NAD - Fender Rumble 100

[bigdaddybass12]

Yeah...that's where I'm heading as far as gigs. Coffee houses, cafe's, restaurants, etc. Small duos, trios, short, easy 2 hour gigs earlier in the evening. No more late night, four hour gigs for me anymore. Definitely no more loud bands anymore.

Yes on this! I live in south Alabama, we have several fund raiser outdoor summer gigs, minimal shade, 95 degrees, play for free, probably my last year for this one.

 

[joeLowB]

Further thoughts on the Rumble 100...

Anyone who remembers me from my old username on here (aka - Sundogue), back in the day of designing and building my own cabs, always buying/selling/trading various preamps, amps, etc. constantly in search of the tonal Holy Grail and gobs of power for the loud rock bands I was in, drove me to a lot of experimentation. No matter how close I came to "my" perfect tone and volume, I was never totally satisfied.

Yes, GAS is a real thing. But as I've gotten older, and my taste in music changed, a funny thing happened. I stopped being so picky about it. I still care about my tone, but I no longer feel the need to chase perfection. The best part is, in the past so many of my bands/gigs not only required the tone I was after, but also needed to do so at high volume. That makes a big difference in one's approach to resolving the requirements for both tone and volume.

Now that I have no need to get loud, it's become so much easier to find something that provides the tone I like. I still like a tight low end (but it doesn't need to be fed gobs of watts to get there), punchy mids (but without any need to "cut through the mix" to compete with other loud instruments) and crisp, articulate upper mids and highs that provide those beautiful crisp, clean upper frequencies.

And now that I am older, and dealing with lower back and shoulder aches and pains (due to past injuries) the need for lightweight gear is more important than it ever was, Back then, the idea was always a compromise...Light, Loud and Low. Pick any two because all three were unobtainable. It's a beautiful thing to not really have to compromise when you play light, low volume gigs. You can achieve all three, beyond "bedroom practice" volume.

So I can relate to those who need more power. I once was exactly in that position...back then. Now? This Fender Rumble 100 satisfies all three criteria. Mainly because at live gigs, onstage volume requirements are a moot point. The Rumble 100 handles not only the stage volume but also carries the room without any need to be fed into a PA. I won't be playing any gigs that need a PA beyond a monitor mix if there is a vocalist. Small "MTV Unplugged" type gigs for me now.

It is amazing how easy it is to achieve incredible tone now simply by removing that VOLUME aspect from the equation. So I get it. The Rumble 100 ain't for everyone, and possibly not for the vast majority of players. I've "been there, done that" so I can appreciate the comments from those still searching for perfection and the need for more power. For those that think the Rumble 100 is only suited to practice volumes, just aren't in my position. When I was younger I envied those who were. I'm there now too and thrilled and grateful where I'm at now.

Thanks for articulating these thoughts out of your extensive experience. It's very, very helpful to me.

Thank you.

.

 

[Robert K De Sil]

I've got one too . . it's a beast

It's actually TOO loud for at home. I use my Rumble 40 for that.

I just turn the volume down on my Rumble 200,I only use it in the bedroom

 

[Dust2Dust]

I just turn the volume down on my Rumble 200,I only use it in the bedroom

Yeah, I think it has something to do with the speaker being a 12 instead of a 10 like on the Rumble 40. Plus, even though I use compressors and a pre, I still get a clean tone which just isn't the same on a bigger amp turned down. I already have to keep the Rumble 40 at half power or less to keep it from getting obnoxious.

TL;DR I like the rich, full tone I get with the 40. The 100 gets unruly, fast. (In the bedroom, I mean)

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Yeah, I think it has something to do with the speaker being a 12 instead of a 10 like on the Rumble 40. Plus, even though I use compressors and a pre, I still get a clean tone which just isn't the same on a bigger amp turned down. I already have to keep the Rumble 40 at half power or less to keep it from getting obnoxious.

