Ampeg Micro VR vs Fender Rumble 100 - bass amp comparison

[@NtWarlock]

1) Line out 0:26 Ampeg 2:11 Fender 2) Mic 4:46 Ampeg 6:25 Fender 3) Line out + mic 8:23 Ampeg 9:50 Fender 4) Zoom H1 11:26 A/B comparison

[@lennymo9088]

I own the Rumble 100 & usually not a fan of Ampeg sound but this comparison has me liking the Ampeg. The rumble has a very compressed sound while the Ampeg has a more natural sound.

[@NtWarlock]

Yes

[@SDRockman]

I have recently grown to like the Ampeg sound, I also love the Fender sound as well. Both of these amps sound good and the Fender has two middle frequencies that you can adjust and a drive effect, but if I was to choose between the two of these, I would choose the Ampeg because I like the voice of it better. Good demonstration of these amps.

[@NtWarlock]

Thank you! Are both good amps

[@МаксимКротов-у2п]

Thank you for this test. No bla bla, only detailes

[@NtWarlock]

Thanks!

[@TheStratpicker]

I like the way you demonstrate with a loop - very practical. I actually have the Ampeg head and a Rumble 200. I run the Ampeg through a GK cab loaded with a Celestion BN15 8ohm neo, mainly kept in the rehearsal studio, so it's working at 140W. I love how both sound to be honest, but in terms of volume, or maybe presence, the Rumble also at 140W without an extension, seems to have the edge. I stacked up the Rumble on the cab for the first time yesterday and wow, the headroom from the full 200W and moving more air made a surprising difference. Difficult choices...

[@NtWarlock]

Thanks! Yeah, rumble amps are great. Lot of volume and lightweight

[@tgbluesky]

I have the Ampeg with 2 2x10 cabs for the full 200w treat. Increasing the GAIN will really round out the tone. Never tried the Rumble, but they are both sound like very giggable amps.

[@backlineguy]

great video comparison...the Rumble gets my vote...it'll be great for I need it for....thanks!

[@NtWarlock]

You’re welcome!

[@paulsummerside]

Ampeg is the clear winner for me. Found the Fender Rumble rather weak and the Rumble would start to fart very quickly when the EQ was pushed. Thought the little micro stack was a bit of a joke and novelty, till I watched this vid.

[@NtWarlock]

Thanks! Rumble EQ probably has more gain

[@billytrance6893]

Fender 100 all the way! Great video! Well done!

[@NtWarlock]

Thanks!

[@andylove1224]

I have both the Ampeg Micro VR rig and a Fender Rumble V3 200. I've had both for years. I play rock and a little bit of groove funk. No slapping. I prefer the Ampeg quite a bit more. The fender doesn't cut through. It's missing some mid range eq or something. I've tweaked an tweaked the EQ a ton and find it hard to find a sound I love. With that said, the Fender is still a great amp. Fun to mess around with and has a fatter sound than the Ampeg. It's just not as articulate as the Ampeg. I love that it's a combo and it's fun messing with the drive and vintage button. But when it comes down to plugging in a getting a great sound the Ampeg wins my love.

[@NtWarlock]

Yes the Fender has the mids slightly cut while the Ampeg is more natural, at least so it seems (i could try to check cubase eq). I haven't tried them in the band, but your feedback is very interesting!

[@prestachuck2867]

How is the fan noise level on your Micro VR? I am considering a Micro CL because it has no fan, but I like that the VR can drive a 4ohm load and outputs twice the rms wattage of the CL.

[@Munchable420]

Thank you! Being that I already have the 40 watt fender rumble with all the same eq choices as the 100 watter this wad a real ear opener for me. The ampeg wins by far, more open and aggressive and sounds better thanks to the fet design I'm guessing.

[@scottosborne715]

By far the best comparison of the only two brands I’m considering. Such a hard choice but I’m going with the Rumble. Through headphones your demo made playing through both in a music store unnecessary, excellent job.

[@NtWarlock]

Thank you!! (but if you have the possibility I always recommend trying in a store)

[@scottosborne715]

Took your advice and finally made time In Dallas to play through a 30w Ampeg RB with the svt circuit and a Rumble 40. As a new player I really wanted to love the Ampeg but the Fender 40 just had the better tone and versatility for me. Thanks again dude.

