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Rumble 100 vs Ashdown Studio 12

#6
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
I see from the manual that the DI on the Fender is post EQ only, and the manual for the Ashdown did not specify if it is pre or post EQ.

I consider having a pre/post EQ DI to be far more desirable than not having that capability.
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I have plenty of DI options so that is not a high priority in this application. I am looking for something I can mic up and get something the direct options can't do. I know I will hear how great modelers are etc and they are quite good. My experience with guitars has been that moving air and micing it is just different. It brings a different depth. I want to do that with bass as well. I need to find an appropriate amp though as step 1. 100w is way more power than I need, but that's where the better eq and other options are.
 
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#8
It's a warm amp, if you're looking for slicing modern high end it may not be for you. I don't find it boomy though and the EQ is very effective. I hear 'warm but balanced'. I did do a speaker swap in mine which gave it more usable volume at louder levels and maybe a bit smoother sound.
 
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#10
TheArchitect said:
Is the low end as dominant in the tone as some have suggested to me?
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While The Fender Rumble line of combos (V3) do have a native warm, "vintage" tone Fender is known for, the latest (V3) versions are completely reengineered. I was quite surprised by the newest Rumble's tonal versatility in very small, lightweight combos.

You can get the Rumble (V3) combos to sound any way you want them to. The Rumble's tone controls give you a lot of control over the sound you want on thier own, but everything else you plug into it also contributes. If the low end is too dominant, just dial it out.

If I couldn't get any tone I wanted/needed, I wouldn't use them.

pedalboard-web-amp.jpg
 
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#11
Ashdown Studio 12, (other models included) owners manual:


Fender Rumble 100 (other models included) owners manual:


I would want to hear how the Bright Contour, and Vintage switches on the Fender, and the Shape switch on the Ashdown affects to sound if I was interested in a comparison these two amplifiers. Maybe there are YouTube demo videos that could help.
 
#12
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
I would want to hear how the Bright Contour, and Vintage switches on the Fender, and the Shape switch on the Ashdown affects to sound if I was interested in a comparison these two amplifiers. Maybe there are YouTube demo videos that could help.
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"Contour" is your typical "smiley face" EQ that cuts a lot of mids out. "Vintage" boosts the low end, giving it a warmer tone. "Bright" switch adds more top end. Overdrive can add a little more grit you can dial in (or keep the "Level" knob off and use the switch as a "mute" switch).
 
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#15
The Rumble doesn't have an active/passive switch. Rather, the Gain control is like the Gain control on some mixer channels - a variable pad. Very useful.
Some of us who don't need the amp's distortion feature leave both knobs down and use the button or footswitch as a mute.
Flat eq is more or less 10/2/2/10 o'clock. (See the Fender Rumble Club wiki for more on these and for lots of other useful information.
 
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#16
I have the one step down of each amp, the Rumble 40 and the Studio 10. (Lower power; 40 & 60 watts, one size down speaker;10" and no FX Loop; Studio 10; no DI.) Each has it's own baked in tone of their manufacturers. The rumble is a Fender-ISH mid scoop tone, to get an actual flat tone, see @Miles_ONeal 's post above. The Studios have more of a mid forward sound, just the opposite of the Rumble. I love the voicing of both, but I favor the Studio for most of the stuff I play which is usually edge of dirty to modest dirt (Classic & contemporary rock, blues/rock and contemporary Christian). I know either amp could cover those genres, but I favor the Studio's tone more. I wouldn't get rid of either, unless I absolutely have to, but my desert island amp (where would I get the power?) I would go with the Studio. The Rumble does clean a little better to my ear, while the Studio does the edge of breakup to driven sounds a little better.
 
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#17
MadJack said:
I have the one step down of each amp, the Rumble 40 and the Studio 10. (Lower power; 40 & 60 watts, one size down speaker;10" and no FX Loop; Studio 10; no DI.) Each has it's own baked in tone of their manufacturers. The rumble is a Fender-ISH mid scoop tone, to get an actual flat tone, see @Miles_ONeal 's post above. The Studios have more of a mid forward sound, just the opposite of the Rumble. I love the voicing of both, but I favor the Studio for most of the stuff I play which is usually edge of dirty to modest dirt (Classic & contemporary rock, blues/rock and contemporary Christian). I know either amp could cover those genres, but I favor the Studio's tone more. I wouldn't get rid of either, unless I absolutely have to, but my desert island amp (where would I get the power?) I would go with the Studio. The Rumble does clean a little better to my ear, while the Studio does the edge of breakup to driven sounds a little better.
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Interesting. For my purposes I want "character" from the amp. They both have their own variety but the grittier tones would probably be more useful. I am now questioning if the next size down option would be a better fit
 
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#18
Yahboy said:
How about Ampeg RB112 ???

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TheArchitect said:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Studio12C--ashdown-studio-12-110w-1x12-inch-bass-combo

vs

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Rum100--fender-rumble-100-1x12-inch-100-watt-bass-combo

Anyone have experience with either or both? I am tinkering with the idea of adding one for recording.......
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I own the Rumble, I like it, looks like the specs are fairly similar. My main love for the Rumble is the weight. Not sure if everyone that owns a Ashdown feels compelled to swap out the speaker, but it's very common on the Fender.
 

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