*New* Rumble "Studio"40- Replaces regular Rumble 40?

vindibona1

vindibona1

Apr 18, 2015
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#1
Just got an email from Fender announcing their "new digital bass amps". So I click on the link and there is is, the new Rumble Studio 40... at $350!... But the regular Rumble 40 that sells for $200 is no longer represented. Am I missing something? Will they be closing out the existing 40's at a discount?
 
#2
From what I've gathered, the Rumble 40 should be sticking around. The Studio 40 has a lot to explore on tap, but no doubt Fender will continue to offer a "standard" line for players wanting more traditional controls.
 
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#7
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume a bit here.

This seems like Fender is trying to capitalize on the success of their Rumble name, using it to market a different product by tagging another word on the end. Unfortunately, it makes for confusion as you experienced.

Blackstar has a bad habit of that with their SS guitar amps. They have ID:series, ID:Core, ID:Core V2, ID:Core High Power, ID:Core Beam... all different amps and some dramatically different. It's a mess trying to talk to a sales person about this kind of stuff.
 
#10
FuzzFacetious said:
Totally want to replace my Rumble 100 with this 40!
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Perhaps you should try it out first. I actually demoed one yesterday (among many amps) and was quite disappointed with the 40 Studio. I think if it replaced the Rumble 40 at the same price I might feel differently about it. I recall, a few years ago, when I was first shopping for guitar amps and the sales guy at GC was pushing the Fender Mustang amps. To my ears sounded very stale and contrived. I bought something else, but took lessons on a couple different Mustangs and hated the sound and was happy I went in other directions. I felt exactly the same way about the Studio 40.

The amp series that's got my attention and coincidentally has some sound programability is the TC Electronic BG-250 which is sold with several different speaker configurations. They all come with their "Toneprint" system where you can download or create different creative tones and then upload them to the amp. I used to go to a regular blues jam that had a TC 250 and I thought it was an impressive piece of equipment and priced well for a 250 watter. In the same room was a TC250 2x12 for $350. It wasn't quite as nice sounding as the Markbass CMD JB Players School 200W 1x15 Bass Combo Amp, but it was also almost half the price of the Mark Bass.

JME..... YMMV
 
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#11
I tried the 800 watt a few weeks ago and was impressed. Tried the 40 yesterday and was planning on buying but thought it lacked depth. Guessing the single 10 just didn't have the oomph I like. May try again with headphones.
 
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#12
vindibona1 said:
Perhaps you should try it out first. I actually demoed one yesterday (among many amps) and was quite disappointed with the 40 Studio. I think if it replaced the Rumble 40 at the same price I might feel differently about it. I recall, a few years ago, when I was first shopping for guitar amps and the sales guy at GC was pushing the Fender Mustang amps. To my ears sounded very stale and contrived. I bought something else, but took lessons on a couple different Mustangs and hated the sound and was happy I went in other directions. I felt exactly the same way about the Studio 40.

The amp series that's got my attention and coincidentally has some sound programability is the TC Electronic BG-250 which is sold with several different speaker configurations. They all come with their "Toneprint" system where you can download or create different creative tones and then upload them to the amp. I used to go to a regular blues jam that had a TC 250 and I thought it was an impressive piece of equipment and priced well for a 250 watter. In the same room was a TC250 2x12 for $350. It wasn't quite as nice sounding as the Markbass CMD JB Players School 200W 1x15 Bass Combo Amp, but it was also almost half the price of the Mark Bass.

JME..... YMMV
Click to expand...

Though is still like to try it out, your review of the 40 may have saved me 350 bucks. I know the tone you were hearing, and it seems to tire one's ears out after a while, but I've believed that about most modeling amps I've either owned or played through.
 
#13
I'm surprised that nowhere in this thread it is mentioned that the Studio 40 is in fact a replacement for the Bronco 40. Not replacing anything in the Rumble series. The fact that no one mentioned the Bronco is probably why it is a wise decision of Fender to use the Rumble brand for its follow up. The Bronco always had a problem getting noticed. I'm interested in a side by side comparisson of the Studio 40 with the Bronco.
 
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#15
Mo cowbell said:
I tried the 800 watt a few weeks ago and was impressed. Tried the 40 yesterday and was planning on buying but thought it lacked depth. Guessing the single 10 just didn't have the oomph I like. May try again with headphones.
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There are a few presets that have some impressive depth. I've dialed in some good tone, but it doesn't have the oomph of several hundred watts and a couple of high quality 15's. Just like drag racing, there is no substitute for huge displacement engines. The new 10 is very wide range and hi-fi. When you compare it to a good set of cans, you'll really appreciate it. It is a handy personal practice amp with ultra-high sound quality direct into the recording console. Which is it's reason for being. Had the Bronco 40 been updated over the years it would certainly have arrived as today's Studio 40.
 
