Rumble 200 - enough for these specific contexts?

[ShrimpHeavenNow]

Read several great threads on here, but thought I'd ask anyway because I know each context is different!

Tried out a 200 at a store and thought it sounded great. Didn't want to crank it too much out of courtesy, but it seemed to thump preeeetty nice.

What I'm specifically looking to use this amp for is two contexts:

1. low/medium volume indoor rehearsals. The music would be rock-ish-funk-ish music, and all of the musicians keep things pretty quiet. I don't do anything huge sounding or anything where I have to knock people over with low-end.

2. Stage monitor for live shows where I'm also sending a direct line to FOH before the amp. Small-medium bars/clubs. I imagine just sending my direct line to FOH and using the amp purely for my own monitor. The band plays to the room really well so nothing too loud (except for when they get excited ). This is probably the only context I'm even a tiny bit worried about.

Bass would always be a P w/flats.

I know the general consensus is get more power than you need (500), BUT I'd say 95% of all of my playing is either purely direct w/ears or the two contexts above. If I need more (say for an outdoor gig w/no PA support, which I don't see happening often [or maybe ever]) I can always borrow from my pals with bigger stuff.

I'd like to go as small and cheap as I can, and it seems like the 200 is right in that sweet spot. Just looking for some affirmation I guess hah!

 

[96tbird]

I think they sound great. If it fits your needs, go for it. You know what you need, no one else does.

 

[CallMeAl]

Heck I use my Rumble 100 for those same specific situations. Rarely had the master past 10:00 for rehearsals or 12:00 for gigs. I think the 200 will do you just fine, you can always add a cab to push more air.

 

[squish]

All depends on how loud the drummer is. And the guitar.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I think the Rumble 200 would be fine for your needs. I personally went with the 500 as I like 10's and wanted the extra headroom. I had a 100 for a while and it was good, but struggled with drums.

If you're going direct, just keep in mind that the send from the rumble is post eq and volume. So any changes will affect FOH. This hasn't bothered me (or sound guys) as I usually set it at sound check and leave it.

As much as I love my rumble, I'd also suggest checking out one of the new Ampeg Rocketbass combos to see if they appeal to you more than the rumbles.

 

[iagtrplyr]

As much as I love my rumble, I'd also suggest checking out one of the new Ampeg Rocketbass combos to see if they appeal to you more than the rumbles.

+1 this. Try out the new Ampeg line before you buy and go with the ones your ears like best. They have different tones and you may prefer one over the other. Also, don't worry about the scant 30-watt difference in power. You won’t hear it. Good hunting!

 

[The Bass Clef]

I think a Rumble 200 will suit your needs fine from what you’ve described. I owned one for a short time, but sold it because it couldn’t keep up in a rehearsal with the rock trio I was in at the time. The drummer was pretty hard hitting though. But... I just played through my friends brand new Peavey Max 250 a couple days ago (with 2 guitars, drums, keys and sax) and it kept up with the band fine and honestly, it blows the Fender Rumble 200 away in every way IMO. The Peavey’s actually a little cheaper than the Rumble 200 too! I recommend at least checking the Peavey out first; Their newer offerings are really amazing amps for the price. I was never a big fan of Peavey until I started judging them with my ears instead of my eyes (mostly it was their pointy, heavy metal style logo that always turned me off in the past). My main gigging amp for the last couple years is a used Peavey MiniMax 500 that I got here on TB for $200, and it beat out my (much more expensive) Aguilar Tonehammer 500 in the tone dept. by a mile. not that the Aggie isn’t good, but the Peavey just sounded a lot fatter. The Max250’s amp is very similar to the MiniMax.

 

[ShrimpHeavenNow]

Thanks so much for all the input! I ended up finding a rumble 500 in guitar center used that I picked up at a pretty decent price. Excited to get that in so I don't have to plug into my computer every time I want to play. Even more excited to hopefully get more bass gigs and a chance to use it