The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

That is so cool! I bet the kids loved it. I had a cool physics teacher in high school - unfortunately I was a troubled student, but I remember how he would try and engage me. For a final project he let me plug my bass into an oscilloscope!

Thanks for listening to my tracks too!

Thanks hiero, much appreciated. Guess who were my best audience members? My wiggle worm boys. They’re the non-fiction reading folk who love everything mechanical. Not much for unicorns, but put an amp in the classroom and they focus on what Teach is doing.

As far as your tracks went, they’re my go-to right now when I want music-only with a little Bay Area vibe.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Dude get that Snark-thing offa there!

Lol, j/k. Good post!

I knew I was gonna get busted for that, but I didn’t bring any pedals and that’s my quickie tuner when I’m just noodling. It’s not my most accurate tuner, but for a sci project it was close enough for rock ‘n roll. Good eye, Bassie!

 

[iagtrplyr]

So our music teacher, Jordan, and I spent an hour after school working on some songs tonight, as I mentioned last evening. She brought in Jason Mraz’s “Have it All,” which I haven’t heard before. After about four different key changes we decided on either A or G Major that worked with her voice best and guitar work.

Our school’s custodian is joining us on cajon for our end-of-year talent show featuring fourth/fifth graders and staff. Our tunes usually end the show where we do something to say goodbye to our graduating fifth grade. Families traditionally crowd the gym because we bring up the big kids to sing with us. There’s not a dry eye in the gym by the time we’re saying, “Have a great summer, Northeast!” Is it June yet?

So time to begin messing with a new tune...between 120 pieces of assessment correcting currently due and Lord knows what else. Not even GP’s love bugs sound that bad right now!

 

[G-Dog]

Lots has gone on since I last posted, but I finally have a couple of recordings of the Vox VX50BA! Actually I have a bunch, but this is the first that I have put the effort in to make presentable - I just wish I had taken a picture of the setup! Basically, the Vox with a Shure Beta 52A mic into Zoom H6. I also had separate mics on the guitars. I meant to do them as separate tracks and WAV files, but accidentally left it on mp3, in which case the H6 just makes a stereo mp3! Good thing I had the levels set relatively well (I think - I hope!) - I think they turned out ok even though I couldn't adjust anything on individual instruments after the fact.

I should add, I'm playing my '96 MIJ Fender Bass VI through a CAJ V-Comp tube compressor into the Vox, with the overdrive & compressor off. "Mirror Mage" I'm playing with my fingers, "Garage..." is a blue Dunlop pick.

These aren't necessarily good examples of the amp since you aren't hearing them just live & unadulterated in a room, but hopefully shows what it's capable of as far as sound goes. I still just love being able to walk down the street with it in one hand, with my bass and cable bag over my shoulder and Zoom H6 recorder in the other hand and I'm ready to go!

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hiero, glad to see ya stopping by the old watering hole. Thanks for the fun-to-listen-to pieces. I'm listening to them as I write this and must say you have a really low-fi, sixties vibe going. Kinda jazzy, but with a point! Really liked the tone you had too. This Vox amp seems as at home with a guitfiddle as a bass; maybe more so due to its size. Maybe I'm crazy, but I feel as if I'm hearing some of that organic tone coming from the NuTube. Maybe it's your tube compressor, but something's making me envision nickel hamburgers and mini skirts. Pop back anytime and run a bass through next time so I can hear what all the fuss about this foxy Voxy is!

Sneaky Fearless Leader! Again, is sending secret message hidden inside message he is responding to. But, has been examined by Secret Police and found no Official State Secrets [or any classified information is redacted], so is approved to reproduce here.

I, too, am playing decadent western "jazzy grooves" [in search of coded communications] thru special loudspeakers while typing this report. Have noted that whole Encryption Lab Staff experiencing inexplicable feelings of calm, affability, even euphoria, and general "hipness, man" upon interrogation! Suspect a form of very potent hip-notic, trance-inducing sonic emissions! Yet cannot isolate specific carrier of pathogen. Is being successfully masked by many harmonic and disharmonic frequencies of varying amplitudes and rhythms. Reports of Nutube technology are of only minor concern. We already have much smaller, more tubey, PeoplesTube technology in NanoAmps fit under fingernail.[But you didn't hear that from me!] But, is cool. Source code will be cracked sooner or later. No sweat, man. Just chill.

Nickel hamburgers and mini-skirts!?! Silly Fearless Leader is mixing timelines, again. Official Cold-War Surveillance Reports document that the declining western economy had hamburgers skyrocketing to 3 times the early post-WWII cost by the advent of mini-skirts. "Fifteen cents. A nickel and a dime. At Burger Chef you eat better every time" was commonly heard capitalist mantra by then!

AH! Have just received Official Report of Encryption Lab analysis. Wha ..., . . . . hmmm, ... is highly irregular! Instead of written report, is all just pictures!?! I don't get it. But, is of no matter. Talk of hamburgers reminds me is lunch time. Who's up for munchies, comrades???