[@NtWarlock]

@@scottosborne715 I've never tried these Ampeg combos, but I tried a Fender rumble 40w years ago and I really liked it even though it was a small amp. I think you made a good choice. I am happy for you!

[@antoniusea]

Thank you for the comparison. I own an RB115 and rumble 800, and I gotta say that ampeg is better built and sounds cleaner.

[@jagpanzer16]

AWESOME review!!!! Ampeg for me.

[@NtWarlock]

Thanks!!!

[@extantia]

Regarding the mic'd demos- for me the Ampeg has more definition and articulation, but I prefer the fullness and warmth of the Fender - nice note pattern by the way- very peaceful and lulling- Thank you for a review that covers both line out and mic'd sounds-

[@wirthwhilemedia]

I happen to own both, and like both.. Hard to beat either for small gigs or home playing. My only complaint is the fan noise and whine on the Micro VR, I need to look at my options to replace, remove, or do something about it...

[@neillobo5231]

How do either take effects pedals? I do dig the sound of the VR, but could find myself regretting it as my first bass amp because it lacks bass. This wouldn't be much of an issue if it still makes for a good pedal platform.

[@rafbass]

OK, this video just made me buy it!

[@ObraBass]

Great demo. I know how hard is to make one and how much time it takes. Keep on!

[@NtWarlock]

Oh thanks! 😊

[@Nopulu]

(it's actually ridiculously easy)

[@coreysheesley2870]

I have a rumble 500 and 2x10 cab but was looking at the ampeg as as a backup up. I played my new schecter through the ampeg and loved the tone!!!

[@NtWarlock]

Ampeg has a nice clear sound. You can try rocket bass combos. Smaller Fender rumble amps are also a good choice.

[@gorillafunk725]

Interesting comparison. The Ampeg looses the lower authority in favour of carrying more upper harmonics of the strings. The Fender has a way fatter bottom end but looses those growly upper harmonics that to me are an essenial element. Now if you could combine the two with the two tens on top & an active sub 15 on the lower 2 octaves with spl matched unity gain & a high pass filter for the Ampeg. Now that could.make the ampeg a Godzilla BEAST Interesting but comparing a combo with a head is like apples & oranges. The Ampeg is 200 w advertsed & the fender is 100 advertised trying to contol the pistonic mass of a a 15. What was nice on it was the fender tone stack gave a richer palette to paint your tone with but farting out @ max bass & mid tone settings indicates poorly thought out design for a combo IMHO But @ twice the power for its competitor Hardly a fair fight A slightly fairer compare would be be a fender & ampeg head of the same wattage through those cabs.

[@NtWarlock]

Yes, but you can at least hear the sound differece from the XLR out

[@gorillafunk725]

@@NtWarlock I'm cheating a little. When I was searching for my personal home practice rig for learning bass @ 56 I've heard both live. I went with Boss Katana 210 Reason? Value. GK combo @ my price point was cleaner but the Boss had virtually every effect they make thrown in & was neutral enough NOT to have a signature " house" tone & power amp direct in. So later I could try valve pre's or modelling units. It is class A/B power amp which I like being old school. Downsides: its NOT the BS 160 watt they claim. It consumes 117 watts so is around 50 w rms. The speakers do not have an active X over as some advertisers claim & the "tweeter" is a piezo horn wired in old school off the woofer terminals. And it has a prominent peak in its response curve. The tweeter out switch is nothing more than a low pass filter. Last & worst of all the aux cab plug mutes the speakers in the Katana. Whoever the "genius" was that thought that is a good idea deserves a poke in both eyes! So why did I bother buying it? I could hear not the actual sound but its Potential! I build & modify loudspeakers as a hobby & have been doing it 4 decades. My studio Monitors have helped mastering engineers & artists win aria awards( think aussie grammy) The 2 10 inch Roland Bass mids in their ported cabs are super efficient, an inverted concave dust cap, light responsive ( to your fingers on the strings) cones & smooth upper mid response. I have a few suitable pro horn tweeters that I'll try out & wire in with a passive X over to give a smoother, cleaner top end. The bottom end already has 3 neodymium backing slugs per woofer & sounds richer & fatter with a bottom end guaranteed to make bums wobble to the groove. I also like the black no nonsense look that suits my Greco rock spirit Bass. Ive never in my life seen another like it so it had to be mine. Now you know why I rant.

