• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Combo Club

Hey M, big news. played the Ampeg this afternoon to record and Break-in the new speaker. It is very very nice! Nice enough you should re-think making the purchase and have someone put it in if you want to avoid that. Think of turning it up as loud as you want and not hear any breakup, strain, or plain pooping out!

If you’re interested, I’ll send ya some audio to hear, though it may not be perfect...or the sound either! Let me know.

And right next door at this moment we have experienced folk weighing in on if 100 watts (tube watts,solid state watts, Joe Besser watts) is "enough". Obie came in with the twenty seven eight-by-ten colour glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one, sat down and said

... a pair of needle nose pliers and some electrical tape to reshape and secure the connection sounds a bit more than I may wish to undertake myself. And I know the brick and mortar guy will do it, no questions asked, for a couple quid.

What I'm working to envision are the wheres and whys of a 20 watt Ampeg. And no bout a doubt it, the BA-108 is a surprisingly good amp (especially for the coin). Sounds great with the volume knob on 3. At present have mine situated directly behind my practice chair, pointed up on its own kickback. That's cause the big guns are in my room as renovations are underway.

And woke up Sunday feeling another PJB Cab 27 would just complete the Elf, and wondering in the same mental breath why narrow the performance distance between the PJB BG-400 combo + C4 extension and the Elf + Cab 27. Because they sound utterly different, that's why.

To me, an upgraded BA-108 means not as much stage booty available as with the PJB combo. But for a small room up against an acoustic guitar and breathless chick vocalist (the Starbuuck's will play your CD, no questions asked, voice), the BA-108 with the upgrade just may do it.

Also I seem to turn my amp up more at home in the evenings. <shrug>
 
Last edited:
And right next door at this moment we have experienced folk weighing in on if 100 watts (tube watts,solid state watts, Joe Besser watts) is "enough". Obie came in with the twenty seven eight-by-ten colour glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one, sat down and said

... a pair of needle nose pliers and some electrical tape to reshape and secure the connection sounds a bit more than I may wish to undertake myself. And I know the brick and mortar guy will do it, no questions asked, for a couple quid.

What I'm working to envision are the wheres and whys of a 20 watt Ampeg. And no bout a doubt it, the BA-108 is a surprisingly good amp (especially for the coin). Sounds great with the volume knob on 3. At present have mine situated directly behind my practice chair, pointed up on its own kickback. That's cause the big guns are in my room as renovations are underway.

And woke up Sunday feeling another PJB Cab 27 would just complete the Elf, and wondering in the same mental breath why narrow the performance distance between the PJB BG-400 combo + C4 extension and the Elf + Cab 27. Because they sound utterly different, that's why.

To me, an upgraded BA-108 means not as much stage booty available. But for a small room up against an acoustic guitar and breathless chick vocalist (the Starbuuck's will play your CD, no questions asked, voice), the BA-108 with the upgrade just may do it.

Also I seem to turn my amp up more at home in the evenings. <shrug>

Based on my ears, the BA108 v2 will definitely do what you ask it to, especially with the upgraded speaker. I’m stunned how much more focused and less restrained the tone is. I can’t tell one ioda any difference in volume, though the impedance is 8 ohms, not the original’s 4 ohm load.

I fatten up the bass to 2:00 and let it rip. It does add a couple more pounds to an already robust cab, but it’s worth it.

If ya don’t swap it’s not the end of civilization and your PJB vision may bring you more of what you want, but if you change your mind and want to have a little low-priced fun, to me it’s worth every penny.
 
I won't tell, but I'm already wondering if I made the right choice!

Oh no! Doc, you can’t second guess yourself now. I ya least wait until that first note before I begin letting my mind take over. Okay, so you’re not gonna give it away, but did you feel like you got your money’s worth? Did you buy new or used? Is it cold in Canada yet? What is the brand’s first letter?

Hey, ya can’t fault a guy for trying...
 
Oh no! Doc, you can’t second guess yourself now. I ya least wait until that first note before I begin letting my mind take over. Okay, so you’re not gonna give it away, but did you feel like you got your money’s worth? Did you buy new or used? Is it cold in Canada yet? What is the brand’s first letter?

Hey, ya can’t fault a guy for trying...
New and we had a beautiful day today.
 
Good and good. I notice you’re still holding out on a hint though. That’s fine, but think about me tomorrow as I struggle to teach one item about energy to the 4th grade because the combo mystery will be consuming me! :sorry:

h3Ys9Mk.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass
Whatever Doc's choice is, I'm like a 17 yr. old kid again with the Hartke HD75 Combo, and the Epi EB-3. The two compliment each other so well.

5qZVIlg.png
4WgL1Kr.jpg

Confessing I've never really heard a Hartke. My impression without any pre-load is an amp more to the rock 'n roll side of things. Certainly looks rock, especially with the Epi EB-3. And might have been all over an Epi EB-3 myself were it a short scale. Not really certain why Epiphone decided to make the EB-0 short scale and the EB-3 full scale? The black EB-3 sure looks boss.
 
Confessing I've never really heard a Hartke. My impression without any pre-load is an amp more to the rock 'n roll side of things. Certainly looks rock, especially with the Epi EB-3. And might have been all over an Epi EB-3 myself were it a short scale. Not really certain why Epiphone decided to make the EB-0 short scale and the EB-3 full scale? The black EB-3 sure looks boss.

The Epi EB-0 is true to the original Gibson EB-0 as a short scale. There was a Gibson EB-3 short scale, and an EB-3L long scale. My question would be, why did Epi designate it the EB-3, instead of the EB-3L? I don't know. I used to really like short scale basses, but anymore my fingers like a bit more space on the fretboard. Maybe it's just an old man thing going on with my fingers now.
 
I agree with the EB-1 as the original Gibson bass. I was referring to the original Gibson EB-0, to the Epi EB-0 version.

Don't know about you, but I find their naming/number system very confusing. My recent purchase of a Rogue violin bass is not anywhere close to the original, but, for $100 and change it is a great reminder (for me) of what got me into playing bass so many years ago...

Rogue VB100.JPG
 
I had an Epi EB-3(L)-sold it. Thought I'd like it as a backup to my main bass. Neck dove much worse than my 67 Thunderbird.

I think the Neck Dive of Death on the EB-3 may have bit to do with the body weight as well, not just the longer neck. The average Epi EB-3 weight is posted by Epi at 8.5 pounds. My Epi EB-3 weighs in at 7.8 pounds. I've had SG Std.'s that had the Neck Dive of Death worse than my current EB-3.
 
Don't know about you, but I find their naming/number system very confusing. My recent purchase of a Rogue violin bass is not anywhere close to the original, but, for $100 and change it is a great reminder (for me) of what got me into playing bass so many years ago...

View attachment 3565835
My first real bass was a '66 Gibson EB-3. After I got my TBird in '73, I hardly ever played the EB-3. Kept it for 'silent' practice for years, but finally sold it. Less than a month later, developed a need for a short scale. Wanted an Epi EB-0 in ebony/black but none were available, so I got a (black)Squier VM Jaguar. It's "OK", but I shoulda bought an EB-0 and had it refinished.