New Fender Rumble 500 Combo Crapping Out?

[Big Hoss]

It would be nice to live somewhere like you suggest but I live in a quaint little town ten miles west of Detroit. I'm not blaming fender for not having a service center on every corner, but I do think it's reasonable to hold them responsible for the number of trips I've had to make. There are two Fender authorized repair centers in the area, one in Allen Park (Home of the Detroit Lions- rebuilding since 1957!!!) which is about fifteen miles east and one in Jackson which is almost fifty miles west. I work in Ann Arbor which is 20-25 miles west of me from 7:30am-6:00pm which encompasses both places' hours of business. It's a lot easier for me to get to Jackson on my lunch break since it's rural as opposed to Allen Park which is much more congested and time consuming to travel to during the day so I wouldn't be able to stretch my lunch hour that far.

Correct on your sequence of events.

Originally purchased amp #1 new from MF, then sent amp #1 back to MF for replacement.
Amp #2 was taken to repair shop in Jackson where one speaker was replaced (which is what the problem sounded like to me, too)
Amp #2 was taken back to repair shop next day where other speaker was swapped and then left there waiting to hear what fender wanted to do.
Amp #3 was shipped to repair shop where I tried it with my bass before taking it home.
Amp #3 exhibited problem less than five minutes after trying it at home.
Amp #3 is getting taken back to repair shop today

There was nothing to indicate that amp #2 was a refurbished or open box. It appeared with the same packaging and condition of amp #1 and I think MF would be above selling refurbished or demo models as new.

I haven't been playing bass that long. I've been a guitar player for many years but my new band had a need and I decided to give it a go and found that it is a lot more fun than I had expected and really don't miss playing guitar in a band at all like I thought I would. This has been the first decent bass amp I've ever invested in so I don't know much about Ampegs. It seems that the new GK combos are most similar to this Rumble 500 and I'll probably go that route if I can't get this sorted, but I have my fingers crossed.

I will update when I have some new developments to report. Thanks again for the feedback. This site and its users are a great resource for a new guy like me.

Got it, Detroit Metro, not many music shops. I guess I am spoiled to Houston Metro, and in particular the Bay area. I have Danny D's 3 miles from my house, and there is a Guitar Center 3 more miles from there, plus I think a Music Go Round somewhere else close by I can never seem to get to... Go figure.

I know Musicians Friend does sell "Open Box" gear that is returns or demos. My guitar amp came that way. It honestly looks like it was taken out of the box, put back in, and sent back to MF. The little plastic protector things were still on the plugs, the plastic wrap around the amp itself was still factory sealed etc... I am guessing somebody ordered it, got it, took it out, and decided before fully unboxing it they didn't like Behringer, or they wanted a different model or something. (Gee I really wanted a 2x12 not a 1x12!). So I know MF isn't shy about selling "OpenBox" gear as such. Like I said though, other retailers have done some scams where they do a pretty good job of repackaging an item and shipping it out as new. Frys Electronics has done that to me twice.

I know the Rumble series is currently the hottest selling bass amp out there, and for good reason. I also know they had some difficulty filling orders / had a LOT of back orders on these, particularly the 200 and 500 combos.

Linin might be able to step in here with a word of wisdom about it, but my feeble mind seems to recall something about them opening up another facility, or maybe adding a 3rd shift / expanding their factory to meet demand. I know the complaints about the 500 Quality Control seems to have been on combos bought after maybe it was March or April of this year. I wonder if the bad amps are "growing pains" as they ramped up production.

Whatever the cause, I am VERY hopeful that Fender can get this sorted out for you quickly, and get the QC issues handled.

I get your frustration at the hours as well. It sounds like your "local" Fender Authorized repair centers hours are hideous. Around here they stay open until 9:00. Bankers hours for a music shop is such an incredibly BAD idea. What musician is willingly up and around at 9:00 A.M. anyway?

 

[redwingxix]

Got it, Detroit Metro, not many music shops. I guess I am spoiled to Houston Metro, and in particular the Bay area. I have Danny D's 3 miles from my house, and there is a Guitar Center 3 more miles from there, plus I think a Music Go Round somewhere else close by I can never seem to get to... Go figure.

