And on top of it, the price isn't too bad either. I definitely like the way Ibanez designed the circuitry to run full power whether you're running the combo alone or with extension cab. Good for you!
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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
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And on top of it, the price isn't too bad either. I definitely like the way Ibanez designed the circuitry to run full power whether you're running the combo alone or with extension cab. Good for you!
Points on your last two post were well-said, Big Hoss. The cultural mindset has as much to do with a city's vision of how it wants to be viewed from others. Look at Austin, for example. The first thing I think of when i hear that city mentioned is live music. You made me wonder what communities in the US do envision themselves more like Oslo, Norway, at least in philosophy. The capital of Texas could be one of them. My first year of teaching took place in Laredo, though we spent time in San Antonio as well as the coast.
Great conversation folks. Well done.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
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Here's the video from Vox. Not a huge fan of theirs but the concept is interesting. I won't say, especially with the massive differences in the cities, that American cities mimic European, but this is interesting...
Do a comparison between Oslo, where you live, to Houston, which is the Metropolitan area I live.
City: Oslo Houston Metropolitan
Population: 634,293 6.77 million
Land mass: 175.3 mi² 10,062 mi²
I have already shown the massive differences in climate between the two cities.
The realities are as follows:
Metropolitan Houston, not even the greater Houston - Galveston region, and trust me the cities just keep going, is tremendously larger than Oslo. No offense but Oslo would be considered a small city by comparison. Most people that work in Houston, live in the suburbs, communities surrounding the city, a public transit system that could effectively serve this region is simply unfeaseable. There are too many origins, and too many destinations. There are zero cross town express services, so that say a person living in the far south around NASA can't say go to a Park and Ride to catch a bus to the North side of Houston where the petro and shipping indistries are. Or to the far west side of Houston for the jobs out in the financial district out by Katy.
Just finished the video. Fascinating. Agreed, it's probably something that many small to mid-size cities could seriously look at, but would be quite a challenge for larger cities unless they're happy with just a token number of higher class districts like it mentioned. Jakob, be happy (and content) that Oslo doesn't explode in population in the future. That might threaten what your community is creating. I'm still envious!
On the combo front, members, I did a series of hit-and-run postings early this morning, mentioning the club, how awesome you all are, and that there was plenty of room under our tent. Gremson was just added and I'm delighted. We're down to 18 spots left. Help me fill 'em up. Thanks! 
Very interesting discussion, and I'll vouch for Big Hoss's point about Houston. I live on the opposite side of town (I'm in NW) but my 15 minute drive to work would probably be at least an hour by bus - assuming I could even find the right interconnects to get me from home to work.
On the other hand, going to large events (the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for example) it actually is somewhat feasible to take mass transit. We have "Park and Ride" so you drive a short distance to a lot where you board a bus which takes you to your destination. Not bad, but it has as much to do with parking space at the event as it does with not driving yourself.
Thanks for posting the video - that makes it clearer.
There are tremendous differences, I don’t deny that for a moment, and both by population and land mass, Oslo would be regarded as a small city. I do think, however, that there are other differences as well, population and land mass doesn’t tell the whole story.
If you look at the history of Houston, it’s been one of the fastest growing cities in the US, in a century where emphasis was firmly on automotive transport. That usually has some consequences in terms of the layout of the city.
In 1900, the population of Houston was about 45.000, whereas that of Oslo was about 250.000. It’s hardly surprising that the two cities developed in different directions. It’s also very clear that they are on different points in their development - Oslo has been around for a little over a millennium, while Houston isn’t two hundred years old yet.
A better comparison to Houston might be London, which covers a comparable land mass, and has a comparable population. Public transport works quite well there, and they’re starting to implement some of the same traffic-restriction measures as Oslo, as are many other large European cities. However, all of them have invested heavily in public transport for the past century, and I believe that to be the main difference.
However, I certainly didn’t intend for this to become a discussion either of politics or town planning, I was simply interested in how my fellow musicians without cars hauled their gear around.
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I recall your queries in the Rumble Club about getting the right size vs power for your motorcycle transport and I'm so glad the 100 is working out for you.
Good luck with the first gig coming up!
- Oct 22, 2015
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Appears mine holds a membership chit for the combo club.
