The Combo Club

[G-Dog]

... ... My combo is an GK MB-112, which weighs 23 pounds. I'm considering the VX50BA, the Phil Jones Micro 7, and Double 4. I will of course need to get a chance to give each a listen. Trying to set that up for the new year.

Prior to getting the li'l Foxy Voxy my lightest combo was a 33 lb. Fender B-DEC 30, 1st generation bass modeling kickback style amp, and I had doctor's orders not to lift anything over 20 lb.s. It's various voices are still a treat, loaned to my young protegé bassist. Then, several months after getting the Vox, I've returned to bass modeling with Fender's 3rd generation, the Rumble Studio 40 at just 19 lb.s. But that's just me. I like a wide variety of tones.

I'm not familiar with your GK's tone(s), so I dunno how it will compare to the Vox. From all I've read, the only way to play a Vox VX50BA is to order one 'cuz nobody stocks them! That, or find someone local who's got one. So, good luck with that audition.

Last I heard, our Combo Club Fearless Leader has a li'l Vox he might could make a deal on to a Club member. He seems more enthralled with his newer Vox Mini SuperBeetle [sic], which is very similar but dressed in '60s Carnaby Street attire.

Hth.
.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Thanks for the feedback all, and for the thread link. I went over and read it, and the amp sounds pretty impressive. What I'm looking for sound-wise is an amp that lets each bass sound like itself. I have 8 basses and want them to all retain their individual character.
My combo is an GK MB-112, which weighs 23 pounds. I'm considering the VX50BA, the Phil Jones Micro 7, and Double 4. I will of course need to get a chance to give each a listen. Trying to set that up for the new year.

And there ya go ruining all the fun we were having too....

IMHO, coming from GK, you’d be way better off with the PJB lineup then the VOX. Our little red and black combo has a distinct tube flavor but articulation to where each of your instruments comes through ain’t it. Not that I can’t tell the difference between my Jazzer and Beatle bass, but the baked-in VOX tone, which I personally like, is quite evident.

Though I haven’t played through the Micro-7 YET, I’d have to believe it’d do a much better job of giving you the detail you seek. Spoiler Alert: last I looked, zZounds had a Micro-7 open box for under $250, I believe. If it was me I’d grab it, especially for $40-some bucks a month with no interest. I’d hurry though!

And yeah, I’m kicking around selling mine for under two bills, and would be willing to discuss it with ya, and had you come from Fender or Ampeg it’d be an easy chat, but if you like GK and want still more detail, then to Phil Jones, baby.

 

[G-Dog]

In a week or two, I going to be switching out the Hartke HD75, for a Fender Rumble 100 combo. That should work out pretty good.

Do you always switch out, Rex? Never keep anything? Just curious.
. .

 

[iagtrplyr]

In a week or two, I going to be switching out the Hartke HD75, for a Fender Rumble 100 combo. That should work out pretty good.

Wow, MrNylon, that’s great news, congrats! You’ll love the 100c.

I thoroughly enjoy my mini-amps, and the Stage 800 is crazy good, but my 100 is my baby. If it’ll work on a gig I’ll use it because it’s lightweight, easy to use, and gives my the best tone for my Rogue bass.

As soon as you find some critical listening time with it, please forward us a detailed report telling your thoughts. Enjoy!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Do you always switch out, Rex? Never keep anything? Just curious.
. .

Nylon, respond with “never mind.” It usually works for me.

 

[JakobT]

In a week or two, I going to be switching out the Hartke HD75, for a Fender Rumble 100 combo. That should work out pretty good.

Good for you! The Rumble 100 is a great combo. I’m sure you’ll be happy with it.

 

[RodRy]

In the 80s I would have [briefly considered an evil deed] for a 23 pound amp like the GK. I mean, really, what we carried around.

Over at the Phil Jones Bass Owners' Club I recall the consensus is for the Micro 7 as the sweetest sounding (compared to the Session 77, Double Four and BG-100).

Morrighan, thanks for letting me know about the PJB club! I'll go over and check that out. I'm terrible at finding relevant threads on TB. I think I'm search impaired.

