The Combo Club

[G-Dog]

To finish out this evening, dear members, I’m filing this story under FWIW. It’s an update on my mild Rumble 100 makeover a month or so ago where I bought done really nice self-sticking foam liner to “tighten” up the sound a bit. Well, after what I believe was a third attempt to improve the combo after first lining the top, sides, and back, I finally reached utopia.

I bought two sheets of the foam and by the time I finished this afternoon, the sides and top of the cab are still lined with everything else back to good old wood. Uh-huh, one sheet would’ve been more than enough, and that’s why I’m passing this info on to anyone who’s thinking of misting their amps: be judicious about it!

Until today, I hated with a passion the sound of my once fun-to-play amp. After the first install, it sounded like I was playing through a king-sized pillow. Muffled upper mids and highs, lower dynamics, and decreased volume. It slowly improved as I began lessening the foam until I got it right today. And about time too.

Now I have the punch back, there’s more air and focus in the midrange, but because of what’s still in there it’s less boomy so I’m able to run my bass and low-mid knobs closer to noon; something my ears haven’t allowed until now.

So for those of you thinking about a little shade tree mechanics this weekend, go ahead because it’s fun, but start a project like this with smaller changes and add as you hear the need. I am indeed happy with it’s sound now.

That is all,

FL

Very nice, iago! I have added a link to this valuable lesson on the Rumble Club Wiki page, in the Modifications section, as "The iagtrplyr Mod", your own namesake! Right next to the JakobT Mod where totally fills a Rumble 15 with fill. Congratulations!
.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Very nice, iago! I have added a link to this valuable lesson on the Rumble Club Wiki page, in the Modifications section, as "The iagtrplyr Mod", your own namesake! Right next to the JakobT Mod where totally fills a Rumble 15 with fill. Congratulations!
.

Thank you, Sir Dog. Obviously YMMV, but being there are so many variables involved, you can’t expect to take one set of mod instructions and believe it’ll work perfectly for everyone else.

I followed what looked to be a proven way to go for the 100 and found it to be quite inadequate. But again, if you’re gonna create alchemy you have to be prepared to do some modifying of your own modifications!

Thanks for allowing me to contribute. Was at the Wiki page two days ago and must admit it’s become quite the center of information for all things Rumble. Nicely done!

 

[wraub]

Hello, all... Nice club you have here.
I have this-



'sup?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Hello, all... Nice club you have here.
I have this-

View attachment 3496893

'sup?

Hey there, wraub! Thank you very much, we like to think this club is a home for combo bass lovers to come together, swap stories, offer ideas, and enjoy the passion of music we all share. With your Peavey combo, I am authorized to electronically hand you member #143. Congratulations and welcome to the Combo Club! If you have any questions or comments to make, please do so. BTW, what bass(es) do you run through your Basic 40?

 

[wraub]

Hello, and, thanks for the welcome (and the number)!

I play two modded MIJ SQ Squiers (a P and a J), two MIJ 80s Ibanez 5 string basses, and an almost new Squier PJ, which I'm actually playing right now (the 5 strings get a different EQ though ). I have a bigger, louder amp, but this one on a furniture dolly has me playing every day, without fail. It's just good.

(edit) This combo is apparently an earlier model, and is apparently in amazing condition. It's very clean, and exactly what I needed at a time when I had the money and the immediate need. I lucked into it on cl for a price I couldn't resist, and am glad daily for that.

Hey there, wraub! Thank you very much, we like to think this club is a home for combo bass lovers to come together, swap stories, offer ideas, and enjoy the passion of music we all share. With your Peavey combo, I am authorized to electronically hand you member #143. Congratulations and welcome to the Combo Club! If you have any questions or comments to make, please do so. BTW, what bass(es) do you run through your Basic 40?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Hello, and, thanks for the welcome (and the number)!

I play two modded MIJ SQ Squiers (a P and a J), two MIJ 80s Ibanez 5 string basses, and an almost new Squier PJ, which I'm actually playing right now (the 5 strings get a different EQ though ). I have a bigger, louder amp, but this one on a furniture dolly has me playing every day, without fail. It's just good.

I lucked into it on cl for a price I couldn't resist, and am glad daily for that.

