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The Combo Club

#381
iagtrplyr said:
Good morning ScottTunes and thanks for the submission. I've seen this debated before and it's a tough one. I suppose it's my call, but I'd like to put it up to the members of the club; is the B-15 a combo or separate components? I'll toss out both sides to give everyone something to think about. At first glance, I'd say no because it's physically two pieces of equipment, no doubt about that. That would make me think since it's not housed in a single unit it couldn't be a combo amp. But take a look at what I found on Reverb's "Guide to the Golden Age" report: In 1960, The Ampeg Company, Inc. introduced the first combination amplifier dedicated to the bass guitar: the B-15. So if you look at it that way, the two do make one completed unit.

This is a biggie, members, as we could see an influx of applicants who have systems similar to the B-15. I believe I saw someone in earlier pages with a Genz-Benz amp like this. What do you say Combo Club? I'll keep the voting polls open to 12:00 PM CDT (2 1/2 hrs from now) and present the results and final decision. I'll abstain from voting in case there's a tie and then will break it. Please don't let there be a tie!

So here's today's question: Is an Ampeg B-15, and those similar in design and construction to it, a combo amp or separates? Feel free to add you $0.02 to the conversation as well. Ooh, we have to act like a club now and exercise our right to vote.

Thanks to ScottTunes for bringing this up. Okay, members, do your duty!
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I look upon the Portaflex series as a sort of proto-combo. The amps of the time did not lend themselves to integration with a cab, and the Portaflex solution was an ingenious one. There are also other combos where the amp itself is removable, from Ibanez, Markbass, TC Electronic and others. I think the crucial point for whether an amp can be deemed a combo is whether it can all be moved as a single unit, and as such, the Portaflex series qualifies. I vote yea.
 
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#382
iagtrplyr said:
ammodymule, it's so cool to see someone rocking a small combo like the 40c as compared to the size of the Sunn Beta, or at least to the 215 version I just saw on Reverb. Was that similar to your combo? BTW, you're member #70...Happy Friday!
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Yes, Happy Friday! ...the Rumble is almost there, it was pushing it for sure, and it held its ground! I wonder how many times I could push it though, wish I would have got the R100, then I wouldn't have that nagging thought in the back of my mind, I may upgrade, maybe not.

The Sunn I had was the 115 version, and that was a cool amp at that time for me, we played a lot of Rush, Ozzy, harder rock and I dug the blending of the 2 channels, one channel a bit dirty and the other clean for that punch, such a great amp, yes :D
 
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#384
Yep I am in Dubuque!!! Thanks for the Number!! Ya the keyboard players in that pit would always bring good treats!!!

Before I continue most groups I play with are not that loud but, before I had the studio I was only using the V3 40 for everything. In all the large venues that I have played in, I have run it directly to FOH without issues. Just using it as Monitor. If the drummer needed more bass they would get it in the monitor. Some of the last few Loud gigs I have played I have not been put into FOH so having both linked together has worked very well. That pic I shared I was in the pit for School of Rock no FOH for the pit. This was a loud show and to be honest I did not really need the 40 V3. I had it set very low but it was nice to have a little extra bottom bump. Even when playing the low E it was shaking the floor. I am playing a bar show next week that I will be bringing both for. I am playing in the pit for Sister act and I am planning on only bringing the Studio 40.

Let me know if you play any gigs up this way and I will try to stop by.



iagtrplyr said:
Jeremy Jones, do you hail from Dubuque, IA? If so, I'm just south of you in Clinton. Nice! Speaking of nice, I saw this pic of your dual 40s at the Rumbler Club and thought it was an interesting idea of combining to smaller combos for one large sound. Admittedly, I also thought the snacks in the front of the pic looked inviting. That being said, I'd like to offer you membership in the Combo Club. You're #71!

PS: do you feel your Studio 40 is loud enough to carry beyond bedroom practice levels on its own? I used to own a Bronco 40, and while it was great for basement playing, I seemed to struggle anywhere with even average-size listening area.
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#385
JakobT said:
I look upon the Portaflex series as a sort of proto-combo. The amps of the time did not lend themselves to integration with a cab, and the Portaflex solution was an ingenious one. There are also other combos where the amp itself is removable, from Ibanez, Markbass, TC Electronic and others. I think the crucial point for whether an amp can be deemed a combo is whether it can all be moved as a single unit, and as such, the Portaflex series qualifies. I vote yea.
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I would tend to agree, considering the definition of a combo seems to be a unit which houses both a speaker and an amp, regardless if they can be detached or not.
It is also sold as one unit, not a set of 2 separate parts which usually is the reason for buying a separate head and cab.
 
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#386
eric_B said:
I would tend to agree, considering the definition of a combo seems to be a unit which houses both a speaker and an amp, regardless if they can be detached or not.
It is also sold as one unit, not a set of 2 separate parts which usually is the reason for buying a separate head and cab.
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The Portaflex series today consists of a number of compatible heads and cabs. I don’t see why it would be less of a combo just because you picked (or even assembled) the parts yourself. As long as they’re housed in the same enclosure, they’re in, as far as I’m concerned.
 
