The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

Guys, I'm heading off to Dreamland. Have a professional day tomorrow at school so I won't be on again until tomorrow night. Jump in the great conversations if you're in the neighborhood. With Morrighan added, we're down to 17 members to go for the magic 100. Please shake a bush or two if ya can. Three days to go. 'Night!

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

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!

Yeah, the Vox doesn't sound that great on its own. As mentioned, the Peavey struggled on its own also. But the combination seems pretty good so far.

 

[Big Hoss]

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.

LOL.... The issue isn't what do I need to haul in for the bass. I can do that with my instrument and pedal on my back, my amp in my hand.... It's the other stuff that goes into making a show that take up the space. Especially when you consider many, not all, but many venues just don't provide PA or lighting, and even fewer have a house drum kit, and when it is there, isn't worth using...

An investment we are wanting to do in the future, is a few of the larger size Rock N Roller carts, the ones with the big diameter wide wheels. Especially around the Marinas parking is a good long ways from the stage, often near a pool house, or on a dock, and the terrain can be plenty rough for a regular hand truck meant to haul stuff over smoothed concrete floors in a warehouse somewhere.

We are a VERY basic band but we have upsized some items which we could do better size wise. Replace the mixer with a wireless rig like a Behringer xAir X18, thus eliminating that huge, heavy snake, moving the monitors to mains duty, and going with something like Alto TX8s for monitors. Only bringing one instrument to a gig per player, massively simplifying our lighting rig etc... Many of those decisions would impact the show itself, some positive, most not so much... Many of the decisions that went into going with combos, for us at least are the same decisions we made with the rest of our gear. Can we afford it, and does it do what we want it to do, the way we want it to?

I think I can state for the entire band, the xAir is on our short list...

 

[GonePlaid]

LOL.... The issue isn't what do I need to haul in for the bass. I can do that with my instrument and pedal on my back, my amp in my hand.... It's the other stuff that goes into making a show that take up the space. Especially when you consider many, not all, but many venues just don't provide PA or lighting, and even fewer have a house drum kit, and when it is there, isn't worth using...

An investment we are wanting to do in the future, is a few of the larger size Rock N Roller carts, the ones with the big diameter wide wheels. Especially around the Marinas parking is a good long ways from the stage, often near a pool house, or on a dock, and the terrain can be plenty rough for a regular hand truck meant to haul stuff over smoothed concrete floors in a warehouse somewhere.

We are a VERY basic band but we have upsized some items which we could do better size wise. Replace the mixer with a wireless rig like a Behringer xAir X18, thus eliminating that huge, heavy snake, moving the monitors to mains duty, and going with something like Alto TX8s for monitors. Only bringing one instrument to a gig per player, massively simplifying our lighting rig etc... Many of those decisions would impact the show itself, some positive, most not so much... Many of the decisions that went into going with combos, for us at least are the same decisions we made with the rest of our gear. Can we afford it, and does it do what we want it to do, the way we want it to?

I think I can state for the entire band, the xAir is on our short list...

Our group plays mostly small-ish venues and for an older audience. Except for one place, we are able to do all we need to w/ one JBL EON One PA plus a passive mixer. All 4 of us sing and the EON only has 2 inputs. Because it has 180 degree dispersion, it sits behind us and doubles as our monitor. It's about 42# and can be carried w/ one hand, the mixer in the other. No cables(other than the mics)to run, sets up in 5 minutes and is plenty loud. All my other PA gear:4 cabs, 2-4 monitors, instrument/amp mics, cables, etc. sit in the house waiting for us to get a gig where we need them. Thankfully, we've never had to deal w/ lighting. There is No "band equipment",everything is individually owned. I would sell the bigger PA stuff but everyone around here is downsizing so they don't have to carry all that crap. And, as soon as I'd sell it, I'd need it.

 

[Big Hoss]

We tend more toward a middle aged / older crowd. Lighting is important, and a single EON just won't cut it, but would come close... We try to put as much as we can into the PA, if it were just for vocals, the PA would be a bit simpler.... My XENYX 1202FX passive mixer into the Harbinger V2112s. Done... Probably get by with only one.

And again, that's all part of the math each musician, and band must do about gear. What works for you, and your situation, won't always be appropriate for everyone, or every situation...

When we started, we had a pair of Alto powered 15s that had to get sold to raise some quick cash, and very minimal lighting. And just the small mixer. We didn't mic any amps, or line them into the PA like we do now with the guitars. And it worked, and required a LOT less schlep. Now if we for a second assume let's say just every member bring their own mic, cables and stands. Then the schlep would be.

Bass player. Combo amp, pedal, instrument, mic, stand, XLR cable. And since I own it, the XENYX 1202FX mixer, and V2112 speaker and one stand. Already too much stuff to get on a bus... At least here. They won't allow it.

Lead Guitarist. Combo amp, padal, 2 guitars, guitar stands, mic, stand, XLR cable. Some of the lighting kit.

