• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Combo Club

Since my office/practice area is in the basement, directly under my father in-law’s room, I had to wait til he went to the store to really let it rip, and boy howdy does it. I barely had the master at 2, and it rattled the walls. I can only imagine this with a full band and the extension cab.... That’ll really bring the thunder!

Very cool, Rob. I’ve always read that TE uses “special” watts and tend to be more powerful than what’s rated. Of course, I also believe that fairies wear boots too! Glad you’re digging the combo.
 
Haroldo, welcome to the Combo Club! If ya end up purchasing a new combo, please post a pic of it here and we’ll end your lurking days forever. :D

I think we’ll need to know a little more info before one of our geniuses can prescribe you a combo. What kind of music do you play? The Ampeg says rock/pop classics or maybe Motown. The Mesa, to me, could be about anything from The Beatles to country. Describe what you love to play and listen to.

Also, you mentioned you’re not playing out any longer, right? Depending on how loud you play in your environment will help us to determine combo size. I love me a 100-watt single 12 in a large music room, but prefer a smaller 8 or 10 practice amp in a dinky bedroom. Again, tell us where you’ll be playing at most of the time.

You came to the right place; let’s see what we can do for ya!

I am pretty much omnivorous when it comes to my playing and listening habits, tho' I don't think you'll find me playing much doom metal. Nirvana for me would be a The Band and Ornette cover group (with some James Brown and Howlin' Wolf thrown in for good measure).

If I were playing more, I'd probably buy another MAS 18 and call it a day (Hahaha.....it's a sickness, this GAS.) What I'm aiming for is something that would be gig-worthy and back-tolerable (however, you know...it's the magic 'if I buy this thing, then I'll get off my butt and gig again' syndrome). So. 200W minimum, good long throw 12", probably.

Thank you. It's a nice group of folks who post here.
 
I am pretty much omnivorous when it comes to my playing and listening habits, tho' I don't think you'll find me playing much doom metal. Nirvana for me would be a The Band and Ornette cover group (with some James Brown and Howlin' Wolf thrown in for good measure).

If I were playing more, I'd probably buy another MAS 18 and call it a day (Hahaha.....it's a sickness, this GAS.) What I'm aiming for is something that would be gig-worthy and back-tolerable (however, you know...it's the magic 'if I buy this thing, then I'll get off my butt and gig again' syndrome). So. 200W minimum, good long throw 12", probably.

Thank you. It's a nice group of folks who post here.
I have a Rumble 200c-1x15, 140W internal, 200W with extension. You could also check out Blackstar U250 and U500 or Peavey Max 208-200W(?)2x8, Max 250-250W 1x15, or Max 300-300W 2x10
 
Hey Mike (iag) I will likely be around for your birthday now as our holiday plans have changed slightly..we go on Monday 17th now, so Ill be around for your Birthday celebrations on Thur. (my Fri lol) I will be on and off a bit before we go though, as I have a few car issues to get fixed..darn alternator is playing up so have to get that sorted out this week. If its not basses and amps problems its always car issues next in line lolll
 
Good morning,

As usual, great posts to begin a new week. Just responded to a gent asking about boutique combos. Go find his post to read on it if you’re interested. Here’s what I wrote in response. Hope it will illicit a small chuckle:

If you’re looking for more advice or ideas, head on over to the Combo Club. We don’t trash products but offer a lot insight based on the varied experiences of our members. Oh yeah, and we’re snobby too. In fact, we’re so snobby we allow people to join so we can kick ‘em out! :woot:
I'm joining to get kicked out!! Woo-hoo masochism! :D:D

Anyway, here's my main squeeze & her sister!

My gear Ashdown combo ABM EVOII.jpg


My gear Ashdown cab ABM 115.jpg


I've come full circle from the mid-to-late 90's when I had an SWR rig just like it. Redhead & Son of Bertha. I love this combo...ha ha...of speaker sizes. Thye both complement each other very well. This rig replaced my beloved Mesa Venture 2x12 combo, the mini-fridge! Damn sneaky Brit anyway...
 
Hey Mike (iag) I will likely be around for your birthday now as our holiday plans have changed slightly..we go on Monday 17th now, so Ill be around for your Birthday celebrations on Thur. (my Fri lol) I will be on and off a bit before we go though, as I have a few car issues to get fixed..darn alternator is playing up so have to get that sorted out this week. If its not basses and amps problems its always car issues next in line lolll

I’ll save ya a piece of birthday cake, Giff. We’re currently going through car troubles too, so I feel your pain. Just bought a car about a month ago and the former #1, now delegates to the #2 position, has decided to act up nobody’s business. New alternator, new exhaust gasket and bolt, the A/C is dead, and possibly a wheel bearing in the right rear. Other than that, we’re all smiles.

