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Post by JAC on Apr 12, 2015 20:57:04 GMT
I was searching for an amp that filled the void between my GK MB112 combo and my (super heavy) main rig. As an early birthday present, my other half bought me the new Fender Rumble 500 combo. I have never been a big fan of Fender amps, but I thought I would give it a try after many positive reviews around the web and over on Talkbass. I have only used this once at a decent volume (as I have been travelling a lot), but I must say I was very surprised by the sound and power that this lightweight combo offers. It is capable of ome amazing old school tones, obviously it is not an SVT, but it certainly can get that vibe going. The overdrive channel is actually very useful (I am not much of a distortion fan), and ranges from small doses of goodness all the way to crazy overdrive (if thats your thing). The clean channel is also very clear and the EQ offers very good control to get the tones that I am looking for. I am still not sure if this will replace my main rig, at least until I use it in a live setting a few times, but there is no doubt that with an extra 210 extension cab, this would be a monster rig. I hope to get to try it out in more depth this summer, as I will still be away most of the time until the end of May, but I am really looking forwards to carrying this rather than the 100+ Kg I have been lugging around!
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Post by JAC on Apr 28, 2017 17:22:27 GMT
I thought I would update this after 2 years of owning the amp.
I said above that I wasn't sure if this would replace my main rig, but after a while I realised that it didn't only replace it, but it did it without needing an extension cab (I do use PA for FOH in live settings though).
I find that it has a vintage warmth to it, but is capable of anything that I have thrown at it, from bright modern sounds to deep flat sounds, all of which it handles remakably well.
I think the only thing I am not keen on is that the DI out is controlled by the master. It is designed to emulate having a mic in front of the cab (which it does very well) but it can be a hinder for recording as your level depends on your volume.
There is plenty of in depth info about this amp over in "The Rumble Club" on Talkbass, which is definitely worth a read if you are interested in this amp.
In short, this combo is worth it's price and much more (just don't tell Fender!!)
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Post by mrdes on Apr 29, 2017 9:09:14 GMT
Thanks for the update JAC, glad it worked out so well.
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Post by JAC on Apr 29, 2017 10:01:37 GMT
Nice! They make a small version too, don't they? Yes, there is a 15, 25, 40, 100, 200 and 500 version of the V3 combo. The two smaller ones are more basic, but the 40 through to the 500 all share the same front end. That is, they have: Gain, Bass, Lo Mids, Hi Mids, Treble and Gain. They also have the overdrive channel (with it's own gain and compression) and the"Vintage" "Contour" and "Bright" presets. Fender really did seem to put a lot of thought into this amp. The only regular issue that seems to be present is scratchiness on the Master pot when it is turned all the way down. But a couple of turns left and right before turning the amp on seems to cure it.
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