The Combo Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting a reminder. Miles will take good care of you with a number. We must be getting close to 300, right? I’ve been trying to send as many new combo owners over here as I could. We must hit that goal!

We're crawling our way toward it, pulling ourselves along by bloody fingertips[1] up the rocky cliffs[2] to the 300 mesa[3] summit.

[1] Need to change those rusty strings
[2] And clean the crud off the fretboards
[3] Which is not the same as a Mesa 300[4]
[4] Is there a Mesa 300?

 

[GonePlaid]

Club's been kinda quiet. IDK 'bout the rest of y'all, but it's the 'off-season' down here. Gigs are few(2 this weekend, 1 I'm not on; 4 next month, 2 I'm not on)and far between. Certainly not buying any combos seeing as how I have 5: B25, R40, R100, R200c, Kasino<practice amp. [plus 2 P_____'s: MAX110(backup), KB300]

 

[Greywoulf]

How are the Fender Rumble 'studio' combos generally rated here? -Specifically the 25W and the 40W versions; are their extra sounds worth the addl $$ over the plain-Jane ones?

 

[G-Dog]

I think I need a combo club member number...

As an aside, I just replaced my factory strings on the Squier pj I have with labella deep talking flatwound mediums and man, what a difference in sound!

I went with flats originally hoping they would be easier on my fingers, which they are, and for things like that solo in "All Right Now", "Badge", and other slide type passages, and all this sound came out!

I think I might be able to play small venues with this rig, as the Amp has a line out jack on it, which I think would feed into a sound board, or I could mic the speaker....only question is if it would be loud enough on stage....

I say this because I saw a bass player backing a name guitarist, can't remember the name, using a combo as small as mine, with what looked liked a 2x8 or some other very small extension cab.....

And you now have one: 297! See the
Combo Club Membership Notes | TalkBass.com
for details on membership.

We'd love to hear more about your combo journey, bass journey, and whatever else you want to share. Welcome to the (mostly) portable (mostly) musical (mostly) party!

Woo hoo! Welcome to The Club, Phfat!

After the celebration, be sure to check out your Combo Club wiki page of Club information, to learn more about us. Your suggestions for content there are also welcome.

And now, by the authority vested in me by ... ... well, ... no one, really. I just started doin' this one time and nobody told me to stop, so I still do it now and then, ... I hereby present you with your Official Combo Club Communicator pin. "As seen on TV!" Wear it in good health, but just don't call The Fearless Leader on alternate weekdays or weekends when he's having his beauty naps, ... uh, ... that is, his Administrative Meetings! It also grants you automatic electronic access to all the best parts of the Combo Club Clubhouse!

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[WestyBassBob]

How are the Fender Rumble 'studio' combos generally rated here? -Specifically the 25W and the 40W versions; are their extra sounds worth the addl $$ over the plain-Jane ones?

Personally I don’t think it’s worth paying extra for the special effects. IME those built in effects are never very good. For example I have an OD circuit built into my Hartke 300. But I NEVER use it because it sounds like crap. I have dedicated fuzz box for that.

However I did buy a Fender guitar combo recently that came with reverb and stuff built in. I thought it sounded great. But my son decided he didn’t like it kept using the crappy little Squire combo He already had because he likes the OD on that one. So…

I say get the biggest loudest one because… and then just add pedals if you want to mess with the tone.

 

[GwenOnBass]

How are the Fender Rumble 'studio' combos generally rated here? -Specifically the 25W and the 40W versions; are their extra sounds worth the addl $$ over the plain-Jane ones?

I thought your Zoom pedal does all that?

The Rumble 40 features a pre/post DI, and that might be useful for recording. But I don't know if the speaker can be defeated for recording.

Your PJB Bass Cub Pro combo takes effects very well. If you want amp modeling pedals on the cheap, there's Joyo. Pretty decent, to hear tell. No personal experience.

 

[G-Dog]

How are the Fender Rumble 'studio' combos generally rated here? -Specifically the 25W and the 40W versions; are their extra sounds worth the addl $$ over the plain-Jane ones?

Depends on specifically who you talk to, woulfie. Those of us that use 'em love 'em. All the different 3rd generation voices and effects are easily dialed in with the Encoder knob/button to include fantastic combinations. And some have even sold off their pedals in favor of the internal effects! The optional special 4-button or 7-button footswitches facilitate lots of quick switching, the tuner, the looper, etc. But the "piece of resistance" is the Bluetooth enabled Fender Tone App that lets you control almost everything very intuitively from your phone or tablets touch screen! And it's got lots of stereo I/O on the back.

The Rumble LT25 is more limited than the 40 & 800 with no Bluetooth or wi-fi. It requires connection to a PC or Mac for updates and downloads. And it has fewer presets for making your preferred tones. But, it still has a lot of bass modeling features to offer.

Others, though, don't want "all that fiddly stuff" inside their amps and/or prefer separate external hardware effects. And I can understand and appreciate that approach.

.
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[G-Dog]

How are the Fender Rumble 'studio' combos generally rated here? -Specifically the 25W and the 40W versions; are their extra sounds worth the addl $$ over the plain-Jane ones?

... ... ... The Rumble 40 features a pre/post DI, and that might be useful for recording. But I don't know if the speaker can be defeated for recording. ... ... ...

The plain-Jane Rumble 40 has an XLR Out, but it is post-only.

