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

[RobertAuCoin]

Boss Katana-210 Bass amp. It’s good. And it’s loud.

 

[Daedraziel]

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”.

No poking around was done that would complicate a repair on a 10 year old combo. Cleaning pots was the most invasive thing and just used contact cleaner and worked them a bit.

Going to pack up the cabinet, a bass and drive to a couple shops around me this week. curious about a comparison between rumble 800 vs subway 800, or a Little Mark head. I know buying just a head makes more sense at this point with this rumble cab I have sitting around. My backup amp is an old Ashdown EVO 180...not glamorous but always works in a pinch, just dont want to use it as a working rig.

Thanks again for the input all.

 

[Minimalist]

No poking around was done that would complicate a repair on a 10 year old combo. Cleaning pots was the most invasive thing and just used contact cleaner and worked them a bit.

Going to pack up the cabinet and a bass and head to a couple shops around me this week. curious about a comparison between rumble 800 vs subway 800, or a Little Mark head. I know buying just a head makes more sense at this point with this rumble cab I have sitting around. My backup amp is an old Ashdown EVO 180...not glamorous but always works in a pinch, just dont want to use it as a working rig.

Thanks again for the input all.

I think both the Rumble 800HD and the Mesa put out 400 Watt at 8 Ohm where as the cab is rated for 350 Watt I believe.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I never realized 10 years of regular service was an anticipated / acceptable life expectancy.

Riis

 

[Daedraziel]

I think both the Rumble 800HD and the Mesa put out 400 Watt at 8 Ohm where as the cab is rated for 350 Watt I believe.

Agreed. I've always been under the impression its better to overdrive a cab slightly than underdrive it if a perfect match cant be made. I wouldnt push it hard anyway. Not easy to find something exactly 350watts @ 8ohms. most are slightly over or like 100watts under it seems. Only ones that match that ive seen are the Aguilar TH700 and AG700. Correct me if thats wrong please

 

[agedhorse]

Agreed. I've always been under the impression its better to overdrive a cab slightly than underdrive it if a perfect match cant be made. I wouldnt push it hard anyway. Not easy to find something exactly 350watts @ 8ohms. most are slightly over or like 100watts under it seems. Only ones that match that ive seen are the Aguilar TH700 and AG700. Correct me if thats wrong please

Actually, you are better off with less power if you don’t have reasonable expectations and common sense. Under-powering a cabinet is a myth of sorts. It’s been debunked maybe a hundred times here by now.

With the Subway amps (except the TT), if you set the impedance switch to 2 ohms, the amp’s rated power decreases to 300 watts into 8 ohms and 600 watts into 4 ohms.

 

[Swerve]

I never realized 10 years of regular service was an anticipated / acceptable life expectancy.

Riis

For a combo amp that was probably around $500 when OP bought it, and gigged heavily over 10 years, I would say that’s pretty decent. $50/year. The cost to repair it may also be relatively inexpensive, but sounds like OP wants to try something new.

My GK head is nearly 20 years old and only ever needed the pots cleaned. Still truckin, knock on wood.

 

[Nuisance]

My recommendation would be Mesa (if you need 2 ohm operation), GK, and Markbass.

• Mesa is built like a tank, operates at 2 ohms and has crazy good support.
• GK, has been around a long time, and also has good support.
• Markbass has a slightly different "baked in" tone that some people love or hate (I love mine). I would describe it as less wooly at high volume and slightly scooped in the low mids......but tbh I'm not sure what they did to get their signature tone.

 

[pepj]

The Rumble is budget kit so maybe 10yrs is decent for the money paid.
I'd be looking for a better lifespan myself, but you might think another Rumble will work.

I'd add TH500 to try. I'd prefer one made in U.S.

