Ampeg RB 210 vs Fender Rumble 500

[Rewbass]

Hi everybody! I'll be playing these two amps next week but first I'd like to get some thoughts about them. 

Pros & cons pls. 

Any advice will be appreciated.

Edited Monday at 19:56 by Rewbass

[NHM]

I haven't played a RB210 but I've owned a Rumble 500 for over ten years. Pros: if you like the sound, then the Rumble with 'Vintage' engaged is near perfect. Loud, light, reliable, sounds great in the mix. It's fine on its own for pub gigs but when paired with a second 2x10 it's epic. Good height to sit on at rehearsals. Cons: I don't like the drive setting, it's too harsh for me. A built in tuner would be nice. I would prefer side handles.

[BassmanPaul]

Just a note to the OP. Ladies play our instrument too. One of them could have your answer but you excluded them with your "Hi chaps." 😒

 

[Rewbass]

5 hours ago, BassmanPaul said:

Just a note to the OP. Ladies play our instrument too. One of them could have your answer but you excluded them with your "Hi chaps." 😒

 

I just edited my post. I just didn't realise as a matter of fact... thnx anyway. 

Edited Monday at 19:58 by Rewbass

[BassmanPaul]

Persona;lly I would go for the Ampeg. Ampeg and bass go together naturally. Fender do not. My Ampeg B15NF is a delight to play through and always makes me smile no matter my mood. I have never got on with Fender bass amps.

[ghostwheel]

17 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said:

My Ampeg B15NF is a delight to play through and always makes me smile no matter my mood.

You might also like B-15NC if you came across one (well, it'd be rather B-15 Heritage, but still). With a 60'ish P-bass it sounds delicious.

 

P.S.: sorry for off-topic. My vote would obviously be for the Ampeg. I only tried an RB-110, so no experience with a way more powerful RB-210, but it sounded amazing. That thump as if there was a compressor for the low frequencies.

[BassAdder60]

The Fender Rumble gets very good reviews so I don’t think it’s a bad choice 

 

 

[casapete]

I haven’t tried any of the Ampeg RB range, but have always loved Ampeg’s earlier stuff.

 

I’ve been using a Rumble 500 combo regularly for a couple of years, ( and a 100 for four

years). The 500 has been one of the best amps I’ve ever had - relatively lightweight,

great sounding and reliable. As mentioned above, using the ‘vintage’ button is where

the magic lies and I rarely need to make any radical eq changes in any room. I’ve used

mine in a very loud blues rock trio where it’s never been lacking in volume. Also paired

it with an extension cab which makes it even better.

Few downsides really - handle on top isn’t the most user friendly, the DI is post master

which means any volume or tone changes affect the output to the FOH sound, and the

included cover isn’t very robust although okay if you’re careful. If you’re okay with these

then I’d heartily recommend you giving one a try. 😊

 

 

[BassmanPaul]

18 hours ago, ghostwheel said:

You might also like B-15NC if you came across one (well, it'd be rather B-15 Heritage, but still). With a 60'ish P-bass it sounds delicious.

Indeed my '63 Precision does sound wonderful through my Ampeg!