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The Combo Club

Thanks, Boss. (It'll take some doing to get a genuine photo of my Walkabout, but it'll happen one of these days.)

My current 'combo' is a Trace Elliot ELF on top of a MAS 18. So, crazy portable but not strictly a combo.

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How does that 18 sound? Don't see those much anymore, but I had one back in the day.
 
Here here, congratulations to the Combo Club! We're only as successful as the membership makes us. New and exciting things are always happening here, and it's been a blast to keep it going. I'd enjoy seeing @ChefKen stop by to say a few words on whether we've met the vision he had for this club when he began it in 2015.

Thank you kindly, Doggie!


Fixed it for you. But, unfortunately, @ChefKen hasn't posted on TB for 2 years! Hope he's OK.
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Hey, M, in case you’re still around.

I took a a page outta your book this afternoon and hooked up my son’s Behringer BDI23 pedal, which is a “tribute” to VT pedals. Very Ampegy sounding, complete with a pretty decent blend knob. This through the BA108 v2.

With the Jazzer, it was simply marvelous. Rich tone that was nice ‘n punchy. As good as that little combo could sound and it made me agree with you when mentioned what a great combination your VT was with the ‘Peg.

Turn the page...

Then the Beatle bass stepped up to the plate...and whiffed, sort of. Same rig setup and if the blend was really low it wasn’t bad. Still had those woody, double bass-sounding tones that are my chief aspirations when using that bass. But turn up the blend, adding more of a tube vibe and things go all haywire. It ends up sounding like the Jazz Bass without any of those delicious overtones I can’t live without.

I thought to myself it must be what the next Hofner model (CT, I think) up that has the sound block down the middle of the inside. I already have that heavier tone with the Jazz, so I liked the Behringer pedal out, went straight into the BA108 v2 and found the sound I was digging with that amp over the weekend.

It was a fun couple of hours and I’m glad I brought that pedal out. What I found is I’d rather go straight in with the Rogue and keep the tone as natural as I can. Surprisingly, my newly-re-modified Rumble 100 does an even more credible job than I think the Ampeg did with that bass.

Doc Intrepid, are you in agreement with any of my ramblings? The less the better with your Hofner?
 
Hey, M, in case you’re still around.

I took a a page outta your book this afternoon and hooked up my son’s Behringer BDI23 pedal, which is a “tribute” to VT pedals. Very Ampegy sounding, complete with a pretty decent blend knob. This through the BA108 v2.

With the Jazzer, it was simply marvelous. Rich tone that was nice ‘n punchy. As good as that little combo could sound and it made me agree with you when mentioned what a great combination your VT was with the ‘Peg.

Turn the page...

Then the Beatle bass stepped up to the plate...and whiffed, sort of. Same rig setup and if the blend was really low it wasn’t bad. Still had those woody, double bass-sounding tones that are my chief aspirations when using that bass. But turn up the blend, adding more of a tube vibe and things go all haywire. It ends up sounding like the Jazz Bass without any of those delicious overtones I can’t live without.

I thought to myself it must be what the next Hofner model (CT, I think) up that has the sound block down the middle of the inside. I already have that heavier tone with the Jazz, so I liked the Behringer pedal out, went straight into the BA108 v2 and found the sound I was digging with that amp over the weekend.

It was a fun couple of hours and I’m glad I brought that pedal out. What I found is I’d rather go straight in with the Rogue and keep the tone as natural as I can. Surprisingly, my newly-re-modified Rumble 100 does an even more credible job than I think the Ampeg did with that bass.

Doc Intrepid, are you in agreement with any of my ramblings? The less the better with your Hofner?
Funny that you ask, as I just bought the Tech 21 pedal last week and it works with some of my Hofners, but not others. My hollow body Hofners do have that woody tone, and that is one reason why I like them. My HCT has the sound block, so it does sound more like a solid body bass.