The Rumble Studio 40, like the Rumble Stage 800, has both a Pre XLR Out and a Post XLR Out for blending into a recording, or live sound, situation, or whatever. OR, the two XLRs can be configured to STEREO, since many of the built-in effects are in stereo, for more sophisticated recording. (The USB connection defaults to stereo for recordings.) But, even the 800 only produces mono sound thru its internal dual speakers. They both also have available stereo FX Loops for external pedals.

The internal speaker(s) is(are) easily defeated by inserting an appropriate plug into the headphone jack.
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[GwenOnBass]

The plain-Jane Rumble 40 has an XLR Out, but it is post-only.

The Rumble Studio 40, like the Rumble Stage 800, has both a Pre XLR Out and a Post XLR Out for blending into a recording, or live sound, situation, or whatever. OR, the two XLRs can be configured to STEREO, since many of the built-in effects are in stereo, for more sophisticated recording. But, even the 800 only produces mono sound thru its internal dual speakers. They both also have available stereo FX Loops for external pedals.

The internal speaker(s) are easily defeated by inserting an appropriate plug into the headphone jack.
.

That's useful enough to want to own

 

[G-Dog]

That's useful enough to want to own

It's really a blast to experiment with lots of various amps, cabs and pre- and post- effects in various combinations with just a few touches of a screen, or flicks of the Encoder knob/button. And you can get tones that would cost many thousands of $£€¥ the hardware way.

The 40 and the 800 share the same preamp/firmware for all the modeling and preset positions. The 800's power is the only difference between them, being 400W alone (8 ohms internal), and 800W with the addition of 8 or 4 ohms of cabs!
.

 

[JakobT]

Personally I don’t think it’s worth paying extra for the special effects. IME those built in effects are never very good. For example I have an OD circuit built into my Hartke 300. But I NEVER use it because it sounds like crap. I have dedicated fuzz box for that.

However I did buy a Fender guitar combo recently that came with reverb and stuff built in. I thought it sounded great. But my son decided he didn’t like it kept using the crappy little Squire combo He already had because he likes the OD on that one. So…

I say get the biggest loudest one because… and then just add pedals if you want to mess with the tone.

It’s not only effects, though - it’s also all the different amp models, cab sims and so on, most of which are very good. And while I do use effects pedals live, it’s exceedingly useful to be able try out different effects on the amp for free before shelling out your hard-earned on a dedicated pedal.

If you were to buy all the effects on the Rumble Stage/Studio in pedal form - now that would be paying extra.

 

[GwenOnBass]

My recording arrangement is basic with no computer plug-ins. A Studio 40 would provide a lot of capabilities I don't have now. On the other hand, I get a very convincing fliptop.

Just wrote and recorded a walking bass line for "Mr. P.C." through my combo.

 

[Greywoulf]

It's really a blast to experiment with lots of various amps, cabs and pre- and post- effects in various combinations with just a few touches of a screen, or flicks of the Encoder knob/button. And you can get tones that would cost many thousands of $£€¥ the hardware way.

Truthfully I'm just looking for another toy to play with... -And since I'm still in the process of selling off my bigger stuff and going with smaller gear instead, I thought why not one of the smaller Rumble studio types with all those built-in extras? For what you get IMO they don't cost all that much over their plain-Jane cousins, and I really don't want a bunch of cluttering floor pedals we'd have to move around for house cleaning.
And yes, a while back I might've found the Rumble 'studios' too ""fussy"" myself, but they look to me (now) like they're interesting fun that's not-overly-complicated.
~~Hmmmmm.... (??)
(I need my toys now more than ever- My bass teacher is now pushing me to work more on chords and scales... )

 

[SoulReflection]

I sold my Studio 40 and R200 Combo recently because I found my tone with an Ampeg PF20T.

Modelling amps have a lot to offer but, once I found my desired tone, I discovered there is a difference between modelling and the real thing.

Some of us find our tone sooner, some of us later. Some of us like multiple tones and that is where modelling amps are a great compromise.

 

[GonePlaid]

I sold my Studio 40 and R200 Combo recently because I found my tone with an Ampeg PF20T.

Modelling amps have a lot to offer but, once I found my desired tone, I discovered there is a difference between modelling and the real thing.

Some of us find our tone sooner, some of us later. Some of us like multiple tones and that is where modelling amps are a great compromise.

Every time I see "modelling", at first glance I see "yodelling".

 

[SoulReflection]

Every time I see "modelling", at first glance I see "yodelling".

Do you need new glasses?

 

[GonePlaid]

Do you need new glasses?

Nah, just the combination of letters gets me at first. Also, the fact I have no interest in modelling amps. To own, anyway.

 

[Greywoulf]

Nah, just the combination of letters gets me at first. Also, the fact I have no interest in modelling amps. To own, anyway.

~Bet you use tone changing pedals tho..?

 

[SoulReflection]

Nah, just the combination of letters gets me at first. Also, the fact I have no interest in modelling amps. To own, anyway.

With your background and playing ability, I can see see why.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

..., ... no one, really. I just started doin' this one time and nobody told me to stop, so I still do it now and then, ... I hereby present you with your Official Combo Club Communicator pin. "As seen on TV!" Wear it in good health, but just don't call The Fearless Leader on alternate weekdays or weekends when he's having his beauty naps, ... uh, ... that is, his Administrative Meetings! It also grants you...

FL2 is too busy for naps, and they wouldn't help anyway. So long as this face doesn't scare the kids (and it seldom does), I'm ok with it. It's a combo face - no separate head!