The Combo Club

[JakobT]

At any rate, being able to haul most of your gear yourself is becoming increasingly important in cities, and public transport does help. But I have actually managed to transport a complete rig, bass, combo and accessories, across town on foot without too much trouble.

 

[Giffro]

At any rate, being able to haul most of your gear yourself is becoming increasingly important in cities, and public transport does help. But I have actually managed to transport a complete rig, bass, combo and accessories, across town on foot without too much trouble.

You're a better man than me Gunga Din...loll

 

[Five String]

Can you join? My bass brother, you're #80 with a bullet! Five String, what's the year of your GK? I'm semi-familiar with the MB 150-series, but haven't seen this model before. It looks like it means business. Thanks for signing up with us; it's a great group of folks.

Thanks OP I'm flattered. The GK website says they started making these in 1984. Above the plate with the serial number on the back it says 3-85. Is that the month and year of manufacture? Maybe. The current version is the 150S/112 MBX. MB 150S112 Specs

I made what I thought was a ridiculously low bid on evilbay for this unit with a refoamed speaker. I was pleasantly surprised to win the auction and very unpleasantly surprised that when I got it, the thing rattled like crazy. On agedhorse's advice, rather than try to re-refoam the speaker, I bought a new one from GK. There must be a few of these still floating around because when I called to order the speaker, the woman told me what I needed before I finished describing the amp. I did some research online and learned that since the construction is aluminum sheets screwed together (the current models are welded) they are notoriously difficult to find and remedy rattles. I think I may have slayed that dragon by obtaining very slightly larger screws from, of all places, my local hardware store, and replacing screws wherever it seemed like there was noise.

To each his own but it sounds really really good to me, surprisingly loud. I pretty much use it to practice but it gets out of the house once in a great while.

 

[theduke1]

If you gotta haul gear on public transit this is a must
I have one and it is killer and I use an Overton 110 Ext cab as well

 

[theduke1]

My rig like the one pictured is 300 Watts stand alone or 300 with the Ext cab.
It never fails to impress
Duke

 

[Giffro]

My rig like the one pictured is 300 Watts stand alone or 300 with the Ext cab.
It never fails to impress
Duke

Plus it can double as a seat on public transport loll

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thanks OP I'm flattered. The GK website says they started making these in 1984. Above the plate with the serial number on the back it says 3-85. Is that the month and year of manufacture? Maybe. The current version is the 150S/112 MBX. MB 150S112 Specs

I made what I thought was a ridiculously low bid on evilbay for this unit with a refoamed speaker. I was pleasantly surprised to win the auction and very unpleasantly surprised that when I got it, the thing rattled like crazy. On agedhorse's advice, rather than try to re-refoam the speaker, I bought a new one from GK. There must be a few of these still floating around because when I called to order the speaker, the woman told me what I needed before I finished describing the amp. I did some research online and learned that since the construction is aluminum sheets screwed together (the current models are welded) they are notoriously difficult to find and remedy rattles. I think I may have slayed that dragon by obtaining very slightly larger screws from, of all places, my local hardware store, and replacing screws wherever it seemed like there was noise.

To each his own but it sounds really really good to me, surprisingly loud. I pretty much use it to practice but it gets out of the house once in a great while.

Hi all. Once again, another interesting story from a member of the Combo Club. I'd keep that amp, Fiver, no matter what someone offered...even a million bucks. Well, okay, I'd sell it like yesterday if that was the case, but my point is as soon as you build up a little history with your gear it's awfully tough to then part with. Thanks for sharing.

 

[iagtrplyr]

My rig like the one pictured is 300 Watts stand alone or 300 with the Ext cab.
It never fails to impress
Duke

I remember reading about their unique way of coaxing full power out of both the single ten and tandem speaker, but I want to know, Duke, is it a true 300 watts through that ten all by it's lonesome? I know wattage isn't the only factor, but does that little combo really crank out the volume?

