The Combo Club

[RodRy]

Nice to see a few posts from our erstwhile fearless leader!

Glad you are having such a nice trip and getting good sounds from your Rumblefish!

Not really that far from Michigan, you know...

 

[iagtrplyr]

In summation, I learned several things from this road trip. first, there's nothing like a road trip! Second, bringing along your best buddy and musical partner isn't as bad as one might think, third, as much as I love my Youtubing recording life, there is still nothing even comparable to live playing. Sharing music with our fellow humans is still incredibly fun and we look forward to expanding on it in the next year or so.

Having a wide array of basses, amps, and whatever else makes you happy is always a smart move. Different tools for different situations. What I learned most was not to judge a product as worthless without giving it a fair shake first. The R40 has earned a place in my combo stable and when the situation arises again, I'll be sure to grab it and go.

Hope you enjoyed my travelogue. We met many wonderful people along the way and just might do it again down the road. Until then, go on YT and type in "Mike and Jackie Adair" if you'd like to see some of our work. We're always looking for new subscribers. I'll try and make it back more often now that music is my chief reason to get up each morning. Thanks for reading!

Iagtrplyr

PS: to Doc Intrepid: although I do enjoy playing my Sire U5 P/J bass, the Hofner has become my alter ego, lousy tuning and all. I've now started a savings plan to ultimately buy a German-made violin bass. At the present, there's $2.46. I've got a ways to go...

 

[iagtrplyr]

Nice to see a few posts from our erstwhile fearless leader!

Glad you are having such a nice trip and getting good sounds from your Rumblefish!

Not really that far from Michigan, you know...

Thanks, RR, I was thinking about ya during the drive. What I was thinking about was coming up and stealing your GK M150 combo. I've been prowling Reverb for one, but even fair-conditioned are outrageously priced. When the heck is GK gonna come to their senses and build a new one for under $5,000? Yes, that was a knock on their current prices...

Thanks for chiming in!

 

[RodRy]

Thanks, RR, I was thinking about ya during the drive. What I was thinking about was coming up and stealing your GK M150 combo. I've been prowling Reverb for one, but even fair-conditioned are outrageously priced. When the heck is GK gonna come to their senses and build a new one for under $5,000? Yes, that was a knock on their current prices...

Thanks for chiming in!

I have two of those combos. One is in nicer shape but has the annoying tendency to stop working after about 5 minutes. The "local" shop could not figure out why and I've not felt like shipping it "home" to Cali. The other one is in ratty shape but plays reliably.

Neither have been used in many months because my Double Four does all I need these days.

 

[G-Dog]

As you can tell by the pictures, I lucked out and had my own little spot by myself, with only one of the acoustic guitarists playing alongside me during a rehearsal and the Sunday service. He was harmless enough though and I graciously welcomed him. The little rumble was behind me and tilted, but as mentioned, I DI'd for our recordings and got some fine tracks out of it. As far as how it sounded at church, and I know this is the reason you still may be hanging on, it was truly wonderful! My dinky home studio with little to no acoustics to it is most likely the major culprit to why some of my amps don't sound as good as I thought they should (sorry R100). Out in the wild though, it sounded much like how everyone who loves this line says it sounds to them. I had a traditional Fender bottom which for this type of music is perfect, with solid punch in the mids, thanks to continued tweaking of the tone controls, and more than enough volume, though I'd liked to have had the Rocket Basses' 12" speaker for a little more fullness. Was it perfect? No, I still could hear some wooliness in the lower mids that I never get with my Ampeg (sorry, GP), but overall it was an absolute pleasure to use during my stay in Jackson.

View attachment 5460667

Thanks, Rumbler #175! (Quite a vintage membership number, there, too!) Great review!

Tracks?! Recording?! Ya know, we need sound files, or links, or something, or it didn't happen! Surely, Shirley, "Goo Goo Muck" from YT wasn't part of this road trip??
.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I have two of those combos. One is in nicer shape but has the annoying tendency to stop working after about 5 minutes. The "local" shop could not figure out why and I've not felt like shipping it "home" to Cali. The other one is in ratty shape but plays reliably.

Neither have been used in many months because my Double Four does all I need these days.

I’m so happy to read you’re still loving your D4. For your taste and needs, I think it’s the perfect combo for you, and I’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of time on it. Have you thought about moving up the PJB ladder?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thanks, Rumbler #175! (Quite a vintage membership number, there, too!) Great review!

Tracks?! Recording?! Ya know, we need sound files, or links, or something, or it didn't happen! Surely, Shirley, "Goo Goo Muck" from YT wasn't part of this road trip??
.

Hey Doggie! No, there was no Muck involved, but thanks for checking us out just the same. That was a fun song to do, BTW.

