Hmm, I think you're talking apples while G-dog and I were talking oranges. I was referring to the Rumble club on Talk Bass, not about people owning Rumbles being judged by those who don't. I've not heard of people with the Rumble combos being given grief for their amps. I'm sure it happens, but I've not seen it first hand.
For me, I love to hear about different equipment from mine, and I don't think I've cast aspersions at other folks' amps. That was why I followed the link over to the Rumble Club. On that page at least, there were some very snarky and pedantic posts, and that made me run back to the friendly Combo Club. My Doggy friend clarified by putting what I saw in context, and so here we are.
If you like it, play it! If it sounds good, turn it up!
Having been a member of the Rumble Club for some years, I’ve seen a lot of not-so-nice posts about Rumbles and those who use them, both inside the Rumble Club and elsewhere on TB. I’m happy to say that they have largely subsided.
While I always try to be respectful of other's opinions, the few small V1 Rumbles, 15 & 25, belonging to others, I played through were practice amps
only and that biased my perspective. So, until the V2 Rumble 350 appeared, I (unfairly) considered
all Rumbles to be beginners/practice amps. The good reviews of the 350 caught my notice, but not enough to consider buying one. I thought my Bassman combo amps were just SO much better. And I still think they were! Yes, I admit, in my internal narrative only, I was an anti-Rumble snob, and to some degree I still am!
Then, when the V3 Rumble 500 combo debuted, with it's retro good looks, very light weight, yet very powerful ratings, I literally couldn't believe it. I ordered one, untried, with the full expectation of returning it for a Bassman 500. But, it made a believer out of me! The first rehearsal I took it to, our wisecracking singer asked if I accidentally brought my little bedroom practice amp. I just laughed along with him. Then, on the first song I blasted ... him ...
out! When he asked "What was
that about?" I said, "What, my little bedroom practice amp?" and we both laughed again.
I feel that the R500c is a seriously professional bass amp, superior in many ways to my Bassman 150 and 250 combos. I did eventually get my Bassman 500 head and its Neo 115 cab, but the R500c does a similar job for live gigs, with less bulk and weight! And I feel absolutely no shame, or guilt, or compunction whatsoever about taking my Rumble 500 to
any gig, especially if my Bassman rig is in the car for extra force if needed (though it never really has been needed and hasn't been taken in years). If I ever do need extra power, a second Rumble 500 combo would be a very worthwhile investment.
In fact, in the past year, my Rumble Studio 40 has been sufficient for my gigs and jams. Its world class modeling features make it a positive delight to play, and display, to friends and acquaintances alike.
.