The Combo Club

[Giffro]

PHOOEY...Mike just can't help lashing out can he..loll

 

[GwenOnBass]

I had a hankering while shopping for my Super Beetle to look into the TE combos, but honestly couldn’t get past the price, though I agree with Morrighan that adding up the Elf head and 8” it 10” cabinets. For that much I wish there’d been a twelve in the box and could be used more often in its own and not DI’ed our to FOH. Cool-looking combos though.

The Elf combo's closest competitor by my estimate is the Markbass Micromark 801. The Elf combo in that light looks like a good deal with so much more power on tap. The Elf also gets top raves for the DI.

 

[gigetto]

But i prefear realistic 45 W of musical power on 8" cone instead of insane on 8" a tons of watt. The phisician rules are uncontrovertibles.

Would be a trick amplifier of tomorrow 200 bucks 2 lbs 200W?

 

[GwenOnBass]

My own experience with how the gain on the Elf works tells me it's a very different amp than the Markbass. The Micromark is very cool, and also in the understanding it finds good favour with the DB folks. I can't really see any upright players wanting an Elf.

 

[mikeyjm2]

I don't normally let anyone use my rig (combo or otherwise)... or my bass... and the two together is even more rare. But she treated it with respect and I enjoyed their set after ours, so here are the girls (and the nice lady playing them too):

 

[iagtrplyr]

The Elf combo's closest competitor by my estimate is the Markbass Micromark 801. The Elf combo in that light looks like a good deal with so much more power on tap. The Elf also gets top raves for the DI.

As a previous 801 owner, I’d never have gotten it at the regular sale price; way too much money. I picked it up at a substantial discount though and it was a decent product, especially with the extension speaker option. I would guess the bass response would be better with the Trace Elliot combos. I’d still like to play through one.

 

[iagtrplyr]

But i prefear realistic 45 W of musical power on 8" cone instead of insane on 8" a tons of watt. The phisician rules are uncontrovertibles.

Would be a trick amplifier of tomorrow 200 bucks 2 lbs 200W?

I’d listen to it!

 

[GwenOnBass]

As a previous 801 owner, I’d never have gotten it at the regular sale price; way too much money. I picked it up at a substantial discount though and it was a decent product, especially with the extension speaker option. I would guess the bass response would be better with the Trace Elliot combos. I’d still like to play through one.

Were I to go the Elf combo route, my choice would be the 1x10 combo. That gives me the option of either / both Trace Elliot cabs. The two sound different, and are also complimentary. That's my best read from the Elf threads, and in the understanding I've not played the Elf cabs (yet).

 

[iagtrplyr]

Were I to go the Elf combo route, my choice would be the 1x10 combo. That gives me the option of either / both Trace Elliot cabs. The two sound different, and are also complimentary. That's my best read from the Elf threads, and in the understanding I've not played the Elf cabs (yet).

I agree; the ten would be my choice too. I miss having that size speaker at this time too. Thank goodness for the 108 Plus!

 

[JakobT]

Were I to go the Elf combo route, my choice would be the 1x10 combo. That gives me the option of either / both Trace Elliot cabs. The two sound different, and are also complimentary. That's my best read from the Elf threads, and in the understanding I've not played the Elf cabs (yet).

They do look tasty, but the size - wattage notwithstanding - makes them especially relevant as practice amps. But, like the Elf head, they have a serious shortcoming in this respect - no AUX in. With the head it doesn’t matter so much, as many use it as a backup head for gigging, but for a 108 combo it’s a major oversight.

 

[iagtrplyr]

They do look tasty, but the size - wattage notwithstanding - makes them especially relevant as practice amps. But, like the Elf head, they have a serious shortcoming in this respect - no AUX in. With the head it doesn’t matter so much, as many use it as a backup head for gigging, but for a 108 combo it’s a major oversight.

I see your point, Jakob. If it is heading to the practice room then the lack of Aux In at this point in time is shortsighted. I think Peavey is betting on players who are going to still gig with it (according to their ads) and may have a practice amp with Aux In already at home.

 

[RodRy]

RR, your acoustic group sounds terrific. I could see that GK fitting perfectly. I wonder if Protagonist’s new PJB D4 would work with that type of group?

It was great fun while it lasted. Normally, there were 3 of us: my wife on violin, our friend on her finger-picked guitar and vocals, and me on fretless bass. I started really learning how my bass lines could have more melodic elements to support the songs.

