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The Combo Club

#5,921
G-Dog said:
I admit, that is some seriously cautionary language, ah'ight. And the BTL acronym is new to me. But does the manual say anything about a special cable that is the only one that can be used? The "special speaker cable" came with the MiniBeetle without explanation?

I did a little research on BTL and have come to the tentative conclusion that this is just stronger language for what has been in other amp manuals for some years now, such as this excerpt from a 9-year-old Rumble 150/350 manual:
Something similar is also in your Rumble Stage 800 manual. What speaker cable have you used with your Stage?. I've occassionally used regular ¼" speaker cables with my Rumble 500 combo and Bassman 115 cab with no problems.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I claim no expertise, or electronic training. I'm open to learning new things.
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My meager understanding is that this means you must never insert or remove speaker cables from their jacks while the amp is powered on or you run the very high risk of shorting your output section. Further I understand that Speakon connectors reduce the risk of shorting because there’s no tip/sleeve short risk, nevertheless prudence dictates powering down the amp whenever plugging or unplugging speaker cables.
 
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#5,923
G-Dog said:
I admit, that is some seriously cautionary language, ah'ight. And the BTL acronym is new to me. But does the manual say anything about a special cable that is the only one that can be used? The "special speaker cable" came with the MiniBeetle without explanation?

I did a little research on BTL and have come to the tentative conclusion that this is just stronger language for what has been in other amp manuals for some years now, such as this excerpt from a 9-year-old Rumble 150/350 manual:
Something similar is also in your Rumble Stage 800 manual. What speaker cable have you used with your Stage?. I've occassionally used regular ¼" speaker cables with my Rumble 500 combo and Bassman 115 cab with no problems.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I claim no expertise, or electronic training. I'm open to learning new things.
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chupacerveza said:
My meager understanding is that this means you must never insert or remove speaker cables from their jacks while the amp is powered on or you run the very high risk of shorting your output section. Further I understand that Speakon connectors reduce the risk of shorting because there’s no tip/sleeve short risk, nevertheless prudence dictates powering down the amp whenever plugging or unplugging speaker cables.
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Thank ya, boys, you made the muddy windshield much clearer. 'Dog, reminding me of the Stage 800 manual helped a lot. Since so many connections are now of the Speakon-variety, I'm guessing there's a need to remind newbies of how the ole quarter-inch jack works. As long as you plug it in and out with the power off you're good to go. The cable I'm currently using is a standard-issue Monster Cable shielded instrument cable. So I'm not going to worry about it, especially since VOX supplied me with what looks like a decent cable to run between the head and cab. I'll probably use that when I plug in the SB to the Ampeg.

Thanks again for helping a member out. I owe ya one.

Hey M, Wednesday is almost here. Are you getting excited about the updated BA108 v2? I am for ya.

I'm off to the lab where I'm laying down an intensive bass track for school tomorrow. My science partner and I are currently teaching the sound unit and I'm recording three notes at different frequencies. Then the kids have to draw a wave that they believe would represent each note, paying attention to the length of the wave, the crest, trough, and amplitude. Cool stuff for nine-year-olds. I'm using the Jazz and the power rig I have running right now. SR, I'll send you a copy so I can at least say I recorded something for ya! Nah, I'll get you some music soon. Please take care of yourself in the meantime.
 
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#5,924
The new set up. I'm moving air and getting some good tone ...
IMG_20191111_1931382.jpg
 
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#5,925
Doctor Intrepid said:
The new set up. I'm moving air and getting some good tone ...View attachment 3592316
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Doctor, the Traynor is quite the specimen. Are those ports, tweeters, or a combination of the two set in the middle of the cabinet? It looks interesting regardless. I'm giving you an award for having the most unorthodox set up in the club, but anyone who'd like to challenge that may do so. Are you worried at all that the VOX head may succumb to hitting the ground someday due to the amount of air the Traynor is probably moving? Is it hunkered down somehow? Do tell.
 
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#5,926
Now I want me some Vox grill cloth.

Yes, it's remarkable to me how much I miss the BA-108. True, I was away for two days in a workshop and gave little thought to my bass owing to the nature of the arrangement. But it's exactly the amp I need right now for my practice.
 
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#5,927
iagtrplyr said:
Doctor, the Traynor is quite the specimen. Are those ports, tweeters, or a combination of the two set in the middle of the cabinet? It looks interesting regardless. I'm giving you an award for having the most unorthodox set up in the club, but anyone who'd like to challenge that may do so. Are you worried at all that the VOX head may succumb to hitting the ground someday due to the amount of air the Traynor is probably moving? Is it hunkered down somehow? Do tell.
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I put some Velcro strips on it. It doesn't seem to shake too much.

It is an unorthodox set up, and today I'm questioning my decisions, but it include my three favorite brands and that was a big part of it. I wonder if I'm going to enjoy moving it and whether it will be loud enough. I tend to over think things, so I'm going to try and just enjoy it for a bit.
 