[@4stringz.]

weird. The rumble used here just sounds flat. I can get a full range of tones to match the SVT from mine. The overdrive setting and contour buttons really help with that

[@NtWarlock]

For me the Rumble has a scooped sound

[@Owen-ne6pe]

Its cuz he just uses the eq instead of the contour and stuff

[@crawside]

Kudos on the stellar video! I am like rest here on these two amps. Personally, I believe one needs both in their arsenal. I have the Ampeg Micro. Waiting for a killer deal to scoop up a Rumble 100. If for nothing else, the distortion circuit is so distinctive. Plus the Fender is all inclusive and super light weight! One big negative for the Micro to consider is the fan on the Micro is ver loud. Like you need to separate it from the cab for recording. I think you can hear it in the very last seconds of the video. Anyway, my question is what does the Micro sound like through different cabs like an Aluminum cone Hartke or maybe a Mark Bass cab. I wonder if those cabs would still output the same signature Ampeg tone?

[@18JR78]

14:44 Both together is the perfect match. Ampeg growl with Fender Body

[@555rerun]

Amazing testing. Thank you!

[@NtWarlock]

Thanks!

[@leonfelipearteagarevelo4773]

ES INTERESANTE LA COMPARACION ,PERO SI ES CORRECTO COMPARAR UN COMBO Y UN CABEZOTE MAS PARLANTE??

[@lifcharleserickson5374]

Have you tried any of the new Ampeg Rocket bass series? They're pretty cool and a comparisson between the micro stack and an RB would be really interesting!

[@NtWarlock]

no, I haven't tried them, but I think they're cool too!

[@JD.GraniteCity]

Hi. Great vid 👍 I've been considering buying either of these amps, but just couldn't decide which one 🤔 But now, thanks to your great sounding video, ive made my choice. Personally for me after listening to this, i think the Ampeg sounds far better. Much more clarity, punch and drive and for me anyway, just a better overall sound. Love it. My choice made. Ampeg 👍😎😁❤️

[@NtWarlock]

Great! I'm glad it was useful for you!

[@camilinbass]

Gracias! Ampeg sound no doubt 🫶🏼🤟🏽

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Does the speaker on the Rumble "Break-Up" if Bass EQ is put past 1/2 way? = even at that Low Volume? ( or was that recording distortion due to overload? )

[@NtWarlock]

Overload! It has powerful bass freq

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@NtWarlock Thanks brother. I am ready to pull-the-trigger, on the Rumble 100v3. Just ordered my Bass. Appreciate your input. oNe LovE from NYC

[@NtWarlock]

@@michael_caz_nyc thank you very much, I was hoping to be useful! you made a good purchase! good sound, light weight, inexpensive ... lots of good features

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@NtWarlock Update: Bought it . . . Love it = a little Beast. Sounds deep with my Sterling Stingray short-scale bass. Your comparison was phenomenal. Excellent job with this. Very informative.

[@NtWarlock]

@@michael_caz_nyc (I misunderstood the previous comment lol) I am very happy that you are satisfied! the fender rumble 100 is a nice amp. if I went back maybe I would have taken it instead of the ampeg. thanks again for the appreciation!

[@DarrenSaw]

The Ampeg cab and head is twice the price of the Rumble, It's even more expensive than the 200.

[@antiartista]

Ampeg rules!

[@NtWarlock]

👍

[@grisbain]

Nobody demos the gain on the Ampeg. Does it get gritty in a nice way when you push the gain?

[@NtWarlock]

I thought I'd do it myself, but actually it isn’t so nice

[@markward3730]

Thank you so much. Excellent review. What’s the price differential?

[@NtWarlock]

About 300-350€ (brand new)

[@Longy_b]

have you gigged with both, if so what was your experience? Was the ampeg with one 2x10 cab enough? Have you tried the ampeg with two 2x10s?

