Very happy with Rumble 100!

[BassHole1]

OP, take a look at your settings in your initial post.

Does it matter I had the volume on my bass at about 7 the whole night? Normally I would just tinker with the tone knob with volume at 10. Here because we had two to three guitars on stage at any given time, I wanted to be able to have volume mid song if needed without needing to fiddle with the amp. I did not use the gain, drive or level knobs. They're just set as they are. I only used the Vintage button for some low end.

So another interesting question. Would I want the amp loud and turn it down on my guitar, or just fiddle with the amp and keep the guitar volume at 10?

 

[grubdumpling]

Whenever I feel underamped with a little combo, I also feel better being near the fire extinguisher.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

So I'm a drummer.

For those still reading, thanks! I do play a lot of bass these days and get way more bass gigs. My "main" bass rig has been an Ampeg BA115 (100w, 15") combo amp I've owned probably 15 years or so. Weighs a ton but the bass hits you in the chest. Now that I am playing out 4-6X/month, and being an older dude, schlepping that amp is a real PITA.

So I recently picked up a Rumble 100 (100w, 12") for a screaming deal used at a somewhat local GC ($129, and $140 out the door!). It looks and plays like new. My concern is whether it had enough low end to handle blues/rock gigs. I know at home, I cannot turn up the Ampeg to the proverbial "11" as it's just too loud. However, I can turn up the R100 all the way. This made me very nervous about whether it was enough.

I am in a band that is a coffee house/Americana/pop/light rock band and we recently gigged a big room (coffee shop) and I used the R100. The staged was cramped so I had to stand in front of the amp. It was moving a LOT of air to the point that after the first song, I had to move out of the way. But at 5, it was more than enough for that gig.

Last night was the real test. Full rock band with 2 electric guitars, bass, drums and vocals in more of a bar scenario. Well, I am very happy to report that the little R100 pumped out some serious bass tones. I got compliments by the drummer, both guitars and our singer. I had the volume turned to about 2:00 (7?) and ran my bass (a 1966 P bass tribute - a hot rodded Squier, original 63 PU's, upgraded pots/wires, and mid-heavy relic by yours truly) directly into it. No effects, preamp or pedals. All I can say is heck yes!!!

I am debating if I should upgrade the woofer. I recently did this on a R15 I have, finding an 8" subwoofer on CList for $10! I swapped out the woofers and I can now turn that little practice amp up to "11" without popping or maxing out the sound and get a low bass tone. A real game changer.

I would like this R100 to be my main gigging amp for now. If business picks up, I will consider a separate amp and cab. But I had to walk about 1/2 block and doing it with the bass over my shoulder and carrying the amp was nothing since it's so light. Definitely stoked, though, since I read that the R200 should be the minimum amp for a gig............

If anyone has suggestions for a 12" replacement speaker, please let me know. And of course, part of me wants to cut out the 12" and make a hole for a 15"!

You didn't mention, but... USE DI/FOH/PA SOUNDPERSON support if it exists. They have a job to do and they carry the heavy artillery so let them help you without you spending any further effort to get a bigger, louder, fuller sound. Also, the money/time/effort you put into modding this Rumble could go into a higher-powered Rumble if you have no DI/FOH/PA support, and will much better-more verifiable end results. Love my Rumble 500 (350 Watts 2x10 with tweeter). I'm almost always dealing with pro-sound these days so the amp serves as a nice stage monitor in every band I play in, and I'm rarely ever needing to turn it up to even a third of its total volume (or master volume knob travel...)

 

[Mastermold]

I’d leave alone and just play.

 

[BassHole1]

You didn't mention, but... USE DI/FOH/PA SOUNDPERSON support if it exists. They have a job to do and they carry the heavy artillery so let them help you without you spending any further effort to get a bigger, louder, fuller sound. Also, the money/time/effort you put into modding this Rumble could go into a higher-powered Rumble if you have no DI/FOH/PA support, and will much better-more verifiable end results. Love my Rumble 500 (350 Watts 2x10 with tweeter). I'm almost always dealing with pro-sound these days so the amp serves as a nice stage monitor in every band I play in, and I'm rarely ever needing to turn it up to even a third of its total volume (or master volume knob travel...)

No FOH nor PA/soundperson at this gig, nor at most of my gigs. The leader set up a PA for his acoustic, all vocals and a keyboard. We each go out front to check levels. DI = digital interface? I don't have one of those. Just bass plugged into the amp and natural sound only (not run to the board).

I agree the cost of upgrades will probably result in having bought an R200 or bigger......I need to go to GC and check out the larger Rumbles.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

No FOH nor PA/soundperson at this gig, nor at most of my gigs. The leader set up a PA for his acoustic, all vocals and a keyboard. We each go out front to check levels. DI = digital interface? I don't have one of those. Just bass plugged into the amp and natural sound only (not run to the board).

I agree the cost of upgrades will probably result in having bought an R200 or bigger......I need to go to GC and check out the larger Rumbles.

I meant DI as in DI box to send signal to a mixer/PA whatnot. Ok so no PA. If not for volume, a bigger amp (more speakers, bigger speakers, bigger cabinet, more wattage, etc...) even at the same volume your current amp produces or which you play at, will sound different. Maybe even a good kind of different. Plus, with more available wattage/clean headroom from a "bigger" amp, the amp should tend to be more reliable over the long term because it's being operated in a lower threshold than one that is more consistently run closer it's maximum capacity to reduce sound.

 

[BassicJazzy]

To answer your question about turning down volume on your bass, just be aware that with certain basses and p'ups, and EQ's, that can change the tone.

Based on your response and the additional info you provided about your settings, I'd say you are probably fine with the R100, "as is." Seems you would like to have a little more bottom? Well, the R200 may be the solution to that but IMO you will lose a little of the clarity on the higher end. It's the downside of the 15" speaker, even with the tweeter. Many people turn off the tweeter, say the R200 sounds better without it on.

If you want to look toward the future and getting something that can move up to bigger venues, or louder bands, then IMO the R500 is worth the cost of upgrade.

 

[Major Seven]

I love mine too. My gig these days is at church where I play through the board, so my Rumble stays in the bedroom for home rehearsals. I bought a cover for it as I was afraid the wife's cat would use the cabinet as a scratching post. When I lift the cover, my dogs tuck their tails and slink away. May be a message there somewhere, I don't know.....

My dog would howl if I picked up a guitar. She didn't like blues (or did).

 

[DoKnotFret]

I used one for several years in a pit orchestra. It made for a great monitor and a very clean direct out. It’s a fantastic amp for a very big sound at low to moderate volume. The only problem you’ll run into is if you are playing louder, heavy rock and I’m trying to keep up with a heavy hitter drummer or loud guitar, etc… it will still probably would work fine for a personal monitor it’s just not gonna fill the room.

 

[BassicJazzy]

My dog would howl if I picked up a guitar. She didn't like blues (or did).

"She ain't nothing but a hound dog......"