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#387
I play combos as much as anything else.
My go to rigs are an Ampeg B100r and/or a 70’s vintage Acoustic 126:
A27DCDD7-DC2F-41C8-BF38-EA9601BC3AC0.jpeg
F899B287-10AC-4133-A8BA-2F75969B7AAD.jpeg
 

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#388
JakobT said:
The Portaflex series today consists of a number of compatible heads and cabs. I don’t see why it would be less of a combo just because you picked (or even assembled) the parts yourself. As long as they’re housed in the same enclosure, they’re in, as far as I’m concerned.
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Aha, well, you learn something new everyday, I didn't know that.
Still, I agree, it is meant to be used as a single unit, not using amp brand X with cab brand Y.
 
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#389
Jeremy Jones said:
Yep I am in Dubuque!!! Thanks for the Number!! Ya the keyboard players in that pit would always bring good treats!!!

Before I continue most groups I play with are not that loud but, before I had the studio I was only using the V3 40 for everything. In all the large venues that I have played in, I have run it directly to FOH without issues. Just using it as Monitor. If the drummer needed more bass they would get it in the monitor. Some of the last few Loud gigs I have played I have not been put into FOH so having both linked together has worked very well. That pic I shared I was in the pit for School of Rock no FOH for the pit. This was a loud show and to be honest I did not really need the 40 V3. I had it set very low but it was nice to have a little extra bottom bump. Even when playing the low E it was shaking the floor. I am playing a bar show next week that I will be bringing both for. I am playing in the pit for Sister act and I am planning on only bringing the Studio 40.

Let me know if you play any gigs up this way and I will try to stop by.
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Nice summary, JJ. What a great way to spend your summer, or anytime for that matter. I challenge those who don't think there's a lot of love for our combo amps. I love my separates too, but there's just something about taking on physics with a single wooden box (or two) and making music!

I play along with a couple of teachers from my school and on the last day we did "Forever Young" at our annual talent show and our interim principal, who's a Bellevue resident and plays gigs in Dubuque, sat in. I told him if he ever needs a bass player I'd return the favor.
 
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#390
ghostinthemach said:
I play combos as much as anything else.
My go to rigs are an Ampeg B100r and/or a 70’s vintage Acoustic 126:
View attachment 3057519 View attachment 3057520
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Whew, two outstanding rigs in living color; very nice, ghostinthemach. I've never had the opportunity to play through a B100r, but if it's true what they say about B-15 similarities, then it's something I'd be proud to own. Oh yeah, and the Acoustic looks loud just sitting there. Let me make your Friday by deeming you our 72nd member of the Combo Club. Congrats!
 
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#391
Combo Club, to be fair to everyone around the world in different time zones (yeah, we rock Australia!), I'm going to extend the voting time for the rest of the day, Friday. I'll probably be up at midnight playing anyway so I'll give you the final tabulation then. By the looks of it, I'd say it's a runaway win for including unique separates crafted into a combo as part of our family. Hey, that only opens this neat club up to more! I'll wait nine more hours though to make it fair and square for everyone. Thanks to those already who have participated. Since restarting this club we've already added five pages to it and +/- 30 new members. Fantastic and much appreciated! :hyper:
 
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#392
iagtrplyr said:
Combo Club, to be fair to everyone around the world in different time zones (yeah, we rock Australia!), I'm going to extend the voting time for the rest of the day, Friday. I'll probably be up at midnight playing anyway so I'll give you the final tabulation then. By the looks of it, I'd say it's a runaway win for including unique separates crafted into a combo as part of our family. Hey, that only opens this neat club up to more! I'll wait nine more hours though to make it fair and square for everyone. Thanks to those already who have participated. Since restarting this club we've already added five pages to it and +/- 30 new members. Fantastic and much appreciated! :hyper:
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As far as I am concerned, Mike, you deserve the credit :thumbsup::thumbsup:.
 
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#393
Members of the Combo Club, I call to order to reveal a final vote tabulation on the topic on whether we as a club should include multi-piece amplifiers that are sold to be used as one, like the Ampeg B-15. There are obviously others, so this includes pretty much everything related to that type of amplification.The voting was spirited with many an excellent comment given. and we have a unanimous agreement with a final tally of 5-0 in favor of accepting B15-style amplifiers as combos. Good work members, I totally agree with you.

I'd like to remind the membership that we'll do our best here at the Combo Club to accept any and all those combo owners who are interested in gracing our pages without name-calling, brand bashing, or other negatives which I think we all agree leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. We can be a great example of international diplomacy done right not only for other TB groups, but for the entire cotton-pickin' planet as well.

Thank you to those who voted. Also, an appreciative thank you to SoulReflection for his kind words. It takes all of us to make this village operate and I'm just happy there's still interest in the club. We're 28 new members away from hitting 100. Shake the bushes and let's see if we can add a few more. Our motto for the next eight days will be "100 by July!"

Thanks again,

iagtrplyr
 
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