Rhthymn guitarist. Combo amp, 2 guitars, guitar stands, mic, stand, XLR cable. Some of the lighting kit.

Drummer. Drum kit, cymbals, throne, mic, stand, XLR cable.

For public transit, at least where I am, dragging a 12" powered PA speaker, stand, and a 2x10 combo amp onto a bus is a non starter. Assuming I don't get mugged for my gear, it's just too big, and the bus driver WILL have a problem with it... Same goes for my guitarists Champion 100, and we aren't even going to talk about the drum kit...

Now again, downsizing can work though. A single Alto 10" powered speaker for vox, a Rumble 100 which is considerably smaller than the 500 for me, and a Champion 40 for the lead guitarists mostly solves the issues, but not really, and the size and types of shows we can do get a whole lot more restricted....

What a lot of it boils down to is this. If the venue provides a quality backline, I don't need to bring and hassle with schlepping all that gear. Those venues are very, and I mean VERY few, and extremely far between around here... Especially for the types of gigs a band made up of 40 - 50 somethings that have day jobs and play mostly for the fun of playing can get...

 

[GonePlaid]

We tend more toward a middle aged / older crowd. Lighting is important, and a single EON just won't cut it, but would come close... We try to put as much as we can into the PA, if it were just for vocals, the PA would be a bit simpler.... My XENYX 1202FX passive mixer into the Harbinger V2112s. Done... Probably get by with only one.

And again, that's all part of the math each musician, and band must do about gear. What works for you, and your situation, won't always be appropriate for everyone, or every situation...

When we started, we had a pair of Alto powered 15s that had to get sold to raise some quick cash, and very minimal lighting. And just the small mixer. We didn't mic any amps, or line them into the PA like we do now with the guitars. And it worked, and required a LOT less schlep. Now if we for a second assume let's say just every member bring their own mic, cables and stands. Then the schlep would be.

Bass player. Combo amp, pedal, instrument, mic, stand, XLR cable. And since I own it, the XENYX 1202FX mixer, and V2112 speaker and one stand. Already too much stuff to get on a bus... At least here. They won't allow it.

Lead Guitarist. Combo amp, padal, 2 guitars, guitar stands, mic, stand, XLR cable. Some of the lighting kit.

Rhthymn guitarist. Combo amp, 2 guitars, guitar stands, mic, stand, XLR cable. Some of the lighting kit.

Drummer. Drum kit, cymbals, throne, mic, stand, XLR cable.

For public transit, at least where I am, dragging a 12" powered PA speaker, stand, and a 2x10 combo amp onto a bus is a non starter. Assuming I don't get mugged for my gear, it's just too big, and the bus driver WILL have a problem with it... Same goes for my guitarists Champion 100, and we aren't even going to talk about the drum kit...

Now again, downsizing can work though. A single Alto 10" powered speaker for vox, a Rumble 100 which is considerably smaller than the 500 for me, and a Champion 40 for the lead guitarists mostly solves the issues, but not really, and the size and types of shows we can do get a whole lot more restricted....

What a lot of it boils down to is this. If the venue provides a quality backline, I don't need to bring and hassle with schlepping all that gear. Those venues are very, and I mean VERY few, and extremely far between around here... Especially for the types of gigs a band made up of 40 - 50 somethings that have day jobs and play mostly for the fun of playing can get...

We Had(note past tense)one gig where PA was provided. That gig was cancelled by the community. Our audience is mostly 50s up. They don't want it loud. The one place I used to hook up instrument mics-to put us in the house PA into the "smoking bar", decided to go w/ the juke box,softly-they wanna talk. Because the PA is mine, I get there first to set up w/o tripping over the other guys. I do get help on load out but not in. One of our guitarists bought 2 of the Bose's, and if needed, can daisy chain them. We alternate providing PA-plus there's one room w/ a dropped ceiling that blocks "highs" outta the EON one, so he covers that one. I used to use 2 cabs on stands and 2 wedge floor monitors. The drummer has his own powered Hot Spot. BTW, all my cabs are passive. I already have them-and 3 different powered mixers-and as little as we work(and get paid), I'm not investing $ I don't have on gear I don't need. As an aside, I have the correct 6 lotto numbers but the State keeps picking the wrong 6.

 

[Giffro]

We Had(note past tense)one gig where PA was provided. That gig was cancelled by the community. Our audience is mostly 50s up. They don't want it loud. The one place I used to hook up instrument mics-to put us in the house PA into the "smoking bar", decided to go w/ the juke box,softly-they wanna talk. Because the PA is mine, I get there first to set up w/o tripping over the other guys. I do get help on load out but not in. One of our guitarists bought 2 of the Bose's, and if needed, can daisy chain them. We alternate providing PA-plus there's one room w/ a dropped ceiling that blocks "highs" outta the EON one, so he covers that one. I used to use 2 cabs on stands and 2 wedge floor monitors. The drummer has his own powered Hot Spot. BTW, all my cabs are passive. I already have them-and 3 different powered mixers-and as little as we work(and get paid), I'm not investing $ I don't have on gear I don't need. As an aside, I have the correct 6 lotto numbers but the State keeps picking the wrong 6.

