Fender Rumble 500 combo too boomy/muddy at home...

Vinnie Boombatz

Vinnie Boombatz

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May 26, 2010
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#1
Picked up a Rumble 500 v3 combo a few days ago. Sounded great in the store, but at home I can't seem to dial out the mud/low end boominess, and it's really bad. Despite even cutting the lows and low mids, it's still there. I did try the bass (CIJ Fender P) in the store with the stock pickup, and then installed an EMG GZR the next day, so I did not try the amp in the store with the new pickup, and pickups height is 8/64" on the E & A strings, 6/64" on the D & G strings). I've tried tilting the amp, placing it in different spots in my place, and really messing with the EQ to no avail. Haven't tried lifting the amp up off the floor yet. I have not played outside of my place yet with the amp.

I live in a small 405sq ft. cottage, that's basically on a raised wood floor, so it's sort of hollow/dirt underneath. Considered options like an HPF Pre and an Auralex Acoustics Gramma Isolation Pad, but instead of spending that much more to fix an issue I'm having, should I think about taking the amp back and looking into my second choice, the GK MB212-II, but in the store preferred the tone/personality of the Rumble.

I have read that others have complained about boominess with the Rumble, but give it sounded good in the store and muddy/boomy at home, I'm guessing it's my living space mores that that actual amp. And if anyone is wondering why the heck would you buy a 350watt amp for a 405 sq. ft. home?!?! Well, I also play out and jam, mostly guitar but have started dabbling in bass as well. I wanted one amp that I could use for practice at home, take to a rehearsal or jam, and even use for small gigs, was light, grab and go, and didn't take up a massive amount of space. Maybe I thought this out all wrong and should have purchased something smaller for home?!
 
#3
So I think I may have already started to answer my own question. I remembered I had a Harbor Freight furniture dolly in the garage. It's plastic and on wheels, but even putting the amp up on the dolly made a difference in helping cut some of the overtones/rumble (no pun intended). I should also mention at home I'm just playing at living room levels, like enough to play and still hear the television, so the amp isn't cranked our stupid loud. I'm thinking that using the furniture dolly with an isolation pad might really help things.
 
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#4
auralex-gramma-v2.jpg
 
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#5
sbpark said:
I live in a small 405sq ft. cottage, that's basically on a raised wood floor, so it's sort of hollow/dirt underneath
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You're living in downtown Boomtown, friend. Just like setting up on a hollow stage, you need to de-couple from the floor.
sbpark said:
Considered options like an HPF Pre and an Auralex Acoustics Gramma Isolation Pad
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Hello! You've answered your own question. Auralex GRAMMA it is! There is also Fletcher Munson effect to be concerned with. Your place is so small, you may just have to move to a bigger abode, or play outside.
 
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#9
Qlanq said:
That's a nice amp dude. How about headphones ?
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I'd hate to have to use headphones on such a nice amp! I have a Yamaha THR-10 that I could use headphones with, but not really into headphones at home when I'm not forced to. I'm not connected to anyone as far as someone above, below or to the sides of me like in an apartment.
 
#10
You would have the same issue with the GK, or many other amps. A powerful combo is an excellent choice for your situation, and i think you chose wisely and got a lot of bang for your buck. But I would use the money saved and get an fDeck variable HPF and an Auralex pad, both of which I use regularly at gigs with my Mesa, GK, and Fender Rumble rigs.
 
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#14
I have a Rumble 100 that actually sounds best with almost no Gain. With even moderate Gain, it sounds boomy and even slightly distorted. Set your Gain at zero and everything else, including Master volume, flat. If your Rumble is anything like mine, you might find that you need to turn your Master volume down just to get some clarity. Raise the Gain gradually until you get the kid of sound you like, and remember it's going to sound a whole lot different in a big space than in your tiny room.
 
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#15
sbpark said:
I can't seem to dial out the mud/low end boominess, and it's really bad. Despite even cutting the lows and low mids,
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Did you cut the bass? I set the bass at 9 o'clock on mine and it's sitting on a riser. From my experience, and what I've read from others in the Rumble section, twiddling those knobs drastically you'll find the tone you're searching for, AND it takes time to break that speaker in.
 
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#16
turn your Master volume down just to get some clarity. Raise the Gain gradually until you get the kid of sound you like
BobDeRosa said:
turn your Master volume down just to get some clarity. Raise the Gain gradually until you get the kid of sound you like,
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^^^ and this or vis a vis... turn the gain down and the master up. At any rate twiddle those knobs around like a mad man
 
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#17
gjohnson441496 said:
Did you cut the bass? I set the bass at 9 o'clock on mine and it's sitting on a riser. From my experience, and what I've read from others in the Rumble section, twiddling those knobs drastically you'll find the tone you're searching for, AND it takes time to break that speaker in.
Click to expand...

Yeah. Even cutting the bass more than to 9 o'clock doesn't really help with the amp just on he floor but elevating the amp off the floor seems to make changes with the bass and low mods much more effective.
 
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#19
You just need Rumble 25 for small room use.
My previous Rumble 200/115 combo is sound thunder in close room BUT sound fine with open space.

Bad Bedroom Sound means Great Outdoor tone ! ............ my2cent
 
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