Auditioning Fender amplification

[wambamalubop]

I'd like to audition a range of Fender amplification from the Rumble 500 head + 15 cab to the new  Rumble 800 stage. 

Googling about I couldn't find any/many stores that keep this kind of Bass amplification in stock,  the products mainly appear to be drop shipped. 

I am equidistant to Bristol/Birmingham/Cardiff and often travel up to London so any of those places would do, I'm guessing London is the best bet though.   

Anyone know of a suitable vendor?

[chris_b]

Give Guitar Guitar in Camden a call. Their website is showing some Rumble gear in stock but they don't say which shop. They offered to ship some basses between their shops so I could try them, so maybe they would do the same with their Fender Rumble gear.

Edited June 25, 2018 by chris_b

[wambamalubop]

Thanks,  I’ve been in there its a good shop.  I called PMT in Bristol because their Newcastle and Manchester branches are showing the full range,  I think the 800 stage is quite new hence not in stock yet. Anyhow, they seem worth a look in. 

[Daz39]

Dawsons stock Fender bass amps. Nice branches in Leeds, Chester and Altrincham that i’ve visited; they surely have more.

[wambamalubop]

I managed to try the 500 Rumble head and 115 cab yesterday at PMT in Bristol, the store was way huger than I expected. There was something wrong with the cab I think as there was a lot of distortion somewhere, but I got the sense that I didn't like the tone of the thing anyway.  It reminded me of the thin anaemic Fender combo I use for practice. Turning up the bass didn't really work, it just had more of the same tone I didn't like. 

[Norris]

On 27/06/2018 at 10:29, wambamalubop said:

I managed to try the 500 Rumble head and 115 cab yesterday at PMT in Bristol, the store was way huger than I expected. There was something wrong with the cab I think as there was a lot of distortion somewhere, but I got the sense that I didn't like the tone of the thing anyway.  It reminded me of the thin anaemic Fender combo I use for practice. Turning up the bass didn't really work, it just had more of the same tone I didn't like. 

Did you manage to try it with the 2x10 cab? That's what is in the V3 combos and I certainly wouldn't describe it as anaemic

[jezzaboy]

42 minutes ago, Norris said:

Did you manage to try it with the 2x10 cab? That's what is in the V3 combos and I certainly wouldn't describe it as anaemic

Agree. The V3 2 x 10 combo isn`t lacking in bass. I did a pub gig last night and had the bass knob at about 1 o`clock and it was shaking the room. Until I was asked to turn down slightly.

Spoilsports.

[wambamalubop]

I don't think the demo room setup gave the gear a decent chance.  It's the kind of place that there's too much stuff to easily get things wired up, moved around. 

[JohnDaBass]

Next time you try the Fender Rumble 500 head make sure you start with the Overdrive OFF. Start with everything flat, all EQ knobs at 12:00 o'clock. IMO the Rumble has quite a broad pallet of fine bass sounds on tap and you should be able to find something that pleases you.

[Sibob]

Just out of curiosity, what are you hoping to hear from the amp in a music shop that is going to inform you what it sounds like at a gig in a band situation?

Si