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Steppin' Up or Sideways?

Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach

Guest
Oct 27, 2016
9
19
#1
I'm returning to playing after a very, very long time away from music. As such I need to gear up again. After much consideration and research, I purchased the Fender Rumble 500 Amp. Now I need some cabs.

Here is my question for those of you with the experience to answer.

Knowing that I will eventually (a few years) be making a class D amp like the fantastic Rumble 500 my backup amp for either a hybrid or full-on tube Fender head, is there any reason why I shouldn't go ahead right now and purchase the Neo cabs (410 to start with a 115 in the future) instead of the Rumble cabs? Or does this set-up present a genuine mismatch of any consequence?

Thanks.

Sandy

PS -- I suppose the other sidebar question is, just how much sound difference can be attributed between the Rumble and Neo's?
 
#2
Things have changed. . . . . a lot.

We don't need big or heavy cabs to make a big sound or any particular size of cab for bass or treble.

I don't know Rumble cabs but I'd suggest, a 212 or a 210 (and add another 210 later), Bergantino, Barefaced, Genzler, Baer or Aguilar would be on my list to start with.
 
#5
brbadg said:
I think the Rumbles will be fine. I've seen a few on pro stages lately. I have 2 1x12 cabs. I'm not comparing myself, but Berry Oakley Jr (. Butch Trucks Freight Train Band ) has
2 - 4 X 10 cabs
Click to expand...
Thanks for weighing in. Yeah, I think I'm just gonna go Rumble cabs as well. As far as configurations, I can see the dual 410's being very nice as my last set-up was an SVT and 2x 810 cabs. So I see the value in smaller and multiple speakers. But I also like the idea of covering the low end properly with a 115 while balancing the mids/highs with the 410. It just seems like a natural. Although some on this forum like the dual 115 cabs as well. Clearly personal taste.

Didn't realize Berry Oakley had a son who also played bass. Thanks for passing the info along as well as having seen Rumbles making it to the pro stages. I'll look for his set up.

Sandy
 
#6
Just get whatever cabs you like most and can afford now, otherwise (especially if you buy new both times) you will ultimately lose money switching gear. But you don't really need a 15/410 setup. The 410 will usually have more power handling and be louder, which means you don't get all that much from the 15, other than getting the 4x10 up in the air to hear it better, and the whole system will be limited to twice what the 15 can do.. Just go with a couple of neo 4x10s and you should be fine (if you even need that much cab). Try all the cabs individually (at the same time if possible to a/b) and decide which one you like best and just do 2 of those.

The advantages of mixed cabs tend to lie in budget considerations, bi-amping, etc... and not so much with just running 2 different cabs full range. Of course the matching cabs mafia will intimidate you into thinking ISIS will kidnap your wife and children if you don't have matched cabs. It's not quite as extreme as that, but mixing is more for very specific purposes which it doesn't sound like apply in your case. If you are willing to spend as much as you'd need for 2 neo 4x10s, you have enough of a budget to get 2 matching cabs that will sound great through the whole range needed for bass and provide enough volume for just about any purposes.
 
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#7
Sandy Beach said:
Thanks for weighing in. Yeah, I think I'm just gonna go Rumble cabs as well. As far as configurations, I can see the dual 410's being very nice as my last set-up was an SVT and 2x 810 cabs. So I see the value in smaller and multiple speakers. But I also like the idea of covering the low end properly with a 115 while balancing the mids/highs with the 410. It just seems like a natural. Although some on this forum like the dual 115 cabs as well. Clearly personal taste.

Didn't realize Berry Oakley had a son who also played bass. Thanks for passing the info along as well as having seen Rumbles making it to the pro stages. I'll look for his set up.

Sandy
Click to expand...

Well then you should go see Butch Trucks Freight Train Band.
They literally sound like that when they come to your town!
Here's a taste;
 
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#9
Omega Monkey said:
Just get whatever cabs you like most and can afford now, otherwise (especially if you buy new both times) you will ultimately lose money switching gear. But you don't really need a 15/410 setup. The 410 will usually have more power handling and be louder, which means you don't get all that much from the 15, other than getting the 4x10 up in the air to hear it better, and the whole system will be limited to twice what the 15 can do.. Just go with a couple of neo 4x10s and you should be fine (if you even need that much cab). Try all the cabs individually (at the same time if possible to a/b) and decide which one you like best and just do 2 of those.

The advantages of mixed cabs tend to lie in budget considerations, bi-amping, etc... and not so much with just running 2 different cabs full range. Of course the matching cabs mafia will intimidate you into thinking ISIS will kidnap your wife and children if you don't have matched cabs. It's not quite as extreme as that, but mixing is more for very specific purposes which it doesn't sound like apply in your case. If you are willing to spend as much as you'd need for 2 neo 4x10s, you have enough of a budget to get 2 matching cabs that will sound great through the whole range needed for bass and provide enough volume for just about any purposes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your thoughts and perspective. Reading your post reminded me that I used to have only the SVT 810's and I never wanted for the low end. There should be no reason a pair of 410's from Fender wouldn't cover me as well, I suppose. And bi-amping etc is way beyond my interest or expertise. I also expect the clubs I play to be your standard small locales and will probably find the Rumble 500 and a 410 will cover most anything I do. A pair of 410's would certainly be all that I would need in larger venues.

I did play a Rumble 410 with the Rumble 500 head in the store last week and was extremely impressed. And excepting the weight difference, I really can't find anything definitive that tells me I should spend the extra money on the NEO's. Of course if I do an A/B, perhaps I'll feel otherwise. That to is good advice and I'll be sure to do that whenever possible.

Naw... I'm just an old rocker who doesn't need all the fancy trimmings. So short of stark differences between them, I'll likely go Rumble.

Thanks again.
 
#10
Bill Whitehurst said:
The great advantage of the neos is the weight savings.
If you plan to gig with the new rig, that will matter.
How much that matters depends on your personal situation.
If you are young and healthy and have a van, no problem.
If you are older, have a bad back and have to fight to get
your gear into a small car, then it will matter more.
Click to expand...

Hi Bill. Thanks for your thoughts. You make some good points. I started playing in the early '70's so you know how old I am. Still, a little research reveals only a 7.5 lbs per cab difference between the NEO and Rumble 410's. So for the difference and an extra grunt, I'll probably go Rumble. Plus I got the truck to make in/out easier.

Thanks.
 
#11
The Fender neo cabs are fantastic, however, since you've admittedly been gone awhile I think you should really get out to play and listen to other options available. When stepping up to the mid and high price cabs, the question changes from "which is better" to, "which will suit my music style better"?

I feel the rumble series of cabinets is doing the same thing to their Neo cabs, that Warwick's Rock Bass has done to their German made models. The budget line has hit the ball out of the park with price point, sound, size, and responsiveness that it makes justifying the higher priced models a real hard sell. I played a Fender Bassman Neo 610 and it was unparalleled for what I do, I just couldn't afford it at the time.

I know you already stated you may go with the Rumble cabs, but for your own piece of mind, try them against the Bassman series as well, I think that would help solidify confidence in your purchase. Best of luck to you!
 
#12
I think after you have played the Rumble for a while, you will find you really wont need another amp. I use the Rumble 500c with a 2x10 extension, so 500 watts into 4x10. The sound is fantastic and more than loud enough.
Now go over to The Fender Rumble Club thread in the Amps and Cabs forum and join up. There is a lot of love for and info on the 500 series there.
 

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