The 500 makes a great practice amp. Small. Light weight. Aux in. Great tones at any volume level. Like I have said in the past this thing is an engineering marvel
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How much louder is Fender Rumble 200 vs 100
- Thread starter Thom Fioriglio
- Start date
The 500 makes a great practice amp. Small. Light weight. Aux in. Great tones at any volume level. Like I have said in the past this thing is an engineering marvel
I have the Rumble 200 and it's a great amp.
If you're gigging out but the 500.
If you're gigging out but the 500.
The 15, 25, and 100 are the Rumble amps to skip over IMO. The meat of the line is: 40, 200, 500. The 200 is not much bigger or heavier than the 100, and it sounds significantly better, IMO. With the 100, you'd really want an extension cab or second amp to get them gigable in a rock band. The 200 could hold its own better without additional speakers. The 500: better still, if the extra cost, size, and weight are doable (it's still relatively light, though).
I gigged exclusively with a 100 watt combo amp for 22 years, an Ampeg B-100R 1x15 combo. Best tone a bass amp has ever had IMO...but it constantly struggled to keep up with anything other than a relatively quiet act. My gigging tone (though not my absolute tone) changed significantly for the better when I got my PF-800 rig two years ago. More power = more versatility, and not needing to use multiple cabs is a great benefit in the real gigging world.
I gigged exclusively with a 100 watt combo amp for 22 years, an Ampeg B-100R 1x15 combo. Best tone a bass amp has ever had IMO...but it constantly struggled to keep up with anything other than a relatively quiet act. My gigging tone (though not my absolute tone) changed significantly for the better when I got my PF-800 rig two years ago. More power = more versatility, and not needing to use multiple cabs is a great benefit in the real gigging world.
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It sounds like the R200 can hold its own in a small venue. And also sounds like it would be an upgrade from the R100 in terms of overall sound and options. I am 52 and don't anticipate being in a band playing any kind of big gigs. Just jamming with some friends. A lot to consider. I think I'll just have to go to my local GC and check them out.
If the 200 can add an extension cab and the 100 can't, then you should upgrade. It is cone surface more than wattage that makes the difference in volume output. 200 watts through 2 1x15 cabs would smoke a 500 watt head through a 1x15. Cheers.
You just gave yourself the best advice: go and try them out if they're available on the floor. Here's my thoughts:
1) if you're just playing at home and doing low-volume jams, the 100 is plenty. Still a lotta bass with the same preamp as the 200 and 500. I own it and line the 12" speaker better then the tubby 15" if your practice room is small.
2) if you're seriously gonna be jamming with electric guitars and drums, than the larger speaker will definitely help out. The difference in wattage is negligible. The fact you can add an ext cab is a plus. Add another fifteen and the 200 watts will be good enough for small-medium gigs, especially if there's FOH.
3) save up, get the 500 combo and it may be all you need for everything. The tens are surprisingly deep and offer you the volume when needed. I currently own the Stage 800 and it even does decently as a low-level practice amp.
By trying them out you'll instantly know if you like the baked-in Fender tone. Many do, some don't. If you're not sure, try a couple of other brands do you can compare. The main thing is to have fun because the hunt is what it's about!
When you decide and buy, take a pic and find us at the Combo Club. I'll give ya a number and you can be part of a fun group of combo lovers with a lot of good advice and info.
Good luck!
Everyone's needs and circumstances are unique, but I find the 100 to be awkwardly stuck between being too small for a gigging rig and bigger than necessary for a practice amp.
The rumble 40 is a smarter buy IMHO if you're only practicing at home. The 200/500 are the smart choices for potential gigging.
The rumble 40 is a smarter buy IMHO if you're only practicing at home. The 200/500 are the smart choices for potential gigging.
I think the Rumble 100 is an exceptional amp. It is tiny, super light and gets seriously loud for those specs - I'd wager that's the best bang for the buck in that weight class, and not by a small margin.
The Rumble 500 feels like the gig worthy version of the same concept.
The Rumble 200 is between those two. Not really super light. Not really ample headroom for gigs with rock music. IMO it's too heavy to be carried around one handed with ease, but it's not a full sized amp yet.
I'd want one of the things the 100 or the 500 provide.
The Rumble 500 feels like the gig worthy version of the same concept.
The Rumble 200 is between those two. Not really super light. Not really ample headroom for gigs with rock music. IMO it's too heavy to be carried around one handed with ease, but it's not a full sized amp yet.
I'd want one of the things the 100 or the 500 provide.
So I just checked the specs of my 1990s Carvin Pro Bass 300 which I gigged with for years and was always good for any venue. Its a beast and loud, also 70 lbs which is why I am selling it. With the 15" internal speaker at 8 ohms, it runs at 150 watts. I always just assumed it was 300 watts, but that would be with an extension speaker. It has me thinking now that the Rumble 200 at 140 watts with the 15" would be good for my needs. Ugh, decisions, decisions.
