Using a Fender Rumble 200 combo as cab only?

Feb 26, 2023
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Considering buying a rumble 200 combo (with 1x15). I have other amps and cabs, but this will be a smaller practice amp. It will probably also be OK for smaller gigs with PA.
But can you bypass the internal amp in these? If I need more power, can I connect an external amp to it and use only the cab (if I need more power..)?
 
It would require modifying the cab to have some sort of input jack -- note that the connection to the internal amp absolutely has to be disconnected. That's probably not a particularly difficult thing to do, but consider that the speaker isn't going to be able to dissipate much more power than that produced by the internal amp. You won't really be able to give it 'more power'. I don't think I'd go that route my own self.
 
You could use it as a powered extension, though.

The effects return on a Rumble is after all the controls including master volume so if you have a post-EQ and volume send available from any of your other amps, you could use that to drive the 200 (or most Rumbles for that matter). I’ve seen in the Rumble club thread that some owners buy matching Rumbles, say two 100s, and chain them together this way.

You could use an A-B-Y box to send the output of your bass (and pedalboard if you use one) to the 200 as well as another amp. You have to set the controls on each amp to get the proper balance between them, it’s fussy but it works in a pinch.
 
Connecting a more powerful external amp isn’t going to do what you want, it will only result in damaged gear. Your best bet would be, to get more speakers, like the Rumble 115 extension cab. Or chain two identical combos together, as described above.
Correct, it will just end with a damaged speaker.
 
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Considering buying a rumble 200 combo (with 1x15). I have other amps and cabs, but this will be a smaller practice amp. It will probably also be OK for smaller gigs with PA.
But can you bypass the internal amp in these? If I need more power, can I connect an external amp to it and use only the cab (if I need more power..)?
In addition to what others said, the Rumble 200 puts out 200W with an extension cab but only 140W into its internal speaker by itself. This strongly suggests that the internal speaker is only rated at 140W RMS. If you want to use it with another amp, the method @brianrost suggested is ideal (if you can).
 
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Why not just add an Ext cab fpr more output? I wouldn't use the speaker alone with a ,more powerful amp. That's likely to exceed it's abilities.

You could use it as an Ext cab along with another cab, provided they were complementary in wattage, impedance and your taste of sound.

You need to add another socket input. One that switches out the combo's electronics and connects the speaker directly out through a simple custom cable.

I did this with a stereo jack socket, mounted in the wood cabinet to isolate it from earth
A stereo jack plug, if wired appropriately, will connect the speaker, and simultaneously disconnect the rest of the combo. When using this arrangement be sure not to run the combo.

I used this system for years, combining my 12" combo's speaker with a 15" cab for lower impedance, higher wattage, and a better spectrum.
 
In addition to what others said, the Rumble 200 puts out 200W with an extension cab but only 140W into its internal speaker by itself.
This strongly suggests that the internal speaker is only rated at 140W RMS.
The 15” driver in the Rumble 200 is the same driver as the one used in the Rumble 115 cab. Rated 300 watts continuous and 600 watts “program”.
 
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Why not just add an Ext cab fpr more output? I wouldn't use the speaker alone with a ,more powerful amp. That's likely to exceed it's abilities.

You could use it as an Ext cab along with another cab, provided they were complementary in wattage, impedance and your taste of sound.

You need to add another socket input. One that switches out the combo's electronics and connects the speaker directly out through a simple custom cable.

I did this with a stereo jack socket, mounted in the wood cabinet to isolate it from earth
A stereo jack plug, if wired appropriately, will connect the speaker, and simultaneously disconnect the rest of the combo. When using this arrangement be sure not to run the combo.

I used this system for years, combining my 12" combo's speaker with a 15" cab for lower impedance, higher wattage, and a better spectrum.
Great way to accidentally ruin an amp imo.
 
It sounds like you're looking for something that can be used as both a combo and a speaker cab.

I converted my rumble 200 into just a cabinet after the amp died on me. I just pulled the amp out, cut the plastic connector off the speaker wires and soldered a 1/4" to the wires connected to the 15". I wasn't sure how to incorporate the tweeter, so it's not connected to anything.

I bought a new rig recently and I've been looking for somebody who wants to buy it as a cab, a project, or just for parts. If you're interested in a converted rumble cab with a non-functioning amp, feel free to send me a message!
 
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It sounds like you're looking for something that can be used as both a combo and a speaker cab.

I converted my rumble 200 into just a cabinet after the amp died on me. I just pulled the amp out, cut the plastic connector off the speaker wires and soldered a 1/4" to the wires connected to the 15". I wasn't sure how to incorporate the tweeter, so it's not connected to anything.

I bought a new rig recently and I've been looking for somebody who wants to buy it as a cab, a project, or just for parts. If you're interested in a converted rumble cab with a non-functioning amp, feel free to send me a message!
What’s the speaker impedance - 8 ohms?
 
That’s weird, but thanks. Also, the “continuous” (properly known as RMS) rating is all one normally needs to quote.
Not weird, often the same driver will be used in multiple models, maybe a little more robust than needed in a lower powered application, but it's still less expensive than a lower performance driver when economies of scale are factored in.
 
The terminology I used is straight from the Rumble 115 page on the Fender website.😁
I would normally use RMS, but that's how THEY spec it!
That's because Fender is migrating to more marketing specs because that's what many of their customers seem to accept (though they do still provide the "RMS" metrics for those who know better).
 
Not weird, often the same driver will be used in multiple models, maybe a little more robust than needed in a lower powered application, but it's still less expensive than a lower performance driver when economies of scale are factored in.
I’ve done that with resistor sizes and cap voltage ratings, but never considered it with speaker power ratings - especially for a budget amp line.

Any idea what else they use that speaker in?
 
I’ve done that with resistor sizes and cap voltage ratings, but never considered it with speaker power ratings - especially for a budget amp line.

Any idea what else they use that speaker in?
Not off the top of my head, I’ve been out of that loop for almost 12 years now.