And late into a discussion not fully digested, my choice for cities is micro-amp in the gig bag + backline cab. And a 1x10 cab for coffee house stuff.
And late into a discussion not fully digested, my choice for cities is micro-amp in the gig bag + backline cab. And a 1x10 cab for coffee house stuff.
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Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
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Okay so back to the topic at hand. Combo amps....
There are no shortage of micro heads, and small cabs that do, and can work, and be carried about in tight situations like we have been talking. But let's face it. I don't know about you folks, but for me, a combo, even a fairly large but light one like my Fender Rumble V3 500 combo, can be managed pretty easily one handed, with my bass slung over my back, the other hand is kept free for handling things like door handles, and stair rails.
Even when loading in more of the band gear. light stands, mixers, PA speakers etc... it is still simpler, and easier to simplify the rig. The fewer pieces the easier it is to haul, load in, set up, use, tear down, and haul out.
While Austin is a great example of a live music friendly city, most coastal towns and cities may have venues, but LOTS of the venues small acts like mine can get into, are nothing more than a "stage" on a utility trailer pulled under a Palapa, or into a barn somewhere with power provided. If we need something else to make the show, we MUST haul it in and bring it with us. Lighting, PA, and even just a fan to keep us at least cool enough to keep from dropping dead from the heat in the summer.
I am not sure how the public transit guys can make this work. Our gear, on load in isn't tiny, but we minimize, and keep things assembled into assemblies that are then in a variety of carry cases to make it work.
My stuff.
Fender Rumble V3 500 combo, SX Ursa 3 MN 3TS, Ibanez SR480 in a double gig bag with backpack straps. In the pocket are my cables, tuner and Zoom B3.
Lead Guitarists stuff.
Fender Champion 100 combo.
SX Hawn MN CAR. In an SX gig bag with his Zoom G3X, cables, and tuner.
Fender CN-240SCE Acoustic Electric. In a Gator hard case.
Rythmn Guitarists stuff.
Behringer GTX-60 combo.
FA-135CE Acoustic Electric Sunburst. In a Fender gig bag with cables and tuner.
Fender Jazzmaster maple neck sunburst in a Fender gig bag, with more cables.
Drummer.
Peavey International Series 5pc kit. + cymbals, stands, throne, and double bass pedal in Gator cases.
Common equipment.
12x4 100' stage snake.
Behringer XENYX X2442USB 24 input mixer.
Harbinger V2112 monitors (x2)
Harbinger V2215 mains (x2)
Harbinger V2218s subwoofer.
PA speaker stands (x2) with scrims.
Home made lighting mounts for tops of mains.
Moonflower Projector.
Gemmy Lightshow. Red, and blue.
10 @ Codiak 86 LED DMX Par Lighting. (The cheap Amazon / Ebay cans)
Lixada DMX 192 controller
DMX cables.
Chauvet DJ-06 Lightweight lighting stand with T bar and scrim.
Backpack full of XLR, and power cables, gaffing tape etc...
We get everything in on 3 folding / convertible hand trucks. One trip load in / out, and some stuff strapped to our backs.
I am pretty sure we couldn't get on a bus with all that gear if we tried... And not too many busses head out to barns, palapas, and boat houses where we typically gig... But what is worse, not too many of these places provide PA, or lighting, thus the complexity of our kit.
Our favorite gigs are the ones with a decent house PA / mixer, lighting, and a house drum kit.... Makes for a super easy night!
There are no shortage of micro heads, and small cabs that do, and can work, and be carried about in tight situations like we have been talking. But let's face it. I don't know about you folks, but for me, a combo, even a fairly large but light one like my Fender Rumble V3 500 combo, can be managed pretty easily one handed, with my bass slung over my back, the other hand is kept free for handling things like door handles, and stair rails.
Even when loading in more of the band gear. light stands, mixers, PA speakers etc... it is still simpler, and easier to simplify the rig. The fewer pieces the easier it is to haul, load in, set up, use, tear down, and haul out.
While Austin is a great example of a live music friendly city, most coastal towns and cities may have venues, but LOTS of the venues small acts like mine can get into, are nothing more than a "stage" on a utility trailer pulled under a Palapa, or into a barn somewhere with power provided. If we need something else to make the show, we MUST haul it in and bring it with us. Lighting, PA, and even just a fan to keep us at least cool enough to keep from dropping dead from the heat in the summer.
