The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

OK. As much as I'd prefer to have a head and 2 cabinets (for portability) i think I'll have to save over $300 and do another combo. The best overall value I have found is the newish Ashdown 500 watt 2x10 Rootmaster EVO II @ $649. With onboard Compressor and Suboctavor and a weight of 40 pounds, how do you beat it. I also like the newish VT Tech 21 1x12 combo, 200 watts with the VT powered 1x12 ext cabinet. About 30 pounds each but about $200 more than the Ashdown. Finally, considering another Rumble 500V3 Combo as I really liked my past one. Any and all comments welcome.
Additional note. I'm 67, get whatever the hell I want.

Love the ‘tide, LJB! I like to venture new uncharted territory with each purchase, minus one or two indiscretions. The Ashdown sounds like da winner to me. What more could you want? Although, the Tech 21 is an intriguing option as well.

 

[GonePlaid]

My attention is always drawn when I see a non-FSO.

FWIW, I'm getting a thumb rest for my one FSO-my Squier VM Jaguar SS. I've been resting my thumb on the P pup but it doesn't take long to be uncomfortable. It'll look like this except black-from "Zero Mod".

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Hmm...I think I may know who this alleged bass player is.

Though I may face backlash, from my first day selling high quality audio components back in November of 1980, and with loudspeakers being my favorite piece to sell, there’s rarely been a speaker system that didn’t sound better a few months later after what I’d call a shakedown period.

Electronics are a different beast and tended to die within a month of being sold if they were built bad, but speakers breathe; they move, they live, at least in my ear. Call it what you will, but the VOX was like someone slipped out the old combo and replaced it with a vintage-sounding amp of yesteryear. Others have heard it as well, proven in these here pages.

So yeah, M, push yours and see if you don’t hear a change in the coming days, especially in the nether regions.

I love the "nether regions." Making me consider that Ashdown 500W combo more and more...... traveling thru time & space.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

FWIW, I'm getting a thumb rest for my one FSO-my Squier VM Jaguar SS. I've been resting my thumb on the P pup but it doesn't take long to be uncomfortable. It'll look like this except black-from "Zero Mod".
View attachment 3529982

Love the shape!!!!!!

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Love the ‘tide, LJB! I like to venture new uncharted territory with each purchase, minus one or two indiscretions. The Ashdown sounds like da winner to me. What more could you want? Although, the Tech 21 is an intriguing option as well.

The EVO II would be trippy with me Fender VI.

 

[GonePlaid]

Love the shape!!!!!!

Oops! Meant to include this pic.

 

[GwenOnBass]

We also appreciate zero mod combos!

 

[G-Dog]

... ... I did not notice a need, or a change, in the speaker sounds of my multiple Fender Bassman or Rumble combos or cabs. ... ...

... ... if there’s a long-time Rumble owner out there who says they think their combo sounds exactly the same as it did upon the very first open E they hit, I’ll never bring this topic up again!

Well, I didn't say that, exactly. I'm sure that time, and use, takes it's toll on all things, especially such dynamic things as speakers. But, I do believe that good quality speakers don't, necessarily, require break-in. And that's all I got to say about that.
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[bklee]

You are absolutely in, bklee. That’s a great pic of your amp rig. Where was it taken at, Baltimore? I’ll get a number in just a bit.

As for your Walkabout, search for Agedhorse here on the forum. I believe he works for Mesa and is the preeminent amp guru. Just ask him for an idea if what you may be looking at with your amp. He may be able to assist you. Please keep us posted. Number coming.

The picture is from someone else, but I use that same rig for small-medium venues. I live pretty close to the Mesa factory, so I've been talking to their repair department. They suggested replacing the 12AX7 tube and see if that helps. I just haven't been able to make it fail in a test at home.

 

[bklee]

Since we're talking about combos, what is the best combo (price no object) for small to medium venues? I may be looking for a combo to replace my Walkabout Scout 12 and would be looking for at least 500W. It would need to be light (50lb max) and capable of staying with a 5-piece classic rock and blues ensemble.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Since we're talking about combos, what is the best combo (price no object) for small to medium venues? I may be looking for a combo to replace my Walkabout Scout 12 and would be looking for at least 500W. It would need to be light (50lb max) and capable of staying with a 5-piece classic rock and blues ensemble.

The Fender Rumble series is quite well liked (I actually have the 150 and love it) and the Rumble 500 weighs in at 36.5 pounds. I'd give it a try.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Rumble Stage 800 at 800 watts and 39 pounds is going to get a lot of recs too.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Rumble Stage 800 at 800 watts and 39 pounds is going to get a lot of recs too.

Yeah, I feel like the Rumble line has pretty much whatever you need for whatever size you're playing. It just comes down to "how many watts do you want/need?" and "what sort of speaker configuration do you want/like?"
I see the 800 Stage has dual 10" speakers, as does the 500. My 150 is a single 15" speaker with a horn. It looks like a lot of the higher wattage version of the rumble switch from the single 15 to dual 10s. So somewhere in there I guess you have to ask yourself exactly what you're looking for out of the tone and which speaker combination will fit/work.

So many factors!

 

[TerribleTim68]

Also, I'd keep an eye on the used market. Lots of Rumbles floating around for sale. I snagged my Rumble 150 for like $120 off OfferUp. Guy was moving across the Country and didn't wanna pack it, lol. Good for me!

 

[LoveJackBruce]

Me Too looking and thinking about the right rig. I prefer 2x10 vs 1x15. I may just think myself out of it.....

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I've heard really good thing about the Traynor SB series, but they max out at 200 watts.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

I've heard really good thing about the Traynor SB series, but they max out at 200 watts.

Traynor..WOW. Flashing back to 1972.

 

[LoveJackBruce]

The Fender Rumble series is quite well liked (I actually have the 150 and love it) and the Rumble 500 weighs in at 36.5 pounds. I'd give it a try.

I'm getting a new Rumble 500v3 and soon I'm gonna replace the speakers with Basslite Neos. The Combo should be under 30 pounds then. Lighter and sound better too. Really awesome.

 

[iagtrplyr]

FWIW, I'm getting a thumb rest for my one FSO-my Squier VM Jaguar SS. I've been resting my thumb on the P pup but it doesn't take long to be uncomfortable. It'll look like this except black-from "Zero Mod".
View attachment 3529982

Best of luck being sent to you from Iowa with the rest. I think it’ll definitely look good!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Well, I didn't say that, exactly. I'm sure that time, and use, takes it's toll on all things, especially such dynamic things as speakers. But, I do believe that good quality speakers don't, necessarily, require break-in. And that's all I got to say about that.
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Always the diplomat, 007. I wasn’t singling you out, my four-string compadre, but the quadrillions of Fender owners who’ve enjoyed the rich, deep tone that it’s famous for. I do agree with you that the higher quality of speaker the tighter the tolerances. But even with expensive drivers I have to believe that like the fine bottle of ripple G’Dog tries sneakin’ In at revival meetings, they smoothly age with time!