G-Dog

I got one last autumn while recovering from back surgery. The ultralight weight was just what the doctor ordered, literally. 😉 And don't let the plastic body fool you, it can sound quite full and warm at a relatively high volume. The speaker is attached to a half-inch thick wooden front baffle which, I think, helps give it some well used resonance. It does, in fact, have a quarter-inch jack labeled Direct Out. I have used it quite a bit, but was disappointed to find that it is strictly Pre-EQ. I prefer the tones that I have selected for each song be sent to the sound system, since I've yet to work with a sound technician that cares as much about that kind of thing as I do. Here's what the manual says about the DO jack: I've seen this same question elsewhere but, unfortunately, I've not seen any definitive answer(s). All I've seen are along the lines of "it should be possible". Sorry.

Love your review at the top of this thread, @Raslee. I recently got the Rumble Studio 40 and tested it to enslave my Rumble 500 combo for more volume. Yes! It'll do. See my post here:

Well, I gave in to the G.A.S. and got the Fender Rumble Studio 40, even though the Fender B-DEC is still doing just fine. BONUS: The 4-button footswitch I got for the B-DEC 10 years ago also works on the Studio! The button labels aren't the same but, Fender sent me a free magnetic overlay that updates the button labels to Stage/Studio terminology!! It fits so well you can't tell the footswitch is recycled. 😁 Now, with the footswitch and the Fender Tone App, it's super easy to try different presets and even edit them to my liking. I'm loving the Rumble Studio 40 more each time I use it! And, should the need arise for more volume, I'll just plug an instrument cable into the Studio's Left Channel FX Send (Mono) and into my Rumble 500 combo's FX Return to amplify the Studio's sound even more!

I have had, and used, my Fender B-DEC 30 modelling bass amp for over 10 years and still love it. I also have had, and used, my Fender Rumble 500 combo for 4 years and still love it. I have had, and marginally used, my Fender Bassman 500 w/115 neo cab just 2 years and still love it. However, it's a bit bulkier to transport than the R500c. Plus, it's so beautiful I'm loathe to risk scratching it! Because of my B-DEC experience, I'd love to get the Fender Rumble Studio 40. Because of my B-DEC's reliability, however, I can't (yet) justify it. But if the B-DEC shows one little chink in it's armor, I'm liable to replace it in a heartbeat!

The Rumble's post-eq/post-master xlr out is a point of contention with some users. Personally, I prefer the post-eq because I want the sound I've dialed in going to FOH. And I've read that many soundmen compliment the bassist on the eq'd sound. I think the logic is that it works like putting a mic on the cab, both change the signal going to the board. The xlr just bypasses the actual mic. Also, I've read where the xlr's volume change is not very large in a FOH situation, that a big change onstage is just a small change on the board. I've read that some soundmen didn't even notice some changes. I have less feeling either way about this, as I've never had any complaints. But I know I've had much less hassle with my Rumble 500 than the rest of the band with their rigs at sound check.

From what I read, the settings and menus of the Studio 40 and Stage 800 are identical. The only difference being the power modules and speakers. Do you think the more expensive (powerful) one would be pretty good?

So, it appears you are not using the wireless headphones wirelessly? You are using the headphones' aux cable in the amp's headphones output, which mutes the amp's speakers? Not using the amp's aux input at all? And the amp's Bluetooth is receiving, only; not transmitting? If this is correct, then I understand my misconception, but am somewhat disappointed from that misconception.

Ummm, clarification not received. Don't the aux cable and the Bluetooth do the same thing: send music from phone to amp? And just how do your wireless headphones get the music and/or bass sound? I'm SO confused !

Wait! uh, . . . What? Do you mean that you use The Stage's Bluetooth connected to your wireless headphones to hear your bass?!? If so, does it shut off the speakers, like using wired headphones does?? I didn't see anything in the manual about Bluetooth transmission. I thought it was receive only!?! Why, that's just a whole 'nother bundle of possibilities, if so!!! But, surely The Stage doesn't do simultaneous send & receive, does it??? Like receive songs from your phone, then transmit the songs and your bass to your wireless headphones (while shutting off the speakers)!?!? Does it??? This mind boggles. Please clarify.

hey, @rushscored4, have you used the Bluetooth to practice or rehearse? If so, does it work well?

Everything I read says the 4-button footswitch is included with "The Stage". That should help you work through your setlist, right? I have a 4-button footswitch I use with my Fender B-DEC 30 bass amp to speed change between different model sounds at some gigs. It's been a great little workhorse for over a decade now! Can't wait for "that gig" where I need to put the B-DEC's line out into my Rumble 500!! (My poor man's Stage wannabe. )

"The Stage" will give it's full 800 watts with either 8 or 4 ohm extension(s). But it could get somewhat more sound pressure level (SPL) with two 410s versus a single 210 extension. Sure, some will be perfectly fine with "just" 400 watts through the internal 210 and never need any extensions. Others will want to add a cab for whatever reason. Still others will want to wring all they can out of it. It is, after all, 800 watts! "Crank it up, man!" Personally, I've only used my 115 cab a few times with my Rumble 500 combo. Even then I didn't get to turn it up, at all. But I did suspect that I might need the extension those times. Someday I might! :-)

From the Rumble Studio 40/Stage 800 manual: N. EXTERNAL SPEAKER OUTPUT AND IMPEDANCE SWITCH (RUMBLE STAGE ONLY): Connect an external speaker cabinet here (8Ω or 4Ω minimum impedance); combination jack works with Speakon® or 1/4” speaker cable. Set switch to match impedance rating of external cabinet; continuous power rating of external cabinet must meet or exceed power rating listed for the chosen switch setting. Set switch to 8Ω when no external cabinet is connected.

Yes, it looks like a 8 ohm to 4 ohm Impedance switch, because it is labeled pertaining to external connection(s) only. That is to simplify said external connections. Default setting is 8 ohms. Add one 8 ohm cab and leave the switch at 8 ohms. Daisy-chain a second 8 ohm cab, making for 4 ohms, and flip the switch to 4 ohms. Or you may connect a single 4 ohm cab at the 4 ohm setting. However, as was discussed in the thread linked below, it's actually for switching from the usual 8/4 ohm auto-switching setting (like the 200 & 500 combos have) to the 2.67 ohm mode! Because the 8 ohm internal speakers are always at least part of the load. Leave the switch at 8 ohm with no extension cab(s). Add one 8 ohm extension and leave the switch at 8 ohm (but total load is 4 ohms auto-switched). Daisy-chain a second 8 ohm cab, making a 4 ohm external load, and flip the switch to 4 ohm (but the total load is really 2.67 ohms!). The labeling is simplified to avoid this complicated truth.

There are several mentions of the V3 Rumbles here. Are the Stage and Studio considered to be V4?

If grill cloth color is a big deal to you it's easy enough to change. Don't rule out the equipment over the color.

The manual for the Rumble Studio 40 includes the Rumble Stage 800, as the software is the same.

The manual for the Rumble Studio 40 includes the Rumble Stage 800, as the software is the same.

Did you try the Fender UK website for the owner's manual? Lots of good info in there.

I look forward to your review, then, @rushscored4! Will you get the Fender amp cover for it, too?

Agree.

So, has no one seen a combo amp with an impedance switch before?

I'm totally unfamiliar with combos having detachable amp heads. You're correct that the Rumble Stage 800 does not have a detachable head. But, yes, that would be a very different thing. This is the first of Fender's class D Rumble line to have any impedance switch at all. Up until now all it's heads, or combos that could take extension cabinets, were of the 4/8 ohm auto-switching type. That's why this new combo, which does not yet have a corresponding head version, is so curious.