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

#82
sbpark said:
Just wanted to update since so many of you were nice enough to reply ad add your thoughts and advice...

I did some more messing around with the amp and the controls and found that the gain knob may have been the culprit? Some posters suggested setting the gain knob almost to zero, and even though that goes against conventional wisdom and how you'd normally set up an amp with a gain and master volume, it really seems to have helped. Previously I only had it set to 9 o'clock, but even lower seems to produce a better tone. I'd never set up a guitar amp thins way (or any other bass amp for that matter), but having that gain knob set low just seems to get rid of a LOT of the woffiness and low end mud, at least at "living room" levels. I can even have the amp in the corner and it still sounds pretty good. Much more clarify and low end, but no mud and low frequencies banging into each other. With the gain set low I also am noticing I don't have to cut out the lows as much either. Before I had the lows dialed all the way out and was still getting the mud.
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I had the same unit, small living room, no wall hangings, slab floor, tile. It was amazing. Gain was rarely used above 9 o'clock. Vintage, contour, eq all were accessible, but 12 o'clock across was perfect. Gain was fooled with rarely but it would muddy it up for a kind of fuzzy fun. Sweet amp, great round musical tones up and down and across fretboard. Nothing but love for that amp. Going with a 700RBii and a undetermined cab at this point. Want more growl. Rumble didn't growl for me-I run flats.
 
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#84
Jeff Scott said:
This is my experience every time I play through one of these Rumble amps. I am sure there are lots of you who love that kind of tone, but it is too muddy/indistinct sounding for what I want from an amp.
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I'm also finding that the bass guitar also plays a big part with this amp. Precision basses can get a little muddy in the low end while the Road Worn Jazz bass is very articulate, punchy and I can actually add in low end (stock pickups), while the CIJ Precision with the "Original '62" pickup sounds good with the lows run flat, or with a little low end cut just a bit. With the EMG GZR though the Precision bass was mud city. Even cutting the lows quite a bit didn't help, and neither did lowering the pickup.
 
#85
sbpark said:
I'm also finding that the bass guitar also plays a big part with this amp. Precision basses can get a little muddy in the low end while the Road Worn Jazz bass is very articulate, punchy and I can actually add in low end (stock pickups), while the CIJ Precision with the "Original '62" pickup sounds good with the lows run flat, or with a little low end cut just a bit. With the EMG GZR though the Precision bass was mud city. Even cutting the lows quite a bit didn't help, and neither did lowering the pickup.
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So, the amp works best with basses that are shy on the low end, those that do not have a nice deep, extended. bottom end to them. That makes sense. just as with hi-end stereo systems, say, juggling the frequency response of a phone cartridge against the tonality of a tube preamp, or the speakers, for example.
 
#86
Jeff Scott said:
So, the amp works best with basses that are shy on the low end, those that do not have a nice deep, extended. bottom end to them. That makes sense. just as with hi-end stereo systems, say, juggling the frequency response of a phone cartridge against the tonality of a tube preamp, or the speakers, for example.
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Dont quote me on that! Ha! I'm just relaying my personal experience with ONE P bass. Maybe my P Bass just has that characteristic to it. I can't say that it responds that way to every P bass. Kind of have my eye on a used Classic 50's P bass, so if that happens I'll report back about how that one sounds through the Rumble!

I'm guessing a Rickenbacker would sound pretty darn good through a Rumble though.
 
#87
Jeff Scott said:
This is my experience every time I play through one of these Rumble amps. I am sure there are lots of you who love that kind of tone, but it is too muddy/indistinct sounding for what I want from an amp.
Click to expand...

Not sure how you can't find a tone you like with the Rumbles. At least the V3. I was never a fan of the Original Rumble series, and I think those tainted a lot of folks outlook on these amps. My experience with them was an original series 100 watter with that silly LED light in the port. I played it, a Crate BX100, and an Ampeg 100 watter model name / number I don't know... Anyway, the Ampeg lovers are going to hate me for saying this, but there was VERY little tonal difference between the Ampeg 100 watter, and the Crate, both were made by St Louis Music, and I wouldn't be shocked if the shared a lot of design and components. The Rumble though, had a bad buzz in the cabinet, like one of the braces in there was loose, that just drove me to distraction, the LED just made it look like a teenagers toy, and was a massive non starter for me. Which is why the Crate went home with me... Years of use and abuse, not to mention escalating back health issues got me looking for lighter alternatives though...