 

[G-Dog]

So I played my rig in the classroom today as my project displaying low frequencies for our sound unit. Had a lot of fun with it too. Played my lowest and highest notes while having an oscilloscope running on our board. Of course, even our highest note is nothing compared to a guitar's, but the kids could tell the difference, both by hearing it and watching the scope. I had a couple of students run down to the end of our hallway (20-25 yards maybe) and listen for the open E string.

We also set a jar of water on a cart in the back of the room and had observers watching for vibrations. The Rumble 100 with Vintage on and volume at nono did not disappoint, though one astute 4th grader said he thought it sounded better with the "magic button" off. Yeah, it was too difficult to explain the vintage description so I said it brings a fuller tone out and quipped it was kinda magical.

I then broke into song so they could hear what the instrument does along with higher-frequency sounds. Then I'd cut out and they were surprised how the bottom dropped right out, especially with our no-bass media speakers. All in all, it was fun to play to each of the three classes and when people asked what the heck I was doing I could say it was "for science." I use that all the time...

Our music teacher had a chiro appointment today so we're gonna play after school tomorrow. The Jazzer is staying overnight at school and it feels as if something's missing. The Funny thing was how small the 100c looked in the room today. Probably because I'm used to the Stage 800's size now. Still brought the bottom though. Here's a pic of the rig this afternoon:View attachment 3345832

That's great, iago! Wasn't 'til High School that I had such a cool science teacher. His specialty was Physics, but was pressed into teaching Chemistry 'cause of the baby boom student growth. So, I was lucky enough to have him 2 years in a row, for both subjects! Although he plucked a strobe-lit tightwire strung across the length of the whole darkened lab, and varied the tension and strobe setting for various frequencies, he never actually sang, or had us sing! My hat's off to your teaching style, brother!

Oh, BTW, there was something wrong with your picture but, I managed to fix it.

 

[SoulReflection]

That's great, iago! Wasn't 'til High School that I had such a cool science teacher. His specialty was Physics, but was pressed into teaching Chemistry 'cause of the baby boom student growth. So, I was lucky enough to have him 2 years in a row, for both subjects! Although he plucked a strobe-lit tightwire strung across the length of the whole darkened lab, and varied the tension and strobe setting for various frequencies, he never actually sang, or had us sing! My hat's off to your teaching style, brother!

Oh, BTW, there was something wrong with your picture but, I managed to fix it.

View attachment 3347601

Mirror image?

 

[G-Dog]

Mirror image?

Mirror Mage!

. . . . I finally have a couple of recordings of the Vox VX50BA! . . . .

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[GwenOnBass]

Well seen, Combo Club Agent double naught naught. "Mini skirt" and "Surveillance" is a more common mantra in that timeline than "You Can Trust Your Car to the Man Who Wears the Star."

And in all matters of comboisity: upward firing 8 inch drivers on a Peavey that's an actual one-hand carry. <--- There is no actual need to complete this sentence. All the required infos are right there.

In the brick and mortar shops here on the Isle of Everywhere, it appears only actual buyers are in the demo rooms. Several Blackstar combos right there .... And the same shop actually carries <trigger warning> pianos and sheet music.

 

[G-Dog]

Well seen, Combo Club Agent double naught naught. ....

The name is Dog, G ... Dog. License to shill. Special Agent, Surveillance and Communication, Deputy Liaison to Intelligence, or lack thereof. Secondment to Shaking and Stirring. On His Excellency's Secret Service. For my eyes only. Living and letting die. The world is too much. Quantum of soilance.

From Potsylvania, With Love

 

[iagtrplyr]

The name is Dog, G ... Dog. License to shill. Special Agent, Surveillance and Communication, Deputy Liaison to Intelligence, or lack thereof. Secondment to Shaking and Stirring. On His Excellency's Secret Service. For my eyes only. Living and letting die. The world is too much. Quantum of soilance.
View attachment 3347822
From Potsylvania, With Love

We’ll, that’s what happens when we leave the clubhouse door unlocked and the “Bond Binge Weekend” is on cable. Fine, we’ve graduated you from Sargeant at Arms to head of our club’s highly secret, secret service. I’m sorry members, it’s so secret I cannot say any more about Dog’s directives, but I can tell you that he’ll be guarding your right to own a combo bass amp!

The good news is your Fearless Leader is now looking to replace said Dog for the S@A position. Type a letter of interest and a reason why you should replace the living legend and you’ll receive full consideration.

BTW, OODog’s first mission will be to jet set around the world in order to find the sinister organization who defaced my beautiful Jazzer by mysteriously converting it into a righty. Outrageous! Bring the culprit in, ‘Dog, and you’ll be rewarded with a replica Kustom Kasino just like GP’s. That way I’ll never get you and him mixed up again!

Report back to me immediately. This post will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Dog.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Well seen, Combo Club Agent double naught naught. "Mini skirt" and "Surveillance" is a more common mantra in that timeline than "You Can Trust Your Car to the Man Who Wears the Star."

And in all matters of comboisity: upward firing 8 inch drivers on a Peavey that's an actual one-hand carry. <--- There is no actual need to complete this sentence. All the required infos are right there.