I am not sure how the public transit guys can make this work. Our gear, on load in isn't tiny, but we minimize, and keep things assembled into assemblies that are then in a variety of carry cases to make it work.
My stuff.
Fender Rumble V3 500 combo, SX Ursa 3 MN 3TS, Ibanez SR480 in a double gig bag with backpack straps. In the pocket are my cables, tuner and Zoom B3.
Lead Guitarists stuff.
Fender Champion 100 combo.
SX Hawn MN CAR. In an SX gig bag with his Zoom G3X, cables, and tuner.
Fender CN-240SCE Acoustic Electric. In a Gator hard case.
Rythmn Guitarists stuff.
Behringer GTX-60 combo.
FA-135CE Acoustic Electric Sunburst. In a Fender gig bag with cables and tuner.
Fender Jazzmaster maple neck sunburst in a Fender gig bag, with more cables.
Drummer.
Peavey International Series 5pc kit. + cymbals, stands, throne, and double bass pedal in Gator cases.
Common equipment.
12x4 100' stage snake.
Behringer XENYX X2442USB 24 input mixer.
Harbinger V2112 monitors (x2)
Harbinger V2215 mains (x2)
Harbinger V2218s subwoofer.
PA speaker stands (x2) with scrims.
Home made lighting mounts for tops of mains.
Moonflower Projector.
Gemmy Lightshow. Red, and blue.
10 @ Codiak 86 LED DMX Par Lighting. (The cheap Amazon / Ebay cans)
Lixada DMX 192 controller
DMX cables.
Chauvet DJ-06 Lightweight lighting stand with T bar and scrim.
Backpack full of XLR, and power cables, gaffing tape etc...
We get everything in on 3 folding / convertible hand trucks. One trip load in / out, and some stuff strapped to our backs.
I am pretty sure we couldn't get on a bus with all that gear if we tried... And not too many busses head out to barns, palapas, and boat houses where we typically gig... But what is worse, not too many of these places provide PA, or lighting, thus the complexity of our kit.
Our favorite gigs are the ones with a decent house PA / mixer, lighting, and a house drum kit.... Makes for a super easy night!
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
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LOL. I love the rail to Rodeo. I tend to park at the medical center and just slide right into the line at Rodeo every year...! I have done Smithlands in the past, and even that park and ride tends to get congested on the days we go...
I agree, I work in the far south of Houston, and live in the north of Galveston county. My 15 minute drive would be an hour and a half by bus!
On a music / gig note. Do you know of Topwater Grill in San Leon ever has bands on that stage in the Palapa? I see the stage get set up, lighting, and PA, but never anything that looks like music, more like it is set up for corporate speeches or something. I've been considering talking to the manager down there. We lost several venues with Harvey last year as a lot of our stuff was done around Dickinson.... We've only played 3 gigs since, all Santa Fe for private functions...
No idea on that. We hardly ever get down that way. We have one gig coming up at an apartment complex in League City but that's about as far south as we get. Our drummer got us hooked up with that one - kind of a community outing thing for the residents down there on a Saturday afternoon.
Most of our usual gigs are around the Willowbrook area, although we do occasionally venture inside the loop. There's a cool place called Bubba's (on Washington, in The Heights) I really enjoy playing when we get the chance. Fortunately Harvey spared most things up my way.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
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LOL... We rarely venture north of Bay Area Boulevard! The League City gig is along the lines of what we tend to do.... Last one I did in LC that wasn't a church gig was at the apartment complex on Constellation.... Not the best setup, but a great crowd. We did have to keep volume in check though. That channel was wide open to the complex behind us and man did the bass carry!
That was long enough ago, I was gigging, a Crate BX-100!
Because my band mates both have other projects and we all have enough gear each to support a band our pa and lights are a combination of yours, mine and his.
So it’s two vans and a truck and trailer
Duke
So it’s two vans and a truck and trailer
Duke
NAD!
Meet my new rig! A combo stack! As I mentioned last week I have been getting a less than satisfactory tone from the combination of my 68 Hofner and my Peavey Max 115. It's not each component alone, but the combination, since the 68 sounds great on other amps and the Max 115 great with solid body basses. So I've been trying to think of cost effective methods of solving my issue, especially since bass is a hobby for me now and not a way to make a living. I didn't want to invest in another amp, but wanted to make use of the Peavey and incorporate it into the solution. I thought if getting another amp or a tone shaping DI box of some kind.
