Rumble 500 combo - chain to Rumble 200 instead of using 115 extension?

[BigLakeBass]

Ideally, I would prefer a 15 inch speaker for practice and small gigs and 500 watts for larger rooms or outdoor gigs. So, I'm considering a Rumble 200v3 and a Rumble 500v3 with 115 or 210 extension.

But how about using the Rumble 200 as the extension? By running the 500 effects out to the 200 effects in, or the other way around.

Pluses:
- Total cost: $1,100 vs. $1,400-$1,500.
- Same total power: 360W + 140W vs 500W.
- I'll have a backup amp.

Minuses:
- I could just pass on the 200 and use the 500 for practice and all rooms. That makes the total cost $1,100 vs. $900-$1000.

Something tells me that if chaining was a good idea, someone would have thought of it already. I don't see the flaw in this plan though. Do you?

 

[CallMeAl]

Oh you can definitely do it. I ran 2 100s together that way. There's a member that runs 2 500s together. (Maybe it was @Steadfast ?) @GonePlaid has run a 200+100. And maybe @G-Dog knows of someone running a 500+200 rig?

I don't know for sure, just speculating, but I would guess a major con could be running the rig at high volumes, and the 200 being strained while the 500 is playing comfortably.

The main pro of my 2x100s was leaving one at rehearsal, and one at home, which is where they stayed most of the time. Very convenient.

If I were you I'd probably get either the 115 cab, or another 500. But that's me. Good luck!

 

[jeff7bass]

It works well but I would link them together with a pedal like a chorus, A/B box or Sansamp so you can make use of both the combo's pre-amps. That way you can relieve some stress from the 200 watt amp if things get loud. With a Sansamp you can send some overdrive to the second amp two while keep the 500 nice, clean and fat. Good chorus pedals (like the TCE) have one input and two outputs because chorus sounds better in stereo. That's how Jeff Berlin linked his two Markbass combos live.

 

[BigLakeBass]

Thank you both for your replies. I had just assumed that the master volume control came after the effects send/return so I could set each amp independently. Looking at the block diagram, I see that is not the case.

 

[G-Dog]

Ideally, I would prefer a 15 inch speaker for practice and small gigs and 500 watts for larger rooms or outdoor gigs. So, I'm considering a Rumble 200v3 and a Rumble 500v3 with 115 or 210 extension.

But how about using the Rumble 200 as the extension? By running the 500 effects out to the 200 effects in, or the other way around. ... ... .... Something tells me that if chaining was a good idea, someone would have thought of it already. I don't see the flaw in this plan though. Do you?

Oh, yeah, someone has thought of it. And it's a frequent topic of conversation in the Fender Rumble Club, too. No flaw in your plan that I can see.

Oh you can definitely do it. I ran 2 100s together that way. ... ... I don't know for sure, just speculating, but I would guess a major con could be running the rig at high volumes, and the 200 being strained while the 500 is playing comfortably. ... ...

Chaining 2 unequal Rumbles together doesn't strain either one. The primary, using FX Send, completely controls the secondary, using FX Return. So, they both run at the same percent of their respective powers.

... ... I had just assumed that the master volume control came after the effects send/return so I could set each amp independently. Looking at the block diagram, I see that is not the case.

Wrong assumption. Correct reading of the block diagram. A splitter or pedal is needed to set each Rumble combo independently. Other makes and models may behave differently.

I've think you've got the full picture now, Lakey. It basically just comes down to personal preference. A combo + extension cab versus 2 combos (which can also add ext. cabs if desired)? [(There's also the Rumble 800 HD head which can power up to four 8 ohm cabs, but that's another rabbit trail.)] Whichever Rumble(s) you choose, come show us a pic in the someone has thought of it for a free membership and keys to the assembked Rumble wisdom and knowledge.
.

 

[Steadfast]

Oh you can definitely do it. I ran 2 100s together that way. There's a member that runs 2 500s together. (Maybe it was @Steadfast ?) @GonePlaid has run a 200+100. And maybe @G-Dog knows of someone running a 500+200 rig?

I don't know for sure, just speculating, but I would guess a major con could be running the rig at high volumes, and the 200 being strained while the 500 is playing comfortably.

The main pro of my 2x100s was leaving one at rehearsal, and one at home, which is where they stayed most of the time. Very convenient.

