Fender Rumble 200 combo VS Ampeg Micro VR stack

Yesterday my friend Giovanni came to my house with his Fender Rumble 200 bass combo, so I decided to record a quick comparison between our amps.

To switch from an amp to another I used a Lead Foot ABY switch pedal:
A channel (left button): Fender Rumble 200
B channel (right button): Ampeg Micro VR
Y channel (left button): both amps

Obviously both amps are flat and with no filters (bright, contous, vintage).

Sorry for sloppy playing and video, I did it quickly.

Amps:
- Fender Rumble 200 combo
- Ampeg Micro VR stack (head + cabinet)

Bass:
- Fender Precision Steve Harris signature (SD spb-1 custom shop pickups, Sansone strings)

Pedals
- Switch: Lead Foot ABY
- Overdrive: Behringer BDI21 V-Tone

Camera:
- Fujifilm X-T10 + Fujinon 16-50 mm

1) Jazz
2) Jazz
3) Slap
4) Rock
5) Metal

[cwilliamsphoto]

Rumbles are a good bedroom and low volume practice amp because of the way they are voiced. I have the 40 and it's a solid little performer for what it is, and is super lightweight. However, the bedroom or very low volume practice situations is where it stays. It's been said that the sealed Ampeg cabs aren't the best for bedroom purposes, but have that cut through tone when they are able to be opened up on the stage. I wholeheartedly agree, and I own an 810e and a 410HE. The 210AV is literally 1/4th of the 810 in size and power handling, and has the same frequency response specs. It's not going to be boomy, but where it lacks in the extended low end it will make up for in clean volume. The amp is obviously only 200 watts at 4 ohms, so you'll need a second 210AV to really get enough power and speaker surface area if you're going to put it up to gig duty.

[flynbil]

Rumble is deeper and darker. Great playing!

[cellulosefdr]

The Ampeg sounded higher and had the better tone....although the rumble was deeper....could have been the EQ....I liked them both together actually for a full range of sound thanks for the demo!

[poormanscowisdone]

Nice comparison, thanks! Great playing!

[joek]

I like the Ampeg, somewhat due to the highs in the tone, but also because its just so dadgum cute. There's a white one near me and I think I want it. Its so adorably lovely to look at. Like, this'll never leave my house; I just play for mine and my cats amusement.

[tylerwhite]

Together they sound absolutley massive.

[NtWarlock]

Notice

This video was improvised when my friend brought his fender rumble 200 to my house.
it is not an accurate test.

Also my room tends to "dry" the sounds.

[nobbytart]

Nice video, tbh i would be happy with either, probably go with the Ampeg purely for the stacked look 😁

[neutrodyne]

The Rumble nice low end weak on the top end. The Ampeg nice top end and weak on the bottom end.

[matthouston]

playing them together just messes with the ears when nobody is here for that tbh, thanks for the demo

[cloaca]

I've played the 200 live and it just lacks brightness and high mids for my taste. Low thumping is great though

[thunder]

thomann hits...I heard that lines a thousand times haha

[DK_SB]

the slap part kinda reminds me of killing joke eighties!

[mikkywhalan]

Honestly I actually prefer the sound of the fender.

[michaelcrabtree]

You are comparing an amp that has a single 15" driver (Rumble) to an amp driving a 2x10" cab (Ampeg)
Of course, the Fender is going to sound deeper, warmer and less focussed compared to the Ampeg which will naturally sound much tighter with high end detail. That's the nature of 10" speakers vs 15" speakers.
I had the Rumble 200 for a while but decided to sell it for an all tube head. I use a Bassman 135 for big shows and I am going to try out the Ampeg Micro VR head into a single Fender 15" cab for small practises and gigs.

[brunopietoso]

Not a fair comparison tho right? 2x10 are obviously going to sound different to the 15" speaker of the Rumble.

I personally tried to like 2x10s but just can't seem to get on with them.

[jimmyperullo]

I much prefer the sound of the Rumble, although they sound really good together at the same time

[FlamesAtft]

…and the Fender Rumble “Kicked Ass!” 💥🤛🏽, , IMO, ..Lil’ Ampeg just too damn thin sounding but most likely convenient to lug around…but so is the Fender!! b(‘_<)

[rickfennell]

Ill take the 15" over 2x
10s any day. 10s just cant get that super low "punch you in the gut" feeling. Ive tried the two tens before. They sound great no doubt, but that 15 just had the low balls.👍👍🤟🍻

[Guitarsdetectors]

The rumble definitely has a more usable overdrive section. I liked both in their clean settings.