Fender Rumble 800 Combo set flat - Sounding like Sansamp VT/Ampeg SVT

[Thom Fioriglio]

I have a Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig 2 and there is a Character button that when pushed changes the SansAmp section from the VT to (pushed) Bass Driver. I've never owned an Ampeg SVT so I have no reference to what it sounds like. My understanding is the VT is supposed to sound like the classic SVT amp and the Bass Driver more like a classic tube amp.

When I am in VT mode, with settings flat, plugged into my Lakland 44-02 active bass with settings flat and a Fender Rumble 800 Combo with settings flat, I hear no difference. So does that mean the Fender Rumble 800 Combo set flat sounds like an Ampeg SVT? When I push the Character button to engage the Bass Driver I seem to get a scooped sound with a bump in bass. I can achieve that on my Fender Rumble 800 by pushing the Vintage button.

I would think it would be the other way around. With the VT sound being more of a classic vintage tone and the Bass Driver being more of modern tone. Unless of course that is how the Rumble 800 is voiced - to sound like a classic amp.

So, hmm, I don't really know if I have a question or just thinking out loud and trying to best understand the difference between VT and Bass Driver and how it relates to the Fender Rumble 800 amp.

Not sure where this belongs - in Amps or Effects, so I am posting it in both.

 

[G-Dog]

I have a Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig 2 and there is a Character button that when pushed changes the SansAmp section from the VT to (pushed) Bass Driver. ... .... My understanding is the VT is supposed to sound like the classic SVT amp and the Bass Driver more like a classic tube amp. ... ...

I'm no expert on pedals or SVT tone, but I'll share what I know of Rumbles.​

... ... ... When I am in VT mode, with settings flat, plugged into my Lakland 44-02 active bass with settings flat and a Fender Rumble 800 Combo with settings flat, I hear no difference. So does that mean the Fender Rumble 800 Combo set flat sounds like an Ampeg SVT? ... ...

A. When you say "Rumble with settings flat", do you mean the EQ knobs all straight up at 12 o'clock? If so, that's actually not as flat as it looks! That's merely the most common beginning setting, which is really meant to invoke the classic Fender tube bass tone.

a.1. As a Rumble Club member, Thom, you should know that the Rumble's actual flat settings are more like bass 10 o'clock, lo mid 2 o'clock, hi mid 2 o'clock and treble 10 o'clock. ​

2. The Fender tone is definitely not the SVT sound. Those are 2 distinctly different tones (both considered classic) that many bassists are familiar with and usually seek more of either one than the other. ​

... ... ... When I push the Character button to engage the Bass Driver I seem to get a scooped sound with a bump in bass. I can achieve that on my Fender Rumble 800 by pushing the Vintage button. ... ...

Your description there is commonly used to describe the classic Fender bass tone, without any pedals. But, IIRC, the SVT tone is even more scooped! Both of which, as I've said, are classic tube tones. Here's a video that compares the tones (somewhat) that may assist in telling a difference:

​

... ... ... I would think it would be the other way around. With the VT sound being more of a classic vintage tone and the Bass Driver being more of modern tone. Unless of course that is how the Rumble 800 is voiced - to sound like a classic amp. ... ...

As mentioned above, there are at least 2 classic vintage tones, Fender and SVT. But the "more modern tone" is most often used to refer to newer bass amp brands, such as GK. Although, in comparison to older model Rumbles, like the 40, 100, 200 & 500, the Neo speakers of the new Rumble 800 combo are often described as comparatively more modern sounding.

That said, I cannot speak to the VT and Bass Driver sounds or intentions. Hopefully others will explain that.​

... ... ... So, hmm, I don't really know if I have a question or just thinking out loud and trying to best understand the difference between VT and Bass Driver and how it relates to the Fender Rumble 800 amp. ...

Sorry I can't help with your pedals. But I hope this helps you understand your Rumble a little better.
.​

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I'm no expert on pedals or SVT tone, but I'll share what I know of Rumbles.​

A. When you say "Rumble with settings flat", do you mean the EQ knobs all straight up at 12 o'clock? If so, that's actually not as flat as it looks! That's merely the most common beginning setting, which is really meant to invoke the classic Fender tube bass tone.

a.1. As a Rumble Club member, Thom, you should know that the Rumble's actual flat settings are more like bass 10 o'clock, lo mid 2 o'clock, hi mid 2 o'clock and treble 10 o'clock. ​

2. The Fender tone is definitely not the SVT sound. Those are 2 distinctly different tones (both considered classic) that many bassists are familiar with and usually seek more of either one than the other. ​

Your description there is commonly used to describe the classic Fender bass tone, without any pedals. But, IIRC, the SVT tone is even more scooped! Both of which, as I've said, are classic tube tones. Here's a video that compares the tones (somewhat) that may assist in telling a difference:

​

As mentioned above, there are at least 2 classic vintage tones, Fender and SVT. But the "more modern tone" is most often used to refer to newer bass amp brands, such as GK. Although, in comparison to older model Rumbles, like the 40, 100, 200 & 500, the Neo speakers of the new Rumble 800 combo are often described as comparatively more modern sounding.

That said, I cannot speak to the VT and Bass Driver sounds or intentions. Hopefully others will explain that.​

Sorry I can't help with your pedals. But I hope this helps you understand your Rumble a little better.
.​

Thanks so much. This was very helpful and I appreciate the reply. By flat, I do mean all knobs set to 12 o'clock. Personally, I love the tone of my Rumble 800 and Lakland 44-02. That video comparison was interesting. To my ears, the Fender Rumble sounded much better. The Ampeg Micro had too much treble.

As for the Fly Rig, there is a recommended settings for an SVT tone and it does add what's called the Bite switch which adds some high end. And of course, the SansAmp section of the Fly Rig is not an exact replica of the SansAmp BDDI or the SansAmp VT.

Thanks again.