 

[bherman]

Agreed. I've always been under the impression its better to overdrive a cab slightly than underdrive it if a perfect match cant be made. I wouldnt push it hard anyway. Not easy to find something exactly 350watts @ 8ohms. most are slightly over or like 100watts under it seems. Only ones that match that ive seen are the Aguilar TH700 and AG700. Correct me if thats wrong please

I'd add that in addition to @agedhorse comment above, a good dose of common sense will keep things from becoming a problem. You have enough gigging experience and with the type of band situation that you're in where sound levels are managed by a quality FOH system, you shouldn't have to worry about an exact match between amp output and cab capacity.

 

[Kenny056]

I've tried my new Genzler Magellan 800 with my Rumble cabinet and it sounds great. I initially got it to use with my Genz Benz 2x12 but I like knowing I have the option of using the Rumble too. The Magellan 350 would work great too I'm sure.

 

[Daedraziel]

I'm going to go try out a few things this week. Curious about playing something new to get a handle on whats out there. Yes it makes sense to match the Fender 210 cab I have with a matching head. Or buying a quality head I can switch cabs with if it doesnt work like I want. So much reading and youtube and manual diving the last couple days. Even checking into compact 1x12 combos at lower wattages for ease of use/transport.

Want to try a Mesa Subway, Aguilar AG or TH first and foremost though.

thank you all for the feedback

 

[Adjectives]

If you get a chance you should try out Genzler gear! I run a Magellan 800(4lb) and a Genzler MG212(44lb). Powerful enough for any stage I hit, phenominal DI (with pre/post eq options) and great internal tone stack. Total weighs the same as my old Ampeg BA210 combo. You can find these at a huge discount off new here in the classifieds. gl with your search! (That being said, if you want that Ampeg sound look at a BA210 or the new venture line of amps. 800 is the new 500 haha)

 

[Kenny056]

If you get a chance you should try out Genzler gear! I run a Magellan 800(4lb) and a Genzler MG212(44lb). Powerful enough for any stage I hit, phenominal DI (with pre/post eq options) and great internal tone stack. Total weighs the same as my old Ampeg BA210 combo. You can find these at a huge discount off new here in the classifieds. gl with your search! (That being said, if you want that Ampeg sound look at a BA210 or the new venture line of amps. 800 is the new 500 haha)

View attachment 7136739

What kind of bass is that? It looks amazing!

 

[Adjectives]

What kind of bass is that? It looks amazing!

It is! That's my Maruszczyk Elwood 5A/24 34" scale.

 

[Daedraziel]

Update. Tried out a Mesa Subway D800 and an Aguilar AG500 v2... Was close but ordered the Aguilar AG700v2. Loved the clean basic sound with miles of headroom. To my ears, works well with that rumble 210 cab I have. Thanks for the input all.

now gotta figure out what to do with that nonfunctioning combo. Get it fixed? or pull head and wire it as a backup/extension cab?

 

[Lo-E]

now gotta figure out what to do with that nonfunctioning combo. Get it fixed? or pull head and wire it as a backup/extension cab?

Get it fixed! You might get another 10 years out of it and keep it out of a landfill.

I’ve had a TH500 for years and used it with tons of different cabs. I’ve been very happy with its slightly Ampeg-ish but not quite Ampeg tone. I think you’ll be happy with your 700.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

Update. Tried out a Mesa Subway D800 and an Aguilar AG500 v2... Was close but ordered the Aguilar AG700v2. Loved the clean basic sound with miles of headroom. To my ears, works well with that rumble 210 cab I have. Thanks for the input all.

now gotta figure out what to do with that nonfunctioning combo. Get it fixed? or pull head and wire it as a backup/extension cab?

Nice!

I’d get the old one fixed, keep it as a backup, or leave it at your rehearsal space.

 

[Daedraziel]

Nice!

I’d get the old one fixed, keep it as a backup, or leave it at your rehearsal space.

It with a local repair guy right now. Apparently something on the board and 2 bad pots. should have it up and running this week. we'll see!

 

[DWA2469]

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

A Few of differences between the 500 and 800 that are big to me!
1. The 800 is almost 10 lbs lighter
2. On The 800 the Line out has a Pre-Post switch, the 500 is post.
3. On the 800 Speaker out has Speak-on and 1/4", The 500 1/4" only