[@NtWarlock]

No gigs and no test with two cabs :/ However, I think the Ampeg stack is enough

[@theboofin]

No gain and miced up with a 57??

[@__tay__6074]

Do you get much hiss with the ampeg?? I use a rumble 500 and get a hiss thats quite bad (have to turn off tweeter) Still sounds alright but am thinking of getting an ampeg.

[@__tay__6074]

@Kent Dias I've gone out my pedal board into the rumbles return and it has improved a lot. Still a small hiss but nowhere near as noticeable. I like the speakers in the rumble 500 and cab.

[@NtWarlock]

what kind of hiss do you mean? the amp has fan noise, but I don't seem to hear significant hissing in the sound. the fender on the other hand has a slight background hiss when listening it through XLR

[@__tay__6074]

@@NtWarlock just like a general white noise kinda hiss

[@NtWarlock]

@@__tay__6074 yes the fender rumble 100 isn't super quiet, but the noise doesn't seem excessive to me

[@NtWarlock]

this is another video I made on rumble 100 kzbin.info/www/bejne/najSeXV9frGffLM

[@MarcG7424]

200w vs 100w wouldn't a Fender 200 been a better comparison or a Fender 100 vs a Ampeg micro Cl

[@NtWarlock]

I agree, but these are the amps I had available

[@drpibisback7680]

I had a cheaper, smaller Rumble (I think the 75 watt version) without the drive control, I always thought it sounded like shit - finally replaced it a few years ago with a birthday gift of a big Behringer that was... also not very good but at least better. Ampeg definitely wins here, although the Rumble 100 doesn't sound that much worse.

[@NtWarlock]

I once had a Behringer guitar amp that sucked, but that was many years ago. Now I think the production has become better: I also had a BDI21 V-tone pedal and it wasn't bad for the price. However, you can always replace your amp in the future if you need to. I also prefer the Ampeg slightly more, although I also like the Fender. Thanks for your opinion!

[@ulisesfonseca7937]

AMPEG HAS TWITERS? YOU GET A GOOD POSITION RECORDING AMPEG, ITS NO FAIR

[@steveschenker1380]

Very handy! Thanks man!

[@NtWarlock]

😊

[@dougmisantoni4384]

Two great amps....

[@Ballonpoire39]

Can you use these for a gig? Are they loud enough?

[@NtWarlock]

I only used them at home

[@jasondorsey7110]

Maybe if it's got good speakers and it's mic'd

[@trenken]

Is this ampeg micro vr loud?

[@NtWarlock]

Yes

[@stateofblitz]

Ampeg has more character. Fender is little soulless.

[@NtWarlock]

Ampeg is more "shining"

[@eda.4145]

Another way to put it...Fender is a soulless little bitch 😎. Ampeg Rules 🤟

[@Vikkk1978]

@@NtWarlock Ampeg is more collected, focused and elastic at low frequencies. The Fender has more bass, but the overall sound is loose.

[@Farewelltokingz]

@@Vikkk1978I’d choose fender for an all around genre amp. But that Ampeg has the classic Rush thing going on with it I think. Good for metal too I’d imagine.

[@tetrodotoxin9782]

Rumble has a tight buttom end

[@alexdawson7851]

NtWarlock - Which do you prefer?

[@NtWarlock]

Hard choice! They have different characteristics and pros & cons

[@eda.4145]

@@NtWarlock preference, not safe answer.

[@NtWarlock]

@@eda.4145 Ampeg for shiny sound ans Fender for portability. Between the two I would now take the Fender, but they are not comparable amps models

[@Vikkk1978]

Ampeg!!!

[@NtWarlock]

👍

[@robertrosejr1]

Ampeg micro for me

[@NtWarlock]

👍

[@wmjritmo]

Ampeg sounds too thin/tinny.

[@philosso5970]

la mela di Odessa!

[@NtWarlock]

😉

[@lucianaallemandi2164]

woow area!

[@NtWarlock]

Volevo metterci qualcosa di particolare e poi volevo far conoscere questi gruppi anche a chi non è italiano

[@rolandocontreras4825]

I like this one ! and I’m buying IT ! Adding to my collection !!🎸🎹🎼🎷🤪🤪🥰🥁🪇🪘🎺🎸..