TC Electronic BG series vs Fender Rumble

[Bill Powers]

I've narrowed the likely contenders for a new small-venue / practice combo bass amp down to the TC Electronic BG-250-112 or 210 and the Fender Rumble 100. I may want to play acoustic/electric guitar through it from time to time. Opinions re. 1x12 vs. 2x10 or experiences with either amp will be welcome.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Not really an apples to apples comparison between your choices of TC and Rumble, IMO.
I assume you are talking combos for th TC?

The Rumble is 100 watts and a single 12 vs the TC 12" at 250 watts, not to mention the 2x10 at 250 watts.
That being said, I'd put my money on the Rumble 100 anyway. In part due to the Fender "watts" vs Berhinger "watts."

I think a more fair comparison would be the TC 250, any flavor against a Runble 200 combo or your choice of cab/ head to get more of the same configuration as any if the TCs.

The tone print feature on the TC is a nice feature as long as it's supported.
I get all of that which I need with an outboard mult-effects pedal, that stays regardless of amps. It's cool to be able to dial in a simulation of the sound of your favorite artist, but that doesn't mean it would make me sound like him or her.
BTW. My pedal has a Jack Bruce setting. Somehow, and for reasons I can't imagine, I've neither heard from Ginger or Eric about playing with them. LOL. (Eric can piss off anyway.)

If you can play the TCs side by side with the Rumbles, that would be the ideal situation for you to make a decision.
Otherwise, pound for pound, it is Rumble in my coloring book. But, as you've most likely guessed by now, I'm as biased as Super Bassmen.

Good luck on your quest.

 

[Linnin]

I've narrowed the likely contenders for a new small-venue / practice combo bass amp down to the TC Electronic BG-250-112 or 210 and the Fender Rumble 100. I may want to play acoustic/electric guitar through it from time to time. Opinions re. 1x12 vs. 2x10 or experiences with either amp will be welcome.

Which one sounds better to you? Pick that one.

It's no secret I like Fender. Rumbles have that classic signature silverface Fender Bassman tone. Fender Rumbles are the market leader in bass amp sales world wide. They sound good and they have the watts Fender says they have (many other brands are suspect). Rumbles are very well built & reliable, lightweight and affordable.

 

[Wicked G]

My opinion would be the TCE 115 or 210 to give you more volume should you ever need it. However I agree that it should come down to whatever sounds better to you. In either case you really can't go wrong as the Fender sounds pretty good as well.

 

[rodl2005]

Fender Rumble 200 Combo.

 

[Bill Powers]

Not really an apples to apples comparison between your choices of TC and Rumble, IMO.
I assume you are talking combos for th TC?

The Rumble is 100 watts and a single 12 vs the TC 12" at 250 watts, not to mention the 2x10 at 250 watts.
That being said, I'd put my money on the Rumble 100 anyway. In part due to the Fender "watts" vs Berhinger "watts."

I think a more fair comparison would be the TC 250, any flavor against a Runble 200 combo or your choice of cab/ head to get more of the same configuration as any if the TCs.

The tone print feature on the TC is a nice feature as long as it's supported.
I get all of that which I need with an outboard mult-effects pedal, that stays regardless of amps. It's cool to be able to dial in a simulation of the sound of your favorite artist, but that doesn't mean it would make me sound like him or her.
BTW. My pedal has a Jack Bruce setting. Somehow, and for reasons I can't imagine, I've neither heard from Ginger or Eric about playing with them. LOL. (Eric can piss off anyway.)

If you can play the TCs side by side with the Rumbles, that would be the ideal situation for you to make a decision.
Otherwise, pound for pound, it is Rumble in my coloring book. But, as you've most likely guessed by now, I'm as biased as Super Bassmen.

Good luck on your quest.[/QUOT

Not really an apples to apples comparison between your choices of TC and Rumble, IMO.
I assume you are talking combos for th TC?

The Rumble is 100 watts and a single 12 vs the TC 12" at 250 watts, not to mention the 2x10 at 250 watts.
That being said, I'd put my money on the Rumble 100 anyway. In part due to the Fender "watts" vs Berhinger "watts."

I think a more fair comparison would be the TC 250, any flavor against a Runble 200 combo or your choice of cab/ head to get more of the same configuration as any if the TCs.

The tone print feature on the TC is a nice feature as long as it's supported.
I get all of that which I need with an outboard mult-effects pedal, that stays regardless of amps. It's cool to be able to dial in a simulation of the sound of your favorite artist, but that doesn't mean it would make me sound like him or her.
BTW. My pedal has a Jack Bruce setting. Somehow, and for reasons I can't imagine, I've neither heard from Ginger or Eric about playing with them. LOL. (Eric can piss off anyway.)