TL;DR I like the rich, full tone I get with the 40. The 100 gets unruly, fast. (In the bedroom, I mean)

Yeah, even my Rumble 100 at home seems really loud. When playing through it at home, even with the Master volume at 1 it makes the house "rumble".

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I planned on making a rolling/tilting cart for my Fender Rumble100. Even though it is super lightweight and an easy one hand carry, I'll need to bring other items beside my bass with me (cables, power cords, etc.). Plus I may need to carry it a long distance from my car to the venue. So I thought a cart would be good to have.

I also thought I may like to put my mount on a stand. I came across this little Rubbermaid milkcrate storage container and I thought it might also work as a stand. Turns out the rubber feet of the Rumble 100 fit exactly inside the four corners of it! I'm going to add a 3/4" piece of plywood to the bottom of the crate and add some locking castors to it. I have a telescoping handle lying around to bolt to the back of it. So the crate can double as a lightweight stand for the amp that is also a rolling cart.

 

[FearNoEvil65]

I had a Fender Rumble 100 but it wasn't quite loud enough to keep up with the band I jam with, I switched to a Rumble 200 and it's a lot louder than the 100.
I have an ext115 cab also just in case but I've never really needed it.
Honestly, especially in the house for practice the 100 was better. Plus the 200 is at 38lbs, were the 100 is 22lbs? makes a difference.

Congrats with your new amp!

 

[joeLowB]

I planned on making a rolling/tilting cart for my Fender Rumble100. Even though it is super lightweight and an easy one hand carry, I'll need to bring other items beside my bass with me (cables, power cords, etc.). Plus I may need to carry it a long distance from my car to the venue. So I thought a cart would be good to have.

I also thought I may like to put my mount on a stand. I came across this little Rubbermaid milkcrate storage container and I thought it might also work as a stand. Turns out the rubber feet of the Rumble 100 fit exactly inside the four corners of it! I'm going to add a 3/4" piece of plywood to the bottom of the crate and add some locking castors to it. I have a telescoping handle lying around to bolt to the back of it. So the crate can double as a lightweight stand for the amp that is also a rolling cart.

Brilliant DIY! That will be very handy!

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I made a cart/dolly/stand for my Rumble 100. While I can certainly carry it as it's very lightweight, I might need to carry it a long way, and I'll also have other things to carry.

So I made my own cart/stand/dolly storage system. It's a rigid Rubbermaid milk crate style container. I had an old, 4 wheel furniture dolly I cut down to fit the crate. I added a collapsible handle to the back.

The rubber feet of the Rumble 100 just happen to fit tightly and perfectly inside the lip of the crate. There is enough storage area in the crate for the amp's power cord, an extension cord, my small mixer, mic cables, mics, etc. And it also doubles as an onstage amp stand.

 

[joeLowB]

I made a cart/dolly/stand for my Rumble 100. While I can certainly carry it as it's very lightweight, I might need to carry it a long way, and I'll also have other things to carry.

So I made my own cart/stand/dolly storage system. It's a rigid Rubbermaid milk crate style container. I had an old, 4 wheel furniture dolly I cut down to fit the crate. I added a collapsible handle to the back.

The rubber feet of the Rumble 100 just happen to fit tightly and perfectly inside the lip of the crate. There is enough storage area in the crate for the amp's power cord, an extension cord, my small mixer, mic cables, mics, etc. And it also doubles as an onstage amp stand.

So cool! Thanks for the pix!

 

[SoulReflection]

Glad you like it. Mine sounded like it had a wet blanket laid over it.

Well, a wet blanket might be better than white goo on the speaker as, at least one person has tried, as memory serves ...

 

[tvbop]

I had one and sold it cause they aint Ampegyish enough for me, however. yes they are pretty loud. I got more volume by fitting acoustic foam inside on one side only and always dialling the bass knob back. It sang. Later I found a cheap Rumble 40.. did the same, then daisied them .. now that was a very loud rig.