Rumble 500 combo died...would appreciate input on replacement

[Daedraziel]

Hi all, been years since I posted.
15 years in with a busy cover/wedding band on the Jersey Shore. Bought the rumble 500 combo new 10 years ago and its been fantastic. Never push it hard (always DI'ed into a nice system). Last night it turned on at a gig and wouldnt get any sound other than occasional loud booms and pops. Limped through show DI'ed into ears and out front.

Tested it this morning with new cords, a different cabinet, basses, cleaned pots, etc...its cooked...maybe a cap issue? no idea but I cant have that happen again and not sure it worth repairing after a decade, +/- 2500 hours of use and storage in an eclosed trailer.

I started digging through the forums to see what is popular and reliable but having a hard time parsing through it, so any suggestions? I own the rumble 210 extension cab as well and rarely used it so a separate head is an option but love the convenience of a combo. Markbass still good? GK and aguilar still top dogs? I play active jazz basses mostly (Sire v9, Warwick Corvette Standard active). appreciate the input and thanks.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

If you have been happy with the Rumble, how about the Rumble 800 H and a second Rumble 210 cab?

Or, spend some of that wedding band money and step up to a Mesa Subway rig. (You won't be disappointed, I assure you).

 

[FRoss6788]

If you dig the tone of the Rumble, step up to the Rumble 800 combo(non Stage model), as you already have an extension cab that matches.

 

[Minimalist]

10 years is not bad. If you have the cab the most logical thing would be either another combo 500 or 500watt head and just use that with the cab.

 

[Daedraziel]

Appreciate it so far. Was overall happy with the combo but of course had little nitpicks here and there depending on venue or setting. almost never brought volume or gain past the 9 oclock position. I actually dont see much of difference at all from the 500 vs 800 combo and I can honestly say I've only ever needed the extension cab 5-6 times ever. I run sound half the time and our system (EV ETX 18's and 12 tops) seriously handles everything front of house.

Im actually starting to consider that a good 300w compact combo could work or something with tilt back to avoid stage volume blasting my bandmates. I dont know. wish the guitarcenter or local shops had decent stuff to try...alot of the same Rumbles and Markbasses and Ampegs

 

[Ggaa]

800 head with a cab.

 

[FRoss6788]

I use my Rumble 500 combo with an tiltback amp stand and it's GREAT, blasts right at your ears.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Depends on what you want to spend. If you like the Rumble, get another. A decade of gigging is a good return on $$$. Give a budget if you want to try something different.

 

[Daedraziel]

Budget around $1k i think is fair. would be willing to go to 1200--1300 if worth it. thanks

 

[agedhorse]

A qualified Fender authorized service center shouldn’t have any difficulty properly repairing your amp provided you haven’t caused further damage poking around with your attempt at a “repair”.

 

[Aloe]

Markbass still good?

yeah, but it sounds different than a Rumble. the new cmd 102 pure is crazy light.

if you already have the extension cab, I'd go with a separate head while you're repairing the Rumble. it never hurts to have a backup amp for a working bassist. Gnome i pro 600 is pretty affordable and sounds clean and round, I'd say, somewhat on MarkBass side.

 

[jmmyoh]

Quilter is hard to beat in the solid state realm.

 

[buldog5151bass]

GK is more of a bright tone, Aguilar more mids. People either love or hate Markbass (I've never played one). I don't think Aguilar makes a combo.

Again, if you like the Rumble sound, get another - you have the matching extension cab if you need to move more air. If you want something brighter, consider GK.

 

[fhm555]

If you are satisfied with the performance of the broken one, I’m in the get another Rumble camp. 10 years of regular use seems like a decent ROI, and you have an extension cabinet. Seems like an easy decision to me.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Best thing would be to borrow or rent an amp and give it a try on your 210 cab.

The first one for me would be a Mesa Subway 800 and see if the sound works for you.

If not and the Fender sound is your thing, a Fender 800 head might be a good option.

Most of today’s amps are small and fit in a bag so not that bad to carry.

 

[bherman]

Either do what @agedhorse suggests and have Fender look at it to see whats wrong, or use the cab that you have with a small class D head. I'd suggest a Mesa Subway D800 or D350, very high quality and will sound great with your 210 cabinet. Much higher quality amp than the head that was in the combo. Both heads come with a gig bag and are very compact and easy to carry, with a pro-level DI.

 

[MuseChaser]

Genzler Magellan 350.

 

[bassmaster831]

10 years is a good run for the money! I highly reccomend the Mesa Subway D800 compact head. I do that and then I have the Subway 1x15 and 1x12 to use either independently or together depending on the gig. They’re expensive, but definitely super reliable. Markbass is also a great choice, all the casinos in Atlantic City have them as the Backline and they sound great to me. I’ve played through the 2x10 combo the most and I like it a lot. I’m also in a cover/wedding band that plays down the shore!

 

[beaglesandbass]

Hi all, been years since I posted.
15 years in with a busy cover/wedding band on the Jersey Shore. Bought the rumble 500 combo new 10 years ago and its been fantastic. Never push it hard (always DI'ed into a nice system). Last night it turned on at a gig and wouldnt get any sound other than occasional loud booms and pops. Limped through show DI'ed into ears and out front.

Tested it this morning with new cords, a different cabinet, basses, cleaned pots, etc...its cooked...maybe a cap issue? no idea but I cant have that happen again and not sure it worth repairing after a decade, +/- 2500 hours of use and storage in an eclosed trailer.

I started digging through the forums to see what is popular and reliable but having a hard time parsing through it, so any suggestions? I own the rumble 210 extension cab as well and rarely used it so a separate head is an option but love the convenience of a combo. Markbass still good? GK and aguilar still top dogs? I play active jazz basses mostly (Sire v9, Warwick Corvette Standard active). appreciate the input and thanks.

I had a Rumble 500. God rid of it in favor of the GK MB212 and never looked back.

 

[MaxCellExcelWon]

If you are looking for your Rumble tone, don't just blindly buy a Mesa.

In my experience, they sound and react VASTLY different.

Try one first.

Or, just fix the Rumble or buy another.