I was kicking around just which examples to drop, but was waiting for an invite so as not to look pushy. Okay, I’ll see what I have to offer and post them right here. Thanks!

 

[GonePlaid]

In summation, I learned several things from this road trip. first, there's nothing like a road trip! Second, bringing along your best buddy and musical partner isn't as bad as one might think, third, as much as I love my Youtubing recording life, there is still nothing even comparable to live playing. Sharing music with our fellow humans is still incredibly fun and we look forward to expanding on it in the next year or so.

Having a wide array of basses, amps, and whatever else makes you happy is always a smart move. Different tools for different situations. What I learned most was not to judge a product as worthless without giving it a fair shake first. The R40 has earned a place in my combo stable and when the situation arises again, I'll be sure to grab it and go.

Hope you enjoyed my travelogue. We met many wonderful people along the way and just might do it again down the road. Until then, go on YT and type in "Mike and Jackie Adair" if you'd like to see some of our work. We're always looking for new subscribers. I'll try and make it back more often now that music is my chief reason to get up each morning. Thanks for reading!

Iagtrplyr

PS: to Doc Intrepid: although I do enjoy playing my Sire U5 P/J bass, the Hofner has become my alter ego, lousy tuning and all. I've now started a savings plan to ultimately buy a German-made violin bass. At the present, there's $2.46. I've got a ways to go...

Hi, other Mike-
As you may(or may not)recall, I use my R40 with the 50+/- piece concert band wherein I emulate(sorta)an upright bass. It's sufficient for rehearsals although I usually bring the R100 for the concerts 'cos the room will be full(er).
I too have been running the BASS @~9-9:30, LM@ 1-ish, same for HM, Treble~10; VINTAGE always on.
And now, a question: is it legal, or even safe, to play a Hofner through a 7ender amp while sitting on an ampeg stool?
Glad y'all had a good time.
And I still won't spell out P_____

 

[SteveAG]

Does having a Zender Rumble 40 v3 qualify me for membership in the Combo Club? If so - thank you If not - ?

 

[RodRy]

I’m so happy to read you’re still loving your D4. For your taste and needs, I think it’s the perfect combo for you, and I’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of time on it. Have you thought about moving up the PJB ladder?

No moving up or down ladders for me so far, other than scraping paint off my garage, that is!

I found the D4 to be really nice when playing with acoustic instruments, and the battery power unit I have for it works quite well. If I need more sound, I have my GK Micro with it's 150 W and 12" speaker, and I have a 410 cabinet that I can run off the GK output line. If I had any possible gigs where I need more than that, I'll bring my Hartke 7000 amp to a repair shop and get the power switch replaced, then run my full stack.

But days of playing at that kind of sound level are long gone, and I really should sell some of the bigger stuff before we move.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Hi, other Mike-
As you may(or may not)recall, I use my R40 with the 50+/- piece concert band wherein I emulate(sorta)an upright bass. It's sufficient for rehearsals although I usually bring the R100 for the concerts 'cos the room will be full(er).
I too have been running the BASS @~9-9:30, LM@ 1-ish, same for HM, Treble~10; VINTAGE always on.
And now, a question: is it legal, or even safe, to play a Hofner through a 7ender amp while sitting on an ampeg stool?
Glad y'all had a good time.
And I still won't spell out P_____

Hey there, GP! In a word, yes. All's fair in love and bass but there's no crying allowed. That old stool and I have made this trip at least two or three times and I wouldn't sit my behind on anything else. I'm a very superstitious musician as evidenced by all the paraphernalia I had surrounding me! Interesting how are tonal settings are very similar. My opinion, like many I've read here, is that the 40 sounds better than the 100. What are your thoughts? The 100 is a little louder and has the fullness with the larger speaker, but I've found the tone of the 40 to be a bit more musical. How does it compare to the 200, since I know you own one of those as well? I must admit, I wish I had the 100 back for a weekend to do a side-by-side comparison, but I'm content with what I have.

On a side note, my BOSS Katana 110 is now a keyboard amp, and a darn good one at that. Plenty of power, features, and the ability to play a one-watt if needed. That leaves me with the RB-112, BA108 V2+, and R40 as my bass combos and I'm fine with that.

 

[charliethomas]

On a side note, my BOSS Katana 110 is now a keyboard amp, and a darn good one at that. Plenty of power, features, and the ability to play a one-watt if needed.

Hey, that's how I use mine a lot of the time! How do you have the 110 setup as far as gain, volume, and master volume? I typically put the gain close to 0 and the preamp volume as low as possible (since keyboard out is line level), and I set the master where I want it. But I'll still get some really loud distorted sounds out of it sometimes when I'm digging into the keys, like I'm overloading the input. Is there a sweet spot you've found with the settings and gain structure? Do you go into the instrument input or the fx return?

