an expression pedal as well, but it seems that only one footswitch is supported at a time. I guess it's unreasonable to expect two of them to work at once? I mean, the EXP-1 pedal appears to actually support a through mode with MS-4, but maybe it's too much to hope for? I know MGT-4 is essentially MS-4 with different labels (and Fender offers/used to offer a magnetic overlay free of charge).

So I have three questions, all concerning Rumble Studio 40/Stage 800:
1. Is GTX-7 fully supported and will all buttons work as designed?
2. Does GTX-7 actually offer anything over MGT-4 or is there no point overpaying for it?
3. Will EXP-1 support through mode with MGT-4/GTX-7, or is it just one footswitch only?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Submutha63
#2
EXP-1 controls parameters/volume (as assigned) when plugged into a GTX-7 into the Rumble Stage 800/Studio 40. Both work perfectly with my Rumble Stage 800. The "extra" GTX-7 switches can be used to enable/disable effects in the chain.

Relevant thread:

ddarrell2

Thread 'Fender GTX-7 footswitch compatibility'

I'm trying to track down if the newer Fender GTX-7 footswitch can be used fully with a Rumble Studio 40. I know the MGT-4 footswitch works, but really like this other pedal better.
  • Like
 
  • Like
Reactions: toughluck
#3
Ah, makes sense. I guessed that I'd probably have to look in the Mustang guitar amp manual to get more information on what extra functions GTX-7 offers.
I'll have to think on whether it offers anything I'll actually need.

If I may, I have two more questions:
1. Does the menu option select which footswitch is in use or is it just to set up the relevant footswitch/assign functions to the buttons and the amp automatically recognizes what's plugged in?
2. So I plug in the EXP-1 to the amp, then the footswitch (GTX-7/MGT-4) to the EXP-1 and everything works perfectly?
 
#4
1. It detects what's plugged in, but the Menu (at least for me), shows all 3 options (including MGT-4 even though it's not plugged in). You'd select the footswitch model on the amp's menu (Menu, Footswitch) to configure them. I wish I could do that in the Tone app.

2. Yes, the EXP-1 plugs into the amp. GTX-7 plugs into the EXP-1. So it's GTX-7 > EXP-1 > Amp's Footswitch connector.

As for "everything works perfectly", my answer is yes with the caveat that everything was set up properly. The EXP-1 must be configured for EVERY SINGLE PRESET to control whatever aspect you want it to. Again, I wish I could do that in the Tone app.
 
  • Like
Reactions: toughluck
#7
Oh yeah, I started wondering about the options and I see some used multieffect pedals, mainly from Zoom and I hear a lot of good about them, start thinking about getting one of them and either a FRFR cab or a compact head and a neutral cab... then realize that because having a cab, a compact head and a separate DI box is exactly the reason why I migrated to Studio 40 and that it offers so many different options that I really don't need to faff around with all the complexity, and really the only thing I do need is access to the looper, an easy way to control some parameters on the fly and immediate access to the tuner.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Submutha63
#8
Yes, @toughluck, the older ULT-4 and MS-4 footswitches can both work like the newer MGT-4 footswitch for the Rumble Stage & Studio. But, as you're aware, their button labels are wrong. And, I'm not sure Fender has anymore free magnetic overlays to give away. If you find that to be the case I can send you the PDF file to print a paper one. Maybe you can glue it to a magnetic sheet for a DIY project if you get one of those older footswitch es.

You should come join the TalkBass Fender Rumble Club to learn more about this versatile amp!
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
#12
As I said before, I ordered the GTX-7. I agonized a moment because the MGT-4 has the quick access function and I'm wondering if it wouldn't be more useful than direct access to five effects or separate buttons for the looper (since I'm unsure if I will ever use it), but buy once, cry once, I guess.
 
#13
I finally unboxed the GTX-7 and I don't know if there's something wrong with it, but the "Mode/Hold Tuner" button doesn't seem to do anything.
If I turn on the tuner from the amp menu, it shows up on the pedal as well.

I tried it with and without the EXP-1 pedal (which works, btw).

When booting, the display shows "u-4". I thought it may have been recognized as an MGT-4, but all five buttons work and the Bank Up/Hold Down button works as intended, so it seems like the amp recognized the pedal just fine.

Is there something I need to activate somewhere or is the pedal broken?
 
#14
Okay, found out the reason. Sloppy Fender QC. The spring that pushes on the switch fell off:
missing spring.jpg

and attached itself to an exposed glue pad:
here-it-is.jpg

On the other side, the bank up/bank down spring was also misaligned (not around the plunger, but next to it), sorry, no picture.

I successfully manipulated that other spring into position, but the mode/tuner one turned out to be tricky.

When trying to put it on the switch, it sprang off the tweezers and flew off… somewhere.

Hooray for jury-rigging, though, I took a spring out from a pen, cut off some unnecessary length and it fits. It makes a slightly different sound, and I'm sure it's going to bug me, but at least it should work now… not that I have tested it since it's too late to try it out.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back