Surprise: Fender Rumble amp!

[leegreenman]

I bought a Rumble 500 a couple of months ago, due to frustration with the cleaness of my MarkBass stuff. Due to portability considerations, tube stuff just wasn't an option.
It's easier for me to get a tone a like with this amp than any other I can recall playing.

 

[FirewalZ]

+1 I use a Rumble 500 head and separate 210 cabinet....sounds feeakin great, I prefer the thicker warmer low/mid punch over my GK. These seemed to sound best with passive Fender basses, particularly P bass, and I'm sure that's intentional. As to not choosing an amp just for the name....sorry but that's pretty silly . For any Rumble naysayer try it with a P bass and really spend some time understanding the eq, and you may just be won over

 

[OldFunBass]

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.

Wait....Flashing lights in the cab? I did not get any flashing lights in my Rumble combo or extension cab. Now I feel cheated

 

[ezstep]

Flashing lights in the cab?!

Cab makers often use auto lamps in the circuit to absorb (and light up) when the dc power reaches a certain point. Related to square waves, clipping, maybe? I dunno. But it protects the destruction of the crossover. Quite a few cabs have 'em - practically all at one time. I have also seen quite a few bulbs painted black (supposedly by the maker) to prevent the light show. It is strictly for protection, and it has worked well for decades. You have to remember that an all-tube Bassman amp was 100 watts. Later, 130. P.A. systems were 100 watts or so. Now that technology has caught up to speakers, the acceptable wattage has increased, but some makers still put in that protective bulb. Still works well.

 

[west al]

Flashing lights in the cab?!

The first line of Rumbles had red flashing disco lights, that were in the lower front port, and flashed when you played. There was an on off switch to turn off the lights. But they made the switch a bit hard to find. The lights were kinda' cheesy!

 

[Flabass]

I play my G&L SB-2 through at V3 500 Rumble at a weekly jam. It sounds great with plenty of power. If I ever get rid of my Genz Benz combo I will give it at try.

 

[JakobT]

The first line of Rumbles had red flashing disco lights, that were in the lower front port, and flashed when you played. There was an on off switch to turn off the lights. But they made the switch a bit hard to find. The lights were kinda' cheesy!

That I can believe. Thankfully, there are no such excesses on the v3 series.

 

[MegaSwing]

The first line of Rumbles had red flashing disco lights, that were in the lower front port, and flashed when you played. There was an on off switch to turn off the lights. But they made the switch a bit hard to find. The lights were kinda' cheesy!

But I loved 'em. They add to the showbiz.

 

[mmbongo]

 

[J-Bassomatic]

View attachment 1143373 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?

Come on over to the Fender Rumble Club and you'll find out.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

Flashing lights in the cab?!

Yeah, me too. Huh?

 

[YosemiteSam]

I have both a Rumble 500 2x10 combo for claiming my sonic space when working with a drummer, and a Rumble 40 for everything else, including non-drummer gigs. They both work great, and the little 40 weighs only ~21lbs.

The 40 has, however, developed a heat-related distortion problem after about 45 minutes of playing. So, warranty issue, but I'm not too worried. It is subject to failure like any manufactured item. They're solid units.

 

[steamthief]

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.

I don't think the negative perceptions are in the marketplace - I believe they're here on talkbass.

 

[Linnin]

Flashing lights in the cab?!

Yes! Disco lights in the original Rumble 60 & 100. The LEDs would pulse to your playing and you could see them through the slot port at the bottom of the cab. Very theatrical, and the teenagers loved 'em. And yes, you could turn them off if you were an old fuddy-duddy/killjoy.

 

[Linnin]

I don't think the negative perceptions are in the marketplace - I believe they're here on talkbass.

Very true! Fender Rumbles are the best selling bass amps on the global marketplace.

 

[Gluvhand]

So, we are to discount any review that isn't positive or glowing? It's not possible some just don't like the amp? I don't love them or hate them. They are what they are. If they work for you, great. If not, also great. No amp, the Rumble or the Mesa D800, can be all things to all people, but to state that all negative perceptions is just some kind of TB "hate" is shortsighted and kind of insulting.

 

[Gougedeye]

I have been using the Rumble stuff for a few years now. I own a Rumble 350, Rumble 500, 2 2x8 cabs and 2 1x12 cabs. Any combination of those works great! I have been particularly fond of the 350 head with the 2- 1x12s lately. Although I did use the 2-2x8s the other day and it was pretty cool! Nice focused response and solid B string tones. As I am getting older, moving the 6x10 and the Super Bassman doesn't appeal to me. The Rumble gear fills in nicely.

 

[Gougedeye]

So, we are to discount any review that isn't positive or glowing? It's not possible some just don't like the amp? I don't love them or hate them. They are what they are. If they work for you, great. If not, also great. No amp, the Rumble or the Mesa D800, can be all things to all people, but to state that all negative perceptions is just some kind of TB "hate" is shortsighted and kind of insulting.

While I sort of agree with you, there are people out there who will hate on Fender, no matter the sample size to the contrary. I have played many Fender basses and always hear the complaints about the "weak" B string. The fact of the matter is, all Fender 5 strings do not have a weak B string! Do some? Yes, but certainly not every one! And all I've played from 2008 to present have been very usable, consistently good quality instruments, just like the Rumble series amps. Haters gonna hate. Not trying to start anything here, just making an observation. I would encourage all people to go and experience the gear for yourself.

 

[JACink]

This is actually quite civilized for a Rumble thread, maybe it is still early days

As said above, they are most definitely not the best option for everyone. But can anyone tell me one product in this world that is?

We all have different tastes, which is what makes the music world so great.

 

[FenderB]

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

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'.

Damn.