It’s the curse of the middle class man, I tell ya. Save your dough for something nice to own and everything else goes to pot! There outta be a law! Okay kids, get off my lawn ‘cuz it’s nap time...
 
What I am looking for in a combo is my current rig, but in one trip. 800w Digital (DNA/Eden) Single 12, Single 15. Clarity of tone, Monster headroom. Since I use a Graphite neck bass. The amp I use currently, It the closest thing to a full on tube amp, without tubes and it totally controllable. I used a Eden CXC 4x10 and I ripped it apart. I used an Ashdown MagMon 12 and rattled the cabinet apart. I used a Hartke combo (a while ago) and blew it up. I had a TC Electronics BG250-12 and it just didn't have enough speaker to not distort. I know I am looking for the impossible. When I bought my DNA, I had never heard one or played one. I don't mind buying blind.
 
I always go combo on top for heat reasons. I'm certain they get plenty of airflow and I'm just being precious with the whole thing, but if I can get the heat to dissipate 2% faster by stacking one way as opposed to the other, why not? By a similar token, if I were playing my combo in the baking sun I'd use the cab to shade the combo. That's never come up though because when I'm outside I pretty much exclusively use my stack, the head of which I then end up hiding from the sun.

I'm weird though. I spent a few years doing minor physical tech support for a company with a couple thousand PCs that were all purchased for cost not dependability. The kind of thing where all I did all day was just replace the broken part with a new one, and it gave me PTSD about heat and tech. I filled construction site sized trashcans with boaards with little brown spots on them.

That all assumes there's no sound based reason to stack differently (like stacking a 2x10 and a 2x10 extension vertically).

Rhaco, welcome to our corner of the bass world! You wrote an interesting piece there and I agree with you. Like I believe someone said, it all depends on where the knobs are situated. As for the heat issue, I’m like you in that I try to keep anything that costs more than $25 out of direct sunlight. I’ve also brought along a fan to situate alongside or behind said amp in question to offer cooling relief.

Hey, if you have a combo amp take a pic of it and post it here. For your good deed I’ll give you a membership #. If you don’t have a combo, jump on Amazon and you will in two days time!
 
Lol. YeahN

lol. Yeah the hands are different but the art is cool and used on all of this line of pedals. The one in the picture is mine and I love it! They are handmade in Germany, but I don't think they were too successful. That is why you can find them cheap at Thomann. They also have an overdrive pedal. I will likely get a few more in this line, since I am such a Hofner nerd.

Anyway, here is a useful video for the fuzz:



Thanks for vid, Doctor I. I love the fact that you’re our club’s “Hofner Nerd.” It’s nice knowing you’re around when a bad case of Macca hits the Club!
 
I'm joining to get kicked out!! Woo-hoo masochism! :D:D

Anyway, here's my main squeeze & her sister!

View attachment 3441969

View attachment 3441970

I've come full circle from the mid-to-late 90's when I had an SWR rig just like it. Redhead & Son of Bertha. I love this combo...ha ha...of speaker sizes. Thye both complement each other very well. This rig replaced my beloved Mesa Venture 2x12 combo, the mini-fridge! Damn sneaky Brit anyway...

Keger Jupit, you’re in and I challenge you to last the week! I’ll be getting you your. Dry own membership number tonight. Grandson’s baseball game stands in the way, but it’s been a busy day around here today and I’ll be checking names to add. I love your attitude and equipment too!
 
Thanks for vid, Doctor I. I love the fact that you’re our club’s “Hofner Nerd.” It’s nice knowing you’re around when a bad case of Macca hits the Club!
I know this is likely blasphemy, but I didn't get into Hofner because of Macca. Geddy has been my main influence for decades. I got into Hofners to connect with my grandpa who played fiddle. I have an old fiddle of his and had always planned to restore it and learn to play it. I never did either of those, but when I was young I learned bass. So playing a 500/1 was close enough for me.

IMG_20190610_1716179.jpg
 
Rhaco, welcome to our corner of the bass world! You wrote an interesting piece there and I agree with you. Like I believe someone said, it all depends on where the knobs are situated. As for the heat issue, I’m like you in that I try to keep anything that costs more than $25 out of direct sunlight. I’ve also brought along a fan to situate alongside or behind said amp in question to offer cooling relief.

Hey, if you have a combo amp take a pic of it and post it here. For your good deed I’ll give you a membership #. If you don’t have a combo, jump on Amazon and you will in two days time!

Sweet! My first number!

I just picked up a Blackstar Unity 500 and an Eden TN2251. They'll both be here tomorrow. One is going back though. I just have to decide which one. ANY insight would be helpful btw, even alternate suggestions (that's originally why I was scouring the combo club). That 500-700 is my price range, and I'm after something I could play a medium sized bar with where I will always have PA support. Basically a personal monitor that will hit my drummer (whether he likes it or not). It's country/classic rock/blues, but I'm hoping for something without much baked-in tone, otherwise I'd grab a Fender Rumble and call it a day.

