I absolutely agree! Two different animals. Just comparing price point and what more can be had.
I'm a frugal guy and always looking for a buy!
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The Combo Club
- Thread starter ChefKen
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I'm a frugal guy and always looking for a buy!
Always a good idea to count your ducats and spend accordingly. I actually enjoy the desire for things I cannot afford. Thus, bargain shopping becomes part of the quest!I absolutely agree! Two different animals. Just comparing price point and what more can be had.
I'm a frugal guy and always looking for a buy!
I still don't have the money for a McLaren F1, so I remain happily desiring.
Okay, class, the professor made his decision as to the money in my pocket literally was burning a hole in it! I had a Sterling SUB Ray4 sitting in my inbox BUT aborted the mission. I decided I didn't want anything clankier than my Jazz. Then, the Squier CV Precision moved up with thoughts of putting a set of LaBellas on them, BUT that nearly 1.7" neck width haunted me in my dreams last night. I just don't wanna have to stretch any more than my Jazzer allows me to. Turn back..turn back...
That led me to dod a little reading and decide since I love my Jazz I need to put my current fave strings (said LaBellas) on it and continue the evolution towards what I want it, the Jazz, to sound like. I still love the Beatles bass, but I think my playing-style is leaning back to the Jazz and it's deeper bottom end.
So I picked up a set of 760FLs to replace my Chromes and...a combo amp. It's been in my sights for a while, had a warehouse resealed for forty bucks less, and came ina color that in my lifetime I never thought I would own, basically because it's not black. As I'm searching for a cleaner option that I can tonally color as needed, I picked up a...
Protagonist, I'm holding you personally responsible if this doesn't fly because I'm flying blind here!
That led me to dod a little reading and decide since I love my Jazz I need to put my current fave strings (said LaBellas) on it and continue the evolution towards what I want it, the Jazz, to sound like. I still love the Beatles bass, but I think my playing-style is leaning back to the Jazz and it's deeper bottom end.
So I picked up a set of 760FLs to replace my Chromes and...a combo amp. It's been in my sights for a while, had a warehouse resealed for forty bucks less, and came ina color that in my lifetime I never thought I would own, basically because it's not black. As I'm searching for a cleaner option that I can tonally color as needed, I picked up a...
Protagonist, I'm holding you personally responsible if this doesn't fly because I'm flying blind here!
I'm telling ya, this club is running on all cylinders right now. Keep up the great thoughts and I'll continue keeping up with you! At this time I'd like to introduce not on, not two, but three new members to the Combo Club! With as many posts having flown by the past week or so I'm not surprised. Se without further delay, I'd like to welcome: member #177...Chowny (BTW, love the Retrovibe Volante inn blue, but what's up with the out-of-stock lefties
PS: if there's anyone I'm missing from the past week or two, please let me know. It's been busy 'round here!
Welcome, chowny, Protagonist and ryco, to The Combo Club! Here are your official Club Communicator badges. They provide unfettered access to all the best parts of The Combo Clubhouse, in addition to instant voice contact with the member, or members, of your choice. See the Clubhouse section of The Combo Club Wiki page linked in my signature for more information.
you'll never find! And , as always, please do . . . .Rock Your Combo!
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McLaren guy eh? Ferrari California is my dream vehicle - that I will never own!
Okay, class, the professor made his decision as to the money in my pocket literally was burning a hole in it! ... ... Turn back..turn back... ... So I picked up a set of 760FLs to replace my Chromes and...a combo amp. It's been in my sights for a while, had a warehouse resealed for forty bucks less, and came ina color that in my lifetime I never thought I would own, basically because it's not black. As I'm searching for a cleaner option that I can tonally color as needed, I picked up a...
Protagonist, I'm holding you personally responsible if this doesn't fly because I'm flying blind here!
Ooo! Ooo! Ooo! I ... Ooo! ... I know ... Ooo! Ooo! PB&J! Ooo! Ooo!
