Surprise: Fender Rumble amp!

[bassnyc1]

Hi everyone,

Like many of you, I rehearse in many different rehearsal studios that supply backline. Recently, I went into a space I hadn't been in before. The amp was the one pictured above: a Fender Rumble 200 watt head with an Ampeg cab.

After Genz Benz was bought out and eliminated by Fender, I was a bit bitter about it because I was a proud GB owner. Then I saw Fender advertise these class D amp heads and I assumed that they were rebadged GB heads; although probably of inferior quality. I don't know to this day if my assumptions were accurate or not but I must tell you that this rig sounded awesome! Maybe the Ampeg cab had something to do with it but I first fired it up with a flat setting without my VTDI pedal and I instantly smiled. Dialed in my sound, smiled more. I was playing a P bass.

Who else was pleasantly surprised by these amps?

 

[ubernator]

Just about everyone who gave them a fair chance. There is a lot of rumble hate because of the stigma of the early rumbles, and the fact that the name is cheesy and they are associated as "entry level" and cheap.

And there is a lot of rumble love, because they are the best amps for the price point, sound great, versatile (baked in is a rumor) and much louder than their wattage suggests. As much as you thought the ampeg might have been the reason, they sound great through most cabs and their own line of matching cabs is a good value.

I was an SWR user since 1998, and am also upset about the fender fate of that company.

I needed a smaller lighter amp a few years ago and after OCD research and store testing, the rumble 200 (combo 115) was the winner in my price range. A year later my van where I was currently storing all of my SWR gear (except my 410 which was in storage) was broken into and they got everything.

But I wasn't totally put out of business because the rumble200 was somewhere else. I did have to buy another cab because I usually used an extension and they got my 110, 210 and 115 swr cabs. I ended up with a rumble 112 and have been happy with the rig ever since.

 

[mmbongo]

They are fine starter amps, but definitely not rebadged Genz Benz.

If you find yourself wanting another Genz amp, Jeff Genzler has a new company.
Genzler Amplification

 

[ubernator]

They are fine starter amps, but definitely not rebadged Genz Benz.

If you find yourself wanting another Genz amp, Jeff Genzler has a new company.
Genzler Amplification

True, rumble was designed from the ground up. Nothing rebadged. But I am a firm believer that the absorption of brands like SWR and GB added greatly to their brain trust, and current fender bass amps would not be as good as they are had they not. Starting with the acquisition of SUNN. SWR taught them how to make cabs, which in turn SWR was "taught" by Eden.

The only thing "starter" about them is the price, and perhaps lack of a couple features such as a tuner out and a pre/post option for the XLR out. Otherwise they have the tone and power to get through any gig. I don't think it will last as long as my SWR though, but that also applies to most newer gear that is not extremely high end. Costs have been cut in the whole industry and mass production and laws regarding solder types and stuff like that have impacted the longevity of electronics. And yeah, I'm sure part of it is due to the well known "planned obsolescence" conspiracy. Ensure a steady demand for new products and fill the landfills with E waste. Good combo

 

[west al]

I've used a lot of amps over the years, and recently bought a v3 Rumble 500 Combo. It's turned out to be one of the best Combo amps I've had. A wood cab, with Eminence speakers. At 8 ohms, 350 watts. I thought about adding a Rumble 112 cab to it to give it 4 ohms, 500 watts, but it's a solid amp as is at 350 watts. A great surprise amp for sure.

 

[rodl2005]

Agreed. Just got a Rumble 500C. ...damn good! And I usually use either an all tube Super Bassman or Ampeg V4B - again all tube.

The v3 Rumbles are sweet!

 

[ubernator]

I've used a lot of amps over the years, and recently bought a v3 Rumble 500 Combo. It's turned out to be one of the best Combo amps I've had. A wood cab, with Eminence speakers. At 8 ohms, 350 watts. I thought about adding a Rumble 112 cab to it to give it 4 ohms, 500 watts, but it's a solid amp as is at 350 watts. A great surprise amp for sure.

Do it, the 112 is great for extending the combos, I use it under the 200c

 

[Bodeanly]

Do it, the 112 is great for extending the combos, I use it under the 200c

I got the 112 to extend my 500c, but, oftentimes, I really only use it to elevate the combo. It's loud as hell. I, too, was skeptical at first. I was wrong.

 

[dls119]

I have a Rumble 500 head and two Rumble 112 cabinets - I like them a lot for what they are. I walked into the store with absolutely no intention of having a Fender rig and walked out with an affordable, highly versatile, good sounding setup.

 

[jaco944]

Well, I'm far from a "starter" lol. Gigged my 500c last night for the first time....great amp. I've never had the guitar players ask me to turn down until now. Is it for everyone...apparently not. I play a P in a classic rock band and a MM in a funk, 80's dance band and have no problems dialing in the appropriate sound. It does benefit from tilt/elevation.

 

[Linnin]

I love my Fender Rumble 200 combo. It does everything I need from professional grade gear.

I don't know to this day if my assumptions were accurate or not but I must tell you that this rig sounded awesome!

Your conclusion that Fender Rumbles sound awesome is correct sir! However, your assumptions are erroneous. All Rumbles are from the genius of Fender's Principal Engineer, Dave Lewis. Since day one of 2002 he is solely responsible for Rumble design.
The Rumble name was recycled from a Custom Shop special order only 300 watt all tube monster aptly named 'Rumble Bass'.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Starter amp...love that tidbit of disinformation. If one can't get a great sound out of a Rumble head, one needs to look in the mirror for the answer. They aren't sexy, esoteric, hi end, used by the "cool kids" but neither were B15s, HiWatts, etc until someone made them hip.

 

[jsolberg]

Just about everyone who gave them a fair chance. There is a lot of rumble hate because of the stigma of the early rumbles, and the fact that the name is cheesy and they are associated as "entry level" and cheap.

Right. I just can't get past the name and the cheesy flashing lights in the cab. That established the line as discount store merchandise.

 

[bassliner50]

Rumble V3. Does the job well. Easy to transport. Good value. Will they hold up for decades? Lets find out. I will report back in 15-20 years. Please stand by folks.

 

[JakobT]

Right. I just can't get past the name and the cheesy flashing lights in the cab. That established the line as discount store merchandise.

Flashing lights in the cab?!

 

[sm49341]

I must admit, I am one of those that couldnt get past the name. Nothing against the amp personally, sounds like its a winner and deserves a chance from me. But in the stores, my brain said " Rumble? I dont want to sound like a rumble." Im into class d stuff for weight issues, so if my current class D amp ever dies, i will certainly give this one a look.

 

[Linnin]

Rumbles Rock!

 

[Aqualung60]

I love my Rumble 500v3 head and two 410 cabs. I really can't understand some of the hate given to the Rumble amps, I can get a clean "Modern" sound or a "Warm" old school sound with just a little tweaking.

 

[Bassquest]

The amp was the one pictured above: a Fender Rumble 200 watt head with an Ampeg cab.

What Ampeg cab were you using?

 

[MegaSwing]

FWIW, I have never played through a Fender Rumble of any kind—amp, cab, or combo—that didn't deliver the goods for its particular performance class. I think the small combos actually punch above their weight. The truth is that Fender NEEDS to over-deliver in performance, just to overcome negative perceptions in the marketplace and decades of plodding mediocrity. It'll still be awhile before Fender is a preeminent name in pro-level bass amplification, but it's definitely on the right track as far as winning converts, IMO. And it's not like it doesn't own the necessary technology.