G-Dog

Exactly, @Ghost_Bass, on amp heads you are responsible for counting up the total amp load and setting the switch for that, since the amp itself brings zero load. Perhaps I should clarify my remaining question: Are there other combo amps with an impedance switch? And, if so, how are they marked? Since the internal 8 ohm load is always part of the total on this combo amp, why not remove it from consideration and label only what the user may connect externally for each side of the switch? (Non-technical musicians often have enough trouble counting ohms and cab ratings without having the "gotcha" of the internal load to remember.) But, if there are other combos that show only "8/4 or 2.67" on the switch (and hopefully also show the internal load, too) maybe Fender is breaking new ground in user-friendliness?!

Wow! 50-something views and no comments!? Is this that unusual? I got a pretty definitive answer from Fender, via a respected industry journalist, on another forum: Sounds quite reasonable. And very flexible, what with daisy-chaining cabs to make a 4 ohm load!

Anyone seen the new Fender Rumble Stage 800 combo bass amp introduced at NAMM recently? There's not much info available to the public yet, and some of what is brings questions, like this. The switch, shown below, on this new model is new to the Fender Rumble line and is perplexing to me. I'm familiar with internal auto-switching from 8 to 4 ohm operation without any manual, or external, switch. In combos the amp operates the internal 8 ohm speaker load alone at some fraction of the nameplate wattage (140 for the Rumble 200 and 350 for the Rumble 500) and automatically goes to full nameplate wattage when another 8 ohm load is connected, giving a 4 ohm total load. And I assume that is what happens with this new switch in the 8 ohm setting. But this new switch in the 4 ohm setting seems to allow connection of a 4 ohm external speaker load along with the internal (assumed) 8 ohm speaker load?! I assume the internal load stays connected because this setting only requires a 500W rated external cab. So, this would have the amp running a 2.67 ohm total load!? Does that seem correct? The labeling seems to leave the internal load out of the equation and set only the requirements for external connection, perhaps to simplify things for the user since it is a combo. Has anyone seen something like this before? I've tried to search up other impedance switched combo amps, unsuccessfully. Anyone know of any?

Here's a link to Fender PR document in PDF format with a very telling photo of the back of the Rumble Stage 800 at end. Yes, they "fixed" the DI to your choice of Pre- or Post-EQ. Hope this link works for you. Fender PR Rumble Studio 40 and Stage 800 - G-Dog