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Just tried a Fender Rumble 500 combo...

#41
ReeV0 said:
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
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Stranger Danger said:
They struggle with that. If you really want one, get the 800 watt version. It’s lighter at 29 pounds too
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I got the Rumble 500 combo in 2014 hoping it could help in my loud country cover band where my Bassman 250 combo was struggling. But, from the specs, I thought it too good to be true, so I was looking for the catch. It sounded really deep & rich right outta the box, and it was light and the controls were straightforward. (The Gain is not a volume. It can be set to zero without disabling the combo!) But, when I hit it with my 5-string and that low B punched out clear and deep I knew I had a keeper! It has never had any trouble at all with the low B. It's still my go-to "big" bass amp today. I used my Bassman 115 Neo cab with it outdoors just a couple times, but didn't really need the extra power & speaker area (but it was great fun!). :smug:

Ree, come get more Rumble 500 combo comments in the TalkBass Fender Rumble Club. :thumbsup:
.
 
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#43
Having owned them all, I will say they’re good for what they are. They are popular because they’re cheap and they say Fender and perform adequately. They’re are a lot of folks who have drank the koolaid and act like these are the greatest amps ever. That, they are not. But they’re extremely capable small combo amps with some limitations that are entirely reasonable considering the cost. If you’re realistic about what it is and what it isn’t you’ll be fine. But there are folks on talkbass that buy Squiers as “investment” instruments so we aren’t always realistic.
 
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#46
In my experience, they are unpredictable. I've had one for several years now. I picked it up for rehearsal and small venues.

I've been hot and cold....some gigs I've been shocked at how good it sounds. Other times, I hated it. It seems highly dependent on the stage/room.

Eventually, I had enough "hate it" moments, I stopped gigging with it, but still drag it around for rehearsals.

...and I agree with the previous sentiment regarding the overdrive....no bueno. If you like clean or add dirt with pedals, you should be ok but I wouldn't use the amp OD. It is anything but inspirational.
 
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#48
ReeV0 said:
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?
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I had a Rumble 500 head + 410 cab when I was younger. I wouldn't call it, like, the peak of tone. They are functional amps. I'm not itching to get another one though. They work, and that's good enough.
 
#49
Room acoustics play a major role in how gear sounds. I use a Rumble 500 head with 2 x 12” speakers. I generally get a good sound with a little tweaking to suit whichever venue I’m in. A while back I played a room I’d never been in before and as always I start with settings flat and go from there.
Well on this occasion I did nothing. The amp sounding fantastic without any eq tweaking whatsoever. If my gear happened to be backline provided and that was my first experience with it I would be sold completely without doubt. I’m happy with my gear and don’t plan to change but for every other venue I’ve ever played in I had to eq to suit the room.
Take that Rumble to another venue and you’d soon see that your eq would need attention. I’m not casting aspersions on the Rumble combo but keep in mind that it sounds good in that room. Other rooms might differ.
 
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#50
waver said:
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!
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My previous Rumble combo (the early all black version) was definitely muddy and I sold it but the 500 head I have now running through a 2x12” cabinet is way better. Clean and punchy and plenty of headroom.
 
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#51
ReeV0 said:
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...
Click to expand...

That’s why I use a SansAmp as a DI. The PA gets the send from there and I can mess with my amp settings if I want without affecting the send.
 
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#52
ReeV0 said:
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?
Click to expand...
I have that combo, (and also an R115 extension cab for it if I want the full 500W), and I like it a lot. I think it's really versatile with the switches and EQ on it, and with further tone control on my basses, I can get a lot of great sounds. I don't play a very "wet" bass tone. No FX at all, in fact, and the R500 is just fine for me. I play in mostly 3 and 4 pieces now, and I never really have to crank it. It has plenty of power for my situations with it's 350W. When I add the R115, it's for a more full range of frequency and I love that.
Ultimately, given the sound of it, the versatility, and the weight, it's great if it fits what you do with people. I've had mine for a few years and won't replace it anytime soon. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
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#53
ReeV0 said:
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?
Click to expand...

I'm always happy to see a Rumble of any kind when I get to a venue with backline. I can always get a good sound on both vertical and horizontal basses. 17 kg is pretty reasonable if you consider weight vs sound.
 
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#54
I have three Rumbles -- 40 and 100 combos and 500 head that I pair with a Rumble 112 cab. There hasn't been a situation that I couldn't handle with one of them. I think they're the best value on the market today, but agree with @agedhorse that you need to like the Rumble tone. I do, but depending on the room, I find myself putting them on a chair to decrease the rumbling and turning Gain and Bass way, way down.

One cautionary note: With only side handles, the 112 cab is awkward to carry. But I don't believe it weighs 17kg; more like 14kg, which makes it do-able even for this old man.
 
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#58
ReeV0 said:
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?
Click to expand...
It's a good combo. Stands up well in a full band setting also...without a PA. Check it out.



Rumble combo, no PA support
 
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#59
I've backlined the 500 combo a few times and the EQ is a big unusual. I literally have to back the bass knob all the way down. Otherwise the thing booms, which is not what I want. Otherwise it works fine. I don't hate it.
 
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