The Combo Club

[Hot Rats]

I know there are several threads in the forums regarding this, but I am wondering specifically for combo users...

What is the smallest you have been able to use at small gigs without PA support? I have a modular rig that is just far too much than what I really need, despite my delusions of grandeur. I know I can sell the rig, "downsize" to a combo and have some extra money left over... Which is quite handy to have with a 1 year old son and another baby on the way. I just left my regular gigging band, and considering my current obligations don't imagine I will be playing out too often. If I do it will be small brewery gigs, local jams with friends, etc. No metal, or anything like that, mostly jazzy jam band-ish funk oriented stuff.

I like the feature set in something like the Fender Rumble Stage 40 but wonder if it can hang outside home practice. I will probably post in the rumble thread too, but would love to get some unbiased opinions or other options for a decent combo.

Thanks all!

I use a Carvin PB150 10" 100 watt combo sometimes. Room sizes of Moose lodges, senior center dinning rooms etc. Guitar, bass, drums and keyboard at a volume that people can talk at the back. People have commented how well rounded and balanced the band sounds and it would be uncomfortable if any louder. I have used it at outdoor gigs with good results in a 3 piece Blues band, above being able to talk levels. If you play with a drummer that can control his volume then everything else is gravy. My 100 watt combo can cover a surprisingly large room. We are not playing heavy metal but we play 50's rock and country at decent levels.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Anyone ever hear of a combo tying one on?

Seriously, I wake up today, go into the living room, there is a couple of empty cans of electrical cleaner laying on their sides, voice coil wire all over the place, and my lil combo that was soooo hsppy last night, is now looking kinda under the weather...View attachment 3268160

PT, your combo has more expression than any other combo I’ve ever owned before. I love the ‘lil guy. Tell him I hope he feels better soon.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I use a Carvin PB150 10" 100 watt combo sometimes. Room sizes of Moose lodges, senior center dinning rooms etc. Guitar, bass, drums and keyboard at a volume that people can talk at the back. People have commented how well rounded and balanced the band sounds and it would be uncomfortable if any louder. I have used it at outdoor gigs with good results in a 3 piece Blues band, above being able to talk levels. If you play with a drummer that can control his volume then everything else is gravy. My 100 watt combo can cover a surprisingly large room. We are not playing heavy metal but we play 50's rock and country at decent levels.
View attachment 3268234 View attachment 3268243

Datsgor, that was a great picture of your band’s instruments. Very informative. I don’t believe you’re a member, and if you are that’s great, but if you’re not and would like to, reply with yes and I’ll add you to our prominent membership roster. You, my friend, deserve it!

 

[Hot Rats]

Datsgor, that was a great picture of your band’s instruments. Very informative. I don’t believe you’re a member, and if you are that’s great, but if you’re not and would like to, reply with yes and I’ll add you to our prominent membership roster. You, my friend, deserve it!

Yes, Thank you. I use this combo more but the Carvin sees action once or twice a month.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Takes a good deal of creativity to get 86'd at a laundromat, but it has been done. Attendance is up now we've added talkies and go-cups for enjoyment at the cinema. Cinemascope. How cool is that. January is the John Wayne tribute on Tuesday nights, plus some Flash Gordon reels at the projectionist's fancy.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I use a Carvin PB150 10" 100 watt combo sometimes. Room sizes of Moose lodges, senior center dinning rooms etc. Guitar, bass, drums and keyboard at a volume that people can talk at the back. People have commented how well rounded and balanced the band sounds and it would be uncomfortable if any louder. I have used it at outdoor gigs with good results in a 3 piece Blues band, above being able to talk levels. If you play with a drummer that can control his volume then everything else is gravy. My 100 watt combo can cover a surprisingly large room. We are not playing heavy metal but we play 50's rock and country at decent levels.
View attachment 3268234 View attachment 3268243

Great to see and looks really clean! I like that: "above being able to talk levels". Which is pretty good infos as it tells me the sonic heft required for one of those gigs where people need to talk doesn't require hauling a lot of mass in and out. And up and down stairs. And through the kitchen with the door that goes out to the garbage dumpsters. Or just my imagination.

 

[G-Dog]

I’ll provide cover for ya at the carny gallery, M, because I agree with you. One day fliptops will be allowed in the Combo Club. M, you let me know if anyone threatens to shut down your laundromat!

I am convinced that Lady M is in absolutely no danger as long as Odin is on the job. Best Chief of Security the Clubhouse has ever had.

Didn't I read somewhere that the fliptop heads are designed specifically for the fliptop cabs and that they get screwed together into a single flippable unit? Sounds like a combo to me!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Which means one of the most iconic bass amps ever is a combo.

 

[G-Dog]

Takes a good deal of creativity to get 86'd at a laundromat, but it has been done. Attendance is up now we've added talkies and go-cups for enjoyment at the cinema. Cinemascope. How cool is that. January is the John Wayne tribute on Tuesday nights, plus some Flash Gordon reels at the projectionist's fancy.

And I bet it's Odin doing the 86ing of the, uh, ... over-imbibers. Sorry I missed the debut of the talkies, and cinemascope! Ma'am, you have done wonders with that wing of the Clubhouse.

Oh, I took a call there while you were out. I think he said he was Frank(?) and he's got you a deal on the IMAX system you asked him about!?! M, I think you'll need to requisition another wing! And Odin will have to expand his staff.