I know Musicians Friend does sell "Open Box" gear that is returns or demos. My guitar amp came that way. It honestly looks like it was taken out of the box, put back in, and sent back to MF. The little plastic protector things were still on the plugs, the plastic wrap around the amp itself was still factory sealed etc... I am guessing somebody ordered it, got it, took it out, and decided before fully unboxing it they didn't like Behringer, or they wanted a different model or something. (Gee I really wanted a 2x12 not a 1x12!). So I know MF isn't shy about selling "OpenBox" gear as such. Like I said though, other retailers have done some scams where they do a pretty good job of repackaging an item and shipping it out as new. Frys Electronics has done that to me twice.

I know the Rumble series is currently the hottest selling bass amp out there, and for good reason. I also know they had some difficulty filling orders / had a LOT of back orders on these, particularly the 200 and 500 combos.

Linin might be able to step in here with a word of wisdom about it, but my feeble mind seems to recall something about them opening up another facility, or maybe adding a 3rd shift / expanding their factory to meet demand. I know the complaints about the 500 Quality Control seems to have been on combos bought after maybe it was March or April of this year. I wonder if the bad amps are "growing pains" as they ramped up production.

Whatever the cause, I am VERY hopeful that Fender can get this sorted out for you quickly, and get the QC issues handled.

I get your frustration at the hours as well. It sounds like your "local" Fender Authorized repair centers hours are hideous. Around here they stay open until 9:00. Bankers hours for a music shop is such an incredibly BAD idea. What musician is willingly up and around at 9:00 A.M. anyway?

Right. Both authorized service center aren't music shops, which is weird. One is a general electronics shop and the one I've been going to is long time well-reputed amplifier repair shop. That's all they do there. I've got plenty of music shops around (there are five guitar centers withing thirty miles of me one of which is only 4-5miles away and lots of really great independents that I try to use when I can) but they are not authorized by fender to perform warranty repairs.

That would make more sense that it is a production issue rather than an engineering one otherwise I would definitely expect more widespread reporting of problems with these.

 

[redwingxix]

Right. Both authorized service center aren't music shops, which is weird. One is a general electronics shop and the one I've been going to is long time well-reputed amplifier repair shop. That's all they do there. I've got plenty of music shops around (there are five guitar centers withing thirty miles of me one of which is only 4-5miles away and lots of really great independents that I try to use when I can) but they are not authorized by fender to perform warranty repairs.

That would make more sense that it is a production issue rather than an engineering one otherwise I would definitely expect more widespread reporting of problems with these.

So I feel pretty stupid now... Drove out there yesterday and he checked it out while I was there. I thought that what amp #3 was doing did sound a little different than amp #2 and since he still had amp #2 in his shop we tried them both and yes it was a different noise. He popped the grill off gave all the speaker screws about a half turn each and no more issues. I got it home last night night and still working great so I'm hoping for the best.

Normally I would have checked for any loose components myself before taking it back out there but with the history I've got going I didn't bother to on amp #3. Pretty dumb of me since I could have definitely used it for a show last saturday if I had done my due diligence like I normally would have. Played with it for about half an hour last night and when it's working it is a really great amp. So glad it's not the same thing as before and I can't wait to use it in a practice. I'll update if anything changes but I think I'm finally all set.

 

[ii7-V7]

Just as an FYI to anyone looking at this thread later. The issue continued to get worse. Thankfully, that allowed the repair show to hear the problem, diagnose it, and repair it. I've been using it since that time and haven't had any issues.

 

[Big Hoss]

Just as an FYI to anyone looking at this thread later. The issue continued to get worse. Thankfully, that allowed the repair show to hear the problem, diagnose it, and repair it. I've been using it since that time and haven't had any issues.

Did they ever tell you what problem they found?

 

[ii7-V7]

Did they ever tell you what problem they found?

Just some sort of "loose wire," but nothing more than that.

 

[Big Hoss]

Just some sort of "loose wire," but nothing more than that.

Hmm. Well, sad to see you had to experience a manufacturing defect, but happy to know they took care of it and got you squared away. I really couldn't be happier with my Rumble 500c that's for sure.