I'll take a pic of whatever I end up with this weekend.

Great idea with the fan. I've heard of guys using laptop cooler fans for particularly warm heads/climates, but that's not really combo friendly so I left it out of my response.

Thanks again!
 
What I am looking for in a combo is my current rig, but in one trip. 800w Digital (DNA/Eden) Single 12, Single 15. Clarity of tone, Monster headroom. Since I use a Graphite neck bass. The amp I use currently, It the closest thing to a full on tube amp, without tubes and it totally controllable. I used a Eden CXC 4x10 and I ripped it apart. I used an Ashdown MagMon 12 and rattled the cabinet apart. I used a Hartke combo (a while ago) and blew it up. I had a TC Electronics BG250-12 and it just didn't have enough speaker to not distort. I know I am looking for the impossible. When I bought my DNA, I had never heard one or played one. I don't mind buying blind.

Pretty hefty combo amp here, and a one-trip load

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]​
 
Keger Jupit, you’re in and I challenge you to last the week!
This means war.jpg


I love your attitude and equipment too!


Thanks Buddy.jpg


It's my first club since joining. I've been a life-long, self diagnosed, combo junkie! In fact, I've only ever owned 1 "big rig". Early 500W Genz Benz head (awesome), Ampeg 4X10 (H...D...something??), & the excellent Eden 2X10 XLT. Everything else has been combos 'n cabs.

My friends would complain about lugging in cabs, then their head, then the basses, then their sundry bag...I'd whip open my folding cart, throw my entire rig on it, throw the straps on my bag & bass over my shoulder, & say "Oh, that's cute...ya' Nancies"!
 
Another Ibanez GSRM20 and a Rumble 25 for my summer residence.View attachment 3442011

That’s a great picture, SC. I’d say you have a very playable rig there for about everything short of a full band gig. That bass of yours is especially attractive. I like the body color. Good addition to our scrapbook, thanks!
 
Sweet! My first number!

I just picked up a Blackstar Unity 500 and an Eden TN2251. They'll both be here tomorrow. One is going back though. I just have to decide which one. ANY insight would be helpful btw, even alternate suggestions (that's originally why I was scouring the combo club). That 500-700 is my price range, and I'm after something I could play a medium sized bar with where I will always have PA support. Basically a personal monitor that will hit my drummer (whether he likes it or not). It's country/classic rock/blues, but I'm hoping for something without much baked-in tone, otherwise I'd grab a Fender Rumble and call it a day.

I'll take a pic of whatever I end up with this weekend.

Great idea with the fan. I've heard of guys using laptop cooler fans for particularly warm heads/climates, but that's not really combo friendly so I left it out of my response.

Thanks again!

I’m betting the farm (I live in Iowa) you end up with the Blackstar. I have no idea why, but it seems like they’re gaining popularity with the versatility they offer.

Are you against modeling amps? If not, for the amount you’re spending you should consider the Fender Stage 800.

The models, IMHO, do a really nice job of not all sounding the same, i.e., the baked-in tone you mentioned. On the other hand, there might be a time when a Bassman TV combo would be a perfect tone for a song. It’s there. Ampeg? It’s there. Hi-Watt clean? It’s there? Orange grunge? Yeah, it’s there with a little help.

There’s more than enough power on tap and you can add an extension should you decide to attack Canada with the 800 watts. Otherwise, you’re at 400 watts and it’s plenty.

Just a thought if you don’t dig either the Blackstar or Eden. I still think you’re gonna pick a winner though. Let us know what happens AND send us a pic!
 
Last edited:
Pretty hefty combo amp here, and a one-trip load

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]​

I’m in agreement with M on this one. PJB May be the brand to go with. Unique combinations to choose from and based on Morrighan’s listening observations, it brings the bottom end. Something to think about.
 
I know this is likely blasphemy, but I didn't get into Hofner because of Macca. Geddy has been my main influence for decades. I got into Hofners to connect with my grandpa who played fiddle. I have an old fiddle of his and had always planned to restore it and learn to play it. I never did either of those, but when I was young I learned bass. So playing a 500/1 was close enough for me.

View attachment 3442064

Doc, it was fun chatting with you today. You got me with your Grandpa’s story. I’m a soft touch with those types of family stories. Maybe it’s not too late to give that violin of his a little makeover. Either way it was a wonderful way to get into Hofners. Me, I enjoyed the tale of Paul finding the 500/1 in the German pawn shop and deciding it was the least offensive way to go for a lefty. Being one, I understood immediately.