I can't say anything with any authority on the V2 as I have never been up close and personal with one, but the V3 has all the tonal flexibility I could want in an amp, and find it super easy to dial in my tone, using my P bass, Jazz, Ibby, whatever...

Obviously like with pretty much every other piece of equipment, and advice on this forum, YMMV.

Considering the Ampeg BA210v2 is in the same price range, cheaper actually, than a Rumble V3 500 combo, I absolutely A/Bed them against teach other. And for me, the Rumble just had the tone I wanted. Not dissing the BA210 v2 in the slightest, I know a couple of guys playing through them, and they are great combo amps, just not my cup of tea...

There is a VERY real and noticeable difference in overall sound, not just with the Rumble, but I have noticed it with other combos, and stacks, when you have just the one cab, vs adding a second cab. My Rumble REALLY comes alive with the 210 extension cab, and delivers a punch that is well worth the extra funds, and more importantly, extra effort of dragging a second cab with my back issues.

I've noted as well as the owner has noted the same change in character with a Markbass CMD102P 2x10 combo. He added a Markbass Traveller 102P cab, and got the same sorts of results my Rumble delivered, albeit while looking like he belongs in a Stryper tribute band...

Anyway, VERY long winded story shortened. YMMV based on configuration, and specific tuning / tone settings. If anything, the Fender voicings set dead flat tend to be to my ear, somewhat mid rangey.
 
#88
sbpark said:
I'm also finding that the bass guitar also plays a big part with this amp. Precision basses can get a little muddy in the low end while the Road Worn Jazz bass is very articulate, punchy and I can actually add in low end (stock pickups), while the CIJ Precision with the "Original '62" pickup sounds good with the lows run flat, or with a little low end cut just a bit. With the EMG GZR though the Precision bass was mud city. Even cutting the lows quite a bit didn't help, and neither did lowering the pickup.
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I think you're onto something.....IMO these amps were designed with traditional Fender basses in mind. I to have a P bass with the "Original '62" pickup, really matches the tonal footprint of the amp, I get that hollow ganky grind in spades. And, while my Jazz has more sizzle and spark through my GK, it has a thicker, warmer punch through the Rumble.
 
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#89
I have only tried the combo amps, not the heads. perhaps it's the baked in tone of the cabs that suck for me, as I have not used any of the heads through my own cabinets. And, if I were to be looking for a different head besides the Tone Hammer 500, I would be looking to a Mesa, most likely, if not the Aguilar AG700. I have no interest in increasing FMIC's coffers, so no matter how great their Rumble heads may be I guess I'll never know. Unless, one were given to me as a gift. ;)
 
#92
Big Hoss said:
Not sure how you can't find a tone you like with the Rumbles. At least the V3. I was never a fan of the Original Rumble series, and I think those tainted a lot of folks outlook on these amps. My experience with them was an original series 100 watter with that silly LED light in the port. I played it, a Crate BX100, and an Ampeg 100 watter model name / number I don't know... Anyway, the Ampeg lovers are going to hate me for saying this, but there was VERY little tonal difference between the Ampeg 100 watter, and the Crate, both were made by St Louis Music, and I wouldn't be shocked if the shared a lot of design and components. The Rumble though, had a bad buzz in the cabinet, like one of the braces in there was loose, that just drove me to distraction, the LED just made it look like a teenagers toy, and was a massive non starter for me. Which is why the Crate went home with me... Years of use and abuse, not to mention escalating back health issues got me looking for lighter alternatives though...

I can't say anything with any authority on the V2 as I have never been up close and personal with one, but the V3 has all the tonal flexibility I could want in an amp, and find it super easy to dial in my tone, using my P bass, Jazz, Ibby, whatever...

Obviously like with pretty much every other piece of equipment, and advice on this forum, YMMV.

Considering the Ampeg BA210v2 is in the same price range, cheaper actually, than a Rumble V3 500 combo, I absolutely A/Bed them against teach other. And for me, the Rumble just had the tone I wanted. Not dissing the BA210 v2 in the slightest, I know a couple of guys playing through them, and they are great combo amps, just not my cup of tea...