The solution I came up with was a Vox Pathfinder 10 watt practice amp., as Vox seemed like the natrual fit for the Hofner plus it was cheap. The goal was to run a line out from the headphone jack and into the aux of the Peavey. The Vox arrived, I tried and boom the tone sucked! Man I was disappointed. I almost stuck the Vox in the box and was ready to mail it back when I thought I should try running a line out from the Vox, via the headphone jack again, but this time into the passive input on the Peavey. Bam much better tone! It was a little too intense still so I went into the Peavey via the active input and Bam sweet tone! Still not perfect, but still better than what it was. I will still have to likely add something, but I'm loving my combo stack!
Meet my new rig! A combo stack! As I mentioned last week I have been getting a less than satisfactory tone from the combination of my 68 Hofner and my Peavey Max 115. It's not each component alone, but the combination, since the 68 sounds great on other amps and the Max 115 great with solid body basses. So I've been trying to think of cost effective methods of solving my issue, especially since bass is a hobby for me now and not a way to make a living. I didn't want to invest in another amp, but wanted to make use of the Peavey and incorporate it into the solution. I thought if getting another amp or a tone shaping DI box of some kind.
The solution I came up with was a Vox Pathfinder 10 watt practice amp., as Vox seemed like the natrual fit for the Hofner plus it was cheap. The goal was to run a line out from the headphone jack and into the aux of the Peavey. The Vox arrived, I tried and boom the tone sucked! Man I was disappointed. I almost stuck the Vox in the box and was ready to mail it back when I thought I should try running a line out from the Vox, via the headphone jack again, but this time into the passive input on the Peavey. Bam much better tone! It was a little too intense still so I went into the Peavey via the active input and Bam sweet tone! Still not perfect, but still better than what it was. I will still have to likely add something, but I'm loving my combo stack!
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
View attachment 3061054
It's not a bass amp, but I submit my tiny '60s Alamo combo guitar amp (under my right foot in the photo) to the Alamo Combo Sub-Club, or whatever group we three compose.
Bought new in '64, maybe 5 or 10 watts, probably 8" speaker, IIRC.For that matter, my Sears Silvertone Twin Twelve 1484 (also in the photo) would qualify as a combo since the head was hard wired to the cab! First "amp mod" I ever made was to "cut the cord" and add a plug and Jack to separate that head and cab.
Morrighan, you are member #82 and a welcome addition to our combo appreciation society. Quite a potent rig you have displayed in the pic. Feel free to join in on our conversations from around the globe!
Big Hoss, what you wrote here could be a primer for all aspiring musicians, weekend warriors, and local touring groups. Thanks for providing the club with a solid example of what it takes to put on an enjoyable music program. I think sometimes people, especially those who play at home exclusively, forget all the other "stuff" it takes to put on a show. I think if you can haul that in one trip in and one trip out, that's pretty darned good. Great post.
BTW, I'm also an owner of an SX Ursa 3 MN Ash NA.
So in other words, Doc, you're running the Vox like a pedal into the Peavey's input. Take a few days and mess around with the combos and see if you come up with anything interesting. Just wondering, have you tried the Vox alone yet? Reviews say there's not much bass, but I'm just curious. It's too darn cute looking to not like it. At the very least, you can place the Hofner alongside the Vox in your living room and have a great conversation piece. Congrats on your NAD!
It's not a bass amp, but I submit my tiny '60s Alamo combo guitar amp (under my right foot in the photo) to the Alamo Combo Sub-Club, or whatever group we three compose.
View attachment 3062766
For that matter, my Sears Silvertone Twin Twelve 1484 (also in the photo) would qualify as a combo since the head was hard wired to the cab! First "amp mod" I ever made was to "cut the cord" and add a plug and Jack to separate that head and cab.
G-Dog, gotta love the Beatles album. Kids, that's called a record. Oh yeah, they're making a comeback at at ten times the price. I'm showing my ignorance and laziness, but was Alamo an American brand on their own, or were they part of a larger corporation? I've seen the name on sites, but have never seen one in person. Love the flared trousers too, Dog!