Thanks for sharing. There are a number of Peavey combo fans in the club too. You can tell who they are because they all have the largest biceps in the community!

 

[wraub]

It is not light, but not exactly heavy at around 40 lbs or so... The aforementioned moving dolly makes that a non-issue, anyway.
I roll it out of a corner to play, and roll it away when done.
I've moved enough heavy stuff, I avoid it when possible.

Thanks for sharing. There are a number of Peavey combo fans in the club too. You can tell who they are because they all have the largest biceps in the community!

 

[GonePlaid]

To finish out this evening, dear members, I’m filing this story under FWIW. It’s an update on my mild Rumble 100 makeover a month or so ago where I bought done really nice self-sticking foam liner to “tighten” up the sound a bit. Well, after what I believe was a third attempt to improve the combo after first lining the top, sides, and back, I finally reached utopia.

I bought two sheets of the foam and by the time I finished this afternoon, the sides and top of the cab are still lined with everything else back to good old wood. Uh-huh, one sheet would’ve been more than enough, and that’s why I’m passing this info on to anyone who’s thinking of misting their amps: be judicious about it!

Until today, I hated with a passion the sound of my once fun-to-play amp. After the first install, it sounded like I was playing through a king-sized pillow. Muffled upper mids and highs, lower dynamics, and decreased volume. It slowly improved as I began lessening the foam until I got it right today. And about time too.

Now I have the punch back, there’s more air and focus in the midrange, but because of what’s still in there it’s less boomy so I’m able to run my bass and low-mid knobs closer to noon; something my ears haven’t allowed until now.

So for those of you thinking about a little shade tree mechanics this weekend, go ahead because it’s fun, but start a project like this with smaller changes and add as you hear the need. I am indeed happy with it’s sound now.

That is all,

FL

OK, decided to take some out. Last coupla gigs it sounded kinda 'squashed'. Gig tomorrow afternoon, I'll see if it's an improvement.<addendum>R40

 

[iagtrplyr]

OK, decided to take some out. Last coupla gigs it sounded kinda 'squashed'. Gig tomorrow afternoon, I'll see if it's an improvement.

May the force be with you, my bass brotha. If you’ve got it right you’ll notice the difference immediately.

Have no excuse for overstuffing my 100 because as I mentioned a while back, I did the exact same thing to a GK MB210 V1 a few years ago, with the same “dead” result. I’m beginning to think maybe the manufacturer actually pays attention when designing their cabinets. On the other hand, my Ampeg, which did have a modicum of batting, improved with an additional helping of the foam insulation.

Good gigging tomorrow PM, GonePlaid!

 

[GonePlaid]

May the force be with you, my bass brotha. If you’ve got it right you’ll notice the difference immediately.

Have no excuse for overstuffing my 100 because as I mentioned a while back, I did the exact same thing to a GK MB210 V1 a few years ago, with the same “dead” result. I’m beginning to think maybe the manufacturer actually pays attention when designing their cabinets. On the other hand, my Ampeg, which did have a modicum of batting, improved with an additional helping of the foam insulation.

Good gigging tomorrow PM, GonePlaid!

Yeah, I gotta try it on the gig since, even living alone, it's a bit too late to play here. Besides, it's awready back in the van. We gotta be at the gig(country club)by 1230, which means leaving the house by 1145-ish and I like to load everything but the bass(es)the night before. Anyway, the only one who'll notice the tone is me.

 

[GwenOnBass]

May the force be with you, my bass brotha. If you’ve got it right you’ll notice the difference immediately.

Have no excuse for overstuffing my 100 because as I mentioned a while back, I did the exact same thing to a GK MB210 V1 a few years ago, with the same “dead” result. I’m beginning to think maybe the manufacturer actually pays attention when designing their cabinets. On the other hand, my Ampeg, which did have a modicum of batting, improved with an additional helping of the foam insulation.

Good gigging tomorrow PM, GonePlaid!

This is about as far as I get with modding upgrades to my BA-108v2. Reading about it, that is. Actually cutting and affixing batting inside as I replace the driver is ... is how other people get my money LOL.

 

[iagtrplyr]

This is about as far as I get with modding upgrades to my BA-108v2. Reading about it, that is. Actually cutting and affixing batting inside as I replace the driver is ... is how other people get my money LOL.

