The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

It's only made it as far as the front stoop.

View attachment 4486227

and very much doubt it will come any closer.

Today's assignments from our live practice group have me simultaneously terrified and thrilled. Apart from that, learned something really useful about my BG-400 combo ...

Experimented and ran the DI from the VT Bass Deluxe instead of from the combo to debug a monitoring problem. It is a software setting to blame, I learn. Fixed. What I did not expect to learn is the DI signal from the VTBD is line level and the DI signal from the combo isn't ....

Time for me to RTFM
again

Now working with all new combinations of gain and master on this amp

The Brite Flats on My 'Ray are settling in great. "Motown with an attitude" is what GHS says. Can very definitely dial that in between my amp, and these mutes

View attachment 4486240​

​

The Brite Flats really do look like flats (except they're not). They kind of feel like flats (except they don't). They're a month old now, except with only three weeks of daily play because it was back at Santa's Workshop because the neck wasn't shimmed properly (free repair as part of the original payment). There's a set of EB Group Flats IV that want to be auditioned, too. But not anytime soon. To my own surprise, I like the Brite Flats.

Not to hijack your post, M, but more to piggyback on it. I was telling SR that I decided to give the PJB Double Four a shot at acting like a guitar amp, being I’m currently without, and OMG, it’s terrific. RR, I think you’d written something about that a long time ago, and it’s true.

Clean as a whistle as you’d obviously guess, but robust too. Has no trouble at all with the Tele “bass” frequencies at all, plus does a nice job smoothing the mids and still reproduces the famed bite in the higher end.

It stays clean throughout the volume control’s range, but go ahead and add an OD pedal (my choice is the TC Electronics MoJo MoJo with separate bass and treble controls) and it gets nice and snarly, just like it’s reputation says it will.

So thanks Phil Jones, you’re tiding me over until spring tax season...maybe.

 

[RodRy]

Not to hijack your post, M, but more to piggyback on it. I was telling SR that I decided to give the PJB Double Four a shot at acting like a guitar amp, being I’m currently without, and OMG, it’s terrific. RR, I think you’d written something about that a long time ago, and it’s true.

Clean as a whistle as you’d obviously guess, but robust too. Has no trouble at all with the Tele “bass” frequencies at all, plus does a nice job smoothing the mids and still reproduces the famed bite in the higher end.

It stays clean throughout the volume control’s range, but go ahead and add an OD pedal (my choice is the TC Electronics MoJo MoJo with separate bass and treble controls) and it gets nice and snarly, just like it’s reputation says it will.

So thanks Phil Jones, you’re tiding me over until spring tax season...maybe.

I use my D4 as an amp for guitar and bass. No OD pedal yet, so I have all clean tones. For guitar, I think it's a great clean tone. I added the battery power, so now I can take the mighty little amp nearly anywhere.

And I have a 25 watt tube amp for my guitar if I want to get a really warm tone.

 

[WestyBassBob]

It's only made it as far as the front stoop.

View attachment 4486227

and very much doubt it will come any closer.

Today's assignments from our live practice group have me simultaneously terrified and thrilled. Apart from that, learned something really useful about my BG-400 combo ...

Experimented and ran the DI from the VT Bass Deluxe instead of from the combo to debug a monitoring problem. It is a software setting to blame, I learn. Fixed. What I did not expect to learn is the DI signal from the VTBD is line level and the DI signal from the combo isn't ....

Time for me to RTFM
again

Now working with all new combinations of gain and master on this amp

The Brite Flats on My 'Ray are settling in great. "Motown with an attitude" is what GHS says. Can very definitely dial that in between my amp, and these mutes

View attachment 4486240​

​

The Brite Flats really do look like flats (except they're not). They kind of feel like flats (except they don't). They're a month old now, except with only three weeks of daily play because it was back at Santa's Workshop because the neck wasn't shimmed properly (free repair as part of the original payment). There's a set of EB Group Flats IV that want to be auditioned, too. But not anytime soon. To my own surprise, I like the Brite Flats.