It fell apart nearly 20 years back, so I'm trying to find some relaxed and somewhat mediocre musicians to play with again. I know of a monthly slow jam, so if I can win over a few members there, we may be able to pull something together.

 

[Flamingo21]

Normally, there were 4 of us: my wife on violin, our friend on her finger-picked guitar and vocals, and me on fretless bass.

I'm having some trouble with the arithmetical side of the story.

 

[GwenOnBass]

They do look tasty, but the size - wattage notwithstanding - makes them especially relevant as practice amps. But, like the Elf head, they have a serious shortcoming in this respect - no AUX in. With the head it doesn’t matter so much, as many use it as a backup head for gigging, but for a 108 combo it’s a major oversight.

Which is exactly why the BA108v2 Plus sees so much use here. There's an AUX in with its own volume knob.

It feels to me the Elf really is its own thing, and is hard to categorize. I sometimes practice with it at low volume just to feel the bass. For someone in a city like Gotham where every gig has a backline cab, the Elf is amazing. Reports are in the Elf and an 810 is loud.

Would be remiss if no mention made of the tone of the Elf. It feels much more "forward" than anything else I've heard lately. It's coloured, yet very musical.

 

[JakobT]

I see your point, Jakob. If it is heading to the practice room then the lack of Aux In at this point in time is shortsighted. I think Peavey is betting on players who are going to still gig with it (according to their ads) and may have a practice amp with Aux In already at home.

That’s quite likely, though I suspect that Peavey just put together a combo based on the Elf in its present form because it demanded a minimum of extra development time, and that they didn’t really consider an AUX In important enough to warrant the extra time and cost of including it.

 

[RodRy]

Many of us have gotten plenty of flack about separating bass speakers horizontally. It worked for me and I gather it worked for you as well.

Tangentially, the Shure PA in the background had a poor reputation among those who tried using it for more than voice. For instruments it was the wrong choice but for vocals it did a great job.

Really? I had great luck with my 410 on top of my 118 being run by my HA7000 amp. For that matter, I played a wedding with my GK running the 410 with the 12" combo speaker on.

Good thing I didn't know about the flack - some of it may have hit me!

 

[Flamingo21]

That’s quite likely, though I suspect that Peavey just put together a combo based on the Elf in its present form because it demanded a minimum of extra development time, and that they didn’t really consider an AUX In important enough to warrant the extra time and cost of including it.

That's probably true. It's the way these things work.

 

[RodRy]

Just imagine if ya made the buy, got it home, plugged it in your combo, and after 15 minutes of playing responded with a, “meh.” That’s what’s so scary about investing major coin on those types of guitars.

That is exactly what I'm afraid of. It's the reason my most expensive bass was less than $900.

Whatever you choose, we'll be interested to hear about it!

 

[RodRy]

Which is exactly why the BA108v2 Plus sees so much use here. There's an AUX in with its own volume knob.

It feels to me the Elf really is its own thing, and is hard to categorize. I sometimes practice with it at low volume just to feel the bass. For someone in a city like Gotham where every gig has a backline cab, the Elf is amazing. Reports are in the Elf and an 810 is loud.

Would be remiss if no mention made of the tone of the Elf. It feels much more "forward" than anything else I've heard lately. It's coloured, yet very musical.

It's that particular "Elf" sound that I'm a bit concerned about. I'm looking for an amp which does a minimum amount of coloring the sound. Thanks for your listening feedback!

 

[GonePlaid]

Got this GK1001/210 combo I bought for $400 about 10+ years ago. Have no idea what year it is, but it's pre "RB", or at least it doesn't carry that designation anywhere.
I like it very much, except it weighs in at 80 lbs (think a bag of cement). Fortunately it has a luggage style handle and little rollers. Still a bitch taking up stairs.
It is plenty loud, but later bought a [very light!! ] MBE 410 ext cab. Running 800w into the combos 2 tens seemed a bit much, so now I basically have a 6x10 rig. It's a GREAT set up weight aside! VERY LOUD and clean if need be!
Lately have been running the extension cab over to the other side of the stage. Can keep volume fairly low and the guys on the far side of the stage can hear me better. Also seems to fill the room a little better, or so the soundguy says.


View attachment 3654216

Ooh, if that GK could talk. I'd bet it'd have some stories. And a Shure Vocalmaster?? "Let's do the time warp again."