The Combo Club

[Flamingo21]

It’s summer and people are out rocking stadiums with 50-watt combos!

Yes we are! Yay!

 

[GonePlaid]

Nope, not at all. Probably me more then anything. There’s been no one to offer witty banter, challenge a combo enthusiast’s beliefs, grant nifty numbers to newbies, or hobnob with other fellow wizards.

We’re in the midst of moving and it has been one truly laugh riot, ladies and gents, but we have also gotten a lot done in the process. John and I head east on Wednesday and honestly, we both need a break from all the contractors, repairs, and stair climbing.,

There’s enough room in the car to bring the Stage 800 to its first gig. I’m looking forward to my created settings and how they’ll blend into the mix. Chance of rain and lower 90s temps forecast for Saturday in Ohio.

bhendrix, don’t shed a tear at the club’s light activity. It’s summer and people are out rocking stadiums with 50-watt combos! A guy can dream, can’t he?

M, your Ampeg combo comment couldn’t have been truer. Word for word, that’s how I feel too. Possibly the most perfect practice with oneself; not even with anyone else. We practiced tunes a couple times, once with the BA-108v2 and once with the Rumble 100, and the ‘Peg has to work harder at staying with a flute and acoustic guitar stalking behind you. The Rumbler made it easier to cut through with the larger speaker, but the Ampeg, to me, still sounds better.

Finally, though I promised there will be no more combo purchases for 2029, I’m pretending like I’m looking. Still fun, saves money, but no anticipation in waiting for the “box to arrive!” Anyone on the prowl for a new combo? I’d like to read someone’s thoughts on either the new Peavey line or the TE Elf-series amps. Christmas is coming, people!!!

I’ve written enough. Come on folks, pile on while it’s still fun. Let’s hear from ya. I’ll try my best to stay connected from OH. And definitely pic or two. See ya!

With most everyone-other than me and my band-going FOH, The "rockin' stadiums with 50 watt combos" ain't that far-fetched.
Wait. There's internet in Ohio? Huh! Who knew?

 

[iagtrplyr]

With most everyone-other than me and my band-going FOH, The "rockin' stadiums with 50 watt combos" ain't that far-fetched.
Wait. There's internet in Ohio? Huh! Who knew?

And what look to be warm temps these next few days but not quite as hot here in the Land of Corn. It’s gonna be a scorching rest of the week. But yes, I will be equipped with Chromebook, phone, and telegraph to get you the latest breaking news, GP!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Here’s this year’s car load. Seems lesser than last year. I’m rolling the dice and NOT bringing my Jazz Bass with me. I know, it’s “unthinkable,” but it saves space and I’ve decided to go with the girl that’s been my sound the past couple of months. Plus, after days of hauling house stuff, I don’t want to carry one more item!

 

[west al]

View attachment 3479391 Here’s this year’s car load. Seems lesser than last year. I’m rolling the dice and NOT bringing my Jazz Bass with me. I know, it’s “unthinkable,” but it saves space and I’ve decided to go with the girl that’s been my sound the past couple of months. Plus, after days of hauling house stuff, I don’t want to carry one more item!

From an old Professional Roadie, I know what you mean. MISSISSIPPI QUEEN!!!

 

[JPDsma]

Felix would be proud.....

 

[west al]

Felix would be proud.....

Yes. RIP old friend.

 

[Mo Boogs]

Hello,
This feed was suggested to me by another combo user. I’m looking to get a good combo for the smaller to medium gigs we do in my classic rock band. The facts are:
•I love Ampeg tone. I’ve gotta V-4B that I use for most of my larger gigs. I’ve tried the BA210 but it just didn’t get that flavor. Currently for these smaller gigs I’m using a Peavey Basic 112 with a Tech 21 VT Bass DI. It sounds pretty good but the amp could be a lot better.

• I like thick solid blues rock bass tone, not thin, snappy modern tone (Hartke, GK etc)

•we don’t run the bass thru the PA in my band

The 3 combo amps that come to mind for me are the Fender Rumble 200, 500 and the Tech 21 VT Bass 200. Which of those would most suit my needs? I have found the VT bass pedal to really nail that Ampeg sound. Is the combo the same way?