There is a VERY real and noticeable difference in overall sound, not just with the Rumble, but I have noticed it with other combos, and stacks, when you have just the one cab, vs adding a second cab. My Rumble REALLY comes alive with the 210 extension cab, and delivers a punch that is well worth the extra funds, and more importantly, extra effort of dragging a second cab with my back issues.

I've noted as well as the owner has noted the same change in character with a Markbass CMD102P 2x10 combo. He added a Markbass Traveller 102P cab, and got the same sorts of results my Rumble delivered, albeit while looking like he belongs in a Stryper tribute band...

Anyway, VERY long winded story shortened. YMMV based on configuration, and specific tuning / tone settings. If anything, the Fender voicings set dead flat tend to be to my ear, somewhat mid rangey.
Click to expand...
i couldn't find the one I wanted or herd in my head with the v3 Rumble 100. I owned the amp for over 2 years before I traded it in and went with an Ampeg BA-110. The Rumble was a great amp and I'm not gunna talk trash about it. I love fender but t didn't suite my needs or tone I desired.beautiful amp, great design, nick and light, and plenty of tonal options however in my opinion the Ampeg BA-110 40 watt amp kicks its ass. Now as far as an amp for my band and gigs I had a fender bassman unit that was awesome. 400 watt head,410 & 115 cabs of pure power but it became a pain to haul around and I wanted something as powerful but more compact. I tried out the Rumble 500 and it was just like the 100. It didn't have the tone I sought. Like I said GREAT amps but I think they're built to light duty. They don't have the pounding your chest, room filling bass and I also would agree that they do sound muddy at times. I ended up going with the Ampeg BA-210v2. 450 watts with 2 ten inch speakers that have that classic Ampeg tone. I would love a classic SVT but that's not affordable.I think if people are interested in these Rumble amps, they need to try them out and explore everything they have to offer. If I never came across Ampeg and fell in love I probably would recommend the Rumble. It's more of a newer Fender tone compared to a bassman unit or the older rumbles.
 
#93
descendent22 said:
i couldn't find the one I wanted or herd in my head with the v3 Rumble 100. I owned the amp for over 2 years before I traded it in and went with an Ampeg BA-110. The Rumble was a great amp and I'm not gunna talk trash about it. I love fender but t didn't suite my needs or tone I desired.beautiful amp, great design, nick and light, and plenty of tonal options however in my opinion the Ampeg BA-110 40 watt amp kicks its ass. Now as far as an amp for my band and gigs I had a fender bassman unit that was awesome. 400 watt head,410 & 115 cabs of pure power but it became a pain to haul around and I wanted something as powerful but more compact. I tried out the Rumble 500 and it was just like the 100. It didn't have the tone I sought. Like I said GREAT amps but I think they're built to light duty. They don't have the pounding your chest, room filling bass and I also would agree that they do sound muddy at times. I ended up going with the Ampeg BA-210v2. 450 watts with 2 ten inch speakers that have that classic Ampeg tone. I would love a classic SVT but that's not affordable.I think if people are interested in these Rumble amps, they need to try them out and explore everything they have to offer. If I never came across Ampeg and fell in love I probably would recommend the Rumble. It's more of a newer Fender tone compared to a bassman unit or the older rumbles.
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I guess everyone's experience is a little different yours is about the opposite of mine. I chose the rumble V3 500 combo over the Ampeg ba 210 V2. Not that the Ampeg was a bad amp. As a matter of fact it's quite good and it is a little less expensive than the Fender I just couldn't find that sound I was trying to get out of the Ampeg.

I find it very easy with the Rumble to get every sound I am trying to get with my bass
 
#94
Big Hoss said:
I guess everyone's experience is a little different yours is about the opposite of mine. I chose the rumble V3 500 combo over the Ampeg ba 210 V2. Not that the Ampeg was a bad amp. As a matter of fact it's quite good and it is a little less expensive than the Fender I just couldn't find that sound I was trying to get out of the Ampeg.

I find it very easy with the Rumble to get every sound I am trying to get with my bass
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Everyone has their own taste.
 
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