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OK, you KNOW I'm going to clamor for a review of that amp when it comes in. I'm pretty sure I know which one you were looking at, mostly because you pointed me in that direction. May it fulfill your tonal desires!Okay, class, the professor made his decision as to the money in my pocket literally was burning a hole in it! I had a Sterling SUB Ray4 sitting in my inbox BUT aborted the mission. I decided I didn't want anything clankier than my Jazz. Then, the Squier CV Precision moved up with thoughts of putting a set of LaBellas on them, BUT that nearly 1.7" neck width haunted me in my dreams last night. I just don't wanna have to stretch any more than my Jazzer allows me to. Turn back..turn back...
That led me to dod a little reading and decide since I love my Jazz I need to put my current fave strings (said LaBellas) on it and continue the evolution towards what I want it, the Jazz, to sound like. I still love the Beatles bass, but I think my playing-style is leaning back to the Jazz and it's deeper bottom end.
So I picked up a set of 760FLs to replace my Chromes and...a combo amp. It's been in my sights for a while, had a warehouse resealed for forty bucks less, and came ina color that in my lifetime I never thought I would own, basically because it's not black. As I'm searching for a cleaner option that I can tonally color as needed, I picked up a...
Protagonist, I'm holding you personally responsible if this doesn't fly because I'm flying blind here!
The California is a beautiful car indeed! I like it considerably more than the Enzo.McLaren guy eh? Ferrari California is my dream vehicle - that I will never own!
I have had the F1 as my pinnacle car ever since I first read about it. I followed it's history and how Murry went about designing it. Attention to detail like making the shifter knob out of African blackwood because of it having just the right weight and balance in hand. Nothing since has seemed as special and as "right up my ally" as the F1, including all the cars McLaren has produced since.
Of course, currently I'm settling for a 96 Saturn SC1 in eggplant purple. It's close enough.
Back to Combo discussions. Here's my list of potential practice amps. Criteria: smaller is better, under 20 pounds, allows each bass to have it's own tone.
Blackstar Fly Bass
Vox Pathfinder Bass
Vox VX50BA
Roland Micro CB-RX
Phil Jones Double 4
Phil Jones Micro 7
Trace Elliot ELF 1x8 Combo
Yes, some of these are going to be better choices than others. The ELF is probably both too expensive and to specific of a sound, and the Fly and Pathfinder are probably too dinky to sound good.
OK, what am I missing? Calls from the gallery?
Blackstar Fly Bass
Vox Pathfinder Bass
Vox VX50BA
Roland Micro CB-RX
Phil Jones Double 4
Phil Jones Micro 7
Trace Elliot ELF 1x8 Combo
Yes, some of these are going to be better choices than others. The ELF is probably both too expensive and to specific of a sound, and the Fly and Pathfinder are probably too dinky to sound good.
OK, what am I missing? Calls from the gallery?
Hahaha! I was wondering if anyone would comment on the VocalSmasher back there. It's a leftover from my high school cover band 1972. It was all there was and the best there was at that time - above Bogan and Atlas horn systems. Yes - vocals was all we ran through it with Shure 57s and 58s - plus one little half stack monitor. We replaced it in '74 with a Voice of the Theater system - boy did we think we were big time!! and the VM towers became monitors set down sideways across the front of the stage.
I did pull it out in an emergency situation 15 years ago when we were playing at a tavern just a mile down the street and the drummer forgot his IEC power chord to his sound rig. Ran home - got it and sat it up in 10 minutes, plugged it in and it fired right up and was the SWEETEST sounding thing!! I was impressed!! But has been back in the garage, as pictured, not used again.
fun talkin'!
Mine's a Renegade:McLaren guy eh? Ferrari California is my dream vehicle - that I will never own!
Awesome! Living space up front, trailer for bass gear!
Okay, class, the professor made his decision as to the money in my pocket literally was burning a hole in it! I had a Sterling SUB Ray4 sitting in my inbox BUT aborted the mission. I decided I didn't want anything clankier than my Jazz. Then, the Squier CV Precision moved up with thoughts of putting a set of LaBellas on them, BUT that nearly 1.7" neck width haunted me in my dreams last night. I just don't wanna have to stretch any more than my Jazzer allows me to. Turn back..turn back...