I think I am sticking with rounds on my Ray for now. But I am thinking of swapping some out as two days off has turned me from a decent hack into a rank beginner again. I am always amazed at how quickly the skills diminish. At least for me.

Hopefully I can talk myself out of it as string changes are a PITA and I’d rather spend the money on takeout.

Beautiful family there @iagtrplyr don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it but my folks hail from that great state as well. Although in true Iowan fashion my parents and their siblings all left long ago. And when they complete the sale of our ancestral lands later this month we will have completely severed our ties there.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I think I am sticking with rounds on my Ray for now. But I am thinking of swapping some out as two days off has turned me from a decent hack into a rank beginner again. I am always amazed at how quickly the skills diminish. At least for me.

Hopefully I can talk myself out of it as string changes are a PITA and I’d rather spend the money on takeout.

Beautiful family there @iagtrplyr don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it but my folks hail from that great state as well. Although in true Iowan fashion my parents and their siblings all left long ago. And when they complete the sale of our ancestral lands later this month we will have completely severed our ties there.

Thank you, WBB, I plan on hanging on to them all for at least a little longer. Then the other two grandkids will be here over New Years. They certainly liven up the house!

Neat story and we’ll be sad to know that you’ll no longer have a reason to visit our little slice of heaven (no really, watch the movie) we call home.

 

[SoulReflection]

But I am thinking of swapping some out as two days off has turned me from a decent hack into a rank beginner again. I am always amazed at how quickly the skills diminish. At least for me.

Welcome to the club...I took 50 years off so I have a lot to catch up on !

 

[GwenOnBass]

I think I am sticking with rounds on my Ray for now. But I am thinking of swapping some out as two days off has turned me from a decent hack into a rank beginner again. I am always amazed at how quickly the skills diminish. At least for me.

Hopefully I can talk myself out of it as string changes are a PITA and I’d rather spend the money on takeout.

Beautiful family there @iagtrplyr don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it but my folks hail from that great state as well. Although in true Iowan fashion my parents and their siblings all left long ago. And when they complete the sale of our ancestral lands later this month we will have completely severed our ties there.

The reason for the Brite Flats on the 'Ray is that's what the bass shipped with new in 1979. This is the first I hear what the bass sounds like, brand new. Being 20 something, I slap Roto 66s on it because Everybody. Addicted to the first 30 minutes of Rotos, change out to Dean Markley Super Rounds because they last longer.

What a radical idea an active preamp is in the 70s!

 

[swink]

I'd especially enjoy seeing images from Europe

Done.

 

[swink]

The reason for the Brite Flats on the 'Ray is that's what the bass shipped with new in 1979. This is the first I hear what the bass sounds like, brand new. Being 20 something, I slap Roto 66s on it because Everybody. Addicted to the first 30 minutes of Rotos, change out to Dean Markley Super Rounds because they last longer.

What a radical idea an active preamp is in the 70s!

On my Ray5 =>

I put on those Ernie Ball Cobalt strings and boy, are they nice.

It took some getting used to, but now I am very satisfied with this set. Consequentially, I just ordered a set for my Ray34.

 

[iagtrplyr]

View attachment 4486998
Done.

swinky is the dude on the because he's holding the bass...duh! You certainly rocked it back then, my man.

 

[swink]

swinky is the dude on the because he's holding the bass...duh! You certainly rocked it back then, my man.

Rings any bells?

 

[SoulReflection]

Rings any bells?

Just my ears .

 

[Polish Thunder]

Rings any bells?

The only reason I recognize this song is from when it is used during player introductions for the NBA, which, since Tim Duncan (SA Spurs) retired, I have pretty much quit watching.

It is sad when some of the dudes in the 80s Hair Bands were prettier than the girl groups of that time (i.e., more make-up, better hair...).

Yes. I am a music snob. I quit listening to new music around '82.....I will stick with my '60s and '70s music, thank you very much...