 

[iagtrplyr]

Fellas, after catching up tonight with all the social studies discussion comparing cities and transportation, I think we ought to change this club's name to the Brilliant Bass Players Club! What an insightful talk. Jakob, I think how you folks in Norway live is really neat. Imagine Chicago (closest major city to me) being closed off to private transportation except for bicycles? Public transporting of the people would rule and streets become concert stages for the local musicians. what progressive thinking that is. Like you mentioned though, the auto (Actually, it's the SUV) does reign supreme, at least here in the States, and I may never see it exactly that way. Very cool though.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Representativer picture like my 60's Alamo Fury, 15 tube watts, 1x15. Speaker replace with 200w Big Ben guitar speaker. Sounds a lot better/clearer with a bass since I picked up a Broughton always-on HPF. Really evens out string-to-string volume.

#100 for me please
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Stumbo, sorry for getting back to you so late. I put it on the to-do list this morning and then forgot what i did with the darn list. I've got ya down for #100 but will wait to put you on the list until we clear 99. Thanks for rocking with the CC. Your Alamo combo certainly earns you the title of member. Thanks!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Combo Club, we are officially (as of 12:28 AM on Thursday, June 27) at 81 members with 19 left tot go to hit the century mark. Four days left, it may be tough, but we're gonna give it our best. Let's go raid some of the other clubs to see if we can grab a few combo owners. I'll start!

 

[Giffro]

I put it on the to-do list this morning and then forgot what i did with the darn list.

Ya gotta love this bloke already..I bet iagtrplyr isnt the only one in all of TB to forget what he did with his lists and shoes, and isn't it nice to know he's not a grumpy old fart loll

 

[Giffro]

btw iagtrplyr..now that I realise you are close to Chicago do you know of the Illinois singer songwriter Jude Cole? I posted a couple of his YT songs over in the Misc/Post your song of the day thread if you want to check him out..great music.

 

[Gremson]

Traveling the country in an RV and transporting my rig via motorcycle, I gotta keep my rig small and portable. I love it. Jammed with a band last week and it more than held its own. Got my first gig with this rig coming up on Friday. I can't wait.

 

[theduke1]

I remember reading about their unique way of coaxing full power out of both the single ten and tandem speaker, but I want to know, Duke, is it a true 300 watts through that ten all by it's lonesome? I know wattage isn't the only factor, but does that little combo really crank out the volume?

I don’t know how I would tell if the 300 is a valid number
All I know is I purchased this rig from my Wisconsin Bassplayers Club friend MrBear a few years ago as I was looking for a practice rig.
When I got it home and played it I was so impressed with the sound it has become my rig of choice.
I play in a trio and we have pa support but every musician that comes and hears us is blown away by the sound of this mini rig.
I have never run it past 50% on the gain and master.
If you are looking for small mini rig of boom
this is it
Duke

 

[Big Hoss]

Yeah, the differences between Australia, Texas and Norway are in part geographical but mostly social and political. Norway is left/progressive on the political spectrum, so it invests more in public infrastructure. To be clear, I'm not trying to start a debate or be prescriptive. That's my day job. I'm just describing the facts.

Without going in the leanings of one region or another. I suggest that climate / environment has far more to do with it than you are giving credit for. Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio are all large urban environments with leanings typical of such urban environments. There has been no shortage of investment on public infrastructure in these areas, it's just massively underutilized. There are major security issues, and again. Who wants to end up dripping sweat waiting for a bus only to show up to work smelly, uncomfortable and soaked to the bone? Nobody wants that, customers, colleagues and certainly your bosses don't want to deal with that!

 

[Big Hoss]

At any rate, being able to haul most of your gear yourself is becoming increasingly important in cities, and public transport does help. But I have actually managed to transport a complete rig, bass, combo and accessories, across town on foot without too much trouble.

If I were to try that in the majority of Houston, I'd get mugged within 3 blocks.

The suburbs, not so much of a problem. And some schleps actually you end up parking a few blocks away and rolling your gear to the venue due to parking issues.

I saw an article on Vox not too long ago talking about superblocks. Not a bad idea, again we are dealing with climate, crime, etc... issues. There are areas where this is, and has worked, and worked well even along the gulf coast. The Galveston Island Strand district gets closed off to vehicular traffic for the Christmas season as well as Mardi Gras.