 

[GonePlaid]

Hello,
This feed was suggested to me by another combo user. I’m looking to get a good combo for the smaller to medium gigs we do in my classic rock band. The facts are:
•I love Ampeg tone. I’ve gotta V-4B that I use for most of my larger gigs. I’ve tried the BA210 but it just didn’t get that flavor. Currently for these smaller gigs I’m using a Peavey Basic 112 with a Tech 21 VT Bass DI. It sounds pretty good but the amp could be a lot better.

• I like thick solid blues rock bass tone, not thin, snappy modern tone (Hartke, GK etc)

•we don’t run the bass thru the PA in my band

The 3 combo amps that come to mind for me are the Fender Rumble 200, 500 and the Tech 21 VT Bass 200. Which of those would most suit my needs? I have found the VT bass pedal to really nail that Ampeg sound. Is the combo the same way?

I've been quite pleased with the sound of my R200c. IDK anything about the Tech 21, but at the same price and lighter weight, plus you liking the 'Peg tone, it might be the better bet.

 

[GwenOnBass]

 

[bhendrix]

• I like thick solid blues rock bass tone, not thin, snappy modern tone (Hartke, GK etc)

Rumble on! The 200 or the 500 - press the vintage button - there ya are!

And welcome to the Combo Club!

 

[Mo Boogs]

Rumble on! The 200 or the 500 - press the vintage button - there ya are!

And welcome to the Combo Club!

Man those two amps are lookin real tempting! What’s the bottom line difference between the two? Is the 200 have that more traditional 15” sound?

 

[GonePlaid]

Man those two amps are lookin real tempting! What’s the bottom line difference between the two? Is the 200 have that more traditional 15” sound?

For me, yes.

 

[iagtrplyr]

For me, yes.

+1. The Rumble packs a big tone with that 15" speaker. Just understand, it's 160 watts (still pretty loud) @ 8 ohms. To get the full 200 watts you have to drop to 4 ohms. It's not hard to di if you can pony up for another cab, and many have done it. The Tech 21 combo gives you 200 watts into a single 12" speaker. This means you would increase your chances of a blooming romance with your new combo if you could play through them. Is that possible or are you ordering online?

BTW, I was the guy who responded to your original query. Remember, purchase a combo and join our club with a pic posting. If ya go with a Rumble amp, you can also seek additional info at the Rumble Club. Good folks all.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Hello club members. Quick update I'm calling "Seige of Ohio: Day 2." On Thursday, we moved equipment to the church we'll be playing at. Very nice place with a decent size fellowship center as well as the outside terrace. Both spots offer plenty of room of the group, which is seven members with me. As mentioned a day or two ago, Columbus is looking at sunny skies, plenty of humidity, and a temp of 97 degrees. I think we'll be inside because, like everywhere else, there's a good number of elderly parishioners and no one wants heat stroke. GP and all of you Florida peoples, IK don' know how the heck ya'll do it, especially on stages close to water.

Friday is set up in the morning and an evening rehearsal with pizza. Hey, it can't be all work...

I'll attach a pic and let you see where Stage 800 is going to reside. After looking over the room's dimensions I realized I could've easily gotten away with using the R100 or, depending on how many times we get asked to turn down, the baby Ampeg combo, though there would be sound but not much bottom. So the combo that was expected to play in the great outdoors may be regulated to church hall duty. I think we'll still coax some good tones out of it on Saturday. I'll keep those interested posted. Thanks!

 

[Mo Boogs]

@iagtrplyr You got it. I’ve been a combo guy forever and tried to post the pic of my little peavey Basic 112 but I don’t have good cell service right now. I also owned a TNT for a long time and just sold it earlier this year. I’m definitely going to be purchasing a new combo in the near future. My buddy owns a Rumble 200 and I’ve played thru it a bunch of times. It’s killer. My local music store usually has the 200 in store, and sometimes the 500 too but not often. The Tech 21 I’ve never seen in stores and only on sweetwater. So is it true it pumps 200 watts to it’s one speaker? Someone else said it’s like 140 watts by itself and that you need the extension cab, but I’ve also seen their extension cabs be powered which would contradict that idea.