1,7,10,12,29,31..always been good to me here in Aust. as far as what we call keno games in pubs..6 out of 6 a simple keno ticket in a hotel would get you $1300...not big winnings like Lotto but a real handy win for a night out for dinner with the wife..lol Give those fav. 6 numbers of mine a try on your State Lotto GP..good luck and if you win come visit Australia and we'll go have a pub meal and a few games of keno...pick 10 out of 10 and win 1.5 Million...would make ya Aussie trip worthwhile and buy the best combo that gambling can afford loll.

 

[GwenOnBass]

For city gigs outside mass transit, a Fiat 500 has an amazing amount of room. Definitely big enough for my bass and rig. Kind of like a modern 2CV!

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Yeah, the Vox doesn't sound that great on its own. As mentioned, the Peavey struggled on its own also. But the combination seems pretty good so far.

A combo of combos is what works for me I suppose. . .

 

[GonePlaid]

A combo of combos is what works for me I suppose. . .

Does that mean you need 2 #s?

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Does that mean you need 2 #s?

Ha!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Ladies and gents, just got back on after being drafted into domestic duties and I'm enjoying the gear-moving posts very much. It's ironic how you first get into music because you want to play and be part of the magic that it offers, and then one day you find yourself hauling stuff you don't have a lot of interest in to begin with, setting it up, and before you know it, breaking it down to haul again. I began as a drummer back in the 80s and it was all great until 2:00 AM came and everyone else wanted to go grab something to eat, and they'd be standing there staring at me wondering why I had so much crap...

Wouldn't give up the passion though; just moved to an easier-to-schlep instrument. Next up... the kazoo!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Does that mean you need 2 #s?

(scrolling through the membership roster) So let me see, Doc is #66. Should I go 66.6? Flip the numbers around and give him 99? Do nothing except smile and say, "Enjoy your combo(s), Dr. I!" GP, you're just a trouble maker!

 

[GonePlaid]

Ladies and gents, just got back on after being drafted into domestic duties and I'm enjoying the gear-moving posts very much. It's ironic how you first get into music because you want to play and be part of the magic that it offers, and then one day you find yourself hauling stuff you don't have a lot of interest in to begin with, setting it up, and before you know it, breaking it down to haul again. I began as a drummer back in the 80s and it was all great until 2:00 AM came and everyone else wanted to go grab something to eat, and they'd be standing there staring at me wondering why I had so much crap...

Wouldn't give up the passion though; just moved to an easier-to-schlep instrument. Next up... the kazoo!

I hear ya! I also play(ed) sax. Take off the mouthpiece and the neck, stick it in the case, done. But I found my true calling when I started playing EB. Haven't touched the horns in years. I'd sell them but they were my dad's. And like my big PA gear, I'd need them.

 

[GonePlaid]

(scrolling through the membership roster) So let me see, Doc is #66. Should I go 66.6? Flip the numbers around and give him 99? Do nothing except smile and say, "Enjoy your combo(s), Dr. I!" GP, you're just a trouble maker!

So you've noticed.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

(scrolling through the membership roster) So let me see, Doc is #66. Should I go 66.6? Flip the numbers around and give him 99? Do nothing except smile and say, "Enjoy your combo(s), Dr. I!" GP, you're just a trouble maker!

Will do!

 

[Giffro]

For city gigs outside mass transit, a Fiat 500 has an amazing amount of room. Definitely big enough for my bass and rig. Kind of like a modern 2CV!

You mean like this? loll

 

[GwenOnBass]

You mean like this? loll
View attachment 3065104

I'll grant if I squint hard enough I can see 2CV DNA. Unable to squint hard enough to see me driving one. Though it could serve as a base for my own band's brand of ZZ Top's Eliminator in some universe somewhere. We'll autograph colour glossies of it with Sharpies (for a reasonable price).

 

[Jeremy Jones]

Setup For last night's gig

 

[iagtrplyr]

CC members...hello. Welcome to the weekend no matter where you're at on this big ball of rock. New (old) topic for ya'll to chew on if you're interested. As I've gone back in past pages to catch myself up on the club, I've read with interest how much home practice amp, power-wise, people want to have. Personally, the Rumble 100, to me, is a perfect bedroom amp. I think it's not how much power's in the box, but what the combo does with it. Driver size and efficiency numbers are the first things I tend to look at, but maybe that's just me. We all know watts doesn't mean that much, but it is a number those shopping tend to see first, and I think use when making deciding their purchase.

So my question: what do you look for first when looking for that next combo amp? Of course, I'm bypassing features, cosmetics, and brand because I'm talking more what's under the hood and less on the outside. That plus it's currently 92 degrees out with a heat index of 105. My brain is kind of mushy right now. That's what morning Pickleball down at the riverfront will do to ya.