 

[G-Dog]

Does having a Zender Rumble 40 v3 qualify me for membership in the Combo Club? If so - thank you If not - ?

Yes, Steve-O! Yes, it does. Your 7ender Rumble 40 v3 most certainly does qualify!
However, this here high-faluttin' club requires you post a photo of your actual combo, like the one you posted here, and request a membership! Then, and only then, can you be officially inducted into these hallowed halls.
.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thanks, Rumbler #175! (Quite a vintage membership number, there, too!) Great review!

Tracks?! Recording?! Ya know, we need sound files, or links, or something, or it didn't happen! Surely, Shirley, "Goo Goo Muck" from YT wasn't part of this road trip??
.

To honor G-dog's request or else he'll find me guilty of fabricating the entire adventure, I'm posting three tunes we recorded at John's beautiful church. The acoustics in the sanctuary were as good as any I've heard in a long time. They even enlisted me to sing and it wasn't half bad. The other half though...

The first song is "For Baby For Bobbie," by John Denver. Everyone there are big Denver fans so it was only appropriate. greg, John's former bandmate and good friend, sings lead and plays acoustic guitar. I believe John played guitar as well and sang harmony. Jackie did her thang too as you'll be able to hear. Greg and she got along great to where he told her while singing harmonies together, "Just sing what you want because I'm using your notes to help with mine!"

The second song is "Wayfaring Stranger," a song that has been in their catalog for years. Jackie and John both sang lead/harmony parts and once again, Greg helps out with guitar and backing vocals.

My final contribution (sorry, 'Dog, you'll just have to buy the CD like everyone else) is the one that put us on the map at the end of last year. Another Mike, who's a former Nashville session musician and songwriter, was in conversation with the Rev one morning and after watching one of Jackie's videos wondered out loud if we'd like to take one of his songs to work up as he was planning on peddling it to studios. We were to be just a mock-up version; he was shopping it in hopes of an artist picking it up to record. Well, that song has been what got us into planning our channel, working with a Lexington, KY promoter this past spring, and now collaborating with others around the globe. It's called, "Holy Spirit," and he came to the Sunday service that day to play and sing it with Jackie. John did some backing bass vocals, and the church's music director also lent a hand playing acoustic guitar. I played my Hofner and sang the echo part you'll hear during the chorus. It's nothing that's gonna change the world any one of you could've stepped in to play, but darn if that whole experience wasn't one of the most fun things we've ever done! We keep begging him for another song too.

Enjoy!

 

[charliethomas]

Also I guess I can join the club officially with a couple pictures. The first combo I got is this Acoustic B100c - a nice craigslist find:

Unfortunately it's gone out on me and I haven't spent time trying to figure out what the problem is, so it's currently out of commission.

I got this little Hartke to use as a bedroom amp:

It sounds surprisingly great and clear, as long as you don't expect too much from it. I love this little thing.

The two combos I use the most now are my Rumble 100 and the Katana 110:

They're both great, not much to say about them other than I love the tones I can get out of both.

My next combo will probably be a larger Rumble - I've been eyeing the 800 for a while now.

 

[SteveAG]

Yes, Steve-O! Yes, it does. Your 7ender Rumble 40 v3 most certainly does qualify!
However, this here high-faluttin' club requires you post a photo of your actual combo, like the one you posted here, and request a membership! Then, and only then, can you be officially inducted into these hallowed halls.

Yes, Steve-O! Yes, it does. Your 7ender Rumble 40 v3 most certainly does qualify!
However, this here high-faluttin' club requires you post a photo of your actual combo, like the one you posted here, and request a membership! Then, and only then, can you be officially inducted into these hallowed halls.
.

I, hereby, request a membership in the Combo Club.

 

[SteveAG]

View attachment 5461060

Messed up some text formatting here - but, hopefully, you get the idea

 

[iagtrplyr]

Hey, that's how I use mine a lot of the time! How do you have the 110 setup as far as gain, volume, and master volume? I typically put the gain close to 0 and the preamp volume as low as possible (since keyboard out is line level), and I set the master where I want it. But I'll still get some really loud distorted sounds out of it sometimes when I'm digging into the keys, like I'm overloading the input. Is there a sweet spot you've found with the settings and gain structure? Do you go into the instrument input or the fx return?

Hey Charlie, how are ya? The Katana, for me, is heavier than I want to schlep and too complicated to play live. That's why it became the keyboard amp and for that, it's really good. I took a pic of the preamp settings. I'd check to see whether you have any kind of compression or drive pedal on; that may be what's causing the distortion. Otherwise, I run the keyboard volume up to keep the amp's low. We're using it for melody ideas and not playing out. Still, I'm keeping the two together until I find out it doesn't work. Give my settings a try and see if that works for ya.

