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The Combo Club

#2,261
FirewalZ said:
Anyone use a powered cabinet with a pre-amp pedal like a TH or VT Bass as a portable rig? I needed a powered monitor and just ordered a QSC K12, on smaller gigs I thought I could use it with a VT Bass, vs bringing an additional bass amp?
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Not on the floor, but a preamp and powered speaker, none the less (also not a combo :bawl:). I’ve used all varieties of preamps including my Xtomp pedal programmed to a nice tube amp emulation.
Just plunge in and test this stuff fully at home.
I use everything I can to have fun and save work, but as a teen, I started doing this type of experimentation with pirated pieces of hi-fi phono gear before I ever bought a guitar or amp.

edit: some day I’ll tell you guys about the day my buddy and I connected about 10 or so recycled raw speakers together in series on the floor...then played a cheap lap steel guitar that was in his basement thru it...
 
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#2,265
G-Dog said:
Someone wants Help with combo choice! Anyone care to comment?
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Only personal experience with any listed as possibilities is with a Peavey that may be older than the OP. And it's made pretty clear in the thread an old Peavey may be the "Alien" of combo amps - darn hard to kill and gets uglier as you try.
 
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#2,266
G-Dog said:
Actually, I think the Vox VX50BA's Direct Out is what many bassists call a "true DI". And many of them "cannot live" with any amp that has a post-EQ/post-Master output! I think that's the number one complaint we see in The Rumble Club. (The Studio and Stage resolve this with fully configurable, even stereo, XLR Outs. Other Rumble users find it's not the problem some think it is.)

So far, the DO from my VX50BA always goes to FOH and I haven't needed a dirty, or processed, tone, yet. When (not if) I do, I'll have to use a pedal for it, instead of just turning up the gain, so that the effects will go through the Vox to get to the sound board. I haven't tested this yet, though.

@hieronymous or @Killed_by_Death, have you used an fx pedal with your VX50BA and verified that it's Direct Out will pass the fx? (Although I can't imagine why, or how, it wouldn't.)
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I don't know, if I thought of a "true DI" I would envision something with an XLR output. Personally, I have never had much luck with DI's on amps - the GK MB-112 II has a built-in DI but mine just puts out a crazy hum - I should have figured it out sooner and got it straightened out but for whatever reason I just let it slide. I still love GK!

Part of me is happier without the DI output - I have a Radial PRO D2 that I use for recording that I would bust out if I had a gig that needed it.

I have no idea if Korg/Vox had a nefarious reason not to include a post-effects/EQ line-out - makes for a cool rumor though! Does it not hold up to being used as a dedicated preamp? Or did they just not think of it? A bass-specific Nutube preamp would be so cool - assuming, that is, that it actually sounds good, right? So far so good with the VX50BA but there is still work to be done to document it...

For what it's worth, here's a link to Korg's page on the Nutube technology:

Nutube : A new vacuum tube which puts vacuum fluorescent display technology to practical use
 
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#2,272
DanGR said:
Thank you very much! This is my first club membership! Technology is great! I'm an old SWR fan, owned many of their amps and cabs. Great sound, but this Fearless cuts through "stage fog" like no other. Looking forward to seeing what others are using and liking. P.S. I just bought an Ibanez Promethean P3110 for smaller gigs and practice. I'll report back when it has a couple of gigs under it's belt. Also, may I suggest a Lava lamp for the clubhouse? They're just so fun to stare at...
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Sorry for the delay on the Promethean Review. The first one I bought on a "scratch and dent" sale had a blown speaker. I had already fixed the scratch and dent before I tried it out. That would have been put through the paces at this one and only small stage, small bar we play. I ordered a used one and the small stage/bar gig rolled around tonight. Now keep in mind that I'm spoiled by an incredibly great small combo with 600 watts and a Fearless F112. This is only 300 watts with a coaxial 10". Of course it sounds smaller, but I was very impressed with it's volume overall. The way it handles a B string is good. Very good. Amazing actually. It seems to excel at P bass tones and lacks a little in bridge pickup settings for some reason. Our drummer and guitar player were a little louder than normal and at times I was straining to hear myself, but overall I'm still really impressed with this mighty chuahua. Did I mention that it only weighs 23 lbs? Makes up for a lot of short comings.
 
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#2,273
DanGR said:
Sorry for the delay on the Promethean Review. The first one I bought on a "scratch and dent" sale had a blown speaker. I had already fixed the scratch and dent before I tried it out. That would have been put through the paces at this one and only small stage, small bar we play. I ordered a used one and the small stage/bar gig rolled around tonight. Now keep in mind that I'm spoiled by an incredibly great small combo with 600 watts and a Fearless F112. This is only 300 watts with a coaxial 10". Of course it sounds smaller, but I was very impressed with it's volume overall. The way it handles a B string is good. Very good. Amazing actually. It seems to excel at P bass tones and lacks a little in bridge pickup settings for some reason. Our drummer and guitar player were a little louder than normal and at times I was straining to hear myself, but overall I'm still really impressed with this mighty chuahua. Did I mention that it only weighs 23 lbs? Makes up for a lot of short comings.
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23 lbs and excels at P bass sounds... : )

I gotta try one, thanks for posting your review!
 