Just got done talking to a friend who plays gigs in bars/restaurants/coffee houses and he uses a Trace Elliot Elf head with 1x10 cabinet at 130 watts. Adding his other cabinet, it goes to 200 watts. That would be the zone I am looking at and some real world experience. I think the Rumble 500 would be overkill. The Rumble 200 may be just right. A bit more power than I currently have with the option to add a speaker if I ever need to. Heading over to GC today to test it out.
It sounds like the 200 would be good. You can always add an extension cab if needed, but it really doesn't sound like you'll need one. Don't worry about the Watts.
A single 15" can handle a surprising amount. I got a Rumble 15 cab for my Bassman head with the plan being I'd get a second for larger gigs. I haven't had the need to get a second yet.
Yes, without a doubt. The 200 is a gigging machine. I had the 500 too and as standalone amps, the 500 wasn't much louder at all (and I liked the 200 1x15" tone more so). My opinion though. The Rumble series has been great all around.
UPDATE! I went to Guitar Center today, plugged into the Rumble 200 and right away knew I was going to purchase it. Much more punch to it than the Rumble 100 which was right next to it. I set all the setting identical and switched back and forth, and the Rumble 200 sounded fuller and louder. Brought it home and played around some more. It seems the tone controls are more sensitive and dynamic on the Rumble 200. Overdrive kicks. The Bright and Vintage tones seem to add more color. And the tone right out of the box is just right on. I have all dials at noon, nothing to tweak and my Fender P Bass sounds like a P Bass should.
I was surprised by the size difference once I got it home. On paper it doesn't seem much bigger, but getting it home it is definitely more significant in size and weight than the Rumble 100. At 34 lbs, it is still light, but you feel the weight difference from the 22 lb. Rumble 100. I may have to get some wheels for it. With that said, compared to my old 70 lb. Carvin Pro Bass 300, it's light as a feather.
As for Guitar Center, I'm not sure what kind of reputation they have around here, but my experiences with them has been great. The 45 day return policy is phenomenal. Besides the Rumble 100, I also had exchanged a Fender Precision Bass. Both times, it was super easy. I took care to repackage the Rumble 100 with all the original packaging and materials (manual, plug). All they did was ask if it was working. That's all. They didn't take it out, inspect it, plug it in, nothing. Same with the bass I returned.
As for the Rumble 200 I purchased, it was the floor model, which I demoed. They took off $20 and gave me 2 years of their Pro Coverage. I was asking for $50 off, but I thought the deal was good so I took it.
Thanks everyone who responded and helped with my decision! I'm 52 and recently got back to playing after not touching a bass for 15 years (life gets in the way). There is so much great advice to be found in these forums and your help is appreciated. Now its time to go play!
Thom
I was surprised by the size difference once I got it home. On paper it doesn't seem much bigger, but getting it home it is definitely more significant in size and weight than the Rumble 100. At 34 lbs, it is still light, but you feel the weight difference from the 22 lb. Rumble 100. I may have to get some wheels for it. With that said, compared to my old 70 lb. Carvin Pro Bass 300, it's light as a feather.
As for Guitar Center, I'm not sure what kind of reputation they have around here, but my experiences with them has been great. The 45 day return policy is phenomenal. Besides the Rumble 100, I also had exchanged a Fender Precision Bass. Both times, it was super easy. I took care to repackage the Rumble 100 with all the original packaging and materials (manual, plug). All they did was ask if it was working. That's all. They didn't take it out, inspect it, plug it in, nothing. Same with the bass I returned.
As for the Rumble 200 I purchased, it was the floor model, which I demoed. They took off $20 and gave me 2 years of their Pro Coverage. I was asking for $50 off, but I thought the deal was good so I took it.
Thanks everyone who responded and helped with my decision! I'm 52 and recently got back to playing after not touching a bass for 15 years (life gets in the way). There is so much great advice to be found in these forums and your help is appreciated. Now its time to go play!
Thom
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Congrats-it's true that the 100 is comically light. Using IEM's, I can get away with just that but my 200 is a gigging amp. Enjoy!
Congrats, Thom! That's a sweet-looking rig in a very nice room. Until you get to gigging in larger places, that 200 should last you a good long spell.
Remember to stop by the Combo Club with pic and I'll hand you a membership number.
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D
Congrats! Love my 200!
I've seen your posts in the Rumble Club thread, so I know you're now a member, but here are a couple of quick tips that work great on the 200:
1) If you set the DRIVE and LEVEL controls in the Overdrive section fully off (counterclockwise) and then activate the OD section, you'll get a MUTE function! Also controllable via a footswitch. I use this one (there are other, less-expensive ones, but I like the weight):
https://www.amazon.com/Fender-1-Button-Contemporary-Footswitch-Switching/dp/B0002KZJ90/
2) Be aware of the control for the compression tweeter (HORN). Turning it off will definitely change the tone. On the 200 combo, ON is really -6 dB. On the 115 extension cab, you get OFF, -6 dB and ON. I like it ON when I play backing tracks on my phone through the AUX input. Great for practice. Try it both ways. You'll get some nice tonal differences.
