Just tried a Fender Rumble 500 combo...

[dave64o]

I play with a similar rig - a D-800+ and a pair of Big Baby 2's - and am extremely happy with it.

I've also use a Rumble 500 combo that was the backline at a couple of open mic's and I came away pretty impressed by it (I played two different Stingray 5HH's at those open mics). Both times I heard a variety of bassists playing a variety of basses playing a variety of styles and I thought it sounded great. That doesn't mean I'd trade my current rig for one but, if I needed a vintage sounding combo that got loud enough for my usual bar gigs and was capable of handle my tasteful use of my five string basses, then I'd give it serious consideration.

 

[makanudo]

Did you like the sound coming from the combo at your calves or did you like the sound coming out of the PA to FOH?

 

[Rocker80]

I have a Rumble 500 with 210 extension cab. Master volume is about 11 o’clock with a rather loud rock band and it keeps up in the volume department.

I’ve never used the DI as it’s post everything but I use DI out from my preamp.

I think it’s a decent combo for the money but I guess it’s not everyones cup of tea

 

[FRoss6788]

Lets' keep some perspective here.

The combo costs what, $650ish?

Comparing it to a head and cab combination that costs in excess of $2000 is kinda silly, isn't it?

If I went to re-purchase my current gig rig now it would approach $3000 and it is in a different class than my Rumble, and had DAMN well better be for that kind of money. But, for what I paid for my Rumble, I'm quite impressed with it. I don't find it muddy at all because I'm not afraid to twist the knobs on the amp because that's what they're there for.

 

[Boneless]

I realise they are loud and light (well, relatively), but I don't get Fender Rumbles. I have tried a couple, one with the 15" and another I can't remember, and the tone is really scooped; that's not really a problem, apparently it's a classic Fender tonestack (which I don't think works much for bass). The thing is, it's voiced for these really deep lows that you can't really EQ away, at least not easily, and the overdrive sounds a bit "fake".

 

[gtirard]

What's the consensus on these Rumble 500's?

I don't think there's a consensus. Sometimes I'm obliged to play it in my rehearsal studio (when there's no alternative), and I can't get used to it, I can't get a tone I like out of it, not my stuff. There's something happening in the mids that I don't like and I can't get rid off.

 

[Stranger Danger]

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

They struggle with that. If you really want one, get the 800 watt version. It’s lighter at 29 pounds too

 

[basslayer]

Great amp. Lightweight, sounds great. The only reason I didn't keep mine was because I wanted the 800 watt modeling edition.

 

[FRoss6788]

I realise they are loud and light (well, relatively), but I don't get Fender Rumbles. I have tried a couple, one with the 15" and another I can't remember, and the tone is really scooped; that's not really a problem, apparently it's a classic Fender tonestack (which I don't think works much for bass). The thing is, it's voiced for these really deep lows that you can't really EQ away, at least not easily, and the overdrive sounds a bit "fake".

Wow.

I have the 210 500, and with no buttons pushed in and EQ flat it is the opposite of scooped, very midrangey. That, and I do not believe this amp has the classic Fender tone stack. Fender tone stack is kinda legendary, so I don't know where you get the idea it doesn't really work for bass.

We agree on the overdrive, but then I'm more of a clean bass guy anyway.

 

[Boneless]

Wow.

I have the 210 500, and with no buttons pushed in and EQ flat it is the opposite of scooped, very midrangey. That, and I do not believe this amp has the classic Fender tone stack. Fender tone stack is kinda legendary, so I don't know where you get the idea it doesn't really work for bass.

We agree on the overdrive, but then I'm more of a clean bass guy anyway.

It's legendary on guitar. How many bass amps sport a tonestack?

 

[FRoss6788]

It's legendary on guitar. How many bass amps sport a tonestack?

Alembic F1-X preamp
Hartke

...off the top of my head, oh... and Fender

 

[ReeV0]

They struggle with that. If you really want one, get the 800 watt version. It’s lighter at 29 pounds too

Are you speaking from experience?

I'd need to try the 800W version as it uses different speakers and I may no longer like the tone as much

 

[Old Blastard]

I like the sounds of the Rumbles, very similar to by Genz Benz Contour. I can find a usable tone in pretty much any amp, I just fool a lot with the controls, which is actually fun.

I play in different bands and vary from midrangy to boomy to twangy depending.

now that I'm looking to replace a Hartke 250 watt combo, I've decided to full Genz and get the Magellan 350 combo. I have it good authority that using the cab with my Contour 500 will create a good tone as well.

 

[Indiana Mike]

I have used a rumble at rehearsal for two plus years.
It does sound good. It is good at what it does. I find, IMO, it does what IT does really well.

Is it a one trick pony? Mmm, maybe not , but not as versatile as what I would like.

If I was in band that required what this amp does well I would own one. So maybe for you this is it.