Yep, 2019 is looking up for the Combo Club!

 

[GonePlaid]

I use a Carvin PB150 10" 100 watt combo sometimes. Room sizes of Moose lodges, senior center dinning rooms etc. Guitar, bass, drums and keyboard at a volume that people can talk at the back. People have commented how well rounded and balanced the band sounds and it would be uncomfortable if any louder. I have used it at outdoor gigs with good results in a 3 piece Blues band, above being able to talk levels. If you play with a drummer that can control his volume then everything else is gravy. My 100 watt combo can cover a surprisingly large room. We are not playing heavy metal but we play 50's rock and country at decent levels.
View attachment 3268234 View attachment 3268243

Our group(2 Guitars, drums and me;50s-70s rock and light jazz)is known for playing at "comfortable"volumes-like your 'being able to talk' level. Until it developed a quirk of cutting out, I used this: Bassman25. Yes, 25 Watts-now I use a Rumble 40.

 

[GwenOnBass]

And with a Rumble 40 wholly up to the task, there's a Vox VX50BA even smaller and lighter.

 

[G-Dog]

A Safe and Happy New Year to you-all : )
Even the combo's are happy, WOW!
View attachment 3267007

Anyone ever hear of a combo tying one on?

Seriously, I wake up today, go into the living room, there is a couple of empty cans of electrical cleaner laying on their sides, voice coil wire all over the place, and my lil combo that was soooo hsppy last night, is now looking kinda under the weather...
View attachment 3268160

Hey, PT! Just what is that emotional combo? Looks a bit like a wine case, to me.

 

[biguglyman]

I use a Carvin PB150 10" 100 watt combo

I've had one of these for around 30 years. Gigged with it, practiced, etc. LOVE the huge bass sound out of such a small package. I used to set it on top of an 18" bottom I had for larger gigs. With the two 8 ohm speakers in parallel it pumps 150 watts into the 4 ohm load. Best gear purchase I ever made. I think back in the day it went for $249. Just had to replace the speaker. Not bad for 30+ years. Incredible workhorse. Only reason I now own a bigger combo (Eden Nemesis RS410) is Marshall half-stacks. Grrr.....

 

[GonePlaid]

I've had one of these for around 30 years. Gigged with it, practiced, etc. LOVE the huge bass sound out of such a small package. I used to set it on top of an 18" bottom I had for larger gigs. With the two 8 ohm speakers in parallel it pumps 150 watts into the 4 ohm load. Best gear purchase I ever made. I think back in the day it went for $249. Just had to replace the speaker. Not bad for 30+ years. Incredible workhorse. Only reason I now own a bigger combo (Eden Nemesis RS410) is Marshall half-stacks. Grrr.....

Well, I used to own an Ampeg SVT/810 cab(mid 70s) and I still have a Kasino-200w, 2x15(1970). Most all of our gigs there's no FOH-and no need for it. Lightweight is the answer. Our usual audience is 50 +. They don't want loud. My "big" amp now is a Rumble 200c. And I only take it if I have to. This Saturday it'll be the R40.

 

[GonePlaid]

And with a Rumble 40 wholly up to the task, there's a Vox VX50BA even smaller and lighter.

If there had been one to try locally, I mighta gone with it. GC said they could order one(paid) and if I didn't like it they'd take it back. Between tying up the cash and the 80 mile round trip(s), I passed.

 

[GonePlaid]

The other thing about Saturday night's gig is that the space-country club lounge-is tight. So I have to use a different bass. Not enough room for I hafta use .

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Seeing your basses GP made me think of Geddy's bass book. Anyone else get it for Christmas? I did and I'm loving it. It's been my constant companion since Christmas day. If you're a lover of Jazz basses, like fearless leader, then you love this book. Jazz basses take up a lot of space. The book mostly focuses on Fender, Gibson/Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Hofner and Ampeg and it's all Geddy's personal collection. It also has interviews with icon bassists. It's great!

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Hey, PT! Just what is that emotional combo? Looks a bit like a wine case, to me.

It's an old tweed slide case, 7"x8"x9", kinda tiny... I am in the process of shoehorning a Peavey Elf into it with a single 5" woofer.

Hopefully it works out.

Need something for keeping in the car, due to this property management gig that keeps me on the road. I could not bring myself to spend $200 on a 50 watt plastic amp, though they seem very good for many uses.

So $300 on a 200 watt amp that can be plugged into a larger cabinet if desired, plenty nuf power to play with a heavy hitting acoustic drummer : )

 

[iagtrplyr]

Seeing your basses GP made me think of Geddy's bass book. Anyone else get it for Christmas? I did and I'm loving it. It's been my constant companion since Christmas day. If you're a lover of Jazz basses, like fearless leader, then you love this book. Jazz basses take up a lot of space. The book mostly focuses on Fender, Gibson/Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Hofner and Ampeg and it's all Geddy's personal collection. It also has interviews with icon bassists. It's great!

It's on my short list of things to get post-Christmas, Doc. My wife and I watched a Geddy interview on Youtube (there are many on there to view) as he has been touring for the book, and it looked terrific. Geddy, as I'm sure you know, played a Jazz before the Ricky, but his 4001 is the bass I will always remember him by. Thanks for the thumbs up!

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Yeah, he goes through his gear history in the book. The Jazz bass is his main bass now, but even he admits that most associate him with the 4001.