I purchased my little GK back in the early 90s because it was the smallest and lightest 150W amp I could find. It does well, but tends to color the sound a bit.

I've heard good things (I believe some from you) about the Phil Jones amps being very transparent. So that's why I'm considering the serious (to me) outlay of a Double 4.

 

[RodRy]

Prior to getting the li'l Foxy Voxy my lightest combo was a 33 lb. Fender B-DEC 30, 1st generation bass modeling kickback style amp, and I had doctor's orders not to lift anything over 20 lb.s. It's various voices are still a treat, loaned to my young protegé bassist. Then, several months after getting the Vox, I've returned to bass modeling with Fender's 3rd generation, the Rumble Studio 40 at just 19 lb.s. But that's just me. I like a wide variety of tones.

I'm not familiar with your GK's tone(s), so I dunno how it will compare to the Vox. From all I've read, the only way to play a Vox VX50BA is to order one 'cuz nobody stocks them! That, or find someone local who's got one. So, good luck with that audition.

Last I heard, our Combo Club Fearless Leader has a li'l Vox he might could make a deal on to a Club member. He seems more enthralled with his newer Vox Mini SuperBeetle [sic], which is very similar but dressed in '60s Carnaby Street attire.

Hth.
.

You are a font of Vox amp knowledge! Thanks again G-Dog, I appreciate the extra info.

So delightful to hear about how much fun you're having with that amp, it sounds like just what the doctor ordered! Yes, many folks like a wide range of tones from their amps, I guess I'm not one of them. For that matter, I don't use many tones on my guitar amp either. Probably because most of my practice is playing electric instruments unplugged and just hearing how they sound in the open air. Then when I plug them in, they don't sound like themselves to me, so I'm trying to find an amp that lets them be true to their nature.

Yes, I'm an odd duck.

I've found a few online stores that sell the PJ and Vox amps, and they have generous return policies. So I may do what I did when I was trying to decide between a 210 or 410 cabinet: order both, and send back the one I liked least.

The SuperBeetle looks cool!

 

[GonePlaid]

You are a font of Vox amp knowledge! Thanks again G-Dog, I appreciate the extra info.

So delightful to hear about how much fun you're having with that amp, it sounds like just what the doctor ordered! Yes, many folks like a wide range of tones from their amps, I guess I'm not one of them. For that matter, I don't use many tones on my guitar amp either. Probably because most of my practice is playing electric instruments unplugged and just hearing how they sound in the open air. Then when I plug them in, they don't sound like themselves to me, so I'm trying to find an amp that lets them be true to their nature.

Yes, I'm an odd duck.

I've found a few online stores that sell the PJ and Vox amps, and they have generous return policies. So I may do what I did when I was trying to decide between a 210 or 410 cabinet: order both, and send back the one I liked least.

The SuperBeetle looks cool!

One of these?

 

[RodRy]

And there ya go ruining all the fun we were having too....

IMHO, coming from GK, you’d be way better off with the PJB lineup then the VOX. Our little red and black combo has a distinct tube flavor but articulation to where each of your instruments comes through ain’t it. Not that I can’t tell the difference between my Jazzer and Beatle bass, but the baked-in VOX tone, which I personally like, is quite evident.

Though I haven’t played through the Micro-7 YET, I’d have to believe it’d do a much better job of giving you the detail you seek. Spoiler Alert: last I looked, zZounds had a Micro-7 open box for under $250, I believe. If it was me I’d grab it, especially for $40-some bucks a month with no interest. I’d hurry though!

And yeah, I’m kicking around selling mine for under two bills, and would be willing to discuss it with ya, and had you come from Fender or Ampeg it’d be an easy chat, but if you like GK and want still more detail, then to Phil Jones, baby.

Aww, I was hoping I was continuing the fun we were having! Drat.