 

[tvbop]

Used a Rumble for a while, light and looked nice but where it mattered, that baked in mid scoop is not for me....Hard to underestand why builders do it really. Traded it for the Ampeg honk..

 

[FilipL82]

I have a Rumble 500 combo with the 210 extension cab. I don’t really like the Rumble’s eq &overdrive but there’s ways to fix that. It’s a light, reliable and powerful combo that serves a good stage monitor and practice amp.
I put an Aguilar tonehammer pedal in the effects loop and it sounds glorious now. The sound to the foh comes from the Aguilar as well.

 

[Artman]

I have a Rumble 500v.3 Head (now discontinued), a Rumble 210 v.3 cab (with pop-out casters installed), and a Rumble 112 v.3 cab.

It's a great sounding rig!
Before my band went to an all ampless stage, I gigged it for a couple of years, and rarely had to plug in the 112 cab. It was plenty loud for most indoor gigs with just the 210.
I used it with both cabs plugged in at a couple of different outdoor gigs with a rock band, and it was more than powerful enough with plenty of juice in reserve.
I always turn off the tweeters. I just don't like tweeters on a bass cab.

I've also owned and performed with some stupidly big and loud amp rigs throughout the years.
In my opinion, if a late model Rumble 500 isn't loud enough, then the other musicians on the stage are too loud and need to turn themselves down and leave their egos backstage.

Great affordable and dependable little amps if you like Fenderish amp voicings!
The only things I don't like are the built-in overdrive, and the fact that changing the master volume setting will also change the output level of the built-in DI.
I use overdrive and DI from my pedalboard though, an amp is just a stage monitor for your bass anyway, and if there is no FOH, I'm not taking the gig anyway.

I almost always perform ampless these days, but I keep the 500 rig around just in case it's needed.

This guy did a great little video describing similar experiences with his combo, except that he doesn't even use an extension cab at outdoor festivals.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Are you speaking from experience?

I'd need to try the 800W version as it uses different speakers and I may no longer like the tone as much

Yes I am speaking from experience. I’ve owned all of them at one point or another. The 200 watt 115 is the best of the bunch but if you’re set on the 210, I’d pop for the bigger one. The 500 struggled at louder volumes with a 5 string.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

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?

I think they are a good choice for the price as long as you like the Fender sound. I started with the Fender sound back in 1966. It was an all-tube sound then and Fender was a very sought after brand. I later had to trade it in on a more powerful amp because it just couldn't keep up with the guitar and keys when I was touring. That opened my eyes to other sounds available.

I don't own any Fender amps or cabs but have been playing their Jazz Bass since 1966, first with a 1965 and after that was stolen a 1982 Jazz. I've played through a lot of amps since then. It was in 2008 that I first played through an Eden amp and I had an "Ah-ha!" moment similar to yours. I still have 3 Eden amps and play two of them through both Eden and DNA cabs (Eden and DNA were both founded by David Nordschow) and I won't stop using them until they no longer function. That may be a long time because one of my best Eden amps was built in 1999, so it's old already.

I think it's cool that you really like that Rumble 500 sound from a gig you had. It's not the sound I'm looking for, but then I'm not you and you're the one who has to be happy with your sound. Don't sell your other gear yet though. As other's mentioned it may be that the combination of the room and the sound tech that gear made it sound so good.

If you sent a DI signal to the sound tech for use in the mains and monitors, be sure to have a conversation with him of how he EQ'd your sound and why. It will give you some good insight into how to replicate it at other places. He may very well have made some adjustments for the room and it's helpful to find out what adjustments he made. One of the keys to getting a good sound out of a room is to boost or cut sounds that the room is either sucking out or reinforcing to get to as even a response as you can, and then make the adjustments you need to get as good a sound as the room will allow.

One other quick note - that amp only delivers 350-watts with its internal speakers, which is actually a fair amount more than most "500-watt amps". Not uncommon for them to deliver just 250 watts into 8Ω if they are rated at 500-watts into 4Ω. So it may sound louder because it is. Most combos require a second 8Ω cab to get full power. Adding that second 8Ω 210 cab puts a 4Ω load on the amp allowing it to unleash its maximum of 500-watts.

 

[DuluthDank]

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 DI is post everything on the Rumbles, as well as the Ampeg Rocket series. To me this makes both of them non starters for a gigging amp. Also I'd definitely get a Rumble with a return policy to try out at home with your basses in an environment you know. I found that the baked in tone was a bit to strong for me, and actually masked the differences in sound between my basses in a way I didn't like. It really became apparent to me that this was the case when I brought a GK home to compare, and I sold the Rumble soon after. Many people just love that Rumble tone though, so best to see for yourself.

I'm using an Ashdown Rootmaster 500 210 combo now, and find it can be made to sound the way I'd always wished i could EQ my old Rumble to sound, if that makes sense. The DI isn't post-voume, and it has a nice built in handle. Just throwing it out there.