Just tried a Fender Rumble 500 combo...

[ReeV0]

Hi guys,

So I've been playing bass for 15 years now, and have owned countless basses, amps and cabs throughout the years. I've come to realise that I like the Musicman Stingray tone the best, but I've never owned an actual Stingray - only a USA Sub which was too heavy so I sold it. Now I play through an Ibanez ATK805, Genzler Magellan 800 and two Barefaced BB2s and love it.

The other night I played a gig, I never bother bringing my own equipment to gigs as there is always stuff provided, and that night was no different. They had a Fender Rumble 500 combo as the backline (DI'd into the PA). I haven't played through Fender gear since I was a teenager. HOWEVER...

It was the best sounding rig I think I've ever played through. It truly made my Ibby ATK sound like a Stingray. It sounded like the sound in my head!

What's the consensus on these Rumble 500's? I'm now contemplating selling my gear (apart from the ATK of course) and just getting one of these. I've had very expensive amps and cabs in the past (Bergantino etc) but this Fender 2x10 combo just sounded way better than all of them... hella loud too! Louder than the other 500W amps I've had.

The only thing that puts me off is the 17kg weight with the single top-mounted carry strap. If I was to get the amp and cab separately, the cab comes with side-mounted handles, but interestingly still weighs 17kg. Anyone got any experience?

 

[agedhorse]

It’s a good combo if that’s the tone you are after.

 

[FRoss6788]

Hi praise considering your current rig!

I have one that I keep at our rehearsal space so I don't have to move my gig rig (Berg HDN 212). I don't find the lift with the top handle difficult at all.

Potent little combo that tempts me to acquire the 2x10 extension cab to go with it.

 

[FRoss6788]

It’s a good combo if that’s the tone you are after.

Agreed.

You can't be afraid to do some knob twisting with this one.

 

[ReeV0]

Thanks! I'm curious if anyone has experience using it at gigging volume with a 5-string, specifically how the 10s handle the B-string

 

[FRoss6788]

Thanks! I'm curious if anyone has experience using it at gigging volume with a 5-string, specifically how the 10s handle the B-string

I play in a 4 piece (keys) with a fairly loud drummer, we rehearse at what some would consider gig volume, and it handles my detuned 4 (C#) just fine.

I know that's not a B string but might give you some idea....

 

[_Tay_]

It's a great amp the 500 and ext. Speaker combo that people will look down upon as they're popular and cheapish for a decent rig. Can get a real punchy sound and can get nice and dirty too when dialed in right. Fender's speaker choice is really great with the Rumble line too.

Check out the Rumble Club thread on here for more info if you need it.

 

[halcyo]

Keep in mind, your enthusiasm for a particular bass tone could 90% be a room sound that just sounds good on your bass tone that night. As a guy who’s played thousands of gigs at this point, sometimes my expensive gear still sounds bad on certain stages in certain rooms cuz the room just isn’t conducive to good tone. Conversely, you could be fooled by a room that’s great for bass, even if the rig is average or below.

I always say, there are rooms my bass sounds good in, and there are rooms my vocal sounds good in. And they are hardly ever the same room haha.

All that said, the Rumble series is very decent from what I’ve experienced with them.

 

[MattZilla]

Rumbles, especially the 500’s, do a neat trick of helping the band sound more like a modern pop recording than sounding like a live band.

That should make me want one more than I actually do. I’ll likely never spend my money on one.

Something I can’t say about a lot of amps, Markbass especially, I do actually kinda enjoy borrowing them and/or being in the crowd when they’re being used.

 

[ReeV0]

Thanks for all the informative replies. Can anyone comment on the linearity of the volume pot? It seemed crazy loud with the master volume at 11 o'clock, but for all I know, that could be 75% of max output...

 

[FRoss6788]

I haven't set mine past 9:00

 

[juancaminos]

I will echo what agedhorse posted. However it wasn't for me. I like a very bright sound and IMHO the bright side of the Rumble is not very musical at loud volumes. At low volume it was awesome but we play large outdoor gigs during the summer months where I need to compete with two guitars and a loud drummer.

I bought the Rumble 500 combo then a 115 extension cabinet, then another 210 cabinet. It took all that thing could up give on outdoor shows. I though I was going to kill it. So I sold it rather then blow it up.

Lot's people use them and love them. I just never bonded with the Rumble.

 

[ReeV0]

Interesting, I will definitely need to try it again before I buy. HOWEVER - I just read someone mentioning that the DI was post-EVERYTHING, including the master volume! If this is true, I think I might have to pass...

 

[FRoss6788]

Hmmm...
LOTS of great inexpensive DI pedals out there, I've rarely run DI off my amp head.

I know the Subway DI is excellent, however....

 

[aprod]

I would never give up my Genz Benz for a Fender Rumble. The GB is far superior. I find it hard to believe you can’t get the sound you want out of your current rig.

 

[SoCal80s]

Interesting, I will definitely need to try it again before I buy. HOWEVER - I just read someone mentioning that the DI was post-EVERYTHING, including the master volume! If this is true, I think I might have to pass...

The 800 combo has a pre/post switch and a ground lift for the XLR out. And it's 10 lbs. lighter than the 500 combo.

 

[ReeV0]

The 800 combo has a pre/post switch and a ground lift for the XLR out. And it's 10 lbs. lighter than the 500 combo.

Funnily enough I just saw this. Hadn't considered the 800. I presume it's lighter because of the neo speakers rather than ceramic. But since I'm buying solely because of the tone of the 500 combo, I'd definitely need to try it first!

 

[FRoss6788]

I would never give up my Genz Benz for a Fender Rumble. The GB is far superior. I find it hard to believe you can’t get the sound you want out of your current rig.

Yes the Genz is a better amp, as is my GK and Berg rig.

BUT... for the price point and one hand carry, the Fender is a pretty impressive amp. I've entertained the idea of gigging it at a couple of small venues we play, and I bought it specifically as a rehearsal amp...

 

[waver]

Just to add another opinion:

Lots of people love the Fender Rumble 500, including the guy who bought mine.

However to me the sound was muddy. I very much prefer my current rig, Quilter BB and Mesa 1x12 (or two 12s when needed). To me my current rig has much more clarity, balls, and versatility.

YMMV!

 

[kevrex]

i love mine. never had any problem keeping up with a loud band in the practice room.

I can see where the DI would be an issue for some, but I'm a set it and forget it guy. and if I piss off the sound guy by turning it up a little bit when he can't get my mix right in the monitor, I guess I pissed off the sound guy a little bit. we'll both get over it.

played through a 200, too, and i might have liked the tone just a touch more. maybe. I think they're really nice amps for not much dough, especially if you get one mismarked at guitar center.