That led me to dod a little reading and decide since I love my Jazz I need to put my current fave strings (said LaBellas) on it and continue the evolution towards what I want it, the Jazz, to sound like. I still love the Beatles bass, but I think my playing-style is leaning back to the Jazz and it's deeper bottom end.
So I picked up a set of 760FLs to replace my Chromes and...a combo amp. It's been in my sights for a while, had a warehouse resealed for forty bucks less, and came ina color that in my lifetime I never thought I would own, basically because it's not black. As I'm searching for a cleaner option that I can tonally color as needed, I picked up a...
Protagonist, I'm holding you personally responsible if this doesn't fly because I'm flying blind here!
I put LaBella 760FS flatwounds on my Squier VM 70s Jazz* and it made a huge difference in tone. I like the old school sound, so on the advice of others here on TB, I back the bass tone and bridge volume down and got a good sound from it.
I did later on get a Fender MIM P bass* and put the LaBella's on it and put the original roundwounds back on the Jazz, so now I have the best of both worlds.
*Lefty, of course.
I am not super familiar with all of the amps above, but I personally like having the Aux in feature, especially for playing / practicing at home, if that is where you are planning on using it for. If it is for gigging, then kindly disregard the above comment.
I have the Vox Pathfinder and I'd say avoid it. It works great as a preamp, and is cheaper than most DI/preamp pedals, but as a practice amp it's tone is thin. I've removed the speakers in mine and put in a speaker out and use it primarily as a preamp. I like the VX50BA, though.
Welcome, chowny, Protagonist and ryco, to The Combo Club! Here are your official Club Communicator badges. They provide unfettered access to all the best parts of The Combo Clubhouse, in addition to instant voice contact with the member, or members, of your choice. See the Clubhouse section of The Combo Club Wiki page linked in my signature for more information.
Be sure to check in at Madam M's All-Night Cinema and Laundromat in the Clubhouse! And don't let the name fool you, a finer bistro and, <ahem>, "lemonade stand"
Rock Your Combo!
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Now it’s OFFICIAL! You’ve been inducted by the vest this club has to offer. Don’t forget, there’s also Magg’s Pub, the acoustic stage for those mellower times, and new for 2020, Fearless Leader’s Amp Swap and Pickleball Court. I’ve been keeping it a well-guarded secret but it’s time to unveil the latest in club perks.
More to come...
Like our Intrepid Doctor, I too like the Vox VX50BA. It's ultralightness is unsurpassed, yet it gets quite a good tubey tone. It also has Aux In and Headphones connections, which can be essential in practice mode. My only disappointment in the li'l foxy Voxy is the pre-EQ-only DI Out. I want my EQ'd signal to go to FOH, or the recorder, as the case may be. But, as a practice amp, or for acoustic gigs, it's great!
I think you should consider a Rumble 40 combo at just 18 lb.s with a 10" speaker. It can give the same wide range of excellent tones as it's bigger brothers, plus it has Aux In, Headphone connection and a post-EQ XLR Out for FOH or recording. Very capable for practice, but also for a lot more gigs than the li'l foxy. The Rumble 100 would be a very worthy upgrade, if you're so inclined.
Finally, just in case you appreciate a very wide variety of tones, consider the Rumble Studio 40. It's modeling software is very advanced, yet easy to use. It has all the advantages of the Rumble 40, in addition to the adjustable sounds of a great many other amps, cabs and effects pedals, many in STEREO, plus simultaneous pre & post XLR Outs and 2 FX loops!! A truly amazing package of interesting and valuable features.
HTH
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Now we're talking my favorite hobby! All good choices, RR. You already know what I like, but it comes down to what you’d like. What are your goals for this new project? If can get away the Blackstar Fly then buy the two-pack and save up for your F1. On the other hand, if you can afford the Trace, you help me pay off my D4!
Speaking of the PJB, if you can wait I’ll get ya a first impression of the little red wagon. Then, of course, there are the Foxy Voxies! Now, and I’m sure this is against the rules, if you’re we’re looking for a mint VX50 BA, I might know someone who updated his/her C’list post by lowering said amp to 1-7-5.
Just sayin...
