The Combo Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Reminder: Your Combo Club Wiki page has several links "Defining Combo-ness" in the Combo Club Cyclopædia section. Of course most of them deal ostensibly with the Ampeg B-15, but the basic concepts are there.
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OK, but that's discovery and discussion. I'm looking for a simple definition to clarify the majority of cases.

How about this?

A bass combo is a combination of an amp and speaker unit attached in such a way that they are designed to be stored, moved, and played as a single entity. The sole exceptions to date are Ampeg Portaflex units.

Note: IMO, this would allow a head that's bolted permanently to a cab to be considered a combo. It would not allow one attached with hook and loop fastener unless said fastener was strong enough that the whole thing could be picked up by the usual straps or handles without coming apart. There would still be exceptions to argue over, just less of them.

Speak now or forever hold your combo a few inches off the floor with your fretting hand, which gets old fast.

 

[SoulReflection]

Note: IMO, this would allow a head that's bolted permanently to a cab to be considered a combo. It would not allow one attached with hook and loop fastener unless said fastener was strong enough that the whole thing could be picked up by the usual straps or handles without coming apart.

But, bolts can be undone, so they are not permanent. I vote for Gorilla Glue (applause)

 

[SoulReflection]

Well well, -someone thinking outside the box!

...just trying to help!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

But, bolts can be undone, so they are not permanent. I vote for Gorilla Glue (applause)

I actually meant "attached permanently" - with the caveat that nothing is permanent. "Attached permanently other than removal for working on the amp or cab"?

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Doc, I just wanna know how much that would be in American money? Like, $5,000.00 or something? I'll call this box of yours a "com." Now all you have to add to it is the "bo" part and you're good to go!

BTW, what are you planning on doing with it? An experiment, perhaps?

I am not sure what to do with it. Either I will turn it into a cab or back into a combo. Time will tell.

 

[SoulReflection]

I actually meant "attached permanently" - with the caveat that nothing is permanent. "Attached permanently other than removal for working on the amp or cab"?

I know what you meant but believe there should/needs to be humor in this world.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I know what you meant but believe there should/needs to be humor in this world.

Agreed, and I probably should have gone back and added the above comment to my post rather than yours; your humor just made me realize I screwed up. It was funny.

 

[Felix Lopez]

All that exists is impermanent; nothing lasts. Therefore nothing can be grasped or held onto. When we don’t fully appreciate this simple but profound truth we suffer!

 

[Greywoulf]

One of the definitions I've just read in recent thread posts here might possibly define my 'franken-combo' as a legitimate combo. But I'll post a pic after I 'create' it and y'all can have a serious debate at that point...
Another point here y'all might consider tho; there are some combos I remember seeing (although their names escape me) that deliberately left the amp portion removable from it's slot over the speaker(s). ~But they were definitely described and sold as 'combos'... ~Are they?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

One of the definitions I've just read in recent thread posts here might possibly define my 'franken-combo' as a legitimate combo. But I'll post a pic after I 'create' it and y'all can have a serious debate at that point...
Another point here y'all might consider tho; there are some combos I remember seeing (although their names escape me) that deliberately left the amp portion removable from it's slot over the speaker(s). ~But they were definitely described and sold as 'combos'... ~Are they?

Marketing don't count. The definition above covers the referenced possibility.

 

[Mark Ambler]

Isn't a combo like an 'all in one' design? Not a head bolted/glued/velcroed/gaffa taped on to a Cab?
Like a Fender Bassman 10?

 

[SoulReflection]

Isn't a combo like an 'all in one' design? Not a head bolted/glued/velcroed/gaffa taped on to a Cab?
Like a Fender Bassman 10?View attachment 4748790View attachment 4748790 View attachment 4748790

Yes but, some like to stretch definitions .

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Isn't a combo like an 'all in one' design? Not a head bolted/glued/velcroed/gaffa taped on to a Cab?
Like a Fender Bassman 10?View attachment 4748790View attachment 4748790 View attachment 4748790

(Did you mean like three Bassman 10s?)

Traditionally, mostly. Exceptions: Ampeg Portaflexes. Not exceptions: VOX beatles and Superbeatles. But not everyone agrees. Hence, trying to nail it down.

 

[Mark Ambler]

(Did you mean like three Bassman 10s?)

Traditionally, mostly. Exceptions: Ampeg Portaflexes. Not exceptions: VOX beatles and Superbeatles. But not everyone agrees. Hence, trying to nail it down.

Can't you just easily remove the Portaflex head and use it with another cab? Therefore, not a true combo.
A very nice amp and cab with a novel approach, yes, but no more a combo than a Bassman fastened to a cab with screws. Is that a combo?

 

[SoulReflection]

(Did you mean like three Bassman 10s?)

Traditionally, mostly. Exceptions: Ampeg Portaflexes. Not exceptions: VOX beatles and Superbeatles. But not everyone agrees. Hence, trying to nail it down.

My amp of choice is an Ampeg PF-20T. It has nothing to do with being a combo or not. It is what I prefer to use so, it does not matter what club I am in or not in...I am using it.

I just happen to still have a Rumble 200 Combo and a Combo Club Number, so there !

 

[SoulReflection]

Cant you just easily remove the Portaflexe head and use it with another cab? Therefore, not a true combo.
A very nice amp and cab with a novel approach, yes, but no more a combo than a Bassman fastened to a cab with screws. Is that a combo?View attachment 4748815

Nope .

 

[SoulReflection]

My amp of choice is an Ampeg PF-20T. It has nothing to do with being a combo or not. It is what I prefer to use so, it does not matter what club I am in or not in...I am using it.

I just happen to still have a Rumble 200 Combo and a Combo Club Number, so there !

A true combo needs to be separated with a tool, not a thumb screw or a latch. Yes, I said "Latch" as in Ampeg PF. But really, does it matter? I am happy with calling an amp with a cab attached, a combo, because it is. If you separate them, one is an amp and the other is a cab.

I don't care what you call them just so long as you are happy with the sound.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Can't you just easily remove the Portaflex head and use it with another cab? Therefore, not a true combo.
A very nice amp and cab with a novel approach, yes, but no more a combo than a Bassman fastened to a cab with screws. Is that a combo?View attachment 4748815

The wiki covers why the Portaflexes are in.

 

[Mark Ambler]

The wiki covers why the Portaflexes are in.

I’m just messing, really. But if a PF-20 and a portaflex Cab can be bought separately, that’s what they are, separates

 

[SoulReflection]

I’m just messing, really. But if a PF-20 and a portaflex Cab can be bought separately, that’s what they are, separates

Unless they are joined with a cable (and maybe bolted together). Then what?