 

[WES JETT]

So, I just had my Rumble 500 repaired by my local amp tech, so I figured I'd share my experience.

The cliffnotes: check the FX loop - a local amp tech has told me he's seen this issue among many of the V3 rumble combos and heads.

I was having the same problems as many users on this thread: intermittent sound loss at high volumes / crackling sounds during heavy playing.

I bought my 500 combo on craigslist, so sending it back to Fender was not an option for me, unfortunately... Still, I loved the amp and I was told by my tech that at worst case - it would cost about $150 to repair - that would have included replacing the main board.

As it turned out, the problem was identified as some dirt and dust in the FX loop that was "rattling around" when the amp was turned up loud and vibrating. After my tech cleaned out the FX in/out and tested everything, it's now back to working perfectly.

the advice he gave me: if the problem ever comes back during a gig or practice, just run a single 1/4 in. cable between the FX send and return - that closes the loop and effectively bypasses it, in a pinch.

hope this is helpful!

 

[Ted S]

So, I just had my Rumble 500 repaired by my local amp tech, so I figured I'd share my experience.

…..
I was having the same problems as many users on this thread: intermittent sound loss at high volumes / crackling sounds during heavy playing.
….
As it turned out, the problem was identified as some dirt and dust in the FX loop that was "rattling around" when the amp was turned up loud and vibrating. After my tech cleaned out the FX in/out and tested everything, it's now back to working perfectly.

the advice he gave me: if the problem ever comes back during a gig or practice, just run a single 1/4 in. cable between the FX send and return - that closes the loop and effectively bypasses it, in a pinch.

hope this is helpful!

My Stage 800 now has the same problem: Starts breaking up after 2 hrs at high vol. I'm going to try that cable trick before sending it back. thank you for the clue...

 

[harleyboy]

So, I just had my Rumble 500 repaired by my local amp tech, so I figured I'd share my experience.

The cliffnotes: check the FX loop - a local amp tech has told me he's seen this issue among many of the V3 rumble combos and heads.

I was having the same problems as many users on this thread: intermittent sound loss at high volumes / crackling sounds during heavy playing.

I bought my 500 combo on craigslist, so sending it back to Fender was not an option for me, unfortunately... Still, I loved the amp and I was told by my tech that at worst case - it would cost about $150 to repair - that would have included replacing the main board.

As it turned out, the problem was identified as some dirt and dust in the FX loop that was "rattling around" when the amp was turned up loud and vibrating. After my tech cleaned out the FX in/out and tested everything, it's now back to working perfectly.

the advice he gave me: if the problem ever comes back during a gig or practice, just run a single 1/4 in. cable between the FX send and return - that closes the loop and effectively bypasses it, in a pinch.

hope this is helpful!

Interesting info...might have to try that effects loop trick before I take my 500 Combo to a repair tech. My 500 is 6 years old and has been great until recently. It does this crackling out of internal speakers, added speakers, and all other outputs including DI! I will try this effects loop trick and see if it helps! Otherwise it will be off to the shop and see how much it will take to fix it?

 

[Mike Hixx]

Well, I'm sad to report that this issue is still happening with Rumble 500 combos in 2024... Anyone else had success with the FX bypass trick or gotten a different professional diagnosis? I have seen "ICE boards" mentioned online. No clue what that does. I took the first one back to Sam Ash and got a new one today, but that store is closing down. I will be testing it hard tomorrow and praying the first one was a fluke tonight. Just lining up solutions proactively. LOL

 

[agedhorse]

Well, I'm sad to report that this issue is still happening with Rumble 500 combos in 2024... Anyone else had success with the FX bypass trick or gotten a different professional diagnosis? I have seen "ICE boards" mentioned online. No clue what that does. I took the first one back to Sam Ash and got a new one today, but that store is closing down. I will be testing it hard tomorrow and praying the first one was a fluke tonight. Just lining up solutions proactively. LOL

The first step is proper troubleshooting by a QUALIFIED service tech. Once the actual cause is identified, the repair is generally pretty straight forward. Professional diagnostics are considerably different (and much more accurate) than internet armchair expert guesses IME.