This is great info, and I really appreciate it. I have a Hartke 7000 amp and a stack of cabinets that I used to use. I found that it's very good and letting each bass talk, particularly with the EQ nearly flat, and running the 410 cabinet. The GK seems to add a more sterile sound, almost lifeless. I can get sounds I want from it, but it takes more work in-between basses. Probably, it's just me.

As I said, my goals are odd ones, so I expect I'm seeking my own path. I still want to try out each of these amps (and maybe a few even smaller ones) for playing in my upstairs office so I don't bother the cats or my wife's studies.

Thanks for the zZounds tip!

 

[RodRy]

One of these?
View attachment 3645086

Those are cool too! But weren't the Super Beetles the ones with curved windshields?
Like this:

My wife and I looked at a dark green Super Beetle on a drive in the country a couple years ago. The owner waxed poetic about how it was different from a "regular Beetle."

 

[GonePlaid]

Those are cool too! But weren't the Super Beetles the ones with curved windshields?
Like this:
View attachment 3645096

My wife and I looked at a dark green Super Beetle on a drive in the country a couple years ago. The owner waxed poetic about how it was different from a "regular Beetle."

Dunno. I couldn't have fit the amp in the middle into one so I never got serious about them.(2 more Rumbles added since this pic:R112 cab, R100.)yes, I still have all of them

 

[RodRy]

Dunno. I couldn't have fit the amp in the middle into one so I never got serious about them.(2 more Rumbles added since this pic:R112 cab, R100.)yes, I still have all of them
View attachment 3645110

May I suggest:

Ford Transit Connect is a pretty nice minivan with maxi-storage. It was going to be my next car if I was still in a band.

 

[GonePlaid]

May I suggest:
View attachment 3645117
Ford Transit Connect is a pretty nice minivan with maxi-storage. It was going to be my next car if I was still in a band.

Too late-just bought one

 

[iagtrplyr]

Aww, I was hoping I was continuing the fun we were having! Drat.

This is great info, and I really appreciate it. I have a Hartke 7000 amp and a stack of cabinets that I used to use. I found that it's very good and letting each bass talk, particularly with the EQ nearly flat, and running the 410 cabinet. The GK seems to add a more sterile sound, almost lifeless. I can get sounds I want from it, but it takes more work in-between basses. Probably, it's just me.

As I said, my goals are odd ones, so I expect I'm seeking my own path. I still want to try out each of these amps (and maybe a few even smaller ones) for playing in my upstairs office so I don't bother the cats or my wife's studies.

Thanks for the zZounds tip!

Keep on truckin’, RR! Your idea to try out all of them is brilliant. My prediction is you’ll end up liking the PJBs, but the way you explained your way of thinking it might be the VOX you like. It’s a pretty organic tone to my ears, but I still am concerned you won’t hear enough difference between your bass guitars. I guess you’ll find out the fun way.

I’ve the BX50-BA is what trips your trigger, give me a buzz if you’re interested in one less than what you’ll pay for a brand new model.

Good hunting!

 

[iagtrplyr]

That's a real kicker!!! View attachment 3645266

We gear hounds have to stick together...

 

[GwenOnBass]

If it's EB-0 Jack Bruce - Ginger Baker level conversations one seeks, a PBJ Double Four ain't gonna cut it.

 

[iagtrplyr]

If it's EB-0 Jack Bruce - Ginger Baker level conversations one seeks, a PBJ Double Four ain't gonna cut it.

No, I’d agree with the M’ster on this one. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’d think you would want more of a thicker tube tone coming out of your speakers.

I’m using a Hofner Beatle copy and the Foxy Voxy does a sweet job of an old school vibe. Help me someone if I’m off on Jack’s tone that RR seems to be looking for.

 

[GwenOnBass]

My impression is the Vox brings on the Jack.

Funny how I always want a real mudbucker until I actually have one

 

[iagtrplyr]

My impression is the Vox brings on the Jack.

Funny how I always want a real mudbucker until I actually have one

...Waiting for Giffro to drop napalm on that first comment, but he still might be asleep...

Second comment: It’s like that with most musical purchases I make, which means I’m a lousy consumer, though I do have a lot of fun doing it!