And if someone offered you the choice of modding the baby ‘Peg or not, take comfort in knowing you could say “no thanks” and your combo won’t disappoint you in the many moons to come. I’m guessing a speaker swap will make more of a difference, but I’m perfectly happy with its current tone. I add a little bass to the sound and play with a smile on my face!

 

[GwenOnBass]

And if someone offered you the choice of modding the baby ‘Peg or not, take comfort in knowing you could say “no thanks” and your combo won’t disappoint you in the many moons to come. I’m guessing a speaker swap will make more of a difference, but I’m perfectly happy with its current tone. I add a little bass to the sound and play with a smile on my face!

Right out of the box the BA108 is all the amp it needs to be. Even with two "grown up" amps, the little 'Peg sees daily use here.

Wishes and horses and all that: when the BA series sheds pounds to match whatever magic Fender applied to Rumbles....

 

[iagtrplyr]

Right out of the box the BA108 is all the amp it needs to be. Even with two "grown up" amps, the little 'Peg sees daily use here.

Wishes and horses and all that: when the BA series sheds pounds to match whatever magic Fender applied to Rumbles....

OMG, we’re sharing the exact same thought! All I’ve ever complained about V2 is the weight. I know it’s double-braced and all that, but I forgot the tank -like construction the smallest version to shed, say ten pounds.

I’m predicting when Yamaha dives in full-fledged (if they haven’t already begun to do so) and begins influencing the current design team there will be quality V3 models that sound every bit an Ampeg but will be lighter and even better than before. I’m guessing 2020-2021 ad the launch year. Hope I’m right.

 

[Cracker7]

Got a GK mb112 for home practice. Sounds really good and is surprising loud. Wow

 

[JakobT]

Right out of the box the BA108 is all the amp it needs to be. Even with two "grown up" amps, the little 'Peg sees daily use here.

Wishes and horses and all that: when the BA series sheds pounds to match whatever magic Fender applied to Rumbles....

I suspect Ampeg still uses MDF for the enclosures of most of the BA series, which would account for a lot of the weight. Fender uses plywood for everything from the 40 and up, but the 25 and the 15 are MDF, and they’re much heavier for their size. The 25 weighs more or less the same as the 40.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I suspect Ampeg still uses MDF for the enclosures of most of the BA series, which would account for a lot of the weight. Fender uses plywood for everything from the 40 and up, but the 25 and the 15 are MDF, and they’re much heavier for their size. The 25 weighs more or less the same as the 40.

Or Ampeg could be in a deal with the inventors of way-heavy-for-their-class amps, Peavey.

 

[JakobT]

Or Ampeg could be in a deal with the inventors of way-heavy-for-their-class amps, Peavey.

Maybe they put lead weights inside.

Seriously, though, It’s possible that light weight simply hasn’t been that much of a priority for Ampeg up to now, and that the current interest in light gear has come as something of a surprise. After all, it’s not more than a couple of years ago I heard a music store employee try to dissuade a customer from buying a Rumble 200, stating that they were too light, and «bass amps have to be heavy to sound good».

I’m guessing that the v3 BA series, when it arrives, will be a good deal lighter.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Maybe they put lead weights inside.

Seriously, though, It’s possible that light weight simply hasn’t been that much of a priority for Ampeg up to now, and that the current interest in light gear has come as something of a surprise. After all, it’s not more than a couple of years ago I heard a music store employee try to dissuade a customer from buying a Rumble 200, stating that they were too light, and «bass amps have to be heavy to sound good».

I’m guessing that the v3 BA series, when it arrives, will be a good deal lighter.

Double steel bracing and iron transformers (no digital Mumbai jumbo here) and possibly denser cab material (I’ll have to check in that) would be enough to make them heavy. I’d love the 15” combo, but at 45 lbs it’s more than I want to drag around, plus the fact that the cab design, which I like, is super bulky to haul around. Yeah, I’m waiting to see what V3 brings us. Just keep the tone, though!

 

[iagtrplyr]

View attachment 3498213 Got a GK mb112 for home practice. Sounds really good and is surprising loud. Wow

Hey Cracker7, would you like me to add you to our illustrious membership? You’ve already succeeded in posting a pic, so just say yes and I’ll add you tonight. Thanks for stopping by!