New Ampeg Rocket 500 watt vs Fender Rumble 500

[Marc61]

I’m thinking of buying one of them. Both fairly light. Both powerful. I’ve been a fan of the Rumble V3s since they came out. I haven’t tried the new Ampegs yet. Any thoughts? Any first hand experience ?

 

[sokolasty]

Ampeg doesn't make matching cabs, Fender does
Ampeg distortion sounds like farting to me, while Fender is cool
Ampeg is more expensive

So, the answer is clear:
You might want to get yourself both, A/B them at rehearsal, and send one back. It's a matter of taste.

 

[Marc61]

[QUOTE
Ampeg is more expensive
[/QUOTE]

Actually the 500 watt guys are the same price.

 

[evs]

I have both.
They're both great amps.
From post #899 on page 45 of the rocket bass thread, where I have photos and thoughts on both:

View attachment 4321900 View attachment 4321900 View attachment 4321901 View attachment 4321902 View attachment 4321903 View attachment 4321904
I have been using the Rumble 500 for years now on countless gigs and it’s been a great workhorse.

Easily keeps up with a hard hitting drummer and has been ample for my needs.


This morning I picked up the RB210.

It’s a little bigger, a little heavier, and it looks really great.

I tested it at the volume I use in my rock band and it gets the same perceived volume as the Rumble (the rumble is 350 watts at 8ohms, the RB210 is 250 watts at 8ohms).


The RB210 tone is more appealing to me, but they are both in a similar tonal ballpark. I find the RB a little deeper and clearer sounding.

The only thing I would wish for is a gain knob, but overall this is a great combo.


I’m looking forward to gigging with it!

 

[G-Dog]

.
I believe the new Rockets are very close Ampeg copies of the 7-year-old Rumbles. While I admit my bias toward my own 7-year-old Rumble 500 combo, which has performed great all that time, I also admit that the Rockets look terrific and come fairly close to the Rumble spec.s. I've posted a numerical comparison of their physical characteristics here.

It really does, and should, come down to which sound you prefer after trying them out. If you really can't go to, or find them in, any stores to try, then order them both to try at home, head-to-head, for a few weeks. Then try to send one back, if you can bare to part with either one!
.

 

[jeff7bass]

I have both.
They're both great amps.
From post #899 on page 45 of the rocket bass thread, where I have photos and thoughts on both:

About what I expected. The Ampeg sounds more like an Ampeg with a little more depth and a little more clarity on top. Fender is more mid-forward, which may be desirable for some.

 

[evs]

About what I expected. The Ampeg sounds more like an Ampeg with a little more depth and a little more clarity on top. Fender is more mid-forward, which may be desirable for some.

Yes, that is exactly right.
It really does come down to personal preference.

 

[jeff7bass]

Yes, that is exactly right.
It really does come down to personal preference.

But DAYYYUM that Ampeg sure looks good!

 

[ShawnG]

Get a Fender Stage 800 Combo and you’ll get an Ampeg (or two) and a Rumble 500 in the same box!

 

[Marc61]

Get a Fender Stage 800 Combo and you’ll get an Ampeg (or two) and a Rumble 500 in the same box!

That’s what I’m thinking. I’d love to see an 800 in action

 

[drumvsbass]

Ampeg doesn't make matching cabs, Fender does

The Ampeg Portaflex extension cabs...

https://ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-115lf/

https://ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-410hlf/

 

[sokolasty]

The Ampeg Portaflex extension cabs...

https://ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-115lf/

https://ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-410hlf/

Width is not the same.
My understanding of matching = equal width and same looks

 

[forrestlaw]

Get a Fender Stage 800 Combo and you’ll get an Ampeg (or two) and a Rumble 500 in the same box!

This. You get the Rumble, a couple of Ampeg models and quite a few other options (at least some of which sound really good).

 

[jimmydean]

No need to think about it.....go with the Rumble 500 or a guy named Vinnie will be knocking on your door to knock some sense into you !

 

[Yahboy]

How about GK 212 iI combo ?

Gallien-Krueger MB212-II 2x12" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp

 

[Bass]

The Ampeg Portaflex extension cabs...

https://ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-115lf/

https://ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-410hlf/

Does it bother anyone other than me that these cabs are not the same width as the amp? The RB-210 is 20.2 inches and the extension cabs are 22.75 inches.

 

[bassliner50]

Rumble v3's have been available for quite a while. Time tested, solid.

 

[G-Dog]

Does it bother anyone other than me that these cabs are not the same width as the amp? The RB-210 is 20.2 inches and the extension cabs are 22.75 inches.

Yep, bothers lots of Rumblers that the Rumble 115 & 410 cabs are wider than the 200 & 500 combos. But at least they are lightweight, like the combos. And the Rumble 210 cab and (discontinued) 112 cab are perfect matches for the combos.

The Portaflex cabs do look beautiful like the Rockets, but they weigh a whole lot more! The 115 is over 55 lbs!
.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Does it bother anyone other than me that these cabs are not the same width as the amp? The RB-210 is 20.2 inches and the extension cabs are 22.75 inches.

They aren't extension cabs. Those are portaflex cabs.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Yep, bothers lots of Rumblers that the Rumble 115 & 410 cabs are wider than the 200 & 500 combos. But at least they are lightweight, like the combos. And the Rumble 210 cab and (discontinued) 112 cab are perfect matches for the combos.

The Portaflex cabs do look beautiful like the Rockets, but they weigh a whole lot more! The 115 is over 55 lbs!
.

The 210 is the same weight