Anyway, none of the basses sound great - except for the HCT - straight into the Peavey Max 115 or even the Acoustic stack. They all need a little preamp help. In this regard, the Vox MV50CL is still the best preamp for my fretless and HCT, but the YYZ pedal works best with my 68 Hofner and my Ignition with flats. Funny thing about the 68 Hofner is that the blade pickups in them are single coil.

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Oh wow pedal day here at Combo Club.

And it begins here, a pedalboard is in the post, as is a HPF.* Thought about it for the longest time and thought turned to action. As one whose only pedal back in the age of TNT was a volume pedal, it's rather a bit of daring. Bear with me, here's the thought line -

The VT Bass Deluxe is all about overdrive and a bit of compression that goes with it. And I can dial in dirt if needed (it's not often needed for me). There's a limiter on the Phil Jones BG-400, and compression can be dialed in on the Elf with the gain knob. So, compression, fuzz and overdrive pedals would be redundant. I use a headstock tuner, so really no need for a tuner pedal.

There's room on the pedalboard for maybe 1-2 more pedals. Open to suggestions ....

Really digging the YYZ pedal there, but it's a touch confusing to me? Not really sure how it differs from the standard VT line other than Geddy blessed it with his visage. Seems to me an "always on" pedal like my VTBD (unless some Hofners?). But no DI, or is there? That's a bit I don't understand from reading the fine manual.

No idea why some Hofners would not play well with a little overdrive? WWMD (What Would Macca Do).

* No LPF needed as the VTBD cab sim button does the same thing at 5k HZ.
 
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Funny that you ask, as I just bought the Tech 21 pedal last week and it works with some of my Hofners, but not others. My hollow body Hofners do have that woody tone, and that is one reason why I like them. My HCT has the sound block, so it does sound more like a solid body bass.

Anyway, none of the basses sound great - except for the HCT - straight into the Peavey Max 115 or even the Acoustic stack. They all need a little preamp help. In this regard, the Vox MV50CL is still the best preamp for my fretless and HCT, but the YYZ pedal works best with my 68 Hofner and my Ignition with flats. Funny thing about the 68 Hofner is that the blade pickups in them are single coil.

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Thank you, Doc for chiming in. It’s nice to hear from someone who uses that type of bass for comparison. The CT tone would be great for someone who needs more of a traditional-sounding bass, but I’s gots to have me woody tone with the Rogue! Again, my clean Rumbler 100 pulls it off, sans pedals. If I’m in a daring mood I add the Vintage to it for added boom in the bottom.

Believe it or not, I’m still amp hunting as I want more choice besides my two Fenders and Ampeg practice combo. When will it end? (Hopefully never!)

Thanks again, Doctor. Keep rocking with your YYZ!
 
Oh wow pedal day here at Combo Club.

And it begins here, a pedalboard is in the post, as is a HPF.* Thought about it for the longest time and thought turned to action. As one whose only pedal back in the age of TNT was a volume pedal, it's rather a bit of daring. Bear with me, here's the thought line -

The VT Bass Deluxe is all about overdrive and a bit of compression that goes with it. And I can dial in dirt if needed (it's not often needed for me). There's a limiter on the Phil Jones BG-400, and compression can be dialed in on the Elf with the gain knob. So, compression, fuzz and overdrive pedals would be redundant. I use a headstock tuner, so really no need for a tuner pedal.

There's room on the pedalboard for maybe 1-2 more pedals. Open to suggestions ....

Really digging the YYZ pedal there, but it's a touch confusing to me? Not really sure how it differs from the standard VT line other than Geddy blessed it with his visage. Seems to me an "always on" pedal like my VTBD (unless some Hofners?). But no DI, or is there? That's a bit I don't understand from reading the fine manual.

No idea why some Hofners would not play well with a little overdrive? WWMD (What Would Macca Do).

* No LPF needed as the VTBD cab sim button does the same thing at 5k HZ.

There’s something always new happening here at the CC!

I appreciate the amount of thought you put into your pedal platform, M. You have a good grasp of exactly what you want and need as well as what you don’t need.

