New amp day: Fender Rumble Studio 40

I got this amp a few days ago as an all-in-one practice amp. Here’s a quick review.

The amp sims sound pretty good for the most part, especially on clean settings. There’s enough variety here to cover a lot of genres.

The overdrives, distortions, and fuzzes are not to my liking. There are a couple of light overdrives that sound nice, but the rest sound harsh to my ears.

There’s a good mix of modulations. Choruses, Flangers, Tremolos, and Phasers all sound pretty good. I’m not too crazy about the envelope filter or octave options, the two effects I use most.

Delays and reverbs are nice. Good number of options.

User interface is easy enough to get the hang of quickly. iPhone app works as it should. There are already some pretty good patches to choose from.

There is an effects loop...have not tried it yet.

The amp is essentially the Rumble 40 combo with a tweeter and different amp head.

The sound through headphones is very good.

Overall first impressions are generally positive for the different amp tones and the modulations, delays, and reverbs. Unfortunately, mine cuts out for about 2-3 seconds every 10-15 minutes or so, so it’s going back. I’ll probably get another one to give it another shot.

 

Not really. There is a parametric EQ, so you can dial in on a specific mid frequency with that if you’d like. There are also two graphic EQs available. Additionally, there is a global EQ that you can apply to the overall amp to set the base tone flat or a few options to make the amp brighter or darker overall.

 

I have not tried it with DAW. However, before I return/exchange it, I plan to run pedals in front of it and in the effects loop to see how they perform - Darkglass Alpha Omicron, MXR bass envelope, and MXR bass octave deluxe up front; some delays and reverbs in the loop. I’ll report back.

 

Yeah - the Darkglass distortions are very good!

 

Tried out some pedals today. Quick results:

MXR bass octave deluxe and MXR envelope filter both sound very good going straight into the input.

Nemesis delay sounds great both in the effects loop and up front.

Darkglass Alpha Omicron does not sound as good vs going into non-digital amps.

I do think it will still work well for me - a lot of very good and different clean tones, some good modulations/delays/reverbs, headphone out sounds very good, and the size/weight are perfect.

Actually - I think I could probably set a dozen or more different clean tones (with truly different characters) for different playing techniques and styles. That alone would be more than most small practice amps could pull off.

This one is going back due to the issue noted in my initial post, but I’ll get another one.

 

I exchanged the amp for the same model. Really enjoying it.

 

Very different amps. That Hartke does look nice. Enjoy.

 

I’m not sure what the issue has been. I read in a Mustang GT thread about a similar issue, and someone noted there that it had to do with a very specific home internet system. I can’t confirm if that is true or not. When I got another Rumble Studio, I intentionally did not do the firmware update and I turned off the WiFi setting on the amp. I have not had any issues.

 

I think the WiFi is used only to get the firmware updates. I guess you could turn it on, download any firmware updates, then turn it off. The Fender app downloads for presets, etc, occur over Bluetooth.

 

I can’t say with certainty, but I turned it off on mine and have not had any issues.