There are things that those laying out our public spaces COULD do a much better job of providing for things like security (lighting, foot patrols, vastly imcreased foot traffic), protection from the elements (trees, shade structures etc...). And to get back on topic, these things could, and should benefit from the presence of live music, be it small outdoor venues, or busking spaces along the route, to improve the overall welcoming feel of the space. That my friends, is where we come into play. Houston Texas for example has a grand total of 1 busker that I have ever seen. I somewhat suspect that it is illegal here, or at least not encouraged... Galveston I've seen more, along with police citing the buskers and shutting them down. However outdoor venues do exist in Galveston, particularly along the strand...

These things take investment, and they take buy in from the community (tax payers) to approve yes. There are communities that are not on the political spectrum the way one would think that do encourage non motorized traffic by means of impropmptu public entertainment spaces. I've seen parking lots at the beginning of a downtown area of many small towns packed, and the main street become a hub of activity on the weekends with farmers markets, restaurants, flea markets, outdoor music, and carnivals. Too much going on to be able to do that, AND have close parking, so people get out and walk....

 

[JakobT]

If I were to try that in the majority of Houston, I'd get mugged within 3 blocks.

The suburbs, not so much of a problem. And some schleps actually you end up parking a few blocks away and rolling your gear to the venue due to parking issues.

I saw an article on Vox not too long ago talking about superblocks. Not a bad idea, again we are dealing with climate, crime, etc... issues. There are areas where this is, and has worked, and worked well even along the gulf coast. The Galveston Island Strand district gets closed off to vehicular traffic for the Christmas season as well as Mardi Gras.

There are things that those laying out our public spaces COULD do a much better job of providing for things like security (lighting, foot patrols, vastly imcreased foot traffic), protection from the elements (trees, shade structures etc...). And to get back on topic, these things could, and should benefit from the presence of live music, be it small outdoor venues, or busking spaces along the route, to improve the overall welcoming feel of the space. That my friends, is where we come into play. Houston Texas for example has a grand total of 1 busker that I have ever seen. I somewhat suspect that it is illegal here, or at least not encouraged... Galveston I've seen more, along with police citing the buskers and shutting them down. However outdoor venues do exist in Galveston, particularly along the strand...

These things take investment, and they take buy in from the community (tax payers) to approve yes. There are communities that are not on the political spectrum the way one would think that do encourage non motorized traffic by means of impropmptu public entertainment spaces. I've seen parking lots at the beginning of a downtown area of many small towns packed, and the main street become a hub of activity on the weekends with farmers markets, restaurants, flea markets, outdoor music, and carnivals. Too much going on to be able to do that, AND have close parking, so people get out and walk....

Interesting post, Big Hoss!
I’m obviously very lucky not to have to deal with the same issues of climate and crime. But I do think that a reduction of automobile traffic in cities opens up intriguing possibilities for musicians, not only busking, but live music at various types of outdoor venues, from pavement cafés to street fairs. It also highlights the role we musicians can play in community building. Live music is a powerful thing, and it’s great if we’re able to use it in the service of our local communities.

BTW - what’s a «superblock»?

 

[iagtrplyr]

btw iagtrplyr..now that I realise you are close to Chicago do you know of the Illinois singer songwriter Jude Cole? I posted a couple of his YT songs over in the Misc/Post your song of the day thread if you want to check him out..great music.

Giffro, not offhand, but the name does sound familiar. I'll check him out today. I see he was born five days after me, so maybe there's a grumpy old man kindred spirit here. He's married to Michelle Pfeiffer's sister so maybe he's less grumpy.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Traveling the country in an RV and transporting my rig via motorcycle, I gotta keep my rig small and portable. I love it. Jammed with a band last week and it more than held its own. Got my first gig with this rig coming up on Friday. I can't wait.


View attachment 3062156

Gremson, you made it! Sharp-looking picture that earns you the 81st spot in our membership. Best of luck with your gig, complete with the Epi bass, Rumble amp, and cats. Keep us posted on how it goes. Congrats!