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#16
iagtrplyr said:
Though is still like to try it out, your review of the 40 may have saved me 350 bucks. I know the tone you were hearing, and it seems to tire one's ears out after a while, but I've believed that about most modeling amps I've either owned or played through.
Click to expand...

Fender is banking that most people aren't seeing the Rumble 40 the same way that I do. $350? When I look at what $350 could buy me I saw a huge tradeoff between power/strength and gadgetry. For $300 I was able to buy a regular Rumble 100, a TCE BG250-12, a bit more for any of their other speaker configurations, loads of amps I didn't try... and for $400, only $50 more I landed a Gallien-Krueger MB112-12 [I actually purchased the Rumble 100 and TCE, but returned them both, preferring the GK].

When I first got back into electric guitar playing and needed an amp the sales guys were all over the Fender Mustangs. I was looking at the lower end of the line and saw so many other amps that were simpler and better sounding. I should state that I thought the larger versions of the Mustangs were pretty good as SS amps go and would probably agree that it's similar in the case of the Rumble 800 studio (or whatever it's called).

The way I see it, if you have $350 to spend the choice is between a tool and a toy. I have to wonder how Fender will do with them at this price point? JMO
 
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#17
vindibona1 said:
Fender is banking that most people aren't seeing the Rumble 40 the same way that I do. $350? When I look at what $350 could buy me I saw a huge tradeoff between power/strength and gadgetry. For $300 I was able to buy a regular Rumble 100, a TCE BG250-12, a bit more for any of their other speaker configurations, loads of amps I didn't try... and for $400, only $50 more I landed a Gallien-Krueger MB112-12 [I actually purchased the Rumble 100 and TCE, but returned them both, preferring the GK].

When I first got back into electric guitar playing and needed an amp the sales guys were all over the Fender Mustangs. I was looking at the lower end of the line and saw so many other amps that were simpler and better sounding. I should state that I thought the larger versions of the Mustangs were pretty good as SS amps go and would probably agree that it's similar in the case of the Rumble 800 studio (or whatever it's called).

The way I see it, if you have $350 to spend the choice is between a tool and a toy. I have to wonder how Fender will do with them at this price point? JMO
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I think Fender will do quite well and may even have pricing power like they did to raise the prices of Rumble 200 & 500. The Stage 800 is already selling faster than Fender can make them. The Studio 40 is clearly a tool for professionals to use for personal practice and studio work. I think you will see bass players buy both the Stage 800 and the Studio 40 so they can have all of their personal presets handy at all times. The Studio 40 is sure to enjoy strong appeal with younger bass players that want $4,000 worth of effects and $15,000 worth of iconic bass amps in one attractive; lightweight, handy, and affordable package.
 
#18
Linnin said:
I think Fender will do quite well and may even have pricing power like they did to raise the prices of Rumble 200 & 500. The Stage 800 is already selling faster than Fender can make them. The Studio 40 is clearly a tool for professionals to use for personal practice and studio work. I think you will see bass players buy both the Stage 800 and the Studio 40 so they can have all of their personal presets handy at all times. The Studio 40 is sure to enjoy strong appeal with younger bass players that want $4,000 worth of effects and $15,000 worth of iconic bass amps in one attractive; lightweight, handy, and affordable package.
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I think there is some logic in what you're saying. The 800, like the larger more expensive Mustang is a serious amp if you need effects. And I can see how someone who uses a lot of effects might like the Studio 40... but I still maintain my opinion of its limitations for $350.
 
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#19
Linnin said:
The Studio 40 is sure to enjoy strong appeal with younger bass players that want $4,000 worth of effects and $15,000 worth of iconic bass amps in one attractive; lightweight, handy, and affordable package.
Click to expand...

Yeah, on paper maybe, but isn't that like saying, "My Prius is similar to a Rolls Royce because of its four tires and steering wheel!" Though I'm not doubting it's a definite step up from my old Bronco 40, no one should be fooled into thinking the 'Peg setting is tube-driven through an 8 X 10 cab. But hey, dare to dream.
 
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#20
iagtrplyr said:
Yeah, on paper maybe, but isn't that like saying, "My Prius is similar to a Rolls Royce because of its four tires and steering wheel!" Though I'm not doubting it's a definite step up from my old Bronco 40, no one should be fooled into thinking the 'Peg setting is tube-driven through an 8 X 10 cab. But hey, dare to dream.
Click to expand...
"There is none so blind as he who will not see" ~ Ray Stevens
"The mind is like a parachute. It must be open to work properly" ~ Frank Zappa
 
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