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#2,274
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#2,276
G-Dog said:
Actually, I think the Vox VX50BA's Direct Out is what many bassists call a "true DI". And many of them "cannot live" with any amp that has a post-EQ/post-Master output! I think that's the number one complaint we see in The Rumble Club. (The Studio and Stage resolve this with fully configurable, even stereo, XLR Outs. Other Rumble users find it's not the problem some think it is.)

So far, the DO from my VX50BA always goes to FOH and I haven't needed a dirty, or processed, tone, yet. When (not if) I do, I'll have to use a pedal for it, instead of just turning up the gain, so that the effects will go through the Vox to get to the sound board. I haven't tested this yet, though.

@hieronymous or @Killed_by_Death, have you used an fx pedal with your VX50BA and verified that it's Direct Out will pass the fx? (Although I can't imagine why, or how, it wouldn't.)
Click to expand...

Yes I was just thinking the same as you. All the complaining in the Rumble Club prior to the new 40 & 800 with the optional DI outputs
 
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#2,277
G-Dog said:
Here's wishing everyone in general, and some in particular a very . . . .

Happy Belated Solstice Eve!


View attachment 3255644
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Everyone celebrate with the ritual of your choice.
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Would that my solstice was a quiet one, for no sooner awake than at work. Which is kinda stupid for someone who retired but it's not working for The Man. Don't work for The Man, the secretary disavows all knowledge of my actions.

And this is the time of year when we take stock of ourselves and maybe a kiss at the stroke of midnight. That's a bit more than a week away and what a year this one is. Of all the years I've spent on this planet, I have to say that 2018 is definitely one of them.

My playing's improved. Methinks.

GotMySelf some new bass and never had so much fun. My MM came home from Santa's Workshop in time for all the holidays including Zappadan. Keep the Neons or slap on those spare Black Beauties or how about some La Bella white copper tapes? How about practicing, hey, now there's an idea.

Put the kids together for a holiday card to send to our friends. Put Odin's plushy hedgehog on the MM's horn because it's, well why not. (say hi to Odin!). My amp's just behind me in this shot, well one of them ...

20181222_162850.jpg

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Say hello to all the nice bass players, Odin

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#2,278
GwenOnBass said:
. . . . Don't work for The Man, the secretary disavows all knowledge of my actions.
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But we appreciate your work for The Clubhouse. The Theater and Laundromat wouldn't be the same without you. I have never so much partying at a silent movie before!


GwenOnBass said:
. . . . Of all the years I've spent on this planet, I have to say that 2018 is definitely one of them.
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That sounds good to me! I feel like I missed out on this year, or most of it. Definitely a Lost Summer, and not at all like the book or movie.


GwenOnBass said:
My playing's improved. Methinks.
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Ding! Ding! Ding! For the win!!!


GwenOnBass said:
GotMySelf some new bass and never had so much fun. My MM came home from Santa's Workshop in time for all the holidays including Zappadan. Keep the Neons or slap on those spare Black Beauties or how about some La Bella white copper tapes? How about practicing, hey, now there's an idea.

Put the kids together for a holiday card to send to our friends. Put Odin's plushy hedgehog on the MM's horn because it's, well why not. (say hi to Odin!). My amp's just behind me in this shot, well one of them ...

Click to expand...
​


[Sinatra] It was a very good year . . . .[/Sinatra]


GwenOnBass said:
Say hello to all the nice bass players, Odin
View attachment 3256508
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And thank you for your service, Odin. The Chief of Security at Morrighan's All-Night Silent Movie Theater has been a really tough job since getting the liquor license.
 
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#2,279
That puppy AND the MM both look thoroughly loved : )

I confess to having never looked closely at Stingray's till reading the combo club posts. Seeing your vintage one has me really curious, how wide is its neck at the nut?

Having spent most of my bass playing time over the last 30 and some-odd years ,(those odd ones were MOSTLY in the 80's, ...omg...) using my 82' 57ri Precision, I feel at home with basses that are between 1 7/8" and 1 3/4" at the nut.

The photo makes it look like yours is somewhere's there, and Vintage Fenderish in profile?
 
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#2,280
A vintage bass. Never thought I'd hear the day. Would be interesting to ask EBMM if they have a record of the day of completion. I bought it in the spring of 79. The serial number is stamped on the string-through bridge (no topload option). The nut is full-on Precision wide and will never be mistaken for a Jazz neck. Mine is a very slender neck that resulted in some friendly disagreements among friends about baseball bat necks.

(don't have a measuring tool at the hand ATM)
Edit: 1 5/8s at the nut.

It's the slab body of the time, and weighs in at a shave under 10 pounds. Which at the time may have been considered on the light side. Fast forward to about 82-3 and living with this guy who made his own fretless with a solid purpleheart body. Way too heavy for me to play and fretless too ....

The finish on mine has yellowed dramatically, except under the pickguard. Without the PG it's kind of a saddle shoes look.

Really is a joy to play.

Bought the semi-hollowbody because I wanted something really different with a non-Fender tone. Got that. It's supposed to be my Number 1 now so I'm not taking a vintage bass to gig at Bob's Country Bunker.
 
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