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Suggestions For A Rumble Replacement

P

Pluckoff

Dec 28, 2021
131
128
#1
A couple years ago purchased a Fender Rumble 200 combo. At that point I hadn't played bass in a couple decades. Since then I play bass much more than I do six-string guitar. At that time I went off of YouTube's and written reviews that pointed to the Rumble as a great amp for the price. I am not dissatisfied with it and I consider it very good buy for the price.

However, it has it's limitations. I feel that it's sound regardless of settings adjustment is a bit hollow. Could be the cab/speaker combination, the amp itself or both. Either way I'm ready to invest up to US $1500 for a 12" speaker cab combo for strictly home recording use. Looking for a fat tone at low volumes. Suggestions, please?
 
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#3
Pluckoff said:
Sorry, not a combo. Prefer a separate amp and speaker cabinet.
Click to expand...




+1!

I've yet to find any combo amp that "my ears" completely likes.

I'd suggest going with either "two" 112 cabinets or a single 212 cab.
The sound with two drivers, (even at low volume), will be so much bigger, fuller, deeper than a single driver loaded cabinet.

I can show you what HAS worked out for me, but may not be the ideal for you.

Pic is the gigging rig I use with a moderately loud, working, 5 pcs., country/rock band.

(Chain)
Old, passive, completely stock, 4 string Fender Jazz > Broughton HPF > SansAmp BDDI V2 > G.K. MB Fusion 800 (direct out from head to FOH) > Bergantino CN212 cabinet.

Great sound (to my ears) in a loud or quiet setting, dependable, easy to transport dimensions and weight (if you should ever decide to play out), and bonus, everything but the Jazz bass was boughten used and in great to mint condition at great prices from the T.B. Classifieds.
Total investment not counting cords, $1,155.00

20230506_181914.jpg
 
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#4
Pluckoff said:
A couple years ago purchased a Fender Rumble 200 combo. At that point I hadn't played bass in a couple decades. Since then I play bass much more than I do six-string guitar. At that time I went off of YouTube's and written reviews that pointed to the Rumble as a great amp for the price. I am not dissatisfied with it and I consider it very good buy for the price.

However, it has it's limitations. I feel that it's sound regardless of settings adjustment is a bit hollow. Could be the cab/speaker combination, the amp itself or both. Either way I'm ready to invest up to US $1500 for a 12" speaker cab combo for strictly home recording use. Looking for a fat tone at low volumes. Suggestions, please?
Click to expand...

Pluckoff said:
Sorry, not a combo. Prefer a separate amp and speaker cabinet.
Click to expand...


For home recording try the Rumble Studio 40 combo, Rumble Stage 800 combo, The thousands of different tones, effects and cab voices they offer is a recording paradise. And the stereo connections, including USB, help make recording easy, too! :D

They are not just your standard bass/mid/treble EQ, either. Depending on the amp models and pedal models you choose (including graphics equalizers), you can tweak any tone as fine as you like. The Studio 40 has all the functionality of the Stage 800, except no extension cab, but with less output power (which doesn't matter for recording). But, for live jams, rehearsals and small performances, my Studio 40 goes much louder than you'd expect from just a 40. :smug:
.
 
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#5
G-Dog said:
For home recording try the Rumble Studio 40 combo, Rumble Stage 800 combo, The thousands of different tones, effects and cab voices they offer is a recording paradise. And the stereo connections, including USB, help make recording easy, too! :D

They are not just your standard bass/mid/treble EQ, either. Depending on the amp models and pedal models you choose (including graphics equalizers), you can tweak any tone as fine as you like. The Studio 40 has all the functionality of the Stage 800, except no extension cab, but with less output power (which doesn't matter for recording). But, for live jams, rehearsals and small performances, my Studio 40 goes much louder than you'd expect from just a 40. :smug:
.
Click to expand...
OP says he has a Rumble and wants a different tone, but you suggest other Rumbles.
OP says he doesn’t want a combo, but you suggest combos.
Are you sure you are responding to the right thread?
 
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#7
abarson said:
OP says he has a Rumble and wants a different tone, but you suggest other Rumbles.
OP says he doesn’t want a combo, but you suggest combos.
Are you sure you are responding to the right thread?
Click to expand...


He has the analog Rumble. I suggested the digital modeling Rumbles. Totally different. :cool:

Combos vs separates? Meh. Makes no difference for recording. :meh:
.
 
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#9
Where are you standing in relation to the Rumble? Have you asked a friend in the audience how it sounds to them? Their perception may be very different from yours.

Sorry you believe the Rumble isn't meeting your needs. I'm not sure what "hollow" sounds like, but it could have something to do with the mids. Have you tried no Gain and very little Bass, and then tweaked the mids to get a sound you like? And have you put it on a stand or a chair to decouple it from the floor? Hate to see you spend $1500 needlessly.
 
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#13
My old gig rig consisted of a GK Fusion 550 run through two Bergantino 1x12 cabinets. For many gigs, I only needed one.

So, yeah, the GK + Bergantino combination sounds killer.

I've since traded that GK head for a far more compact Peavey MiniMax v.2. Sounds amazing through my Bergs.
 
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#14
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. I should have included in my first post that I do have a space limit and would like to go even smaller than the Rumble (has a 1x15"), if possible. I don't gig or play in a band. Prefer something light as the R-200 pretty much is. I do jam with a friend that plays guitar a few times a year. I also stated "up to $1,500" so, if I can get away with going lower than that I am all for it. I should've also included that small class D amps such as the Aguilar Tone Hammer look and sound (videos) appealing to me. Videos can be deceiving though due to recording chains vs actual live sound.
 
#15
shirojiro said:
For strictly home recording?

I generally go direct with a preamp or amp simulator.

Do you really need another amplifier ?

I find the Rumbles a little scooped in the mids. If the tone controls don’t get you where you want, perhaps a preamp like the Tech 21 Q strip can get you there.
Click to expand...

I'm contemplating that route too. Last night I watched vids on the the simulator Amplitube. Not dealing with the extra step of using a cab mic or hearing the amp while recording using it's line-out would be a benefit a long with simulated amp tones. I have a MXR 10-band eq pedal and used it for a little while with the rumble. Doesn't seem to help much.
 
#17
Pluckoff said:
A couple years ago purchased a Fender Rumble 200 combo. ... .... I am not dissatisfied with it and I consider it very good buy for the price. ... ...However, it has it's limitations. I feel that it's sound regardless of settings adjustment is a bit hollow. ... .... Looking for a fat tone at low volumes. Suggestions, please?
Click to expand...


Sorry, Plucky, I forgot the obvious. Come discuss this in the TalkBass Fender Rumble Club where we have lots of Rumblers getting their tones just fine! We even have a database of settings for different tones you can try. We like to help. Could save some money.
.
 
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