As much as I find pedals interesting and even fun to browse, I tend to be one of those plug straight in and play guys. I’d hope that everything I need is built into my amp, though I understand that it isn’t always possible.

The more time I spend playing this hollow-bodies bass guitar, the better I’m zeroing in on how I want it to be amplified. Next, I plan on making a list of what I’d like to see my amp (combo or separates) should consist of. As far as brands, I’m open to anything that fills the bill. And to make clear of my intentions, this amp would be dedicated to the Beatle bass, though I already know the Stage 800 works perfectly with it.

The journey begins...
 
This question is perhaps a lot off-topic so please forgive me--I didn't really want to start a new thread because there are currently 71,000 results for "stereo" on TalkBass and because y'all are pretty smart so I figured you could square me away (Yaaay Combo Club!).

Here's my question: If your name is not Phil Lesh and/or you do not play in front of a Wall of Sound, what is the value of having stereo bass amplification? (beyond being able to say you have a stereo bass rig)

Thank you for your insight!

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This question is perhaps a lot off-topic so please forgive me--I didn't really want to start a new thread because there are currently 71,000 results for "stereo" on TalkBass and because y'all are pretty smart so I figured you could square me away (Yaaay Combo Club!).

Here's my question: If your name is not Phil Lesh and/or you do not play in front of a Wall of Sound, what is the value of having stereo bass amplification? (beyond being able to say you have a stereo bass rig)

Thank you for your insight!

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My name is not Phil Lesh and I do not play in front of a Wall of Sound, as depicted in your photo. However, I do own and operate a stereo bass amplifier.

But, I must admit I have yet to take full advantage of it's stereo capabilities, other than a token slaving (via FX Sends & Returns) of two mono amps, a Rumble 500 combo and a Bassman 500 w/115. Unfortunately, at that time, I did not even get to separate those two slave amps very much to fully enjoy the stereo-ness, as it were. Yet I swear, by Grabthar's hammer, by the suns of Warvan, that it shall, one day, be so!

And on that glorious day, indeed, shall all the shimmer, grind, rumble, warmth, and movement of sounds make all the angelic hosts to shake they heavenly boot-tays!!!

But, seriously, Shirley, I think it's mainly for the special FX, which the Stage and Studio have in abundance. What else?

Oh, and it has two XLR Outs that default to Pre and Post mono, but can be configured to post stereo to let the FOH enhance the show!
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There’s something always new happening here at the CC!

I appreciate the amount of thought you put into your pedal platform, M. You have a good grasp of exactly what you want and need as well as what you don’t need.

As much as I find pedals interesting and even fun to browse, I tend to be one of those plug straight in and play guys. I’d hope that everything I need is built into my amp, though I understand that it isn’t always possible.

The more time I spend playing this hollow-bodies bass guitar, the better I’m zeroing in on how I want it to be amplified. Next, I plan on making a list of what I’d like to see my amp (combo or separates) should consist of. As far as brands, I’m open to anything that fills the bill. And to make clear of my intentions, this amp would be dedicated to the Beatle bass, though I already know the Stage 800 works perfectly with it.

The journey begins...

Yeah, pretty much bass -> amp has always been my deal. To me, a lot of the pedals land in the "fun" category. What actual use? 80s hair band baby. The VT Bass was a revelation to me, though, sort of "my tone, plus". A big change since "my tone plus a Peavey TNT" and we know what that sounds like.
 
This question is perhaps a lot off-topic so please forgive me--I didn't really want to start a new thread because there are currently 71,000 results for "stereo" on TalkBass and because y'all are pretty smart so I figured you could square me away (Yaaay Combo Club!).

Here's my question: If your name is not Phil Lesh and/or you do not play in front of a Wall of Sound, what is the value of having stereo bass amplification? (beyond being able to say you have a stereo bass rig)

Thank you for your insight!

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To get a red card for attempting to join the That's My Dinky Amp On Stage and Proud of It Club.