If you can play the TCs side by side with the Rumbles, that would be the ideal situation for you to make a decision.
Otherwise, pound for pound, it is Rumble in my coloring book. But, as you've most likely guessed by now, I'm as biased as Super Bassmen.

Good luck on your quest.

One "old garage bander" to another - thanks for your reply.

I'm 50-year guitar player and picked up bass because the group I was invited to play with already had a couple of guitarists, but no bass player. That said, I'm lovin' it and have found a whole new world of top-notch players to learn from. (Nathan East, Marcus Miller, et al.) Not knowing how long I'd stick with it I didn't want to put $1500+ into a P / J bass, Sadowsky, or other high end instrument just yet. I've started out with a Yamaha TRBX - put flats on it that allow me to come pretty close to an acoustic double-bass when needed. I've been playing through an Acoustic bass amp that was "in the band" before i got there, but thinking now I'm ready to step into one of my own preference - something I could use for bass, but also for guitar if necessary.

I haven't considered the Rumble 200 mainly because it only comes as a 1x15 that iI thought would be a bit muddy for guitar (and I don't really need that much power). I went to a Guitar Center nearby and was able to try bass and guitar on the 2x10 TC and the 1x12 Rumble. Both sounded very good with either bass or guitar. The Tone Print feature is pretty cool, but as you said - only if you use it. The Fender's bright, contour, and vintage sounds may be all I need. Again, I'm grateful for your opinion.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

One "old garage bander" to another - thanks for your reply.

I'm 50-year guitar player and picked up bass because the group I was invited to play with already had a couple of guitarists, but no bass player. That said, I'm lovin' it and have found a whole new world of top-notch players to learn from. (Nathan East, Marcus Miller, et al.) Not knowing how long I'd stick with it I didn't want to put $1500+ into a P / J bass, Sadowsky, or other high end instrument just yet. I've started out with a Yamaha TRBX - put flats on it that allow me to come pretty close to an acoustic double-bass when needed. I've been playing through an Acoustic bass amp that was "in the band" before i got there, but thinking now I'm ready to step into one of my own preference - something I could use for bass, but also for guitar if necessary.

I haven't considered the Rumble 200 mainly because it only comes as a 1x15 that iI thought would be a bit muddy for guitar (and I don't really need that much power). I went to a Guitar Center nearby and was able to try bass and guitar on the 2x10 TC and the 1x12 Rumble. Both sounded very good with either bass or guitar. The Tone Print feature is pretty cool, but as you said - only if you use it. The Fender's bright, contour, and vintage sounds may be all I need. Again, I'm grateful for your opinion.

Hey B.P., I'm glad to hear you were able to try them both out.

Some old wives tales that carry over from past decades is that 10s/12s are always brighter than 15s. And 15s handle low end better than their smaller diam. brothers. That's just not the case anymore. Drivers for bass have come a long way since the dork ages (when I was young). Since the seventies, people have been figuring out the science behind cab designs. And even better, amp technology has kept up with, if not surpassed, the speakers technology.

If you really like a pair if tens you could get a Rumble 200 Head and matching 2x10 cab. It'll run you a few more coins but you'll have flexibility to change cabs if you want, or to add a second 2x10 to get your louder on.

Now I'm just a casual user who happens to like Fender, among other stuff. When I was amp shopping a couple of years ago, I gave the TC stuff a pretty serious look. There's about 800,000 others on here who are very well in the know when it comes to Fender stuff. Linnin who also replied to your question, is one of those guys who seems to be joined at the hip with Fender.

There is also a Fender Rumble club (as there are many special interest groups) on TB. So no lack of resources for knowledge on just about every aspect of bass playing.

 

[rodl2005]

That 15" driver in the 200C is a beauty. I'd rather it to the 210s in my 500C but beggars can't be choosers.
Nothing but great comments on the 200C Rumble and I've heard a fair few favorable ones re using it with 6 string too

 

[WaynerBass]

My choice over those two at GC a week ago was the Ampeg BA-210v2. Handles the “B” like it ain’t no thang... clarity all the way up.. has a dirty channel if that’s your thing (not mine) plus the biggest plus is the speaker out jack that’ll push another 8 ohm cab.. 280 watts stand alone but add a cab and you have 450 watts of Ampeg power.

 

[bgrant570]

If you wind up going with the Fender Rumble 100, here is a great thread about some simple mods to make it sound even better. I modded mine and it sounds fantastic, but I can't leave well enough alone. It sounded great already.
NAD - Fender Rumble V3 100

 

[roller]

Knowing this forum, I'm sure Rumble supporters will again show up in droves. Yes, the Rumble products seem to get lots of love on TB.