If I were you I'd probably get either the 115 cab, or another 500. But that's me. Good luck!

yep. Twin 500 rumbles are sweeeeet. I left them at my mountain cabin since I will be playing a lot of gigs up there this summer. I have my acoustic 360 rig here at my home studio (Savannah) and two Mackie powered 12" speakers. My main gig here is supported by a full FOH system. So, I don't need them here. Plus the Rumbles are faaaar faar far more portable for mountain terrain!

 

[CallMeAl]

So, they both run at the same percent of their respective powers.

Good to know!

 

[Steadfast]

Just for what it's worth: I tried my twin rumble 500 in many configurations. Including: a splitter and both being powered by my Acoustic 360 head.

None of my scenarios were worthy except the twins stacked and chained together. Chained and stacked together there is a coupling effect that is glorious and monstrous!

after chaining I literally cannot stand playing through one of my combos by itself. They sound anemic alone.... that being the 500 twin speakers. I am sure the 100 and 200 sound better alone with the 15 speaker. But, together it really is superb.

 

[abarson]

When chaining two combos together, you need two power cords and two outlets.
Sometimes that becomes an actual barrier that you aren't faced to contend with when adding an extension cabinet.

 

[Steadfast]

When chaining two combos together, you need two power cords and two outlets.
Sometimes that becomes an actual barrier that you aren't faced to contend with when adding an extension cabinet.

True. The only reason I have two combos was because I found one for sale around $250. The funny thing is my original combo is non functioning now except through the effects loop. So, I got blessed by finding one so cheap and can still use them both.

 

[G-Dog]

... ... my original combo is non functioning now except through the effects loop. ... ....

Hey, Steadly, it's possible that the switch cutting off the preamp in the FX Return jack has gotten stuck closed on that combo. You might try "exercising" it by running a 1/4" plug in & out several times, perhaps even with a light spray of deoxit, to loosen it up. It has helped others.
.

 

[jimmydean]

The easy way to achieve this by connecting a Split Y Cable between the two .

 

[Slevage]

When chaining two combos together, you need two power cords and two outlets.
Sometimes that becomes an actual barrier that you aren't faced to contend with when adding an extension cabinet.

How much current does each amp draw?
I used to run a PA with 2 1500watt power amps on 3 30 amp circuits. This gave us enough current to run the rest of the gear
(Except lights).

 

[scuzzy]

Different strokes and all, but I would spend that scratch on one great amp and use it for everything.

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

Or go used. $1k+ will get you a whole lot more than rumble combos can offer.

Commence the flames, tb.

 

[jdaunt]

I asked a similar question a few days ago, and then tried it out myself after being reassured that running the two different amps linked wouldn't overpower the smaller one (I have a 500 and 100). Sounded great! I ended up only taking the 500 to my new band audition today, and it was plenty by itself, so now have to decide if i'm going to stick with the 100 as an extension or get a 2x10 cab for the full 500 watts for once we start gigs in June.

 

[juancaminos]

Interesting thread, everywhere I go on line people are saying how great the 500 is. But I find it a bit anemic as well. I'm dying to try the 210 extension but I have this feeling that something is up at Fender...V4? So, with only one gig in April, I'm holding tight for now. But we start in earnest with weekly gigs on May 1st so Fender better hurry up!

 

[Steadfast]

Ughhh

Hey, Steadly, it's possible that the switch cutting off the preamp in the FX Return jack has gotten stuck closed on that combo. You might try "exercising" it by running a 1/4" plug in & out several times, perhaps even with a light spray of deoxit, to loosen it up. It has helped others.
.

I went down to my studio to try it out.... then I realized my amps are six hours away at my cabin! Duh!!!

 

[BBassBassington]

Interesting thread, everywhere I go on line people are saying how great the 500 is. But I find it a bit anemic as well. I'm dying to try the 210 extension but I have this feeling that something is up at Fender...V4? So, with only one gig in April, I'm holding tight for now. But we start in earnest with weekly gigs on May 1st so Fender better hurry up!

Labour/supply shortages according to a Manager at Long and McQuade. They've been having trouble getting people and/or supplies consistently throughout the pandemic and it's caused massive production issues.

I'm not counting out some Rumble updates, they've done a lot of other updates this year. But the real issue for them right now is they just can't make enough stuff to fulfill demand.

 

[Steadfast]

Check this out. Two pics from behind my Savannah studio and my Blue Ridge Mountain studio:

I know it is unrelated. But they just popped up in my feed.

 

[Exploiter8]

Use a Piggyback cable and an extension cord. Only one outlet needed. Also handy for single cabs and One Spot adapters for pedals.

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-PWD-402-Piggyback-5-15P-Power/dp/B0010EHNJG?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1