The Combo Club

[west al]

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.

That would've been a good option to have it refinished.

 

[GonePlaid]

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.

Yeah, I was used to the long scale of the TBird and thought the longer scale EB-3 would feel more comfortable. Didn't take into consideration that that neck length versus the smaller, lighter body would be a problem. An EB-0 woulda been fine since I never use the bridge pup on any of my basses.

 

[GonePlaid]

That would've been a good option to have it refinished.

"Too soon old; too late smart"

 

[GwenOnBass]

It's that early Creme indistinct thud that secured a prominent place in my Big Book of Braaains! Bass Tones card index. For good or ill, the mudbucker has interested me since. Apparently it's possible to acquire a new mudbucker wound to spec. The majority of mudbucker replacements appear to have cleaned up the mud.

One wonders (okay, I wonder) what an original mudbucker would do with a HPF in the signal chain.

 

[west al]

Yeah, I was used to the long scale of the TBird and thought the longer scale EB-3 would feel more comfortable. Didn't take into consideration that that neck length versus the smaller, lighter body would be a problem. An EB-0 woulda been fine since I never use the bridge pup on any of my basses.

I have the selector on the EB-3 set for the rhythm pup myself. I'm not a fan too much of the lead pup myself either.

 

[GonePlaid]

I have the selector on the EB-3 set for the rhythm pup myself. I'm not a fan too much of the lead pup myself either.

The original selector on EB-3s had 4 positions(reversed from the 3 position switch of newer models)1-neck, 2-bridge, and I never could figure out what 3 and 4 did. The newer ones make more sense: 1-bridge, 2-both, 3- neck.

 

[west al]

Accepting any vintage Gibson (if the headstock ain't broke)

You probably never had to deal with Gibson Basses, or 6 stringers, as a Roadie on the road.

 

[west al]

The original selector on EB-3s had 4 positions(reversed from the 3 position switch of newer models)1-neck, 2-bridge, and I never could figure out what 3 and 4 did. The newer ones make more sense: 1-bridge, 2-both, 3- neck.

I don't recall what the positions were on the Gibson selector, now that you mention it.

 

[GonePlaid]

I don't recall what the positions were on the Gibson selector, now that you mention it.

I found position one to be useful as a mute on breaks since that volume knob was always off.

 

[west al]

I found position one to be useful as a mute on breaks since that volume knob was always off.

Yep! Excellent use of it.

 

[SoulReflection]

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.

Personal preference is a strange thing...what one person hears and sees is not the same as what another person hears and sees.

In my case, what I saw and heard in the early '60's was a group performing "Walking the Dog" in a shopping mall. The bass player was playing a violin-shaped bass that caught my attention. I was riveted to that sound and had to be part of it. There was no way I could pay for a bass like that, so I looked at cheaper alternatives and began exploring other soul and R & B groups. That is when I discovered Booker T and the MG's (with Duck Dunn). Well, the Japanese at the time, were making inexpensive knock-offs of Fender basses and that is the path I took. It turned out well for me.

It doesn't really matter what bass or amp you have. What matters is that you have fun with what you are doing. If that fun results in paying for the equipment to make that happen, you have won.

It did for me and I hope it does for you...

 

[SoulReflection]

It's that early Creme indistinct thud that secured a prominent place in my Big Book of Braaains! Bass Tones card index. For good or ill, the mudbucker has interested me since. Apparently it's possible to acquire a new mudbucker wound to spec. The majority of mudbucker replacements appear to have cleaned up the mud.

One wonders (okay, I wonder) what an original mudbucker would do with a HPF in the signal chain.

Well, from my experience, the HPF could have cleared up most, if not all, of the mud. Wish I would have had the HPF before selling my EB2-DC.

Edit: Not that it matters much. I still prefer the Fender sound.

 

[iagtrplyr]

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

One word: bee-U-tee-full!

 

[iagtrplyr]

The original selector on EB-3s had 4 positions(reversed from the 3 position switch of newer models)1-neck, 2-bridge, and I never could figure out what 3 and 4 did. The newer ones make more sense: 1-bridge, 2-both, 3- neck.

I always wondered what that dial did. Interesting!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Recently became a double combo owner.View attachment 3561323
The Rumble 350 has been my only real amp for a while. I never particularly enjoyed hauling it out of my basement so when the Eden EC15 showed up in the local classifieds for $100, I had to snag it. The Rumble will now enjoy a permanent home in my jam space / practice room while the 20 lb. lighter Eden will be kept in the garage for easy loading.

A million pardons to our latest new member, AHaze, for me being so tardy in getting him a number. To demonstrate how bad I feel about it, we're giving you not one, but two membership rings; one for each combo amp you showed in your picture. G'Dog, I'm taking care of this one myself.

AHaze, thank you again for your interest in our little club here. Please drop in anytime to show off some equipment, ask a question, or offer advice to those shopping for new gear. You, my friend, are #164!

 

[iagtrplyr]

BTW, to anyone who read my post concerning the used Traynor combo, XM200, that's for sale at our Davenport GC, the price has dropped to $174.99. I tell ya, they want me to come get it, but a slight change of direction for your Fearless Leader. My buddy in Ohio is coming back to IA in the next month or two and is planning on bringing me to keep the Ampeg PF-210HE cab I used two summers ago. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, I'm now searching for an amp head to go along with it, plus I'll use it with my Stage 800 to make a 410. I won't break club rules by detailing the purchase unless it's an Ampeg PF-20T to create a poor-mans B-15 fliptop combo. Or I may pick up a unique small combo to use to power the cab with. Choices choices...

 

[AHaze]

A million pardons to our latest new member, AHaze, for me being so tardy in getting him a number. To demonstrate how bad I feel about it, we're giving you not one, but two membership rings; one for each combo amp you showed in your picture. G'Dog, I'm taking care of this one myself.

AHaze, thank you again for your interest in our little club here. Please drop in anytime to show off some equipment, ask a question, or offer advice to those shopping for new gear. You, my friend, are #164!

Now I have a serious dilemma. One ring on each hand? Do I double up on one hand? One at a time on a set rotation? Are they display items only?

 

[JPDsma]

Don’t know the weight of my circa ‘73/74 34” scale SB-450, but it really had the neck dive of death. Never knew why it was an SB, always guessed it was because it was lower priced and had two smaller plastic covered humbuckers. Had to come up with strap locks before they were commercial. Never lost it, but the guy I sold it to in ‘78 had it on the top of an upright grande when he and his band mates decided to move the piano.....can you say Head Stock Removal?

 

[GonePlaid]

Don’t know the weight of my circa ‘73/74 34” scale SB-450, but it really had the neck dive of death. Never knew why it was an SB, always guessed it was because it was lower priced and had two smaller plastic covered humbuckers. Had to come up with strap locks before they were commercial. Never lost it, but the guy I sold it to in ‘78 had it on the top of an upright grande when he and his band mates decided to move the piano.....can you say Head Stock Removal?

Oh, No! They activated the self destruct function!

 

[G-Dog]

Now I have a serious dilemma. One ring on each hand? Do I double up on one hand? One at a time on a set rotation? Are they display items only?

Actually, those are communication badges, as seen on Star Trek TNG and later. You wear 'em on your shirt to be electronically admitted to all VIP areas of The Clubhouse and to communicate instantly with any other Club member(s). I guess you could wear two at once for quadraphonic sound, since each one is stereo.

Dunno why Fearless Leader gets them confused with The Club secret decoder rings. Here ya go, Hazy!