FWIW... Led Zeppelin's fourth album (untitled or AKA IV) is 50 years old this year.

 

[iagtrplyr]

The only reason I recognize this song is from when it is used during player introductions for the NBA, which, since Tim Duncan (SA Spurs) retired, I have pretty much quit watching.

It is sad when some of the dudes in the 80s Hair Bands were prettier than the girl groups of that time (i.e., more make-up, better hair...).

Yes. I am a music snob. I quit listening to new music around '82.....I will stick with my '60s and '70s music, thank you very much...

FWIW... Led Zeppelin's fourth album (untitled or AKA IV) is 50 years old this year.

Listen to The Runes Album (IV) over vacation. Loved every minute of it!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Christmas in Europe? A bit out of the way but

 

[GwenOnBass]

Still Christmas somewhere in Europe

​

you can't get there from here

 

[bordinco90]

Well I ended up getting rid of my Markbass combo. My band has gone with the Xvive In ear system. It is amazing! It's my first time using IEM's, but I really like them. I still have my Bugera combo and still love it!

 

[MikeSpector]

This little club made me remember my first combo back in the day (early-mid 90s)
My first combo was a Crate BX80. Big,awkward,dont recall it sounding that good. My buddy that played guitar in our little band had a PA horn that he dug out of the dumpster at the music shop. He had the bright idea to disconnect the speaker from my Crate and hook up the horn. Wanted to see what would happen. Idiot held the wire terminals and was yelling "hit the string!!!" so I thumped an open "E" and watched this guy ride the lightning He had dimed the amp. The other guys were horrified but the truth is,no one really liked guy so I just couldnt stop laughing. It took that kid a few to get his senses back and when he asked what had happened I said "grab those wires again" but apparently he remembered enough.. Anyway,thats likely the best thing that ever came out of that Crate.
When Thoroughbred Music was still open in Tampa I took an Ibanez off the wall and plugged into a BX80 they had on the floor. It blew a fuse or something cuz the amp just shut down. I didnt say a word,just returned the bass. Those are the two fond memeories I have of my first combo.

 

[JPDsma]

Welcome to the club...I took 50 years off so I have a lot to catch up on !

Only 40 for me….still not a rank hack…but having fun.

 

[GwenOnBass]

It is a long time between the day it became necessary to put my bass down to see to other needs in life and the day it was time to play again. Thirty-some years, by my estimate. Thirty-two? Does it make a difference?

My head is [FearlessLeader] explodink [/FearlessLeader] with this new material. Slowly, slowly, 80 bpm slowly, connections I never would have otherwise seen ....

Well. It's that season in Ballyshannon and there's a lovely coffee shop right behind me.

Rory Gallagher

By chance offered a Jazz Bass to mess with just north of here. First time ever with a JB. Kind of freaks me out until I twiddle the volume knobs. A JB still freaks me out, actually. Doubt I will ever be friends with one. But I've made similar statements, e.g. will never play single coils, will never play short scale, will never play passive, will never drive a VW, will never [lots of things]

 

[GonePlaid]

It is a long time between the day it became necessary to put my bass down to see to other needs in life and the day it was time to play again. Thirty-some years, by my estimate. Thirty-two? Does it make a difference?

My head is [FearlessLeader] explodink [/FearlessLeader] with this new material. Slowly, slowly, 80 bpm slowly, connections I never would have otherwise seen ....

Well. It's that season in Ballyshannon and there's a lovely coffee shop right behind me.

View attachment 4488719​

Rory Gallagher

By chance offered a Jazz Bass to mess with just north of here. First time ever with a JB. Kind of freaks me out until I twiddle the volume knobs. A JB still freaks me out, actually. Doubt I will ever be friends with one. But I've made similar statements, e.g. will never play single coils, will never play short scale, will never play passive, will never drive a VW, will never [lots of things]

I played a J one night sitting in at a jam. Coupla tunes. Enuff.