Fender Rumble 40 (V3), 120V, Black/Silver

The Fender Rumble 40 (V3), 120V, Black/Silver is a popular bass combo amplifier known for its compact size, lightweight design, and versatile tone. It is a fantastic choice for practice, small gigs, and recording.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its key features:

Core Concept & Sound:

• 40 Watts of Power: The amplifier delivers 40 watts of power, which is more than enough for home practice and is surprisingly loud for its size. It can also be used for small, un-amplified gigs or rehearsals.

• 10" Fender Special Design Speaker: The amp features a single 10-inch speaker that provides a punchy and clear bass tone. The ported enclosure enhances the low-end response, giving it a bigger sound than you might expect.

• Three-Button Voicing Section: This is one of the most celebrated features of the Rumble series. It allows you to quickly and easily shape your tone with three different presets:

  • Bright: Adds a high-end boost for a more modern, articulate sound.

  • Contour: Scoops the mid-range for a low-end heavy, slap-style tone.

  • Vintage: Emulates a classic, old-school bass tone with a more compressed feel.

• Footswitchable Overdrive Circuit: The amp has a built-in overdrive circuit that can be engaged with a button on the control panel or an optional footswitch. The "Drive" and "Level" controls allow you to dial in the perfect amount of grit and aggression.

Build Quality & Adjustability:

• Solid State Amplifier: The Rumble 40 is a solid-state amp, meaning it's reliable, consistent, and requires minimal maintenance.

• Lightweight Plywood Cabinet: The cabinet is made from lightweight plywood, contributing to its impressively low weight of about 18 pounds. This makes it incredibly easy to transport.

• Comprehensive Controls: The control panel offers a full suite of controls to dial in your sound, including Gain, a 4-band EQ (Bass, Low-Mid, High-Mid, Treble), Drive, Level, and Master Volume.

• Classic Fender Styling: The amp has a stylish and classic Fender look, with a black textured vinyl covering, a silver grille cloth, and vintage-style radio knobs.

Inputs and Outputs:

• XLR Line Out with Ground Lift: This is a crucial feature for recording and live performance. The balanced XLR output allows you to connect directly to a mixing board or recording interface, and the ground lift switch helps to eliminate any hum or buzz.

• Auxiliary Input: A stereo 1/8" auxiliary input allows you to plug in a music player or other device to play along with your favorite tracks.

• Headphone Output: A stereo 1/8" headphone jack mutes the speaker, allowing for silent practice.

• Footswitch Input: A 1/4" input allows you to connect a footswitch to remotely engage and disengage the overdrive circuit.

Overall Impression:

The Fender Rumble 40 (V3) is an excellent choice for:

• Beginner and Intermediate Bassists: Its combination of versatile tone-shaping, reliable performance, and affordable price make it a perfect first amp.

• Home Practice: The headphone jack and auxiliary input make it a great tool for practicing with backing tracks without disturbing others.

• Small Gigs and Recording: The XLR line out, lightweight design, and surprisingly loud output make it a capable amp for coffee shops, small venues, and studio sessions.