3) You'll probably want to get it off the floor, and perhaps angled up away from your ankles. Find something around your house to set it on. You can check out these out for reference.
Mud Stand for Bass Amps — Mud Stand
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But, most importantly...HAVE FUN!
And welcome to the club!
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UPDATE!!! RUMBLE 100 vs. RUMBLE 200 SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON
Some context: over the last 2 weeks I've been going back and forth over what would be better for my current and future needs - a Rumble 100 or Rumble 200. I bought the 100 about a month ago and loved it. Perfect tone for my Fender P bass. Lightweight and a great practice amp. But I was always curious if I would need more power if I ever decided to join up with a band. I'm 52 and just started playing again. My previous amp that I had since I was a teen is a Carvin Pro Bass 300 which I gigged with for 20 years. It is loud, great tone, but also 70 lbs.!!!
I did my research and posted on various discussion boards here and decided to return the 100 to GC and get the 200 last weekend. I've had it for a week, but never fell in love with it, like the 100. It sounded too bassy, might be too much power than I would ever use, and heavier than the 100. And was it really worth $200 more?
Today, I bought the 100 again to do a side by side with no one home, so I can crank it up. Here is what I found.
1. The 200 is definitely louder. Keeping all tone controls the same and just adjusting the Gain and Master, with the 100 dialed at 12, the 200 was at 10 for the same volume. With 100 at 2 the 200 was at 12 for same volume.
2. The weight difference is noticeable when you hold them up side by side.
3. Even thought he 200 is larger, the footprint is not that significantly different.
4. As for tone, they both sound great, with the 200 having a little more bottom end. I moved the 200 from the corner where I had been using to another spot in my living room, and the sound just opened up. The boominess was gone and it had a great tone. Turning up the volume past 12 o'clock and this thing gets loud!
5. The 100 can get LOUD. I had it dialed up to 3 o'clock and it had a sweet tone. The Compression started to kick in. I even cranked it full and got no distortion or muddled sound. It handled the volume well.
DECISION TIME (No, I can't keep both).
I plan to play them both through the weekend and then return one. Right now I am leaning to returning the 200. It's larger and heavier than I need and may be too much power for whatever I plan to do. If I was 18 and getting started in a band, this amp would be perfect! Right now I just play by myself and maybe one day hook up with some friends to jam and maybe even be in a band or a duo or trio with some acoustic guitars. I could also use the savings of the $200 more it costs.
The 100 seems like it would be enough. Lightweight and can get loud if I need it to. I also still have my Carvin which I have been trying to sell with no luck. The price for that is down to $115, so I am thinking I may just keep it, rather than sell it for cheap, and if I ever need the power, I have that.
Here are some pics showing the side by side differences.
Some context: over the last 2 weeks I've been going back and forth over what would be better for my current and future needs - a Rumble 100 or Rumble 200. I bought the 100 about a month ago and loved it. Perfect tone for my Fender P bass. Lightweight and a great practice amp. But I was always curious if I would need more power if I ever decided to join up with a band. I'm 52 and just started playing again. My previous amp that I had since I was a teen is a Carvin Pro Bass 300 which I gigged with for 20 years. It is loud, great tone, but also 70 lbs.!!!
I did my research and posted on various discussion boards here and decided to return the 100 to GC and get the 200 last weekend. I've had it for a week, but never fell in love with it, like the 100. It sounded too bassy, might be too much power than I would ever use, and heavier than the 100. And was it really worth $200 more?
Today, I bought the 100 again to do a side by side with no one home, so I can crank it up. Here is what I found.
1. The 200 is definitely louder. Keeping all tone controls the same and just adjusting the Gain and Master, with the 100 dialed at 12, the 200 was at 10 for the same volume. With 100 at 2 the 200 was at 12 for same volume.
2. The weight difference is noticeable when you hold them up side by side.
3. Even thought he 200 is larger, the footprint is not that significantly different.
4. As for tone, they both sound great, with the 200 having a little more bottom end. I moved the 200 from the corner where I had been using to another spot in my living room, and the sound just opened up. The boominess was gone and it had a great tone. Turning up the volume past 12 o'clock and this thing gets loud!
5. The 100 can get LOUD. I had it dialed up to 3 o'clock and it had a sweet tone. The Compression started to kick in. I even cranked it full and got no distortion or muddled sound. It handled the volume well.
DECISION TIME (No, I can't keep both).
I plan to play them both through the weekend and then return one. Right now I am leaning to returning the 200. It's larger and heavier than I need and may be too much power for whatever I plan to do. If I was 18 and getting started in a band, this amp would be perfect! Right now I just play by myself and maybe one day hook up with some friends to jam and maybe even be in a band or a duo or trio with some acoustic guitars. I could also use the savings of the $200 more it costs.
The 100 seems like it would be enough. Lightweight and can get loud if I need it to. I also still have my Carvin which I have been trying to sell with no luck. The price for that is down to $115, so I am thinking I may just keep it, rather than sell it for cheap, and if I ever need the power, I have that.
Here are some pics showing the side by side differences.