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#5,929
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Combo switch alert! . . . . Combo switch alert!

Many of you may know that I've been a devoted Rumbler since getting my 500 combo almost 5 years ago, now. And my Studio 40 earlier this year certainly re-inflamed that devotion. (Not that my li'l foxy Voxy VX50BA doesn't still catch my eye, and ear, now and then, since it's ultralightness and nu-tubeyness caught my heart last year.) OK, ok, I'm not obsessively devoted in this, they are tools, after all! You know what they say, "use the right tool ... yada, yada." (I think that's the verbatim quote.)

Wee-ee-ell, I got a strong "suggestion" recently to leave my Rumble Studio 40 at the church instead of (ceremoniously?) hauling it out of the church after the second service hymns in the middle of the service! (@GonePlaid's mention of "cold dead fingers" flashed in my tiny brain.) They even offered to buy another one to leave there, since I use mine for other gigs, also.

I told 'em "no, I've got another amp I can leave there", thinking of my 45 lb. (ugh!) Bassman 150, 112 kickback (yum!). 50 watts too much for the "Dinky" Amp Club, and not as versatile as the Studio, but certainly gets great tones and can do much greater volume (though that's never been a problem with the Studio). At least I'll only be carrying my bass out down the steps of the altar, with one hand free to open the door without awkwardness. We'll see how that goes.
The weight is why I don't move it, or use it, anymore. I sure used to take a deep breath, hold it, and hoist that sucker with one hand to lug it in, or out! Then I'd help erect the PA cabs, too! But, the laminectomies last year put an end to all that. So, it makes sense for this regular gig. Actually looking forward to putting it to good use, since every thought of selling it, or it's bigger sibling the Bassman 250 115 on casters makes me all weepy.
71obIXTgb-L._SX425_.jpg​
 
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#5,931
GwenOnBass said:
A special place for Fenders! ... ...
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I admit it. I'm sure it's an undiagnosed psychological hangup going back to my relatively deprived childhood having to settle for Silvertone amps while "the rich kids" had matching brand new Fenders. Luckily, I found some similarly deprived friends to form a band with, thus avoiding psychopathic complications. :)
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GwenOnBass said:
... ... Shop rang today. Said there is a spotty connection on the original BA108 speaker. Do I just want that repaired? Replace, please. Likely ready Wednesday. :hyper:
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??? Replace the original BA108 speaker in toto, or just the spotty connection??? :woot: Aren't they already replacing the original speaker with an upgrade?
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#5,932
Yup, they wanted to know if I wanted to keep the factory BA108 speaker with a repaired connection. OTOH someone concluded I bought the replacement in the belief the original is gonked. It's the Eminence Alpha 8a whut's going in.

As I looked at the spec sheet for the driver, wondered about totally hotrodding the BA108 with a 100 watt ICE that keeps the sweet preamp. That might turn a few heads.

On point is how much yummy bass comes out of a combo as tiny as the Phil Jones BG-400. Feels like I have two "no way can you get that much out of a dinky rig" deals now. :roflmao:
 
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#5,933
Boy, was this place a hoppin’ Today. Combos, speakers, old and new gear, back problems...whew!

M, you’re on fire right now. You might end up actually lightening the Ampeg up with that piece of ICE. Listen to it first with the new speaker and then decide if you want the powerhouse or not.

‘Dog, you have definitely amassed yourself some mighty fine combos. I think your idea of leaving the Bassman at church is very wise. There’ll still be enough gigs for the Studio due to its low weight and decent power.

So I understand it, you also have the Bassman 250 115 as well? How much that one weigh? It’d also be a good candidate for church gigs.

Doc, you rock whatever you darn well please. If those are your fave brands then make it happen. You can always add or delete as you go. To me, that Traynor cab is crying out for a really nice head or possibly a combo with an ext output.

Keep up the great posting, Club. We’re almost to 300 pages!
 
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#5,938
Before bedtime, I recorded the open E (41.20 Hz) and the high E (164.80 Hz) notes so my students can compare the two wavelengths for an assessment on Thursday. If this is work, sign me up!

BTW, I used the TV Dub 18 model (#12) which is a Bassman TV and 18" speaker. Played on my Jazz, it's pretty fat with all four tens romping. It's not a model I use but I thought it would serve useful for this demo.

SR, there's not much here, but it's a beginning!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#5,939
iagtrplyr said:
Before bedtime, I recorded the open E (41.20 Hz) and the high E (164.80 Hz) notes so my students can compare the two wavelengths for an assessment on Thursday. If this is work, sign me up!

BTW, I used the TV Dub 18 model (#12) which is a Bassman TV and 18" speaker. Played on my Jazz, it's pretty fat with all four tens romping. It's not a model I use but I thought it would serve useful for this demo.

SR, there's not much here, but it's a beginning!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

No problem. I'm just trying to figure out how to be a mad scientist for a day!
 
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