 

[iagtrplyr]

To honor G-dog's request or else he'll find me guilty of fabricating the entire adventure, I'm posting three tunes we recorded at John's beautiful church. The acoustics in the sanctuary were as good as any I've heard in a long time. They even enlisted me to sing and it wasn't half bad. The other half though...

The first song is "For Baby For Bobbie," by John Denver. Everyone there are big Denver fans so it was only appropriate. greg, John's former bandmate and good friend, sings lead and plays acoustic guitar. I believe John played guitar as well and sang harmony. Jackie did her thang too as you'll be able to hear. Greg and she got along great to where he told her while singing harmonies together, "Just sing what you want because I'm using your notes to help with mine!"

The second song is "Wayfaring Stranger," a song that has been in their catalog for years. Jackie and John both sang lead/harmony parts and once again, Greg helps out with guitar and backing vocals.

My final contribution (sorry, 'Dog, you'll just have to buy the CD like everyone else) is the one that put us on the map at the end of last year. Another Mike, who's a former Nashville session musician and songwriter, was in conversation with the Rev one morning and after watching one of Jackie's videos wondered out loud if we'd like to take one of his songs to work up as he was planning on peddling it to studios. We were to be just a mock-up version; he was shopping it in hopes of an artist picking it up to record. Well, that song has been what got us into planning our channel, working with a Lexington, KY promoter this past spring, and now collaborating with others around the globe. It's called, "Holy Spirit," and he came to the Sunday service that day to play and sing it with Jackie. John did some backing bass vocals, and the church's music director also lent a hand playing acoustic guitar. I played my Hofner and sang the echo part you'll hear during the chorus. It's nothing that's gonna change the world any one of you could've stepped in to play, but darn if that whole experience wasn't one of the most fun things we've ever done! We keep begging him for another song too.

Enjoy!

One last thing...

If you're hearing some "unique" shaker percussion that's sometimes on (but much of the time not), that's Jackie as she's learning to add that instrument to her toolbox. I normally play percussion when recording, but she wanted to add something besides her voice, and we thought why not? It's still a work in progress, but she's improving a little each week. too bad I don't grade on the curve...

 

[G-Dog]

To honor G-dog's request or else he'll find me guilty of fabricating the entire adventure, I'm posting three tunes we recorded at John's beautiful church. The acoustics in the sanctuary were as good as any I've heard in a long time. They even enlisted me to sing and it wasn't half bad. The other half though...

The first song is "For Baby For Bobbie," by John Denver. Everyone there are big Denver fans so it was only appropriate. greg, John's former bandmate and good friend, sings lead and plays acoustic guitar. I believe John played guitar as well and sang harmony. Jackie did her thang too as you'll be able to hear. Greg and she got along great to where he told her while singing harmonies together, "Just sing what you want because I'm using your notes to help with mine!"

The second song is "Wayfaring Stranger," a song that has been in their catalog for years. Jackie and John both sang lead/harmony parts and once again, Greg helps out with guitar and backing vocals.

My final contribution (sorry, 'Dog, you'll just have to buy the CD like everyone else) is the one that put us on the map at the end of last year. Another Mike, who's a former Nashville session musician and songwriter, was in conversation with the Rev one morning and after watching one of Jackie's videos wondered out loud if we'd like to take one of his songs to work up as he was planning on peddling it to studios. We were to be just a mock-up version; he was shopping it in hopes of an artist picking it up to record. Well, that song has been what got us into planning our channel, working with a Lexington, KY promoter this past spring, and now collaborating with others around the globe. It's called, "Holy Spirit," and he came to the Sunday service that day to play and sing it with Jackie. John did some backing bass vocals, and the church's music director also lent a hand playing acoustic guitar. I played my Hofner and sang the echo part you'll hear during the chorus. It's nothing that's gonna change the world any one of you could've stepped in to play, but darn if that whole experience wasn't one of the most fun things we've ever done! We keep begging him for another song too.

Enjoy!

I never really doubted that it did actually happen! Oooo! And the echo of that church sanctuary is proof positive (unless that's a post effect you added?). Great acoustics! And Jackie has such a wonderful standout voice!! Love the arrangement of "Wayfaring Stranger", too! I've done that one with friends so many different ways, and find it usually works well with many different stylings!

And do I understand correctly, that was the songwriter himself singing & playing "Holy Spirit"?!? His talent is outstandingly obvious. Was that him, or the music director, with that wonderful acoustic guitar picking tone? Why, it almost makes up for the, to me, too soft chorus singing echos! Great song, very well performed!

Thanks for sharing, Mike. I enjoyed the read and, especially, the songs. Glad you're enjoying retirement. And, like you used to day, ... ... ...

How can you say NO to Combos?
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