 

[GwenOnBass]

@iagtrplyr You got it. I’ve been a combo guy forever and tried to post the pic of my little peavey Basic 112 but I don’t have good cell service right now. I also owned a TNT for a long time and just sold it earlier this year. I’m definitely going to be purchasing a new combo in the near future. My buddy owns a Rumble 200 and I’ve played thru it a bunch of times. It’s killer. My local music store usually has the 200 in store, and sometimes the 500 too but not often. The Tech 21 I’ve never seen in stores and only on sweetwater. So is it true it pumps 200 watts to it’s one speaker? Someone else said it’s like 140 watts by itself and that you need the extension cab, but I’ve also seen their extension cabs be powered which would contradict that idea.

The TNT is apparently a rite of passage for many. Spoken as a (once) TNT owner and player.

 

[iagtrplyr]

@iagtrplyr You got it. I’ve been a combo guy forever and tried to post the pic of my little peavey Basic 112 but I don’t have good cell service right now. I also owned a TNT for a long time and just sold it earlier this year. I’m definitely going to be purchasing a new combo in the near future. My buddy owns a Rumble 200 and I’ve played thru it a bunch of times. It’s killer. My local music store usually has the 200 in store, and sometimes the 500 too but not often. The Tech 21 I’ve never seen in stores and only on sweetwater. So is it true it pumps 200 watts to it’s one speaker? Someone else said it’s like 140 watts by itself and that you need the extension cab, but I’ve also seen their extension cabs be powered which would contradict that idea.

This is what I found after some looking around and watching a couple of videos.

“Inside the well built ported wooden cabinet, we have a 12” cast frame woofer rated at 200W / 8 Ohms paired up with a Tweeter for high-end clarity. It is hooked up directly to the VTB’s 200W RMS Class D amplifier. Incidentally, you can plug in an external cabinet rated at a minimum of 8 Ohms for further expansion.”

Still kinda hazy to me. So is the VT 200 still at 200 watts even when the 8 ohm ext. speaker is plugged in? Sounds like it to me. But you’re still pumping 200 watts into the single twelve too.

I’ve always thought the VT pedal was a great way to snag some of that Ampeg tone and without heading it, I’m intrigued to know what this sounds like. $500 is fairly steep for a 200-watt combo though, so you’ll have to do some soul searching on this one. Keep us posted!

 

[GwenOnBass]

This is what I found after some looking around and watching a couple of videos.

“Inside the well built ported wooden cabinet, we have a 12” cast frame woofer rated at 200W / 8 Ohms paired up with a Tweeter for high-end clarity. It is hooked up directly to the VTB’s 200W RMS Class D amplifier. Incidentally, you can plug in an external cabinet rated at a minimum of 8 Ohms for further expansion.”

Still kinda hazy to me. So is the VT 200 still at 200 watts even when the 8 ohm ext. speaker is plugged in? Sounds like it to me. But you’re still pumping 200 watts into the single twelve too.
vt
I’ve always thought the VT pedal was a great way to snag some of that Ampeg tone and without heading it, I’m intrigued to know what this sounds like. $500 is fairly steep for a 200-watt combo though, so you’ll have to do some soul searching on this one. Keep us posted!

And what a feeling it is to route my signal through the VT Bass on "Flip Top" settings to the BA-108. And in a strange display of something, recorded the BA-108 + VT Bass + Stingray with new D'Addario tapes. And you know whut? Sounds pretty good to my ears.

 

[Haroldo]

This is what I found after some looking around and watching a couple of videos.

“Inside the well built ported wooden cabinet, we have a 12” cast frame woofer rated at 200W / 8 Ohms paired up with a Tweeter for high-end clarity. It is hooked up directly to the VTB’s 200W RMS Class D amplifier. Incidentally, you can plug in an external cabinet rated at a minimum of 8 Ohms for further expansion.”

Still kinda hazy to me. So is the VT 200 still at 200 watts even when the 8 ohm ext. speaker is plugged in? Sounds like it to me. But you’re still pumping 200 watts into the single twelve too.

I’ve always thought the VT pedal was a great way to snag some of that Ampeg tone and without heading it, I’m intrigued to know what this sounds like. $500 is fairly steep for a 200-watt combo though, so you’ll have to do some soul searching on this one. Keep us posted!

@Mo Boogs :

Per the manual, it looks as tho' you have to pony up for the extension speaker to get your full 200W. (http://www.tech21nyc.com/t21manuals/VT200_OM.pdf)