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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
- Start date
She's a wise woman, your wife.
If you are creaking that much Morri add a bit more olive oil to your diet lollIt is here where the tale of my Chowny CHB-1 sapphire burst semi-hollowbody opened in time from purchase to manufacture to my Very Own Space. Up until that blessed arrival there is only my Stingray. The naming thing never really felt important, what with just one bass. It was always My Bass, or sometimes, My Ray. But yeah, My Bass became its name.
With the new arrival, My Bass started to become My Old Bass until My New Bass felt a bit wrong. Couldn't properly be considered New any more. This is how a search for a name came about. When I recalled the shipping materials included a date of manufacture, the name was clear: Solstice Eve.
Who dun you think forgot Solstice Eve's birthday? [bag of shame]
It is Solstice Eve who reminds me <ahem> as I realize I need to adjust the truss rod. Needs a bit of relief. It's my bedtime but ...
Truss rod cover comes off, guess which wrench will work and nail that on first try. Creak! Hasn't been moved since it was set up to ship. About an eighth of a turn, and I turn in.
Up today, coffee in hand. Solstice Eve has had all night to settle. Coffee barely brewed, another Creak! and I can feel that's right. Feels better.
Resume coffee.
Have a day!
I had the PJB cases custom made by Invalid Link Removed since having mine made they added them to their website so you can now order them as well.
- Oct 22, 2015
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Start your day with a warm, heaping bowl full of Loosener's Castor Oil Flakes—with real glycerin vibrafoam! It doesn't just wash your mouth out—it cleans the whole system, right on down the line!
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,155
- 256,554
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
And here's my bedroom tone settings on the Ampeg BA-108.
- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,155
- 256,554
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Amazing, really, how much use the Ampeg BA-108v2 sees, considering all what else is going on in the Morrighan Bass Zone.
Ha! Thanks I'm going to try those settings with mine!
Wow, you're not afraid to open her up. I think the loudest I've had mine is 2-3 on the volume knob. I've been running my mids and treble @ noon, but the bass gets a slight 1:00 bump just because it's an Ampeg. My no-doubt-about-it fave knob to twirl is the Aux Level. Why doesn't everyone add this to their front ends? For us headphones users it makes perfect sense.
"Amazing, really, how much use the Ampeg BA-108v2 sees, considering all what else is going on in the Morrighan Bass Zone."
But of course, Mademoiselle, what else would you expect from ze Ampeg? I tell ya, three nights ago I'm playing tunes through my phones, the balance is perfect, and the tone is terrific. I thought to myself at that moment I was playing through the world's greatest equipment. If you feel that way now and then with your own stuff, then the manufacturer has accomplished what they originally set out to do with their product.
The club has drifted to P. 3? We will not have any more of that, people. If you don't know what to write just make it up! Ask a riveting question like what's inside your combo's cabinet? Ooh, I can answer that on behalf of my Rumble 100, as I opened it up last weekend to add the 1/2" foam to its innards. What I found was startling: nothing but air. Even the Ampeg BA108v2 had a modicum of padding on the back of the cab, but my Rumbler was as bald as a baby's behind! So I went ahead and attached the insulation to all sides but the bottom as was suggested, and what it's done is rather interesting. I'm still trying to decide if I like it or not, but it has definitely changed the overall vibe of the combo.
What I noticed immediately is it's somewhat darker, which to me would be expected. There's less wave-bouncing inside and you can tell it. I'd say it's not to the point of the sound being choked off, but it's not as airy as before. As you know, the Rumble line, unless you have the tweeter option, is a little stingy with upper frequencies, IMHO. CAll it the pedigree, but you'll never mistake my Rumble 100 for a PJB! Also, it takes more of a turn of the old volume knob to get the same output as before. That doesn't bother me, but I'm figuring I've lost a little headroom because of it.
Now you're probably thinking that I don't like it and will be looking to replace it with something else in the near future. Boy, do you know me. Actually, I like what I'm hearing, especially when using the Jazz, but my Beatle bass doesn't sound too shabby either. It's a tone that'll need some time to adjust to, but I think in a larger room it'll be fine. The basses come across tighter, which was one of the goals I hoped to attain, and the overall tone is pleasing. Really, the only thing bothering me is if it'll be loud enough in a small group practice situation. There's where the addition of a better Eminence driver with greater efficiency would be a plus. I've got it on my list of fun things to do but I'm gonna let this first mod have its time in the spotlight.
Finally, do I recommend messing with what the company has already given you upon purchase? Yeah, sure, why not? If you're looking to make an inexpensive alteration in order to enhance what you're enjoying, go for it. If on the other hand, it's not broken, you may as well leave good enough alone. If you have made any mods with a combo, past or presently-owned, tell us about it. You may give us a great idea or turn us away from making the same mistake.
Okay, let's get this club back onto P. 1. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
PS: Since M was kind enough to upload her 'Peg settings, here's what I'm using with the hollow-body bass. It seems to be working for this room and my ear.
