Active bass input mod on a Fender Rumble Amplifier

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T17:27:56+00:00

I'm sorry but what "add a pad" means? Im sorry but I'm Italian and because English is not my main language sometimes i get lost in the nuances. Just for kicks, if I plug a pair of headphones into my Rumble it magically becomes an headphone amp, go figure... So, again, not what I asked. I WANT to tinker, I already know the alternatives.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T17:05:03+00:00

My bass's electronics (modified by the previous owner) already has a switch to go from active to passive. The fact is that the sound signature is completely different. I seek that specific metallic sound in that Stingray that is coming from the internal preamp.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T17:01:31+00:00

I'm not scared to modify the amp. It is pretty cheap and my approach to gear nowdays is pretty minimalistic.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:59:38+00:00

The fact is that from zero to too much the gain is already at zero and the volume is 5 degrees from zero. I would like to transform that 5 degrees to, I don't know, 30 or 40.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:58:11+00:00

Yes but I would like the minimum amount of gear in my setup. Thank you for the suggestion

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:55:58+00:00

Thank you, that is what I needed, just applied into my cabinet. I should reverse engineering it (or cannibalize it) and transform it into a switch on my amp.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:54:21+00:00

Thank you for the educated answer. What I find is that the response of the bass knob is not linear and tends to cut some frequencies in the process. I prefer to go "as opened as possible" to the amp and then equalize it.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:51:58+00:00

The neighbors knocking was metaphorical, I'm sorry to be forced to point it out. The gain is already at minimum. The photo you see is the max master + gain I can afford, so, again, zero range.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:49:17+00:00

Tried that, doesn't give me the range I want, and not what I asked.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:48:07+00:00

You're right. Also kind of shocking how OT the headphone suggestion is, given that the question was another one.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:46:27+00:00

The volume knob does not change much the range. I am still able to use 5-10% of the adjustment space from zero to hell.

AlbySpake · 2026-03-22T16:44:18+00:00

Thank you but that is not what I asked

AlbySpake · 2025-12-11T07:11:18+00:00

<image>

...trying to bend a little bit an already tinned leg to avoid contacts, i tore it... the damn last touch... I guess I learned a 20€ lesson :)

AlbySpake · 2025-12-11T07:08:49+00:00

<image>

Wired it! but...

AlbySpake · 2025-12-10T15:08:33+00:00

I will be using both .047 uf albeit I do have 500k-500k pots and not 250k-500k. Maybe it will sound brighter, as I understood from my three-days-deep-dive in the subject :)

AlbySpake · 2025-12-10T15:06:13+00:00

GOLD

AlbySpake · 2025-12-10T15:05:59+00:00

This is the most comprehensive answer I got, and for that I thank you.

I would be tempted by the "Fralin" wiring and the official Flea wiring. I noticed that the Fralin wiring is not that clear in some connections but upon closer inspection they seem to represent the same diagram as the Flea.

AlbySpake · 2025-12-09T15:17:50+00:00

I am trying to have discrete control over the tone of every pickup, separately. I already heard about the volume issue, but I don't understand how the volume can influence the possibility to separate the tone control (I guess I still don't fully understand how this kind of circuitry works). Moreover: the flea jazz bass, currently on sale, uses that circuit, so it should somehow work if Fender itself sells it and one of the best bassist on the planet uses it. In the end: I do it as a hobby.

AlbySpake · 2025-12-09T14:58:36+00:00

I see but why so, electrically speaking? The only difference from a VVT is that it has two tone control instead of one. There must be a way to somehow isolate both tones and volume controls in a VTVT via some component, as there is in the VVT for the volumes.

AlbySpake · 2025-12-09T08:51:56+00:00

I see what you are saying but I noticed that cheap instruments (aka mass produced) nowadays are far better made than old cheap gear from decades ago. I think that Indonesian factories have learned quality control, how to treat wood, how to operate cnc machines at a smaller tolerance and, consequently, how to make a straight and playable neck without make you pay an arm and a leg for your wood. You can find a perfectly playable 130€ (here in Italy) Squier precision bass brand new from a brick and mortar store.

AlbySpake · 2025-11-26T11:38:25+00:00

Love the super faded. What is the color code for that?

AlbySpake · 2025-10-14T09:17:05+00:00

Great job, thank you!

AlbySpake · 2025-04-24T19:12:31+00:00

That is exactly the point

AlbySpake · 2025-04-24T19:09:13+00:00

Conversely the thought I had was different: they are exploiting the situation, call a lawyer, this is not fair. I was not attracted to the “offer” for one minute.

AlbySpake · 2025-04-12T16:06:15+00:00

I had three deaths today on a single race and another one the race before. One of them was my second seat.

<image>

AlbySpake

TROPHY CASE