However...

I'll proceed with singing my praises for TC Electronic's product.

I've owned a BG250-112 combo for several years and I love it. I bought it new for WAY less than I would've imagined paying for a combo amp of this caliber... it's a steal for the money. Among the amp's features: Class D... 12" and tweeter... sounds killer... plus, it's got built-in effects (the TonePrint system is so slick and always being updated with new effects)... built-in tuner... XLR out... and more. Mine has been 100% reliable. Additionally, I've reached out across the pond to the folks at TC to ask a few questions and they've been helpful, friendly and quick with their responses.

The only feature I wish the BG250-112 had was an extension cabinet output. But that's it. Everything else is sah-weeeeeet!

 

[dukeorock]

Of the two...Rumble sounds better to me but it would have to be pretty low volume stuff

 

[avvie]

I do my eq'ing via onboard active preamp, but when I set everything flat the TC is cleaner and the Rumble adds character. I love them both. Got mad props tonight by running a TC head through a Rumble cab. My Rumble practice combo sounds great when I push a couple bottons.
tl;dr: get the one YOU like

 

[packhowitzer]

It couldn't hurt to at least consider the GK MB series of combos. Affordable, light, loud, easy to get a good sound, and you can add GK powered cabs to create larger rigs as needed. I've tried many many brands and GK has hit the nail on head every time since I switched. good luck in your search.

 

[Aloe]

I had a Rumble 100 and now have the BG250-115. I won't advice BG250-112, it has the same weight and size as 115, but the speaker is weaker. 210 should be comparable (if not better) to 115 in terms of volume.

My grief with Rumble 100 was it was boomy and kinda overdriven by nature. Some like this, I didn't. BG250 has a thick, somewhat synthetic clean tone with honking hi-mids that some like, some don't. So the choice is about tone and what you like, both are great, but in different way.

I didn't like the overdrive on Rumble, but TubeDrive toneprint is really nice, as well as Spectracomp. I didn't try an acoustic/electric guitar in either of those (except for using aux in in BG250, which sounded nice).

Actually I still have my BG250 for gigs, but as a home amp I'm currently using the smaller, but heavier Warwick combo (BC80) as it's very transparent and clean (just like my JDI) and likes guitars, bass guitars, whatever. However, as I already said, all amps sound different and you should make the choice on whether you like best, there is no universal recipe.

 

[Aloe]

1x15 that iI thought would be a bit muddy for guitar

actually, 15" without a tweeter can be muddy. 15" with a tweeter is a different animal. 12" without a tweeter (Rumble 100) is somewhat in between (it does not have anything above 6k).

and about the power. you may want more than 100W when playing/practicing in a band. 100W for guitar is loud, but for bass it does not mean you could play with a loud drummer, or loud guitar, or loud keyboards. YMMV

 

[rafitoprtx]

Use to play the BG250. I love it but when it broke i cant find parts for it. Nobody want to fix it and the only technitian that say yes to fix it he asked $75 just to look at it. Fenders are way better built better and sound really good. The toneprint thing is good but in a gig situation is not that practical if you dont have the switch. I will buy the rumble 500 combo as soon as i can.

 

[bigtone23]

I like the Rumble, but also like the TC, so much so that I own a TC B250 head. The onboard tuner is gravy and the Toneprint is really nice for adding a couple effects that cater to the situation (chorus and comp for my 80s band, overdrive and comp for my Can tribute, octave and flanger for being experimental).
The 210 TC would also double as a decent acoustic amp, too, as the TC is more flat and PA sounding vs the bass heavy Rumble.
The Rumble 100 makes a decent electric guitar amp with a touch of overdrive and vintage mode selected, but a 100w bass amp doesn't really cut it in some live situations.

 

[rodl2005]

actually, 15" without a tweeter can be muddy. 15" with a tweeter is a different animal. 12" without a tweeter (Rumble 100) is somewhat in between (it does not have anything above 6k).

and about the power. you may want more than 100W when playing/practicing in a band. 100W for guitar is loud, but for bass it does not mean you could play with a loud drummer, or loud guitar, or loud keyboards. YMMV

Depends on WHICH 15 or 12...or 10 or 8 etc. .. there are cabs with 8" drivers that are muddy. ..there are 15s that are too... depends on the design. BUT. ..
15s aren't muddy unless they're designed to be or they're broke.
Gone are the days where a 15 is slow and round and 10s are bright and snappy. . Tis all in the design.
My 20c ...

 

[rockscott]

I have the 1st generation rumble 150 head and the tc bg250 head. I use the tc as my primary & the rumble for my backup. Both good amps!