What I noticed immediately is it's somewhat darker, which to me would be expected. There's less wave-bouncing inside and you can tell it. I'd say it's not to the point of the sound being choked off, but it's not as airy as before. As you know, the Rumble line, unless you have the tweeter option, is a little stingy with upper frequencies, IMHO. CAll it the pedigree, but you'll never mistake my Rumble 100 for a PJB! Also, it takes more of a turn of the old volume knob to get the same output as before. That doesn't bother me, but I'm figuring I've lost a little headroom because of it.
Now you're probably thinking that I don't like it and will be looking to replace it with something else in the near future. Boy, do you know me. Actually, I like what I'm hearing, especially when using the Jazz, but my Beatle bass doesn't sound too shabby either. It's a tone that'll need some time to adjust to, but I think in a larger room it'll be fine. The basses come across tighter, which was one of the goals I hoped to attain, and the overall tone is pleasing. Really, the only thing bothering me is if it'll be loud enough in a small group practice situation. There's where the addition of a better Eminence driver with greater efficiency would be a plus. I've got it on my list of fun things to do but I'm gonna let this first mod have its time in the spotlight.
Finally, do I recommend messing with what the company has already given you upon purchase? Yeah, sure, why not? If you're looking to make an inexpensive alteration in order to enhance what you're enjoying, go for it. If on the other hand, it's not broken, you may as well leave good enough alone. If you have made any mods with a combo, past or presently-owned, tell us about it. You may give us a great idea or turn us away from making the same mistake.
Okay, let's get this club back onto P. 1. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
PS: Since M was kind enough to upload her 'Peg settings, here's what I'm using with the hollow-body bass. It seems to be working for this room and my ear.
Attachments
When I'm playing by myself at home, these are the settings on my MarkBass Jeff Berlin Players School combo.
A few explanatory remarks:
- This is the lowest level possible: volume at 9:00, gain at 8:00. Set either of them any lower and the sound becomes poo.
Luckily, I have found that at this level I can play till 10PM without anyone in the house complaining.
- EQ: I normally like a flat EQ on this thing, have set it flat in every band situation. But my music room is a very cramped space under a tilted roof, which makes for unpleasantly pounding Low Mids. That's why, in this space, I set the Low Mids at 9:00.
- If you're not familiar with MarkBass: "VLE" attenuates the highs. I've used it a lot lately, may be just a fling. "VPF" gives you a smiley face sound. Not my thing.
- Oct 22, 2015
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- 256,554
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
The VLE and VPF acronyms have been decoded for me so many times I forget all over again. In my experience, Italian engineering is way underrated.
I remember reading a suggestion to line just ½ the cab, top, back and one side, to get a more balanced, warmer tone. Not sure exactly where that was written, though. I thought it a bit odd at the time, but your description seems to give it more credibility?
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You may wanna check out this thread when you get to speaker upgrade time: Fender Rumble V3 100 speaker up-grade ?
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Well, depending on combo age and warranty status, you may wanna postpone any mods in case you could need the manufacturer to fix something. Even a mod that's obviously unrelated to a problem can void the warranty.
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Here's a link to the Modifications section of the Rumble Wiki page where there is food for such thoughts. I particularly like the Make a Cab or Combo Trolley mod but, I believe I still have a few months warranty left on my Rumble 500 combo so, I'm waiting for that.
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- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,155
- 256,554
- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
Yet to see documentation with a section: Here's where we cut corners to keep the price low, and here are instructions on how to close the gap yourself.
“I followed guidelines from others, which said to cover everything except the bottom of the cabinet.” KHann-May 2019
This is what I read in that same post you linked, Dog. Admittedly, I just saw where another modder lined about half his combo, so yes, I’m sure that’s the difference in what I’m hearing. Concerning the speaker update, I haven’t decided yet whether to go that route. I know it’s get me more volume and for that it might be worth it. Either that or spend the $ on a separates mini-rig with a single twelve and an Elf or something. And no, that purchase does not go against my self-made promise to not but another combo for 2019!
As far as voiding our the warranty, while altering the interior may do just that, there’s nothing that can’t be reversed. The foam can be peeled off, though there may be choice words being used during said operation. While I understand the desire to keep your warranty protection, there’s just something about “experimenting,” ya know? Oobleck, anyone?
Thanks for adding your settings, Instrumentalist. I know the sound you were describing when you’re trying your best to not bother anyone but still hear yourself. Man, you are riding the lightning with that VLE knob! I always read not to go past 9:00, but then would see people going up to noon with it. As for the VPF, I agree that it didn’t do anything you couldn’t do with your tone controls which, to me, gave you fine-tuning options the VPF couldn’t.
If you wouldn’t mind, could you give the club a 30-second review on the Player’s School combo? I’ve not tried it out and am curious to how it sounds. Also, do you leave it on the floor or use a stand or chair? I miss a 15 and wondered how this works for ya. Thanks!
Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator
Variable Preshape Filter
I just realize, I only use the VLE in my small practice space. I used it only once in a band situation, and we quickly decided against it.
It seems that with these two knobs, MarkBass managed to accommodate many divergent tastes.
So true. You read of many bass players who leave the tone knobs set at noon and make whatever needed adjustments from either the VLE/VPF or their bass controls.
During my time with my 121P I ended up disconnecting the tweeter. It seemed like more noise than anything else so I pulled off the wires and really never noticed a loss.