In the brick and mortar shops here on the Isle of Everywhere, it appears only actual buyers are in the demo rooms. Several Blackstar combos right there .... And the same shop actually carries <trigger warning> pianos and sheet music.

So M, does the new line of Peavey amps interest you at all? Not necessarily to purchase, but as more of a curiousity. I’ve heard that once you’ve owned a Peavey there’s a connection forever.

Also, I came up with a song that reminds me a little of the era of hiero’s music: Steve Miller’s Livin’ in the USA. Think late ‘60s, sitting at the wharf, and letting the music wash over you. In case you didn’t know, hiero’s from Oakland. Okay, I’m done trying to explain my thinking, but I enjoyed his playing!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Yes, it's true, "once you've owned a Peavey there's a connection forever". Except it's more like an evolution.

In GOFSpeak "in the day" a Peavey is whut got the job done without a lot of fuss. But with every 80s Peavey purchase came Mesa Boogie GAS. The Secret GAS handshake message is part of the Peavey serial number and can be decoded with an invisible Combo Club ring. Be sure to drink your PBR

But yeah, I mean, lookit that. The modern Peavey looks modern. With a blend of 50s curves. Man alive if they made that amp in seafoam green .... wait, with tort? Scratch that. Been done. The Emperor is pleased.

Now I for one, if I were to see one on the stage, would be askin' the bass player about that funky thing there. And complimenting his tone and what kind of EQ is best for oh never mind

 

[G-Dog]

We’ll, that’s what happens when we leave the clubhouse door unlocked and the “Bond Binge Weekend” is on cable. Fine, we’ve graduated you from Sargeant at Arms to head of our club’s highly secret, secret service. I’m sorry members, it’s so secret I cannot say any more about Dog’s directives, but I can tell you that he’ll be guarding your right to own a combo bass amp!

The good news is your Fearless Leader is now looking to replace said Dog for the S@A position. Type a letter of interest and a reason why you should replace the living legend and you’ll receive full consideration.

BTW, OODog’s first mission will be to jet set around the world in order to find the sinister organization who defaced my beautiful Jazzer by mysteriously converting it into a righty. Outrageous! Bring the culprit in, ‘Dog, and you’ll be rewarded with a replica Kustom Kasino just like GP’s. That way I’ll never get you and him mixed up again!

Report back to me immediately. This post will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Dog.

Reporting back, as ordered, Fearless Leader, sir! Good news! @Morrigtasha and I have apprehended culprits in heinous Jazzer vandalism, Your Excellency! Fingerpr ... uh, that is, pawprints positively identify notorious terrorists, @RockPlaid and @GhostWinkle, beyond any reasonable doubt. We stand ready to collect generous reward.

​

 

[agedhorse]

That's great, iago! Wasn't 'til High School that I had such a cool science teacher. His specialty was Physics, but was pressed into teaching Chemistry 'cause of the baby boom student growth. So, I was lucky enough to have him 2 years in a row, for both subjects! Although he plucked a strobe-lit tightwire strung across the length of the whole darkened lab, and varied the tension and strobe setting for various frequencies, he never actually sang, or had us sing! My hat's off to your teaching style, brother!

Agreed, I had a physics teacher in high school who was just like yours, had him for regular and then AP physics. He was a retired fire fighter and would tell us stories that had is fixated on his every word. We learned more physics in his class than anybody though possible. He's one reason I went into engineering.

 

[GonePlaid]

More silliness from my offspring:

 

[biguglyman]

Now I for one, if I were to see one on the stage, would be askin' the bass player about that funky thing there.

Saw a buddy's band a couple months ago. Bass player was using an old Peavey 1820 bottom powered by a Quilter 800. Boy, did THAT look silly...but it sounded pretty good.

 

[G-Dog]

Ladies and gentlemen of the Combo Club:

The Combo Club Wiki Page
is available for your perusal and browsing pleasure.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions
for additions or comments.​

Sincerely,
- G-Dog
Special Agent, Communications

 

[iagtrplyr]

Reporting back, as ordered, Fearless Leader, sir! Good news! @Morrigtasha and I have apprehended culprits in heinous Jazzer vandalism, Your Excellency! Fingerpr ... uh, that is, pawprints positively identify notorious terrorists, @RockPlaid and @GhostWinkle, beyond any reasonable doubt. We stand ready to collect generous reward.

View attachment 3348126 ​

Congratulations on your swift action you two! Your shekels have been directed to your secret bank accounts, respectively. Please accept the bonus Combo Club t-shirts as a token of esteem.

I will be speaking to our two rascals very soon. I thought their loyalty to me was without question. I await to hear their side of the story.

By the way, Ghost looks as if he lost some weight...

 

[agedhorse]

Don't feed the animals...

 

[G-Dog]

... ... notorious terrorists, @RockPlaid and @GhostWinkle, beyond any reasonable doubt. ... ...

View attachment 3348126 ​

... ...
By the way, Ghost looks as if he lost some weight...

Naw! He just got a haircut ... ... all over his body!